Changing to fit the INTP stereotype?

[Evolutionmine16]

Recently, I have been told my personality has been changing. My introversion is increasing to the point where I don't really have any interest in talking with anyone.

After going to the INTP forum, I realized that I identify with a lot of the traits listed. Not all, but a good portion of them.

Examples: The phrase "I hate people" has become a part of my daily vocabulary. I always have this urge to take apart technological equipment to see how it functions, whether it be a speaker or a television. I overthink everything, especially etymology.

I have never had an issue with being an INTP. I prefer my MBTI type at times. But, am I changing myself to fit this INTP stereotype? If so, have any of you gone through the same thing or similar?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wilsonwatsonc]

I really respect the INTP personality, and so I do think when I learned about MBTI I saw myself tending towards these traits even more so than I had before. Despite how much I love being an INTP, I feel this is a bad thing. No matter how much we may hate to acknowledge it sometimes, there's merit in embracing some of the other traits' characteristics (such as being more observant of one's surroundings.)

Also, I feel that hating people is not an inherent INTP trait, though it tends to happen the majority of the time. INTJs also generally hate people, but again it's not something inherent. It just emerges from society's extreme focus on extroversion and the cynicism this creates for introverts that also have intuitive and thinking traits which allow them to realize that it is rationally ridiculous to push introverts to try and follow these shallow, celebrity-obsessed societal norms.

But to get back around to your initial question, I tend to use my personality type as an excuse to be more introverted/unobservant/etc than I normally was. This means I'm trying less to improve on the negative traits of INTPs, and I'm instead using my personality type as an excuse to do whatever the heck I want. I don't think this is good, though it is more fun.

 

[phen the hobo]

I don't feel the urge to dismantle technology. I often wonder how things work, but that's what the internet is for.

I don't hate people either. Don't forget your Fe. You actually deeply desire social validation, affirmation, external harmony, and meaningful human connections - whether you are willing to admit this to yourself or not.

In short, don't change to fit an inaccurate INTP stereotype.

Don't be INTP. Let INTP be you.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

If so, have any of you gone through the same thing or similar?

Fuck knows I did... Hell, I thought I was an INTJ until the... third (?) bout of insanity.

Labels do serve a purpose though. Even if the label doesn't fit, it helps to define you by discovering what you're not.

 

[deadpixel]

I wish base groove were here for this one.

 

[Evolutionmine16]

I don't feel the urge to dismantle technology. I often wonder how things work, but that's what the internet is for.

I don't hate people either. Don't forget your Fe. You actually deeply desire social validation, affirmation, external harmony, and meaningful human connections - whether you are willing to admit this to yourself or not.

In short, don't change to fit an inaccurate INTP stereotype.

Don't be INTP. Let INTP be you.

Everybody has a deep desire for social affirmation, but I like to pretend like mine doesn't exist. I find myself happier when I pretend I don't need social interaction. Maybe this is a response to the lack of social interaction, I'm not sure. But acknowledging my desire for deep human connection won't help all that much unfortunately. Thank you for your response to the thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[StevenM]

I had thought of this as well. When I learned about INTP stereotypes, I somewhat found myself acting "smarter" than I actually was.

Yet, even before I learned about MBTI, I would always relate to being a vulcan. I admired the rationality, and I despised emotional drama. For the most part, the way I perceive the world is dictated by logic and deduction, and rarely do I feel strong emotion. Unfortunately, in real life, I am not a vulcan, and I have found that there is emotion and feeling that needs to be considered as well.

Jung's theory is based on preferences. Which of those functions come easily, and which ones gives us stress. I think MBTI is basically an orientation; "a direction of someone's interest and attitude".

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

One liners, the way they were meant to be:

I don't hate people, i disrespect the fact that they don't seem to be interested in worthwile questions about the nature of their identity.
Etymology tells us, in a Freudian and Jungian methodology, how language affects consciousness.
Back to the question of the OT:
do you think you have to shape yourself, according to a more or less recognized stereotype, in order to function, or even justify your existance in the world?
If so, why?

