INTPs are most prone to being Passive-Aggressive

[NinjaSurfer]

The INTP personality + passive-aggressiveness
Like two peas in a pod
My observation and hypothesis is based mostly from online behavior

Two main reasons INTPs are prone to be passive aggressive

1. Awkwardness at expressing emotions; causes INTPs to deny emotions, thus making oneself unaware of impetus behind actions/thoughts/behavior

2. Nevermind I can't think of the second one

 

[Architect]

Very observant of you. PersonalityJunkie made this point too, that the Ti-Fe pairing with Fe in the inferior can lead to passive aggressive behavior in the INTP. For example when we get upset with a SO to just clam up and go cold. Has been the case for me on occasion, I'm learning to deal better with that.

I wouldn't go so far as to say "two peas in a pod" but it is one of our inferior traps.

 

[redbaron]

My observation and hypothesis is based mostly from online behavior

1. Awkwardness at expressing emotions; causes INTPs to deny emotions, thus making oneself unaware of impetus behind actions/thoughts/behavior

I think it's pretty far-fetched to base this off of online activity. Then again if majority of their time is spent online, maybe it is an accurate reflection of their personality after all. I doubt it though.

I don't necessarily agree with the point. I don't think INTP's are necessarily awkward at expressing emotion or if they are, that it will cause them to deny them either.

Then again I'm really an ENFJ, so what would I know!

HUGS FOR ALL!!!

 

[NinjaSurfer]

@redbaron

It is quite difficult to observe INTPs in "real life" due to the reclusive nature

I think that extrapolating a personality trait from online to offline is not the most egregious thing

 

[DeadonDreaming]

We're also the most likely to have drug and alcohol problems, and to smoke!

 

[NinjaSurfer]

We're also the most likely to have drug and alcohol problems, and to smoke!

A couple 1/8ths a week is hardly a problem!

 

[MichiganJFrog]

You could look at it as the result of an inferiority/superiority complex. Part of me thinks I'm worthless and grovels at people to their face, while I secretly plot their destruction because another part of me feels I'm vastly superior to them. Probably not a good approach in the long term.

 

[Words]

I've never liked the term "Passive-Aggressive". Maybe I just don't understand the idea, but it seems to be a list of unrelated traits forcefully packaged into one. I can relate to fear of dependency and making excuses, but the rare times I'm angry I'm always straightforward, directly insulting the person or resorting to physical violence. Even as a kid, I remember going for the knife. Most prone..? Hmm, I don't think so. I think this is more fitting for INFPs.

 

[Architect]

I've never liked the term "Passive-Aggressive".

Outwardly passive but aggressive in another way, such as in behavior. Like saying "Yes Dear" while making your own plans behind their back. Symptomatic of people who don't like conflict or don't have much spine.

 

[travelnjones]

Very observant of you.

I don't know why i am laughing at something so stupid but i read this is the most passive aggressive way possible. Slow clap + Christian Bale meltdown voice.

 

[Words]

Outwardly passive but aggressive in another way, such as in behavior. Like saying "Yes Dear" while making your own plans behind their back. Symptomatic of people who don't like conflict or don't have much spine.

So, dishonesty regarding intentions through fake gesture of compliance?

 

[Dapper Dan]

Eh, I don't see it.

Sure INTPs are passive, but not about our emotions. They either come all the way out or not at all. Passive-aggressiveness (aggression?) is the tool of the drama queen. How many drama queen INTPs do you know?

Now, I might be willing to buy that people think we're being passive-aggressive. We have a remarkable ability to not care about many things that other people do. That apathy could be mistaken for pettiness.

 

[WhatTheFunction]

I've been told I'm passive-aggressive by one of my friends a while back. That was simply because instead of addressing issues I write about it online. I don't really think he understands the meaning of passive-aggressive now that I think about it.

 

[Auburn]

No...

Passive-Aggressiveness is more of a trait of Fi-Te. Though it can appear in any type, on average high-Fi types have this more.

Actually, this is a very complicated topic and there are various forms of passive-aggressiveness. But TiNe are hardly on top of the list.
Let me give you some examples:

• Fe, underneath an introverted lead process (NiFe/SiFe). This may form a sort of passive-agressiveness from Fe-condemnation that is toned-down by the lead introverted process. These are worldview types, and they sometimes have a well formed worldview or opinion but which they cannot easily justify to others.
  
