INTPs and low latent inhibition.

[UptownHarmlessPantyHose]

http://www.thetherapywebsite.co.uk/low-latent-inhibition-c45.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_inhibition

http://highlysensitive.org/64/highly-sensitive-people-latent-inhibition-and-creativity/

How many of you feel that you have it? Since we are perceivers it's expected that we would to some degree, although I think combined with our thinking and intuition we could have a lower LI than most types, or possibly be less likely to be driven mad by it because of our logical style of thinking.

I have diagnosed ADHD and this is just something that comes with the territory IME and from what I've gathered about those with TRUE ADHD(not just traits that mimic it because one may be genuinely disinterested in their surroundings and process very small amounts of information, possibly because of a lower level of intelligence than most), but LLI exists in many people with no diagnosed psychiatric conditions and varies among everyone.

Low levels of latent inhibition are linked to both madness and creativity, high intelligence is assumed to protect one with LLI from becoming mentally ill, but this does not explain why so many people with genius IQs become schizophrenic or why people with ADHD who can't filter out information for the life of them but have low to average general intelligence DON'T go crazy.

Thoughts?

 

[Silas]

Interesting post, I gained a particular interest in Low Latent Inhibtion after watching Prisonbreak, but seeing as Michael Schofield is clearly an INTJ character, I began to postulate (off a fictional character yes) that LLI would more likely come with those with Se.
Concrete, literal intake of information from the stimulus function just seems to go better with LLI, if Ne is as has been suggested here consciously taking in but ignoring the details and scanning for patterns, then LLI...just doesn't seem likely.

I mean, a person with Ne supposedly looks about and doesn't notice details, but can sum up the 'wholeness' of a situation (Jung describes it briefly like so) which is what I've personally always done.
So if a person with Ne is taking in vast detailed information, I'm finding it hard to see how pattern surfing would come in, or rather, how it may manifest differently to a person whose stimulus function is Se.

I do find it curious about the associations with mental illness resulting from LLI, it may be all down to how one personally handles the information. Godel went a bit mad in the end didn't he? No idea whether he had LLI though, he may have just become embroiled in subjectivity or whatever.

Those are some verbal forms of my current thoughts, alas once again I fear my post has no coherence.

 

[Ska]

"High levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine (or its agonists) in the brain have been shown to decrease latent inhibition"

This makes very much sense to me based on what I know about marijuana, schizophrenia, and the link between the two. Marijuana use causes dopamine levels to increase which explains some of the bizarre associations I make when I'm high. High dopamine levels are commonly found in schizo patients and there has also always been a small link between marijuana use and schizo. Interesting...

Back on topic, I think anyone with intuition is going to have LLI. It seems to me that Si dominant types would have very high LI. They simply take in information and ignore any associations that come. It always amazed me how my ISFJ ex-girlfriend was inconsistent in her beliefs. She couldn't see the parallels...

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Interesting articles. I know I'm very sensitive, mentally, physically and emotionally, and it seems unless I'm completely lost in something I can always notice outside disturbances. It can be the birds chirping outside, the dripping of water, the chatter of people yards away, the annoying ringing in my ear etc. I'm always processing, constructing, analyzing and it seems at any given moment I have amassed a substantial collection of information.

I am very creative, due to my mind being constantly stimulated, however, due to lack of discipline, my creativity usually never comes to fruition.

 

[phantome]

Thats pretty fascinating, though I doubt I have that.

 

[UptownHarmlessPantyHose]

Interesting post, I gained a particular interest in Low Latent Inhibtion after watching Prisonbreak, but seeing as Michael Schofield is clearly an INTJ character, I began to postulate (off a fictional character yes) that LLI would more likely come with those with Se.
Concrete, literal intake of information from the stimulus function just seems to go better with LLI, if Ne is as has been suggested here consciously taking in but ignoring the details and scanning for patterns, then LLI...just doesn't seem likely.

I mean, a person with Ne supposedly looks about and doesn't notice details, but can sum up the 'wholeness' of a situation (Jung describes it briefly like so) which is what I've personally always done.
So if a person with Ne is taking in vast detailed information, I'm finding it hard to see how pattern surfing would come in, or rather, how it may manifest differently to a person whose stimulus function is Se.

