Am I Really an INTP?

[Cryss Winters]

What kinds of things could turn other types into an INTP? I read the types and they seem creepily accurate, but I don't feel as smart as they let on. It's probably more likely that I'm another type who's underdeveloped. Any suggestions?

 

[Fedayeen]

you dont turn types

 

[Toad]

Why don't u study other types and see I'd they sound like u. That's what I did and that's how I confirmed I was more intp than any other type.

 

[Cryss Winters]

These are some really indepth answers, thanks. I feel much less depressed now.

 

[Cryss Winters]

I read ENTP and was thinking, hell, I might just be an ENTP who has been stuck inside for too many years. I retook the test and came up with...

Your Type is
INTJ
Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging
Strength of the preferences %
44 75 62 11

WTF am I?! lol

 

[brain enclosed in flesh]

Well, you're a pretty low J if you're a J, so that could be part of the confusion.

As far as your OP question: I've suspected I was an INFP who became an INTP. But now the more I think about it, I think I just wanted to be an INFP. I love literature, art, and music- so of course I wanted to be an INFP. If I look closely at myself, however, and think about my creative writing classes, my film classes, my art classes, being around other musicians/artists, I envision myself standing along the periphery, wanting to be a part of it, but there is something separating me from it, something which inhibits me. The blatant expression of emotions from others make me uncomfortable. I proofread a short story about a girl whose been raped and all I can think about is how cliche it is and overemotional and I correct her typos. The stories I write are considered too "unemotional" and "reserved". I "rely too much on humor" and "hide behind it". I don't get most poetry or am disinterested in it, unless it's humorous or they're writing about basic things in life or trees or insects.

So I guess what I'm saying is really try to dig into yourself and examine what's there, not what you want to be.

 

[Cryss Winters]

I want to go into a professional psychologist's office and have them evaluate me. Then walk out and never talk to them again. lol

 

[Toad]

Don't go to a psychologist for this stupid test. Jeez...there are so many other good reasons to go to a psychologist, but for an MBTI test? The MBTI is a very rudimentary test. A real psychologist will tell you that.

So brain, does that mean you are not an INFP? In that case we may be friends again. LoL

 

[Enne]

Well, you're a pretty low J if you're a J, so that could be part of the confusion.

As far as your OP question: I've suspected I was an INFP who became an INTP. But now the more I think about it, I think I just wanted to be an INFP. I love literature, art, and music- so of course I wanted to be an INFP. If I look closely at myself, however, and think about my creative writing classes, my film classes, my art classes, being around other musicians/artists, I envision myself standing along the periphery, wanting to be a part of it, but there is something separating me from it, something which inhibits me. The blatant expression of emotions from others make me uncomfortable. I proofread a short story about a girl whose been raped and all I can think about is how cliche it is and overemotional and I correct her typos. The stories I write are considered too "unemotional" and "reserved". I "rely too much on humor" and "hide behind it". I don't get most poetry or am disinterested in it, unless it's humorous or they're writing about basic things in life or trees or insects.

So I guess what I'm saying is really try to dig into yourself and examine what's there, not what you want to be.

I thought you were pondering the possibility of being an ENTP...

 

[Cryss Winters]

Don't go to a psychologist for this stupid test. Jeez...there are so many other good reasons to go to a psychologist, but for an MBTI test? The MBTI is a very rudimentary test. A real psychologist will tell you that.

Nice response, Red Toad.

 

[Toad]

Nice response, Red Toad.

I do my best.

 

[Razare]

Figuring out your type is easy, you just have to know yourself. Not who you want to be, but who you are.

I vs E, which one are you? It is quite easy as how much time do you spend alone, and do you feel more energized by others or by being alone?

N vs S ... read the definition of both, and you are definitely one or the other. Worst case is you have them both equally developed, but even then you should prefer to use one. If you have N developed it is likely that's your preference, sensing is only useful for practical stuff, N is more interesting and intriguing. People who use S all the time only do so because they lack N.

T vs F ... Would you reach a decision and follow through with it, even if your emotions did not agree? Or can you even feel your emotions? If you often feel emotionless, then you are T. If you think analytical types are too heartless and prefer to make decisions to bring about inner peace and resolving of conflict, then you are F.

J vs P ... Look at several things for this... How clean is your living space? J's tend to be better about cleaning, but cleaning also requires some level of sensing for one to be bothered by a mess. After all, if your brain never registers a mess, then your judging doesn't pick up on the mess and decide to organize it.

