Do you like your type?

[Razare]

INFJ and I've decided I don't really like the type. I haven't liked it since I was a child and worked at repressing my Fe. Now that I'm an adult and understand who I am a lot better, I realize it would have been much better for me to be anything besides an INFJ.

Yet here I am stuck with this mind that operates in a certain way that is largely unchangeable.

It's a basic flaw of human biology that there are 16 types, that we can't willfully supersede what was established in our developmental childhood years. We can only learn to accept it, and live in balance with it... even if what *it* is, is utter crap.

 

[OverCaes]

Like anything else, it has its pros and its cons. It seems though that it's very rare to find another human being (of the opposite sex) that one can interact with harmoniously. Maybe it's just me?

 

[Melllvar]

I wasn't really sure how to reply to this thread, even though I knew what my answer would be.

Honestly, I like INTPs and being INTP (I think I am, at least), and I do not like other types very much*. At least as groups. I can't think of any other INTPs I know off-forum, although there are two who may be, so obviously I wouldn't dislike someone simply for not being my type (although I think this is part of why I prefer not to think about what types people are, usually). I just find that in general a lot of the things I hate about people are over-represented by other types and under-represented by my own. In my mind INTPs seem like the lesser of sixteen evils.

Even if it were to turn out that I was not INTP it wouldn't really change much. I'm mostly fine with who I am, most of the time, and being labeled something else wouldn't even make a difference to me. Changing the name doesn't change who or how I am at all, and I don't really think of myself in terms of typology anyway.

INTPf basically seems like a place where someone made a big description of me and then said, "Anyone else like this, come join up." It's fun to discuss a broad range of topics with people who you can relate to more often than most others. There are very few people here who I've ever taken even the slightest dislike to, and it generally did not last very long. I recognize that some say the majority of members may not really be INTP, but mistyped other-types (or just other types who joined up, cool for them). It doesn't really matter, the vast majority still act like INTPs and I act like an INTP, which for the purposes of interaction seems to be what matters.

* Edit: I should clarify that I'm not particularly familiar with all of the other types. There may be ones that I would get along with great but haven't learned much about or known that I was already liking them. This is just my current viewpoint.

 

[Jelly Rev]

as an INTP I wonder what it would be like to be many types but the types Id consider trying out for a while would be an ENTP, ENTJ, and ESTP.

I really wonder what it would be like to be an ignorant SJ, an in the moment ESP only for a moment though, or daydreaming without systemization INFP.

I would not change being an INTP ever though. Why would I want to be stressed by daily things, be ignorant, and accept what I'm told as the truth. worst of all have my identity be determined by what I have or what peopel think of me...just icky.

Instead of having the chance to change my type Id much rather have everyone become an INTP for just a day but at the same time Id also be concerned about the 1 day fall of society if everyone was INTP for 1 day.

 

[jameslikespie]

Yes I enjoy being an INTP, who doesn't?!

 

[scorpiomover]

I love to think and have new ideas. So I do enjoy being an INTP. I think my life was a lot harder than it could have been. But then, I wouldn't have what others have described as whole universes in my head, that I explore every day. Honestly, if I could enjoy the same levels of physical pleasure from my inner world as my outer world, I'd consider being put into a permanent coma. Plus, I give a new view, and ideas that others seem to rarely even consider. So I seem to contribute to the world a lot more than my 1/6 billionth of humanity.

I have considered being something else. But to be honest, I'd have to give up what I am. Every time I've thought about being different, I rejected it. I just like being what I am too much to want to be something else.

 

[Zionoxis]

I was playing and I noticed that though I type as INTP....I use my Te quite a bit. :P Maybe the quiz I was looking at had words that were a bit too big in the the Ti section. Where does this fit:



I have an awesome idea!
Fastest, best, way to follow through with idea.
Idea has been mastered.
Gets bored and moves on to new great idea...