 

[Evolutionmine16]

One liners, the way they were meant to be:

I don't hate people, i disrespect the fact that they don't seem to be interested in worthwile questions about the nature of their identity.
Etymology tells us, in a Freudian and Jungian methodology, how language affects consciousness.
Back to the question of the OT:
do you think you have to shape yourself, according to a more or less recognized stereotype, in order to function, or even justify your existance in the world?
If so, why?

I think that I have to identify myself with some kind of group to feel like I have belonging. I know that it's not the best thing to do, but it's just how I feel. So, because of this, sometimes I think that I have to change myself to "fit in" with this group that I have entered. I think everybody does this in one form or another. If the statement that we all have a desire to have social acceptance is true, then changing yourself to receive social acceptance would seem to be a natural reaction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Evolutionmine16]

This has been brought up a few times. I don't hate people. I hate what people do at times. I hate what I do at times. But I don't hate people.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jennywocky]

I wish base groove were here for this one.

Where two or three are gathered in his name, Base Groove is there in the midst of them.

 

[Pyropyro]

I think the INTP stereotype is the starting point rather than the end goal of our development.

 

[Red myst]

This has been brought up a few times. I don't hate people. I hate what people do at times. I hate what I do at times. But I don't hate people.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

People disappoint you. You should maybe edit your OP to reflect this.
You seem like you have discovered MBTI fairly early in your development. Part of your observation may be because you are more cognizant of your behavior. Also all types go through phases. They are just part of the journey. Also now that you know about your type, you should educate yourself about your types "grip" experiences. This will help you recognize when you are sliding into a Ti-Ne loop. Also learn about similar types as yours such as ISTPs. They have similar patterns and problems. Don't put too much stock in stereotypes. They are just guidelines, like training wheels to get you started.

 

[Evolutionmine16]

People disappoint you. You should maybe edit your OP to reflect this.
You seem like you have discovered MBTI fairly early in your development. Part of your observation may be because you are more cognizant of your behavior. Also all types go through phases. They are just part of the journey. Also now that you know about your type, you should educate yourself about your types "grip" experiences. This will help you recognize when you are sliding into a Ti-Ne loop. Also learn about similar types as yours such as ISTPs. They have similar patterns and problems. Don't put too much stock in stereotypes. They are just guidelines, like training wheels to get you started.

You are saying that I should stop analyzing my MBTI type so much? To be less cognizant of it and just accept it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Identifying with a group is only natural, especially for teenagers (not implying that you are a teen-ager, but just for the other readers).
The question is: which group really represents all the qualities i want them to represent?
In my personal opinion, i can't really identify with any group whatsoever, because of the dynamics involved and the fundamental flaws of group identity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_identity
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/intro/valdgn.html

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

A lot of this "hate" stems from not understanding the motivations of others.
I understand that from their perspective, everything makes a whole lot of sense, but from mine it doesn't, because i apply differing subjective, or objective guidelines.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Yep, as much as i had disagreed with him on other occasions,
he always had a way to put things in simple terms for others to understand where i agreed with him.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Well, there's two ways to go about this:
A) You want to become that which you are not (maybe because you expect certain benefits which are portrayed in the popular media)
or
B) You are what you are and want to know how others live through this

I am here for variant B) because i expect to learn from others.

 

[RaBind]

Labelling and self-fulfilling prophecy is relevant. Labels tend to affect how people grow and the speed of this growth, including perceived labels. I am what I think I am. I am what others think I am, or I am what I think other people think I am or something like that, cause you can't actually know for sure what others actually think, you can only every have an idea of it.

I definitely feel like I somewhat know what you're talking about though. I have my doubts all the time. Whether I'm actually what I think I am, or whether I'm only trying to be something I like/admire/want to be, in other words whether I'm genuine or only putting up a facade for whatever the reason, than this thought actually directs my behaviors in the opposite direction. However that's obviously no help either, cause that's not what you want in the first place, you don't want to act for the sake of acting in a certain way, nor for the sake of not acting in said way, but to act the way you want, the way you are.

