INTPness
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- Jan 22, 2009
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- MBTI Type
- INTP
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- 5w4
constructs (the noun, not the verb): an image, idea, or theory, esp. a complex one formed from a number of simpler elements.
Ti develops, forms, tweaks, and analyzes these constructs about a great deal of things in life. Non Ti users often ask us for more information about this - what does it mean? can we give an examples? It's very much an internal process and doesn't quite feel all that natural to "reveal it" (just ask an INFP to tell you their deepest fantasies and see how much information you get ).
But, here is a rather simple one that I've developed since I've learned about MBTI. They can get much more complex than this and they can be in subjects that are much more technical than this example.
I encourage other INTP's and ENTP's to share some of yours if you're comfortable doing so. It could be anything, this is just one I chose randomly in light of some of the recent threads regarding what Ti "looks like". In many cases it tries to take things that are complex and not easily understood and tries to put them into a neat framework that is "pretty darn accurate", although not infallible. Then that framework is always available for quick reference. The framework is very general - we're smart enough to realize (most of the time, anyways ) that life is complex and can't be reduced to "3 simple rules", nor can life's complexities be shoved into a box. We are outside the box thinkers (as evidenced by some of our wild ideas), but the framework helps us to be efficient. I'd say most of my frameworks are effective for me, using the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, my existing Ti constructs will be "good enough" to help me understand situations and make "good" and "proper" decisions. 20% of the time, the complexities of people and the world "stump me", leave me baffled and wanting/needing to learn more, leave me looking like an ignorant idiot (which I can usually explain/argue my way out of pretty effectively ), or otherwise show holes in my existing framework/theory.
But, let's admit it, 80% is pretty effective. It means that if I don't know much about a situation, I can rely on my frameworks/constructs to make my decision and I'll be right 80% of the time. When you have to make a decision NOW, 80% sure beats 50%. That's probably why you hear some other types say that INTP's are rarely wrong. I'm not saying that's true (that we're not often wrong), but I've read other types say that about us. Also, the more important the decision is, the more I will delve outside of my framework in order to make a good decision. If it's a huge decision, then I don't want to leave it to the 80/20 rule. 80% isn't a good enough success rate for me - not for the really big decisions. In those cases, I'm digging deeper, gathering more information, and really getting to the bottom of things. In the cases where it's just "fun stuff" or "not super important" or "decisions have to be made quickly", 80/20 is good enough and comes in handy.
First, let me stipulate the following:
It's not something that is set in stone. It is based on personal experience, things I have read and learned from others, and also a bit on intuiton (personal hunch). If I leave intuition out of my constructs and rely simply on pure logic/analysis, it becomes much more rigorous and harder to develop the framework. If I make room for some intuition, then I can include a lot more "stuff" into my body of information.
It was much different (less developed because of less information) several years ago than it is now. I'm sure it will be somewhat different a year from now than it is now.
So, here goes. It's just something that's clear in my head and, if I were to transfer it to paper, it would probably ends up looking something like this - sort of like an outline with notes. Don't be offended if something is negative to your type. Just like Te, it does tend to be critical (but, critical with a purpose in mind).
MBTI types that I would probably be compatible with, or, what I can expect to experience when getting involved with someone or meeting someone new:
I. NF's (have had personal success with this group. They have liked me and I have liked them, generally speaking. Kind of get the feeling that we compliment each other well, or "complete each other" in a sense).
Subtypes:
A. ENFJ
Pro's:
-great "team concept" exists in the relationship; we're in it together
-very loyal to me and will appreciate my loyalty in return
-can tolerate my Ne pretty well
Con's:
-Can be a little too controlling for my tastes
-will try to tell me what is best for me
-probably won't like it when I push back and tell them to get off my back; conflict sets in when I don't conform
B. ENFP
Pro's:
-tremendous fun; we can laugh all day
-seem to "get me" as well as anybody; it will be easy for me to be myself
-will probably enjoy each other's company most of the time
Con's:
-take what they say with a grain of salt; they can be flaky
-might get bored with my introversion and seek out novelty in the relationship
-might expect more time with me than I'm willing to give
C. INFJ
Pro's:
-smart, intuitive, caring
-like ENFJ's, could probably tolerate my Ne fairly well
-need a lot more information on this type, haven't come across many IRL
Con's:
-from what I've heard, their idealism can lead them to get tired of "the same ol' relationship", making them want to experience something new.
-from what I've heard, can be emotionally manipulative. Knowing myself, that won't go over very well if I pick up on it, which I probably will.
D. INFP
Pro's:
-smart, unique, classy individuals
-shared Ne makes for a great time
-we can discuss real issues and really be on the "same plane" most of the time
Con's:
-want time away from me just as much as I do from them. Will we spend enough time together to sustain a relationship?
-very, very slow and potentially long process of opening up and getting close
-a little bit flighty/unreliable/non-transparent. This can translate into not really knowing what they are up to in their personal lives. Will I find out 1 year from now that she checked out of the relationship a long time ago?
2. NT's (have a great time with them, incredible mental stimulation - usually too hard-headed and too much like me to be compatible, but - who knows?)
-I won't go into individual types in order to keep this post manageable
3. S's (8 different varieties, but don't care to date them anymore. Not much to talk about over the long haul. However, remember the 80/20 rule. Lightning could strike! Wow, she's cute! Hi. Err, excuse me. Do you know who Albert Einstein is?)