I know for a fact I am both thinking and introverted....but I have been questioning that Ti a little lately... When I was young, I was obsessed with finding the BEST way to do something that I often wasted time trying to find the best way to do it, that my teachers got pissed because I refused to do it "their way". (My way usually WAS twice as fast though. :3 )

 

[Tyr]

I am an intp with a weird "outer shell" that is a strange conglomeration of various extroverted tendencies. (Possibly a result of the personality chameleon trait?) Anyways, I generally enjoy being both...although sometimes my intp side looks at my outer personality and goes "What are you doing?! Shut up!" I really enjoy being intp because I find a lot of other personality types to be really impatient or rushed or just dumb. (Although my outer self can look very dumb at times, so I can't say too much.) The only downside is that finding a suitable career is becoming a major pain.
I think that your personality type does not have to determine who you become, although it will certainly affect it. I spend a lot of time strengthening weak areas in my personality/mind and I believe I am more content for it.
Also...those who would wish they were INTJ...don't. I am friends with one, and have gone through a period where I was very "J". I hated it. (However I may not have actually switched personalities, so I don't know.) Also, the INTJ forum members all seem to be just as miserable, or more than us, and most wonder if being INTP would be better. Or so they say...

 

[Jordan~]

It's a basic flaw of human biology that there are 16 types, that we can't willfully supersede what was established in our developmental childhood years. We can only learn to accept it, and live in balance with it... even if what *it* is, is utter crap.

Would many people now argue that the 16 types are a feature of human biology rather than just one possible meaningful categorisation of personalities based on observations of shared features?

You can change it: have a nervous breakdown.

 

[Puffy]

You wern't around for the "pod'lair" threads Jordan, at least I don't think you were, but I think they have influenced the forum's view of typology to some degree, and they definitely see it as biological/ fixed.

I personally find it difficult to distinguish much knowledge from social constructs so I'd like to lean more towards your interpretation, but I can't help believe, from experience, that there are certain things in people that don't change. Of course, there could be a different explanation. Any typology, so far, is just people describing people really, not much proof of inherency to it.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

You wern't around for the "pod'lair" threads Jordan, at least I don't think you were, but I think they have influenced the forum's view of typology to some degree, and they definitely see it as biological/ fixed.

I personally find it difficult to distinguish much knowledge from social constructs so I'd like to lean more towards your interpretation, but I can't help believe, from experience, that there are certain things in people that don't change. Of course, there could be a different explanation. Any typology, so far, is just people describing people really, not much proof of inherency to it.

Even if it is fixed, perhaps it would be best to say it isn't, because the notion that type = innate seems to induce a fair bit of defeatism it seems, as well as resulting in people using type as an unjustified excuse.

 

[Geminii]

I do like my INTP (unstressed) side. Given a choice, I'd opt for being INTP all the time. Sometimes I do wish it had just a smidge more real-world bonus, but given a day where I have nothing specific which needs doing, I'll wallow in INTP-ness and revel.

 

[SilentRobert23]

My only complaint about being INTP is that it, as stated earlier, has no real-world value. I find it incredibly difficult to interact with my peers, particularly those of the opposite sex. On top of that, we INTPs tend to have difficulty with decision-making, and that seems to describe me quite well. I take things too slow, try to hard to know everything before making a decision. Life is too short to be ultra-rational and inquisitive.

 

[tastillings]

I really enjoy being an INTP. It can be quite difficult at times, but in a good way. I like the way I see the world, and I like that it's hardly ever the same twice, which seems to be a pretty large part of INTPness.
I agree that it is a bit impractical but I believe impracticality is a good catalyst for change

 

[Froyo]

I usually test as an INTJ, but after doing a lot of research, I'm 99% sure I'm an INTP. I do wish I was an INTJ in many ways. I often struggle with pessimism, cynicism, nihilism (or as many of us may call it - "realism"). Having to exert a lot of effort to complete things is also another downside along with feeling that something is amiss between me and the rest of society (despite the fact that I don't place much importance on being part of it). With all the down sides, I do feel there are many positive things about being an INTP so I'm fine being who I am. There's good things and bad things with all types.

