The INTJ, standing for introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging, is one of the sixteen established personality types as identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment. Strategic in nature, INTJs are often referred to as the “Architect.” These types are regarded as highly creative, analytical, and logical.
INTJs are often seen as unsympathetic and socially distant. However, this is not really always the case. INTJs can be caring and empathetic, but not overly so, not with those they disagree with. They can also be sociable but tend to prefer a lot of quality time by themselves.
Socionics, or the division of people into one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, is often used to predict an individual’s behavior in a social situation where interaction with other human beings occurs. INTJs are characterized as unaffable and reserved and often seen as detached and uncaring.
This is, however, not an entirely accurate assessment, and quite often, introverts can, under the right circumstances, come out of their shells and be the life of the party. Read on to find out more.
The Myers-Briggs Indicator
Katherine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Myers, developed this simple personality tool, a questionnaire, throughout the 1920s and 1940s. T
he theory follows those of the famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. The idea is that people perceive the world through intro and extraversion, intuition/sensing, feeling/thinking, and perceiving or judging.
The underlying idea, according to Jung, is that everyone expresses these four functions either in an introverted or extraverted form; neither is good or bad, just ordered in a particular way and which helps predict how individuals interact socially.
The dominant cognitive function or personality trait is the most influential behavioral characteristic.
The INTJ Personality Type
The INTJ personality functions are described as Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging. The renowned American university professor, psychologist, and accomplished author, David Keirsey attributed the INTJ personality spectrum to around 1% to 4% of the total population.
So-called INTJs, “The Mastermind,” are governed by introversion, meaning that they enjoy being mostly by themselves.
They tend to find socializing with others, particularly in larger crowds, draining their energy and unnecessary. Their dominant personality trait is introverted intuition, leaving them to independently plot and plan their life missions.
Analytical and strategic, INTJs are excellent problem solvers, reading between the lines and thinking outside the box; they make great innovators through careful strategies and meticulous planning.
Also described as “Architects,” INTJs tend to thrive in careers that require creative, logical thinking and careful planning. They typically possess an incredibly well-developed sense of order.
How Do INTJ’s Interact With Others?
It’s true that no one exists in a vacuum and that some human interaction with others is natural, desirable, and advantageous.
INTJ, who can be best described as “loners,” may find this necessary “evil” somewhat challenging. It can also potentially lead to anxiety in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.
INTJs are also considered good listeners who respond well to criticism despite these assumptions. They are also possessed with high expectations from themselves and those around them. INTJs, being naturally creative, can be perceived to be arrogant by others, particularly as they are usually quite knowledgeable in their skill or craft.
Because INTJs are deliberate and methodical in their problem solving, seeking patterns and meaning from facts that they encounter, rather than simply accepting these facts at face value, they can be seen by others as being somewhat aloof or disinterested in others.
People who fall into this personality category usually derive little value or pleasure in large social gatherings and small talk, making it difficult to get to know them intimately. They are private and tend to be quite reserved, preferring to interact with a single, close or intimate group of family or friends.
The fact because many others around them perceive INTJs to be aloof and arrogant, they can struggle to form close bonds with those with whom they do not share common interests or values.
This, in turn, can sometimes cause a negative feedback loop which may drive them to withdraw to the space where they are naturally most comfortable, being by themselves.
Do INTJs Lack Empathy For Others?
INTJs are also often seen as lacking in empathy for others. This is far from the case. INTJs have a well-developed sense of empathy.
However, because they are naturally inclined to be introverted, and feelings are a less dominant aspect of their personality, they do sometimes come across as unfeeling or disconnected from their emotions and those of others.
INTJs are often thinking ahead into the future; they, therefore, may avoid getting too close to people they meet in the belief that long-term friendships have little prospect of success.
On the upside, although INTJs tend to form few bonds with most people and thus have fewer friends than the average, they take to people who persist in forming relationships.
Those close to them are very loyal and will actively engage and encourage their partners, for example. They will also seek relationships or friendships with rational, emotionally calm people who share their interests.
The fact that INTJs keep things to themselves should not be confused with their inability to show empathy or that they don’t care for others.
INTJ’s make stable for reliable, stable parents. Although perhaps not highly affectionate or physically demonstrative, they are attentive and thoughtful when relating to their children. They are particularly adept at teaching their children self-sufficient and critical thinking.
Conclusion
INTJs are largely misunderstood as being low on sociability and empathy. This, however, could not be further from the truth. Their dominant personality trait is introverted intuition. Although they keep largely to themselves, they do care about others and, given time and patience, can forge lasting, meaningful friendships.
There are many famous people through history that have been considered to be INTJs. Some of them might surprise you. These include author CS Lewis, US president Thomas Jefferson, Actor and celebrity politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, and cyclist Lance Armstrong.
