This site includes contributions from members of INTJ Forum and is open to all INTJs and people who want to learn about the INTJ personality type. The articles on this site are a mix of topics that come up frequently on the forum and topics about INTJs we don’t see on other sites. It is meant to be a useful resource dedicated to the INTJ personality type. Feedback is welcome.

Jung’s original work on Psychological type was adapted into several other personality theories. These theories are often blurred together in internet discussions although they are different. This article assumes you are already generally familiar with the various Jungian personality theories (MBTI/Keirsey/Socionics) so I’m focusing on clarifying the differences between theories rather than providing an explanation of how each theory works.

Jung’s Psychological Types

Developed By:  Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung
Alternative INTJ Terms: Introverted Intuitive

Jung developed the frame work of personality types later used by Myers-Briggs and other personality theorists. His theory consists of four functions (S/N and T/F) which are modified by introversion and extraversion to create eight psychological types. The cognitive processes are Se/Si, Ne/Ni, Te/Ti, Fe/Fi. In Jung’s theory, “rational” is used to describe the judging functions thinking and feeling and “irrational” is used to describe the perceiving functions sensation and intuition.

There was no type labelled as an “INTJ” in Jung’s theory as the 16 types were coined in a later theory.

Myers-Briggs

Developed By: Katharine Cook Briggs and psychological theorist Isabel Briggs Myers
Alternative INTJ Terms: Introverted Intuition Supported By Thinking

Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) based on a modified version of Jung’s theory. Their goal was to make Jung’s theory more understandable and useful to people. Myers-Briggs stuck with Jung’s cognitive functions and added the J/P dimension to create 16 personality types. The Myers-Briggs theory is based heavily on cognitive processes and how people think and feel.

Most discussions about personality theories on the internet is based on a mixture of the Myers-Briggs theory and Keirsey’s Temperament sorter.

Keirsey’s Temperament Sorter

Developed By: American psychologist David Keirsey
Alternate INTJ Terms: Mastermind

Keirsey’s personality theory is based on a combination of the four temperaments and Jung’s original theory. His theory only uses the four scales (I/E, N/S, T/F, J/P) and does not incorporate the cognitive processes to create each personality profile. Keirsey’s theory is based on people’s core needs and long term observable behavior whereas Myers-Briggs primarily describes what people think and feel.

A significant portion of what is discussed about personality typology in internet communities comes from Keirsey’s contributions. If you group the types as NT, NF, SP and SJ, you are referencing groupings Keirsey introduced. Keirsey believed the differences between N and S types were the most important, followed by T/F for N types and J/P for S types. He is also the one who coined the term “Mastermind” for INTJs. Many of the tests available online use the four scale model similar to The Keirsey Temperament Sorter.

Keirsey’s INTJ profile focuses on behavior more than thought processes, but doesn’t necessarily clash with the Myers-Briggs version of the type.

Socionics

Developed by: Lithuanian researcher Aušra Augustinavičiūtė
Alternate INTJ Terms: The Analyst (INTj) or The Observer (INTp)

Augustinavičiūtė used a combination of Jung’s personality type theory and Antoni Kępiński’s information metabolism theory to develop the socionics theory. Augustinavičiūtė believed each type had a distinct role to play in society, which is the reason the name “socionics” was chosen. Like Jung’s theory, socionics has eight functions (socionics: information aspects) that combine to create 16 different personality types (socionics: sociotypes). The letters making up the types in Socionics are the same as Jung’s, but the functions are in a different order and the last letter of a type is always lowercase. For this reason, using a lower case letter for J/P to show a “weak” function may be confused for displaying a socionics type.

The most striking difference between the socionics profiles and those of other Jungian theories is the focus on physical appearance. The profiles describe the shape of the face and body, posture, gestures, clothing choices and voice. Intertype relations, social roles and the interaction of functions between types is prominent in the descriptions, rather than behavior or how the types think which is prominent in other Jungian theories.

Many people think the socionics INTj is actually the INTp and vice versa.  It is stated on the socionics site that this is a myth and there is no direct conversion of types between the systems for introverts. Therefore, some INTJs will relate to the INTj profile more and others will relate more to the INTp. However, in socionics the cognitive functions are swapped — the INTj is TiNe and the INTp is NiTe, so the INTj functions directly conflict with the Myers-Briggs INTJ.

