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A new INTP Resource

Anna Moss

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I've drawn together some of the research from books and papers on INTPs into a small reference guide. My goal was to separate fact from theory and to present numbers and primary sources when possible. Almost everything is cited so that you can look it up yourself or order it through a university.

Let me know if you find any typos. :p
 

Architect

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Wow, this is seriously good. Thanks for compiling this information, reading it now ...
 

The Gopher

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That was actually really interesing in a way.
 

Anna Moss

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Thanks, I'm glad you found it useful. Any questions?
 

Architect

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  • How did you find this material? I've done searches for INTP studies and just turn up 'feel good' profiles as you mention.
  • Did you major in psych and/or do you work in the field, or what is your background?
  • When is your book going to be available?
  • How much will it cost?
  • How will you distribute it?
  • Have you thought about free distribution?
  • Is all your writing based on research, or observational?
 

Etheri

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I guess I could say you've broken quite some stereotypes I know I'm guilty of thinking sometime. (Especially the 'oh god i'll definitely be foreveralone' vs 'INTPs marry often, they just manage to screw it up after that'). I also adore your writing style and subtle humor to read between the lines of numbers and facts (which as much as I love those, too, can get dull).

A very good job, to say the least! I'd also like to complement you on not being seemingly biased in favour or against your own type, unless ofcourse I am too. I'm inclined to state that as an INTP, accuracy should be expected, but then i'd be biasing myself.

TL DR; Wonderful writing, it was both interesting and enjoyable to read!
 

Hadoblado

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*insert rave review here*
 

Anna Moss

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How did you find this material? I've done searches for INTP studies and just turn up 'feel good' profiles as you mention.
There are a couple tricks you can use. In Google, change the type of document you want to search for to "PDF." Then do a search on "MBTI Whatever." You can't really use it for INTPs specifically--you have to search for "MBTI Education" or "MBTI Engineering" or whatever. If you sift through enough gravel you'll eventually turn up a few flakes of gold. Two other things that are useful but spendy are 1.) A subscription to the Journal of Psychological Type (they have an archive of old issues you can access, and 2.) The MBTI Manual. Both are a buffet of type information.
Did you major in psych and/or do you work in the field, or what is your background?
I'm a Geology major. Sad to say I'm not even a certified type practitioner. Would you believe it costs $850?

When is your book going to be available?
I go bankrupt in about two months, so it will be out by then. (See, who says INTPs lack motivation?)

How much will it cost?
$4.99 for the e-book; haven't decided for the print book. (Yeah I know, it's overpriced. But at this point it's either overcharge you folks or get a real job, which would put a sizable kink in my future plans to write a book about the ENFJs or INTJs.)
How will you distribute it?
I'm going to sell it off my website first, then later through a variety of e-book outlets, i.e. Amazon, etc. I still have to do some research on what I'm going to do with the print book.

Have you thought about free distribution?
Quite a lot, actually. I think the copyright law is headed south (I will be dancing on its grave with great abandonment) so I think it's wise to find a way to make money off your work that doesn't revolve around selling copies of it. That and I frankly think INTPs have a hard enough time and anything that could ameliorate our condition would be almost a moral obligation. There's probably a way to make money off of it while giving it away for free, but I don't have the resources to experiment right now. We'll see. (However, I am going to give the chapters on Asperger's and ADD away; no sense in withholding what might be critical information for some.)

Is all your writing based on research, or observational?
Both; I've got a mixture of research with case studies and examples. I also hang out on the forums and INTP watch. :) (Not that I can use anything you say without your permission, so don't worry.)

I'd also like to complement you on not being seemingly biased in favour or against your own type, unless of course I am too.
Thank you; I think the more you learn about other types the easier it gets to respect both them and your own type. I'm glad you enjoyed it too; I can't seem to write without finding amusing things in the material. :rolleyes:
 

Arachnid

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I enjoyed everything except for your section on IQ.

