Are you really an INTP or you want to be one subconsciously?

[ntfbfi]

Hi. I have many questions in my head and I am trying to find the best answer from different opinions/ evidences (e.g. a link, a theory or a name of a book would help).

I did MBTI test twice, first time was a few years ago and recently did again. Both time indicated I am INTP, the only difference is I was more a borderline INTP (the S/N and F/T socres were quite equal). So my first question will be
1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?

I have come across some personality websites and I am very interested in a theory saying some of us might not be INTP. It is NOT their personality indicates them to the best fit type, it is the result makes them think and behave like an INTP (getting the wrong result might happen when they do the MBTI indicator from a unofficial website/ misunderstanding the questions etc). So my second question is
2. What do you think about this theory?

The third question is linked to the second point above, before answering the third question, can you recall that whether you have changing the behavior since you found out you are an INTP? For example, acting more logical deliberately (consciously and subconsciously) or suspressing your feeling more often etc?
3. Are you self-making INTP?

My last question is
4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?

 

[beastie]

Re: Are you really an INTP or you want to be one unconsciously?

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?
I did the test years ago and was INTP then. I did it off website however I have undertaken numerous administered tests and always come up with very unique results.

2. What do you think about this theory?
I ignored the meaning of my results the first time. I was really surprised when I received the same result years later. The theory could be similar to those who "fit" their astrology signs- although IMO they are a lot fuzzier.

3. Are you self-making INTP?
Defin. not. I almost cried when I found others had the same issues as me.

My last question is
4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?
Or HER personality in my case. Possibly if on the border. Possibly if different tests are used (but not a true transformation). Real true transformation, I dont think so once a person has matured. One of my kids who is more mature than the other took the test and it was quite accurate, my other yourger child did and it wasnt indicative of her personality. When is someone mature enough to take the test so the results are stable over time? One would have to have enough insight into their true actions/intentions to give accurate results. I have seen a skewed administered test that has been answered incorrectly due to a person with a mild intellectual disability answering questions based on the perception of what is considered a more socially favoured response, completely opposite to the participants usual behavior.

 

[Berkeley]

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?
See the thing about this question is that I was never really sure if I was a 'true' INTP. I took two different tests before and both said I was an INTP, but I was always borderline ISTP. When I read about INTP's I was blown away but how many of the subtleties in my behavior were just openly known to whoever wrote the description of the INTP. But I took a test later and it said I might be an ISTP. And when I read the description of that, there were some striking similarities, but it wasn't completely on. The fact that I am a risk taker and a thrill seeker (I love extreme sports) is very typical to the ISTP. I had always had trouble deciding if i was a sensor or a intuitive. Either way, I am pretty confident that some days I act like an INTP and other days I act like an ISTP. That would imply that we can in fact change type.

2. What do you think about this theory?
I had actually thought about this quite a bit. I had always considered myself an intellectual and had always been pretty shy, but when I found out I was an INTP I started to think I might be more anti-social than I actually am. Because I don't have an enemy in the world, and I am generally well liked by just about everybody I meet. But when INTP's enjoy something the become good at it. I enjoy debate, I enjoy trying to make people contradict themselves, and I enjoy making people like me. I hate big groups, and I dislike parties generally, but I love small kickbacks or gatherings with a group that I know everyone very well. I think that what people talk about is completely stupid sometimes, but I am very good at pretending to be interested, adding a little comment here or there and letting the other person keep talking. They think I am fascinated by what they say, and it makes me laugh on the inside that they think that.

Also, I guess when it comes to my close friends, I enjoy trying to make them mad when I can just dance around their arguments with my own. I'm lucky enough to have quite a few close friends that I can call up whenever I want, and even sometimes when I hear them describe me, they realize that I am very intelligent. My best friend told another person we just met that it seemed like I was just born smart.

But I went off on a tangent. But I completely can see how your theory would be true. When you find something that you consider positive, even about yourself, you try to live up to that expectation.

3. Are you self-making INTP?
I didn't change anything about myself. Would I be considered and INTP in the first place? That might be a better question for me personally.

Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?
That is a super interesting question. I don't think it would be possible for me to change from an I into an E. That's will just never happen. It would be extremely easy for me to change from an N to a S though, because I had so much trouble deciding between the two anyway. However, I don't ever see myself being a better feeler then thinker. It is just too much against my nature. I don't remember much about the judger/perceiver part so I can't say either way.

But all in all, I think I might be possible to alter your personality type into a similar one, but I doubt a drastic change is possible.

 

[AceNess]

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be an intp?

