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INTP Personality Profile The Architect Compiled & Edited by Personality Trait Test

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Preface This document contains detailed information about the Personality Profile. The content References concepts already mentioned in the Detail Personality Results in App. If you are reading this and do not understand some of the content, please refer to the Android App This    

personality

profile

comes

with

the

following

analysis:

Trait Profiles (summaries) Strengths and Weaknesses Relationships (Romantic , Parents, Friends) Personal growth (Career path , & Work Place Habits)

The analyses here combine work done by Carl Jung, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, and David Keirsey. Myers & Briggs built their work on Jung’s, and Keirsey expanded and revised some of their work. At times, the outcomes conflict in small ways, and they are noted. However, all their works are presented for you to embrace whichever appeals to you.

Words of Caution in Interpreting This Material A 75% score on Thinking, for example, means you rely on Thinking & about 75% of the time to make decisions rather than Feelings. But it also means you use or value Feelings 25% of the time, rather than that you are a Thinking decision-maker all of the time. You have to keep these percentages in mind when interpreting this content as it may apply to you or someone else. The biggest mistake that we often see with the presentation of personality test results is that they are spoken of in absolute terms, when they should be discussed as majority tendencies. You got a percentage score with each of your Jung type preferences (letter) if you took the test I supplied. That score is an indication of how strong you have those tendencies. Do NOT compare your percentage scores with someone else’s as if they were absolute. That is, if you had a 75% Thinking score that does not mean 1

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you are more logical than someone with a 65% Thinking score. The best way I can think to illustrate this is with an analogy. Your percentage is like how you break up your “pie”, where the whole is both Preferences (Thinking and Feeling here). Someone could have a 55% Thinking score & be more logical in their decision making than you. That’s because their “pie” might be bigger than yours. They may put more of, both, Thinking and Feeling, into their decision-making, or may be capable of more complex logical decisionmaking than you. They just don’t rely on Thinking 75% of the time like you. That’s all those percentages mean, so keep your % scores only for your own comparison. While it may be more convenient, less convoluted and more convincing to discuss your results in absolute terms, it is not true. People are complex and there’s no way of “dumbing them down” to understand them. All that does is either create misunderstandings or skepticism in the results.

INTP Characteristics INTP in a Nutshell INTPs are philosophical innovators, fascinated by logical analysis, systems, and design. They are preoccupied with theory, and search for the universal law behind everything they see. They want to understand the unifying themes of life, in all their complexity. They are detached, analytical observers who can seem oblivious to the world around them because they are so deeply absorbed in thought. They spend much of their time focused internally: exploring concepts, making connections, and seeking understanding. To the INTPs, life is an ongoing inquiry into the mysteries of the universe.

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What Makes the INTP Tick INTPs present a cool exterior but are privately passionate about reason, analysis, and innovation. They seek to create complex systems of understanding to unify the 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. The INTP is typically non-traditional, and more likely to reason out their own individual way of doing things than to follow the crowd. The INTP is suspicious of assumptions and conventions, and eager to break apart ideas that others take for granted. INTPs 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.

Recognizing an 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 INTPs, as they are more interested in the theory behind it all. INTPs 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. 3

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INTP in the Population INTP is one of the less common types in the population, especially for women. Among women, INTP is the fourth rarest type (after INFP, INFP, and INFJ):  3% of the general population  2% of women  5% of men

Popular Hobbies Popular leisure activities for an INTP include reading, art and cultural events, chess and other strategy games, writing, taking classes, working with computers, backpacking, hiking, and meditation.

What the Experts Say "INTPs are perhaps the most intellectually profound of all the types." - Isabel Briggs Myers, Gifts Differing "What is important is that the underlying structures of the universe be uncovered and articulated, and that whatever is stated about the universe be stated correctly, with coherence and without redundancy." - David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II "INTPs are free-spirited idea mills and absentminded professors, which makes them fun to be around, easily diverted, and a plethora of unending creativity." - Otto Kroeger, Type Talk at Work 4

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INTP’s Strengths 1. Great analysts and abstract thinkers INTP personalities are great at noticing patterns and seeing the big picture. They also possess an impressive ability to jump from one idea to another, linking them in ways that usually bewilder most other personality types.

