Hypo-Egoist Persona

[Sensi Star]

In detailed INTP profile descriptions, I see consistently that we are:

(socially) described as chamelons; That we tend to mirror not only the mood, but the cultural characteristics of groups of people we are interacting with.

Another element of our profile seems to be our tendency to objectively analyze ourselves as if we were outside observers (detachment).

Now, I STRONGLY notice in myself both of these characteristics. When I am in a certain group/clique of people who adhere to stereotypes (hip-hop culture, nerd culture, white-trash culture, etc.), I tend to act like them, openly agreeing with their opinions (not in a conformist way... just by selecting and emphasizing the ideas I agree with, and ignoring the ones I disagree with). Sometimes I even adopt their accents while around them!!.

(Regarding the detachment) I also am constantly analyzing myself from the detached perspective of an outsider, not failing at all to see any flaws along with pros. Another thing is that I cannot easily "define" myself, and find it difficult to adopt 'sheep mentality'/conformism in order to fit into certain cultural niches. I am essentially (in the context of socialization) a sort of blank persona, who has varying hobbies and values that undoubtedly seem to contradict each other and are rarely seen together in 'normal' people.

I've been thinking about the psychological workings behind these traits. Both the highly defined persona that one projects to others, and one's (lack of) ability to objectively self-analyze are IMO obviously functions of the EGO. the ego as I use it is the self that is projected outwardly to others (the shell or external persona that is not present when we are alone or extremely genuine with others).

It seems to me that INTPs (or at least the ones who meet these criteria) inherently have less-developed egos compared to the majority population. We tend to be less "defined", more socially mimicing (sp?), more self-analytical, and less controlling/demanding than those with 'normal' egos.

I believe these 2 traits are hugely responsible for the alienation I feel as an INTP, and are responsible for the classic INTP traits (among many others) of [dabbling but never achieving perfection in hobbies], and [the social awkwardness often experienced around people who DO have developed EGOS (a.k.a. most of the population )]

I would like to hear about the 'ego status' of some of you fellow INTPs. How do you interpret the over/under/regular development of your ego, and it's relation to your personality traits and socialization patterns as an INTP. So sorry for the length, I had to act on it as this post was fueled by external means of motivation if you catch my drift. Thanks for reading this far, and please be detailed in your response.

 

[pjoa09]

Hrm. I'd say that I am probably a secretly an egotistical douche.

I do mimic the culture I am in and then realize the stupidity of it later when I spend more time alone. When I am alone and not mimicking those around me I tend to become very absorbed in whatever idea I want to play out.

The part where I am an egotistical douche is a hypothesis. I used to think I was ego-free and very weak-willed. After spending time alone I noticed that I am always sizing up my capabilities with others and mocking people who expensive cars in my mind tell myself that my car will be cheaper and faster. The Lüscher's test also described me as an egotistical douchebag in disguise. I know I shouldn't be trusting color based personality tests but that thing was scary accurate about everything else.

I am also mimicking the behavior of the INTPf to a certain extent or rather the internet itself. But yes, I hold a very low ego for the most part. Always bowing and nodding my head and being gentle when I command or demand. Always trying to avoid intimidation. I also have a very low confidence which is also a very bad thing. Then again who knows how confident I am when no one is looking?

 

[GYX_Kid]

I can relate a lot to this, but can't think of any good input at the moment.

I have some kind of intuitive theory about development of Fe having something to do with the maturity of all those multiple "characters" merging into one, which could be taken half-seriously

 

[PhoenixofVindemiatrix]

I have so little ego that I cannot define myself beyond what you say, Sensi.

 

[Dapper Dan]

In general, my situation is exactly as the OP states. Although I should note that the chameleon thing is totally subconscious for me. Like, I'll totally swipe someone else's "signature phrase" and then realize it afterwards. And then I'll keep doing it, regardless of how badly I try to stop.

But then there are the other times, usually playing sports, when I let my Ne run free. When this happens, I suddenly gain a bit of an ego. I'm liable to say something mean or stupid without stopping to think about it first. It's not all that bad, but I have to stop and reign it in sometimes.

 

[Jelly Rev]

Both the highly defined persona that one projects to others, and one's (lack of) ability to objectively self-analyze are IMO obviously functions of the EGO

I am in the same boat.

The issue is that something that creates an essence of identity is done so by taking a leap of faith, belief without question. Self analysis prevents a leap faith without question...along with constant questioning.

An identity is saying we are XYZ, but we can then question that and in the process only say we may be XYZ. An identity is created by an opinion of belief not fact.