Do you sometimes hear some idiot talking and think in your head how wrong they are, but decide that them being wrong is just your perspective, and that they have their own perspective? That's very P. When I transitioned from J to P, internally I had a realization that everything is relative. I may have formed some absolute in my head, but if another person believes the world is flat, then for that person the world is flat and that is their truth.

P = Observer, Passerby, Non-Judgmental
J = Judgmental, Acts upon Judgments

That's pretty much it, you can get some of your functions more developed and some less developed, but essentially you have a preference for each and that determines it all.

 

[loveofreason]

Your sarcasm displayed here is sweet and cutting, Chris. Rather like an INTJ...

I don't think that it necessarily easy to determine type. Some of us may be complicated to a degree that sorting out the strongest functions is a nigh impossible task...

and preferences could lose some of their clarity if we become adept at many modes of behaviour...

I have been told that with increasing IQ the boundaries can blur all the more...

and it is in the end a theory...

Seeing black and white divisions is a functional simplification...


But does it really bug you to be uncertain? The more it bugs you the more it points to a need for closure, for having a fixed answer... and that is typical of Js...

I am uncertain of my type, I think I just come back to INTP because it allows the most leeway... is the least proscriptive... INFP ENTP INFJ INTJ... all seem peripheral - I have traits that overlap their boundaries.

...hanging out on boards for these various types could quickly tell you how much you have in common... my settlement on INTP is affirmed time and time again when I read many of the posters here... I understand what is being said...

Decaf especially, if you can talk to him, can explain the inner INTP workings. If listening to him brings about an epiphany of clarity then you may just be in the right place!

Then again you may just decide you are happy to fall between the gaps.

 

[Cryss Winters]

Thank you Razare and loveofreason, those are the kinds of responses I wanted.

I keep testing INTP, but I'm unsure of it. Which I guess is a very INTP thing to think. lol

 

[FF]

I read ENTP and was thinking, hell, I might just be an ENTP who has been stuck inside for too many years.

Yeah, at first I believed I was an INTP, but then I realized that when I have the chance to talk to someone who I share things in common with (which is much rarer for an NT, rather than an SJ) then I realized I was an ENTP.

I also have a tendency to be shy, or rather, quiet around SJ's and some SP's. Which are pretty much the majority of all people. But, all in all, I would rather be around people than be alone, if I had the choice. I believe group activities > solitary activities.

Perhaps you are the same way?

 

[Cryss Winters]

Yeah, at first I believed I was an INTP, but then I realized that when I have the chance to talk to someone who I share things in common with (which is much rarer for an NT, rather than an SJ) then I realized I was an ENTP.

I also have a tendency to be shy, or rather, quiet around SJ's and some SP's. Which are pretty much the majority of all people. But, all in all, I would rather be around people than be alone, if I had the choice. I believe group activities > solitary activities.

Perhaps you are the same way?

Yes, but I do realize that I need alone time to think/recharge. Which is a very Introverted thing to think.

 

[Razare]

It's possible to fall about dead in the middle of E and I. Those people require a well balanced life involving the a moderate dosage of socialization and introversion. I had an ENTP roommate that would test as an INTP or INTJ. He spent a lot of time on his computer doing projects all alone, perhaps a majority of his time. Yet he'd have AIM open and be chatting to someone while on the project. He'd also decide that he'd been in the house too long and look forward to going on weekend parties that he'd get invited to.

He liked to share his great ideas with others and try to get those people enthused about them, very ENTP. Yet strictly speaking if you just tested the guy, he'd probably score as an introvert depending on his current life situation. In this situation it's more about which personality you identify with more, the introvert type or the extrovert type. Even then it's possible to be some chameleon with distinct qualities of both, in which case you could describe yourself an xNTP.

If this is your score, 44 75 62 11, then your J is suspect, it's too weak because it implies INTJ. You'd have to really think you identified with the INTJ type to go with that, because it's a very peculiar type and you either are or aren't. If you're judgmental but you really don't carry those judgments all that far and moderate them, or ultimately decide against following through, then you're really not J. J's have a certainty about them that they operate with.

