INTP's doubting their type

[Urraco]

I noticed it's pretty common for INTP's to doubt their type. Or, more accurately, they cycle between being confident in their type and expressing doubt. I'm the same way. I feel like I wouldn't have so much doubt if I didn't also see it so much in others.

My first exposure to personality typing was in college. We took the official test for a career development class, but before the teacher handed back our results she explained the four dichotomies and had us try and type ourselves. Although I concede that it wasn't a very scientific way to go about it (and there was no talk of functions), I ended up self-typing as an INTJ. My results showed that I was an INTP. Since the report was only about careers and what jobs I might enjoy, there wasn't much information other than that.

Since then I have tested INTP pretty consistently, but I always wonder if it's because I know what they're looking for and so I answer that way. I've gotten INTJ probably twice, and INFP once. The INTP profile fits very well, but I also identify very much with the literature on INTJ's, INFP's, and INFJ's. What's more, I understand that the four types are often confused for each other, and there are many who thought they were one but ended up being another.

There are many reasons I often doubt my type. I secretly crave approval from others, sometimes even when I don't respect them. I am very easily hurt by criticism. I often make very quick decisions AS LONG AS it doesn't affect others, in which case I am extremely indecisive. Grammar and spelling mistakes bother me but I never point them out because it feels obnoxious, and in my opinion it doesn't really matter - what's the point if I understood what they meant? I will correct people in person if they are misusing logic or using incorrect facts. I also enjoy fitting in, at least superficially; I want to be "unique" and independent in thought and personality, but I enjoy wearing "trendy" clothes, even though people still see through it and label me as kind of a dork.

I've studied functions a lot as well, and still can't make a final decision. I'm pretty sure I heavily use Ti, but I feel like Ni is a very strong force too - I'm very often changing my entire perspective in order to fit new things in, and also find myself considering the intended meaning behind things quite a bit. I can see multiple perspectives effortlessly, although it is often difficult for me to commit to them. I also feel like there are parts of Fe that make me want to gag, but I actually really enjoy it when it's going well. I have social anxiety disorder, so I have thought, maybe I'm just an INFJ who is especially intellectual and has a stunted Fe. I relate very well to descriptions of inferior Se, but then again, from what I understand J types tend to be pretty sure about what they are. Even after reading multiple books and scanning threads about people unsure about their types, I can't commit with full confidence.

This isn't nearly the only reason, there are dozens more, I just don't want to type a novel. What I'm wondering is, why is this self-doubt so prevalent? Is it because INTP's take forever to be completely certain about something? What traits do you show that give you doubt? Are you actually confident in your type? Am I doomed to forever be uncertain?

 

[xbox]

I used to rely on the tests, but I just started studying the functions. I dont really have a full understanding of all of them yet.
I took the test many times and I got INTP, but I doubted that for awhile.

My confusion began when I started questioning thought processes during childhood temperament. I looked at all 3 of my siblings, and all of us were very different, but stayed consistent with the idea of temperament refinement with age/maturity/environment.

Then I read an article about INTP children, and it definitely did not reflect me.
The article that accurately reflected me was an ENTP child. I would say that a lot of my life was tumultuous, and I probably have a well developed Ti along with it.

My brother took the test and he got INTP, he also fits the description of the INTP child. I'm hell of a lot more Ne dom than he is.

I probably would call myself a selectively introverted ENTP.

 

[MissQuote]

I can't even decide if the entire system is even valid.

Every time I get close to feeling confident in the idea that I am in fact an INTP, let alone in the idea that MBTI or any of it has real merit, it is as though the very confidence itself shakes my ability to make an assertive decision on the matter and I begin questioning everything about my own personality in regards to fitting into the personality type system. Start finding holes to poke in it all, as well as questioning whether I am anything I actually think I am in the end, any way I think I am. Do I want to be that way or am I that way? Or maybe I don't want to be that at all but can't help it?

The first test I took was four years ago, I had never heard of any of it and it was just something random I stumbled on on the internet and I was bored. The test typed me INXP. Perfect 50/50 on the T/F.