 

[grandpa2390]

I like being an INTP. My ability to reason things through and explain things in such a precise way that people can understand what I am trying to say has given me a leg-up. People come to me for everything from tutoring to definitions of words and explanations of Abstract concepts. It gives me a bit of pride.
Con: the overanalytical side of me can be a hinderance. I expect people to be just as precise with their language and "facts" as I am. When they aren't I get distracted, or misunderstand what they say completely. Sometimes, it gets me into heated discussions... but I am working on that. lol. My friends make fun of me because I can not stand when people speak incorrectly or say things that do not make sense. They have learned not to tell jokes that are just plain stupid.

 

[Chimera]

@Chimera: What you say about personality would make sense if personality was determined/ fixed. If you can't change anything about yourself is there any need to like or dislike?

I do believe personality is more or less fixed, but fixed in a...fate sort of way. I believe aspects of personalities change, all the time...but I believe that there are aspects of personality which are deep-rooted in us, such as a strong introversion (I don't mean the "I can't function in social settings" type, but the "I prefer to be outside the crowd" type), as well as aspects which can be molded by our experience. In both cases, it isn't our choice to change our personality...it just sort of happens, and we are the (un)fortunate "victims".
Ironically, this means that people who dislike themselves would be predestined to do so, as a product of their nature and nurture. And those who go out of their way to "change how they are" follow the same rule. For whatever reason, something in them craves change, so they change it.
Liking/disliking the self is pointless because we have little decision in how we currently are, but at the same time, for some people their own self-perception could change them...
And that's where my words that make sense run out.
​

Do you believe it is not possible to develop aspects of yourself you might not find favourable?

Oh, it's plenty possible to absolutely despise a part of yourself. Just as it's possible to cultivate habits to make traits you find more favorable.
I suppose the "pointlessness" of having an opinion about the self depends on how you use it...those who despise themselves but don't seek to change it, well, then you get me: stuck with some half-assed rationalization for why nothing you think matters, and a handful of less-desirable traits you're too lazy to change.
But the thing I don't understand is: if the ability to change your personality comes down to some personal threshold, then doesn't that mean that the ability is only available to those who already had it in the first place?
​

 

[AlteramPartem]

I would go a step further than Jelly Rev. I think the world would be a better place if everyone was an INTP, and perhaps another half of ESFJs. Although psychologists tend to see what I'm about to say as a problem with my locus of control, I think that my suffering with this world is in great part because it was built by people from other, more inertial (intellectually conservative), types.

I think that INTPs is the best type in its capacity to sit down, think or rethink something and act reasonably. ESFJs, on the other hand could provide the "emotional engine", the idealism that would motivate us to create a better world (although they would have to live with our cold conclusions sometimes).

Oh yeah, otherwise, I'd like to be an ENTP (almost the same mind but it seems to me they have more fun).

 

[Architect]

I think the world would be a better place if everyone was an INTP.

Yeah, ha ha, I worked on a project run by INTP's and it basically sucked.

Given that I love being an INTP.

 

[Chimera]

Oh yeah, otherwise, I'd like to be an ENTP (almost the same mind but it seems to me they have more fun).

All types have the capacity for fun...sadly, the world just seems to be tailored a bit more to the extroverted.
Make an ENTP be alone for a bit, then see how much fun they're having. P:
​

 

[grandpa2390]

All types have the capacity for fun...sadly, the world just seems to be tailored a bit more to the extroverted.
Make an ENTP be alone for a bit, then see how much fun they're having. P:
​

I agree. I like knowing that I can be alone for any length of time, and come back the same way I left. It may come in handy one day.

 

[Aramea]

I have come to terms with INTP. Finding out about it initially upset me but it did help me understand why I do some of the things I do. I am in the process of figuring out the things that I CAN change and accept the ones I can't. I am learning to manage my alone time and balance it with what my ESFP husband needs. Believe me when I say that he is different and has vastly different needs.

 

[Jordan~]

You wern't around for the "pod'lair" threads Jordan, at least I don't think you were, but I think they have influenced the forum's view of typology to some degree, and they definitely see it as biological/ fixed.

Some of what Jung wrote on the subject suggested that he believed it could be changed as a response to the cessation of the normal functioning of the psyche.

 

[Aramea]

Some of what Jung wrote on the subject suggested that he believed it could be changed as a response to the cessation of the normal functioning of the psyche.

