ISTPs tend to be logical, pragmatic, quiet, autonomous, and aloof. They are cool onlookers, analyzing life with detached curiosity. They exert themselves only when necessary, wanting not to waste energy. They tend to be observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. They thrive on challenging situations as long as they have the freedom to come up with clever solutions and do whatever it takes to fix things and make them work. ISTPs analyze what makes things work and will sort through large amounts of information to isolate the core problems. Other words to describe an ISTP include realistic, flexible, resourceful, objective, and curious.

The ISTP moves seamlessly from quiet bystander to being at the heart of solving problems then back again. They get an incredible buzz from difficult situations using their incredible store of knowledge, grasp of facts and practical nature to jump in and fix things. When it’s over, they will get bored and withdraw once again to the sidelines, waiting for the next problem to arise.

Their areas of interest tend to be mechanical. ISTPs lie dormant, saving their energy until a project or adventure worthy of their time comes along – and then they launch themselves at it. The apparently frenzied state that inevitably ensues is actually much more controlled than it appears. They always seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to physical or mechanical obstacles, but the whole chain of events presents a confusing and paradoxical picture to an outsider.


Recognizing the ISTP

ISTPs are typically reserved and even aloof. Tolerant and nonjudgmental, the ISTP calmly takes in the details and facts of their surroundings, noticing sensory data and observing how things work. They often tune into what needs to be done, taking care of the immediate needs of the moment in a modest, inconspicuous way. They tend to prefer action to conversation and are often private about their personal lives. They are unlikely to “open up” to new people in a conventional way, but may connect with others by sharing an activity or working together to solve a practical problem. They are good with their hands and are often mechanical. They are typically attracted to hands-on hobbies like woodworking or crafts and may be found tinkering with bicycles, computers, cars, or household appliances. They often have an intuitive understanding of machines and a remarkable ability to fix things. They have an appreciation for risk and action and often enjoy thrilling leisure activities. Popular hobbies for an ISTP include magic and comedy, archery, weaponry, hunting, scuba diving, rappelling, aviation, skydiving, motorcycles, or other extreme sports. They are often drawn to risky or thrilling activities and those that allow them to work with something mechanical.


Motivations

ISTPs are curious about the mechanics of the world around them and typically have a unique ability to manipulate the tools in their environments. They tend to study how things work and often achieve mastery in the use and operation of machines, instruments, and equipment. They seek understanding, but in a practical sense; they like to be able to put their technical knowledge to immediate use and are quickly bored by theory. They tend to be detached and prefer the logic of mechanical things to the complexity of human emotions. Independent and reserved, ISTPs treasure their personal space and want to be free to be spontaneous and follow their own lead. They are selective about their relationships and appreciate others who allow them plenty of freedom to do their own thing.


Relationships

ISTPs tend to be either full on or full off. They can be passive bystanders until something grabs their interest or a practical problem needs fixing and then they take over, fix it, and withdraw loving the buzz. Although friendly the ISTP is more practical and factual, so they may not understand emotions. They tend to break things down to constituent parts and do not like anything they see as irrational. They are quite closed to emotional issues. It does not make them uncaring, but sharing feelings or intuiting how others are feeling doesn’t really compute with their scientific nature. At their heart they are thrill-seekers and will love to be where the action is; however, once they have jumped in and experienced they will tend to go back to be passive and quiet.

ISTPs are equally difficult to understand in their need for personal space, which in turn has an impact on their relationships with others. They need to be able to “spread out,” both physically and psychologically, which generally implies encroaching to some degree on others, especially if they decide that something of someone else’s is going to become their next project. Because of their need for a lot of flexibility to be as spontaneous as they feel that they must be, they tend to become rather inflexible when someone threatens their lifestyle.


Conflict

ISTPs love difficult situations, and they see conflict as something, like everything else, to be fixed then move on. They do not seek conflict but are impervious to their environment so it goes with the territory. Intensely practical they will only want to get the problem solved or the issue addressed, practically and as quickly as possible. Personal feelings matter only insofar as they relate to what needs to be done. They tend to be economical with words and a little terse in their communications. This is not rudeness, just a desire to get everything resolved, so they will have no problem getting to the point. As they are factual and living for the moment, any conflict will just be a small part of getting the problem fixed, which energizes them. If it becomes chitchat their energies will deplete as they need action.


