INTJs, like their INFJ counterparts, are among the rarest of the personality types, thought to comprise only 2-3% of the population. More often than not, INTJs carry a y-chromosome, outnumbering INTJ females at a clip of four to one.
Like other Intuitive Introverts, INTJs try to see the big picture and look beyond appearances and superficialities. They place little stock in outside or “expert” opinions, preferring to look inward for answers. They feel they possess the inner tools and insights required to independently determine truth. When they do consult outside information, it is largely for the sake of confirming their own insights. Because of their strength of mind, will, and insight, INTJs may well be the most productive theorists of all types.
INTJs often present as austere and impassive, displaying little as far as variability of emotion or expression. Exuding an air of learnedness and erudition, they may sometimes be perceived as intellectual snobs or elitists. Perceptions of arrogance or aloofness notwithstanding, their status as intellectuals is typically well-founded. Not only do INTJs sport the highest collective IQ of all types, but they are generally well-informed, displaying broad-ranging knowledge and impressive memories.
As left-brained masterminds, INTJs wield logic and language like swords. They sport impressive vocabularies and precision in articulation. They are undeterred from directly and firmly expressing their viewpoints. At times, onlookers can be taken aback by their directness, viewing them as opinionated, dogmatic, or closed-minded.
INTJs can also be quite talkative (see this post) and witty. Some are downright hilarious. Drawing on their memory for details and strong oratory skills, INTJs can make for good storytellers. Like INFJs, they enjoy employing stories, metaphors, and examples from popular culture (Se) to help illustrate abstract concepts or ideas. This represents a point of difference from their INTP counterparts, who, while witty, are generally poor at delivering stories or jokes. INTJs who allow the inner playfulness of their Ni to shine through will enjoy better success with people, taking the edge off what can be perceived as their sometimes harsh or insensitive Te.
Overview of INTJs’ Functional Stack & Type Development
INTJs’ functional stack is composed of the following functions:
Dominant: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Auxiliary: Extraverted Thinking (Te)
Tertiary: Introverted Feeling (Fi)
Inferior: Extraverted Sensing (Se)
The type development of INTJs can be broadly conceived according to three phases:
Phase I (childhood-20s)
Early in life, INTJs are characterized by the development and dominance of their Introverted Intuition (Ni). As Introverts, they may also show significant development of their second function, Extraverted Thinking (Te), which can serve as a helpful extraverted tool for navigating the outside world. The Ni-Te function pair allows INTJs to make and express judgments.
Since Ni is a perceiving function, it would be spurious to classify INTJs as closed-minded at any point in their development. But during Phase I, at least when viewed from without, they may seem rigid, stubborn, opinionated, or closed-minded. Even if their judgments are precociously accurate, they may, at this stage, lack some discernment regarding if, when, and how it is best to express those judgments. Moreover, their Ni-Te conclusions are not yet being honed and tempered by their tertiary Fi, making the INTJ more reluctant to review or revise them.
Phase II (20s-30s)
Once the dominant function reaches a certain threshold of strength and dominance, the inferior function enters the picture and begins to play a more influential role. This can be confusing because the inferior is not next in line for development in the functional stack. The inferior’s undue influence derives from its bipolar relationship with the dominant function.
The inferior function seems to have its own agenda, exhibiting needs and desires that seem contrary to the dominant function. What often results is a sort of love-hate, either-or situation, in which one alternates between indulging and depriving the inferior. Less obvious, but no less problematic, is the way in which the inferior can unconsciously influence decision-making. As I’ve discussed elsewhere, the inferior function is the primary culprit in unwise career and relational decision-making. Unfortunately, its influence peaks in Phase II of type development, which happens to be the same time people are making life-altering decisions about their careers and relationships.
In addition to the increasing presence and influence of their inferior function, Extraverted Sensing (Se), INTJs’ also experience a softening of their judgments as they become more open to the personal feelings and values associated with their tertiary function, Introverted Feeling (Fi). As they utilize and become more comfortable with their Fi, they become increasingly open to exploring their inferior function, Extraverted Sensing (Se).
