ISTJ or INTJ?

[Philosophyking87]

[First of all, this is for any INTJ's (primarily) who may happen to be on this site (and any ISTJ's if possible).]

Hey, guys, I need some help. I'm in my early 20s and I've never met my dad (long story). Lately, a few of my siblings who are more familiar with him have wanted us to meet (seeing as he's very similar to me). He's definitely introverted, definitely a thinking type (like me), and definitely a judging type. However, I'm not sure if he's an S or N, so I would like you guys to help me estimate what may be the case, as I'd like to have an idea what his personality type is before I meet him.



- He loves computers (especially playing chess and various other games, and he's so good he actually beats the computer often).
- He use to constantly restore an old vehicle he had in his backyard.
- He seems to enjoy physical activity (or at least staying in shape) and sports (ESPN, ect.).
- He enjoys traveling often and reading National Geographic magazines.
- He has a piano (which I will assume he once learned to play).
- He enjoys playing his guitar and attempting to sing songs (and seems to like The Beatles/John Lennon, like me).
- He used to write poetry in his youth.
- He's very cultured and has art books with paintings (such as van Gogh).
- He has lots of documentaries of all kinds of things.
- He knows an incredible amount of information, and he's always talking about what he knows and the most esoteric, random facts about everything.
- He's also very aware of politics and international news. He enjoys discussing what he knows about all aspects of the world's events.
- In college, he attended a really good university with a major in business (but didn't go all the way). He's been a baker, furniture mover, and assembly line worker.
- In general, he seems to really enjoy learning, with many Encyclopedias, science books, and various information books about life.

Does he sound more INTJ or ISTJ?

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

How do you know for sure that he's ITJ?

What you said fits in better with strong Si than Ni.

 

[Philosophyking87]

How do you know for sure that he's ITJ?

What you said fits in better with strong Si than Ni.

I've been told he's extremely private and reclusive, very logic-oriented (unemotional), and pretty damn structured. I just don't know if he's an N or S.

And why do you think it fits better with Si?

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

I wouldn't necessarily rule out ITP types.

Basically just the overall vibe I got from the list; there was a lot of collecting (things, information) which I would associate moreso with Si - being highly knowledgable rather than conceptual, a lot of physical/sense-based stuff. Didn't strike me as Ni.

It would be useful to know what his mind is doing while he plays chess. I can see an Si being a great chess player due knowing what to do in so many situations, constantly learning knew things from experience or research. An Ni would be a more strategic player, and not based so much on having encountered particular situations, but based on his overall understanding of the game - envisioning outcomes and trying to move there.

 

[Philosophyking87]

I wouldn't necessarily rule out ITP types.

Basically just the overall vibe I got from the list; there was a lot of collecting (things, information) which I would associate moreso with Si - being highly knowledgable rather than conceptual, a lot of physical/sense-based stuff. Didn't strike me as Ni.

It would be useful to know what his mind is doing while he plays chess. I can see an Si being a great chess player due knowing what to do in so many situations, constantly learning knew things from experience or research. An Ni would be a more strategic player, and not based so much on having encountered particular situations, but based on his overall understanding of the game - envisioning outcomes and trying to move there.

Yeah, I'm starting to think he's a very balanced ISTJ.

 

[A22]

Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. They tend to distrust hunches, which seem to come "out of nowhere."[1]:2 They prefer to look for details and facts. For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is more abstract or theoretical, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern). They may be more interested in future possibilities. They tend to trust those flashes of insight that seem to bubble up from the unconscious mind. The meaning is in how the data relates to the pattern or theory.

From Wikipedia -> MBTI

Sensing (S)

Sensing refers to how people process data. Sensing people focus on the present, they are "here and now" people, who are factual and process information through the five senses. They see things as they are, they are concrete thinkers.

Sensing Characteristics
Concrete
Realistic
Lives in the present
Aware of surroundings
Notices details
Practical
Goes by senses
Factual

Intuition (N)

Intuition refers to how people process data. Intuitive people focus on the future and the possibilities. They process information through patterns and impressions. They read between the lines, they are abstract thinkers.