2. Honest and Straightforward INTPs do not play social games and see no point in sugarcoating their words. They will clearly state their opinion and expect others to return the favor.

3. Imaginative and original An INTP’s mind is always working, always producing ideas regardless of whether those ideas are likely to see the light of day. Not surprisingly, INTPs have no difficulties coming up with innovative, original solutions.

4. Objective People with the INTP personality are very logical and rational individuals who see no point in involving emotions in the decision-making process. Consequently, they tend to pride themselves in being fair and impartial.

5. Open-Minded INTPs tend to be open-minded and willing to accept ideas different from their own, provided that they are supported by facts and logic. 5

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Furthermore, INTPs are usually fairly liberal when it comes to social norms and traditions, judging people solely on the basis of their ideas.

6. Enthusiastic INTP personalities can spend an enormous amount of time trying to figure out something they are interested in. They will also be very enthusiastic when it comes to discussing that topic with other people.

INTP’s Weakness 1. Absent-minded INTPs are able to focus all their efforts on analyzing a specific idea, but this usually comes at a cost of ignoring everything else. They may be forgetful or simply miss things that have nothing to do with the object of their interest.

2. Second-guess themselves INTP personalities may be excellent analysts, but they often lack the decisiveness of Judging (J) types. An INTP may find it quite difficult to decide which idea is the best one, always looking for more information and doubting their own conclusions.

3. Insensitive INTPs are likely to find it difficult to include emotions in their decisionmaking process, focusing all their efforts on getting the rational basis right. Consequently, they may often come across as insensitive or be puzzled when it comes to dealing with an emotionally-charged situation. 6

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4. Very private and withdrawn INTPs are often reluctant to let anyone inside their minds, let alone their hearts. They may often come across as shy in social settings and even the INTP’s friends are likely to have a difficult time getting to know them well.

5. May be condescending INTP personalities are usually proud of their extensive knowledge and reasoning abilities, but they may get easily frustrated trying to describe their thoughts other people. INTPs enjoy presenting their ideas to other people, but explaining how they got from A to Z is another matter.

6. Loathe rules and guidelines INTPs need a lot of freedom and have little respect for rules and traditions that put artificial limits on their imagination. People with this personality type would rather have less security and more autonomy.

Romantic Relationships INTP COMMUNICATION STYLE INTPs can be insightful communicators, when the subject inspires them. Thoughtful and independent, they may not have a great need for conversation, but when discussing complex concepts or innovative ideas they can become quite intense and display a wealth of information and insight. Logical and analytical, they can weigh possibilities endlessly and are great at playing devil’s advocate. They love to pick apart ideas but are not 7

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convinced by anything but the most rational of analyses; they can spot a flaw in logic a mile away, and rarely hesitate to point it out.

INTPs AS PARTNERs INTPs are independent and clever partners. They enjoy engaging intellectually and want an intelligent partner who can match their ability to think critically. INTPs have little appetite for the mundane aspects of life, and may disregard the usual rituals of a relationship. They are rarely interested in tradition, preferring instead to design a lifestyle that makes sense for the parties involved—even if it looks highly unconventional to other people. They are tolerant of individual preferences but will rarely do something because they are told they "should".

INTPs people take romantic relationships very seriously Even though romantic relationships are inherently difficult for INTPs, but they take them very seriously. The main problem that INTPs are likely to face in this area is that they are not naturally sensitive or emotional individuals. Consequently, understanding another person’s feelings or expressing their own is not something that an INTP is well equipped to do. Furthermore, INTPs strongly dislike being at the centre of emotionally charged situations, As interpersonal conflicts are virtually inevitable even in the happiest romantic relationships, INTPs may find those situations quite frustrating and consequently try to avoid or ignore emotional conflicts in their relationship, especially during the dating phase. If there is no escape, the INTP will try to find a solution but will likely rely on the analytical approach, which can be very different from what their partner [especially if they belong to one of the Feeling (F) personality types] might expect. INTP personalities should try to include this in their 8

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thought process, especially when it comes to dealing with conflicts in the earlier stages of the relationship.

