Maturity in the INTP

[Melkor]

Hm..
Well, having spent an excessive amount of time amongst you blatant madman introverted thinkers of perceived intuition,

(And please, don't be thinking of replying in relation to that and trying to be a smart ass by rearranging the letters and such, and not relating to the topic at all)

I had a thought.

It committed suicide after a while, saying how it was lonely and cramped, but I managed to find it's memoirs amongst it's corpse.

It's simply that, in you INTP's, I have noticed, a certain, well...silliness, concerning most things in life, which emerges at times, entirely randomly, and at others, in a great big chaotic circle of group madness.

While one would feel inclined to label the younger members with this plague, it is sadly, very inaccurate to do so.

In fact, the older members are just as silly, if not more, and their only defence is that they happen to have easily accessible bursts of wisdom at highly irregular intervals.

-Glares at E.B,Snowqueen,Lor, and anyone else with wrinkles-

To be honest, when I learnt the ages of most people on here, I was severely shocked.

From experience, I generally associated such internet joviality with younger (as in, below 20) members, who hadn't quite grasped the barge pole of life just yet.
But of course it turned out that people such as Noddy were in fact well established members of society(if not respectable, considerate ones)..


So, this topic asks:


-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

and lastly

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

 

[The Fury]

1) Yes

2) I'm still pretty silly but when I need to be I can be quite mature.

3) In the more detailed personality reports, they do say that the INTP humor is somewhat zany.

4) Depends on the situation and the person. For me, this sense of humour has helped me to make friends very easily and when I'm alone I can always come up with some absurd comedic situations which amuse me. Of course when I do this outside and suddenly start laughing, people tend to give me odd looks.

5) Hmm...I know, let's blame the government.

 

[loveofreason]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

Yes. Both.

-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

We get sillier as we get older. But some youngsters are extraordinarily gifted for their lack of age.

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

The more experience the INTP gains the more the pure absurdity of life impresses itself upon the mind... which has the required objectivity, perceptive capacity and intuitive capabilities to synthesise a ludicrous echo in response.

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Good.

and lastly

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

Absolutely no one.

 

[snowqueen]

^^^ all the above.

especially the older you get the less you can take life seriously.

It's a good thing of course. I never go in the sun so I have no wrinkles except for the laughter lines. Look at my profile photo if you don't believe me!

My INTP colleague and I hide in our office giggling at conversations we've had with the others who take things terribly seriously. Strangely enough though to the outside world we are incredibly serious academics (which in some ways we are ...)

On the other hand I have been totally shocked when I've discovered the young age of some of the members in relation to the quality of writing and sophistication of humour you produce. Makes me feel there's hope for the future of the human race.

 

[flow]

I just started playing through Twilight Princess, so I enjoy your picture. Your questions however, are right out. Perhaps wisdom is knowing when and when not to be silly, and most other adults simply forgot how to go about silliness. It probably fluctuates with age, being extreme in the teenage years and then again in the later years. Psychologically, I think it's because we have the ability to be exceptionally serious and focused, and so we revel in the moments that we can get away from that. I could not ever think of a reason why wise/silly adults would be bad for society, we need more of them in my opinion. And I blame evolution for my INTPness!

 

[trife]

I strongly wish to be one of those goofy (silly) senile old men when I'm old. They bring me great amusement.

 

[saffyangelis]

Isn't it obvious? Us INTPs mature in reverse. We start off incredibly mature as babies, but as we grow, by the time we get old enough to talk, the immaturity all sets in, and it's all downhill from there =P

But, slightly more seriously, maybe we just manage to see the funny side in everything, and don't panic so much about stuff? And I think I can remember a few posts a while back when people were talking about being able to laugh at ourselves. I'm sure that's evidence of being able to see the funny side in everything - being able to laugh at all the silly/stupid/painful things we've done.

 

[Felan]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

The death of a child is a terrible thing, even if it is that child growing up to be an adult.

-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

I think it the maturity in youth is more conspicuous and the immaturity in age is more conspicuous. I think they are both always there and possibly in the same measure, just which is the notable one depends on age.

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

I think when you relish in possibilities you can't help but marvel at the odd funny ones that pass your thoughts. For me I play with ideas and playing with funny ideas leads to laughter. If only others understood my humor better I would find my task of indecisively ruling the world much easier.

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

I like having my childish side. I like having my serious side.

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

I speculate that there was a silly virus about 10,000 years ago that infected every human with silliness. There was little point to this virus on its own though so it became ingrained in the genetic code of humans. The real question is whether being INTP causes processes to express more of this virus or if it is a natural excess of silliness that encourages INTPness.