I took it again a couple months later, still not knowing much about any of it, but curious after something had brought it to mind. That time it was INTP. And again after that. Since then it tends to fluctuate from INTP (70% of the time or so), and the other 30% of the time or so INFP, except the occasional INFJ and once ISFJ.

Funnily enough, even though Introversion is the only consistent component, I often question it the most.

The problem is, though I don't know much at all, I know too much to take any test without influencing it. So I do not trust myself to be objective when taking a test. Plus, the questions are always too vague anyhow, they could mean any number of things.

But I do not know enough yet to accurately type myself using knowledge of the functions and their interplay.

I know I have worked really hard on learning to understand, value, respect and appropriately respond to others feelings, though if those feeling have to do with me I still suck at it, and I might suck at it otherwise anyway and am just deluding myself. But I am also excessively passionate- my emotions, when I let them show for real, are all or nothing. I mean. I have straight up, out of nowhere in their mind, declared my undying love for an unsuspecting victim before. oof. Just for example.

As a child, I was notorious for throwing dinner plates full of food across the room at people if someone messed with me and I was anywhere near the kitchen. Didn't even need to be my dinner, necessarily.

And I do have some pretty stern opinions on things, but they seem to be unconventional and based in how ridiculous the rest of the world can be about the matter. My opinions on prostitution for example. Emotionally, I think it is pretty nasty. Logically, I will rant and argue till I am hoarse and have beaten everyone around me into submission if out of nothing more than wanting me to shut up over my belief that it is utter madness and waste of resources for it to be illegal. Including all the ways the problem could be dealt with in a more proper way that actually helps society. Most things though, I refuse to commit to an opinion worth the bother of stating.

And I go through phases where it seems my mind has completely blunted. Theoretical and figuring things out? Ha. I can barely focus on reading a short story, let alone anything I might build knowledge with to create some idea out of. If this phase goes on for too long however I become very miserable and self loathing, eventually a need for some spark of something will lead me to forcing myself to explore new things or falling back on old things for reevaluation and I will begin to become interested in life again..

I'm also all for getting into the physical experience of something, as long as it is not the mundane. I guess that is why I am drawn to making art. But then I'll just stop right when I am getting good at some method and not pick up a paint brush or pencil for sometimes a year or something.

And I am not afraid of people, I just don't really like them. But I love a crowd, as long as it is something like a rock show where I am lost in the crowd, a part of a whole, and interactions with others are like fleeting single serving friendships found and forgotten just as quickly.

To summarize, I am likely an XXXX. It is the only thing that makes sense at this point.

 

[DetachedRetina]

I can't even decide if the entire system is even valid.

Every time I get close to feeling confident in the idea that I am in fact an INTP, let alone in the idea that MBTI or any of it has real merit, it is as though the very confidence itself shakes my ability to make an assertive decision on the matter and I begin questioning everything about my own personality in regards to fitting into the personality type system. Start finding holes to poke in it all, as well as questioning whether I am anything I actually think I am in the end, any way I think I am. Do I want to be that way or am I that way? Or maybe I don't want to be that at all but can't help it?

The first test I took was four years ago, I had never heard of any of it and it was just something random I stumbled on on the internet and I was bored. The test typed me INXP. Perfect 50/50 on the T/F.

I took it again a couple months later, still not knowing much about any of it, but curious after something had brought it to mind. That time it was INTP. And again after that. Since then it tends to fluctuate from INTP (70% of the time or so), and the other 30% of the time or so INFP, except the occasional INFJ and once ISFJ.

Funnily enough, even though Introversion is the only consistent component, I often question it the most.

The problem is, though I don't know much at all, I know too much to take any test without influencing it. So I do not trust myself to be objective when taking a test. Plus, the questions are always too vague anyhow, they could mean any number of things.

But I do not know enough yet to accurately type myself using knowledge of the functions and their interplay.