(The following may read more aggressive than it was meant)
Could you define intelligence rather than expect your readers to do it for you? What is there other than IQ in your opinion? I'm not disagreeing with you in the sense that I don't think IQ is an exhaustive test of intelligence, but honestly it seems like you're pushing an emotional opinion. The evidence in front of you is that Ns score more highly on IQ tests than Ss. Do you have a competing test that shows Ss outperforming Ns, to "balance it out" so to speak? Can you at least spell out more specifically what these tests would be like if you could give them? If not, why do you believe that there aren't differences in average intelligence between types?

I don't want to just "limit my idea of intelligence to the conventional one", but you're not presenting me any new definitions. It seems you just want to do some hand waving, baseless theorizing, and insulting to argue your opinion. That section definitely needs some editing IMO.

Otherwise everything felt rather fresh.
 

Anna Moss

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Could you define intelligence rather than expect your readers to do it for you?
That's an interesting one. I have a book on geniuses; they spent the first 15 pages reviewing different opinions and definitions of intelligence. :confused: Keirsey suggested four different kinds of intelligence for each of the temperaments and I'll refer you to "Please Understand Me II" for a full discussion. I guess if I had to give a definition of intelligence--not having studied this issue in much depth--it would be "Being above average at what you are most naturally inclined to be good at, in comparison to those who share your same natural inclinations."

The evidence in front of you is that Ns score more highly on IQ tests than Ss. Do you have a competing test that shows Ss outperforming Ns, to "balance it out" so to speak? Can you at least spell out more specifically what these tests would be like if you could give them?
This is an area I've been intrigued about myself. What is a good test for the Artisan's tactical intelligence or the Guardian's logistical intelligence, if we use Keirsey's definitions?
Right now game designers are trying to tie particular videogames to particular temperaments. They are very interested in what skills different temperaments are good at because they want to build these into their game worlds.
Let's suppose that we found a video game that was heavily favored by people of a particular type, and furthermore, suppose that people of this type tended to consistently outperform other types at this game. We could then say with some certainty that this game tests the skills that this particular type is naturally good at. Using the average score that people of that type get as a baseline, we could then compare scores against one another to see who gets high scores and who gets low scores. Perhaps this would constitute a true measure of their intelligence without type bias. We could then avoid the problem Einstein perceived when he said, "Everyone's a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid."

If not, why do you believe that there aren't differences in average intelligence between types?
I actually said we don't know if there are differences. There may indeed be differences, but we haven't proven or disproven them yet.
I don't want to just "limit my idea of intelligence to the conventional one", but you're not presenting me any new definitions.
Hmm, probably what I need to do is to 1.) provide some explicit examples of the various types of intelligence in action, 2.) mention Keirsey's conclusions directly, and 3.) Provide more direct evidence from the studies to illustrate how the factors I, N, T, and P weigh in to favor types having more of them.
 

Architect

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A second comment on your section about the Functions. First I wasn't aware there was discussion about their validity, but since this is psychology I shouldn't be surprised. Two, at the risk of adding to an apparently full playing field, I'm surprised you drop the subject. Despite the apparent controversy, the functions are commonly used and accepted so should be included.

Personally I don't see the problem. If you are willing to use a four letter code to describe a person, what is wrong with the leap to find two letter combinations of those four that are significant? I find the functions a dead ringer to identify someone, including myself. I previously thought (when much younger) I was an INFJ (due to an emphasis on my F side as a young musician trying to learn how to be more expressive). Then I thought I was an INTJ (got the F/T thing figured out see), because I thought I liked to have things ordered (I do in fact - I like things to be ordered in my favor :cool: ). It wasn't until I read the superlative Paul James profile with its emphasis on functions that I finally got it figured out.

I think this is exactly why people mistype themselves so much. Exactly because we all do have the eight characteristics, E, I, N, S, T, F, P, J. Of course an INTP has feelings, and Sensor attention to detail, and can extrovert. It's the functions however that can guide you to your true strengths and preferences.

Ti - Yes I clearly display this trait. I introvert my thinking. Occasionally I'll talk out loud, but I require lots of alone time to do my thinking (this is why I wake up at 4AM so I can get quiet time to think).

Ne - Again yes. I present a nebulous presence and interact with the world in an open, free form manner to gather information.

Si - Again I have a melancholy streak a mile wide, and (especially when younger) focused on a connection with the past.