Do what you want, you don't have to care about acting in any way, just be aware of what makes you relaxed, happy, excited...all of the things you want to be, and act in ways that will lead to those experiences.

p.s. I'm quite sure I'm an intp(you need to observer your behaviors), because of my Fe that mirrors people's moods, and is sometimes prone to expressive bursts of anger (I can't handle negative emotional atmospheres well). Plus I actually like the intj profile better than the intp one, so why wouldn't I be trying to pretend like an intj instead?

 

[BrainVessel]

I found myself becoming lazier and more introverted after I took my first MBTI test and there hadn't been any other significant changes in my life at the time.
So yes.
The description made so much sense and the entire MBTI system massively helped me better understand people so I pretty much devoted all of my free time to obsessing over it.
Then I realized that by conforming to the INTP stereotypes I synchronously did the opposite so I stopped... But, in doing so, did I?

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Ah, the human mind,
mother of all mystery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMAB3r6EjcM

 

[Red myst]

You are saying that I should stop analyzing my MBTI type so much? To be less cognizant of it and just accept it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, not exactly. You should use mbti as a self development tool. Stereotype is a superficial way to go about it. I started where you are now, but at some point I needed to understand how it works. I needed to understand how the functions worked and worked together. You said you like taking things apart to see what was inside and how they work. Well Jung's theory is something that needs to be taken apart and looked at to understand. He spent years formulating this.
I still don't understand it fully. But it is a start in helping you define who you are. And it can help you understand others in the process. People will still disappoint you, but it is easier to understand and accept it. It also helps in interaction with other people. It kind of has a snowballing effect. Its gradual.

 

[QuickTwist]

My advice is not to limit yourself to just the MBTI. I don't think specialization is a bad thing, but the better you understand all that's out there the more you will understand your particular specialization.

 

[Black Rose]

My identity is so flexible I had to consider all the possibility and so as I grew in my interactions I discovered that the internet changes how we view each other. My avatar gives the appearance that I'm INFP because its cute but really I am INFJ because I am in person and in thought drawn not to and ideal relationship but and ideal concept. Relationships are part of being on a forum so this confused me. And I know people intuitively by how they way the acts is not who they may be on the inside although Extroverts don't usually form on the inside and are identified with the persona. Auburn was a good help and I still have his PM but I was still not sure, I had to grow some more. Right now you may identify with INTP but consider Fe as you are group oriented. The forum has an online materials thread in the MBTI section. Read them but only pick the one you most likely to be not as a persona but not as an sure identity. As time goes one you know more about who you are.

 

[sekret]

I used to think I was an INFJ, and I absolutely tweaked my personality to fit the stereotype; namely i prioritized kindness and warmth to an extent I normally wouldn't even consider. I think INTP's naturally have this kind of flexibility, but I'm sure being a 9w1 doesn't help in my case.

Regarding the OP, while the INTP description is definitely an alluring one, rationally I know I must take MBTI with a grain of salt. I think we'd all be depriving ourselves of our true potential and worth as unique human beings if we were constantly trying to adhere to a couple somewhat arbritrary personality descriptions on the Internet.

Be yoself, b

 

[Solitaire U.]

Recently, I have been told my personality has been changing. My introversion is increasing to the point where I don't really have any interest in talking with anyone...

...Examples: The phrase "I hate people" has become a part of my daily vocabulary.

Sounds more like some kind of social anxiety disorder.

I always have this urge to take apart technological equipment to see how it functions, whether it be a speaker or a television.

More classically ISTP, stereotypically speaking.

I overthink everything, especially etymology.

To the point of obsessive-compulsiveness?

I have never had an issue with being an INTP. I prefer my MBTI type at times.

I've never had an issue with regular coffee, but I definitely prefer cappuccino.

But, am I changing myself to fit this INTP stereotype? If so, have any of you gone through the same thing or similar?

To some degree, we've all altered our carefully constructed personalities to fit better with our XXXX ideal, but very few of us are actually willing to admit it. If self-categorization helps you make self-sense of your...self, by all means go for it. Just be wary of the conformity issues that will likely develop.

Burning side note: Why is the Great INTP-iquity so often described/defined as some kind of social disorder?

