8 Signs You’re An INTP – The Most Intelligent Personality Type
Disclaimer: The MBTI is a personality inventory designed to roughly identify a person’s personality type, split into 16 categories. As such, it may be prone to not quite hitting the mark for everyone: so take it as a list of rough tendencies rather than strict classifications. This article’s primary intention is for providing entertainment and light-hearted content backed up by properly-vetted professional sources. With that said, let’s begin!
Did you know Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton are INTPs? Do you share a personality type with these renowned scientists?
Their minds whizzing a mile a minute, some say the INTP’s sharp wits offset their clumsiness on the dance floor. Their primary function and auxiliary function are Ti and Ne, respectively, which grants them a knack for coming up with new notions and angles.
For one, they are creative, smart, and inquisitive people. On the other hand, INTPs can also also be awkward and indecisive. Do you share any of these traits?
Let’s explore some of the telltale signs of an INTP!
1) Your eye for spotting inconsistencies is unmatched.
Have you ever caught someone in a lie? How did you react?
INTPs are gifted problem-solvers that believe that logical consistency reigns above all. They trust their judgment and have a keen eye when spotting errors too. As this is the case, they don’t give in easily to persuasion tactics or emotional selling. Whenever someone says something illogical or untruthful, the INTP tends to fixate on that hole in their argument and aren’t afraid to confront the problem.
2) You don’t like authority and hierarchical structures.
Do you dislike being bossed around?
INTPs are not as easily impressed by titles, positions, or medals as other types. External sources of validation mean nothing to them if the person holding it does not pull their weight themselves. An INTP evaluates each person based on their individual contribution and insights as opposed to their merit. If an INTP had to follow an incompetent or uncreative boss, they would easily be burned out, prompting them to look for a way out of that organization and use their skills elsewhere.
3) You come across as reserved and mysterious.
Do you prefer the comfort of your imagination and home over parties every weekend?
INTPs dwell on their imagination and inner mind, and they function best when submerged in these mental states. A unique aspect of an INTP is their ability to internalize any external system and analyze the flaws and pros of it independently, thanks to their dominant Ti function. This process is usually conducted and fleshed out in solitude, and as such, it can be difficult for an outsider to pinpoint exactly what an INTP is thinking. This can brand them as mysterious individuals who may seem reserved on the outside. But in reality, an INTP’s mind is incessantly active and coming up with new ideas and takes on things.
4) You were or are a gifted child.
Have you ever scored good grades back in your elementary years? Sometimes without even trying?
According to a study covering 931 kids by Tracy Cross et al., INTPs are one of the most common types to be considered gifted during adolescence, others being xNxP types. As active thinking and problem solving comes naturally to the INTP, it’s not hard to imagine why. While other children may be more gifted in athletic sports and theater, the INTP is more at home stimulating their mind through subjects in school or extracurriculars that demand mental power like through debate.
5) You approach everything with skepticism.
Are you wary of new people approaching you?
As an INTP, you hold yourself to a high standard when it comes to reaching a logical conclusion. You also expect others to carry their weight. INTPs are not the types to fall for “crowd favorites” so readily; they scrutinize and evaluate each option and figure things out by their own accord.
6) You’re not a fan of surprises.
Do you loathe the idea of “surprise parties”? Chances are, you may be an INTP.
An INTP values their alone time like no other. Any surprise visits or a sudden eviction of their inner state can catch an INTP off-guard. And while other types may find joy in these surprises, an INTP could find themselves irked by any sudden appearance as it disrupts their normal and cozy routine. In addition to this, being surrounded by many people all of a sudden can drain an INTP and cause them to withdraw rather than celebrate the surprise.
7) You are open-minded.
Do you consider yourself open to all possibilities?
An INTP may be extremely picky and scrutinize mediocre ideas often, but they are generally open-minded about new things and possibilities thanks to their Ne. They love exploring new angles and seeing things in a fresh light. Despite their silent demeanor at times, you can count on an INTP to actively listen to anything you have to say. Just be prepared to hear their unfiltered thoughts once it’s their turn to speak up.
8) You have difficulty expressing emotions and understanding other’s emotions.
Are you more logical than emotional when it comes to making emotions?
For an INTP, opening up emotions can be a frightening and perplexing endeavor. It’s the least developed of their function stack (Fe), which makes it hard for them to relate to others on that level. Although emotions are present in everyone, it’s just a little bit harder for an INTP to access it. This makes it hard for them to figure out their values and desires as readily as other types, like the INFP.
Closing thoughts
How many of the traits from the points listed above do you have? Do you have any more traits you would like to add to the list? Feel free to comment down below and share your thoughts with us!
That’s all for now, Psych2Goers!
REFERENCES
- Cherry, Kendra. (Sept 17, 2020) An Overview of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Retrieved at https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583
- Storm, Susan (Aug 7, 2020) 24 Signs That You’re an INTP, the “Prodigy” Personality Type. Retrieved at https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2020/08/07/24-intp-personality-type-signs/
- Cross, Tracy et al. (Jan 1, 2007) National Association of Gifted Children. Psychological Types of Academically Gifted Adolescents. Retrieved at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0016986207302723
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