Fe - As a inferior function that can bite you in the ass - for sure! My relatives said I was "anal expulsive" (jokingly). This came from an old psych theory that tied bodily functions to psychological states. I would have these scary blowups occasionally, due to my neglected F taking me over (Pon Far type of reaction).

My INTP son displays all of these traits also, and I've seen them in two other adult INTP's that I know. Where is the confusion?
 

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That's an interesting one. I have a book on geniuses; they spent the first 15 pages reviewing different opinions and definitions of intelligence.

Personally I'm uninterested in intelligence and genius, and skimmed over that section. These are just terms to rank monkeys (excuse me - evolved primates). A genius is somebody who does an intellectual feat with large enough impact that his fellow primates call him such. Intelligence is the ability to demonstrate superior capabilities to other primates.

As time goes on I notice we seem to be producing fewer and fewer geniuses, while oddly people are getting smarter. At the same time we are producing smarter machines, and our taste for celebrities seems to be declining. Interesting.
 

Architect

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Finally, I'd recommend a section on INTP pitfalls.

Decision making pitfalls (the Spock phenomenon; drawing valid logical conclusions from incomplete data)

Mating pitfalls (falling for the first girl/guy you sleep with)

etc.
 

Architect

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Next to finally (sorry), I read up on Albert Speer who you prominently feature. At first glance he has many INTP traits - architect, intellectual, voracious reader and writer in prison, however he also led a extroverted life, conducting many interviews after incarceration, and publicly airing and capitalizing on his private life. Would an INTP be so forthcoming? Certainly all that publicity and interviews would be exhausting.

Typing public figures can be difficult, but I'm seeing a bit more of a showman and extrovert than an introverted thinker. It seems that he may have had misgivings during the Nazi regime, but certainly after they fell he took control of the situation and turned it to his advantage by apologizing, serving his time while clandestinely churning out books which would support and popularize him post prison.

Please elaborate why you see an INTP.

Edit: Just re-read your writeup on him where you say he stayed out of the limelight - way wrong. Please read the Wiki article on him, perhaps you are thinking of Goebbels?
 

Anarkandi

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I thought your post on the functions was interesting, but as a more jung-oriented typology-nerd I'd like to say that you're wrong.

I find the MBTI 16 type system to be more invalid and disambigious and easy to confuse than the cognitive functions, and the functions give us a more in depth way to study personality, it's not just 1/16 types, it's how developed your functions are, how they work together, and in what way. I agree however, that there are problems with things, they still need to be worked out, and we still don't really know what is really going on. Functions, though, actually describe what is going on in the psyche, mbti-type does not, it is only an arbitrarily created definition of personality. We don't have truly valid measurement tools for learning of type, alot of people walk around believing themselves to be something they are not, for one, I thought I was an INFJ for the first 6 months, today I would say ENFJ would be more likely, and I've read Keirsey, typology, and tons of books and have still been unable to type myself correctly. The P/J would be more inclined to type me as a P, and I/E-wise, I'm somewhere in the middle. Function-wise, I see myself much more clearly. When I see my behavior, and body mannerism, I can more clearly see what it is I really am doing.

Also alot of the statistical data is interesting but flawed since I can't be sure that the people participating in the surveys are real ENFJs, either. But they are still interesting and show some direction. :)

Cool project!
 

P.H.

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I won't be covering type dynamics or cognitive functions here. Type junkies may be wondering why not, since Ti, Ne, Si, and Fe are widely considered to be characteristic of INTPs. But there is doubt over whether the cognitive functions exist. You can read about it here. Essentially, I see no point in pouring more time and effort into a bucket so full of holes, and will not be discussing this part of the MBTI theory.


Just curious. If the information on your website isn't based on cognitive functions, then on what? The same stuff as the quote below?



The replacement scheme proposed by Reynierse drops type dynamics entirely. Instead, a person’s letters (for example, INTP) are ranked in order of “strength.” And what is meant by strength, exactly?


I don't think this is a good alternative. By doing this you make all the letters equal in function, which they aren't. How can a person prefer their way of processing information over the way they get energized? It's like comparing apples and pears. At least the top two functions of the cognitive functions theory come in pairs, one perceiving and one judging, making it a neat little package of how a person gathers and processes information.