 

[Hawkeye]

I applied to be an air traffic controller a couple of years back. I had to take a few spatial awareness tests and some other intelligence tests.

The only reason I didn't get the job was I was considered too relaxed on the stress test! haha. People were falling to the ground and it appeared I didn't seem to be bothered about it to the extent of actually saving them.


As for my maturity; I never take anything seriously (probably a silly idea to go for an Air Traffic Controller position in the first place.). In fact I nearly got fired from my job (barmaid) for drawing 30 smiley faces on post-it notes and sticking them all around the bar (I was bored).

The problem I have is that because I never take anything seriously the effects can be disastrous. I studied Electronic Engineering at University and I enjoyed it (to start with). In my final year the University had almost sapped the life out of me... I nearly completely lost my love for electronics!

I had to design a robotic head with a supporting 80 page technical report for my final year project. I came up with loads of ideas for it and I was really enthusiastic about it. I never actually started building it until about 7 months after I had started the project. I left myself about 2 weeks until the deadline.

Unfortunately, I fell down the cellar at work. I flew the full flight of concrete steps superman style finally impacting on the lovely concrete floor (that will teach me to try and run down the stairs...). I fractured my arm and pretty much destroyed my shoulder. I'll need an operation to fix it properly.

Anyways, this meant that I couldn't even start building my robotic head. I had words with my supervisor and he said it would be taken into consideration but I should have most of it built by now. I lied and said "yeah, it’s nearly done and I think you'll be quite surprised when you see it.”

I didn't panic however (I have no idea why)

I had some components bought at home and I attempted to at least try and build my robot to some standard. Soldering with one hand is quite difficult and I was getting nowhere. I asked my Dad if he could help and wow... The entire board melted.

I personally found this slightly amusing and just typical...


So for my final project I went into the demonstration office armed with a box of K'Nex and a 20 page booklet containing nothing but the words "Robotic Head" and smiley faces. I built a little robot out of the K'Nex in front of two baffled examiners one of them my supervisor. They had their faces in their hands completely lost for words as I coolly demonstrated how my 'robot' worked. I was asked question about mechanisms and how everything 'would' have worked and they said they were incredibly impressed with my potential.

I probably have a legendary status at that University now. I don't feel proud of what I did, but it’s just how I handle stressful situations I guess. It prevents me spiralling into a depression phase.

Needless to say I didn't pass my degree because of this...

 

[EditorOne]

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?"

You of course meant "who can we thank for it?"

I never feel mature, merely fatigued on occasion.

 

[Carnap]

ah, many a time I've humiliated myself with my immaturity. Haven't wanted to eat for days after the humiliation! but it all blows over, because it turns out I exaggerate a lot too.

 

[sagewolf]

How silly I am depends entirely on the person I'm with and the situation I'm in. Generally around my friends, I'm a nutcase, and in class, I'm more serious, although I still manage to crack jokes to the person next to me-- I find it virtually impossible to leave my sense of humour behind in any situation. (It can get extreme, too: one time I announced, in the middle of a completely unrelated conversation, that the air was made of ghosts, because I'd had this bizarre idea that the air might be made of ghosts, and I proceeded to explain it to all my friends, idly wondering why they'd begun to walk so fast all of a sudden.) The only other people I know who are like that are probable NFs, though: the one person I know who might be an INTP is very serious-seeming, but I don't know him well either, so maybe I just haven't seen the silliness.

I think Felan is right here: out levels of maturity and silliness probably remain constant throughout life; they seem odd because they're out of sync with everyone else's, no matter how old we are. Part of it might also be that we're so inward-facing and pensive, though. There seems to be this common impression that if you're sitting on your own and just thinking quietly, you must be thinking of really impressive, amazing, and profound things. Deep things. Things that hold the key to unravelling the mysteries of the universe.

Like the ghosts hidden everywhere in the air around us.

 

[Fred_is_dead_7x]

There is no appropriate time for seriousness.

I do agree with the reverse aging theory.

As a personal anecdote, I worked as a lifeguard a while back. Whenever I told people this they responded "You save lives?" They were, I believe, genuinely confused. My response: "No, I just get paid to watch the pools."

 

[Ulysses]

On the other hand I have been totally shocked when I've discovered the young age of some of the members in relation to the quality of writing and sophistication of humour you produce. Makes me feel there's hope for the future of the human race.

Yes, those assface jokes of mine were crème de la crème.

 

[Cryss Winters]

I never feel mature, merely fatigued on occasion.

Nicely put.