INTPs are loyal and faithful partners INTPs are also unusually direct and honest, even if they have just started dating someone. People with this personality type always stick to their commitments and are actually quite easy to date and live with—they have simple daily needs and do not demand much from their partners. However, despite seeking simplicity in dating and romantic relationships, INTPs do not lack passion or romantic feelings. On the contrary, people with the INTP personality type tend to be extremely creative individuals whose vivid imagination allows them to always remain very enthusiastic and passionate in romantic relationships. Anyone dating an INTP may be quite surprised by this sometimes. INTPs’ simple daily needs are completely opposite their inner world, which is bound to be very complex and colorful. However, there is certain logic behind this: INTPs purposefully seek simplicity in the “real” life so that they can focus all their mental power on the inner world.

INTPs should try to resolve their tendency to overlook their partner’s emotional needs As already mentioned above, INTPs are not naturally sensitive or emotional, but their partner might have a very different personality. It is important for an INTP to try to understand their feelings and communicate on the emotional level, instead of simply relying on commitment and dedication and believing that this is all that is needed. Of course, their partner should also be aware of INTP personality traits and quirks, and try not to demand a constant flow of emotions from the INTP. INTPs want plenty of space in a relationship to explore their own thoughts, ideas, and interests. They value a partner that appreciates their 9

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ingenuity and problem-solving ability, and one that understands their need for autonomy.

Preferred partners: ENTJ and ENFJ types as their Extraversion (E) and Judging (J) traits counterbalance INTPs’ Introversion (I) and Prospecting (P) traits.

Parenthood INTPs as PARENTs As parents, INTPs encourage competence and independent problem solving. They often do not tune in easily to their children's feelings, but will enthusiastically help them to reason out a complex dilemma. INTPs are usually involved in their own projects or ideas and typically do not take much pleasure in the mundane, day-to-day tasks of caring for children. As a result, the INTPs parent may sometimes seem distant to their children, but their true delight in parenting is in sharing exciting ideas and concepts with young minds.

INTPs are relaxed, loyal, and tolerant parents Their children will be encouraged to think and act independently, seek knowledge, and not be afraid to voice and defend their opinions. INTPs tend to be independent and open-minded individuals which influences their approach to parenting as well. It is unlikely that an INTP will try to discipline their children for minor offenses, control their lives, or instill certain principles. They will, however, be very devoted parents, 10 

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although maybe not in the traditional sense; this devotion is likely to be more intellectual than emotional.

INTPs are not naturally sensitive They may find it quite challenging to communicate with their children on the emotional level. They will have no difficulties engaging them in rational, intelligent discussions, but emotions are the INTPs’ Achilles’ heel, and they may have to rely on their partner’s help in such circumstances or learn how to step out of their comfort zone. Generally, INTP parents simply want their children to grow up as smart, independent, and tolerant adults. INTPs are very unlikely to be demanding, strictly traditional, or obsessively caring, which will give their children plenty of freedom. However, people with this personality type also need to make sure that their children’s emotional needs are not neglected.

Friendships INTP as FRIENDs INTPs though knowledgeable, intelligent friends, but very difficult to know. Few people have the patience and determination to get through their shields. The INTP’s mind is always buzzing with ideas, riddles, and solutions. In contrast, though, communicating with other people is often more a nuisance than a pleasure for an INTP. Consequently, INTPs tend to be very picky when it comes to choosing friends. If the other person has significantly different interests or simply cannot cope with the INTP’s endless stream of ideas, it is unlikely that the INTP will see them as close friends. 11 

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INTPs are likely to have a very small circle of good friends Many personality types seek friends for chatting, emotional support, social validation etc. INTPs tend to dismiss these things as trivial, and this naturally restricts the pool of potential friends. People with the INTP personality type are bound to gravitate toward other Analyst (NT) types who share their passion for theoretical discussions and intellectual riddles. That being said, INTPs will value and respect their friends greatly and will work hard to keep these relationships strong.

INTPs friends are emotionally supportive If you are having some issues, the INTP will easily come up with several rational solutions, but do not expect them to understand your feelings or know how to explain something that is more emotional than logical. This does not mean that INTP friends have no feelings and should be seen only as walking encyclopedias—quite the contrary. INTP personalities may have very strong sentiments, but they are likely to be hidden from plain sight. Still waters run deep.