The overall impression I got from reading (parts of) your website is that it's imbued with personal ideas, and there's nothing wrong with that, but you pose them as facts. Also the tone of your writing can be quite snarky and arrogant.
 

Da Blob

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Good Read for any interested in INTP social traits.

However, an INTPian audience, of course, wants to find out how being INTP works by tearing the concept apart and reducing it into components, such as the aforementioned "cognitive functions"

I do believe there are a few valid studies dealing with neurology and type that could be referenced...

Because of my own background, I believe, that type is a byproduct of cognitive development, perhaps, as suggested by some, that the four scales of the MBTI reflect the four stages of cognitive development as defined by Jean Piaget, but there really is not of literature that explores that correlation.

CHAPTER 14: MODELS OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: PIAGET AND PERRY
The importance of the formal operational stage to engineering education is that engineering education requires formal operational thought. Many of the 30 to 60 percent of the adult population who have some trouble with formal operational thought appear to be in a transitional phase where they can correctly use formal operational thought some of the time but not all of the time.

Teaching Engineering - Wankat & Oreovicz
https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Publications/TeachingEng/chapter14.pdf
 

Anna Moss

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Re the cognitive functions--
I assume you all read the full explanation here?
So if we're all on the same page, what did you guys think of the evidence? I mean, what parts specifically did you find unconvincing?

I don't think this is a good alternative. By doing this you make all the letters equal in function, which they aren't. How can a person prefer their way of processing information over the way they get energized? It's like comparing apples and pears.
A valid point, but the replacement system described isn't aimed so much at describing how a person prefers to use their letters (the type dynamics view) as to what extent a person uses them. For example, dominant doesn't mean "most used" so much as "most intense." This is the problem with using established terms to describe new concepts, I suppose...they come with a load of baggage under their arm.

Just curious. If the information on your website isn't based on cognitive functions, then on what? The same stuff as the quote below?
Type researchers tend to use only the basic typing system, i.e. the simple four letters; pretty much nobody uses type dynamics in actual studies, except as a post hoc justification for what they may be seeing. As for the new system proposed, nobody is using it yet because it was only proposed this year and no doubt remains controversial. So pretty much all of the research you will encounter about the MBTI is based off the plain vanilla version alone, which of course includes the stuff in my guide.

The overall impression I got from reading (parts of) your website is that it's imbued with personal ideas, and there's nothing wrong with that, but you pose them as facts. Also the tone of your writing can be quite snarky and arrogant.
Sigh, I believe you. I've come back to my writing after a few months and been appalled at how pompous and condescending I come off as sounding. Unfortunately I'm blind to this unless I go away and then come back to it with fresh eyes. If someone would make a list of the parts that need work, I'll review it and see if I can improve the wording.
The fact vs. personal theory thing is a bit of a bugger, though; see, it turns out that most of the books you will find on type behavior constitute the author's personal opinion based on their experiences in the field, what they've read about, and stories they've heard from other people. They too state it as fact, but it is actually an amalgamation based on various sources. Realistically, you can't really start every paragraph off with "In my opinion" or whatever--after awhile, it'll just sound like a disclaimer you chant to avoid liability or whatever. ;p I'm not really sure what to do about this.

Finally, I'd recommend a section on INTP pitfalls.
Sounds good; I'll add that to my to-do list.

Next to finally (sorry), I read up on Albert Speer who you prominently feature.
I would see him as an introvert because he was described by various people as "quiet," "reticent," "untalkative," and "reserved." In addition, he described himself as coming home from work and being exhausted and silent--a situation common for Introverts because their batteries have been burnt out by interacting with coworkers. Then too, he mentioned how he could not have worked continually in the command center where some 20 people (a guesstimate) were always congregated, discussing strategies with Hitler or chatting--the constant background of noise was not something Speer could have put up with. Finally, he hated making speeches and avoided them when he could. So that to me all says that he is probably an introvert, despite the high profile lifestyle he lived.

I thought I was an INFJ for the first 6 months, today I would say ENFJ would be more likely, and I've read Keirsey, typology, and tons of books and have still been unable to type myself correctly.
Interestingly, the NJs are the letter combination most likely to be misidentified by the MBTI test, which makes me wonder if the INFJs aren't artificially scarce rather than naturally scarce. So I don't know if you've taken the MBTI or not, but that's something to bear in mind.

