INTP

INTP (Introverted Thinker, with iNtuition as an auxiliary) is one of the sixteen personality types from psychological type systems based on C.G. Jung, of which the best-known are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Keirsey Temperament Sorter and Socionics.

Referring to Keirsey, INTPs belong to the temperament of the rationals and are called "Architects".

In Socionics INTps belong to the club of the researcher, the gamma Quadra and are named "Critics" or Balzac. Another notation for INTp is ILI (which is an acronym for Intuitive-Logical Intratim, referring to the cognitive functions).

Myers-Briggs Type Characteristics
INTP types are quiet, thoughtful, analytical individuals who don't mind spending long periods of time on their own working through problems and forming solutions. They are very curious about systems and how things work, and are frequently found in careers such as science, architecture and law. INTPs tend to be less at ease in social situations and the caring professions, although they enjoy the company of those who share their interests. They also tend to be impatient with the bureaucracy, rigid hierarchies, and politics prevalent in many professions, preferring to work informally with others as equals.

INTPs organize their understanding of any topic by articulating principles, and they are especially drawn to theoretical constructs--such as the MBTI. Having articulated these principles for themselves, they can demonstrate remarkable skill in explaining complex ideas to others in simple terms, especially in writing. On the other hand, their ability to grasp complexity may also lead them to provide overly detailed explanations of "simple" ideas, and listeners may judge that the INTP makes things more difficult than they are.

INTPs extraverted intuition gives them a quick wit, especially with language, and they can diffuse the tension in gatherings by comical observations and references. They can be charming, even in their quiet reserve, and can be astounded at the high esteem in which their friends and colleagues hold them.

Perhaps the most classic model for contemporary INTPs is the fictional character, "Mr. Spock" from the "Star Trek" saga created by Gene Roddenberry. The basis for the Vulcan species and culture, Mr. Spock is a creature of pure logic with (by their own assertion) no feeling, the archetypal tension in the INTP: Introverted Thinking excels in logical connection, but Extraverted Feeling pulls toward friendship, harmony, and the greater good. Throughout the development of Mr. Spock's character, we see him coming to terms with his "human half," displaying from time to time expressions of emotion and allowing himself to become vulnerable to his friends in his deepening relationships. Finally, in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," Spock makes the ultimate Extraverted Feeling statements to James Kirk: "I have been and always shall be your friend," and "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." Mr. Spock's demonstration of the "logic" of self-sacrifice, in dying for the good of others, is the final message of that movie. Other aspects of Spock's psychological type include his love of music and art and his ingenuity in adapting available materials to present need (extraverted iNtuition and extraverted Sensing working in tandem), as well as his subtle, charming sense of humor (extraverted iNtuition and introverted Thinking working in tandem).

Type Dynamics of the INTP
Type Dynamics refers to the interrelationship among the four cognitive functions in a psychological type. Far from being a simple combination of initials, the full type creates a rich interwoven system of perceiving and judging that explains much of the similarity and difference among the types.

Jung theorized that the dominant function acts alone in its preferred world--exterior, for the extraverts, and interior, for the introverts. Since the dominant function "dominates" its preferred world, he thought, the other three functions operate together in the in the opposite world. This phenomenon leads to an irony of psychological type: Extraverts have extremely rich interior lives, with three introverted functions operating to balance their dominant function. Introverts, for their part, have rich exterior lives, with three extraverted functions balancing their dominant function. The MBTI Manual. summarizes references in Jung's work to the balance in psychological type:

"Indeed, there are several references in Jung's writing to the three remaining functions having an opposite attitudinal character. For example, in writing about introverts with thinking dominant..., Jung commented that the counterbalancing functions (that is, auxiliary, tertiary, and inferior functions) have an extraverted character.(p.29)"

In the INTP, the dominant function, as with all introverts, is introverted. As introverted Thinkers, INTPs spend the majority of their time and energy putting order to the interior, logical world of principles and generalizations in an effort to understand. Introverted Thinking is cool, articulate, and aware of the forces that bind reality together.

The second function, or "auxiliary" function, is extraverted iNtuition, which gives the INTP a grasp of the patterns of the world around them. They use their iNtuition to put empirical data together into coherent pictures, from which universal principles may be derived.

The third function, or "tertiary" function, is extraverted Sensing, which gives the INTP potential for keen observation. Little wonder that the "scientific method," of theorizing, testing, and observing, was developed by and for INTPs.

The fourth function, or "inferior" function, is extraverted Feeling, which drives the INTP with the desire for harmony in community. At their most relaxed, INTPs can be charming and outgoing among friends, or when they have a clearly defined role in the group. When under stress, however, INTPs can feel disconnected from the people around them, unable to use their extraverted Feeling to reach out to others.

As a summary, then, the functions of the INTP are as follows:


 * 1) Introverted Thinking (Ti)
 * 2) Extraverted iNtuition (Ne)
 * 3) Extraverted Sensing (Se)
 * 4) Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

As a practical example, consider the two types known as the introverted Thinkers (ISTP and INTP). They share dominant introverted Thinking, which gives them a solid interior grasp of the underlying principles of life. The ISTPs with their preference of extraverted Sensing, love understanding physical, mechanical systems. The INTPs, for their part, love understanding theoretical systems through their extraverted iNtuition. Yet both types have BOTH extraverted Sensing and extraverted iNtuition, if in different order of preference. ISTPs are often very creative in using whatever materials are at hand in their building projects, adapting materials and tools to serve their goals, through their extraverted iNtuition. INTPs, at the same time, are often good at using physical tools, just like the ISTPs, through their extraverted Sensing.

Neither type, however, adapts well to the rules-oriented world of introverted Sensing, for example, instead tending to disrupt the settled order. Nor does either type have patience with the introverted iNtuitive world of inner vision. They prefer to stick to the straightforward articulation of their principles.