INTP work process

[Architect]

Personality Junkie: Myers-Briggs Theory

IPs: IPs are a mix of J-P characteristics. Since their dominant function is a Judging function (Ti or Fi), they are inner Judgers. Inwardly, they are far more serious than they appear outwardly. IPs generally think in terms of what they should be doing. They like to set goals for themselves (especially INPs), even if they rarely end up sticking to them. They tend to approach things with an agenda or a certain set of expectations. Upon waking, they quickly determine what they want to do and initiate work; they impose dictates (Fi or Ti) on themselves. At least when it comes to initiating tasks, IPs are as disciplined as any EJ.

... it seems that IPs have their own inner control freak. We might summarize IPs’ process in the following way:

Starting point: Ti or Fi (“I should do…”)

Move into auxiliary: Ne or Se (may get sidetracked or distracted here)

Desired endpoint: Fe or Te

For the INTP work process

Starting point: Ti judging function (“I should do … I'm planning on doing ...”)

Move into auxiliary: Ne (may get sidetracked or distracted here “doing research, I need to study ...”)

Consult tertiary: Si (tie in with past experience, what worked, what didn't work)

Desired endpoint: Fe (“... my goal is a singular discovery that will benefit mankind ...”)

Two main ways we get derailed ...

Ne We spend too much time in research and possibilities, never buckle down and get work done with incomplete data which is always the case.

Fe Get In The Grip. Our inferior peur aeternis takes over in a desire for a shortcut to greatness (we don't all have to be Einstein)

also ...

Si May brood too much on past experience, failures, may get caught in "its never been done before so probably can't" etc. Secondary failure mode

This shows that it's not our p-ness directly that gets us into trouble, because Perceiving isn't a letter in its own right. It's really Ne & Fe which are perceiving functions.

 

[Proletar]

Wait. What?


So this means that IP-s have a dominant judging function and EJ-s have a dominant percieving one? This does not make sense.

The way I saw it until now was that Ti, Ne, Fi and Se were percieving ones and the opposites were the judging one. Since we are percievers and NT:s, our two dominant ones would be Ti and Ne - percieving functions with the judging ones, Si and Fe, are at the bottom. Like how it's reflected in the ISFJ - the same functions as INTP, but with switched places. (Si and Fe-axis, with a shadow of Ti and Ne)

 

[Architect]

So this means that IP-s have a dominant judging function and EJ-s have a dominant percieving one?

Yes! So called Perceivers extrovert their perceiving function (Ne & Fe for INTP), which happens to be auxiliary and inferior for INTPs. But as you say our dominant is a Judging function, but it is introverted, which is why we are a J-P mix.

This is why the outer world sees us as Perceivers. Laid back, not tied to external schedule, etc. On the inside we are hard-asses (Ti)

That's my understanding, please correct any mistakes as this is more subtle than I had originally understood. It certainly jives with my reality. Outwardly I've always been laid back, but my wife comments on how surprised she was to find what a hard ass I am on the inside.

 

[Proletar]

Oh my... This changes everything.


Like watching a piece of string and suddenly see that it's a braiding.

 

[Proletar]

Well let's see now. INTJ:

Ni
Te
Fi
Se.

Right? So they are actually introverted percievers first hand, the same as we are introverted judgers.

But hold on. Who classified the introverted mirrors of the extraverted P/J abilities? Isn't it possible that introverted S N T F doesn't hold those the qualities of being P/J?

 

[Architect]

Well let's see now. INTJ:

Ni
Te
Fi
Se.

Right? So they are actually introverted percievers first hand, the same as we are introverted judgers.

But hold on. Who classified the introverted mirrors of the extraverted P/J abilities? Isn't it possible that introverted S N T F doesn't hold those the qualities of being P/J?

Note: I updated the OP to account for the tertiary in the process.

Remember - J/P is how we present to the world (a direction), so it relates to Extroversion and Introversion, not Dominant and auxilary.

The Functions

I think your misunderstanding is how you are viewing Dominant, Aux, Tertiary and Inferior. This is the functional stack and relates to strengths, preferences, and time. We spend most of our waking moments in the Dominant, that is all. As INTPs then we first and foremost think, but we introvert that in a judging manner.

We also interact with the outer world obviously, which is via intuition and perception. Which is why we can come off as witty, charming and interesting.

INTJ's Extravert their thinking, a judging function, so they come off as decisive and controlling. However they spend most of their energy on looking for possibilities and future directions (Ni), which the rest of us don't really see since it is inwardly expressed for the most part.

 

[Proletar]

Note: I updated the OP to account for the tertiary in the process.

Remember - J/P is how we present to the world (a direction), so it relates to Extroversion and Introversion, not Dominant and auxilary.

The Functions

I think your misunderstanding is how you are viewing Dominant, Aux, Tertiary and Inferior. This is the functional stack and relates to strengths, preferences, and time. We spend most of our waking moments in the Dominant, that is all. As INTPs then we first and foremost think, but we introvert that in a judging manner.

We also interact with the outer world obviously, which is via intuition and perception. Which is why we can come off as witty, charming and interesting.

INTJ's Extravert their thinking, a judging function, so they come off as decisive and controlling. However they spend most of their energy on looking for possibilities and future directions (Ni), which the rest of us don't really see since it is inwardly expressed for the most part.

