INTPs direct their energy towards the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They structure and organise their ideas, coming up with theories and explanations to explain new areas of scientific research or experience. They often seek to understand the full complexity of any situation and enjoy solving difficult intellectual problems.
What makes an INTP tick?
The Dominant function is the judging one of Thinking. Characteristics associated with this function include:
- Likes making decisions on the basis of logic, using objective considerations
- Is concerned with truth, principles and justice
- Is analytical and critical, tending to see the flaws in situations
- Takes an objective approach
The judging Thinking function is introverted. That is, Thinking is used primarily to govern the inner world of thoughts and emotions. The INTP will therefore:
- spend time thinking analytically, organising thoughts on a logical basis
- develop an understanding of the principles involved in a situation
- spontaneously feel critical of a person or situation, but not necessarily express that criticism
- be inwardly decisive, but not communicate those decisions to others
- think mostly about impersonal issues, focusing more on concepts, truths and systems rather than individuals' feelings
The Thinking function is primarily supported by extraverted iNtuitive perception. That is, iNtuitive perception is used primarily to manage the outer world of actions and spoken words. This will modify the way that the Thinking is directed, by:
- focusing the (inner world) Thinking on understanding possibilities for the future
- perceiving patterns in information to support the logical analysis
The classic temperament of an INTP is Promethean, or Phlegmatic, for whom a basic driving force is the search for competence or excellence.
Contributions to the team of an INTP
In a team environment, the INTP can contribute by:
- using analytical and critical skills to solve problems
- focusing attention on the central issue
- providing intellectual insight
- suggesting ideas that achieve long and short term aims
- viewing information objectively
The potential ways in which an INTP can irritate others include:
- being too intellectual
- finding too many flaws, and not accepting imperfect but 'good enough' solutions
- not taking account of others' feelings
- suggesting ideas and then appearing to change his/her mind
- leave others to worry about implementation once the major problems have been solved
- clinging to a principle at the expense of relationships and harmony
Personal Growth
As with all types, the INTP can achieve personal growth by developing all functions that are not fully developed, through actions such as:- expressing appreciation towards others
- working within other people's limitations
- accepting and praising others' imperfect efforts, if they are 'good enough'
- consulting others more, and involving them in decisions, to engender ownership of the solution
- spending time to develop personal relationships for their own sake
- learning to acknowledge and develop the INTP's own emotions and personal values
Recognising Stress
As stress increases, 'learned behaviour' tends to give way to the natural style, so the INTP will behave more according to type when under greater stress. For example, in a crisis, the INTP might:
- withdraw to think about the central issue that needs attention
- suggest various ideas, and use the feedback received to support the intellectual analysis
- debate the issue from an intellectual point of view, and leave it very late before making a decision
- criticise others efforts and ignore their feelings
Under extreme stress, fatigue or illness, the INTP's shadow may appear - a negative form of ESFJ. Example characteristics are:
- expressing intense negative emotions towards others
- being very sensitive to criticism
- becoming preoccupied with details, without any logical basis
- interpreting facts or events in a very subjective way
The shadow is part of the unconscious that is often visible to others, onto whom the shadow is projected. The INTP may therefore readily see these faults in others without recognising it in him/her self.