I do believe there are a few valid studies dealing with neurology and type that could be referenced...
If you can find those, I'd be interested in reading them.
 

Architect

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I also read the entire Wiki article on Robert Hanssen, and I'm entirely unsure why you decided he is an INTP. His methods were amateurish and crude, the reason he didn't get caught for so long was mistakes on the part of the govt. His first words on getting caught was "what took you so long?". Also he was an ardent church goer, which doesn't mean he wasn't an INTP but seems unlikely. Then the Candaulism, INTP's wouldn't seem to be sexual exhibitionists.

So I have no idea why you picked two obscure references as INTP's and plan to devote a chapter to them, especially when they both seem like they're unlikely to be the type.
 

Anna Moss

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A second comment on your section about the Functions. First I wasn't aware there was discussion about their validity, but since this is psychology I shouldn't be surprised. Two, at the risk of adding to an apparently full playing field, I'm surprised you drop the subject. Despite the apparent controversy, the functions are commonly used and accepted so should be included.
It would be a chore to present all the various versions that are out there; I guess I just don't have the enthusiasm for it. There are lots of internet sources that describe the popular model at length already anyway.
 

Anna Moss

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I also read the entire Wiki article on Robert Hanssen, and I'm entirely unsure why you decided he is an INTP. His methods were amateurish and crude, the reason he didn't get caught for so long was mistakes on the part of the govt. His first words on getting caught was "what took you so long?". Also he was an ardent church goer, which doesn't mean he wasn't an INTP but seems unlikely. Then the Candaulism, INTP's wouldn't seem to be sexual exhibitionists.
Meh, I wouldn't rely too much on internet sources for your typing needs; they usually aren't detailed enough. It's better to use nice, fat books with lots of detail on the person's day-to-day habits. Though your points about Hanssen are quite correct, there is a lot of other evidence that strongly indicates INTP. I devote a section at the beginning of each chapter to traits that indicate or contraindicate for INTP for both Hanssen and Speer, so you can decide on your own when the book comes out. I'll probably ask for editors when I'm done, so you can tell me then if you still disagree.

So I have no idea why you picked two obscure references as INTP's and plan to devote a chapter to them, especially when they both seem like they're unlikely to be the type.
I didn't choose them so much as stumble over them while reading. And there are certain things about them which make interesting case studies. Anyway, why not? Extra data never hurts; people can always skip the chapters if they're not interested.
 

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Meh, I wouldn't rely too much on internet sources for your typing needs

Ah, such as your ebook? Just kidding! I'm glad you're doing this, as the father of an INTP I'm always looking for new resources (and they help me too as an older INTP of course). Though I probably disagree with your typing choices I support your work.
 

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I do believe there are a few valid studies dealing with neurology and type that could be referenced...
If you can find those, I'd be interested in reading them.

Sorry, I don't know where to begin to look. I think links to most of them are here in the Archives as I encountered them here on the Forum.

Personally I think there is a relationship between the 4 MBTI scales and the four main divisions of the human brain, in a stress-related context... or an evolutionary psychology POV
 

P.H.

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A valid point, but the replacement system described isn't aimed so much at describing how a person prefers to use their letters (the type dynamics view) as to what extent a person uses them. For example, dominant doesn't mean "most used" so much as "most intense." This is the problem with using established terms to describe new concepts, I suppose...they come with a load of baggage under their arm.
So you differentiate between INTP's in order of their "most intense" letters, making another 24 (if my math is correct) subtypes? Do you elaborate further on these subtypes? Would an INTP and an INPT portray different behaviour? My guess is that two INPT's would still portray different behaviour if the "intensity" of their letters differ. Even two INPT's with the same "intensities" will. So taking into account that everyone is unique, does this system do more justice to that in your eyes than the cognitive functions one? Because that seems to be what this system is about. Being an INTP is not enough. You try to make the gap between abstract system and real people smaller, but that gap never closes.

For me MBTI has never been about trying to fit all people in those 16 types, but trying to get some insight in how and why people react the way they do and what makes them tick. That's why the cognitive functions interest me that much.