So, it could get WAY more complex/detailed than that, but that's kind of the framework that I keep in mind based on everything I've experienced with actual people, read from research, read on these forums, etc.)
xNTP's, share some of your Ti constructs!
Ti develops, forms, tweaks, and analyzes these constructs about a great deal of things in life. Non Ti users often ask us for more information about this - what does it mean? can we give an examples? It's very much an internal process and doesn't quite feel all that natural to "reveal it" (just ask an INFP to tell you their deepest fantasies and see how much information you get ).
But, here is a rather simple one that I've developed since I've learned about MBTI. They can get much more complex than this and they can be in subjects that are much more technical than this example.
I encourage other INTP's and ENTP's to share some of yours if you're comfortable doing so. It could be anything, this is just one I chose randomly in light of some of the recent threads regarding what Ti "looks like". In many cases it tries to take things that are complex and not easily understood and tries to put them into a neat framework that is "pretty darn accurate", although not infallible. Then that framework is always available for quick reference. The framework is very general - we're smart enough to realize (most of the time, anyways ) that life is complex and can't be reduced to "3 simple rules", nor can life's complexities be shoved into a box. We are outside the box thinkers (as evidenced by some of our wild ideas), but the framework helps us to be efficient. I'd say most of my frameworks are effective for me, using the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, my existing Ti constructs will be "good enough" to help me understand situations and make "good" and "proper" decisions. 20% of the time, the complexities of people and the world "stump me", leave me baffled and wanting/needing to learn more, leave me looking like an ignorant idiot (which I can usually explain/argue my way out of pretty effectively ), or otherwise show holes in my existing framework/theory.
But, let's admit it, 80% is pretty effective. It means that if I don't know much about a situation, I can rely on my frameworks/constructs to make my decision and I'll be right 80% of the time. When you have to make a decision NOW, 80% sure beats 50%. That's probably why you hear some other types say that INTP's are rarely wrong. I'm not saying that's true (that we're not often wrong), but I've read other types say that about us. Also, the more important the decision is, the more I will delve outside of my framework in order to make a good decision. If it's a huge decision, then I don't want to leave it to the 80/20 rule. 80% isn't a good enough success rate for me - not for the really big decisions. In those cases, I'm digging deeper, gathering more information, and really getting to the bottom of things. In the cases where it's just "fun stuff" or "not super important" or "decisions have to be made quickly", 80/20 is good enough and comes in handy.
First, let me stipulate the following:
It's not something that is set in stone. It is based on personal experience, things I have read and learned from others, and also a bit on intuiton (personal hunch). If I leave intuition out of my constructs and rely simply on pure logic/analysis, it becomes much more rigorous and harder to develop the framework. If I make room for some intuition, then I can include a lot more "stuff" into my body of information.
It was much different (less developed because of less information) several years ago than it is now. I'm sure it will be somewhat different a year from now than it is now.
So, here goes. It's just something that's clear in my head and, if I were to transfer it to paper, it would probably ends up looking something like this - sort of like an outline with notes. Don't be offended if something is negative to your type. Just like Te, it does tend to be critical (but, critical with a purpose in mind).
MBTI types that I would probably be compatible with, or, what I can expect to experience when getting involved with someone or meeting someone new:
I. NF's (have had personal success with this group. They have liked me and I have liked them, generally speaking. Kind of get the feeling that we compliment each other well, or "complete each other" in a sense).
Subtypes:
A. ENFJ
Pro's:
-great "team concept" exists in the relationship; we're in it together
-very loyal to me and will appreciate my loyalty in return
-can tolerate my Ne pretty well
Con's:
-Can be a little too controlling for my tastes
-will try to tell me what is best for me
-probably won't like it when I push back and tell them to get off my back; conflict sets in when I don't conform
B. ENFP
Pro's:
-tremendous fun; we can laugh all day
-seem to "get me" as well as anybody; it will be easy for me to be myself
-will probably enjoy each other's company most of the time
Con's:
-take what they say with a grain of salt; they can be flaky
-might get bored with my introversion and seek out novelty in the relationship
-might expect more time with me than I'm willing to give
C. INFJ
Pro's:
-smart, intuitive, caring
-like ENFJ's, could probably tolerate my Ne fairly well
-need a lot more information on this type, haven't come across many IRL
Con's:
-from what I've heard, their idealism can lead them to get tired of "the same ol' relationship", making them want to experience something new.
-from what I've heard, can be emotionally manipulative. Knowing myself, that won't go over very well if I pick up on it, which I probably will.
D. INFP
Pro's:
-smart, unique, classy individuals
-shared Ne makes for a great time
-we can discuss real issues and really be on the "same plane" most of the time
Con's:
-want time away from me just as much as I do from them. Will we spend enough time together to sustain a relationship?
-very, very slow and potentially long process of opening up and getting close
-a little bit flighty/unreliable/non-transparent. This can translate into not really knowing what they are up to in their personal lives. Will I find out 1 year from now that she checked out of the relationship a long time ago?
2. NT's (have a great time with them, incredible mental stimulation - usually too hard-headed and too much like me to be compatible, but - who knows?)
-I won't go into individual types in order to keep this post manageable
3. S's (8 different varieties, but don't care to date them anymore. Not much to talk about over the long haul. However, remember the 80/20 rule. Lightning could strike! Wow, she's cute! Hi. Err, excuse me. Do you know who Albert Einstein is?)
So, it could get WAY more complex/detailed than that, but that's kind of the framework that I keep in mind based on everything I've experienced with actual people, read from research, read on these forums, etc.)
xNTP's, share some of your Ti constructs!