[Aluminum Frost]

Like why does this stereotype even exist? There's 7 other thinking types. INTJs aren't even thinking doms.

 

[Drecon]

The problem with stereotypes is that they are self-reassuring. The same problem exists with the ESFP party-girl stereotype or the ISTP 'kind of dumb' car mechanic stereotype. All of them are harmful for typology in general and people specifically.
The thing is that, if someone has a certain sterotype in mind and then encounters a single person of that type, they will see that as proof that the sterotypes are the way to go. Every time you see a new example, that only reaffirms the stereotype.
The problem is that you don't see the ones that don't fit the stereotype, since they don't fit the theory.

I'm not here to bring a solution though. It's a deep problem with how the human mind works and it's very hard to fight against.

 

[Fchicken77]

Apparently, INTxs are the "smartest" types according to statistics. Though this is not true since I am not smart.
I have an ISTP friend and she is pretty logical as long as you don't trigger her.

I believe that all thinking types are all equally as logical, but they sometimes depend on other factors as well. Emotion may also play a big part in this, as we tend to lose control of our logic(didn't specify which way it will go, it depends on the person and environment) when we feel certain things.

Though some feelers can be logical too, maybe even more logical than some of the thinking types. This might be because of some other factors that can greatly impact our thinking. This also applies the other way round – thinkers can be more emotion-based than some feelers. It only depends on which one you use more, not which one is stronger.

I kind of hate the "INTJs are evil/mean/arrogant" stereotype. I admit that I can be an asshole sometimes, but I don't go into being an evil mastermind or being a narcissist(I know that narcissism is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's too big of a stereotype and can sometimes become out-of-hand.).

 

[Judson Joist]

I like being in touch with my "soft" side, so yeah. Screw that noise! Anyway, a lot of us are more like detectives than scientists.

We're less like this.

And more like this.

 

[Surreal Snake]

Lol super logical master debater that’s funny. I see more anime from them than anything else.

 

[Skeletalz]

Like why does this stereotype even exist? There's 7 other thinking types. INTJs aren't even thinking doms.

Dude, lemme give you some "advice", check out of the whole mbti thing, its all just more bullshit that wastes your time. Focus your energy onto something more productive. Now, if you could excuse me, Ive got my own advice to take

 

[Judson Joist]

I see more anime from them than anything else.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

[Kaioken]

People using those stereotypes for themselves just need to eat reassured about something. Check mtibase if you want to cringe about that.

 

[PiT]

The stereotype is an embarrassing one and frankly makes me wish I were a type that carried less mystique. It's not only the fault of MBTI too, but I experience being misunderstood in all sorts of ways because people don't grasp the difference that exists between the face I show the world and the face I keep to myself. I constantly have to put up with people (many of whom know nothing about MBTI) who see me as having a great memory or as being extroverted or as being confident when none of those are really the case.

Considering how most people drastically misread the INTJ without any form of typology to prompt them to do so, it is little surprise that the understanding of the INTJ as a type should be shrouded in stereotype. We aren't the only type to be mystified in such a fashion, but the sheer difference of the INTJ mindset from that of most people (feelers substantially outnumber thinkers) probably has a role to play here.

 

[psyche]

I think it's probably mostly because of the way they present themselves... Because that is a good point, there are 4 NT's in total and in my experience, they each possess amazing intellectual ability or at least gravitate toward strengthening or utilizing their intellect very naturally. But the thing is... you walk away from an xNTP and you can't help but think, "That person is kind of gentle and scatterbrained" on some level, and especially with ENTP's they can almost come off like comedians... With ENTJ's of course they come off in control and sharp but the dominant feeling is, "Wow, that person really needs to be in charge" or "I'd better not mess with that person"...like I feel like their...dominance overshadows their intellect in terms of the impression you get, I guess. But with INTJ's you can't help but walk away from them and feel like, damn that person is like a robot, they are so in control and...heady. More than once I have gotten a headache sitting next to them, I can just feel them intellectualizing every little thing, honestly. But yeah...I think it is more just the impression than anything, because some of the people I have gotten to know best have been INTJ's and even in the cases it wasn't the...healthiest relationship I felt like they were some of the most...deeply strikingly sensitive people I'd ever met. I think my fi can feel theirs pretty intensely sometimes.