I've always been called mature for my age, but I'm also the craziest sob you'll ever meet. (just don't look in the mirror) =3

 

[Concojones]

Silly?! I've always been very mature and quite serious. But I'm drawn to crazy (still not silly) friends.

 

[brain enclosed in flesh]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

It seems I am immature when I am supposed to be mature and mature when I am supposed to be immature-

any sort of group ritual that is supposed to be taken seriously, I cannot.
any sort of activity that is supposed to be fun, I do not have fun. In other words-

funerals- hilarious.
roller coasters- serious.

-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

well, in that probably judging types seem to become more serious and committed to responsibility as they age, we perceivers appear increasingly immature. I seem to become more open-minded as I age, which I think some view as immaturity. (If that makes sense. I didn't get much sleep last night and am having difficulty formulating my thoughts.)

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

see above.

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

pros and cons, of course. I'd like to accomplish something in my life, but I can't seem to have a strong opinion about anything. Pro is I think I'm becoming kinder and more accepting.

and lastly

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

Count your blessings, kid. We won't be close-minded assholes when we are older.

 

[Anling]

The death of a child is a terrible thing, even if it is that child growing up to be an adult.

I completely agree with this. I think people are too convinced that growing up means you can't ever be silly anymore. I like our crazy random humor and I think the world could do with more of it.

 

[Vegard Pompey]

and don't panic so much about stuff?

This is not true for all INTPs T_T

 

[Tyria]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

Do you really have to ask this question? Take a look at the INTPness thread...


-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

It depends on the person, but it can be found at any age. I blame statistics if it can associate the phenomenon with age.


-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

Perhaps people within this personality take life seriously. Perhaps we just need to vent in a fun and immature way to make up for being (or acting) mature.


-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, the INTPness thread was very funny. However, the power of the INTP can be used for good or bad things, so I find it hard to say it is either A or B.


-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

Psychology, the russians, others, Cthulu, pets, videogames, line dances, carbonated beverages, sugar, medicine, computers, technology, the 5 for 5 deal, MBTI, parents, school, peers, multimedia, the internet, clowns, zoos, global warming, Enron, the recession, potato chips, ketchup, cheese, dairyqueen (the alter ego of snowqueen), multivitamins, depravity, health, doctors, psychologist and psychiatrists, mathematicians, teachers, the military, Saddam Hussein, the Patriot Act, the prime minister of the UK, terrorists, Osama bin Laden, mindless advertising, soap operas, court tv shows, and...... melkor.

 

[Venture]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

Do you really have to ask this question? Take a look at the INTPness thread...


-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

It depends on the person, but it can be found at any age. I blame statistics if it can associate the phenomenon with age.


-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

Perhaps people within this personality take life seriously. Perhaps we just need to vent in a fun and immature way to make up for being (or acting) mature.


-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, the INTPness thread was very funny. However, the power of the INTP can be used for good or bad things, so I find it hard to say it is either A or B.


-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

Psychology, the russians, others, Cthulu, pets, videogames, line dances, carbonated beverages, sugar, medicine, computers, technology, the 5 for 5 deal, MBTI, parents, school, peers, multimedia, the internet, clowns, zoos, global warming, Enron, the recession, potato chips, ketchup, cheese, dairyqueen (the alter ego of snowqueen), multivitamins, depravity, health, doctors, psychologist and psychiatrists, mathematicians, teachers, the military, Saddam Hussein, the Patriot Act, the prime minister of the UK, terrorists, Osama bin Laden, mindless advertising, soap operas, court tv shows, and...... melkor.

YES!!!


Crimson!


You have wrote the truth. I spent hours last night searching my head for the preciese answer for the thread and yet you did it with he Origanal Questions.

This perhaps is probably the place that I come to vent with sillines.

I do not think silliness should be refferd to as immaturity. You can hardly see the real person that is INTP I think, ecspeacialy with me. Though the majority of my posts are silly I am much more mature than people see, but only in my mind that is not really externaly as you can see on this forum.

 

[Hawkeye]

At work I have been told I'm like 'working with a child but in a good way'.

 

[echoplex]

I love silliness. Silliness is everything! All hail silliness!

And I blame everyone! You have made me this way, and now, prepare to....put up with my silly behavior!!!

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

When we are younger, we fear drawing attention to ourselves, especially attention from strangers so we act poised and reserved. It's our 'safe mode'. Embarassment is one of the worst fears. To suffer it is painful so we hide the goofy side at least until we feel comfortable with the company we're keeping. It can take anywhere from 6 hours to 6 years.

