The MBTI, cultural creation and self-conceptions: A case study of a subcultural meme on Chinese social media

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, has recently gained popularity among Chinese millennials and Gen Zs. Framing the MBTI has a cultural item or meme, we explore it and the subculture that has emerged around it on Chinese social media. We rely on a symbolic interactionist conception of cultural creation to show how the MBTI became known (K), useable (U), functional (F), appropriate (A), and triggered (T) on social media platforms, and how it circulates within a network of young Chinese social media users. Our analysis highlights the memetic spread of MBTI among Chinese millennials and Gen Zs in terms of a contemporary Chinese social media subculture that facilitates and supports the development and expression of non-traditional self-conceptions and identities. Using the MBTI not only provides opportunities for desirable presentations of self, but also simplifies definitions of self and other and thus helps streamline interactions among youths.