Work

The ISTP will bring their vast store of knowledge and experience to bear on the team, showing great determination but their low boredom threshold means once they have sorted through the problem they withdraw. They are great in a crisis as they love the whole buzz and action of problems and difficulties. They are less good when the going is not tough, and they are not so good at the more sensitive side of leading people. They are extremely independent and will like the freedom to work in short bursts of energy on difficult action-oriented practical problems that hold their interest. Routine and steady detail will bore them, and they need their space.

Because of their full on or full off nature, ISTPs will either be right at the heart of the detail, surprising others with their vast store of knowledge and data, or if it is boring they will go back to their space. They are essentially practical, preferring the concrete and factual to anything theoretical or impractical. When they focus on a problem, they can be forensic, coming up with practical solutions.

ISTPs may have trouble with rote and abstract classroom learning, which tend not to be good measures of their actual intelligence. They tend to be highly skeptical of its practical value and often gravitate towards classes in industrial arts or technical programs. In terms of careers, mechanics and any of the skilled trades are traditional choices, and those ISTPs with strong numerical as well as mechanical gifts tend to do extremely well in most areas of engineering. Working as paramedics or firefighters can fulfill their need to live on the edge. They are at best in a crisis, where their natural disregard for rules and authority structures allows them to focus on and tackle the emergency at hand in the most effective way. Possible career paths for the ISTP include: policeman, detective, forensic worker, computer programmer, systems analyst, engineer, carpenter, mechanic, pilot, driver, motorcyclist, athlete, or entrepreneur.


Functional Analysis
•Introverted Thinking (Ti) Dominant
•Extraverted Sensing (Se) Auxiliary
•Introverted Intuition (Ni) Tertiary
•Extraverted Feeling (Fe) Inferior

Ti seeks precision, such as the exact word to express an idea. It notices the minute distinctions that define the essence of things, then analyzes and classifies them. Ti examines all sides of an issue, looking to solve problems while minimizing effort and risk. It uses models to root out logical inconsistency. Dominant Ti in the ISTP makes them a very logical, precise analyst. They are excellent problem solvers and are energized by a tough problem. They are exact and logical in their analysis, interested in getting to the root of the problem quickly through logical reasoning. Also, like the INTP who shares the same dominant Ti function, they will tend to be strongly independent, wanting to create their own rules. They’ll trust their own logic over the facts in front of them sometimes and prefer to trust their instincts over a rulebook. They are also very economical with their words as they prefer to say as much as possible in as few words as possible, and this tendency is due to their dominant Ti.

Se focuses on the experiences and sensations of the immediate, physical world. With an acute awareness of the present surroundings, it brings relevant facts and details to the forefront and may lead to spontaneous action. Auxiliary Se in ISTPs makes them action-oriented doers. They are thrill-seekers and enjoy having fun and living life. Since it is auxiliary and not dominant Se, this isn’t the animating force of their life, but nonetheless a big part of who they are. They’ll enjoy being outdoors, seeing new things, going new places, and living in the moment spontaneously. ISTPs, like ISFPs who also have auxiliary Se, love to live for today. They’ll have the motto, “If it makes sense, do it,” so ISTPs are known to be risk-takers, as long as it makes logical sense to them (from their dominant Ti). They love adventure and may be into materialism, wanting the best house, the best vacation, the best car, etc. Typically, the ISTP may be into extravagant gadgets and toys.

Attracted to symbolic actions or devices, Ni synthesizes seeming paradoxes to create the previously unimagined. These realizations come with a certainty that demands action to fulfill a new vision of the future, solutions that may include complex systems or universal truths. ISTPs have tertiary Ni, so they are largely going to ignore things such as abstractions, deeper meanings, and looking towards the future. They share auxiliary Ni in common with ISFPs, and both types will not have long-term outlooks on life, preferring to focus on the present. They don’t like theorizing, and indeed usually see it as a waste of time. They tend to look at things on a surface level, and they learn by experiencing things (Se) and analyzing them logically (Ti), rather than seeking patterns (Ni).