It is interesting because I agree that the S types should be the ones who would take in their surroundings to a greater degree and they ARE, for all intent and purposes, but I feel like the reason that I'm an INTP instead of ISTP is actually BECAUSE I rely on intuition from taking in too much information. I experience sensory overload easily.

It's a chicken-egg situation, do I rely on intuition because it comes naturally to me and I don't wish to be in tune with my surroundings, or am I naturally an S type on rely on my intuition because I become overwhelmed from all of the information that comes in? I do remind myself of an ISTP in many ways but I am most definitely in my own world. To me, though, it doesn't always feel like that's my natural state of being. I feel like I would be an S type of I could handle all of the stimuli.

Does this mean that since I have learned to rely on my N all my life that I have the "less able" kind of brain there are speaking of, that becomes mentally ill because it has a difficult time dealing with the LLI? I don't think so. I mean I do have the ADHD diagnosis but I consider myself thoughtful and creative instead of mad, and from what I can tell *most* S types don't seem all that creative. They usually seem very grounded, so I guess they are just dealing with the LLI in a different way, becoming neither creative types or mentally ill, or perhaps they remain S types because their levels of LI are actually pretty average, enabling them to deal with it in a normal manner.

Also, most people with ADHD and different functioning levels of autism(HFA, Asperger's) type out to be ENTPs and INTPS, respectively, and these are usually the types of people that are very detail oriented and ASFAIK LLI is a main component of both disorders, although it's more noticeable with autistics. They are so focused on details and they take in so much information that they experience the, "can't see the forest through the trees" effect. If I understand this correctly, this is definitely due to sensory overload.

If S types really do have lower latent inhibition than most, I wonder if they would more often be Judgers instead of Perceivers, only because one might want to be in the habit of making decisions instead acknowledging the constant flow of information and stimuli from their surroundings like a perceiver would, to protect their sanity. I don't know the stats, I'll have to look.

 

[wdavis36]

Interesting post, I gained a particular interest in Low Latent Inhibtion after watching Prisonbreak, but seeing as Michael Schofield is clearly an INTJ character, I began to postulate (off a fictional character yes) that LLI would more likely come with those with Se.
Concrete, literal intake of information from the stimulus function just seems to go better with LLI, if Ne is as has been suggested here consciously taking in but ignoring the details and scanning for patterns, then LLI...just doesn't seem likely.

I mean, a person with Ne supposedly looks about and doesn't notice details, but can sum up the 'wholeness' of a situation (Jung describes it briefly like so) which is what I've personally always done.
So if a person with Ne is taking in vast detailed information, I'm finding it hard to see how pattern surfing would come in, or rather, how it may manifest differently to a person whose stimulus function is Se.

I do find it curious about the associations with mental illness resulting from LLI, it may be all down to how one personally handles the information. Godel went a bit mad in the end didn't he? No idea whether he had LLI though, he may have just become embroiled in subjectivity or whatever.

Those are some verbal forms of my current thoughts, alas once again I fear my post has no coherence.

If I am paying enough attention to what you said, here is my spin on it:
Ok so we take in our environment in a "wholeness" manner. Somebody with regular LI would have no problem with this approach. However, if you perceive your environment in this manner with LLI then while you are actively trying to survey a room in its "wholeness" your brain is unable to filter out the minute details and therefore tries to process everything all at once. In severe cases this information overload threatens can threaten a persons sanity.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

Hmmm sounds almost like ADD...Maybe i have this since im ultra creative. Also, when im just walking around, it seems im taking in every sort of information all the time. Like one of my family members will ask, "where is the fucking brush?" ill say, " Its in the corner behind that shoe in the other room" because ill remember where everything is in the room just by going in the room..is this what that is? What is an example.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Interesting post, I gained a particular interest in Low Latent Inhibtion after watching Prisonbreak, but seeing as Michael Schofield is clearly an INTJ character, I began to postulate (off a fictional character yes) that LLI would more likely come with those with Se.
Concrete, literal intake of information from the stimulus function just seems to go better with LLI, if Ne is as has been suggested here consciously taking in but ignoring the details and scanning for patterns, then LLI...just doesn't seem likely.