And to my defense, you use the word preference on that page, so that could be confusing.

Sigh, I believe you. I've come back to my writing after a few months and been appalled at how pompous and condescending I come off as sounding. Unfortunately I'm blind to this unless I go away and then come back to it with fresh eyes. If someone would make a list of the parts that need work, I'll review it and see if I can improve the wording.

A special note for type bigots: if you want to limit your idea of intelligence to the conventional one, i.e. Einstein the INTP, okay fine. Your definition is flawed, but if your self esteem demands that you get be a genius, who am I to burst your bubble? :) At the bottom of this page you will find a links section with several forums where you can sneer down your nose at your "inferiors." No doubt there will be plenty of fellow type bigots who will affirm your humble superiority. Have fun, genius! :)
and
INFP: "I know I'm an introvert, but sometimes I like to think out loud..."
Internet expert: "That's because you extravert your intuition as an auxiliary function. Here, read this article about the cognitive functions."
INFP: "Oh, that makes sense now. ...But wait, wouldn't this be extraverted thinking?"
Internet expert: "No, you're mixing up Thinking and Intuition. Thinking Extraverted is your inferior function, which means that you rarely use it. Read the whole article."
Problem solved.
were the parts that could use a more objective tone imo.

The fact vs. personal theory thing is a bit of a bugger, though; see, it turns out that most of the books you will find on type behavior constitute the author's personal opinion based on their experiences in the field, what they've read about, and stories they've heard from other people. They too state it as fact, but it is actually an amalgamation based on various sources. Realistically, you can't really start every paragraph off with "In my opinion" or whatever--after awhile, it'll just sound like a disclaimer you chant to avoid liability or whatever. ;p I'm not really sure what to do about this.

I give you that, it was more about the tone of your writing.
 

Architect

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Personally I didn't find the tone overbearing, pompous or condescending.
 

Anna Moss

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Well, that's good to hear, Architect... And thanks for the support and critique both. :)

P.H., I made a change to the type bigot paragraph to make it more clear who I'm insulting. The snarkiness remains; it was the original intent of the passage. :p
For the dialogue between the INFP and the Internet Expert--
I guess I can see how that could come off as offensive to people who disagree with my conclusions. That wasn't my intent at all; the jab was aimed at the rude attitude that seems to pop out of the closet whenever some poor schmoe doesn't know what the cognitive functions are. I suppose this probably isn't the place for that particular rant; I'll reduce the heat.

So you differentiate between INTP's in order of their "most intense" letters, making another 24 (if my math is correct) subtypes? Do you elaborate further on these subtypes? Would an INTP and an INPT portray different behaviour? My guess is that two INPT's would still portray different behaviour if the "intensity" of their letters differ. Even two INPT's with the same "intensities" will. So taking into account that everyone is unique, does this system do more justice to that in your eyes than the cognitive functions one?
Yeah, I'd say so. One study on the creativity of architects found that those architects who were rated by their peers as being highly creative all had very clear N. So an NTIPjefs will be different from an TIPNsjef. This is only one example. /shrug Another thing is that since you can have multiple or no dominants; that adds quite a lot more possible variance. But in the end, this model is not about creating more variants--really, the letters are simply there to impose order on a spectrum, the ultimate variation.

Because that seems to be what this system is about. Being an INTP is not enough. You try to make the gap between abstract system and real people smaller, but that gap never closes.
True; but there's no harm in trying. They have an MBTI Step II now that can be used to describe more precisely how a person is different from the "usual model" of their type. It turns out that different types deviate from the usual model in fairly typical ways. Interesting stuff.

And to my defense, you use the word preference on that page, so that could be confusing.
An unfortunate terminology choice in this case...
 

NinjaSurfer

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that was a very pleasant read;

my opinions on monetizing it-- selling per copy probably won't be as profitable as giving it away for free and either getting ad revenue, or packaging it to collect leads in some creative way. For example, you could use the article to encourage lead generation for psychotherapy for INTPs and sell the leads to psychiatrists or psychoanalysts or something... target SEO terms that INTPs (alcoholics, drug addicts) would likely be searching from Google...

it's possible (very) that many drug addicts or otherwise depressed (or anxious) people have no clue about MBTI typing and would benefit from knowing that they are normal-- many of these being INTP; and giving away the material for free as a way to sell something else, counselling services or just pure ads would probably be the best bet;

Alternatively, you could set out on a larger expedition and create "INTPs for Dummies" (if one hasn't already been written) and then sell it for $15/pop at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.