I know I have worked really hard on learning to understand, value, respect and appropriately respond to others feelings, though if those feeling have to do with me I still suck at it, and I might suck at it otherwise anyway and am just deluding myself. But I am also excessively passionate- my emotions, when I let them show for real, are all or nothing. I mean. I have straight up, out of nowhere in their mind, declared my undying love for an unsuspecting victim before. oof. Just for example.

As a child, I was notorious for throwing dinner plates full of food across the room at people if someone messed with me and I was anywhere near the kitchen. Didn't even need to be my dinner, necessarily.

And I do have some pretty stern opinions on things, but they seem to be unconventional and based in how ridiculous the rest of the world can be about the matter. My opinions on prostitution for example. Emotionally, I think it is pretty nasty. Logically, I will rant and argue till I am hoarse and have beaten everyone around me into submission if out of nothing more than wanting me to shut up over my belief that it is utter madness and waste of resources for it to be illegal. Including all the ways the problem could be dealt with in a more proper way that actually helps society. Most things though, I refuse to commit to an opinion worth the bother of stating.

And I go through phases where it seems my mind has completely blunted. Theoretical and figuring things out? Ha. I can barely focus on reading a short story, let alone anything I might build knowledge with to create some idea out of. If this phase goes on for too long however I become very miserable and self loathing, eventually a need for some spark of something will lead me to forcing myself to explore new things or falling back on old things for reevaluation and I will begin to become interested in life again..

I'm also all for getting into the physical experience of something, as long as it is not the mundane. I guess that is why I am drawn to making art. But then I'll just stop right when I am getting good at some method and not pick up a paint brush or pencil for sometimes a year or something.

And I am not afraid of people, I just don't really like them. But I love a crowd, as long as it is something like a rock show where I am lost in the crowd, a part of a whole, and interactions with others are like fleeting single serving friendships found and forgotten just as quickly.

To summarize, I am likely an XXXX. It is the only thing that makes sense at this point.

I can relate to a lot of this.

Except I would probably call myself an XXXP

They do say INTPs are "the first to think and the last to know" which I like a lot, but again I don't know if that's how I am or how I want to be. Simply being indecisive and speculating a lot can't qualify someone as INTP right?

I can also especially relate to being (or at least thinking I am) good about understanding others' emotions but NOT MY OWN.

 

[MichiganJFrog]

I can't even decide if the entire system is even valid.

Me neither. I remember reading somewhere that the only thing the scientific community can agree on is that people have different personalities.

 

[DetachedRetina]

Yeah the system is certainly intriguing, but its predictive and even descriptive power is very limited it seems.

 

[Architect]

INTP's are by nature full of self doubt. When I was younger I was convinced - or convinced myself - that I was INFJ. Then I though INTJ for the longest time. Finally as I got older I had enough history of my behavior and life to recognize a clear INTP.

As for Typology unbelievers - just live a little longer and have kids. You'll see these patterns play out everywhere.

 

[MissQuote]

I have four kids. From teen aged to young primary school.

their types are much more obvious, though i accept that they are not set in stone yet.

 

[MissQuote]

Actually, watching my ITP ten year old is the one thing, person, that makes me think I am not crazy or wrong about thinking there is something to the typology thing. As well as making me think I must certainly be an INTP, after all.

 

[DetachedRetina]

I was over at INFJ forum and I noticed Bird is there now.

I wondered if it was the same Bird who used to post here. It was.

I was looking old posts because of that.

I came across a post about a 31 year old INTP female with MS in a thread that @INxJ started.

There is a person whose blog I follow who is a 31 year old woman with 4 kids who has MS

If I'm not mistaken you are a 31 year old female INTP with 4 kids right @MissQuote ?

Coincidences happen more often than coincidences though I guess.

 

[Hadoblado]

Bird has been on those forums a long time (being an INFJ and all).

 

[DetachedRetina]

Bird has been on those forums a long time (being an INFJ and all).

Yeah, I was more interested in the female/31/4 kids/MS coincidence.

But it's too bad Bird isn't around here anymore. Also Melllvar, s/he and I had good talks.

 

[MissQuote]

I was over at INFJ forum and I noticed Bird is there now.

I wondered if it was the same Bird who used to post here. It was.