So you're an INTP then according to the test, I would guess. Scoring 44% on introvert generally means you are one. You don't have to be smart to be an INTP, it's just a personality type, which doesn't say much about IQ scores. It's about how your mind works and what sort of premises it operates under. It's possible to slowly change your personality type, I believe. If my old roommate was more rigorous and thoughtful about his ideas, spending more time alone to evaluate them conceptually, he could become an INTP. If however, he decides to spend more time socializing, and just throws out his visionary ideas to impress people, with little concern for fleshing out the concept in his mind, then he'd go further down the path of ENTP.

 

[Toad]

Yup. I'm in between E and I.

 

[Enne]

Try this: is your dominant function Ti or Ne?

 

[Cryss Winters]

I think I've decided I'm an INTP, just not a normal one. lol =3

 

[Ermine]

Is there such thing as a "normal" INTP? We aren't normal in the world's eyes to begin with, and normal is such a relative term that it doesn't have much relevance.

 

[Cryss Winters]

...who asked you. =3
I think I'm an XNTX, if that makes sense.. >.> I don't know. I'm still maturing, we'll see where I end up.

 

[FF]

Chris, what sort of activities do you absolutely hate to do?

 

[Cryss Winters]

Chris, what sort of activities do you absolutely hate to do?

I don't know, to be honest, I'm still figuring myself out. There aren't many things I dislike to do, because everything's a learning experience.

 

[Razare]

XNTX lol... makes me wonder if there's an XXXX out there.

 

[Enne]

Hmm..You'd have to be pretty unsure of yourself to be an XXXX. I think S/N would be pretty clear, as well as J/P. Maybe if you had a mental disorder? Like severe bipolar disorder? Though someone who was bipolar might be a strong F...

That'd be an interesting case though.

 

[walfin]

you dont turn types

Really?

Is there such thing as a "normal" INTP? We aren't normal in the world's eyes to begin with, and normal is such a relative term that it doesn't have much relevance.

"Normal" INTP? My guess would be someone with LOTS of esoteric interests (what those interests are don't actually matter).

I don't know, to be honest, I'm still figuring myself out. There aren't many things I dislike to do, because everything's a learning experience.

If you mean that, then you have a really good attitude. Respect (because I'm not like that myself).

 

[Carnap]

Well, you're a pretty low J if you're a J, so that could be part of the confusion.

As far as your OP question: I've suspected I was an INFP who became an INTP. But now the more I think about it, I think I just wanted to be an INFP. I love literature, art, and music- so of course I wanted to be an INFP. If I look closely at myself, however, and think about my creative writing classes, my film classes, my art classes, being around other musicians/artists, I envision myself standing along the periphery, wanting to be a part of it, but there is something separating me from it, something which inhibits me. The blatant expression of emotions from others make me uncomfortable. I proofread a short story about a girl whose been raped and all I can think about is how cliche it is and overemotional and I correct her typos. The stories I write are considered too "unemotional" and "reserved". I "rely too much on humor" and "hide behind it". I don't get most poetry or am disinterested in it, unless it's humorous or they're writing about basic things in life or trees or insects.

So I guess what I'm saying is really try to dig into yourself and examine what's there, not what you want to be.

Holy crap, I relate to this so much. I always used to want to write short stories, etc, be an artist, etc, but I sucked!!! Now that I`ve found the world of non fiction and more analytical thought, I feel much better. I have been thinking a lot about this lately.

 

[Razare]

Hmm..You'd have to be pretty unsure of yourself to be an XXXX. I think S/N would be pretty clear, as well as J/P. Maybe if you had a mental disorder? Like severe bipolar disorder? Though someone who was bipolar might be a strong F...

Well I might be IXXX, since the last three I can change at will, my developed functions are...

Ti, Ne, Ni, Te, Fi, Si - The weakest among these are Fi, Si, but they are moderately developed.

My Fe and Se are undeveloped.

INTP (Ti, Ne, Si) - Normally me

INTJ (Ni, Te, Fi) - Me when I get hellbent on doing something

ISTJ (Si, Te, Fi, Ne) - Me at work where I was forced to develop an introverted sensing function, which is actually now strong enough to replace Ne/Ni entirely. I feel a difference when I'm working, I just turn off the N stuff in my head and focus on the here and now. I also really like to use prior experiences as predictors of future results, which is Si.

But as you can see, I'm not a mix because I'm either something or something else. Also, I don't think I'll ever get past my 100% introvert tendency.

 

[Enne]

Well I might be IXXX, since the last three I can change at will, my developed functions are...

Ti, Ne, Ni, Te, Fi, Si - The weakest among these are Fi, Si, but they are moderately developed.

My Fe and Se are undeveloped.

