Types In Depth #8: INTP

Types in Depth #8: INTP

FIRST OF ALL, I… apologize! I admit it; I’ve neglected this blog for a while. Sure, I can argue that I have legitimate reasons to do so: new job has been challenging. Which obviously has taken over all my time (apart from sleep). Pretty much everything has taken second priority. But at the same time… writer’s block for this entry has been torturing me for weeks (mostly due to fear that I can’t do INTPs justice, as I’m INTP and may personalize too much…, etc. etc., …). Anyway, I decided to just sit, type, and publish. If it’s wrong, I expect y’all will point it out! :)

Thank you for waiting.

Finally! My TYPE! I know this type pretty well now… so my goal is to keep this about the same length as every one of these entries; I know a little too much about INTP at this point, which makes it difficult for me separate my ego from this type (especially), which is dangerous because in trying to be as accurate as possible, I could accidentally do disservice to the INTPs. So my goal is to be as “objective” as possible, but please be aware that I could hold certain biases about INTP due to the fact that I am one. If you see any inconsistencies, as always, please let me know. No matter how much it may “hurt” my ego, corrections will only provide betterment to us all.

 Without further ado, the last of the intuitive perceivers: INTP.

According to CAPT.org, INTP comprises a total of 3-5% of the total population. Approximately 4-7% of the male population is likely to be INTP, while only 1-3% of the female population is likely to be INTP. This is on trend with most thinking types having less of the female percentage than the feeling types.

The INTP has many fanciful names and even more devastating stereotypes. Known to many in the MBTI as the laziest, most doubtful, and even arrogant type, INTPs do not get the kind of “highest regard” reputation given to their “cousins,” INTJ. Now, most of you who have been on my blog long enough should know and understand that those stereotypes are nothing; INTPs feel deeply, and they struggle in a world where they are rarely accepted for the “observations” they bring. In a world that favors Te and Fe judging functions, Fi and Ti (but Ti especially in some aspect due to how it can show up in people) using individuals can’t help but feel like pariahs. Not only do they often feel like pariahs, but they tend to go through a time period in their lives where they are treated as pariahs. So what does this to a lot of INTPs who desire above all, at least minimal public recognition and acceptance of their thoughts (inferior Fe)? I believe the answer lies in the stereotypes most are familiar with: lazy, unmotivated, sarcastic, stinky, and well, useless.

INTP like the ENTP cousin utilizes for their top two functions, Ne and Ti. However, unlike the ENTP who struggles to narrow down the many conflicting ideas and possibilities using Ti, INTP struggles to see outside of their framework of thought and needs to access their Ne function by asking, “This is the framework that I’ve built based on the facts and theories I’ve found, but it can’t be this simple; it can’t be this ‘closed,’ and final.” Being an INTP is rather paradoxical. On one hand, INTP builds highly subjective systems of thoughts based on the information they’ve gathered and their own interest. On the other hand, INTP is equally highly logical, logically and maintains rationally consistent thought process which makes it difficult for outsiders to break down their logical thinking process, which can frustrate a lot of people who may have positive but “emotional” bent on their viewpoint, as Ti is not only logical but subjective.

This is also due to the fact that the INTP unconsciously represses Fe, a judgment based on values and harmonious relationships with others rather than that of personal logic or what makes “sense.”

A healthy INTP will process all data through the functions Ti>Ne>Si>Fe, with the eventual goal of their personal logical viewpoint (Ti) somehow benefitting/impacting the awareness of the greater awareness of people (Fe). Unhealthy INTP are apt to fall into the Ti-Si grip, 

Just like the INFP, INTP can feel very frustrated in a world where the behaviors and the thought process of the majority of its inhabitants simply do not make sense; where X is the logical and therefore correct answer, INTP is often amazed to find that others do not choose the same “logical” or “correct” choices, nor do they feel they need to. They care about “what is right,” and that is sometimes, wholly different than “what is correct.”

Nevertheless, like all other types, INTP matters. INTP will not lie to themselves that they know everything, nor will they lie to others to please them. If it is incorrect, then it doesn’t matter if you’re the Emperor of Rome; you’re incorrect. However, it is also not a lie that the talent INTP brings to their community is that of critical assessment and brutal (emphasis on brutal) honesty, and this often clashes with many around them. Not being valued for their viewpoints is hard on anyone, even the often clueless INTP. With enough discouragement from their environment, the INTP begins its way way down the road of unhealthiness: Ti-Si loop and Fe grip.

