I, INTP 2

Part 2
I must admit that I considered the idea of ‘personality types’ much in the same way I look at horoscopes.  The test will ask me a bunch of questions like “Do the noises of a house settling disturb you?”, and then give me some vague output and fortune cookie predictions.  The tests were pleasant enough, and none were too long, and I wound up doing three or four different ones.

I was fairly astounded by the results.  Each one had given me the same type (INTP), and then the description of the personality type hit me square on.  I wound up spending half a day tracking down INTP information on the Internet - the pages of type descriptions, the theory behind the types, the forums, the humor, the self-help and advice – and I admit I was hooked.  I wish that I had known this twenty years ago – I think that I could have been a happier, more productive person all along. (1)

For those not familiar, here is a quick rundown of the INTP personality type (in no particular order):
Keirsey called them the Architects, one of the four ‘Rational’ types (out of sixteen total types).  Also known as the Thinker, Designer, Theorizer, Observer, or the Engineer.  Usually quiet and reserved, INTP spends a lot of time thinking, particularly about how things work.  Excel at finding patterns, connections, and inconsistencies.  They value intelligence above all, and do not understand decisions made solely on ‘feelings’.  INTPs would rather observe than interact, and are often seen as unemotional, uncaring, detached and aloof.   These, combined with a compulsive requirement for logic and precision often make them seem arrogant and argumentative.  The INTP starts more projects than he finishes – figuring it out was the ‘fun part’; executing it, not so much.  But when a topic of interest arises, watch out, because INTP will pursue it to the absolute nth degree.  Not very good with organization, INTP is sometimes seen as the ‘absent-minded professor’, wrapped up in his own head.  They are very independent and self-sufficient, and prefer to have lots of time alone. INTPs are generally very tolerant and flexible, and tend to treat everyone the same, including authority figures.

Unconventional, original, ingenious, complex, analytical; but also skeptical, self-critical, low-energy, abrupt, pedantic, with a tendency towards OCD.  Likes science fiction and fantasy, thinks great thoughts about the meaning of existence, generally very good with words and puns, a “jack of all trades and master of nothing”.   Very affectionate to those that can get close.  Hate to be ‘shown up’, and can be overwhelmed by anticipation of failure.  Eclectic, or eccentric, or just plain weird.

Often, Albert Einstein is given as the quintessential INTP, usually with some story about how he arrived at a party wearing no pants.  Other INTPs (supposedly): Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Adam Smith, Blaise Pascal, Rene Descartes, Charles Darwin, Carl Jung, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (WTF).  Good careers for INTPs: scientists, computer stuff, mathematicians, college professors, architects, analysts, researchers, philosophers, archeologists.   INTPs are supposedly 1%-5% of the general (I am assuming American) population, and are one of the rarest types.

(1) Not that I am necessarily unhappy or unproductive all the time.  Many INTP are given over to melancholy and low energy, but in knowing that fact, it is easier to plan a strategy to neutralize it.