 

[Turi]

Apparently, INTxs are the "smartest" types according to statistics. Though this is not true since I am not smart.
I have an ISTP friend and she is pretty logical as long as you don't trigger her.

I believe that all thinking types are all equally as logical, but they sometimes depend on other factors as well. Emotion may also play a big part in this, as we tend to lose control of our logic(didn't specify which way it will go, it depends on the person and environment) when we feel certain things.

Though some feelers can be logical too, maybe even more logical than some of the thinking types. This might be because of some other factors that can greatly impact our thinking. This also applies the other way round – thinkers can be more emotion-based than some feelers. It only depends on which one you use more, not which one is stronger.

I kind of hate the "INTJs are evil/mean/arrogant" stereotype. I admit that I can be an asshole sometimes, but I don't go into being an evil mastermind or being a narcissist(I know that narcissism is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's too big of a stereotype and can sometimes become out-of-hand.).

Why do you equate logic with intelligence?
I ask, because I've been told I'm illogical on many occasions, yet I finished school a year and a half earlier than others my age, skipped a year and finished my last year in 6 months - could have been quicker, but I'm lazy (completed our Year 12 when I was 15 and a half - supposed to be 17-18).

Where people are trying to understand the logic behind a problem, seeking a solution, I feel they're slow in the head, why do they not already understand it? Why don't they already know how to solve it? I usually do.
No logic involved. Just boom muthafucker Turi in the house, goin' all Peg + Cat.

Very interested in what you have to say.
I don't see the connection between logic and intelligence at all.

Regarding T types and emotions, haha, yes, make a joke at an INTJs expense and watch the butthurt commence, it's ridiculous.
From my observations online at least, they're probably the most touchy type. Least able to take a joke.
Also by far the least capable of recognising when something is a joke in the first place too.

However these observations don't line up with the only person I know IRL that's an INTJ (I suspect).. she's.. not so touchy.. and she's more fun and upbeat than the ones on this forum that feel as though they intentionally portray themselves as an INTJ stereotype.

The stereotype is an embarrassing one and frankly makes me wish I were a type that carried less mystique. It's not only the fault of MBTI too, but I experience being misunderstood in all sorts of ways because people don't grasp the difference that exists between the face I show the world and the face I keep to myself. I constantly have to put up with people (many of whom know nothing about MBTI) who see me as having a great memory or as being extroverted or as being confident when none of those are really the case.

I know the feeling bra. Half the reason I switch types. All that mystique BS. Don't want.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this - since Te is your auxiliary.. maybe it's not so apparent, but, do you find a massive difference between what's going on in your head, and what you present to the world?

Like when you interact with people, does it feel as though.. almost a contradiction of sorts.. because Ni is so deep (not in a positive way most of the time imo) and self-absorbed.. so immersed in its own perceptions etc you know the deal... yet, conversing with people - you don't feel you can let that out, they'd think you're a nutjob.

So there's a super deep, self-aware world inside your head, that has to remain there.
The person you truly are and the person you have to be to function in society.. are the almost completely separate entities?

How does Te come across in person? Like in ordinary conversation with people?

How separate does that feel, from your ordinary Ni dom self - I want to get a feel for the difference between what's inside your head, and the front you put on.. and see if there's any drastic difference that makes interactions sometimes feel superficial to you.

 

[Fumetsu]

Like why does this stereotype even exist? There's 7 other thinking types. INTJs aren't even thinking doms.

Right? Don't even get me started on how hilarious this self-agrandizing and utterly innacurate bullshit is.

 

[Stevester]

Nicknaming them the ''mastermind'' is essentially saying they are superior to the other 15 types :/

 

[Handsome Dyke]

Nicknaming them the ''mastermind'' is essentially saying they are superior to the other 15 types :/

I thought "mastermind" just meant "good at strategizing."

 

[PiT]

I know the feeling bra. Half the reason I switch types. All that mystique BS. Don't want.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this - since Te is your auxiliary.. maybe it's not so apparent, but, do you find a massive difference between what's going on in your head, and what you present to the world?

Like when you interact with people, does it feel as though.. almost a contradiction of sorts.. because Ni is so deep (not in a positive way most of the time imo) and self-absorbed.. so immersed in its own perceptions etc you know the deal... yet, conversing with people - you don't feel you can let that out, they'd think you're a nutjob.