Intuitive Characteristics
Future-focused
Sees possibilities
Inventive
Imaginative
Deep
Abstract
Idealistic
Complicated
Theoretical

http://www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/sensing-intuition/

 

[Philosophyking87]

Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. They tend to distrust hunches, which seem to come "out of nowhere."[1]:2 They prefer to look for details and facts. For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is more abstract or theoretical, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern). They may be more interested in future possibilities. They tend to trust those flashes of insight that seem to bubble up from the unconscious mind. The meaning is in how the data relates to the pattern or theory.

From Wikipedia -> MBTI





http://www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/sensing-intuition/

Posting information about sensing and intuition helps 0%.

 

[A22]

it's just difficult to tell someone's preferences when you haven't met them.

Well I don't know him either. I thought the reason you couldn't tell if he is a S or a N was because you didn't know much about S/N characteristics. I thought that, knowing a few about him (more than I do), you could use that info to see what type he is. And sure, next thread you do I won't post at all.

 

[Beat Mango]

Sounds like an Asperger's. And ISTP, imo.

 

[The Gopher]

... Well I would say ISTP but since we are not allowed to think I will say ISTJ.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

I thought he fit well with ISTP, too.

A lot of the stuff with information sounds like something an INTP would to (Ti-dom), and the physical activity, other sensed based things and his job history are indicative of Se.

Thus far, ISTX.

 

[Words]

I don't know what he is, but most misunderstood dichotomy is J/P. Many ISTP's I have met are quite dictatorial.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Also: how many ISTJs like Star Trek? I know INTJ's love Star Trek (along with INTPs, of course).
My dad's a pretty big Star Trek fan, supposedly.

 

[Puffy]

I'd imagine loads of different types could appreciate Star Trek, just for different reasons.

If he is an ISTJ, Si likes mementos, they are inclined to keep collections of things; Star Trek collections included (;

 

[Philosophyking87]

Hey, guys. Finally got around to getting to know my dad a little. Turns out, he's probably ISTJ. =p

 

[pjoa09]

I am sorry but how the hell do you go job to job as an ISTJ?

Sounds like someone very interested in living life to me.

I always thought ISTJs would be fine with one job.

I dont understand why is he introverted either.

Chose a major in business and likes travelling.

I think ISTP. Se and Ti. Lots of thinking,experiencing, and possible interests in business.

 

[knight in battle]

Seems more INTJ. His extensive reading, sports, and traveling does not truly characterize the ISTJs I know, but describes INTJs to some extent such as CS Lewis and my INTJ friend who loves games, TV shows, and thrilling adventures. My ISTJ roommate is very routine and isn't known to be very experimental or expansive in his interests and plays video games once in a while - not very athletic, except in occasional and routine ways.

The love of ideas is definitely more of an N trait than an S trait. And remember that SJ's are more tradition and duty bound. It is NT's who love ideas, exploration - whether in business or otherwise.

As far as his musical competences, he could be ISTP, but again, his love of random facts suggests more of an N. His business sense places him as more of an INTJ than an INTP.

 

[Zionoxis]

I wouldn't necessarily rule out ITP types.
An Ni would be a more strategic player, and not based so much on having encountered particular situations, but based on his overall understanding of the game - envisioning outcomes and trying to move there.

I'm not sure why, but this specific statement stuck with me. That is EXACTLY how I play, except I really do need to take my opponent's strategy into consideration.

 

[blarg]

It's hard to break the a dichotomy (in this case S/N) when you don't have anything that directly contrasts the opposite ends. For example, if you know that he would rather drink a beer at home than go to a bar, then that would be good evidence that he's I as opposed to E. You need similar evidence that applies to S vs. N.

Spewing out facts without putting them into perspective isn't that effective, because you can't objectively compare them to each other.

 

[Owfin]

This could be any type! Hobbies are not equal to type.

I dunno why people are discounting ISTJ. A lot of these things could describe me.