As we get older, experience teaches us that embarassment isn't the worst thing that can happen to us. Whatever you do is usually forgotten by others quickly and we ourselves make it into a horror it isn't. In time, we learn to stop giving a damn and our silly side gets loose and acts like a sailor on it's first shore leave in years.

 

[Android]

Something I've noticed is that as I get older I'm able to laugh at more serious things. I used to literally punch people in the face for telling racist or sexist jokes back when I was around 12 or 13.. now I can laugh at them quite enthusiastically - I think because of the absolute absurdity they represent. I have a group of friends that spend most of their time playing WoW and making incredibly disgusting statements and jokes (none of which I really want to put into writing anywhere), but when I'm around them I almost die of laughter. My sense of humor has a strong link to my sense of absurdity. The last time I saw the video of the Hindenburg crashing I laughed out loud suddenly at the statement, "Oh the Humanity," causing a lot of disgusted looks to be pointed my way - not sure what exactly was going on there, but it was genuine laughter.

 

[sagewolf]

^I've heard it said that humor is a method of discussing something very serious by putting distance between yourself and the issues it presents. I have infonesia about it, but I think that was the gist of the argument: instead of discussing something seriously, jokes are used as a way of breaching a subject without seeming intimidating. I'll see if I can't find that... it was intriguing...

IB, you're on to something brilliant there. The fear of embarrassment in youth may also be due, in part, to our being in a closed environment-- school-- with the same people who were there last year and will be there next year. In later years, your social circle is more open and diffuse, so it might be easier to let loose and know it won't have a huge effect on your life. (You have more important things than embarrassment to worry about (like paying for rent and groceries), too, as you said, when in school there's just basically grades and social standing, with nothing whatsoever to worry about that's truly important.)

What I actually came here to say before I decided to reply to people is that the duality of the Ti-Ne axis is one of the things I like most about teh INTPness. Most of the time my Ti presents a serious (read: blank) facade to the outside world, but every so often it can step back and let the far freer Ne take over; indeed, the more chances the Ne gets to be temporarily dominant, the more effective Ti seems to be. I was at a party last night and while I was going mad and having fun, my Ti was contentedly sitting back and analysing my tendency to be either very quiet/serious or very free-flowing and energetic. Then my Ne got it to help with an argument over which drug was best to go to hell on and the train of thought was lost. (We managed to agree on LSD/tobacco, so long as the cigarette set you on fire and you weren't just smoking it.)

 

[Halcyon]

The question sets up a false dichotomy-- that a person is labeled either as mature or immature. From my experience, INTPs are timeless. We inherently possess qualities that could fall under both categories, but to look at those qualities an give an INTP a label of "mature" or "immature" does not do justice to the whole scope of the INTP's personality. The INTP is both a 5 year old , curious and bewildered by his surroundings, and a wizenned philosopher, who seems to know more truth about his surroundings than anyone else. But the INTP is also neither, because he defies labels and trancsends descriptions that attempt to circumscribe him time and time again. And in my experience, this even goes for the label of INTP itself.

 

[Toad]

I was talking to my gf the other day and she says I am very immature...I think I am just eccentric...

 

[Razare]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

You have to distinguish between different types of maturity. INTP's are more mature than most when it comes to having an insightful, well thought out perspective on an issue. We'll give a response that you might expect from a person twice our age, is that not maturity? Yet we can behave like children, but that's because many of us lack emotional maturity. Intellect, wisdom, and mature expression of feeling are three different things one might associate with maturity, yet few adults possess maturity in all three. My ISTJ step father for example is utterly incapable of any expression of feeling and will leave on a motorcycle ride if any argument takes place. Very child like in many ways. Nor is he intelligent, my ability to analyze was greater at age 14 than he achieved in 50 years of living. Yet he has accumulated sayings and general knowledge over the years that makes him wise in my eyes. He can shed subtle information on topics that analysis would usually overlook. He's also a man in every sense of the word, very serious when it comes to his responsibilities. That is also another form of maturity.


-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

As you age, you should at least become more mature in some areas, but it is doubtful a person can truly mature in all aspects.

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

Nah, I think maturity is an issue for everyone, just INTP's are generally inept at emotional maturity. This makes us seem very immature when this one aspect rears its head, but is it any different than 60 year old woman living off social security gambling her money away, hoping she can win big and retire off of it? Yeah, maybe she doesn't have an emotional meltdown, but she's still behaving rather naive for her age, don't you think?

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Neither.

and lastly

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

Well now that face has left, we'll have to find a new scapegoat. Any volunteers?

 

[quitejaded]

Very interesting. My mother is constantly asking me to find where I can take some sort of AGE IQ test because she thinks my mind is operating at the maturity level of a 10 year old.