Phase III (30s, 40s, & Beyond)
Phase III, a phase which many individuals never reach or complete, is characterized by an attempt to understand and integrate the tertiary and inferior functions. By bringing these less conscious functions into the light of consciousness, we can better envision our path toward wholeness. Doing so requires understanding the nature of how these functions manifest within our type, including the ways they can be grandiose, selfish, defensive, and destructive. It also requires becoming more aware of our personal patterns of unconscious behavior, including ways we have avoided, indulged, or crutched our inferior function. Once these patterns have been laid bare, they can be supplanted with new and healthier thoughts and behaviors. Decisions and behaviors become increasingly wise and conscious, engendering a lasting sense of satisfaction and wholeness. For INTJs, Phase III personal growth entails a deeper exploration of the nature of and challenges associated with their tertiary Fi and inferior Se.
INTJs’ Dominant Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
INTJs’ dominant function is Introverted Intuition (Ni). As with all Introverts, INTJs’ first order of business is an internal one. They enjoy tinkering with ideas, perspectives, theories, visions, stories, symbols, and metaphors. Their dominant function, Ni, serves as the veritable foundation for this inner playhouse.
Since Ni is a perceiving function, INTJs often report that its workings often feel effortless. When INTJs express the need to “think about” something, this means something very different from what it might for other types. Namely, the lion’s share of INTJs’ “thinking” or processing occurs outside of their conscious awareness. In other words, their best thinking is typically done without thinking, at least not consciously. For INTJs and INFJs alike, ”sleeping on” a problem is as sure a route to a solution as any.
Because it does much of its work subconsciously, Ni can seem to have a magical quality to it. In fact, it is not unusual for INJs, particularly INFJs, to be viewed as having some degree of psychic or prophetic abilities. Despite its magical appearance, Ni can be understood on a rational basis. What seems to be occurring is that INTJs have a highly sensitive inferior function, Extraverted Sensation (Se), which gathers copious amounts of sensory information from the outside world, including subtleties that other personality types tend to miss. Their Ni then subconsciously processes this data in order to make sense of it, like assembling pieces of a puzzle. Once finished, Ni generates an impression that seems to come “out of nowhere.” But the fact is that the intuition did not come from nowhere, but from a synthesis of sensory data gathered from the immediate environment combined with information from the INTJ’s own psyche.
It is often said that human beings rely more heavily on vision than any of the other senses. This seems especially true of INJs, who often associate a strong visual element with their Ni. They think by way of images rather than words. Their intuitions often manifest in the form of symbols, images, dreams, or patterns. This is consistent with Jung’s characterization of the Ni type as a dreamer, artist, or seer. There is a distinct visual character to these notions, which is why vision-related terms—foresight, insight, seer, visionary, etc.—are invariably used in describing INJs.
Of all types, INJs are those most concerned with the “big picture.” This can be understood in terms of their Ni, which is the most abstract and forward-looking of all functions. Ni is comprehensive and holistic. Its visions, answers, and insights manifest as comprehensive wholes. Consequently, they often feel more like recipients than they do creators of their ingenious ideas.
In his memoir, On Writing, Stephen King, most likely an INTJ, describes his process of writing novels. He is adamant about the fact that he does not consciously plan or piecemeal the plot or direction of his stories. Rather his stories emerge from his unconscious as preexisting wholes, requiring little as far as conscious effort or planning. Other INJ novelists report similar experiences, feeling that once they have established the spigot to their creative unconscious their ideas seem to flow effortlessly and without volition.
Because of the inherent sense of completeness in Ni-spawned insights, INTJs often feel they have been granted a sneak preview of the future, or at least a vision of a possible future. This strong sense of foresight can serve as the driving force behind their desire to see their ideals actualized.
While not technically a judging function, Ni often functions in a convergent fashion, providing elegant answers and solutions to complex problems. As discussed above, it takes clues gathered by Se and unconsciously pieces them together toward a comprehensive solution. INTJs commonly report that the solution arrives through a single flash of insight—an “aha!” moment. This may occur while dreaming or awake, but often comes suddenly and all at once. INJ philosopher Frederich Nietzsche describes his intuitive process this way:
Something profoundly convulsive…suddenly becomes visible and audible with indescribable definiteness and exactness…There is a feeling that one is utterly out of hand…Everything occurs without volition, as if an eruption of freedom, independence, power, and divinity. The spontaneity of the images and similes is most remarkable; one loses all perception of what is imagery and simile; everything offers itself as the most immediate, exact, and simple means of expression.