With the lack of taking a leap of faith without question, we cannot create boundaries bc anything or close to anything may be possible and creating a boundary would destroy this questioning. Without these boundaries we are not contained in a container bc the container has no sides(boundaries).

Boundaries are created when an emotional expression happens. The greater the response the more solid the boundary. As INTP's we dont show many boundaries(emotional expression) so we appear to lack an identity, this is why typical reader types cannot read us, and my honest opinion if an intp put the external effort to watch a person they can read and develop an understanding better than any other type bc they are not blocked by their own identity.

I have had ESFJ's say they cannot read me, but I find ESFJ's simple to read, feelers in general are easy to read/see identity

 

[alrai]

I am very socially confident. My extroverted intuition gives me an edge, I can usually find something comical in even the most serious situations. Although I easily find my way up through the social heir-achy, I must admit that many of the characters I play when I'm socializing are hardly the real me, and when ever the my genuine self emerges (often when i'm giving advice to someone), I instantly repress it believing that I'm revealing too much of myself. Generally, I come across as outgoing, funny, unpredictable, decisive, and loves action.

I stand out as different. I can be slow at making friends because of my lack of interest in people, but i'm usually approached by people who just seem like they want to figure me out. Growing up I often ignored the emotional needs of others and seemed to form strong relationships with people that are straight forward. I came across sometimes as stubborn, detached, bright, and blunt (when i was been true to myself), these traits often offend many people, I often resulted to mirroring to avoid conflict.

I agree with GYX_Kid as I do feel my Fe has significantly developed, only by placing myself in social environments that i wasn't comfortable with initially, and exercising my Ne constantly. I'm still strongly introverted, so although i can socialize adequately, it can be quite tiring to be outgoing after a while.
As bad as it it, I can be quite manipulative of other, sometimes to divert the attention of the groups to something they can involve themselves in without my contribution.

I don't believe the ego has any significant influence, I have a strong sense of identity, its just that I have a tendency of revealing my true self only to those that I feel are worthy and will appreciate it.

 

[briangriffin32]

Do we lack ego because of inferior Fe?

If so, wouldn't that mean that anyone with leading Fe (i.e. ENFJ's and ESFJ's) are mad egoists?

Interesting, when you consider that they are often categorized as the most altruistic of types.

 

[Jordan~]

I think it's more to do with dominant Ti than inferior Fe. 'Chameleonism' is a product of self-analysis, surely, as if nothing comes naturally but must be analysed first. As for a more general lack of ego... I'd say it was just Introversion, but that doesn't really make sense as the dichotomies' only purpose is to determine the functions. It may just be the case, though, that Ji functions (maybe Pi functions, too, but IXXJs generally seem to have fairly strong egos, to me) diminish or suppress the ego, regardless of whether they're Ti or Fi, albeit in different ways. Both try to avoid conflict, Fi-dominant types to avoid unnecessarily hurting anyone and Ti-dominant types because they'd rather talk things over in a calm, rational manner because that's what they're best at. Alternatively, dominant Ji could be the Myers-Briggs description of a suppressed, inhibited or underdeveloped (or similar) Freudian/Jungian ego.

 

[Sijov]

I do find myself chameleoning (not a word, but whatever) when I'm around different groups of people. Often this is to the extent of picking up the music preferences (or speech patterns, signature phrases) of those around me, to the point where I cannot discern whether it was me who decided to like this or that band, or the other who liked it and I was just imitating (most of the time, this comes through as an emphasis on a band that I am already familiar with; it will then jump several ranks in my list of favourite bands). As with the speech patterns, I cannot control it, they just come out, or seem the best way to relate to whoever I'm speaking to.

However, I do also have a very set idea of what is 'me' and what is not, so that if an activity (or group) is set against my core values I'll have nothing to do with it. Oh, wait, that's INTP typical, too. I do find this sets a limit on how far I will let myself blend in, so while I cannot define an identity, a 'me', I can set bounds upon where it will wander.

I do find that there are very few times when I totally relax my chameleoning, and expend no effort to blend in (because I do find it draining, contributing to my general introversion), my previous girlfriend for one, letting my Ti take a break (to an extent), with Ne coming out to play.

So, while I do agree that the ego is not as well developed in an INTP, the bounds that we create due to our core values directly limit the extent to which we are able (or willing) to change ourselves in order to fit it. This gives us the seeming paradox of being able to suppress our ego, and then come across as strongly egotistical as pjoa09 up there in post #2 suggests once these limits have been crossed.

I imagine most of us made subtle adjustments to this forum, as well as the internet in general.