I was looking old posts because of that.

I came across a post about a 31 year old INTP female with MS in a thread that @INxJ started.

There is a person whose blog I follow who is a 31 year old woman with 4 kids who has MS

If I'm not mistaken you are a 31 year old female INTP with 4 kids right @MissQuote ?

Coincidences happen more often than coincidences though I guess.

That is weird. I do not have a blog though. So I don't think it could be me.

What is MS? Muscular Sclerosis? I don't have any of that.

 

[DetachedRetina]

Multiple Sclerosis.

I sometimes feel rather schizoid or conspiracy theorist-ish.

It is a cool, freaky feeling and I like it but it passes. I guess this is what I'm supposed to feel when I go to church?

 

[MissQuote]

Multiple Sclerosis.

I sometimes feel rather schizoid or conspiracy theorist-ish.

It is a cool, freaky feeling and I like it but it passes. I guess this is what I'm supposed to feel when I go to church?

That happens to me too. That eerie what is going on here stuff.

It reminds me of this guy, this other internet person I knew, named Matthew, he got all freaked out one day because he was in a mood and 'on a whim' he painted his nails blue.

Immediately after doing this he opened a book up and the first little bit he read was about a character named Matthew, who, on a whim, painted his nails blue.

so I felt commpeled to tell him about silly idea called this silly idea. It made him feel better.

 

[DetachedRetina]

so I felt commpeled to tell him about silly idea called this silly idea. It made him feel better.

I want to live in that city. (Synchronicity)

 

[MissQuote]

click the red button

 

[DetachedRetina]

We need a "like" button.

Actually I take that back. But I would have "liked" that post

 

[C.Hecker88]

Then I read an article about INTP children, and it definitely did not reflect me.
The article that accurately reflected me was an ENTP child. I would say that a lot of my life was tumultuous, and I probably have a well developed Ti along with it.

I've seen a few of these before. You can't trust these because at such a young age your personality is still developing and adapting.

 

[Reluctantly]

Me neither. I remember reading somewhere that the only thing the scientific community can agree on is that people have different personalities.

That sounds like a bad start. How can they agree that people have different personalities, if they can't agree on what they are? Oh yeah, science can criticize everything, except itself. I musn't talk badly of science or somebody might pop out of a rock and give me another long diatribe on how the scientific method is designed to be flawless.

We need a "like" button.

Actually I take that back. But I would have "liked" that post

I'd welcome a like button, if there can also be a hate button. Makes it more fun that way. I would seek to accrue the most hates and be proud of my achievement. Likes are for fools!! muwhahaha

 

[Niclmaki]

INTP's are by nature full of self doubt. When I was younger I was convinced - or convinced myself - that I was INFJ. Then I though INTJ for the longest time. Finally as I got older I had enough history of my behavior and life to recognize a clear INTP.

As for Typology unbelievers - just live a little longer and have kids. You'll see these patterns play out everywhere.

Do you think it's because INTPs and their Ti can see how it makes all logical sense for a cognitive theory, and have Ne to theorize how it would play out. But when we stop that and look into the "real" world, we have maybe 1-3 "typed" people we have thoroughly case studied.

Personally for me, I have a lot of doubts about the entire system as well. For me to understand something entirely I kind of have to have that subjective experience with it. But so far, I can only observe it very well in myself, and slightly in others.

I make the observations of other peoples types ALL the time. It's almost second nature to me to observe someone and say "they're using X and X functions" their type is probably "XXXX" because they act like this. I don't normally share it, but I watch a lot and DO see patterns. But i still doubt it, if you look hard enough for what you're looking for, you will find it.

 

[Sigastrialomundinjia]

Look. Stop doubting. Act. Act INTP and you shall be INTP. I promise.

 

[Starswirl]

To summarize, I am likely an XXXX. It is the only thing that makes sense at this point.

But you're assuming that not only is MBTI correct, but that all personality can be explained by the four dichotomies.

No, you can't say you're an XXXX. More like an X...XX, with n "X"s (for values of n greater than or equal to 0).