Most behaviors associated with unhealthy types can be described in one list of characteristics. Such behavior traits will be exhibited by at least 70% of unhealthy persons belonging to the type in question.
However, the case is not such for the INTP.
Reason why: People of all other types are unhealthy primarily for the following reason, their first function is highly developed and their second is not. As a result, they over-rely on their first function and under-rely on their second, and even more so on the third and the fourth.
What is the difference between many unhealthy INTPs and malfunctioning persons of other types? Many unhealthy INTPs do not have their first function developed adequately, yet representatives of other types do.
What does it mean to have a function developed? It simply means to be comfortable using it. To be a dominant Thinking type means to be most comfortable using the Thinking function. Does it not seem absurd to say that one is a certain type (for example a dominant Thinking type) and is uncomfortable using Thinking? No, to be a certain type means to be more comfortable using one function than the other. Simply having greater comfort using one function than the other does not amount to being very comfortable using the faculties one is the most comfortable with. It is conceivable that one is at ill-ease with all of his or her faculties, but merely at less of an ill-ease using some functions than others.
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Why is it the case that the INTP, unlike all other types is uncomfortable using his dominant function? Practice is required for one to become comfortable with any skill. Using one of our cognitive faculties is no exception. One receives ample opportunities to practice Intuition, Sensation and Feeling on daily basis, even in the most trivial of tasks. Sensing is necessary for handling all physical tasks, which almost all persons must perform frequently. Feeling is necessary for interacting with people and understanding one's own tastes. Activities that compel one to use the Feeling faculty are almost inevitable also. Intuition can be used to brainstorm a variety of ideas regarding almost any situation. All curious people will have a natural inclination to do so.
Thinking, on the other hand, is not as easily developed as other faculties. It is very unnatural. It requires us to detach from our inner being and subjugated our thought to a very rigid formula. This skill is almost impossible to develop without a high degree of intellectual inspiration. The case is such because very few everyday tasks exhort one to carefully analyze any problem with precision.
An Extroverted Thinker carries a slight advantage over the Introverted Thinker as his thought is more applicable to the external world. As a result of this, it is simply easier for him to discover opportunities to practice using the function that is the most natural to him. The ISTP, as a Sensing type, also retains an interest in the external world, hence unlike the INTP he is endowed with an opportunity to use Thinking.
The INTP on the other hand tends to be deeply interested in abstract matters. Very few communities outside of academia are interested in such matters. Hence, the INTP lacks the quantity of opportunities to practice using his dominant function that other types confidently take for granted.
What is the result of this? The INTP does not fit in anywhere as he truly is good at nothing. All of his functions are defunct, including his dominant Introverted Thinking. For this reason he can easily believe in absurdities and entertain a variety of superiority complexes described in this thread. Such persons are very similar to feelers who believe that the world misunderstands them. They can become bitter and hostile to the world believing that it is 'trying to screw them'.
The chaos of their external environment (their room) does indeed resemble the discombobulated state of their inner world.
Such INTPs are most common on these message boards. They are frequently young. I would estimate that 70% of INTPc members fall under this category.
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However, there is another type of an unhealthy INTP that is much less frequent, however is common enough to be noticed. Many of the older persons of this type did have an opportunity to develop their Introverted Thinking. As a result their logical reasoning skills are formiddable. Their inner life is organized and the discipline of their thought prevents them from believing in absurdities. As a result they are not hostile to others as they understand that the reason why they are misunderstood and alienated has nothing to do with others attempting to undermine them. These people are unhealthy because they simply are unable to find a place in their community where they could feel comfortable. As a result, they merely withdraw and focus on activities they are most comfortable with. Their laziness is the reason why they are unable to find applications for their activities in the external world. Their natural dispositions make them much more comfortable introverting rather than interacting with the external world to the end of seeking out desirable activity. They simply are unconcerned to make their lives better as they feel it is too taxing on them. These people are frequently competent at activities of their interest and are comitted to them. That is so because their well developed Thinking function exhorts them to pursue competence and their skill with this faculty enables them to solve many problems that they need to in order to excel at what they do.
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Summary
INTP 1- Inexperienced and immature
-Underdeveloped Thinking
-Irresponsible and haphazard
- Hostile to others
-Lack a sense of purpose in life
INTP 2-Mature, knowledgeable, but alienated.
-Clear thinkers.
-Self-aware.
-Dedicated to their goals and excel at what they do.
-Misunderstood.
-Intensely internally focused and therefore are uninterested in making amends with the world.
How does one progress from INTP 1 to INTP 2? By having intellectual challenging experiences that lead one to develop Introverted Thinking. Highly functioning faculty of Introverted Thinking leads one to be introspective and to apply disciplined and clear thought to all walks of life.
Main difference between the two kinds-One regards the world with hostility and the other with indifference. One is in control of his life, the other lacks control.