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Intp.. Intj?

2027 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  NeedsNewNameNow
When I first approached this I was unsure of what to even put in here for you guys to help me figure me out. So I went around and looked at some other threads to get some insight. In the end what I settled for was a rambling(?) of my thoughts about how I can be this or that and maybe some of you who understand the settle nuances of these personality type things can decipher me. (By the way would this be considered TE?)

I read this pretty detailed description of INTP at (An INTP Profile) and a lot of it does click to me very much.. but I suppose a lot of it can match well with INTJ also.

I love to explain and clarify because I hate being misunderstood. In my younger years (not too long ago) I would love to learn just about anything... but now I feel like its pointless to learn information that will provide minimum functionality later on...

My friends would type me as ambitious, stubborn, assertive(pushy?), maybe on the arrogant side and also on the oblivious side when it comes to emotional/social intelligence. I think it's because I'm also so focused on inward thought sometimes that I become detached from my visual senses. I believe that leads me to not being great with social norms or picking up on subtle emotional changes. It annoys me so much that I am not competent in these areas that seem so crucial in life, I'm planning on picking up some nonverbal language books or Paul Ekman's FACS to improve myself in that aspect. I think that even if I knew the norms well I still wouldn't want to sacrifice too much individuality and free thought.. I'd have to weigh it out for each situation.

I'm still young, early 20's, maybe I'm an INTP in transition to INTJ? Lol, I used to think I was an infp/infj before I realized I'm a bit of an emotional retard. The only thing stopping me from making a super firm decision is what I feel is a lack of mastery in personality typing. I'd bet money that I'm an INTJ though.

So what do you think I am? Whats the differences between INTP and INTJ. What about ISTJ and INTJ?

Random note: I also somewhat think that If I tried hard enough to be a certain type then I could be that type. They say the type you are is what you are most natural with... but couldn't one consciously/manually train themselves to be a certain type to the point of where it's more natural to them?

Thanks in advance.
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IMO, you sound like an INTJ. I once thought that INTP profile rang true, and from some aspects it does, but the functions I later found out were not my natural functions.

