Phoenix_400
New member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2009
- Messages
- 297
- MBTI Type
- INxP
- Enneagram
- 5w6
Okay, so I posted a thread over in the NF board and somebody there said my writing style made them think I was INFJ rather than INTP. This has piqued my curiosity. I've tested INTP and a few of my friends who have read the descriptions find it spot on accurate, as do I. After reading the INFJ descriptions, however, I believe I do lean in that direction, but only when around those who are close to me.
I'm going to repost my little self-observation rant that I put up in that thread and I would like some input. What are your thoughts? Has anybody else experienced any of this?
Here's my post from that thread. I'll give clarification on points if asked or if it seems needed. I'm not shy about digging inside my own head.
_____________
Thats interesting. You've got me reflecting now. You seem very observant and I'd like to explore your idea further. I'd appreciate your perspective, if its not too much trouble.
WARNING: I'm about to ramble here. The following are observations I've made of myself. This is in no way a complete novel (bet your thinkin' "Thank Gawd!), but it is a decent chapter (drat).
I believe I'm very much an intp after going through the type descriptions. The long one linked over on intp.org sent a chill down my spine like nothing ever has.
I am very in touch with my emotions, but have a hard time expressing them. The thing is the way I deal with those emotions. I don't usually know what I'm feeling at first, I just know something is up. I'll take a few days to retreat into myself and work through everything in my head to be sure of what I'm feeling. Then, and only then, do I feel comfortable expressing or talking about them.
My emotional responses are usually pretty controlled. For the most part, I'm very logical in how I work through things. Its usually "I need to be calm about this and think my through it" or "Under these circumstances, it would be best to trust my gut."
On the INTP side:
When I'm bored, I build cars in my head, or computers, or networks. I can see the components fitting together, how they affect one another. I tend to contemplate the mysteries of the universe. When I'm interested in something, I'm told I "research the flavor out of it". I'll forget to sleep or eat if I'm really caught up. I bounce from subject to subject(and they are rarely related), get to know the basics and file it back if its something I know I'll be more interested in later.
Psychology is a great interest to me. I'm a people watcher by nature. I don't care much for interacting with people directly, but I love watching people interact with one another. Its very fascinating how different types of people respond to different situations and other people.
Its when I'm actually stuck interacting with people that I think the FJ tendencies come out. Part of it is upbringing and past traumas. A mix of politeness and, at times, low self-esteem. I also think I have a strong sense of empathy at times. I can't stand seeing others in pain, especially if I feel they've done nothing to deserve it. If they do deserve it, I can be a heartless bastard though. I also have to be careful of the fact I tend to take on the mood of others if they're sending out a strong enough vibe. Its a bit of a pitfall for me and affects my ability to be objective. In the past, I've taken on the role of adviser or mediator for most of my friends and gotten myself into trouble because I let my heart get away from me when I KNEW I was being stupid.
I'm thinking I'm INTP with INFJ tendencies. Again, past experiences and traumas have forced me to confront my emotions and learn to accept them. I'm not shy about telling those stories either. I tell people, "There comes a point where things stop being traumatizing and start becoming morbidly humorous". Its a coping mechanism, at least.
The INTP descriptions definitely fit me much more, in my own opinion. I'm very interested in other people's perspective. The more perspectives I can get on something, the closer I am to the truth. The problem with self-analysis is: No matter how hard you try, you're always too close to the problem.
I'm going to repost my little self-observation rant that I put up in that thread and I would like some input. What are your thoughts? Has anybody else experienced any of this?
Here's my post from that thread. I'll give clarification on points if asked or if it seems needed. I'm not shy about digging inside my own head.
_____________
Thats interesting. You've got me reflecting now. You seem very observant and I'd like to explore your idea further. I'd appreciate your perspective, if its not too much trouble.
WARNING: I'm about to ramble here. The following are observations I've made of myself. This is in no way a complete novel (bet your thinkin' "Thank Gawd!), but it is a decent chapter (drat).
I believe I'm very much an intp after going through the type descriptions. The long one linked over on intp.org sent a chill down my spine like nothing ever has.
I am very in touch with my emotions, but have a hard time expressing them. The thing is the way I deal with those emotions. I don't usually know what I'm feeling at first, I just know something is up. I'll take a few days to retreat into myself and work through everything in my head to be sure of what I'm feeling. Then, and only then, do I feel comfortable expressing or talking about them.
My emotional responses are usually pretty controlled. For the most part, I'm very logical in how I work through things. Its usually "I need to be calm about this and think my through it" or "Under these circumstances, it would be best to trust my gut."
On the INTP side:
When I'm bored, I build cars in my head, or computers, or networks. I can see the components fitting together, how they affect one another. I tend to contemplate the mysteries of the universe. When I'm interested in something, I'm told I "research the flavor out of it". I'll forget to sleep or eat if I'm really caught up. I bounce from subject to subject(and they are rarely related), get to know the basics and file it back if its something I know I'll be more interested in later.
Psychology is a great interest to me. I'm a people watcher by nature. I don't care much for interacting with people directly, but I love watching people interact with one another. Its very fascinating how different types of people respond to different situations and other people.
Its when I'm actually stuck interacting with people that I think the FJ tendencies come out. Part of it is upbringing and past traumas. A mix of politeness and, at times, low self-esteem. I also think I have a strong sense of empathy at times. I can't stand seeing others in pain, especially if I feel they've done nothing to deserve it. If they do deserve it, I can be a heartless bastard though. I also have to be careful of the fact I tend to take on the mood of others if they're sending out a strong enough vibe. Its a bit of a pitfall for me and affects my ability to be objective. In the past, I've taken on the role of adviser or mediator for most of my friends and gotten myself into trouble because I let my heart get away from me when I KNEW I was being stupid.
I'm thinking I'm INTP with INFJ tendencies. Again, past experiences and traumas have forced me to confront my emotions and learn to accept them. I'm not shy about telling those stories either. I tell people, "There comes a point where things stop being traumatizing and start becoming morbidly humorous". Its a coping mechanism, at least.
The INTP descriptions definitely fit me much more, in my own opinion. I'm very interested in other people's perspective. The more perspectives I can get on something, the closer I am to the truth. The problem with self-analysis is: No matter how hard you try, you're always too close to the problem.