Why are INTP talents so unappeciated?

[scorpiomover]

Here is a quote from Jung's Psychological Types.

It is about Introverted Rational Types (Ti-doms and Fi-doms):

Almost more even than the extraverted is the introverted type subject to misunderstanding: not so much because the extravert is a more merciless or critical adversary, than he himself can easily be, but because the style of the epoch in which he himself participates is against him. Not in relation to the extraverted type, but as against our general accidental world-philosophy, he finds himself in the minority, not of course numerically, but from the evidence of his own feeling. In so far as he is a convinced participator in the general style, he undermines his own foundations, since the present style, with its almost exclusive acknowledgment of the visible and the tangible, is opposed to his principle. Because of its invisibility, he is obliged to depreciate the subjective factor, and to force himself to join in the extraverted overvaluation of the object. He himself sets the subjective factor at too low a value, and his feelings of inferiority are his chastisement for this sin. Little wonder, therefore, that it is precisely our epoch, and particularly those movements which are somewhat ahead of the time, that reveal the subjective factor in every kind of exaggerated, crude and grotesque form of expression. I refer to the art of the present day.

The undervaluation of his own principle makes the introvert egotistical, and forces upon him the psychology of the oppressed. The more egotistical he becomes, the stronger his impression grows that these others, who are apparently able, without qualms, to conform with the present style, are the oppressors against whom he must guard and [p. 498] protect himself. He does not usually perceive that he commits his capital mistake in not depending upon the subjective factor with that same loyalty and devotion with which the extravert follows the object By the undervaluation of his own principle, his penchant towards egoism becomes unavoidable, which, of course, richly deserves the prejudice of the extravert. Were he only to remain true to his own principle, the judment of 'egoist' would be radically false; for the justification of his attitude would be established by its general efficacy, and all misunderstandings dissipated

Agree or disagree?


What are your own views on this?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

MBTI INTP is not necessarily Jung's Introverted Rational Thinking type, whether by real life phenomenon or system concept. I can show why if you are curious, though you can find compelling information right in the freely available online version of Chapter X of Psychological Types.



Anyway, I think it's due to the fact that Introverts live psychologically underground, that they are not necessarily the numerical minority(*), but have less of a voice and impact on the surface of society. Therefore any innate talents Introverts posses, and INTPs no less, will be undervalued by and foreign to surface society, while those with a voice and ability to impact, Extraverts, have more desirable and relevant traits because surface interaction is dominated by them.


* - just realized the quote had the same thing, probably slipped into my subconscious

 

[EditorOne]

It was certainly a beautifully written and reasoned passage. I have no opinion, but thank you for posting it.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Anyway, I think it's due to the fact that Introverts live psychologically underground, that they are not necessarily the numerical minority(*), but have less of a voice and impact on the surface of society. Therefore any innate talents Introverts posses, and INTPs no less, will be undervalued by and foreign to surface society, while those with a voice and ability to impact, Extraverts, have more desirable and relevant traits because surface interaction is dominated by them.

Ability or desire? I do not think that Introverts lack the ability to make changes, just the desire. It doesn't seem that we lack the ability, but rather the disposition or inclination. Quite a few major changes and advances were made by Introverts.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Ability or desire? I do not think that Introverts lack the ability to make changes, just the desire. It doesn't seem that we lack the ability, but rather the disposition or inclination. Quite a few major changes and advances were made by Introverts.

I guess inclination or disposition are better word choices than ability, better than desire too though.

 

[InvisibleJim]

Because many INTPs don't have a passion for finding external consensus and therefore lack the connections that are made as a consequence.

I like people who tell me what they think rather than what they feel. I much prefer people who care what I think in response.

A no bargaining position completely eliminates catalysis and synergies.

 

[Pyropyro]

Yeah, I think introverts are really prone to create their own self-imposed hells. I don't think we need to be extraverted, just socially active enough to keep our inner worlds from collapsing on itself.

 

[pernoctator]

An introvert's talents will naturally be less appreciated by being less visible. Broadcasting them is an extroverted thing to do.

 

[walfin]

Hypothesis: this might depend on the country/community which you live in.

 

[AureliaSeverina]

An introvert's talents will naturally be less appreciated by being less visible. Broadcasting them is an extroverted thing to do.

I agree. INTPs are known for having many hidden talents. Sometimes they don't tell anyone about their talents because they are too modest and sometimes they do it as a way of avoiding work. If people knew about all their talents, they'd bother them for help all the time.
I'm an INTJ and I don't exactly "broadcast" my talents, as in I don't show off about them. But I do whine and complain a lot when I've taken on some crack-pot project and that makes my bosses etc more aware of how much work I'm doing.
INTPs just need to complain more

 

[intpz]

@AureliaSeverina Complain more about...?

On-topic: Actually extroverts indeed can achieve more in some fields. For example, if they wanna have a website, or create a successful game with no budget, it's easier to do for an extrovert. As introverts, we don't have 500 Facebook friends that we chat daily, nor do we know many people who could help with these things. In these two cases, being an introvert would mean to rely on chance, that someone will notice your website. Exception being the ability to pay for advertising or have enough money to fund your project. Whereas an extravert could simply tell about that project to hundreds of his friends, who would spread the word around. Experience and observation talking here.

P.S. Avoiding work by not letting other people know that you can do something is really good. Although it pisses me off when someone thinks that I'm an idiot. But hey - if that means he won't ask me to repair his PC for free, and when I turn him down create various bullshit about me that could potentially harden the "I need to get a job!" task, it's a good trade-off.