 

[Cogwulf]

I guess that you aren't an INTP

 

[AceNess]

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be an intp? Im intp/istp 50/50 split between the two.

 

[Cogwulf]

My opinion is that you're fully ISTP, not seeing the good side of INTP suggests to me that your N is poorly developed therefore you favour S and are ISTP

 

[AceNess]

My opinion is that you're fully ISTP, not seeing the good side of INTP suggests to me that your N is poorly developed therefore you favour S and are ISTP

No I like the N, the letter that I really don't favor is the I and the fact that I can't ever come to a descision on a subject and keep pondering on it. Besides, I've already seen what intp led me to and i don't like it.

 

[Berkeley]

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be an intp? Im intp/istp 50/50 split between the two.

Why wouldn't anyone want to be an INTP? I am an INTP. I like the person I am. If I was some other personality type would I want to be an INTP? Probably not. But since I am an INTP and I don't want to be anything else, I think I would be perfectly content with whatever personality type I fell under.

Having said that, I guess one can't ever really know. Because if I was a different personality type, chances are I would have a different opinion on the subject.

Also, since I am an INTP, and since humans usually relate things to themselves (i.e. Someone is tall if they are taller then themselves, or someone is short if they are shorter then themselves, or fat, or skinny, or any comparison really; its always back to yourself). So since I am an INTP I tend to think that INTP's are the best of the personality types.

Which is actually really strange, because I think it's possible that my brain subconsciously gives me reasons to believe that INTP's are the best. For example, when I said that we are the best, I automatically started thinking of why INTP's are the best. My brain told me that one reason is because we are something like 1% of the population. I mean, that means we are part of an elite social group. Not everyone gets the honor of our title. And then the things that I value I am best at. And other INTP's are usually best at. And since I value them and my personality type makes me good at them, I figure we are best. But what is strange is that I might only value them because of my personality type.

I dunno what I am saying anymore. I think pretty much what I am trying to say is that I am good at the things I value, and because the things that I don't value are irrelevant, (and because other INTP's are good at what I value as well) INTP's are best. (Even though it's only in my mind and completely subjective because who's to say whose values are the correct ones?

 

[snowqueen]

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?
I had always had trouble deciding if i was a sensor or a intuitive. Either way, I am pretty confident that some days I act like an INTP and other days I act like an ISTP. That would imply that we can in fact change type.

or that personality type is on a continuum. I doubt we can change type but I suspect some people are strongly one type while others are close to the borders on some aspects. One of my daughters tested strongly ENFP which fits her perfectly. My other consistently tests 50/50 N/S and P/J so she's IXTX and is hard to pin down personality-wise.

 

[nickgray]

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?

The main "change", perhaps, is I <-> E, though it's temporary. Introvert can go on a social and talking spree, but he'll burn out quickly and retreat into his mind. Same with Extrovert - he can lock himself in a room alone and ponder about things, yet soon he'll crave for social contact.

2. What do you think about this theory?

Not really a good theory. It's monochromatic (E-I, T-F, etc.), and all black-white things seems to be incorrect, since most of the stuff lies in the "gray" area. It also makes an assumption that thinking and feeling are two opposites, whereas I tend to think that those are separate entities: the T part should be viewed as "amount of rationality" and emotions are just, well, emotions. Human behavior is very complicated and the MBTI provides a very-very crude sketch of how a person is likely to behave.

3. Are you self-making INTP?

Uh, no. Also, you must take into the account my views of mbti, but nevertheless the INTP "sketch" describes me well enough and it did explain some things I've been previously wondering about.

4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?

Certainly not. As I said, imo, the only transformation possible (temporarily) is I <-> E. Shifting into permanent E or F or S is likely to be impossible. On the other hand if a person is ~50/50 P-J it's obvious that he'll exhibit the features of both, and, maybe, have a temporary shifts into 70/30 or 40/60 P, J, respectively.
It's all based on my thoughts, of course, an experiment of some kind would answer those questions infinitely better

 

[Yellow]

3. Are you self-making INTP?

I was originally typed INTJ, and the descriptions fit alright. I realized later that there were some significant difference. I have come to realize that when I took the tests, I answered in a way that conveyed a more ideal, or adapted version of my personality. When I really broke itdown and answered with the way I am, unaltered, I came up INTP and the descriptions and functional analyses just clicked into place. If I did this and tested INTJ, I think it is possible that a person would do something similar to test INTP.

 

[Zero]

If you understood MBTI and Jung's theory, you'd understand that it's a trait theory. However, according to MBTI it's not possible to change your functions. I hope someone already clarified and mentioned this. I'm personally getting sick of rehashing it all the time.