Fe seeks social connections and creates harmonious interactions through considerate, enthusiastic, and charming behavior. Fe responds to the explicit (and implicit) wants of others, and may even create an internal conflict between the subject’s own needs and the desire to meet the needs of others. Inferior Fe in ISTPs is shared with INTPs, and both types are fearful of being controlled by others. They can be suspicious of relationships, and uninterested in other people, especially when it comes to empathy. They’ll be hostile to “community values,” and instead rely on their own personal, subjective logic from their dominant Ti. At times, especially under stress, they may have deep desires to be around their friends and family that they are close to, but this tends to display itself in extreme forms once in a while. Inferior Fe also leads to ISTPs being quite cold and oftentimes rude and insensitive.

Overview Description of INTJ

INTJs tend to be autonomous, intellectually curious, aloof, imaginative, and innovative. They have independent, original ideas and great drive to achieve their goals. They have a natural talent for outlining contingencies, devising strategy and complex plans to reach goals dictated by a vision of what is needed in the long run. They use analysis and skepticism, valuing competence in themselves and others, and they work hard to achieve their goals. They thrive on putting theories to work. They tend to be socially cautious and reserved. Other words to describe an INTJ include analytical, logical, organized, and definitive.

The INTJ is the patient visionary clear on how the future should look and will work with quiet, logical determination to make it happen. The INTJ loves an intellectual challenge and is stimulated by the abstract, the complex, the new, and the untried. Facts and figures bore them. They can seem a little detached from others as they quietly process so much information inside their heads. To outsiders, they may appear to project an aura of definiteness and self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature. Its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise, and they can have several, they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how. They know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don’t know. They are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the INTJ type. They often ruthlessly apply the criterion “Does it work?” to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This is turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing them from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.


Recognizing the INTJ

INTJs are typically reserved and serious, and seem to spend a lot of time thinking. They are curious about the world around them and often want to know the principle behind what they see. They thoroughly examine the information they receive, and if asked a question, will typically consider it at length before presenting a careful, complex answer. They think critically and clearly, and often have an idea about how to do something more efficiently. They can be blunt in their presentation, and often communicate in terms of the larger strategy, leaving out the details. Although INTJs aren’t usually warm or particularly gregarious, they tend to have a self-assured manner with people based on their own security in their intelligence. They relate their ideas with confidence, and once they have arrived at a conclusion they fully expect others to see the wisdom in their perceptions. They are typically perfectionists and appreciate an environment of intellectual challenge. They enjoy discussing interesting ideas, and may get themselves into trouble because of their take-no-prisoners attitude. If someone’s beliefs don’t make logical sense, they may typically have no qualms about pointing that out. Popular hobbies for the INTJ include: reading, cultural events, taking classes, appreciating art, computers, video games, and independent sports such as swimming, backpacking, or running marathons.


Motivations

INTJs are perceptive about systems and strategy and often understand the world as a chess board to be navigated. They want to understand how systems work, and how events proceed. They often have a unique ability to foresee logical outcomes. They enjoy applying themselves to a project or idea in depth and putting concentrated effort to achieve their goals. They have a hunger for knowledge and strive to constantly increase their competence. They are often perfectionists with extremely high standards of performance for themselves and others. They tend to have a keen interest in self-improvement and are lifelong learners, always looking to add to their base of information and awareness.


Relationships

For the INTJ everything has a scientific base so getting close would be difficult initially as they don’t see the need for emotional connection. Their engagement tends to come via intellectual arguments with like-minded people. For INTJs emotion doesn’t compute and so they may not understand their impact on others or indeed gauge the emotional reactions of others, which can make them appear as insensitive or a little cold. They are private and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misunderstand. They want people to make logical sense and so feelings are difficult for them to fathom. They are intellectually curious and love complex problems and analyzing data to come up with unique solutions, driven more by concepts and abstract ideas than by the emotions of people.

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ’s biggest weakness. While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few) and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations. This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals. For instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation. To complicate matters, they are usually extremely private people. Perhaps the most fundamental problem is that INTJs really want people to make sense. This sometimes results in a peculiar naiveté where they expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.

Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to “work at” a relationship. Although as thinking types they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that F types do, their intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expressions. This ability can then be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those that they care about.