 

[Jaffa]

Recently, I have been told my personality has been changing. My introversion is increasing to the point where I don't really have any interest in talking with anyone.

After going to the INTP forum, I realized that I identify with a lot of the traits listed. Not all, but a good portion of them.

Examples: The phrase "I hate people" has become a part of my daily vocabulary. I always have this urge to take apart technological equipment to see how it functions, whether it be a speaker or a television. I overthink everything, especially etymology.

I have never had an issue with being an INTP. I prefer my MBTI type at times. But, am I changing myself to fit this INTP stereotype? If so, have any of you gone through the same thing or similar?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm, that's an interesting point. Some of the key-traits of the INTP really resonate with me. Especially with things like hating authority and society. But then other traits don't fit. We can't ALL fit the stereotype. Are all ENTJ's entrepreneurs? Are all INFJ's conflicted?

I did find myself moving away from fictional books and novels after learning about the MBTI and ended up reading more about factual subjects, especially military history. I don't think this was me trying to fit the sterotype on the INTP, but rather opening up to what really interests me. Who cares if my wife and friends think that I'm strange? It's normal - and there's millions of people out there who are just like me.

 

[Jaffa]

One liners, the way they were meant to be:

I don't hate people, i disrespect the fact that they don't seem to be interested in worthwile questions about the nature of their identity.
Etymology tells us, in a Freudian and Jungian methodology, how language affects consciousness.
Back to the question of the OT:
do you think you have to shape yourself, according to a more or less recognized stereotype, in order to function, or even justify your existance in the world?
If so, why?

How can you not hate people?

How can you not hate the little things that make society just a thoughtless place? People who leave their trolleys in the middle of the aisle at the supermarket without a care in the world for anybody else, how can somebody be so oblivious to this? How can people stand and have a conversation in the middle of a busy high street while people are inconvenienced and having to walk around them, causing social mayhem while people are bumping in to eachother?

How can you be walking behind a woman who stops suddenly right in the middle of the pathment to glare through a shop window at some shoes or the front cover of the latest celebrity magazine and not be annoyed?

How can you ask somebody for their opinion on a particular world event and have them change the subject to the latest clothing trend and not want to harm them?

People. Society. Please stop breathing, forever.

 

[Hadoblado]

I think the INTP stereotype is the starting point rather than the end goal of our development.

THISTHISTHISTHISTHIS

Edit: (guess I should actually do more than +1)

Too many people seem caught up in using their type to explain away their problems. Accepting and conforming to a predefined category is a form of stagnation in my eyes. If you happen to be one of those that have accepted a type as their own, the next question is not "how can I be the most XXXX I can be?", but "What what limitations and/or advantages does this information give me in regard to the things I want to do/be?".

INTP fanboys are a dime a dozen. This all said, I admire the integrity of the OP in recognising their personal trajectory. I found myself doing much the same thing.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

In regards to what Pyropyro said:

I think the INTP stereotype is the starting point

Few people start being the "INTP stereotype" (what ever that may be in their minds) because that ideal is something that is usually distorted by various pieces of information (i.g. trophy boys and girls and celebrated idols such as Albert Einstein and Emmanuel Kant, and descriptions that value highlighting the positive traits over the negative).

Rather than the end goal of our development.

It depends on the person and their current state of development. People tend to have role models, goals, and ideal selves. They determine who they want to be based off of what they feel that they are missing in themselves and what other people tell them they are.

The OP determined his ideal self to be the INTP stereotype and has taken steps to increase the similarity between himself and what he thinks to be INTP stereotype. I won't go as far as to say the he isn't an "INTP", but he surely isn't a perfect representation of the INTP stereotype and from this thread we can conclude that he is at least conscious of this fact.

---

There is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself. If you want to be what you think is INTP then go for it, accepting the consequences that come with it. Don't let anyone tell you what is a good or bad end goal.

Even I, myself, have an ideal self that I strive to be daily. In fact, I just finished ruminating about what that ideal self would do next. Since I am not currently doing what he would do, I can only guess that I'm not completely there yet...