Interesting, insightful, a bit scary. I’m 53. Retired from a career in education administration. Now I’m studying piano and voice. Still seem to go on pleasure searches from time to time–never sure why. Thanks for your research.
Thanks Tim for sharing your comments and feedback. Good luck with your new pursuits! AJ
“Despite its magical appearance, Ni can be understood on a rational basis. What seems to be occurring is that INTJs have a highly sensitive inferior function, Extraverted Sensation (Se), which gathers copious amounts of sensory information from the outside world, including subtleties that other personality types tend to miss. Their Ni then subconsciously processes this data in order to make sense of it, like assembling pieces of a puzzle. Once finished, Ni generates an impression that seems to come “out of nowhere.” But the fact is that the intuition did not come from nowhere, but from a synthesis of sensory data gathered from the immediate environment combined with information from the INTJ’s own psyche.”
Beautiful, just beautiful…
I’ve researched soooo much information about INTJ’s and still have NEVER – until now – found someone who explained how Ni works the way I explained it to myself. But here you are, I found you! I cannot describe in words how beautiful this feeling is.
I always thought that the “seeming” out-of-nowhere intuitions from the Ni were the result of careful compilation by the subconscious part of the mind, which has complete access to everything within the brain (as opposed to the conscious mind).This means it can draw upon all inputs to the brain, as well as all memories, experiences, etc. (of which the conscious mind might not even be aware exist). Then it’s drawing out probabilities, weighing them against past experiences, etc. etc. Then at the end it outputs the result to the conscious part of the mind, like a black box.
And the way the subconscious (Ni) thinks does not work in the same way the conscious mind does. It uses it’s own processing language which is much more streamlined, direct and faster. It’s like… the conscious mind can only hold a 2D image of the thought in mind, while the subconscious mind holds the complete 3D structure of the thought. And when we try to use our Te to output the thought with words, then we’re basically trying to describe a 2D image which itself describes only certain aspects of a 3D image of a thought.
In programming understandings, it’s kind of like the difference between high-level and low-level programming languages.
For example, the conscious mind works using Java and the subconscious mind works using Assembler.
And thus trying to explain Ni thoughts/impressions to other people using our Te is like trying to reverse engineer the idea (which was written in Assembler) with only having knowledge about the abstract higher-level Java language.
Or another analogy: It’s like receiving a watch with very filigree inner mechanics, which has been put together with very high-tech industrial machinery. And then trying to find out how exactly it works using a big hammer, a screwdriver and some pliers. You can imagine how tarnished the end result of that will be!
K, hope this wasn’t too long and tedious, I just couldn’t help myself after the excitement of finding someone with a congruent understanding about Ni.
This makes me curious for more information: Can you remember how exactly you came about this idea? Did you get the idea through sole contemplation? Or did you get the core idea about it from some article or book? Sorry for being so nosy, I just can’t seem to get enough unique information about INTJs which isn’t just a rehash of the same information already available in so many other places.
Btw. if you don’t know it already: This article, like your’s, contains unique and interesting information which isn’t your typical read-it-a-thousand-times-over-already kind of INTJ info: http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/nt-rationale/3412-intj-profile.html
Long winded, but has a few very interesting insights. Also, the guy who wrote it seems to be an INTP like yourself. I’m getting more and more interested in analyses from you guys!
Hi Alex, if your post is directed to me, just to say that I read the piece – interesting. A few chunks of it did not make sense to me, which I will get to if there’s time in another post. Again, assuming your post is directed at me, you asked how the ideas came – sole contemplation or getting the core idea from a book. Definitely the former. Here’s a few recollections of how some big ideas have come to me… maybe this correlates with your impressions, it’s rather long-winded (apologies) but you seem interested so….
This is how it happens for me: I get my ‘breakthroughs’, as I call them, (ranging from 1 complete idea a year to 3-4 sub-ideas a year) normally between 2 and 3 am, having gone to bed at 11pm-12am. It’s like I ‘wake up’ with the idea blazing in my mind, clear as a bell. I am never sure if I’ve been awake thinking the idea to that point of realization, but then I figure that I haven’t been awake because the time between hitting the sheets and the blazingly clear idea appearing in my mind is roughly 3 hours and I know I haven’t been awake for 3 hours. I realised this pattern of breakthroughs 2 years into my PhD, so since then, I have kept a notebook by the bed. I write down what I can, but that’s where things get hard. The idea is perfectly clear and formed in my mind, but it can take between 1 and 2 years to articulate it in words in the English language.
