Have you ever wondered whether you’re an ISTP? ISTPs are often confused with other personality types, but there are some clear signs that you are not an ISTP.
People are often mistyped as an ISTP, a Myers-Briggs personality type that is an archetypal mechanic. They have an innate curiosity about the inner workings of things. ISTPs are often confused with INTPs. One of the many signs you’re not an ISTP include if you’re useless at problem-solving.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help you to figure out who you are as a person. ISTPs are often mistyped. So, if you are eager to read about whether you are an ISTP or not, read on!
Myers-Briggs Personality Types: The ISTP Craftsman
Referred to as The Craftsman, The Detective, or The Virtuoso, the ISTP personality type is one of sixteen Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types established by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers based on theories by Carl Jung.
The acronym ISTP stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. ISTPs can be typically spotted fixing things like machines and instruments. They have a keen sense of the mechanics behind the inner workings of things.
ISTPs are individualistic and curious, as seen by their hobbies and interests. They enjoy the pursuits of motorcycles, flying, rappelling, skydiving, scuba diving, hunting, and other extreme sports. They enjoy adrenaline-inducing activities, especially where they can tinker with the equipment.
This personality type is rare in women, with only 2% of women having this personality type. However, it is the third most common type in men, with 9% of the male population embodying this personality type.
This can be seen from the surfeit of famous men with this personality type. Famous Craftsmen personalities include Bear Grylls, Tiger Woods, Amelia Earhart, Clint Eastwood, Michael Jordan, Daniel Craig, Tom Cruise, and Katherine Hepburn.
Your fictional favorites with this personality type include the titular Indiana Jones, Arya Stark from Game of Thrones, Hawkeye from Avengers, James Bond, Jessica Jones, Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Jack Bauer from 24.
What Do ISTPs Get Mistyped As?
ISTPs and INTPs often get confused. INTP stands for Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving and refers to a type of person who is fixated on logic and has an intellectual curiosity that must be quenched.
This personality type is often confused with ISTP as they have a similar love for understanding complex systems. In fact, nicknames bestowed on the INTP include The Architect, The Logician, and The Thinker.
The difference between the two types is evident in the hobbies enjoyed by the INTP. The INTP is much less inclined to take up extreme sports and instead prefers reading, meditation, chess, writing, attending classes, art, and other rigorous intellectual pursuits.
It can also be seen in the different types of famous people with INTP personalities. These include Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Bill Gates, Thomas Jefferson, Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, and Rene Descartes.
The main difference between the types is that the ISTP is sensing, and the INTP is intuitive. Sensing relies on what can be gathered through the five senses, whereas intuition focuses more on patterns drawn from the gathered information based on emotional responses.
This means that ISTPs rely much more on concrete evidence that they can assemble using their five senses. INTPs, on the other hand, rely more on instinct and abstraction. Because of this, INTPs are much better at focusing on the bigger picture.
ESTPs, ENFJs, and INFJs could also be confused for ISTPs, but mistyping an INTP as an ISTP is far more common.
7 Signs You’re Probably Not An ISTP
Since ISTPs are often confused with other personality types, it is helpful to look at definitive signs of not being an ISTP to ascertain your personality type.
1. You’re The Life Of The Party
ISTPs are quintessential introverts and are difficult to become friends with. They shy away from large crowds where small talk will be the order of the day. Craftsmen don’t enjoy superficial friendships and frequent the corner of the rooms at parties or else don’t go!
If you’re friends with everyone in the crowd, you’re probably not an ISTP!
2. You’re Naïve
Despite ISTPs being introverted, they have the acute ability to sniff out scams and disingenuous people. It will be difficult to trick them because they generally possess unparalleled street smarts. With the ability to suss out people’s character and motivations, ISTPs are far from gullible.
If you find yourself falling for one scam after another, the ISTP personality type probably doesn’t aptly describe you.
3. You’re A Long-Term Planner
ISTPs dodge commitment as much as possible, which can cause friction in their romantic relationships. They prefer to live from moment to moment.
If you live every second in terms of a pre-planned list, on the balance of probabilities, you’re not an ISTP.
4. You’re A Worrywart
ISTPs aren’t prolific worriers, as seen from their lackadaisical approach to future planning. They are rather laid back and refuse to let their fears dictate their actions.
If you are endlessly concerned about what will happen to you in the future, you probably aren’t an ISTP. ISTPs live in the present.
5. You Are Cautious And Conservative In Your Choices
ISTPs generally seek risk and constantly pursue new boundaries to break down. They, therefore, enjoy extreme sports. This risk-taking is also apparent in their personal lives, where they escalate conflict to watch the outcome.
This personality type is probably not yours if you are a bookworm who never dares to leave the house.
6. You Are In Tune With People’s Emotions
ISTPs usually have problems with their interpersonal skills, often coming across as judgmental and severe. They try to be honest, but this sometimes comes off incorrectly. ISTPs are guided by logic and pragmatism and don’t deal well with other ways of thinking.
If you display great sensitivity towards other people’s feelings, you’re probably not an ISTP.
7. You Are Hopeless At Problem Solving
ISTPs are natural-born problem solvers and think logically and creatively to create innovative solutions. They are deeply curious individuals who just love to tinker with a problem.
If you can’t tell a spanner from a screwdriver, you probably aren’t an ISTP!
Conclusion
Other personality types are often mistaken for ISTPs, especially the INTP. Several clear indicators could suggest you are not an ISTP. ISTPs are laidback problem solvers who won’t easily fall for nonsense.
If you worry a lot, plan in advance, are ultra-sensitive to others’ emotions, are useless at solving problems, are gullible, or are the center of attention, you’re, in all likelihood, not an ISTP. However, now you’re well on your way to finding out what your true personality type is!
