Personally, I think the flaw you see in mbti is from your lack in information. Since you haven't seen the true test to mbti and you definately haven't seen it applied properly, you can not assume it's flawed based on bad mbti tests.
I don't understand function theory and many people have tried explaining it to me. From my standpoint, I see many flaws in it and it is less accurate than mbti. If you really can take that step back and see things for more than what you think it is, you will see the superiority in mbti over function theory. That is what I have learned through observation and what I gathered after a particular few have tried explaining functions to me.
P.S. Oh, and welcome to mbtic! :hi:
first of all, i've been studying/researching/talking about/analyzing mbti for about 2 years (i've been COMPLETELY OBSESSED), and i didn't know anything about functions until about 6 months ago. so i don't think i lack very much information. it's true that i've never paid for a test, but that's because i think self-analysis and study is more accurate.
secondly, "you definately haven't seen it applied properly" is completely untrue and unfounded. unless you want to argue that my 18 months of research were worthless :-/
third, you start your last paragraph with "I don't understand function theory" and go on to say "From my standpoint, I see many flaws in it and it is less accurate than mbti." and "If you really can take that step back and see things for more than what you think it is, you will see the superiority in mbti over function theory." if you don't understand the theory, why are you drawing such strong conclusions about it?
my point is this: i've studied mbti AND function theory. and i understand BOTH of them.
MBTI cannot differentiate between the N and F in xNFPs and xNFJs even though they are completely different. MBTI says xNFPs and xNFJs ONLY differ in the J vs. P spectrum.
in function theory, which is what the mbti was originally based on, the kind of intuition and the kind of feeling that NFPs and NFJs use are different. this allows for a more accurate interpretation of cognitive functioning (not the jungian functions, but the more abstract concept).
my qualm with mbti isn't a problem with the tests. its a problem with the application. mbti implies that an ENTP and an ENTJ are just as similar as an ENTP and an ENFP. this is NOT the case. ENTP and ENFP are much much more closely related than ENTP and ENTJ.
you have to understand that mbti is an oversimplification of function theory, not vice versa. you can deduce mbti type from order of cognitive functions, but you cannot deduce function order from mbti alone.
i really don't mean to come across as an asshole, but i can't help defending my stance.