^But I imagine your core consumer would be INTPs-- which make up a small fraction of the population ~2%-4% right? You'd have to sell a lot of ebooks to make a living; alternatively, imagine the traffic you'd get for giving it away for free, and what other services would die to get a hold of that type of traffic? Game-makers would be a great source of interest for advertising purposes; most RPG players are INTPs right? they'd love that audience if you could build it.

I don't now how much therapists might pay for referrals; let's just assume any therapist might kick you back $100 for a legit lead; shoot them 10-20 solid INTP addiction leads and you've got your rent paid and then some; you'd have to sell your eBook 400 times over to make the same revenue; and then there's going to be free ways to get it for sure-- you have to assume that anyone who google's the title will find a way to get it for free in PDF form; if people aren't paying for MP3's these days, there's no stopping anyone form getting any form of intellectual property for free; so, charging $5 for the ebook doesn't seem (at least to me) the most profitable route to go;

however, I don't have experience marketing books nor ebooks at all so there could be something I'm not considering... just going by my "intuition" here

good luck! I will link to your article to help promote it though
 

P.H.

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Yeah, I'd say so. One study on the creativity of architects found that those architects who were rated by their peers as being highly creative all had very clear N. So an NTIPjefs will be different from an TIPNsjef. This is only one example. /shrug Another thing is that since you can have multiple or no dominants; that adds quite a lot more possible variance. But in the end, this model is not about creating more variants--really, the letters are simply there to impose order on a spectrum, the ultimate variation.

True; but there's no harm in trying. They have an MBTI Step II now that can be used to describe more precisely how a person is different from the "usual model" of their type. It turns out that different types deviate from the usual model in fairly typical ways. Interesting stuff.

I certainly agree, I was just figuring out the/your thought process.
 

Anna Moss

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I certainly agree, I was just figuring out the/your thought process.
Well, I appreciate that you thought it over and took the time to ask questions. Even if I haven't convinced you, at least you gave it serious thought.

Ninjasurfer--
I hadn't though of using leads like you're describing. Interesting. The only problem with advertising is that my website doesn't draw much Google traffic yet. I typically get about 3 hits from Google per day, and they typically "bounce," i.e. the person makes a flash judgment of the page and moves on to the next site without reading.

I'm trying various experiments to reduce the bounce rate by changing the headings that people see when they pop in (granted, the nonRational pages are not actually finished, which no doubt hurts my bounce rate), but really, at this point the problem is that the people who find my website are not looking for an all-in-one guide, but for information on a specific topic, i.e. "How well do ENTJ-ENTJ couples work?" An ENTJ pops in, catches a glimpse of what appears to be an all-in-one website, thinks "I need specific information, not generalities" and zips off to the next link, even if my website actually has the answer.

What I need to do is to attract people who are actually looking for an all-in-one reference guide similar to typelogic and personalitypage. However, these older websites have been in existence for eons and have tons of links pointing to them, which increases their pagerank in Google. My website has only one link pointing to it, and therefore will not even appear in the search rankings. It's only a matter of gaining "seniority," but that takes time. There's more stuff I could be doing to increase my SEO, but I haven't played with it yet. Just no time for everything.

The bottom line is, I probably won't be able to make any real advertising money for another 1-3 years. (It might be viable though, to make a flippable free book with a pay-per-view add at the top of each page. But this is currently beyond my technical prowess, and I haven't worked the math yet.)