Functions. FUNCTIONS.

It is not Possible to Entirely change your Function order. Supposedly you'd develop your primary functions as a child. You need functions to function. There is a neurological link between functions and what side of the brain a person favours.

If I weren't an INTP I wouldn't be going so f-cking crazy over this kind of sh-t. I can't stand it if something isn't correct or misunderstood. If the truth is blurred... It drives me crazy.

 

[loveofreason]

I'm not a defect! I'm intp! *cries*

(or infp... maybe infj... possibly even entp? intj? nah...)

Is it possible to be certain I'm not fooling myself as to type? No.

Could I be pretending? Yes.

My behaviour has ranged alot over my life as I have tried being all manner of shapes, so I can only pare back my 'personality' to those things that been constant and, mostly, hidden; the things that remain beneath the adaptations and acting....

And those things are a curious assemblage of conflicting attributes dominated by - oh, nevermind.

It's complicated but finding INTPs is the greatest validation I've known of my heretofore defective existence.

 

[Invoke Ninja's True Power]

I am INTP with a large side order of INFP. It really is a horrible combo, coming up with an imaginary semi-logical world to put myself into just so I can somehow justify living in the real world. I feel I am a bit more controlled by my emotions than a typical INTP. I will infrequently act on my emotions or do things based on them, yet I will withdraw from things because of them. Pisses me off and depresses me to no end. Every time I make progress a few days later I take a seemingly equal or greater step backwards. I just want to be able to actually talk to and form a connection with a non-stupid, decent looking female. Why is this so hard? I'm freking 26 years old, I'm getting too old to be so emotionally retarded.

 

[uth]

I'm not sure if I'd want to be INTP if I wasn't. Yes, there are many good things about it, but problems too, in a world where few understand you. If I could choose, I might be ENTP, or at least alot less introverted INTP

 

[Invoke Ninja's True Power]

being a complete introvert SUCKS in this world. So many times when I thought about taking out myself or others, but no one would get it. There wouldn't be any effort made to improve things. Only efforts to improve profit margins. I am seriously starting to think money is at the root of 95% all of the problems modern day humans face.

 

[nickgray]

I am seriously starting to think money is at the root of 95% all of the problems modern day humans face.

It is. And I think ~50-100 years and there won't be money anymore, there just wouldn't be a point in keeping that system.

 

[IntuitP]

To those lamenting their introversion:

Shyness =/= introversion. They are not inherently the same thing. Many Introverts are shy, but it is possible to be an introvert and have the ability to function socially. In my own life I have found this to be especially so for INTPs - if the desire is there.

INTPs have the ability to look at the social world logically. We can analyze the social world and adapt our reactions to it based on "research". Just like any other area of interest that comes along, INTPs can learn this as well.

Someone mentioned this earlier, but introverts can present an outwardly extroverted front. The difference is that unlike extroverts, we eventually become drained from constant social activity.

 

[Invoke Ninja's True Power]

It is. And I think ~50-100 years and there won't be money anymore, there just wouldn't be a point in keeping that system.

one can only hope, I hate money. Maybe its because I never have much of it and when I do it always goes away. I wasn't born into the elite or the rich families so fuck them. They can eat a dick and die for all I care.

 

[snowqueen]

I am INTP with a large side order of INFP. It really is a horrible combo, coming up with an imaginary semi-logical world to put myself into just so I can somehow justify living in the real world. I feel I am a bit more controlled by my emotions than a typical INTP. I will infrequently act on my emotions or do things based on them, yet I will withdraw from things because of them. Pisses me off and depresses me to no end. Every time I make progress a few days later I take a seemingly equal or greater step backwards. I just want to be able to actually talk to and form a connection with a non-stupid, decent looking female. Why is this so hard? I'm freking 26 years old, I'm getting too old to be so emotionally retarded.

Have you tried to analyse why this is the case? I am very like you and I'm beginning to realise a lot of it is to do with being scared to present the 'real me' to the opposite sex in case I'm rejected so I tend to either present a bland or emotionally paralysed front. It's largely to do with having been brought up by an overcritical and violent mother so I spent most of my childhood trying to please her and avoid rejection and violence. It's taken my till my 50s to work this through and I think I'm nearly there. I don't think it should have taken this long - there are loads of great self-help books on the market now that can help gain insight into what might hold you back or sabotage you. Like IntuitP said just being introverted doesn't mean you're shy. I am incredibly social with my friends and with total strangers - so I do have the skills, but in opposite sex relationships I get hung up on trying to please them and not put them off. Maybe there's something you're doing (not necessarily the same, but worth trying to work it out)

 

[EcoWorm]

If you understood MBTI and Jung's theory, you'd understand that it's a trait theory. However, according to MBTI it's not possible to change your functions.

