INTP or ISTP? Confused & Intrigued

[_Violence_]

Dear Typology Central,

I have only just recently discovered the joys of the MBTI and have been going on a spree of trying to analyze everyone I am in contact with. I don't think I've had this much fun, intellectually speaking, in months or even the past year. This is like cocaine, but way better (cocaine is vastly overrated anyway).

The main problem (not much of a problem since it makes me think even more) I have is figuring out my own type, go figure. The first test I took, albeit not very detailed, classified me as an ISTP.

I was then referred to the mypersonality.info test, where I was classified as an INTP. I have retook the test since then answering some questions that I was on the fence about oppositely, and still came out INTP. Here are my results:

Personality Profile of _Violence_ (Personality Type, Multiple Intelligences)

My hobbies include a crazy amount of stuff from reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, researching theology, philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology. I love studying logic but I am not so deep with mathematics because I find it boring to be honest and do not pursue it at all. Maybe this is strange for NT types; I don't know.

My biggest passions are martial arts training and theory, hoplology (study of human combatives), as well as actually fighting in sparring or competition. I am good at music, I been playing piano for the past 11 years. People tell me I can should go to music school but I have zero interest in making it a career. Also obsessed with cars, motorcycles, and a lot of mechanical things. I had a 350Z that was modified beyond hell, I had lots a lot of money on it and I think it's my underdeveloped Fe screwing me over when I was 18-years-old.

I value intellect above all else, and most people I know say I can be extremely cold, arrogant, and seemingly uncaring/apathetic. I hold myself to high standards and others to low ones. I hate being dependent on anyone and am highly individualistic. Furthermore I consider myself extremely adventurous, for example I love getting lost, there is no food I won't try, I like driving crazy fast in cars and motorcycles, racing, fighting/competing, etc. I can be extremely spontaneous and random with what I want and activities I am pursuing. From my research most of these seem to be ISTP oriented.

Other traits I have include my obsession with analyzing and observing EVERYTHING, especially organic interactions, whether it be socio-economic, naturalistic, or anything else. I think organic interactions, such as watching two teams play a computer or sports game against each other, are more interesting than mechanical ones (how an engine works), but I AM intrigued by both. Going to a restaurant or a mall, I can satisfy myself with sitting in a corner watching people walk by and trying to figure out as much as possible at everybody that walks past me.

The things that confuse myself are how seemingly unfocused I can be on subjects I find uninteresting, my ability to procrastinate schoolwork indefinitely (doing everything last minute), my absent-mindedness when I'm suppose to be doing ACTUAL work, where I just start daydreaming or have random abstract thoughts that make no sense. I've been told that procrastination shows I am more INTP in that regard. And then, I like things which have nothing to do with logic and appeal to me on an emotional basis, such as literature, especially POETRY. And even psueo-religious texts such as the Tao Te Ching, which I analyze and try to apply to my daily life. I find it helpful as abstract concepts which I can interpret to benefit practical, everyday affairs.

People seem to go to me for when they have some sort of problem to deal with. Looking at things objectively and without emotional attachment is fun for me, or perhaps addictive. I look for the solution, I don't try to comfort people. Apparently this can be both an ST and NT behavior? Oh and I am both atheist and existential nihilist. Came to those conclusions through years of abstract thinking ever since I got sick of going to Church and trying to rationalize the "meaning" of existence. Maybe there is no meaning.

I do apologize for the extremely long post. But now you know I like going into extreme detail about everything too... hmmm

 

[simulatedworld]

Sounds pretty ISTP to me.

Your penchant for looking at things analytically and without emotional attachment for the sake of understanding the inner mechanics of how they work is characteristically Ti (introverted Thinking); that is the dominant function of both INTP and ISTP.

Are you familiar with cognitive functions? I'd look up some definitions of Ne (extroverted iNtuition) vs. Se (extroverted Sensing) and see which one you identify better with.

 

[_Violence_]

Already on it, thanks.

And you are correct, the most confusing thing for me is figuring out this who Ne vs. Se mess. Most other functions between INTP and ISTP seem pretty similar. :/

 

[Owl]

You're my evil twin from bizzaro world.

This first post casts you as an ISTP stereotype, but there's no reason an INTP couldn't enjoy activities usually associated with Se. SW's advice is solid, so I'll just ditto his post.