INTP friendships are unambiguous, strong, and straightforward They are free from power games and emotional baggage. INTPs reward their friends’ loyalty and understanding with thought-stimulating ideas, sound advice, and reliability. It is not easy to become an INTP’s friend, but if you are inclined to try, you will find that such a relationship is worth the effort.

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Career Path INTP AT WORK At work, the INTP is motivated to solve complex problems in an original, innovative way. INTPs want to analyze systems and ideas thoroughly to create deep understanding, and enjoy designing creative solutions to highly abstract problems. INTPs rarely have much interest in organizational traditions, preferring to forge their own path to innovation. They hate being limited by bureaucracy and rules, and are often more in tune with the theoretical soundness of their ideas than they are with the practical applications. They typically prefer to focus on creating the idea, and to leave the tedious details of implementation to someone else. INTPs work best independently or with a small team of colleagues that they perceive as smart, competent, and logical. They quickly tire of colleagues who are aggressive or overbearing, and can be dismissive of people who aren't as clever as themselves. An ideal organization for an INTP is flexible and non-traditional, and values ingenuity over conformity. An ideal job for an INTP allows them to address complex theoretical or technical problems with creative, novel solutions.

INTP Career Facts More likely than average to be self-employed Less likely than average to be a stay-at-home parent Showed one of the smallest gender wage gaps, with female INTPs earning 88% of male INTPs’ salary. 13 

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Career to Consider

INTPs tend to be very independent hold themselves to very high standards They dislike managing other people or being managed, especially later in their career. These traits are rarely seen as attractive in the modern corporate world, and INTPs should avoid mentioning them in a job interview. However, if their manager proves to be insightful and openminded enough, the INTP will be a never-tiring generator of brilliant and unique ideas. Some of the best INTP careers making good use of these traits may focus on legal, freelance consulting or forensic or laboratory research routes. Finally, INTPs are typical “lone wolves” and typical INTP careers revolve around this trait.

Popular Careers for the INTP INTPs are first and foremost thinkers, and this quality can be seen in their choice of careers. Although INTPs can be found in a wide variety of fields, a happy and satisfied INTP is invariably found in a career that allows 14 

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them to use their intellect, analyze concepts, and think deeply. INTPs have an innovative nature and are often drawn to cutting-edge fields such as technology, engineering, and the sciences. Although INTPs overall are a rare breed, visit an area like California's Silicon Valley or a tech company like Google or Apple and you'll find that nearly every other person seems to be an INTP. This type naturally thrives in the challenging, unpredictable world of tech. Many INTPs are creative and seek an artistic bent to their career. INTPs are particularly drawn to artistic fields with a touch of science or technology, for instance architecture or graphic design. Although INTPs typically prefer careers that have them working with ideas more than people, a contingent of INTPs consider human problems the ultimate frontier of intellectual inquiry. Thus, you find some INTPs in careers that allow them to study the human experience, including psychology and other social sciences..

Workplace Habits INTP Colleagues Insightful and unbiased — INTPs stay out of gossip but are able to decipher the underlying motives quite easily Reluctant to mingle and chat but enjoy discussing new theoretical ideas with co-workers they consider equal to themselves Cautious and suspicious of other people’s motives. Prefer working alone and dislike sharing ideas with “untested” colleagues. Very uncomfortable with expressing emotions or being around people who are expressing them—INTPs do not really know what they are supposed to do in such situations. Enjoy solving riddles and noticing patterns 15 

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INTP Managers Have very high standards, especially for themselves. Dislike explaining their ideas and expect subordinates to be as insightful as they are. Very tolerant and flexible. Open to suggestions, as long as they are logical. Secretly dislike managing other people. Easily notice discrepancies. Loathe schmoozing and strongly resist all forms of emotional manipulation .

INTP Subordinates Very innovative, original, and resourceful, but demand a lot of freedom in return. Do not care much about being liked and are less concerned about job security compared with other personality types—these notions do not hold much value to INTPs. Dislike routine work and implementation of ideas, would much rather focus their energy on generating new ideas. Need to be accompanied by an “implementer” [preferably someone with an Observant (S) personality type] who could put their ideas into practice; this may take time and clever management, however—such things cannot be forced on an INTP. Resistant to criticism, but will not understand emotional arguments. Typical “lone wolves”—INTPs function best when they are left alone.

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