And to answer your question, if I have your query right, I think the idea is internally generated. I suspect this because 3-4 years after having the idea, I will find a wisp of a reference to a prior step to the idea in the literature, but it is literally that. A wisp. Of a prior step. No-one has gotten to the actual idea and articulated it. I come to the point of searching for the idea in the literature by use of key words derived from the point I have gotten to in the ‘blazingly clear idea to words on paper’ process and the key words lead me to a literature that talks about related concepts but hasn’t articulated my idea/hypothesis. So I’m thinking, because I’ve never read it before, it’s likely to be internal to me rather than existing empirically in the external. My first publication (a chapter from my PhD published in a journal) was based on seeing patterns in two opposing literatures on the same topic. But how the pattern came to me was a ‘wham-bam’ idea-shock. Before that, I had read the literatures and felt horribly disconcerted and frustrated and ‘at sea’ afterwards, feeling like there’s something going on there, but I had no idea what. Until it came to me. Notably, it took more than 2 years from the first reading of the literatures to the ‘oh my God, that’s it’ realization. That’s 2+ years of feeling horribly uncomfortable and not knowing why. Since then, I have developed that identified pattern from those two literatures into a discipline-wide literature-based hypothesis. ( And come to think of it, the last two articles published were based on patterns I saw across four cases, which led me to derive the hypothesis, which I found some reasonable evidence for…) So it is very much internally generated, as I’d never seen it externally. When I do present strands of the idea to external audiences, few ‘get’ it. The one or two that do get it, have each said that they’ve never seen it in the literature. So it’s definitely not out there. Yet. So I guess, therefore, it must be ‘internally generated’.
The other times when the ideas come to me is when I’ve been working late and ‘lie on’ in bed as I’m short of sleep when the alarm goes off in the morning, and as it’s a Saturday, I’m intending to listen to the radio for a bit, whilst lying on. I get my ideas then too. In much the same manner – the idea whams into my mind, clear as a bell. I then ‘realise’ that I’ve not been listening to the radio because the programme on at the time I come to ‘conscious idea state’, is two programmes later than the one that I was listening to, normally an hour and a half to 2 hours after. I have no feeling or knowledge of that time passing. I just have a last conscious thought of ‘8am radio show…hmmm….interesting that the person said…’ to BAM! Idea blazing in my mind. I am in disbelief at what is on the radio (different programme) and I’m then compelled to check the clock to see what time it is. And I’m always astonished. 3 hours can pass in what feels like 3-5 minutes. I don’t dwell on this, as I’m scrabbling to get the pencil and notebook (normally I’ve dumped a couple of open books on top of said items) to try to get the idea into some conscious, language-based form. And that bit’s really hard!!
When I’m in serious writing mode and have become stuck on something a reviewer has (rightly) challenged my article on, I can mull it over for 3-4 weeks and then, I give up and turn my attention to something else, because I’m just wandering about in a fog. Then, a week later, bam, in the shower, not having thought about it for the past week, the entire answer, again, clear as a bell, comes to me and I’m cursing and trying to get out of the blasted shower to get to the pen and paper but by then it’s nearly too sodding late as the idea is fading from word form and the floor is soaked and I’ve shampoo in my eyes and the water has dripped from my hand onto the paper and the ink is running… that’s kind of what it’s like. But I figure that’s a ‘normal’ way of getting to ideas?
No?
Karen, Thank you so much for sharing these amazing examples of Ni in action. It is hard for other types not to envy INJs at times, since Ni-spawned insights are often the most profound, original, and penetrating. It is important to remember, however, as you illustrate, that they don’t really come from nowhere. It may take years of immersion in a topic for such insights to arise. The Se-Ni axis needs quality raw material to work with. Thanks again! AJ
Hey Karen,
no I didn’t mean your post but A.J.’s article.
That’s why I quoted a paragraph of it at the beginning of my post.