INTJ vs INTP
While both INTPs and INTJs are concerned with the rationality of a given argument, INTJs tend to be less speculative and more careful with their than INTPs. INTPs, who are typically more right-brained than INTJs, are more holistic and “all-at-once” in their approach to truth. Therefore, an argument that is rationally sound and “rings true” to the INTP may be deemed sufficient. INTJs, in contrast, tend to be more cautious and analytical in their appraisals. Whereas the INTP may be satisfied with catching the drift an argument, INTJs attend more closely to the way it is stated and whether or not it is empirically-grounded. INTJs are more concerned with the individual components of the argument, including their arrangement in a linear and logical sequence so that a reasonable conclusion can be drawn. In the strictest sense, INTJs are more logical, analytical, and factual than INTPs.
Since INTJs are often masters of logic and language, with vigilant attention to the manner in which things are articulated, they can represent a source of frustration for all types, even INTPs. INTPs enjoy making intuitive leaps from one subject to the next and are adept at formulating connections among even the most disparate topics. As a result, a given INTP might come to believe he has arrived at an important new theory of the universe following an hour’s work with a pen and a sketch pad. INTJs, through often possessing strong powers of intuition, funnel things more carefully through the left side of the brain. Consequently, they often display little patience or interest in an INTP’s random musings, demanding the INTP employ more specifics and linearity in his or her argument. This can be quite difficult and frustrating for INTPs, who may consider INTJ overly nitpicky and fussy. While some INTJs may exercise their questioning as a means of frustrating or embarrassing their interlocutors, in the majority of instances, they are merely requesting information that their logical apparatus demands for conducting a viable evaluation of any argument.
Though INTPs may see themselves as “system thinkers,” this is much more accurately applied to the thinking of INTJs. For INTPs, the outlines of information tends to get blurred in their minds, intermixing in a way that emphasizes the unity of the whole over the identity of the parts. INTJs are also able to see the whole, but are also adept at preserving the identity and distinct relationships between the parts. Granted, the INTJ’s “big picture” may not be as all-encompassing or grandiose as that of the INTP, but this is often because their careful minds do not grant them the freedom to move at the same speed and to cover as much ground as is true of their perceiving counterparts.
Not only are INTJs system thinkers, they are also system builders. According to many an INTJ, if the world could only tighten up its systems—making them more logical and efficient—we would be much better off. As a result, INTJs are much more at home world of structures and institutions than INTPs. In fact, INTJs are often the ones behind the scenes designing and augmenting them. Because of their affinity for working with and within systems, INTJs can usually find a niche in nearly any setting that provides for the application of their analytic and strategic powers. Unlike their INP counterparts, INTJs are often quite satisfied in their work, sometimes persisting in the same post for their entire career.
While NPs tend to be generalists, INTJs are naturally compelled to specialize. Due to their penchant for step-by-step analysis and tracing sequences of causality, INTJs can spend a great deal of time and effort studying a relatively small chunk of reality. For this reason, they are commonly found among scientists and are by far the most common personality type among academics. The fact that science and empirical research proceeds according to rather stringent guidelines does not deter INTJs as it does INTPs, as they see rules and regulations as an indispensible and necessary component of any serious enterprise. In fact, one might understand the INTJ’s demands for articulate language and precise logic as stemming from their felt need to comply with specific rules of engagement, rules which serve to ensure clarity and efficiency in communication.
With regard to INTJ jobs, majors, and careers, the sky is the limit. INTJs may be scientists, engineers, scholars, business executives, systems analysts, physicians, attorneys, consultants, or architects. Although frequently enamored by science and technology, many INTJs exhibit strong interests in the arts and culture. INTJs may particularly enjoy studying music and music theory, representing another symbolic medium amenable to their formidable powers of structural analysis.
In general, INTJs are less apt to vacillate with regard to life and career decisions than INPs. However, INTJs with a strong preference for intuition may experience some degree of difficulty in this regard, faced with a vast array of options for applying their skills and abilities. These types are also more likely to show uncertainty with regard to their judging-perceiving preference, as it is somewhat unusual for the same individual to exhibit strong preferences for both intuition and judging. Empirical research bears this out, consistently demonstrating that intuition and perceiving are paired more frequently than intuition and judging. For this reason, INTJs and INFJs are the rarest of all personality types.
When all is said and done, INTJs tend to have an easier time finding a satisfying niche in modern society than their INP counterparts. The primary challenge for INTJs involves tempering their perfectionism and learning to balance work, leisure, and relationships. Though highly productive and persevering in their work, INTJs often struggle to avoid being all-consumed workaholics. If left unchecked, their workaholism may precipitate a complete breakdown of their health or relationships. In some cases, this is the only thing that can marshal the INTJs attention, invoking a reexamination of lifestyle and priorities.
As with other intuitive introverts, INTJs need to make a point of attending to themselves physically. Watching their diet and engaging in regular physical activity is essential for cultivating optimal physical and mental well-being. Though most INTJs pay lip service to this idea, some may struggle to put it into practice, as they are too consumed with vigorously pursing their careers or scholastic endeavors. INTJs need to learn to the difference between self-discipline and obsessiveness, with only the former being applicable toward the cultivation of a well-balanced life. (Source: INTJ The Personality Junkie)
INTP and INTJ. What about ISTJ and INTJ?
As for the difference between INTJ and ISTJ, check this link out (Sensing or iNtuition Preference). These links may help too, Introverted Sensing
Introverted iNtuiting
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You sound more INTJ (Ni-Te) than INTP (Ti-Ne).

INTP dominant/auxiliary cognitive function combo is Ti-Ne
INTJ dominant/auxiliary cognitive function combo is Ni-Te
ISTJ dominant/auxiliary cognitive function combo is Si-Te

There's some good info here about the 8 different cognitive functions and their relation to MB personality types: Understanding the Eight Jungian Cognitive Processes / Eight Functions Attitudes

We have the ability to use different cognitive functions depending on the situation ... you can develop/improve your use of different cognitive functions and become a more rounded personality, but at the end of the day it's about where your preferences lie and generally it doesn't change for the majority.
here's a few questions:

how organized are you? Is it a problem for you?
do you have trouble making decisions?
can you easily see multiple possible answers?
Are you easily distracted?
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