INTP (Ti, Ne, Si) - Normally me

INTJ (Ni, Te, Fi) - Me when I get hellbent on doing something

ISTJ (Si, Te, Fi, Ne) - Me at work where I was forced to develop an introverted sensing function, which is actually now strong enough to replace Ne/Ni entirely. I feel a difference when I'm working, I just turn off the N stuff in my head and focus on the here and now. I also really like to use prior experiences as predictors of future results, which is Si.

But as you can see, I'm not a mix because I'm either something or something else. Also, I don't think I'll ever get past my 100% introvert tendency.

Hm..where do you work? How did you develop such an acute Si? How does Si vary from Se?

 

[Razare]

Hm..where do you work? How did you develop such an acute Si? How does Si vary from Se?

A gas station, the same one for the past 5 years. But it's not your average gas station where they have a thousand rules to follow and there's well thought out policies, with a manager on each shift. It's a family owned one and I ended up working a shift where basically I was the senior clerk, so stuff would go wrong and I couldn't shove it on any one else's shoulders.

I can tell you what Si is but comparing it to Se, I don't think I can do. I have an idea what Se is, but I don't think I have ever personally experienced it. From what I gather it is just seeing, hearing and smelling everything, in the moment completely. Si is a bit different... Si is when I take in information by sensing it, but at the same time make judgments about that information and comparing it to previous experiences. I would guess that Si focuses on certain important details in the environment that are relevant where Se focuses on everything.

It's very handy when combined with Te. Just as an example, since I've developed Si, I now like to watch shows like "The Hotel Inspector". The lady comes into a mismanaged hotel and spots things they are doing wrong, and tells them how to fix it. That's what Si/Te is great at, I can see what is amiss in the operations of the gas station and fix it. It's a very practical way of thinking and being, where your focus is on accomplishing tasks at hand. I actually want to work when I get in this mode, I can't stand standing still or not working. Like last week I fixed someone else's mistake which took me an hour, which I didn't even have to do. I didn't like the person nor was it my responsibility, but I did it just because when I'm in ISTJ mode, work is what I do.

It's to the point I'll walk into places and just see certain things that they should be doing and aren't... then I'll make judgments about the quality of management in that establishment.

 

[Razare]

I'll also just mention, the N stuff just turns off while I'm in working mode. What good is N when there's stuff to be done? N will just distract you from the task at hand. N might be good for analyzing the task itself and devising a new method, but it can't focus on a mundane task where the steps are already laid out before you. When I first began the job, I would daydream constantly. My mind couldn't focus on simple tasks and so I would make tons of mistakes. I learned to focus better and not daydream... in other words I turned off my N, and when you do that all that's left is S.

 

[Citizen X]

Chris, I really don't think you should be thinking that hard on this issue.

I have done the tests and I came out as an INTP. I read the descriptions and yes, they describe me and I really do feel identified with people on this forum and what not. I recently discovered this entire MBTI body of work so I did my research and here I am.

But really, I see this as just an approximation of an individual's personality. They can be spot on in describing the overall/general personality, but the mind is a complex thing and I don't think we can be so cocky as to fully profile a person into a fixed tag. Despite our cosmic insignificance, a single human mind can still be complex.

And that, of course, is just my opinion.

 

[Enne]

A most accurate one though! I think that if it really bothers you, you should clear up whatever in your life is making you uncertain about your sense of self, and then (if you .. really need to?) retake the test. But yeah, I'd focus on the Jungian functions over the MBTI profiles if you're really looking for a type that's 'you'. =/

 

[brain enclosed in flesh]

Holy crap, I relate to this so much. I always used to want to write short stories, etc, be an artist, etc, but I sucked!!! Now that I`ve found the world of non fiction and more analytical thought, I feel much better. I have been thinking a lot about this lately.

I know this is a little old, but... Carnap, all I wanted to say is that my problem is that I don't suck. But I get stuck on the things other more emotional types write about so easily. But I think there are plenty of INTP sorts-o-types who are successful in fiction or film. I just think that the fact that I'm female makes people assume that I am supposed to write a certain way. Typically I relate to male writing style far more than I do to female writers (although there are exceptions)- I highly doubt anyone told Ernest Hemingway that he was too reserved and unemotional.

That said, I wrote a children's book of poems about animal fathers and it was way easier, I suspect because it was a matter of research translated to kooky poetry- a perfect way to combine Ti and Ne.