INTJ

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INTJ (Introversion, iNtuition, Thinking, Judging) is an acronym used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) publications to refer to one of the sixteen personality types.[1][2] The MBTI assessment was developed from the work of prominent psychiatrist Carl G. Jung in his book Psychological Types, which proposed a psychological typology based on his theories of cognitive functions.

From Jung's work, others developed psychological typologies. Well-known personality tests are the MBTI assessment, developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, developed by David Keirsey. Keirsey referred to INTJs as Masterminds, one of the four types belonging to the temperament he called the Rationals.[3] One of the rarest of the sixteen personality types, the INTJ may also be referred to as "the scientist".[4]

Contents

[edit] The MBTI instrument

The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following:[5]

By using their preference in each of these areas, people develop what Jung and Myers called psychological type. This underlying personality pattern results from the dynamic interaction of their four preferences, in conjunction with environmental influences and their own individual tendencies. People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type. Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas that offer opportunities for growth.

The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis of the four "dichotomies" (pairs of psychological opposites). Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred to by initial letters. (N is used for iNtuition, to differentiate it from Introversion). The MBTI is approximately 75% accurate according to its own manual.[6]

  • I - Introversion preferred to Extraversion
  • N - iNtuition preferred to Sensing
  • T - Thinking preferred to Feeling
  • J - Judging preferred to Perceiving

[edit] Characteristics of INTJs

“

INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake... INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play... Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel... This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals... Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense.[7]

 ”

[edit] Myers-Briggs description

According to Myers-Briggs, INTJs are very analytical individuals. Like INTPs, they are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are also commonly not susceptible to catchphrases and commonly do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank or title.

“ INTJs are strong individualists who seek new angles or novel ways of looking at things. They enjoy coming to new understandings. They are insightful and mentally quick; however, this mental quickness may not always be outwardly apparent to others since they keep a great deal to themselves. They are very determined people who trust their vision of the possibilities, regardless of what others think. They may even be considered the most independent of all of the sixteen personality types. INTJs are at their best in quietly and firmly developing their ideas, theories, and principles.[8] ”

Hallmark features of the INTJ personality type include independence of thought, strong individualism and creativity. Persons with this personality type work best given large amounts of autonomy and creative freedom. They harbor an innate desire to express themselves; that is to be creative by conceptualizing their own intellectual designs. Analyzing and formulating complex theories are among their greatest strengths. INTJs tend to be well-suited for occupations within academia, research, management, engineering and law. Differentiating the INTJ personality type from the related INTP type is their confidence. They tend to be acutely aware of their knowledge and abilities. Thus, they develop a strong confidence in their ability and talents, making them "natural leaders." It is this confidence that makes this personality type extremely rare. According to David Keirsey it is found in no more than 1% of the population.

In forming relationships, INTJs tend to seek out others with similar character traits and ideologies. Agreement on theoretical concept is an important aspect of a relationship. By nature INTJs tend to be demanding in their expectations and approach relationships in a very rational manner. As a result, an INTJ may not always respond to a naturally occurring infatuation but wait for a mate who better fits his or her set criteria. Persons with this personality type are very stable, reliable and dedicated. Harmony in relationships and home life tends to be extremely important to the INTJ. He or she tends to withhold strong emotion and does not like to "waste" time with irrational social rituals. This, however, may cause non-INTJs to perceive him or her as distant and reserved.

[edit] Keirsey description

According to Keirsey, INTJs, or "Mastermind Rationals", are natural strategists, better than any other type at brainstorming approaches to situations. They are natural, but not eager, leaders, only stepping forward when it becomes obvious to them that they are the best for the job. Strong-willed and very self-assured, they may make this decision quickly, as they tend to make all decisions. But though they are decisive, they are always open-minded to new evidence and new ideas, flexible in their planning to accommodate changing situations. They are excellent at judging the usefulness of ideas and will apply whatever seems most efficient to them in accomplishing their clearly envisioned goals. To INTJs, what matters is getting it done--but ALSO learning the principles of how to get it done efficiently and well, as on a "professional" quality level--and they have a tendency to give little thought to personal cost in getting there.

[edit] Cognitive functions

Drawing upon Jungian theory, Isabel Myers proposed that for each personality type, the cognitive functions—sensing, intuition, thinking, and feeling—form a hierarchy. This hierarchy represents the person's "default" pattern of behavior.

The Dominant function is the personality type's preferred role, the one they feel most comfortable with. The secondary Auxiliary function serves to support and expand on the Dominant function. If the Dominant is an information gathering function (sensing or intuition), the Auxiliary is a decision making function (thinking or feeling), and vice versa. The Tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary, but it matures over time, rounding out the person's abilities. The Inferior function is the personality type's Achilles' heel. This is the function they are least comfortable with. Like the Tertiary, the Inferior function strengthens with maturity.[9]

  • Dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni)
  • Auxiliary Extraverted Thinking (Te)
  • Tertiary Introverted Feeling (Fi)
  • Inferior Extraverted Sensing(Se) [9]

[edit] Notable INTJs

According to the "Guidelines for Ethical Use for Certified MBTI Professionals"[10], "only the individual can verify his or her own best-fitting type." The MBTI instrument focuses on cognitive processes, which are not observable, and therefore speculation regarding another person's type is not an appropriate use of the instrument. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter, however, focuses on behavior, which is observable.[11] For illustrative purposes, Keirsey and others, as referenced below, have identified well-known individuals whose behavior is consistent with a specific type. Unless otherwise noted, the categorization of the individuals below, whether living or dead, as INTJs is a matter of expert opinion rather than the result of actual personality testing of the named individual.

[edit] Arts and humanities

[edit] Sciences and social sciences

[edit] Political and military leadership

[edit] Fictional

[edit] References

  1. ^ Type
  2. ^ Preference
  3. ^ Temperament
  4. ^ Keirsey, David; Ray Choiniere (1998). Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis, 350. ISBN 1885705026. 
  5. ^ Myers, Isabel Briggs (1998). Introduction to Type: A Guide to Understanding your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc.. 
  6. ^ Myers, Isabel Briggs; Mary H. McCaulley (1985). Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 2nd edition (in English), Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press, 52. ISBN 0-89106-027-8. 
  7. ^ Heiss, Marina Margaret (February 27, 2005), Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging, <http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/psychology/alt.psychology.personality/profiles/intj.html> 
  8. ^ Hirsch, Sandra Krebs; Jean Kummerow (1998). Introduction to type in organizations: individual interpretive guide. Palo Alto, Calif. : Consulting Psychologists Press. 
  9. ^ a b Barron-Tieger, Barbara; Tieger, Paul D. (1995). Do what you are: discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-84522-1. 
  10. ^ MBTI Certification Program. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  11. ^ Keirsey, David (1998). Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Del Mar, CA: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 29. ISBN 1-885705-02-6. 
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p TypeLogic. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  13. ^ a b c d http://www.keirsey.com/famous_rationals.aspx
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h http://www.keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&f=fourtemps&tab=5&c=mastermind
  15. ^ Fleming, Paula L.. Writing-World.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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