INTP

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I am an INTP Myers-Briggs personality type with strong scores in all four categories.

The INTP Personality Type

The INTP personality type is nicknamed The Logician and belongs to the NT Intellectual temperament. INTPs are easygoing yet private, with a colorful inner world that leaves them constantly buzzing with ideas. They are the most rational out of all the 16 personality types. INTPs evaluate everything using logic. In fact, they like to figure out how things work, and they thrive on the theoretical. One of their gifts is being able to analyze complex problems thoroughly. At the same time, they do not like rigid rules and often do not abide by them. Ultimately, INTPs are independent intellectuals who strive to think for themselves.

Also called Logicians, INTPs are Introverts who direct their energy inward. They are energized by spending time alone, and they are typically more comfortable in small groups or one-on-one settings rather than in large groups. When it comes to how they process information, INTPs are Intuitive types. Their thought process can be intriguingly deep and future-oriented, and they can see endless possibilities. Being imaginative is instinctive for them. It’s always interesting inside their heads because they are filled with abstract and complex ideas, which are grounded by their preference for Thinking. INTPs make decisions primarily with their head, not with emotion. They are impersonal and objective, trusting facts and hard data over subjective feelings. Finally, as a Perceiving personality type, INTPs have a relaxed, flexible attitude, choosing to keep their options open. They avoid routines and rules, and they’re prone to improvising rather than making detailed plans.

The Logician personality type is acutely autonomous – they do not like feeling controlled. Traditional roles can feel debilitating to them because INTPs want plenty of time and freedom to focus on their intellectual pursuits. Because of their independent nature, it’s not surprising that Relationships are on INTPs’ radar but are not always of first importance. However, they respect people who are genuine. As long as their independence is respected, INTPs are supportive and willing to make sacrifices in relationships that are important to them.

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” — Albert Einstein 

INTPs love to learn. Although they enjoy networking to exchange ideas and knowledge, spending time alone to reflect on what they’ve learned is necessary for them. Their attention can drift quickly unless the learning experience demands intellectual competence and mastery. Conceptual perfection is their ideal, from well-thought-out theorems that connect the dots flawlessly to logically sensible explanations of day-to-day things.

INTP Key Facts

INTPs are one of the NT temperament personality types (also known as Rationalists, Analysts, or Knowledge-Seekers). These types are characterized as goal-oriented and analytical people who make decisions using rationality. They’re driven to master large amounts of information, and they value competence and self-sufficiency.

Here are some key facts that will help you get to know the Logician personality better:

  • INTPs are one of the most likely personality types to study a foreign language
  • They’re also among the least likely to believe in a higher power
  • More INTPs may experience career dissatisfaction as compared to other types
  • You’ll find many INTPs working in science and technology
  • Their top personal values are freedom, independence, and autonomy

INTP Preferences

Let’s take a closer look at what the four INTP preferences stand for:

Introversion is characterized by a preference to focus on the inner world. INTPs are energized by spending time alone or with a small group. Being with too many people at the same time can be draining for them, and they seek depth rather than breadth in their relationships. As introverts, INTPs take the time to process information internally. They are great listeners, and they listen before talking.

People with Intuition live in the future, and they’re immersed in a world of possibilities. They process information through patterns and impressions. As Intuitives, INTPs value inspiration and imagination. They gather knowledge by reading between the lines. Their abstract nature leads them to gravitate towards deep ideas, concepts and metaphors.

As Thinking types, INTPs are objective. They make decisions based on facts, and they are ruled by their head instead of by their heart. INTPs judge situations and other people based on logic. They prioritize truth over tact, and they can easily identify flaws. Their strong critical thinking skills orient them towards problem-solving. Thinking doesn’t mean INTPs are without emotion – rather, they can step back from it in favor of being impersonal and unbiased.

The Perceiving preference refers to a person’s adaptability and flexibility. INTPs prefer to keep their options open, which is why they thrive with the unexpected and are open to change. This makes them spontaneous people who can juggle several projects at once. They enjoy starting a task more than finishing it. INTPs may not see why work and play should be separate concepts, and they do their best to incorporate both in their lives at the same time.