 

[VagrantFarce]

Welcome! Hope you don't mind if we dip into cognitive functions to tell the difference:

The biggest difference between ISTP and INTP are the auxillary and tertiary functions, both of which are perceiving functions. Both types rely on Introverted Perception as a sort of "ego defence" or "home base" for when they feel under pressure or disoriented, and both types rely on Extraverted Perception as a way of interacting with and observing the world. See which of these pairs you identify with most:

• Extraverted Sensation (Se) says that the observable world is filled with wonderful stimuli, and all you have to do is let yourself react to them. No need to think, just react. The meaning of something is what your gut tells you you should do in response. If it's not here or not now, it's not real.
• Introverted Intuition (Ni) says that the observable world is arbitrary and deceitful, and not representative of all the possible interpretations of itself. You have to liberate yourself from these arbitrary interpretations by considering all possible interpretations, or you will risk being led astray.

• Extraverted Intuition (Ne) says that everything in the observable world is connected to a greater context, and it allows you to make contextual connections between this object and another one. Through this act of discovery, we become aware of greater possibilities for meaning, knowledge or action.
• Introverted Sensation (Si) says that the observable world is so overwhelmingly filled with stimuli and randomness that you need something stable to focus on, or you'll just be permanently overwhelmed and confused.

[edit]: I'm also going to point you toward this website, which is the greatest website in the history of everything: The Lenore Thomson Exegesis Wiki

[edit2]: "Confused and Intrigued", the mantra of the dominant-Ti.

 

[_Violence_]

More confusion on my end:

I have been reading more about this, and some people apparently believe that ISTPs are more prone to noticing every little detail about the present situation, being "in the moment" after all. I am like this at times, for example when I am walking home or somewhere, I tend to create a little "bubble" around me and try to notice every single little detail, look for potentially dangerous situations, try to avoid getting mugged, look for suspicious people or things, etc.

Then on the other hand, I seem to have a TERRIBLE short-term memory, I misplace and lose small things such as my cell phone, wallet, or character on a 24/7 basis, I forget to call people back, I get absent minded and forgetful and lose track spacing out and daydreaming. And sometimes, even in this types of situations say in class, if someone leaves to go to the bathroom I will miss them. And then after realizing I didn't notice I will be extremely disappointed with myself because being aware of surroundings is something I take way too seriously.

Edit:

Vagrant, I feel that I identify more strongly with the ISTP secondary and tertiary functions. And it doesn't bother me whether I am INTP or ISTP or even seem to change depending on the day, this is just so very interesting.

For example, I thrive on the little joys I get every single day. I hate preparing for the future, thinking what I am going to do or where I'm gonna end up even 2-3 years from now, my career, or anything like that. Using my Ti for that type of analysis only makes me feel emotionally unstable, or sometimes even depressed. What truly seems to make me happy is enjoying my bowl of ice cream, taking 30 minutes out of my day to have lunch with a friend, watching a sports game, reading a book, or just zone out and listening to the music that is befitting of my mood.

I was gonna say if somebody offered me one million dollars but there was a contract that I couldn't have any of these things and had to live in basically a prison cell with no interactions or books or anything for X amount of time, that I would say no. But then I thought it would depend on how long "X" was because then I can figure out the opportunity cost, hahaha.

 

[VagrantFarce]

I'm going to say you're ISTP based solely on your moody, stylish Avatar.

 

[_Violence_]

With me seemingly an ISTP (despite the stupid mypersonality test!), or possibly even fluctuating between ST & NT, gives me even more things to analyze. I RETOOK the test and answered some of the questions differently, and actually got ISTP this time.

The weird thing is, my Sensing this time is 63%. My Intuition on the last test result was also 63%, which annoys me because on some of these questions, I really DO swing both ways, and it just depends on the specific damn situation.

Since one of my best friends who is basically my partner in intellectual crime seems to fluctuate between INTJ & INTP. Now I'm reading your guide with great gusto... XD

You think it is possible for me to shift between ST and NT depending on environmental and social stimuli? Or is this something that is ingrained much, much deeper? Or some other random ass reasons/explanations. Thanks!

 

[Jaguar]

I'm going to say you're ISTP based solely on your moody, stylish Avatar.

So what are you suggesting with your avatar-- all INTPs are in dire need of a face lift?

 

[VagrantFarce]

So what are you suggesting with your avatar-- all INTPs are in dire need of a face lift?

and a shower

 

[_Violence_]

Gahhhh even though the secondary function of Se seems to fit me much better, all discussions NT seem to be much more interesting.

 

[Jaguar]

I have to admit, seeing an alleged INTP with a username of "violence" is a bit amusing.

 

[_Violence_]

I have to admit, seeing an alleged INTP with a username of "violence" is a bit amusing.

Violence is an intrinsic aspect of martial arts and the focal point of hoplology and as such I find violence to be beautiful in perhaps what "normal" people would describe as a twisted and dark sort of way. Violence is the primordial cause for the invention of martial arts, and without the threat of it, there would be no need to develop formalized systems of combat.

PS - I love jaguars they are my second favorite animal.

