INTPs and MBTI obsession?

[Beholder]

So ever since I discovered it, I've been pretty much obsessed with MBTI. I told all my friends, and pretty much every one I know about it and typed them, but the only other people who seemed to care about it, and even became obsessed like me were my INTP friend and INFJ friend, who spread it to his friends, and one of his INTP friends also became obsessed. Also on the internet I've noticed that INTPs seem to have some sort of obsession with MBTI.
Has anyone else noticed this phenomena? And what do you think causes it?
I'm thinking it's our search for models and systems to explain our universe, coupled with our innate weakness in understanding others. That and something about our strangeness being justified by it. (which is counter intuitive, one would think it would make us feel less special. Or maybe we're secretly desperate for a feeling of community. Ugh.)

 

[Otherside]

So ever since I discovered it, I've been pretty much obsessed with MBTI. I told all my friends, and pretty much every one I know about it and typed them, but the only other people who seemed to care about it, and even became obsessed like me were my INTP friend and INFJ friend, who spread it to his friends, and one of his INTP friends also became obsessed. Also on the internet I've noticed that INTPs seem to have some sort of obsession with MBTI.
Has anyone else noticed this phenomena? And what do you think causes it?
I'm thinking it's our search for models and systems to explain our universe, coupled with our innate weakness in understanding others. That and something about our strangeness being justified by it. (which is counter intuitive, one would think it would make us feel less special. Or maybe we're secretly desperate for a feeling of community. Ugh.)

Has been 20 years since I first discovered it, but found it so fascinating that I wanted all of my friends to take it. These days, I still find it fascinating and like to persuade friends to take it, but I don't have the interest that I once did.

 

[Otherside]

test

 

[ktp]

I've been obsessed with it as well and I ask most of my close friends to take it. Coincidently enough, my INFJ friends have taken a great interest in it. But they haven't studied it in depth like I have. I feel like most people that have been exposed to the MTBI are fascinated by reading their own types. As an INTP, I really need to examine all the types instead of just focusing on my own. It helps me understand and communicate with people, which is a weakness for me. The MBTI is just the foundation in a long series of systems that will enable me to truly understand how human interaction and relationships work.

 

[Otherside]

There are a couple of sites that list the "ideal" relationship mates for the different types, but they conflict with each other in their determinations, so be wary of those.

 

[tepellian]

Pretty much, this is why I've kept my interest mostly to myself. I try typing everyone in my head and understanding their (or our) interactions, and I've shared with my INTP and INFJ friends, who seem to be the only other ones interested.

I definitely have it on the brain because it's an interesting and productive system to build my understanding of others.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Could be an ego thing

 

[AureliaSeverina]

Hey, what about INTJs? I'm one of them and am slightly obsessed with MBTI. I think some sensors are pretty good at drawing analogies between different people they know without recourse to any abstract framework. They'll say "Jim is like Bob, because....". Personally speaking, I'm an epic failure at this. I find it much easier to work out individual people's psychological make-up when I'm armed with a theory and can compare each individual to the theory.

 

[EditorOne]

"And what do you think causes it?"

We like to connect the dots. We like processes, systems, webs, cause-and-effect.
Additionally, MBTI is a system for understanding ourselves and the world. Other personality types don't have the particular combination of traits that makes us stand out as "abnormal" or "maladjusted" or "doesn't fit in" or, help us all, "broken." So a system that normalizes us to some extent, that says "No, you're not broken and don't need to be fixed, you're just a particular combination of traits and here's how you can use this new self-awareness to move along in your life," well, heck, it's pretty hard not to be fascinated, isn't it?
AND other personality types, who are rarely regarded as "broken", would of course not share our intensity about a system that explains them. To them, they are the smugly normal ones, requiring neither explanation nor justification.
That's what I think, anyway.

 

[Dapper Dan]

1. We like to understand systems... and to determine their flaws.
2. The system is complex enough to keep us interested.
3. We're good at introspection.
4. Our own traits are highly-valued.
5. We spend a lot of time goofing off on the internet.

 

[Pyropyro]

Actually MBTI is only a part of my obsession. I'm also fascinated by other classifications such as the Four Temperaments and DISC. I also read the criticisms for these tests so I guess any means of classification shouldn't be a absolute box to put people in.

Hmm... perhaps I'll take some Psychology studies next. Haha learning never ends...

 

[Dapper Dan]

Actually MBTI is only a part of my obsession. I'm also fascinated by other classifications such as the Four Temperaments and DISC. I also read the criticisms for these tests so I guess any means of classification shouldn't be a absolute box to put people in.