I mean, a person with Ne supposedly looks about and doesn't notice details, but can sum up the 'wholeness' of a situation (Jung describes it briefly like so) which is what I've personally always done.
So if a person with Ne is taking in vast detailed information, I'm finding it hard to see how pattern surfing would come in, or rather, how it may manifest differently to a person whose stimulus function is Se.

Ignoring details and scanning patters mean tons of information is being processed, Ne is trying to handle many sensory details at once. Whereas Se is able to slow down and focus on whatever senses it needs to use. It does not need to convert sensory details into intuition, the details go straight to the body. This is why SP(Se preferring) types tend to be called impulsive because they cannot see beyond the immediacy of actions and thus they are not overwhelmed by possibilities.

Yes I made generalizations, but you get the point.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Hmmm sounds almost like ADD...Maybe i have this since im ultra creative. Also, when im just walking around, it seems im taking in every sort of information all the time. Like one of my family members will ask, "where is the fucking brush?" ill say, " Its in the corner behind that shoe in the other room" because ill remember where everything is in the room just by going in the room..is this what that is? What is an example.

Yes sometimes I know where things are just by thinking about them and believing my intuition. The brain takes in so much that we are not aware of....

 

[DesertSmeagle]

Ohh yeeaaa subliminal messages. The brain is so amazing... It makes me wanna cry. it's like everything we do is created by the subconscious.. Everything. Why do we spend all our lives bein taught through our conscious mind. We should be learning about our subconscious and training it.. It's the fuckin year 2000100 let's add apply some psychology to the education system, it's not the 1950's anymore.

I was thinkin. Most if our school lives are based on remembering facts. Whoever has the best memory has the best grades.. Then why hasn't their been one class in improving memory? Seriously.

 

[wdavis36]

Hmmm sounds almost like ADD...Maybe i have this since im ultra creative. Also, when im just walking around, it seems im taking in every sort of information all the time. Like one of my family members will ask, "where is the fucking brush?" ill say, " Its in the corner behind that shoe in the other room" because ill remember where everything is in the room just by going in the room..is this what that is? What is an example.

That example doesn't sound like anything exceptional so I don't really know what you are talking about. Im no expert on ADD but as far as it being ADD, I don't really know how it would be because from my understanding ADD is not being able to focus on one thing for any particular amount of time. So lets say you are surveying a room with ADD. You may notice a whole bunch of things in a rapid manner but while you are simply going piece by piece and by the time you have surveyed one piece and are ready to move on to the next thing you have forgotten about or have lost all focus on the previous object. Now, if thats not true please somebody with ADD(not DesertSmeagle) could correct me and clarify everything that would be wonderful. Continuing with the walk in to a room example. With LLI you can help but try to process the lamp the wall color the number of corners on the wall the lighting, the height how many people and I could go on for a painfully long time but I wont. So you try to register all of that but theres just simply no way. The brain isn't going to be able to process all that information at once. So basically the fundamental way I would imagine this would be one is like a hyperactive assembly line and the other is just trying to shove everything through the doorway at the same time. So no, that isnt what this is. That is noticing and remembering certain details. A person will LLI would notice all these little things too but would not be able to distinguish them from the other elements in the room.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

A person will LLI would notice all these little things too but would not be able to distinguish them from the other elements in the room.

LLI means being unable to limit the subconscious observations that are getting to your consciousness. You notice random stuff that normally other people wouldn't care for because they are irrelevant. ADHD is similar except the person is captivated by these observations, probably a malfunctioning of the reward system in the brain.

 

[Melkor]

I have often suspected myself of being mad, but he keeps it so well hidden the mirror holds no clues.

I do suffer from a certain mental illness, of which the medication was ultimately worse, and I must say, I relate very well to this.

I wouldn't be too anxious to say that I "suffer" from Low latent Inhibiton, as I am no professional, least of all concerning my state of self, though I think it might be a possibility. Perhaps even a strong one.