 

[QSR]

Sometimes I wonder if all of the people on this forum are actually very different, then I see a thread like this and I realize we all have the exact same weaknesses. We've been taught by society that our lack of production is a terrible burden to the rest of them, when in fact we have a lot to offer. Hawkeye's robot sounds like something I would do, although I'm just slightly better functioning than that. Probably due to the people around me helping out.

I actually built a robot in college with a partner who didn't do shit. He was very helpful with the design, though. I became obsessed with the programming of it and the project was quite successful overall. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it was so much fun, of course. I had another robotics project later in college and I basically explained to the rest of my team how to program it. I wished it had been more challenging, of course. Once we learn how to do something, we can be incredibly productive, but the learning can be hard. But mainly we are productive in the world of ideas, and will never be much for building any sort of widgets.

I feel a lot more mature than many of the people around me in terms of my likes and dislikes and humor. However, all of my friends are married and having kids, etc. while I'm single and love to go to clubs. I agree we start out mature then we get kind of static. I guess because we like to learn more than we like to execute.

 

[meshram.alok]

I don't think any INTP will feel themselves if they keep their childishness apart.

I value my sense of wonder the most. It's what keeps me alive, gives me hope and makes myself worthy to myself. If that were to die, I would break down horribly.

I'd rather be called a child or weird (in fact, I love it when someone calls me one of those things) than be a "mature" adult who has drawn away from reality.

 

[RubberDucky451]

I'm extremely chill about everything, I've never been very picky or easily aggravated. If anything serious is presented to me i try to find the humor in it. This is equally true regarding sad stories presented to me. Who doesn't love being cynical?

 

[dwags222]

I think my silliness (which i have moreso in my social life than on this forum) definitely has to do with my sense of humor. but it also sometimes has to do with my fear of letting people understand the real me, i mean the real real me that is purely my mind and thoughts. but at the same time i think other people are important and i don't want to be an asshole, so instead of presenting them the real me i just present them with my "social" self, who is a goofy, off the wall, laid back, fun and likeable character.

i used to think i was just being stuck up or an ass hole because i wasn't willing to present my real self. but then i realised i was this way because the times i do present my real self to someone, they often don't have a clue what i'm talking about, so with those people i simply put on my social mask. but then with the few people who in the world who can actually relate to what i'm talking about, those are the people who become my "true" friends. (though even they can't understand me all the time, plus somethings are just way too personal, and i do like to let loose fairly often, so i am still silly with them too, just not ALL the time like i am with some other friends or aquaintances.

 

[Black Pat]

I think the "silliness" is the manifestation of the N-F axis, which is what the world sees of an INTP since Introverted Thinking is the primary function and Extraverted Intuition the secondary function. This will be "immature" until the N function blossoms and, more importantly, the F function develops enough to keep up...That last part takes a long time, I suppose.

 

[walfin]

This will be "immature" until the N function blossoms

Considering that the N function is likely to be the most responsible for silliness, I believe the converse is true.

Most INTPs seem more inclined to let others see their silly side (sometimes their dark side though). Perhaps INTPs could be considered "immature" because they do not necessarily engage in "age-appropriate" behaviours, so there is no apparent "progress".

 

[loveofreason]

The question sets up a false dichotomy-- that a person is labeled either as mature or immature. From my experience, INTPs are timeless. We inherently possess qualities that could fall under both categories, but to look at those qualities an give an INTP a label of "mature" or "immature" does not do justice to the whole scope of the INTP's personality. The INTP is both a 5 year old , curious and bewildered by his surroundings, and a wizenned philosopher, who seems to know more truth about his surroundings than anyone else. But the INTP is also neither, because he defies labels and trancsends descriptions that attempt to circumscribe him time and time again. And in my experience, this even goes for the label of INTP itself.

I find this so true...

how is it we manage to be childish and austere... foolish and wise... naive and cynical... and then transcend these conditions to be something indefinable?

Timeless, contrary, enigmatic and paradoxical are perhaps the least deceptive appellations.

 

[Ghost1986]

-Have you noticed a certain immaturity in yourself or fellow INTP'S?

yes in others and a bit in my self.

-Is it the same for all ages, or does it change to a greater or lesser extent with age/youth?

the younger you are, the less you know and the more immature you are.

-Is there a particular reason for this, in relation to the psychology/personality of the INTP?

don't know. iam a political scientist (in training) not a psychologist.

-Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

i hate immaturity in anyone over the age of 12 including my self. thus its bad.

and lastly

-WHO CAN WE BLAME FOR IT?

a mix of nature and nurture. mature being a slightly larger part.