INTJs and INTPs are both inwardly focused abstract thinkers. This results in the two types having many overlapping interests and behaviors. However, if you look beyond superficial common interests, the thinking processes are very different.

J vs P

Misunderstanding the differences between J/P is one reason many people mistype. Many assessments and descriptions use environmental factors to differientiate Js from Ps. This often leads to inaccurate results. Having a messy room and putting off tasks to the last moment does not make one a P type. Many INTJs report being messy; probably a result of not placing a high priority on the external environment. Any type can put off tasks when they don’t find value in them or find them tedious.

The main difference between Js and Ps for is the desire closure or flexibility. INTPs value keeping their options open and find deadlines restrictive; it’s cutting them off from bringing in more possibilities. INTJs value coming to a conclusion so they can put their ideas in action and efficiently move on to the next task.

Cognitive Functions

The cognitive functions for INTJs and INTPs are completely different and should be taken into consideration if you are still confused about your type.

A List of Discussions About INTJs vs INTPs

Opinions vary on what types INTJs are most compatible with. Some people gravitate toward individuals with the same personality because they believe they connect with them better and others believe choosing a partner with opposite preferences will balance them. If you’re interested in other people’s experiences, the table below links to discussion threads on INTJ Forum about compatibility between INTJs and every other type.

Potential Strengths:

• Looking at systems, seeing flaws, and suggesting improvements to make the system better
• Strategic thinkers with an ability to analyze trends and come up with long term plans
• Good at analyzing problems and coming up with solutions
• Able to work independently and come to sound decisions without much guidance
• Strong desire for competency in their field
• Task oriented and have an inner motivation to complete their work

Potential Weaknesses:

• INTJs can be highly motivated to create and improve systems, but may quickly become bored once their innovations have been implemented and it’s time to maintain the system.
• Because it is in the INTJ’s nature to constantly brainstorm about ways to improve systems, they may try to do so even when it is impractical and unwanted by their coworkers.
• The INTJ’s demand for people being competent and making sense can cause them to come off as dismissive to those they deal with if they view them as incompetent.
• Once an INTJ has come up with a plan, it can be difficult for them to take in new ideas from other people if they conflict with the INTJ’s vision.
• INTJs may have trouble showing appreciation to others on their team.

Actors and Actresses

Angela Lansbury – actress (Murder, She Wrote)
Arnold Schwarzenegger – actor, Governor of California
Chevy Chase – actor, comedian
Dan Akroyd – actor, comedian, musician
Pernell Roberts – actor, activist
Raymond Burr – actor (Perry Mason), vintner
Veronica Hamel – actress

Athletes

Arthur Ashe – tennis champion
Edwin Moses – Olympic gold medalist
Ivan Lendl – tennis champion
Lance Armstrong – cyclist (seven Tour De France wins)
Martina Navratilova – tennis champion
Orel Hershiser – baseball player (pitcher)

Authors

C. S. Lewis – apologist, author (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Jane Austen – author (Pride and Prejudice)
Josephine Tey – English author
Ayn Rand – philosopher, author
Franz Kafka – author
Lewis Carroll – author, logician, mathematician

Journalism and Broadcasting

Greg Gumbel – TV sportscaster
Joan Lunden – Journalist
Katie Couric – journalist
Maria Shriver – journalist, wife to Arnold Schwarzenegger
Peter Jennings – journalist
William F. Buckley, Jr. – journalist

Military

Hannibal Barca – Military Commander
Helmuth von Moltke – German military general

Musicians

Helmuth von Moltke – German military general
John Maynard Keynes –
Glenn Gould – Canadian pianist and composer
Erik Satie – composer, pianist

Philosophers

Friederich Nietzsche – philosopher
Jean-Paul Sartre – philosopher

Politicians

Augustus Caesar – Roman Emperor
C. Everett Koop – former U.S. Surgeon General
Calvin Coolidge – American President
Charles Rangel – politician, decorated war veteran
Chester A. Arthur – lawyer, American President
Dwight D. Eisenhower – American President
General Colin Powell – former U.S. Secretary of State
Donald Rumsfeld – former U.S. Secretary of Defense
James K. Polk – American President
Michael Dukakis – former Governor of Massachusetts
Rudy Giuliani – former New York City mayor
Thomas Jefferson – American President
William J. Bennett – politician
Woodrow Wilson – American President
General Ulysses S. Grant – Union general, American President
Peter the Great – Russian tsar

