INTJ « The Personality Junkie

INTJ

by A.J. Drenth / http://personalityjunkie.com/

“INTJ” is one of sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types. According to the Myers-Briggs framework, INTJs prefer introversion (I), intuition (N), thinking (T), and judging (J). Of the sixteen personality types, INTJs are among the most logical, analytical, intense, and independent. While the majority of INTJs excel when it comes to in-depth analysis and strategic planning, if given sufficient interpersonal skills, they can also make excellent leaders.

Typically more “left-brained” than their perceiving counterparts, INTJs are generally articulate and well-spoken. They tend to display a higher degree of self-confidence and dominance than perceivers, sometimes to the point of being viewed as intimidating and unapproachable. INTJs can also appear cold and unemotional, presenting with a stoic and formal appearance and impenetrable austerity of expression.

INTJs sometimes project an air of superiority, elitism, and ostensible lack of openness toward opposing perspectives. This perception partly relates to the severe standards INTJs impose on their interlocutors, expecting them to communicate with the same degree of precision and logic they demand from themselves. Consequently, those who are more sensitive may attempt to avoid interactions with the INTJ, feeling as though they cannot enjoy even the simplest of conversations without being critiqued or corrected.

INTJs are among the most perfectionistic and hard-working of all types. They are highly motivated and achievement-oriented, willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish their goals. INTJs are extremely demanding of themselves and others, expecting efficiency, attention to detail, and careful execution. Because of their lofty standards, INTJs often prefer to work independently, allowing them to assume full responsibility and control over the outcome of their work. Others may often find it difficult to work alongside INTJs, seeing them as controlling and overly demanding. Regardless of how they are perceived by others, INTJs generally accomplish a great deal over the course of their lives, functioning as invaluable and dedicated contributors to the work of society.

Despite appearing severe and unemotional, INTJs have a rich inner life that remains relatively concealed from the casual onlooker. Inwardly, INTJs evince an openness, creativity, and spiritual depth which is somewhat diametrical to their outward presentation. While NP types tend to display their openness and whimsicality fairly readily, INJ types are slower to show this side of themselves. Because of the combination of intuition and affinity for language, some INTJs, like their INFJ counterparts, enjoy reading or writing poetry. For these types, spirit is encountered through the logos, which serves as a symbol and entryway to the sublime. NP types, who tend to be more right-brain dominant, seem to apprehend the spiritual realm more directly, without the same degree of need for symbolic intermediation. In this sense, INTJs can be considered somewhat more abstract in their spirituality than INTPs.

A good illustration of this discrepancy is the attraction of INTPs to existential philosophy. Existentialism represents a rebellion against what is perceived as the overly abstract, hyperrationality of modernism with a concomitant usurping of spirit in human affairs. The existentialists called for a reinstitution of the irrational and mundane aspects of human nature into philosophical thought. INTJs are less likely to join the existentialist bandwagon than INTPs, as INTJs encounter the sublime through the vehicle of abstract symbols, such as language. INTJs may therefore view existentialism as too simplistic and unsophisticated, perhaps to the point of discounting it as “real” philosophy, which they understand as logical by definition.

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.

Famous INTJs: Aristotle, Darwin, Sartre, Kant, Jefferson, Chomsky, Whitehead

For more on INTJ occupations, professions, etc., see INTJ Personality: Careers, Jobs, Majors, Interests.

Other type descriptions / profiles / portraits: INTP INFJ INFP

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* This INTJ profile is also likely to resonate with Enneagram Fives (5w6, 5w4), Ones (1w9, 1w2), and possibly some Sixes (6w5).