Took me some time, but I think I've got your message.

I've seen the introverted functions as tied mostly to memory. E.G: Ti is to catch up with previous thoughts, Si is remembering sensations, Fi is feeling while about previous experiences and Ni is... Well, constantly guessing until you find something that fits with the other part of the axis, be it Te or Fe.

To add something to memory, however, one needs to experience.

Ti and Fi would, if assisted by Ne or Se, therefore be percieving functions by nature. [Edit: What I mean to say is that they are coloured by the extraverted one, if that makes things clearer.]


I think I have an opposing thesis. This is so much fun.

 

[Architect]

I've seen the introverted functions as tied mostly to memory. E.G: Ti is to catch up with previous thoughts,

Si is to catch up with previous thoughts. Ti is a deconstructive thinking process. Taking things apart, putting them together in a different way. Analyzing in detail. It depends on other functions for information (see below).

... forced to head back and try another route, his Ne returns to exploring new options, while also being mindful of where he has already been (enter Introverted Sensing (Si)).

The Maze Metaphor: A New Theory for Understanding INTP and INFP Types

Si is remembering sensations,

say "Si is remembering past experiences and thoughts, continuity and the familiar", as per the link.

Introverted functions aren't necessarily tied to memory. In an INTP, Ne and Fe feed Ti as much as Si does, actually more so. Mainly; Fe provides the goal and energy, while Ne provides information in the present, while Si provides information from the past (past experience = memory and continuity).

 

[redbaron]

Interesting read, rings true in many ways to my own personality at work.

The third rule was really interesting and actually explains a lot.

 

[intpz]

For the INTP work process

Starting point: Ti judging function (“I should do … I'm planning on doing ...”)

Move into auxiliary: Ne (may get sidetracked or distracted here “doing research, I need to study ...”)

Consult tertiary: Si (tie in with past experience, what worked, what didn't work)

Desired endpoint: Fe (“... my goal is a singular discovery that will benefit mankind ...”)

Two main ways we get derailed ...

Ne We spend too much time in research and possibilities, never buckle down and get work done with incomplete data which is always the case.

Fe Get In The Grip. Our inferior peur aeternis takes over in a desire for a shortcut to greatness (we don't all have to be Einstein)

also ...

Si May brood too much on past experience, failures, may get caught in "its never been done before so probably can't" etc. Secondary failure mode

This shows that it's not our p-ness directly that gets us into trouble, because Perceiving isn't a letter in its own right. It's really Ne & Fe which are perceiving functions.

@Architect,

I can't say I work exactly like this. Here's how I work:

1. I wanna do...
2. Can I do it?
3. *Assuming the answer is yes* Doing research about how to exactly do it.
4. While doing it, think of new ways to do it and improve it, not relying much (or mostly at all) on past experiences.
5. Benefit for me, whether financial or creative pleasure.

 

[Architect]

@Architect,

I can't say I work exactly like this. Here's how I work:

Sure, it's not an algorithm, more of a recipie. In your case I see Ti, Ne and Si at work. A different type might start by building a prototype, for example, or consult with others.

 

[intpz]

Sure, it's not an algorithm, more of a recipie. In your case I see Ti, Ne and Si at work. A different type might start by building a prototype, for example, or consult with others.

Ah, I see.

By the way, consulting with others or building a prototype would be completely opposite of what I would do.

 

[Architect]

Ah, I see.

By the way, consulting with others or building a prototype would be completely opposite of what I would do.

Yes I used those to illustrate the point. A different type might connect with others or the physical world, whereas an INTP is apt to Think (Ti), and do solitary research (Ne & Si).

I've worked in research labs my working life and have seen them all. Some guys (ES) want to brainstorm. Other guys (IS) want to prototype. I want to go in the corner and be left alone

 

[intpz]

I've worked in research labs my working life and have seen them all. Some guys (ES) want to brainstorm. Other guys (IS) want to prototype. I want to go in the corner and be left alone

Well to be honest, I don't mind brain-storming. In fact, in a group of people, when working on a project, I would prefer to brainstorm, both myself, and to listen to them. Although, I'd be the one making decisions.

 

[Solitaire U.]

(ESL instructor)

1. Objective: I need to successfully transfer ('teach') information (grammar module) to my subjects (students).

2. I consult my preferred information sources for ideas (research).

3. I combine said sources of information with my own ideas and bang together a rough draft (prototype) that satisfies my "Can I own/teach this...?" requirements.

4. I field test the draft, experimenting with various presentation methods that reflect my personal style and past experiences (prove my theory?).

5. Continuation of 4, refining and tweaking along the way until I'm totally comfortable that it is free of technical flaws and achieves my objective in a manner that is clear, concise, engaging, and interesting (fun).

6. I assign it a page number in my textbook and breathe a sigh of relief. I'm bored with this particular creation process by now and yearn to move on to the next module.

Motivations: Money is first, because without money I cannot continue to fund this never-ending creation process. Vicariously experiencing my students' sense of achievement is a close second, because that's what really fuels my ambition.

The overriding idea is that I'm turning out material that a) works and b) is mine and mine alone to trade for financial lucrativeness. A 'think tank' (tank: slang a jail or prison cell.) is a horridly isolating concept for me. I need to think/prototype/apply/perfect in a full circle for my labors to have meaning. And I need to do it by myself.