I am thinking of my ability to draw creative endeavour from almost all my activities, rather than physical, social or immediate worth.
Even when I see a film, I concentrate less on the film, and more on" mapgie-ing" various aspects of the style and incidence that occur.


It would explain a lot...

Thank you very much for the article, fascinating stuff.

 

[wdavis36]

LLI means being unable to limit the subconscious observations that are getting to your consciousness. You notice random stuff that normally other people wouldn't care for, but it is irrelevant. ADHD is similar except the person is captivated by these observations, probably a malfunctioning of the reward system in the brain.

Perfect.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

So it would be impossible to consentrate on any one thing?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

No, it's impossible to stay focused on your immediate surroundings and obligations for too long. Somehow people without LLI can train their brain so as to block out the pretty green trees and the vast blue sky to realize that if they don't pay attention they will be run over in the street.

Spoiler

INTP - It's inevitable

 

[James Black]

I wonder if there would be any way to lower your latent inhibition slightly (realizing the risks of going mad and/or losing concentration, which I already lack) in some way.

Can anyone think of any methods, preferably that do not include marijuana?
I don't seek to give myself LLI (assuming I don't already have it: but I am more likely to believe, given its rarity, I'm merely uninterested in most things going on around me, especially since I rarely take in information and sort of realize "the bigger picture" more than "the smaller things in the picture" unless it includes something of personal interest to me, like... a pizzeria) assuming that would even be possible. Just curious if it is possible to lower ones latent inhibition slightly, and see the effects it would have on life, and perhaps learning/education.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I wonder if there would be any way to lower your latent inhibition slightly (realizing the risks of going mad and/or losing concentration, which I already lack) in some way.

According to Wikipedia:
[fieldset=LLI]High levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine (or its agonists) in the brain have been shown to decrease latent inhibition. Certain dysfunctions of the neurotransmitters glutamate, serotonin and acetylcholine have also been implicated[/fieldset]

Naturally you could find someway to induce the flight or fight response, or take some dopamine drugs.

 

[Melkor]

Which is perfectly healthy I'm sure.

 

[CoryJames]

I feel that my latent inhibition might be lower than some, even most, but it is definitely not to the level that I have ever found myself overwhelmed by external stimuli. To disagree with myself, however, I have always found myself to be a bit of an observer, taking a lot in, all the time. Also, I will admit that I am graced with a much higher than average intelligence, which is said to be a protective element when it comes to independently handling this condition, and I do enjoy writing, especially poetry, and a lot of it comes of my observations of the world.

To disagree with myself again, the majority of my inspiration, though coming from observation, comes from analysis of this observation, so maybe not. Who knows. All I know is that I am sane. Or am I?

 

[SQ_Minion]

I find it rather paradoxical--the observation that many INTPs have low latent inhibition in contrast with the characteristic that many INTPs have extremely cluttered bedrooms/desks and simply block the clutter out, barely realizing it's there. These two habits seem rather at odds with each other to me, and yet they are very apparent in my own personality. I rarely notice the disastrous state my bedroom is in, and yet I'm always distracted by other aspects of the environment--especially nature, since that's the sort of person I apparently am. And since I haven't been run over yet, I don't see any problem with LLI.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I find it rather paradoxical--the observation that many INTPs have low latent inhibition in contrast with the characteristic that many INTPs have extremely cluttered bedrooms/desks and simply block the clutter out, barely realizing it's there. These two habits seem rather at odds with each other to me, and yet they are very apparent in my own personality. I rarely notice the disastrous state my bedroom is in, and yet I'm always distracted by other aspects of the environment--especially nature, since that's the sort of person I apparently am. And since I haven't been run over yet, I don't see any problem with LLI.

There's a misconception.

People with average levels of latent inhibition are able to train their subconscious to not send sensory data to the conscious mind because the data is familiar and thus excessive. So they focus on the active world, what is immediately important. They notice what they have been trained to notice, the street, people walking, clutter, certain movements and arrangements etc.

So then people with LLI have unrestrained sources of sensory data. Everything has an equal chance of catching the person's attention, they only notice whatever they are already focused on. And do not discriminate by attaching mental urgency labels to certain sights and sounds etc.