A Perpetual Chameleon

[Particle]

I've heard it said that INTPs frequently are considered chameleons, blending into whatever situation they are around by reflecting whatever the ambient social conditions happen to be. I can identify with this. It seems like a relatively common thing for humans in general, not just our type.

I've observed myself doing this, but not quite in the same way. It actually took a long time to really discover and abstract what was going on since initially I had just considered myself being discontent in general.

Later I considered myself impulsive but not quickly actionable. Anything I was looking at I would want. This was more the case with people and environments that I saw than products, but it was present for both. If I saw a picture of Alaska, I'd want to move and live there. If I saw a college student, I'd want to go back to college. If I saw a doctor, I'd want to become a doctor. If I saw a married couple, I'd want to start dating. You get the idea.

These impulses are often contradictory, too. I'm nearly antisocial, but if I see a picture of a party I want to have been there despite the fact that I know being there would be taxing socially. The same could be said of the college example. I've already been there and absolutely hated it, so why would I ever imagine myself being happy by going back? It makes no sense.

Only recently did I make the connection that this may be related to the chameleon nature that I, as do many, exhibit. I never seem to be satisfied or happy with what I am or what I'm doing.

I do have to wonder if this behavior is strongly related to this reflective feature of the INTP personality. I know not everybody is like this, but perhaps it is something more likely within our type's population.

 

[intpz]

Some other type, (maybe ENFPs?), and possibly others do tend to blend in, but for manipulative purposes, not to not stand out. INTPs seem to do it to not stand out.

If speaking from personal perspective, while I can virtually blend in by keeping quiet, I cannot do smalltalk without feeling awkward and stupid, I wonder if my smalltalk sounds stupid. But in any case, I dislike being hypocritical, which means I do not like blending in and in most cases - I don't, instead I'm being myself. I've a strong personality that I intend to express rather than hide it and express a reflection of the environment, which would be absolutely hypocritical of me.

 

[TriflinThomas]

I think it's an Fe thing.

 

[intpz]

Fe is being pleasant, this is to not stand out... But I neither Si, nor Ti, nor Ne fits it well, so I guess that Fe may be the correct assumption. MBTI-absent-minded @Architect's needed here!

 

[Architect]

Not Fe, probably the Ti-Ne axis which leads to detachment (Ti) and observation (Ne). Hard to be detached and observing if you stand out.

 

[intpz]

Not Fe, probably the Ti-Ne axis which leads to detachment (Ti) and observation (Ne). Hard to be detached and observing if you stand out.

That makes more sense. *deletes a question*, you've given me an idea for a new thread.

 

[Architect]

Interestingly the chameleon aspect to the INTP nature can suddenly turn off when it comes to midlife, at least in my case. When I was younger I was much more willing and able to blend into my surroundings and act like everybody else. When I hit midlife that ability suddenly turned off. It was unconscious, my unconscious started to give me panic attacks whenever I tried to act outside of my inclinations to blend in with other people. My old job was very people oriented, so fortunately I got a new job which allowed me to work on solo projects.

So while I'm certainly willing and able to act just like everybody else, and I do and probably come off as a fairly pleasant person, I'm only doing it by choice.

 

[intpz]

Are you saying that earlier you weren't doing it by choice?