5.3

Reliability and Validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Instrument

The relationship between emotional intelligence and the MBTI


Furnham, A. (2024).
The relationship between emotional intelligence and the MBTI.
Psychology, 15(03), 377–392.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a popular and relevant factor in understanding our relationship styles and how to improve them. As noted in Akber’s study presented above, personality is intimately related to emotional experience and expression, leading to levels of emotional intelligence as well. The author has published numerous papers analyzing large datasets from management consultancy firms, several highlighted here in the JPT-RD.

This current paper presents the results from analyses of two samples that took both the MBTI® assessment (form G) and the EQ-I 2.0® instrument. The author notes that correlations in both studies were significant but modest. In trait theory studies, trait Neuroticism was a significant negative factor of EQ; that is, high Neuroticism correlated significantly with lower EQ. The MBTI instrument, of course, does not have a similar scale for Neuroticism.

The findings from both studies confirm expectations in type theory and results from past studies: a preference for Feeling has higher EQ scores at the domain and facet levels. Further, preferences for Extraversion and Intuition also performed better than preferences for Sensing and Thinking, while preferences for Judging and Perceiving did not have significant correlations.


ARTICLE PERMALINK: https://www.myersbriggs.org/research-and-library/journal-psychological-type/personality-type-and-eq/

ARTICLE COMMENTS:

Use the form below to leave comments on this article summary for the research team and/or request a copy of the article by checking the box. Your name and email are required. Thank you.





Give us your thoughts on this article here:


Journal of Psychological Type® Research Digest (JPT-RD) is made available through Myers & Briggs Foundation, worldwide publisher. The editorial team includes Kesstan Blandin, PhD, Logan Abbitt, MLIS, and Purnima Sims.

For inquiries about accessing original articles, contact library@myersbriggs.org.

Myers & Briggs Foundation carries the legacy of Isabel Briggs Myers and the MBTI® instrument through our mission to educate the public about psychological type—including its ethical, meaningful, and practical applications—and to conduct research on psychological type and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) instrument. The JPT-RD, published annually, is a publication that highlights research and ideas in the field of psychological type, the MBTI Instrument, and Jungian thought.

©2025 Myers & Briggs Foundation, Inc., publisher.

Contact the JPT-RD Editorial Team at research@myersbriggs.org.