  They may not have the stamina to support an extended debate with the other to justify their opinion, especially if they already feel the other won't understand. But they still feel pent up frustration which they may express as under-handed comments and then walk away; not caring to trouble any further, but still wanting to lay that blow.
  
  It is a form of validating their ego, and even if the remark goes over the other person's head, that may give them even more satisfaction as they think to themselves "what idiots".
• Fi as a lead process (FiNe/FiSe) may have the same issue of having a subjective opinion they cannot translate easily. But it is different. For Fi lead types, their passive agressiveness will not be a 'release' but a sort of genuine dislike for a person.
  
  Te is known to have quick wit, and make broad and blunt remarks. When Fi isn't feeling positively about a situation, it will articulate with this (Te) quick and blunt wit -- but infused with a brewing energy. The result being very snippy and bitchy, sarcastic remarks. No, seriously.
  
  Generally they're spoken in a low voice; not scenic. Sometimes the other party will let it go, but if they bite back, they will sink their heels and it'll quickly blow up -- from 0 to 100, into a scene.
• Some shades of high Te users have an almost non-stop passive aggressiveness that comes from their smartass attitude. It depends on the person but if the high-Te user feels somewhat superior to the peers he's around, they may make belittling comments like "well, where'd you expect it to be" or sarcastic comments that are on the edge of offensive, to toy with them. Unlike high-Fi users, these shades are generally just being jackasses for the fun of it. But damn is it fun.
  
  Other fellow Te types may understand their form of humor and love it, while others (particularly Fe types) will take great offense to these habits.

Ti lead types don't have nearly as much passive aggressiveness as these types do, on average. TiNe being passive aggressive would be quite different. They'd be hard-pressed to match the sarcastic wit of high-Te users, and their speech would be more direct & straightforward. That doesn't make a good formula for passive aggressiveness.

If there is some lingering polar-Fe negativity they feel toward a person or situation, ideally they'd want to harmonize that or avoid them. If they wanted to avoid them, they probably would (unless they can't), and if they can't avoid them then they'd confront them. Quite ungracefully, mind you, but directly.

This is because types with Ti/Fe as first axis (1st & 4th function) are naturally diplomatic.​

 

[Crocket]

My aggression isn't all that passive. Takes a while to get me there, but I have my outbursts from time to time (unfortunately, a family trait I absolutely loathe). It usually comes out when things I really want to go my way, simply don't. Just because you're Introverted, doesn't mean you haven't got the balls to stand up for what you think...Passive-Aggressiveness is so...Female.

 

[Grove]

I agree with Dapper Dan here. Passive-aggression is (IMO) an active form of manipulation, or just trying to punish someone. When I retreat back it isn't to get back at anyone, in fact it doesn't have anything to do with them...I just need to retreat and try to better articulate why I'm upset.. I've said things that I didn't mean in an attempt to defuse arguments (like "fine" or "yes, I see your point"). I know those don't come off as sincere (because they aren't), but they are an attempt to lessen the conflict in the moment - not to play some psych game with the other person.

 

[Duxwing]

Passive-aggressive? Not unless I'm in a Catch-22 situation. If something that I really want to go my way doesn't (and timing is crucial here, it has to be quite literally a few seconds from being done), I don't let my voice go above a normal tone, I try to explain my point, see that it's not well-received,

AND THEN I BLOW MY STACK!

-Duxwing

 

[DreamMancer]

Actually, I've been told that I have quite the temper - but few people ever get to see it.

I agree with Dan; I think INTPs tend to be passive, but that's not the same as being passive-aggressive. In general I would say INTPs seem to display relatively non-aggressive behavior. Speaking for myself, I am not an aggressive person at all, but if I am angry or have a bone to pick, it's quite obvious and out in the open.

 

[CheekyKitty]

Honestly, I find xxFJs to be the most passive-aggressive. It's like, they feel obligated to be nice rather than call you out on things. The INTPs I know are more prone to calling me out when I've said something unacceptable.