Well, yea my personality has undergone changes over the years and you will not be the same person at 45 that you were at 20. I think that change cannot be had through force of will. I have tried and it always ends in frustration. I do think the best opportunity for change is within your type since there are good and bad traits within a single type. As I mentioned earlier, I am trying to work within INTP to change some unattractive aspects of my personality. Instead of burning out on social contact with my extroverted husband and becoming a bitch about "alone time" I am picking and choosing my activities and encouraging him to do things without me if I need to recharge. It is not flawless, but it works for the most part since I do trust him when he is out of my immediate view.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Of course. My type is awesome.

You wern't around for the "pod'lair" threads Jordan, at least I don't think you were, but I think they have influenced the forum's view of typology to some degree, and they definitely see it as biological/ fixed.

Some of what Jung wrote on the subject suggested that he believed it could be changed as a response to the cessation of the normal functioning of the psyche.

Well, we now apparently have an objective tool for measuring Type, so we can put this hypothesis to the test and see if we can find cases of people who have verifiably changed Type.

 

[cranberryplains]

Most of the time, I do enjoy being an INTP, but often, (especially now that I am a teenager), I feel that I am under constant pressure to be more extroverted, and that never leads to any good. I also find that it is becoming hard to find a person with a similar type just to have a quality conversation with. It seems that around 80% of the people in my grade are either too ignorant or unintelligent to have an intellectual talk with. Oh yeah, and that it is very hard for me to get schoolwork done. But otherwise, I feel gifted that I am who I am, and probably wouldn't change, (other than just to see what it is like to be, say, an INTJ).

 

[Causeless]

Like anything else, it has its pros and its cons. It seems though that it's very rare to find another human being (of the opposite sex) that one can interact with harmoniously. Maybe it's just me?

Nope, not just you. -_-


Seems even with the significant others I initially get along with, I eventually push them away somehow. Many are the times I've heard the words 'I love you', only to have the all-knowing-head-voice sigh, "No you don't..."

Perhaps that's the very reason things go south, perhaps it's all me...





I suspect I'll like my type quite a bit more once all these damned prime-age hormones filter on through.

 

[Aramea]

Seems even with the significant others I initially get along with, I eventually push them away somehow. Many are the times I've heard the words 'I love you', only to have the all-knowing-head-voice sigh, "No you don't..."

Perhaps that's the very reason things go south, perhaps it's all me...

Most people don't get us, this is true. I really do wish that "all I need to do is to get out more". Just once I would like to tell some extroverted feeler that "all you need to do is stay home by yourself" and watch their expression as they imagine endless days alone with their thoughts.

Unfortunately, the dating world isn't really set up for INTP dating so we have to slip into our best effort extroverted persona. We appear to enjoy it because we really do and this is who they love. This works great until you decide to make a more long-term arrangement and the need for space starts to become important. Eventually, many INTP's would rather stay at home most of the time. This will bore some people and we have to be honest with ourselves about that.

I guess this is the peril of INTP's that develop the chameleon. I used to lie to myself and think that I would like extroversion so much it would become natural. I do like to do things just not all the time.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Do you like being an INTP? If so/ not, why?

If you are a different type do you like being that type?

Being an INTP is pretty good, because I'm good at solving problems, but other INTPs tend to irritate me because, unlike what I used to think, being a rational type doesn't make you actually rational.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Most people don't get us, this is true. I really do wish that "all I need to do is to get out more". Just once I would like to tell some extroverted feeler that "all you need to do is stay home by yourself" and watch their expression as they imagine endless days alone with their thoughts.

Unfortunately, the dating world isn't really set up for INTP dating so we have to slip into our best effort extroverted persona. We appear to enjoy it because we really do and this is who they love. This works great until you decide to make a more long-term arrangement and the need for space starts to become important. Eventually, many INTP's would rather stay at home most of the time. This will bore some people and we have to be honest with ourselves about that.

I guess this is the peril of INTP's that develop the chameleon. I used to lie to myself and think that I would like extroversion so much it would become natural. I do like to do things just not all the time.

