INTP Personality Type | The Scientist | INTP A | INTP T
INTPs are usually quiet people who enjoy spending time thinking and exploring new ideas. They are often comfortable being alone, where they can fully dive into their thoughts. Logic and facts play a big role in how they understand the world. They’re good at seeing how things connect, especially when it comes to difficult or complicated subjects. Because of this, they are often drawn to areas like science, technology, or philosophy.
Another thing that stands out about INTPs is their flexibility. They usually don’t like sticking to rigid plans or schedules. They’re more comfortable keeping their options open and adapting as they go along. This makes them good problem-solvers. When faced with an issue, they can quickly identify the pros and cons of different solutions. Their skills also extend to logical thinking and puzzles, making them good at things that require careful thought, like math problems or strategy games.
However, this flexibility and focus on logic come with some challenges. For one, they may have many great ideas but find it hard to turn those ideas into real actions. Their love for keeping options open can also be a drawback. For instance, they might start many projects but have trouble finishing them because they lose focus or get interested in something else. Also, being quick and logical doesn’t always help them in situations that require fast, on-the-spot thinking. They usually prefer to take their time to analyze things.
Another challenge for INTPs is understanding emotions, both their own and those of others. While they’re great at dissecting logical problems, they may overlook how people feel about things. This can make social situations a bit tricky for them.
In summary, INTPs are generally thoughtful, logical, and adaptable people. They’re good at solving problems and understanding complex topics. However, they can struggle with making their ideas happen, sticking to one path, and being aware of people’s feelings. Just like anyone else, each INTP is unique, but these traits are commonly found among people with this personality type.
The INTP Cognitive Functions
Introverted Thinking
The dominant function of the INTP is Introverted Thinking. This function allows them to enter into a state of flow when appropriately challenged by a task, project, or process. They like to learn new skills and to improve slowly and steadily at a task, by consistently applying more pressure. This type feels at their best when they are able to accomplish better results and to gain a better understanding of how tools and processes work.
Extroverted iNtuition
The INTP benefits highly from putting themselves in new situations. The creative INTP is extremely novelty-seeking, and always learning about new ideas and theories, even slightly wacky theories, that lack evidence and proof. The more balanced INTP, avoids new possibilities because these can be overstimulating and scary. They instead prefer to stay in a comfortable routine.
Introverted Sensing
The INTP Introverted Sensing function takes the form of a desire to have a healthy routine or stable environment. The goal is to be consistent and to cling to a static sense of identity. This is particularly pronounced in balanced INTPs, who seek and value comfort more, and who avoid Extroverted iNtuition. This function allows them to engage in a healthy routine and structure. However, most INTPs tend to find this routine boring over time, and will eventually move to something new, presenting the feeling that they are just jumping from habit to habit, and never sticking to anything.
Extroverted Feeling
The Extroverted Feeling function provides the INTP with a healthy sense of stress, pushing them to translate their skills to personal relationships and to make themselves useful to people, their family, or the expectations of their boss or coworker. This provides a healthy outlet and INTPs that engage in this function well tend to feel a strong sense of pride when they are able to help other people through their technical skill or expertise in a field or working with a process. This function can however also overwhelm the INTP.
Extroverted Thinking
The Extroverted Thinking function amps up the speed and stress and sets deadlines and standards that push the INTP to the max. This can be uncomfortable for the INTP, who likes to take their time doing a task methodically, but it can also be the push the INTP needs to get things done. Extroverted Thinking can get the INTP out into the world and more focused on translating their skills to practical tasks.
Introverted iNtuition
INTPs engage recreatively in Introverted iNtuition. This function allows them to engage in existential thinking. This provides a sense of rest and fun and amusement to the INTP, who can engage in Introverted iNtuition without any greater goal or desire. For the INTP, unlike the INTJ or INFJ, Introverted iNtuition and existential thought is more a hobby, than a vocation or a passion.
Extroverted Sensing
It can be scary and stressful for an INTP to put their thoughts out to the world and many INTPs suffer from stage fright or a fear of public speaking and presentation. These activities can be draining for you so finding a comfortable space to express yourself is key. It’s also positive to reward yourself after doing it. It’s easy to overthink your actions and to feel embarrassed for things you said and did in public, so learning to develop a sense of humor and to laugh about mistakes you did, can help you manage this stress, turning it from an anxiety to an enriching experience.
Introverted Feeling
Introverted Feeling helps you manage your overall mood and emotions. It’s easy to avoid or ignore your emotions and to focus on rational activities and exercises and to dismiss your feelings as an INTP. But taking the time to engage your feelings and to engage in self nurture is important to your health and well-being. Sometimes engaging in this function can put you in a state of autopilot, and boredom. But this can also help comfort you if you are experiencing emotional turmoil.
The Dominant Subtype
Assertive and confident in their own skills and capabilities, or at least, their ability to figure things out. The INTP who is more dominant will stand up for themselves and their own power and capacity even if the tribe does not understand or see things the way they do. This type will push for what they know is correct, and can sometimes get into trouble with others. They work to get people on their side and for others to understand or benefit from their knowledge and expertise, even if it is stressful for them to do so.
The Creative Subtype
This INTP is constantly pushing themselves to go into new situations, even if it’s scary for them. They can push themselves to try new things and to keep an open mind, even if things don’t make immediate sense to them, hoping to learn something from the situation. They can however struggle to trust in their own thoughts and expertise, constantly looking for alternative perspectives and viewpoints.
The Balanced Subtype
This subtype is known for holding to consistency and a more empirical approach. They value to keep their mind in place and to work consistently through something, even if it can be boring to do so. At times, this type can struggle to think outside the box, as this can scare them, even if they know it can lead to a positive and enriching experience. Perhaps they’ve been burnt on new possibilities in the past that have made them more withdrawn and reserved.
The Turbulent Subtype
The turbulent subtype INTP is more careful and cautious with what they say and how they say it, out of a fear of being misunderstood by others. They are more mindful of common beliefs and views and feelings that other people may have, and worry more about embarrassing themselves or hurting the feelings of other people. What can help here is learning to develop a sense of humor, to take things less seriously, and to learn that it’s okay to sometimes make mistakes, and that over time, it can help others more if you are more open and vulnerable about yourself.
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