I am glad that you brought up the theory. It is important to understand the difference between trait and behavior. Jung's theory is a trait theory. He claimed have innate preferences for I or E, S or N, T or F. Myers & Briggs added the J or P. According to Jung, you do not change your type preferences.

Also, according to type theory, each function is not on a scale. It is a category. So your score in a function does not represent "how much" you are an I or N or T or P. The score in each function represents how clearly you assessed your preference for each function over its paired function.

People can, and do, develop behaviors from all of the functions. It is also important to understand that instruments that measure your Jungian personanlity type preferences do not measure how well you express a function. For example an INTP would have a preference for intuition, but this preference does not mean that the person uses intuition well. Likewise, an N could be very adept at using the sensing function even though s/he prefers intuition.

When I took the certification course to use the CPP MBTI instrument, we had a lot great discussions about whether people can change their type. The "party line" is that people do not change their type preference. People do change their behaviors, and therefore, when you take the self-assessments your behaviors can easily creep into and change the results as you develop the ability to use other functions.

For example, as a matter of professional survival, I have adopted many J-like behaviors, but that does not mean that I prefer judging.

It is important to validate our results. I think that especially with the free online personality type preference instruments, you need to read the type descriptions and see how well they fit you. The assessment results do not define you. As you look at each function pair, especially if your score is close to the middle, you would need to ask which side of the pair best descibes you in your ideal world.

 

[snowqueen]

Thanks ecoworm (and welcome). What do you use your certification for? For what work purpose?

I definitely subscribe to the trait theory because if I interrogate my own 50+ years of life one of the most striking things is the way I have tried to change parts of my personality which I had been made to feel were unacceptable (or I felt hampered me), and have been singularly unsuccessful. While I have managed to change my behaviours considerably. The parts of my personality corresponded strongly to INTP traits, obviously. Since discovering I'm INTP my whole life is beginning to make sense and although I've been through some major emotional upheavals (yuck, barf) over the last 6 months, I am emerging stronger and more confident than I've ever been because I feel I'm finally reclaiming myself.

I should maybe write this up some time on my blog ... hmmm [wanders off]

 

[Perseus]

Hi. I have many questions in my head and I am trying to find the best answer from different opinions/ evidences (e.g. a link, a theory or a name of a book would help).

I did MBTI test twice, first time was a few years ago and recently did again. Both time indicated I am INTP, the only difference is I was more a borderline INTP (the S/N and F/T socres were quite equal). So my first question will be
1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?

I have come across some personality websites and I am very interested in a theory saying some of us might not be INTP. It is NOT their personality indicates them to the best fit type, it is the result makes them think and behave like an INTP (getting the wrong result might happen when they do the MBTI indicator from a unofficial website/ misunderstanding the questions etc). So my second question is
2. What do you think about this theory?

The third question is linked to the second point above, before answering the third question, can you recall that whether you have changing the behavior since you found out you are an INTP? For example, acting more logical deliberately (consciously and subconsciously) or suspressing your feeling more often etc?
3. Are you self-making INTP?

My last question is
4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?

I am a PNIT Context Jumper. 24 different types of INTPs.

 

[Perseus]

Thanks ecoworm (and welcome). What do you use your certification for? For what work purpose?

I definitely subscribe to the trait theory because if I interrogate my own 50+ years of life one of the most striking things is the way I have tried to change parts of my personality which I had been made to feel were unacceptable (or I felt hampered me), and have been singularly unsuccessful. While I have managed to change my behaviours considerably. The parts of my personality corresponded strongly to INTP traits, obviously. Since discovering I'm INTP my whole life is beginning to make sense and although I've been through some major emotional upheavals (yuck, barf) over the last 6 months, I am emerging stronger and more confident than I've ever been because I feel I'm finally reclaiming myself.

I should maybe write this up some time on my blog ... hmmm [wanders off]

I spent most of my life acting out of type due to the demands of work etc. Then I got a head injury and I had to act according to my type which was very difficult, stressful. and bewildering.

 

[Andy]

MBTI is, though quite accurate, at it's core still just simplyfying human mind in order to divide people into brackets. People change every day.

I consider myself a self-made INTP and I believe if I became more confident and found some motivation to improve myself and after a few months took the test again I would get a completely different result.

 

[snowqueen]

I spent most of my life acting out of type due to the demands of work etc. Then I got a head injury and I had to act according to my type which was very difficult, stressful. and bewildering.

