Modern Personality Typology in Buddhist Perspective: A Comparative Study of the MBTI Model and the Carita Concept

Pratna Dian Pratiwi

Abstract


The phenomenon of utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a static identity label among contemporary youth necessitates a critical review through a more dynamic psychological perspective. This study aims to deconstruct the MBTI personality model through the lens of Buddhist developmental psychology, specifically focusing on the concepts of Carita (temperament) and Gati (character disposition). The research methodology employed is library research with a hermeneutic approach and content analysis techniques applied to MBTI literature and the Tipitaka, particularly the Visuddhimagga.

The results indicate a significant ontological tension: while MBTI tends to reify personality as a fixed entity, Buddhism perceives character as a plastic, processual flow characterized by dynamic conditionality. Through comparative analysis, it was found that MBTI serves as an effective cognitive map for interpersonal communication, whereas the concept of Carita provides a transformative-ethical dimension by prescribing specific meditation objects based on dominant mental traits. The synergy between these two models culminates in a Dynamic Character Development Framework, enabling individuals to optimize their cognitive preferences without relinquishing the moral agency necessary for internal transformation. This study concludes that the integration of Eastern contemplative wisdom and Western psychological typologies facilitates a holistic character literacy essential for religious educators and leaders in the modern era.


Keywords


MBTI, Carita, Buddhist Psychology, Self-Development, Comparative Study.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.69835/jpd.v12i2.851

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