Conflict

The INTJ is often impervious to their environment as they are deep and private and love getting their heads into complex problems. They love the intellectual robust debate and won’t really ‘see’ conflict. They are about creating something new and worthwhile and this will be their focus. They won’t really see the emotional issues and will work at a more cerebral level where they are more comfortable. They work more at an intellectual than emotional level and so see conflict as simply an extension of the debate. Their arguments are well-thought through and based on data. As the INTJ inhabits an internal world of complexity, ideas, and possibilities, working towards conclusion, any conflict would simply be seen as part of that process. After the conflict, it’s time to move on.


Work

INTJs will overturn established practice by forward thinking and are truly radical. They love the intellectual challenge, coming alive with difficult problems to solve. Then, they step back again when it becomes routine and mundane. They will be at their best with the facility to work for long periods on their own. If they do lead, they prefer like-minded people who also love the intellectual debate and complex challenges. They will often find the mundane and routine tedious and energy sapping and may prefer individual contribution excelling at deep diving and working on the unique, the interesting, and the complex. They are perfectionists, with an endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest. They will work long and hard on such tasks, driving towards closure, impervious to the outside. INTJs are ideas people. Anything is possible. They love developing unique solutions to complex problems, and conversely, if it were not complex or interesting then why would they bother?

They are known as the “System Builders,” 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, as they can be unsparing of both themselves and others on a project. Anyone considered to be “slacking,” including superiors, will lose their respect—and will generally be made aware of this. They have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual contributions that have gone into a project, and they have a gift for seizing opportunities which others might not even notice. In the broadest terms, what INTJs “do” tends to be what they “know.” Possible career paths for the INTJ include: scientist, engineer, professor, teacher, medical doctor, dentist, corporate strategist, business administrator, manager, military leader, lawyer, judge, computer programmer, or systems analyst.


Functional Analysis

Introverted Intuition (Ni) Dominant
Extraverted Thinking (Te) Auxiliary
Introverted Feeling (Fi) Tertiary
Extraverted Sensing (Se) Inferior
Attracted to symbolic actions or devices, Ni synthesizes seeming paradoxes to create the previously unimagined. These realizations come with a certainty that demands action to fulfill a new vision of the future, solutions that may include complex systems or universal truths. Dominant Ni gives INTJs their incredible insights, focus, and imagination. They live in the world of ideas, and dominant Ni causes INTJs, along with INFJs who share the same dominant Ni function, to be always forward-looking reformers. Dominant Ni gives the INTJ originality and the ability to see complex processes from multiple angles. INTJs tend to think about the future a lot and make predictions about how things will unfold in particular areas of interest to them. Ni also gives them high self-confidence and sometimes a stubborn certainty in their own opinions. They also will see time as quite arbitrary, and indeed just about everything as relative and arbitrary, so they are normally quite flexible, adaptable individuals.

Te organizes and schedules ideas and the environment to ensure the efficient, productive pursuit of objectives. Te seeks logical explanation for actions, events, and conclusions, looking for faulty reasoning and lapses in sequence. Auxiliary Te in the INTJ manifests in a need to make sure that their ideas work in the real world. INTJs are logical planners, especially contingency planners. Auxiliary Te is shared with ISTJs and both types expect punctuality, efficiency, and fact-driven evidence. INTJs will tend to go in whatever direction the facts lead them in, and this is due to their auxiliary Te. Te also makes INTJs rather blunt and direct.

Fi filters information based on interpretations of worth, forming judgments according to criteria that are often intangible. Fi constantly balances an internal set of values such as harmony and authenticity. Attuned to subtle distinctions, Fi innately senses what is true and what is false in a situation. Tertiary Fi in the INTJ, in common with the ISTJ, causes them to ignore their own emotions and frequently the emotions of other people. It’s why they don’t quite understand emotions, or even if they do understand them on an intellectual level, then they tend to not value emotions very highly. For this reason, most of the time INTJs don’t have very many emotional highs or lows and can appear quite robotic.