Public Figures

Susan B. Anthony – civil rights leader
Theodore Kaczynski – infamous “Unabomber”
Stanley Kubrick – film director (2001: A Space Odyssey)

Scientists

Sir Isaac Newton – Astronomer
Nikola Tesla – physicist, engineer, inventor
Niels Bohr – physicist
John F. Nash Jr. – mathematician, game theorist
Norbert Wiener – mathematician, founder of cybernetics
Isaac Asimov – biochemist, science-fiction author (I Robot)
Stephen Hawking – astrophysicist
Lise Meitner – chemist

Fictional INTJs

Cassius – The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Clarice Starling – Silence of the Lambs
Batman – Batman Begins
Dexter – Dexter’s Laboratory
Dr. Jonathan Crane – Batman Begins
Dr. Otto Octavius (Doc Ock) – Spiderman 2
Ellen Ripley – Alien
Ensign Ro Laren – Star Trek: The Next Generation
Ernst Stavro Blofeld – James Bond
Gandalf – Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit
George Smiley – John Le Carr character
Hannibal Lecter – Silence of the Lambs
Jigsaw – Saw films
Marsellus Wallace – Pulp Fiction
Michael Corleone – Godfather
Mr. Burns – The Simpsons
Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice
O-Ren Ishii – Kill Bill Vol. 1
Phileas Fogg – Around the World in Eight Days (novel and film adaptations)
Professor Moriarty – Sherlock Holmes antagonist
Sherlock Holmes
Reed Richards – the Fantastic Four
Stewie Griffin – Family Guy
Tom Hagen – Godfather
V – V for Vendetta
Vicious – Cowboy Bebop
Victor von Frankenstein
Vito Corleone – Godfather
Willy Wonka – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

In Depth Profiles
Portrait of an INTJ: The Scientist (Personality Page)
INTJ Wikipedia Entry (Wikipedia)
INTj and INTp (Socionics)
Joe Butt’s INTJ Profile (Type Logic)
From Conversations with Conceptualizer Directors (Bestfit Type)

Short Profiles and Lists
The Mastermind (Kiersey Website)
INTJ Traits (Team Technology)
INTJ Learning Styles (Careerfulfillment.com)
Jung INTJ Type Keyword Lists (Similarminds.com)

Blogs and Articles
Mark of the INTJ Rational-Mastermind (David W. Boles’ Urban Semiotic)
Various Blog Articles (An Unquiet Mind)
Psychopath or an INTJ who’s gone to the dark side (policeone.com)
A Day in the Life of an INTJ (vanadac.com)

Career Specific
INTJ Careers (Personality Page)
How INTJs Function on Teams (Bestfittype.com)
INTJ Career Advice and More (Wayne State College)
INTJ Personality: The Conceptual System Creators (personalitypowerforeverydayliving.com)
INTJ Working Preferences (Paladin Associates Leadership Development)

Relationship Specific
INTJs in Relationships (Personality Page)

Humor
Not Your Typical Myers-Briggs

Table of Contents

1. > Introduction <
2. INTJ Overview
3. Conversing with an INTJ
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Credits

Introduction

Welcome to yet another document about INTJs.

Numerous INTJ resources are available on the web, but they are all descriptive (telling you some things about us) without being particularly prescriptive (instructing you on how to deal with us). So we – a bunch of INTJs – decided to rectify that situation by providing you this convenient, handsomely designed, and eminently well-written instructional guide. Targeted towards the friends, co-workers, and relatives of INTJs, this handbook is intended to provide you with the understanding necessary to make your interactions with us go smoother, and to surround you with butterflies and sunshine.

Okay, our integrity demands we admit the real goal is to make life easier for us. Since only about 1% or 2% of the general population are INTJs and we’re a pretty reclusive bunch, we’re probably a mystery to you. Consequently you don’t really know how to interact with us, and many of you tend to annoy us. Hopefully this guide will help alleviate that. We just thought if we made it about you and your needs you’d be more likely to read it. You needy bastards.