I don't quite understand - how did the head injury make you have to act like an INTP?

 

[Beat Mango]

If you understood MBTI and Jung's theory, you'd understand that it's a trait theory. However, according to MBTI it's not possible to change your functions. I hope someone already clarified and mentioned this. I'm personally getting sick of rehashing it all the time.

Functions. FUNCTIONS.

It is not Possible to Entirely change your Function order. Supposedly you'd develop your primary functions as a child. You need functions to function. There is a neurological link between functions and what side of the brain a person favours.

If I weren't an INTP I wouldn't be going so f-cking crazy over this kind of sh-t. I can't stand it if something isn't correct or misunderstood. If the truth is blurred... It drives me crazy.

Hehe... I do have similar thoughts sometimes. If people actually read Jung's stuff rather than a quick personality type description and an assumption of the implications of that, a lot of these threads wouldn't exist. I haven't read Myer or Brigg's work but it seems they're a fair bit more rigid than Jung? Kind of cold, too. I don't like that.

Anyway, in response to OP, I thought it was interesting what someone wrote in another thread a while ago, that someone who is depressed might be more likely to test as an INTP: they don't want to mix with people (I), disillusioned with the real world (N), and don't have a fixed belief system that they can lean upon (J).

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?

Well, kind of. It's inherent in being a particular type that you'll be more extroverted in some situations, and more introverted in others. As for more ultimate change, see q.4.

3. Are you self-making INTP?
I've definitely become more overtly INTP since finding this forum, however I'm not sure if that's me doing a self-fufilling prophecy or if it's just because I feel like it's ok to be introverted now, and I don't have to bust my guts trying to be like everyone else.

4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?

The short answer is, I believe, no. You are who you are for good reason and there's a lot of "karma" so to speak behind that. I also believe that personality is strongly linked to one's body/physiology, so unless we find a way to change that whilst still keeping our identity intact, I think it will remain impossible.

However, that's me talking about sudden or willed changes. I think a person can change slowly over time, and that if enough time passes, they could develop into someone quite different from who they used to be. Even this, though, would be a kind of personal development rather than change.

 

[Adymus]

1. is it possible for a person change type from time to time?

2. What do you think about this theory?

The third question is linked to the second point above, before answering the third question, can you recall that whether you have changing the behavior since you found out you are an INTP? For example, acting more logical deliberately (consciously and subconsciously) or suspressing your feeling more often etc?
3. Are you self-making INTP?

My last question is
4. Would it be possible for a person to transform his personality into a whole different type?

1. It would be foolish of me to give you a straight no, but I highly doubt it. It is more likely that the test is flawed or the person is not answering correctly (Probably because of a flawed test.)

2. Total bullshit, I've observed many an INTP who have never heard of MBTI and had every Ti/Ne/Si/Fe trait necessary to be a text book case INTP. I have even known ESFPs who thought they were INFJs, and thinking this didn't magically replace their Se/Fi with Ni/Fe, it was still clearly there. Besides, I typed myself as INTP before I ever even took a test, why would I related to a type that I am nothing like. I would have loved to have thought I was an INTJ because they sound way cooler, but I'm not going to delude myself into thinking I am something I am not. I hope it is safe to assume other INTPs are the same.

3. No, and I think the idea of a self-making INTP is completely ridiculous. On the contrary, I would harder to would on my Feeling functions after learning about my type.

4. Again, I can't have complete faith in my Hypothesis, that would just be Un-intp of my, if you will. However, I do not believe this is possible. I think at best you can develope your lower function well enough to appear as a different type, but you are still the same one.

 

[cuterebra]

I was given the official MBTI written test at school two years ago--I didn't know anything about it at the time and tested strongly INTP. My opinion of psychology wasn't very high, to be honest, and I thought it was a bunch of bullshit--but the type description nailed me.

As for changing to a different type--hmm... The P was the least strong for me. Circumstances in my life lately have been forcing me to exercise my inner J and I'm getting better at it, but it still isn't what comes most naturally. Maybe types are more fluid for those without a clear preference.

 

[Aiss]

I wish I was ENTP. Or if not, at least INTJ. But I'm INTP. It isn't just a test result, it's the most accurate description of myself, my own mind, that I've ever seen.

Does knowing I'm INTP makes me act more like one is expected to? Probably yes. It's an external confirmation of what I thought about myself, a push in self-discovery. Then again, where a person differs from what they "find out" about themselves, they may get a push in the wrong direction.

Would it be enough to change type? I think not. I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one self-proclaimed INTP who sounds like an ENTP.