Se focuses on the experiences and sensations of the immediate, physical world. With an acute awareness of the present surroundings, it brings relevant facts and details to the forefront and may lead to spontaneous action. Inferior Se in the INTJ results in a love/hate relationship with their physical environment. Doing things, especially intense physical activities, drains them, and they need to re-charge back in the world of their ideas, much like INFJs who share inferior Se. Under stress or on a whim INTJs might engage in intense sensory experiences such as having an affair, trying drugs, or binge eating. Inferior Se also gives them difficulties living in the present moment

Your result: INTP

estimated 3% of the population
5% of Men
2% of Women

Overview Description of INTP

INTPs tend to be private, quiet, independent, skeptical and curious. They are mainly interested in new ideas and have little concern for parties or small talk. They can become quite talkative about a topic that they have knowledge and interest in. They seek to develop logical explanations for everything that interests them. They have an unusual ability to focus in depth to solve problems. They are interested in theorizing, analyzing, and learning, thriving on exploring, understanding, and explaining how the world works. Other words to describe an INTP include nonconforming, adaptive, and unpredictable.

The INTP is deep, private, difficult to get to know and extremely independent. They focus on things that interest them, putting off completing tasks until the last minute as routine bores them. They love logic and are obsessed with logical correctness. They will struggle with emotion and are great at reading situations, but they aren’t as good at reading people. They are pensive, analytical folks. They may venture so deeply into thought as to seem detached, and often they are oblivious to the world around them. Precise about their descriptions, INTPs will often correct others (or be sorely tempted to) if the shade of meaning is a bit off. While annoying to the less concise, this fine discrimination ability gives them a natural advantage as, for example, grammarians or linguists.


Recognizing the INTP

INTPs are often thoroughly engaged in their own thoughts and usually appear to others to be offbeat and unconventional. The INTP’s mind is a most active place, and their inward orientation can mean that they neglect superficial things like home décor or appropriate clothing. They don’t tend to bother with small talk, but can become downright passionate when talking about science, mathematics, computers, or the larger theoretical problems of the universe. Reality is often of only passing interest to the INTP, as they are more interested in the theory behind it all. They are typically precise in their speech and communicate complex ideas with carefully chosen words. They insist on intellectual rigor in even the most casual of conversations and will readily point out inconsistencies of thought or reasoning. Social niceties may fall by the wayside for an INTP who is more interested in analyzing logic, and they may offend others by submitting their dearly held values and beliefs to logical scrutiny. One of the tipoffs that a person is an INTP is their obsession with logical correctness. Popular hobbies include: reading, art and cultural events, chess and other strategy games, writing, taking classes, working with computers, backpacking, hiking, and meditation.


Motivations

INTPs present a cool exterior but are privately passionate about reason, analysis, and innovation. They seek to create complex systems of understanding to unify principles they’ve observed in their environments. Their minds are complicated and active, and they will go to great mental lengths trying to devise ingenious solutions to interesting problems. They are typically non-traditional and more likely to reason out their own individual way of doing things than to follow the crowd. They are suspicious of assumptions and conventions and eager to break apart ideas that others take for granted. They are merciless when analyzing concepts and beliefs and hold little sacred. They are often baffled by other people who remain loyal to ideology that doesn’t make logical sense.


Relationships

The INTP is very independent, deep and private, yet can at times seem totally outspoken because of their directness of communication and economy of words speaking only when there is something to say. They find emotion difficult as they are at heart logical, analytical, and objective with no time for anything they see as ‘fanciful.’ They will not be motivated by someone saying ‘please’ or emotional pleading. They will find it difficult to share their feelings, although they will be blunt and outspoken regarding their thoughts. In moments of single-minded concentration, the INTP will appear aloof and detached. Skeptical and difficult to get to know the INTP is wary of close emotional involvement as emotions tend to be slightly outside their comfort zone, and if someone gets too close too soon they may close down. A major concern for INTPs is the haunting sense of impending failure. They spend considerable time second-guessing themselves. An INTP arguing a point may very well be trying to convince himself as much as his opposition.


Conflict

Rational argument, logic, and intellectual theory are the routes to the ‘heart’ of the INTP who will have no problem taking the hard decision, as long as it is the ‘right’ decision, one based on logic and evidence. They are relatively easy-going until something violates a principle. Then, they can become outspoken, inflexible and unreasonable, switching from reserved to actually enjoying the heated debate. Blunt and to the point, the INTP will rarely let emotions get in the way and will use logic and data to make their point. Those who are more emotional may find them at such times a little cold and harsh. As they are more deep and private, the INTP will happily debate, using all their intellectual and logical abilities, before withdrawing back to their own world, no hard feelings, no feelings at all. It was just a chat.


