World Hello Day丨I heard this is a new type of greeting opening line: "Are you an i-person or an e-person?"

"Are you an i person or an e person?"

Recently, a greeting like this has become popular among young people. It may seem confusing at first, but it actually comes from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test. The test divides 16 personality types into four dimensions, and i and e are a group of individual behavioral difference classifications, where i stands for introversion and e stands for extraversion.

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On social media, personality tests such as MBTI become popular from time to time, and people holding test results start to gather together for warmth, as if they have found an organization to belong to. However, can we be easily defined by simple labels? Today is World Hello Day, let us understand the personality secrets behind the "new social jargon".

1. Among so many test results, why are i and e the most popular?

There are many theories and models in personality psychology, the most well-known of which is the introversion-extroversion dimension. This dimension describes how individuals behave in their daily lives: introverts tend to be alone or interact deeply with a few people, and pay more attention to their inner feelings and thoughts; while extroverts tend to engage in extensive social activities and pay more attention to external stimulation and feedback.

In the MBTI test answers, the classifications of i and e are more distinctive and more in line with typical performances in various social occasions, so much so that they are extended to the simple and rough classification of "social phobia" and "social adeptness". Various Internet memes that fit their behavioral patterns have been derived on the Internet, attracting young people to "identify themselves with the categories".

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This concise and interesting greeting not only conforms to the "short, flat and fast" communication style of young people, but also reflects a sense of social belonging. They may use this method in a specific social circle or community to establish common interests and a sense of identity.

2. Using hashtags to socialize is fine, but it’s not the secret to effective socializing

Using personality labels and personality test results as greetings can help young people find a sense of belonging and support in their social circles, which in turn becomes the basis for building social relationships. However, a person's personality is much richer than the personality labels given by psychological tests. Each of us has unique experiences, values, and behaviors, which shape our personality. However, people are highly malleable, and our personalities will not always remain in the past state, but will change silently like a trickle. Personality labels are only a rough description, and they cannot fully reflect a person's personality traits . If you completely accept this label, you are confining yourself or others to a certain mold, and you are also inadvertently rejecting self-growth.

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The key to effective social interaction is to understand and respect others. Both introverts and extroverts have their own way of socializing. Introverts may need more private space and time, while extroverts may gain energy from extensive social activities. Understanding and respecting the needs of others is the basis for building healthy social relationships.

Communicating our thoughts and feelings clearly, accurately, and respectfully can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts. At the same time, listening, observing, and responding are also very important social skills. Understanding the other person's views and feelings can enhance mutual understanding and respect. Responding according to needs can enhance the emotions of both parties.

3. Go beyond personality labels! Everyone can speak up boldly in life

Although personality labels help us understand and describe individual behavioral characteristics, we should not be bound by them. People's personalities develop and change quietly in life. After all, some people are "emo" (only show their emo side with their closest friends, talking and laughing, but timid to others), and some people are "intermittent emo and regular emo" (carefree, happy and optimistic all year round, but sometimes they can be emo to the point of internal injury)... So, you may not be good at speaking today, but you may be humorous tomorrow. We can change our behavior and response patterns through learning and practice. Don't let personality labels become an excuse for self-limitation, but regard them as a tool for staged description to help us better understand ourselves and others.

In addition, we should also avoid relying too much on personality labels to understand others. Everyone has their own unique experiences and backgrounds, with multiple dimensions of characteristics and possibilities. Personality can also develop and change over time and experience, which can determine a person's behavior more than simple personality labels. Therefore, we should approach others with an open attitude, rather than prejudge what kind of person they are.

In general, personality labels are just a guiding tool for understanding personality. We should go beyond simple personality labels and see each vivid, unique, and complex individual. Whether we are "i-person" or "e-person", we can find our own way of socializing and enjoy the fun of interacting with others. Everyone is a unique individual and deserves to be understood and respected .

Author of this article:

Tang Yicheng, China Science Popularization Expert, Secretary General of the Science Popularization Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society

Wang Xiang Chief Writer, Beijing China Science Popularization Center for Mental Health Promotion

Review expert: Fan Chunlei, associate researcher at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Produced by: China Science and Technology Press Co., Ltd., China Science and Technology Publishing House (Beijing) Digital Media Co., Ltd.