Hmm... perhaps I'll take some Psychology studies next. Haha learning never ends...

Not worth it, in my experience. The Psych classes I took glossed over the interesting things and left me with a bunch of names and terms to memorize. I suppose if you get past the entry-level, you might find something worth your while.

Probably a lot of papers, though. :/

 

[Synthetix]

I've told a few people about the MBTI and the only one who seemed interested was an INFP.

 

[Spirit]

I am thoroughly fascinated by the Jung Typology Theory. Although numerous inconsistencies have been uncovered by continual data collection, I find that the potential to grasp a deeper insight to observed patterns keeps me "entertained".

 

[Ostriker]

Could be an ego thing

I think this is true for many people including myself, as much as I hate to admit it. To know that my unhealthy habits as a lazy underachiever, my anti-social nature, my cynicism etc. "aren't my fault" because I was born an INTP only justifies these habits and gives me a false reason to not work on these things as a means of bettering myself. Not to mention, it feels pretty darn good to constantly read how smart and imaginative I am. I think a lot of people really embellish the positive sides of being an INTP, exaggerating the complexity of our thought processes. I mean, I enjoy getting lost in my thoughts as much as the next introvert, but it isn't a circus of vibrant imagery and complex systems all the time.

I have also found that the Meyers-Briggs test isn't entirely accurate either. While I've tested INTP numerous times, I know for a fact that I have some ISFP ("the artist") tendencies as well. I certainly have a very prominant artistic side that you never here much mention of during INTP discussions.

I think people take this personality type thing too seriously.

 

[Philosophyking87]

"And what do you think causes it?"

We like to connect the dots. We like processes, systems, webs, cause-and-effect.
Additionally, MBTI is a system for understanding ourselves and the world.

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head here. My best guess is that we seek so much to understand the world, and everyhing in it, that we are driven to explore all relationships and naturally notice patterns. Hence, it's mostly our curiosity - I would say - that really drives us to find the MBTI so fascinating. Moreover, what is more mysterious than our psychology? What makes us tick? What governs our thoughts and behavior? What accounts for the incredible diversity of humanity? Not only are we immensly curious people who want understand how everything works - those many nagging "whys" - but we also naturally find personality to be a subject of supreme wonder.

Along with those two traits, we are also analytical and love to problem solve, making the endless search for "typing just right" the perfect natural INTP passtime. And not only do we want to type, but we also want to figure out what makes each type so peculiar, distinct, and perhaps unique. If you put all these ingredients together, you get people who find the notion of systematically categorizing and identifying particular kinds of people to be one of the most fascinating joys around, and it shows. I haven't personally noticed that INTPs are particularly interested in the MBTI, but everyone I know says, "He's always trying to figure people out." And I have noticed that most people aren't even a fraction as interested in psychoanalytic psychology as I am. They usually son't show an ounce of interest, make me feel like I'm badgering them or talking about nonsense, and I've even had one person tell me, "I just don't see what you get out of trying to type everyone."

Other personality types don't have the particular combination of traits that makes us stand out as "abnormal" or "maladjusted" or "doesn't fit in" or, help us all, "broken." So a system that normalizes us to some extent, that says "No, you're not broken and don't need to be fixed, you're just a particular combination of traits and here's how you can use this new self-awareness to move along in your life," well, heck, it's pretty hard not to be fascinated, isn't it?
AND other personality types, who are rarely regarded as "broken", would of course not share our intensity about a system that explains them. To them, they are the smugly normal ones, requiring neither explanation nor justification.

Though not as important as the previous reasons, I think there may be some truth behind this idea that perhaps we really take so strongly to the MBTI because it explains why we are so different from most other people, given we are so relatively rare in numbers, highly unconventional, and often off-beat lazy slackers who just don't easily accept the status quo and find it rather frustrating having to constantly meet SJ social demands, and perhaps the pressure of not being as outgoing and charming as some of the other types. This would definitely put us at "ease" and give us some sense of solace, knowing that our odd place in human life is just natural, and that some of the smartest and most successful humans in history (e.g., Albert Einstein) were likely just like us - misunderstood and called "trouble makers" or freaks, while we simply fill the human role of creating new thought.

 

[7even]

Makes sense... I'm not one to partake in a forum.. I've just discovered INTB 4 days ago...

 

[Philosophyking87]

1. We like to understand systems... and to determine their flaws.
2. The system is complex enough to keep us interested.
3. We're good at introspection.
4. Our own traits are highly-valued.
5. We spend a lot of time goofing off on the internet.