Work

Although quiet the INTP will come to the fore at analyzing problems and evaluating ideas using their superb judgment and serious, unemotional nature to ensure the team makes balanced decisions. They need those around them to be proactive and not keep coming to them with questions. They like arguments and actions to be well thought through and will excel at ensuring this is the case. They will not fit snugly into a typical structure. They value independence, of thought and action, and they need their space to think, to be free from other people to work in short bursts of energy. The INTP does not like too much detail, preferring a broad-brush stroke approach. The simple, the obvious bores them and anything they see as trivial or unimportant will be pushed away. The highly critical thinking ability of the INTP and their shrewd judgments mean they can analyze even the most complex problems and cut to the core of what needs to be done.

Mathematics is a system where many INTPs love to play, similarly languages, computer systems—potentially any complex system. They thrive on systems. Understanding, exploring, mastering, and manipulating systems can overtake their conscious thought. This fascination for logical systems and their inner workings is often expressed in a detachment from the environment, a concentration where time is forgotten and their external environment is held at bay. Accomplishing a task or goal with this knowledge is secondary to the knowledge itself. Possible career paths for the INTP include: scientist, photographer, strategic planner, mathematician, university professor, computer programmer, systems analyst, technical writer, engineer, lawyer, judge, forensic researcher, or park ranger.


Functional Analysis

Introverted Thinking (Ti) Dominant
Extraverted Intuition (Ne) Auxiliary
Introverted Sensing (Si) Tertiary
Extraverted Feeling (Fe) Inferior
Ti seeks precision, such as the exact word to express an idea. It notices the minute distinctions that define the essence of things, then analyzes and classifies them. Ti examines all sides of an issue, looking to solve problems while minimizing effort and risk. It uses models to root out logical inconsistency. The primary focus of the INTP is exact logical analysis. This is due to their dominant Ti, which is precise, emotionless, and always questioning ‘Why?” They are precise with their words and insist that everything in the world must make sense. Ti is a subjective logical reasoning based in the INTP’s own mind, so sometimes they tend to accept their own mind’s analysis over evidence placed directly in front of them, if that evidence doesn’t make logical sense. Dominant Ti also gives INTPs and ISTPs who share the same dominant Ti function a strongly independent streak, along with an intense curiosity for how things work. They have been known to disassemble things just to see how they work on the inside.

Ne finds and interprets hidden meanings, using “what if” questions to explore alternatives, allowing multiple possibilities to coexist. This imaginative play weaves together insights and experiences from various sources to form a new whole, which can then become a catalyst to action. Auxiliary Ne in INTPs drives their creativity and openness to the world of exciting, new ideas. It’s what makes them want to innovate and invent, and it gives them wild imaginations. INFPs share the same auxiliary Ne, and both types are excellent at reading a situation and intuitively understanding it. They are great with abstractions and theories and very imaginative. Ne leads them to be spontaneous and unpredictable, particularly in the realm of ideas. Auxiliary Ne makes INTPs excellent at brainstorming and, in conjunction with their dominant Ti, leads them to want to logically analyze many ideas and figure out how they are all logically interconnected. They are also usually very flexible and open to rapid changes.

Si collects data in the present moment and compares it with past experiences, a process that sometimes evokes the feelings associated with memory, as if the subject were reliving it. Seeking to protect what is familiar, Si draws upon history to form goals and expectations about what will happen in the future. Tertiary Si in the INTP leads them to dislike details, organization, structure, and usually tradition. Typically they are messy and don’t care about the physical environment around them, as they are pre-occupied with logic and ideas in their minds. INFPs share tertiary Si and can likewise like INTPs appear lazy and oblivious to what’s around them physically.

Fe seeks social connections and creates harmonious interactions through considerate, enthusiastic, and charming behavior. Fe responds to the explicit (and implicit) wants of others, and may even create an internal conflict between the subject’s own needs and the desire to meet the needs of others. Typically, the inferior Fe of INTPs and also ISTPs will manifest in a dislike for social niceties. They’ll consider family gatherings stupid and unimportant (because they are illogical). They’ll resist authority and insist on doing things their own way, usually in an unemotional, matter of fact way. They’ll fear commitments and being forced to conform to society’s standards, but they’ll also have a deep love for the ones who they are close to and occasionally feel very strong desires to be with the ones they love, particularly when under a lot of stress.