Alternatively, you could set out on a larger expedition and create "INTPs for Dummies" (if one hasn't already been written) and then sell it for $15/pop at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.
Hehe, that would be kinda cool, but the royalties for books published by "Big Publishing" are quite tiny, and the fiends impose the most laughably pre-digital-era licenses you can imagine. By contrast, if you keep your book under your own control, you get 70% royalties on Amazon (or 100% if you sell it off your own site), you don't need a lawyer or agent, and you won't have to stay brave in the face of 500 tersely worded rejection letters. Also, you can put in outrageous content that Big Publishers would never allow because it would be considered too unprofessional or waste valuable tree pulp and ink. (I decided to take out the chapter to devoted to post-apocalyptic survival for INTPs, but not because it looked unprofessional.)

But I imagine your core consumer would be INTPs-- which make up a small fraction of the population ~2%-4% right? You'd have to sell a lot of ebooks to make a living;
Eh, I can't pin my hopes on making a living off of this one INTP book. Basically my goal is to make something like $700 (140 copies sold) within a month of the release, a reasonable amount considering the number of INTPs who hang out on these forums. That should buy me a little more time to kick out a book on either INTJs or ENFJs.

there's no stopping anyone form getting any form of intellectual property for free; so, charging $5 for the ebook doesn't seem (at least to me) the most profitable route to go;
Well, I'm honestly not so sure that piracy doesn't constitute free advertising. Most people learn about an author they like because a friend loans them a book by that author. In short, the first book a reader tries--by any author--is likely to be a freebie anyway. There's been a lot of talk about whether piracy is helpful or unhelpful in the e-book community. One thing you hear a lot is, "Piracy isn't the enemy; obscurity is the enemy." It's a complex topic and there isn't much data yet, but I believe there are enough people who either choose not to pirate/don't know how to pirate that I can get by for now.

good luck! I will link to your article to help promote it though
Ah, pagerank +1! ;)
 

NinjaSurfer

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go to dating or relationship forums, or any forum for that matter and say something like... "frustrated dating an INTP? does your boyfriend (or girlfriend) consistently forget your important anniversaries and/or birthdays? does he seem cold and uncaring and absent-minded at times? check out this ALL IN ONE GUIDE for INTPs"

another idea: reach out to the authors who you've cited, one by one (I know it sounds tedious), and ask them to link to you if they like your research and presentation; a link from a high quality author, or .edu site would be much more valuable a link;

target lower demand but highly specific and highly converting keywords to start out; start a blog to get fresh content going;

anyways, the end result might not be worth the effort but I think you've created something very unique here and your skills could be monetized under the right circumstances;

I only looked at the INTJ page... but you've done the same research for all types? what a big undertaking; you really should be able to find a way to get compensated for the work you've done;
 

Anna Moss

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go to dating or relationship forums, or any forum for that matter and say something like... "frustrated dating an INTP? does your boyfriend (or girlfriend) consistently forget your important anniversaries and/or birthdays? does he seem cold and uncaring and absent-minded at times? check out this ALL IN ONE GUIDE for INTPs"
That's certainly something I intend to do when I get more time. :)

another idea: reach out to the authors who you've cited, one by one (I know it sounds tedious), and ask them to link to you if they like your research and presentation; a link from a high quality author, or .edu site would be much more valuable a link;
Well, this is the thing. I don't have a type practitioner certificate ($850, urk) or any kind of background in psychology. Then too, it breaks "the code" to reveal negative information about the types. Frankly, I'm not at all sure real type practitioners would want to be associated with me, let alone encourage what I'm doing.

target lower demand but highly specific and highly converting keywords to start out; start a blog to get fresh content going;
That sounds like a potentially viable approach. I'll look into it later. The blog is a yes; but it'll have to wait until I have more time.

I only looked at the INTJ page... but you've done the same research for all types? what a big undertaking; you really should be able to find a way to get compensated for the work you've done;
Eh, it isn't as impressive as it looks. Much of the information on the other types is drawn straight from the MBTI manual, which in turn references the studies I noted. I still need to order most of these sources so I can go over the data myself instead of relying on the Cliff Notes version provided by the manual. Then too, there's been a lot of research that has been done since the MBTI manual was published, and I still have to add all of that. What you're seeing for the non-INTP pages is essentially just the gold that was easiest to mine. There's a lot of work left to do before this will be anything but a quick & dirty summary of the MBTI manual's accumulated wisdom. It's a basic foundation at this point, but not a house.
 

Bocephas

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Disregard previous post. I fart out of my butt.
 
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