This seems mostly accurate as well.

 

[Hadoblado]

I have told many people about it and a few have shown interest, but my EXFP friend and my XNFJ cousin have been the only ones to show anything more than a base interest, possibly because they scored fairly strong in some charecteristics, which make the descriptions a bit more compelling. I think scoring sort of wishy washy makes people dismiss the value of the test (understandably).

 

[Nibbler]

1. We like to understand systems... and to determine their flaws.
2. The system is complex enough to keep us interested.
3. We're good at introspection.
4. Our own traits are highly-valued.
5. We spend a lot of time goofing off on the internet.

Nailed it.

After I read my INTP profile, I was super intrigued and had all kinds of friends test. One was interested and patient about it. She tested a couple of times differently. The only thing that stuck was that she's introverted and thinking. She was interested in as far as it was amusing and I found it fascinating. I know her to be a very introspective and patient person who values tradition but also progress and nurturing others. That's probably why she's borderline on tests.

Another friend found out she shared personalities with GW Bush and got her feelings hurt. I heard she mentioned it for days, even a dinner party. Problem is, she really is a lot like the personality she tested as and commonly thinks people should follow the rules--the ones she follows. I think it was called The Enforcer. I'd have to go look it up. edit: She's an ESTJ.

But as someone else said, I'm older now and soon my enthusiasm waned. I signed up for this forum a year ago, participated and summarily left until today and then got hooked all day long. I will probably leave again for a year. I find it fascinating still, but not actively learning about them all. Just the people I know.

There is a lady I'm interested in. If I get to be in a relationship with her (even just a friendship) I will eventually get her to test. I know me. And she's a PhD biologist who's generally enthusiastic about stuff, so I'm sure she'd be game.

 

[kora]

1. We like to understand systems... and to determine their flaws.
2. The system is complex enough to keep us interested.
3. We're good at introspection.
4. Our own traits are highly-valued.
5. We spend a lot of time goofing off on the internet.

Bingo.

 

[Architect]

As I get older I am reminded of how important MBTI is in our lives. I suspect it is the hard coded programming of our selves, and our personalities are the learned/developed aspects. The benefit of being older is that I can look back on my life and see how much it was dictated by MBTI, just as my prime breeding years were dictated by my gonads.

"Yes we have free will - we have no choice"

The ultimate question of any importance to us is, what exactly are we? In my estimation. I study MBTI to better understand Us.

 

[scorpiomover]

I'm sure that there are a lot more INTPs than are found on MBTI-based forums. I suspect they are non-MBTI-obsessed INTPs.

Still find it useful, though.

 

[MsAnthropy_Indefatigably]

I am killing my friends with my comparing and contrasting of different types and explaining things based solely on typing. lol
None of them are INTP and therefore I'm sure my rambling is like listening to a devout christian tell you how everything is a result of Jesus Christ and his love/glory/perfectness, etc.
I suppose we can be annoying, but SH**, not compared to everyone else!! LOL

 

[Urraco]

Lol this all sounds very familiar. It's a system you can't learn fully in a day, for one. Two, "holy crap I'm not alone!" Three, people suddenly become...gasp...a little more understandable!

I'm also driving friends bonkers. I keep asking more of them to test to see if I'm accurate...So far I've only missed more than one letter once, which sucks for everyone I haven't asked yet XD I certainly don't need the encouragement.

Have you noticed that people with a sensing preference generally aren't that interested? It seems intuitive types, especially NPs, are intrigued about the results. In contrast, most of my friends with a sensing preference are more or less like "Huh. That's cool. Next."

 

[Jaffa]

I think people take this personality type thing too seriously.

I disagree. People don't take it too seriously, they just forget that is it just a preference of ones personality. Just because you're an INTP does not mean that you cant be artistic.

ESXX are renowned sporty types, but one of them could be excellent at Chess, a notoriously INTX game of logic and strategy.

 

[scorpiomover]

I am killing my friends with my comparing and contrasting of different types and explaining things based solely on typing. lol
None of them are INTP and therefore I'm sure my rambling is like listening to a devout christian tell you how everything is a result of Jesus Christ and his love/glory/perfectness, etc.
I suppose we can be annoying, but SH**, not compared to everyone else!! LOL

Now you know why I don't ever ask anyone IRL, what their MBTI type is, and hardly mention it, outside of MBTI-based forums. I don't even mention it on other internet forums, if they are specifically MBTI-based.

Too much like a missionary. Better to take the position, than to be a preachy whiny, ass.