INTP

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

George Bernard Shaw

Overview of “the Architect”

INTPs are Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

  • Introverted because they are energized by time spent alone and connect most with their inner world.
  • Intuitive because they explore a world of creative ideas and search for information about abstract concepts and new theories.
  • Thinking because they prioritize objective data and logic when making decisions.
  • Perceiving because they live spontaneously and follow their inspirations and energy to complete tasks.

INTPs are very intelligent types who seek autonomy and intellectual stimulation. Having freedom to collect a breadth of information and time to discern the accuracy of that information is their happy place. They enjoy space to think and work at their own time and in their own style. With inquisitive minds and rare perspectives, INTPs fearlessly chisel their understanding of reality and shape it into something entirely new. Their multi-dimensional approach is complex and always appeals to logic and reason.

INTPs love quiet time to organize their thoughts and need flexibility to roam intellectually. They are big picture thinkers who want to have complete understanding of something before voicing their opinion or taking action. They are very detail-oriented types who carefully categorize and process past experiences. They tend to follow their inspirations and dislike being bound to obligations. INTPs are innovative in thought, precise in speech, and articulate in discussion. They enjoy expanding their understanding and highly value personal freedom.

Cognitive Functions

In the Myers-Briggs personality system there are eight cognitive functions. Your unique personality is a road map pointing to the four cognitive functions that you access consciously. Every personality will have two extroverted functions and two introverted functions. Every personality will also have one feeling function, one thinking function, one intuitive function, and one sensing function. For more help and practice identifying cognitive functions for the sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types check out this worksheet. All eight functions are as follows:

  • Extroverted Intuition
  • Introverted Intuition
  • Extroverted Sensing
  • Introverted Sensing
  • Extroverted Feeling
  • Introverted Feeling
  • Extroverted Thinking
  • Introverted Thinking

Ti (Introverted Thinking) – Dominant

An INTP’s dominant cognitive function is Introverted Thinking, abbreviated as Ti. Dominant cognitive functions are used approximately 80% of the time by an individual and are hardly noticed by the user. This function will feel like second nature and “drives” an INTP.

10 Signs You’re Ti-dominant

  1. You make decisions internally
  2. You consider yourself objective
  3. You test “universal truths”
  4. Speak using precise language
  5. Hate being rushed to decide
  6. Can seem argumentative
  7. Extremely independent
  8. Struggle describing your decisions
  9. You create mental frameworks/models
  10. You want to know how things work

Positives of Being Ti-dominant

  • Being highly self-disciplined
  • Having a strong sense of inner control
  • Knowing how things work
  • Naturally noticing inconsistencies

Struggles of Being Ti-dominant

  • Taking a while to act on your conclusions
  • Having to explain yourself constantly to others
  • Being skeptical of other people/ideas
  • Becoming frustrated when things do not work well

A note to the INTPs reading…

Ever wondered why you need to know how things work? That’s Ti. Ever noticed your tendency to break down ideas and analyze them far more than others care to? That’s Ti. Do you put yourself in awkward social situations because you always point out the inconsistencies in someone else’s argument? Yep, you have Ti to thank for that.

Introverted Thinking is the reason why you over-analyze your experiences and ideas. It explains how you can map out your argument so thoroughly in our own mind and glaringly notice when other people are being illogical. Ti keeps you skeptical of “universal truths” and testing things until you can make sense of them. It can be your secret weapon and your Achilles heel if it isn’t properly balanced with the other cognitive functions.

Ne (Extroverted Intuition) – Auxiliary

An INTP’s secondary function is Extroverted Intuition/Ne. If someone is an introvert, their dominant function will be introverted and their auxiliary function will always be extroverted. Balance is necessary — especially in the brain! Ne helps bring new ideas to information that is processed by Ti.

10 Signs You’re Ne-auxiliary

  1. You love brainstorming
  2. You are comfortable with change
  3. Always searching for new ideas
  4. You live in the future
  5. Everything is connected
  6. Conventional is boring
  7. You are open-minded
  8. You can be scattered
  9. Connections are everywhere
  10. You are very creative

Ne takes a backseat to Ti. Because Ti is the driver, Ne brings new ideas to the information Ti is processing. This is why INTPs seem to be constantly expanding their worldviews, because Ne explores the outer world as Ti organizes the data structure of the inner world.

INTPs may sometimes be mistaken for extroverts by other types. When engaging with a topic that intrigues them, they can appear quite enthusiastic and outgoing. They will seem open and bold in conversation as they state their opinions and challenge others’ assumptions. However INTPs themselves will feel an overwhelming urge to be alone and will quickly self-identify as introverts.

Si (Introverted Sensing) – Tertiary

An INTP’s tertiary cognitive function is Introverted Sensing/Si. This position as third in the “cognitive stack” means that TiNe is running the show the majority of the time. Because of this, Si is a bit underdeveloped and usually starts to show up in an INTPs mid-20s. Tertiary functions usually have the maturity level of a ten-year-old child — they can serve as a strength or a weakness depending on how the user responds to it.

Tertiary Si is why INTPs love the idea of routine but can never seem to stick to one. It’s why they want to care for their physical needs but often neglect them as they chase their inspirations (staying up late, skipping meals, etc). Si helps bring consistency to an INTP, but if it’s neglected, these types will find themselves extremely confused and unsure of where they stand on things. This function keeps an INTP alive and healthy, but because of its immaturity, these types will find themselves always desiring these things and often falling short of their own expectations.

Fe (Extroverted Feeling) – Inferior

An INTP’s inferior cognitive function is Extroverted Feeling/Fe. This function is typically concerned with harmony, connections, and making sure everyone in the group is well cared for. Inferior functions usually develop in midlife. Because of this late-blooming, there will be many times Fe pops up in uncomfortable, weak, and even self-destructive ways.

Healthy Fe-inferior looks like

  • Valuing relationships
  • Picking up on social cues
  • Consideration for others emotions
  • Thoughtful and tempered discussion
  • Respectfully stating opinions

Unhealthy Fe-inferior looks like

  • Neglecting friends and family
  • Completely ignoring social awkwardness
  • Belittling or downplaying someone’s feelings
  • Harsh and blunt arguments
  • Interrupting others or bulldozing them