Dating isn't actually all that hard. Of course, I'm also fortunate enough to be pretty. All I have to do is tell stupid jokes and smile. I've never even asked a girl out except once. I don't mean to sound full of myself, but girls tend to just... throw themselves at me. I've never really needed to put any effort into it. Just after a while girls get me in bed, then a while later they call me their boyfriend.

How do normal people get dates?

 

[Aramea]

Dating isn't actually all that hard. Of course, I'm also fortunate enough to be pretty. All I have to do is tell stupid jokes and smile. I've never even asked a girl out except once. I don't mean to sound full of myself, but girls tend to just... throw themselves at me. I've never really needed to put any effort into it. Just after a while girls get me in bed, then a while later they call me their boyfriend.

How do normal people get dates?

I'm not sure. Very rarely will I ever make the first move. Fortunately, this isn't the problem for INTP women. Men tend to find me attractive if they can see through the stony exterior to the surprisingly friendly person within. Before I was married I seldom dated more than one guy at time but usually had someone in my life consistently.

I am not sure how INTP men handle the initial inquiry for a date. I work with a guy that I strongly suspect is INTP and he seems to have confidence. He is "pretty" like you are talking about but in a "brooding" way. Don't really know him well enough to ask him MBTI type but people at work love to embarrass him when waitresses flirt with him. If he is INTP then I would say that he just asks for a date if he wants one like any other type.

Now my ESFP husband is a different matter. If they want to hit it they just ask her. If she says no they go on to the next one in a loop until they get a date. They seem to take "no" for an answer in stride as part of the whole "living in the moment" of an Se. If rejection bothers him he barely registers it before seeing someone else he likes. Dating is a numbers game until they find someone to tie them down once their sex drives begin to wane and the don't want to screw the entire bar they just walked into.

 

[SpaceYeti]

So... your husband doesn't want to screw the whole bar, or that's just what he told you?

 

[Aramea]

So... your husband doesn't want to screw the whole bar, or that's just what he told you?

He probably does to be honest. The girls that would take him up on his cheesy lines ("nice shoes, wanna fuck?") just diminished with age. A steady source of sexual activity started to look more appealing than dry spells followed by occasional variety. We don't spend a whole lot of time apart. If we did he might venture out if he got bored, who knows? If I don't find out about it, no problem. If I did I honestly don't know how I would react.

INTP: The Romantics

 

[kantor1003]

He probably does to be honest. The girls that would take him up on his cheesy lines ("nice shoes, wanna fuck?") just diminished with age.

Is that how he picked you up?

 

[SpaceYeti]

That strange bar thing, huh? You married a bar-goer?

Wait... So did I! But I didn't meet her at a bar. I never got the bar thing. I can get drunk at home, or with a few friends, somewhere the music isn't too loud to talk. How do you meet someone you can't talk to?

 

[Awesome_Person]

Im an introverted ENTP, so ya. Im fukin weird.

Some INTPs piss me off though haha.

 

[kantor1003]

How do you meet someone you can't talk to?

I think the SpaceYeti method ( "tell stupid jokes and smile" ) would work nearly optimally in a bar environment as well. In worst case scenario you could always drop the jokes. If smiling alone would do the trick for you that is

 

[Aramea]

Is that how he picked you up?

I would like to say that he used that one on me but, sadly, he was over his barfly/pick-up artist days. Besides, his sister was there ...

 

[kantor1003]

Are you sure about that? It was probably his wingwoman:P

 

[tepellian]

I've thought about myself enough to realize that I like me and my own capabilities and sense of existence, and wouldn't trade this life for anything. I have a never-boring, deep inner life which I augment with my understanding and experience of the world, and I am as intelligent/mentally capable as I have ever wanted to be, and I don't see that growth stopping anytime soon. I have a few real friends, we enjoy each other's thoughts and company, that's all I really want. I don't have any interest in a partner at the moment.

I guess that means I like being an INTP, that is the designation MBTI tests seem to have given me, and it seems to fit well enough. But whatever type you happen to fall under, if that even matters, I would wish the same for you in general.

 

[Pride]

Sometimes I wonder if I would be more successful in more avenues of life if I am an INTJ, but generally speaking, no; I am rather fulfilled knowing I am an INTP.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

I think that the pros far outweigh the cons. I am very happy with my type.