The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI personality assessment describes ISTJ’s (introverted, observant, thinking, judging) as the “Logistician.” These personality types are meticulous organizers, best suited to careers with a structured working environment like psychology.
Due to their propensity for creating order out of chaos, ISTJs are compatible with careers in psychology. Although introverted and preferring to work alone, they are also rational in their approach and are therefore able to create detailed action plans for individual psychotherapies methodically.
Logisticians, in part due to their sense of purpose that comes from an inner desire to structure and organize everything, make excellent managers of time and people. And although introverted by nature and usually preferring to work alone, they can adapt their skills to any task requiring a reserved, cool-headed, and rational plan of action to be implemented, the field of psychology included.
The ISTJ Personality Profile
The ISTJ personality traits, as listed in the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) assessment, include characteristics such as integrity and pragmatism. People displaying ISTJ traits tend to view life through a prism of rules and processes that help in ordering things logically and in a specific way.
Whether at work or in personal relationships, ISTJs do not typically deviate from the rulebook and consider people that do bend the rules to be out of line and possibly self-serving.
Logisticians are usually drawn to work in organizations that have clear and concise hierarchical structures and where expectations are clearly defined.
Through the logistician’s deep sense of integrity comes a keen interest in ensuring that outcomes adequately meet expectations, and with that comes a very high level of responsibility and accountability. Not only of themselves but of others too.
Honesty is also favored over triumphalism and showmanship. Lying to impress, therefore, is not a typical ISTJ trait.
Through this rigorous devotion to strict standards, ISTJs are often misunderstood and have developed a reputation for being somewhat uncooperative.
They do not always understand that other people may be presented with their own set of challenges and hold them to the same degree of self-control as they do themselves. This is often unfairly interpreted by ISTJs as laziness or dishonesty.
ISTJ logisticians are not only thorough and conscientious but also tend to be reserved. This introversion may also lead them to withdraw and take up the slack personally when they see others failing to meet goals and directives.
They will often shoulder the burden of work that has been allocated to others and take responsibility for it rather than confront the transgressor.
Logistics don’t readily express emotions openly. Others can mistake this as a sign of indifference on the part of the ITSJ. This is not so, and personal frustration is as prevalent as it is with any other personality type.
Therefore, it is important for them to set boundaries and speak up when serious transgressions are witnessed. Otherwise, bitterness and resentment may set in.
What MBTI’s Make Effective Psychologists?
It is often thought that specific personality types make good counselors. INFJs are considered to possess the most useful traits. Their intuition and feeling, particularly, are well suited to working closely with people.
Humanistic values combined with quiet thoughtfulness are calming, reassuring attributes that make others comfortable and which contribute to openness and good communication.
Yet other academic studies, such as the Journal of Career Assessment, suggest that the MBTI best suited for psychologists or therapists, in general, is INFP (introverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving). Again the common traits are intuition and feeling.
Whatever the combination of MBTI dichotomies required, it can be argued that you need to possess an abundance of investigative qualities to be an effective counselor or therapist.
Although they tend to be social and spending lots of time with other people is a characteristic of sociability, it is not of paramount importance when solutions to problems are required.
In his Five-Factor Model of Personality course, the famous and somewhat controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson argues that the Myers-Briggs personality assessment lacks the scientific basis for a good personality model. However, he lists openness and conscientiousness as important criteria for determining personal success.
Openness and conscientiousness are the traits most often found in assessments conducted on careers involving psychology.
According to Dr. John Holland, another psychologist, these two traits, called Holland Codes, are broad and loosely define a sense of curiosity, imagination, and a thought-out, systematic and reliable approach to problem-solving.
Are ISTJ’s Doomed For Failure As Psychologists?
Not whatsoever; in fact, they are covered in as far as the most important personality criteria are concerned. They may not score highly on intuition and feeling, but they are meticulous when it comes to attention to detail, making them naturally curious and inclined to formulate effective strategies.
And it may be that other MBTI types with more sociable characteristics are more inclined to evoke frankness and openness from their subjects; ISTJ’s are not devoid of empathy; they perhaps only express empathy less compassionately.
They tend to struggle in private practice dealing directly with patients and may be better suited to careers in academic research or support services.
Completing a Ph.D. in Psychology is a lengthy, time-consuming activity that requires long periods of hard work and a naturally good memory. The ISTJ’s proclivity for disciplined attention and dedication, coupled with stability and routine, may just be the qualities needed to endure the rigors needed to complete such a degree.
Conclusion
INTJs possess the personality traits to become effective psychologists. They are naturally endowed with the patience and commitment required for academic success and for formulating effective strategies on the job. They have a personal value system, tend to internalize their emotions, and have high expectations of themselves and those around them.
ISTJ’s come third, making up around 12% of the general population. There are twice as many men as there are women that fall into this category. Some famous people that have been considered to be ISTJ logisticians include British Queens Elizabeth II and Victoria, US Presidents US Truman and George Bush Snr, and millionaire businessmen Warren Buffet and JD Rockefeller.