Everything I said was in reference to that.^^
But your answer was very interesting regardless of the misunderstanding.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Cheers
Hey there Alex, I apologize for my delayed response. I loved your insights into Ni, especially the 2D vs 3D comparison of Te and Ni. Unfortunately, I cannot really take credit for these insights. I have a brilliant INFJ colleague who has kindly gifted me with an insider’s look into Ni as well as the related theoretical hypotheses. As far as I know, they are originated with her. Take care! AJ
Hi A.J.,
the delay is no problem at all. Your INFJ colleague wouldn’t coincidentally happen to have a blog where she shares her thoughts?^^
If not that’s ok. I’m just curious of the genesis of her thoughts.
Thanks for answering and kudos for your work, appreciate it!
Cheers
Eerie. I don’t think I’ve come across a description that matched my experiences and being so precisely. Flashes of complete ideas then impatient frustration in execution is definitely me and explains my somewhat meteoric career in executive-level strategic consulting, though I always felt socially misfit while adoring the work. I have a weakness for architecture and beautiful objects. I mindlessly stuff myself and wonder why I feel ill or forget to eat altogether. I never know what day it is or how much time has passed between events. Also yes to life-long teeth falling out dreams and yes to watching the needles go in. I could continue reiterating your points but this isn’t about me, I just wanted to contribute to validating your work for you. (Et voila! Further proof!)
The breakdown of the stack was immensely helpful as I’ve recently joined a Facebook INTJ group (come join!) and had no idea what they were prattling on about. I seem to be having that mid-life shift and it’s been confusing the hell out of me and have had limited success in finding direction. Thank you so much for shedding some light.
djw
Thanks Diane for sharing your elegantly worded comments and experiences. I’m glad the article rang true for you. I’d love it if you posted a link to this INTJ profile on Facebook. Best wishes! AJ
I loved this article – thank you for it. I am a female INTJ – I have followed all of your predictions. I worked really hard to get the job I wanted, having worked related fields for a few years before doing a PhD. In a Zuckerberg-like way, I used to do 16-17 hour work stints and I put my laptop on the ground and propped myself up on my elbows to keep going, and ignored the pain in my shoulders. I did that for over a year and dislocated both of them. People DO NOT understand if I tell them the story so I don’t any more. (I’ve just had surgery on the left shoulder to re-construct and re-locate it, having had the right one done three years ago). I’m an academic now and find that the arguments, ideas, concepts just hit me out of the blue, when I’m doing ‘nothing’, like when in the shower in the morning. Or day-dreaming out the window (I spent my entire childhood doing that, and was a complete tom-boy, into sports and lego with no interest in girl talk (still that way, but I’ve come to appreciate and love my girl-time as an adult now)), out for walk by the river, etc. Your article helped me not to feel bad that my thinking and results don’t come from sitting in the office in front of the computer during ‘office hours’ so I am going easier on myself nowadays. Being female and INTJ is tricky when it comes to relationships – my expectations of complete directness and rationality are nearly always unmet. And having worked so hard in my twenties, leaving it to my thirties seems a bit late…. Oh well. (I should probably keep a conscious eye out at academic conferences from now on…) I don’t watch television but have recently discovered ‘Bones’ through a family member’s viewing habits. Dr. Brennan is a relief to see on tv. I love her! I can predict everything she says because I know how she thinks. Brilliant article, Thanks so much. XX
P.S. The teeth falling out dream? ALL THE TIME!
Thanks so much Karen for sharing your comments and experiences as an INTJ. It sounds like the profile fits you quite accurately. Good luck in your academic work. I’d love it if you shared this site with your students and colleagues. Take care, AJ
This description fits my dad to a “T”. I have always been very similar to him, yet different, and thought this was due to my femaleness. Instead, I’m an INFJ, and he must be an INTJ. Growing up, he’s been my role model & who I try to emulate. He’s made a career of the military & is currently a civil affairs officer. He’ll be retiring soon & plans on becoming a teacher.
Here’s one of his recent witticisms that never ceases to amuse me. “Tried some Academia Nut Cookies with supper last night. They proved to be a good footnote to the meal.”
Now, I just need to figure out my mom. I doubt her personality is on your page. She’s a very practical introvert, so I’ll have to do some more digging. I’m thinking ISFJ.