So there's a super deep, self-aware world inside your head, that has to remain there.
The person you truly are and the person you have to be to function in society.. are the almost completely separate entities?

How does Te come across in person? Like in ordinary conversation with people?

How separate does that feel, from your ordinary Ni dom self - I want to get a feel for the difference between what's inside your head, and the front you put on.. and see if there's any drastic difference that makes interactions sometimes feel superficial to you.

There is indeed a big difference, and a lot of it has to do with both Ni and Fi actually.

Ni is always busy trying to view an issue from every possible angle. I know in my Ni and subconsciousness thread you commented that based on descriptions of Ni it seems impossible to function as an Ni-dom, and it is actually rather difficult, though for reasons that were different from the ones relevant in that thread. I have competing notions that constantly vie for attention. I might be arguing for a position and then suddenly think of a counterargument that I had not considered, or a set of facts that could be used to support a contrary position that I had not weighed in my own analysis. I expose my Ni more on the forum than I do IRL, which gives me an air of vacillation and uncertainty that is far less obvious to people who see my Te conclusions.

The "master debater" line from the topic title really resonates with me, and this is a big part of why. Because I am always playing devil's advocate to myself on the inside, debates are actually quite scary to me as much as I value them as an educational tool. I am never quite satisfied with my own arguments and am always worried that I represent my own position poorly. You're right about Ni needing to be kept out of sight: by itself it is little more than a jumble of related thoughts and impressions, which is then given structure by Te.

Fi acts almost as a series of footnotes or qualifications to Ni-Te. Anything that I judge to be true or false, credible or not, comes with a personal opinion of that proposition independent of the initial judgment. A problem that young INTJs face is mistaking undeveloped Fi for Te. It's happened a few times that I get into an argument over something, and realize once I talk about it that I had no actual basis for my own impressions. As it happens not only is there always the problem of thinking that my own arguments for a position are not good enough, but also that my reason for holding to it is irrational altogether.

Not that there is anything wrong with holding a position due to purely personal preferences, but I have a deep innate sense that such positions are not convincing. It is hard to describe exactly, but to me my personal opinions of propositions are almost like "ulterior motives"; things that influence me in my thoughts, but would only serve to reflect poorly on me if ever brought to light. It is a powerful cognitive bias that is hard to overcome, even though I have determined from personal experience that most people are convinced by Fi more than by Te.

Overall, I get a sense sometimes that I'm lying when I talk to people. I come across as direct and assertive, but my interior self does not carry either opinion of myself. I wouldn't say they are separate selves so much as there is a "true self" and a "facade for the benefit of others". Even though Te is more important to my decision-making process, Fi tends to get identified with that "true self" since it is introverted along with Ni and is part of the same wave of thoughts that hits me whenever I am trying to make a point. I suspect that may be the big reason why the tertiary function is accorded such importance inconsistent with its position in the cognitive function stack; it aligns with the dominant function, and therefore is accorded a special place in the formulation of the identity.

 

[PiT]

I thought "mastermind" just meant "good at strategizing."

Strictly speaking yes, but it carries a strong connotation of "genius".

 

[baitedcrow]

True 'nuff the stereotypes and unfortunately even many of the profiles speculatively describe traits that are not actually implied by either the I + N + T + J combo dichotomies-wise or the Ni + Te + Fi + Se combo CF-wise. The same is true of other types too, but with INTJs the "Mastermind" crap attracts a lot of budding little narcissistic Randroid sorts, reasonably typed or not, and them applying the label to themselves and having passive-aggressive who's INTJ-ier competitions kind of reinforces the problem. (Which, to be fair, isn't that much of a problem... but it does help to further misunderstanding of/about the typology system(s).)

 

[Stevester]

It carries more of a ''I'm two steps ahead of all you monkeys'' tone. But maybe I'm reading too much into it.

 

[Bunniculla]

My husband is INTJ. Trust me, nothing mystical about him xD

He is super logical and plans ahead, making sure things go smoothly. He also looks at things from different logical angles to come to find the best solution. HOWEVER, he is definitely not that dark, lonely, mysterious mastermind type xD lolol

He's actually really goofy and childish at times, and serious when he needs to be.

 

[shameless]

It doesn't really bother me. ACTUAL INTJs I have known are masterminds. Whether they use their powers for good or evil is case by case. And some use their powers for good & evil.