 

[BlueScreen]

How detail oriented are you? That is one major difference between ISTP and INTP. From what is in here so far, I'm leaning toward ISTP.

 

[Jaguar]

Violence is an intrinsic aspect of martial arts and the focal point of hoplology and as such I find violence to be beautiful in perhaps what "normal" people would describe as a twisted and dark sort of way. Violence is the primordial cause for the invention of martial arts, and without the threat of it, there would be no need to develop formalized systems of combat.

PS - I love jaguars they are my second favorite animal.

Far be it for me to tell you what words to use, but don't you think "control" is more intrinsic?
There is a big difference between a couple of goofballs throwing punches, and the poetry-in-motion control of martial artistry.
I don't think of "violence" when I think of, say, Bruce Lee. I see an art form.
(Very ISTP, by the way.)

 

[_Violence_]

Far be it for me to tell you what words to use, but don't you think "control" is more intrinsic?
There is a big difference between a couple of goofballs throwing punches, and the poetry-in-motion control of martial artistry.
I don't think of "violence" when I think of, say, Bruce Lee. I see an art form.
(Very ISTP, by the way.)

No, not really. From your post your understanding (or lack of) or martial arts seem far too romantic and unrealistic. Someone playing a form (kata) might look flowing or even "poetic" but the unfortunate reality is REAL combat is extremely ugly, violent, and chaotic. It is unpredictable, uncontrollable. Training only mitigates that randomness.

Furthermore, whether you are competing in a sport setting (boxing, kickboxing) or using combat in a real-world setting (getting mugged, robbed) puts an extreme shift in how chaotic/unpredictable the event is. The more organized the altercation, the more mitigation you can maintain through training.

Oh, and Bruce Lee is vastly overrated. Zero video proof of his actual physical combat abilities. If you want an iconic figure with actual proof of his fighting abilities I suggest you check out Mas Oyama.

 

[Fluffywolf]

I am pretty sure you're ISTP.

Your 'analytical view' of fighting, as an obsession, isn't very Ne like at all.

Those kind of analytical views I can only expect from myself on subjects that only partially interest me. Or not interest me at all. When I have a great interest in something, my Ne starts flinging me back and forth all aspects of that interest. You seem to have a pretty steady focus instead which I assume is due to your Se.

 

[_Violence_]

I am pretty sure you're ISTP.

Your 'analytical view' of fighting, as an obsession, isn't very Ne like at all.

Those kind of analytical views I can only expect from myself on subjects that only partially interest me. Or not interest me at all. When I have a great interest in something, my Ne starts flinging me back and forth all aspects of that interest. You seem to have a pretty steady focus instead which I assume is due to your Se.

Interesting observation, and something thought provoking.

While I have an insanely wide range of "interests" or "hobbies," I tend to briefly study, analyze, or observe them. So I guess in this respect, I am the opposite of you on what I unconsciously focus upon.

Thanks!

 

[Jaguar]

No, not really. From your post your understanding (or lack of) or martial arts seem far too romantic and unrealistic. Someone playing a form (kata) might look flowing or even "poetic" but the unfortunate reality is REAL combat is extremely ugly, violent, and chaotic. It is unpredictable, uncontrollable. Training only mitigates that randomness.

Furthermore, whether you are competing in a sport setting (boxing, kickboxing) or using combat in a real-world setting (getting mugged, robbed) puts an extreme shift in how chaotic/unpredictable the event is. The more organized the altercation, the more mitigation you can maintain through training.

Oh, and Bruce Lee is vastly overrated. Zero video proof of his actual physical combat abilities. If you want an iconic figure with actual proof of his fighting abilities I suggest you check out Mas Oyama.

I never said combat wasn't ugly, violent or chaotic. It is indeed, all that.
I just don't see martial arts in the same light as beating the crap out of someone on the street, in the usual sense.

You seem to have a preoccupation with the word: combat.
When I think of Bruce Lee, I don't think of combat.

Football is a violent sport, and I can even see the poetry-in-motion on the field.
It's not really being a "romantic" as much as it is being able to see fluidity of movement in many forms of action.
I feel the same way about horse racing or professional tennis.

 

[_Violence_]

Ah, yes. Well, perhaps it would be better for me to say I find most things in "martial arts" to be extremely superfluous and unnecessary, detracting from the roots, which is simply efficiency and speed of attaining specific results, whether this is winning, maiming, or killing someone.

This is why I wish hoplology was a more developed field of study; the pure, unadulterated study of combat/violence/technique/efficiency is my point of interest. Philosophical or spiritual discourse, forms/kata, or trying to achieve some sort of zen-like state (Bruce Lee was quite big on this, the state of no-mindedness) is something I find trivial and quite pointless.