Ti-Si Loop

When an INTP begins to doubt their deductive reasonings based on outside feedback (and to be honest, what INTP hasn’t doubted themselves?), they begin to internalize their thought process. When the outside response isn’t what they expected, they’ll go back into their thought process to wonder if everything they processed was true. This is extensive and thorough, but like all other introverted types, this is subjective, and the tertiary function is not as reliable or as developed as the individual wishes. INTP will sift through all of the tried and true methods they remember (which, despite being significant compared to an ENTP, would not nearly be the same amount as say.. ISTJ), and try to troubleshoot.

But the important point the INTP neglects to realize, is that the subjective model which he/she is working with is bent/tilted in a subjective angle, and even all of the Si data couldn’t possibly un-bend nor straighten out the Ti model. The INTP can get lost in this loop for days, weeks, or even in extreme cases, years, trying to figure out ‘where it went all wrong,” or “the one key factor that would make this completely true,” generally alone. They may seek out some help, but because the INTP is utilizing subjective functions, they’ll be extra-sensitive if well-meaning third party points out contrary point of view that does not “jive” with what the INTP already knows to be true. Therein lies the problem: INTP wants so badly to fix the model in their mind and to be correct, but they’re also equally too sensitive to heed the constructive criticisms of others because they’re emotionally attached to their points of views.

Those lucky enough to recognize this tendency in themselves can, with the help of objective viewpoints and criticisms, get out and find that key factor that they’d been missing in their Ti model.

Those unlucky/stubborn enough to deny the viewpoints of others because it is “irrational/emotional/not objective/not scientific, etc.,” will continue to search through every source they have to “troubleshoot” perceived inaccuracies, but not be able to find a solution due to the fact that they’re simply not going to be troubleshooting in the correct spots.

INTP desires to be self-sufficient, to be independent, and to have a clear logical mind, but the Ti-Si loop prevents this, and this will frustrate the INTP. INTP will begin to neglect Si matters because the INTP is much too focused on just one aspect of Si: finding the wrong detail. INTP will find themselves to be more tired on a daily basis, have trouble with diet and exercise, struggle with hygiene, and even go as far as becoming more absent-minded and less in touch with reality.

When this goes far enough…

Fe Grip

As with other types, the grip occurs when the top three functions basically lose the capability to process information and handle life. Unlike in the extroverted types, INTP will seem more jovial, happy, and excited for life, and many people around them will find them to be joy to handle at first. Even the INTP will feel excited at first.

However, This doesn’t last long. Because Fe state was reached not as a result of the proper cognitive processing, but due to the top three “shutting down,” INTP will burn out faster and the longer they’re in this state, the rougher the burn out is afterwards.

INTP will start making decisions based on relationship needs or through “socially acceptable” values. However, the big problem with the INTP, is that what they think to be socially acceptable/altruistic values miss the nuance developed in the FJs. Therefore, the INTP will hold the Fe values to the same level of scrutiny that facts would under Ti. This will make the INTP overly rigid in their application of Fe value decisions, which will inevitably lead to bad results. This in turn frustrates the INTP, who only had “the best intent” in mind and secretly desires for harmonized environment.

The INTP will also become overly argumentative, all with the intent “to clarify everything” and create “peace,” when in reality, it will inevitably lead to conflict and result in the exact opposite of Fe goals.

Eventually, the INTP will crash and deal with the repercussions. Psychological instability, exhaustion, and overly exaggerated emotional expressions (although the INTP will feel justified in expressing them that intensely as they themselves feel them that intensely; emotions for INTPs often will feel extreme; most of the time, INTP doesn’t feel or notice anything, but when in the Fe grip, emotions will feel intense, scary, and uncontrollable). Furthermore, since the INTP is normally reasonable and subdued in their emotional expression, loved ones will think the matter that the INTP is freaking out about must be a huge problem since INTP wouldn’t “freak out about nothing.”

In reality though… it may not be that big of an issue. Nevertheless, INTP needs to talk it out and release the emotional stress building within them with close loved ones who will not judge but provide patient and loving guidance (preferably FJ, who will be able to guide the INTP’s childish use of emotional value judgments and help them untangle the mess that is Fe data).

For the “independent” INTP, the way to get out of Fe Grip is through the “other.” I’ve always found that to be a bit cruel, but what can you do?

Eventually, with enough love and care, and slow acceptance of objective data (because even loved ones are providing an angle to a problem invisible/not considered by the INTP at the time), INTP can return to normal functions, or even better.

Ne and Fe are inevitably tied for the INTP (and the ENTP). It is through the Fe, Ne becomes realized, and it is through the Ne, that the Fe gets recognition and awareness in the INTP’s psyche. And through this awareness, realization, recognition, and incorporation, the psyche becomes balanced, and the INTP will be closer to achieving that Fe goal than before.

Honestly, although this is so long, I could keep going. But… I’ll leave that for another entry (Si & Fe entanglement in the unconscious*).

Thank you for reading!