INTP - The Thinker

Personality Type Cross-reference

• Type 5 - The Investigator

• Temperament Type - Choleric
• Animal Type - Lion
• DISC Type - Dominant
• Socio-Communicative Type - Driver
• True Colors - Green
• Color Code - Red
• Personality Compass - North

Dominant Function - Introverted Thinking

• This function focuses on how people absorb information about the world.
• INTPs express this by trying to understand how things work.
• They often like to break down more important things or ideas to look at the individual components to see how things fit and function together.
• INTPs tend to be highly logical and efficient thinkers.
• They like to have a complete understanding of something before they are willing to share an opinion or take action.

Auxiliary Function - Extraverted Intuition

• INTPs express this cognitive function by exploring what-ifs and possibilities.
• They utilize insight, imagination, and past experiences to form ideas.
• They often go over what they know, seeking patterns until they can achieve a flash of inspiration or insight into the problem.
• They spend a great time thinking about the future and imagining all the possibilities.

Tertiary Function - Introverted Sensing

• INTPs tend to be very detail-oriented, carefully categorizing all of the many facts and experiences that they take in.
• As they collect new information, they compare and contrast it with what they already know to make predictions about what they believe will happen next.

Inferior Function - Extraverted Feeling

• INTPs tend to seek harmony in groups.
• While they are introverted, INTPs can be quite outgoing when they are around people with whom they are familiar and comfortable.
• In situations where they feel stressed, INTPs shut down their feelings and struggle to connect with others.
• Under stress, they tend to rely on logic rather than feelings.

Traits

• INTPs are quiet, reserved, and thoughtful.
• They are reserved, logical, and abstract individuals.
• They are independent and believe others should be as well.
• As introverts, they prefer to socialize with a small group of close friends with whom they share common interests and connections.
• They are not naturally in tune with other people's feelings.
• They may not display affection or approval when needed.
• They may appear caustic and indifferent to the opinions of others.
• The primary function of the INTP is Introverted Thinking, while their auxiliary function is Extraverted Intuition.
• This makes them abstract thinkers who are more interested in theoretical concepts and ideas than what is immediate.
• They are often disengaged from the world around them and prefer to observe and understand rather than participate and work.
• They are problem solvers, but once they have thought through a solution, they prefer to leave it to others to enact.
• They are constantly seeking knowledge and understanding.
• They approach situations objectively and seek to understand.
• They often look to learn proficiency in an area but rarely look for mastery.
• They have little concern for detail and prefer to look at the bigger picture.
• They are constantly analyzing the world around them and are more concerned with temporal change than all other things.
• If something is of little use to the INTP, it will often disappear from their mind.
• INTPs are logical and base decisions on objective information rather than subjective feelings.
• They enjoy thinking about theoretical concepts and value intellect over emotion.
• They tend to be flexible and good at thinking "outside of the box."
• They think about the big picture rather than focusing on every tiny detail.
• They keep their options open and feel limited by structure and planning.
• A weakness of the INTP includes unwillingness to try new things because the INTP may be uncomfortable with things they are unfamiliar with.
• When under stress, they may have an unhealthy habit of showing intense emotion, leading to other personal problems.

Friendships

• Shared interests are one of the best paths to forming a friendship with an INTP.
• They value intellect over all else.
• They can be very slow to form friendships.
• While this often leads to fewer friendships, the ones that an INTP does gain tend to be very close.
• Remember that your INTP friends may not be the best at dealing with excess emotions.
• Still, they love to bond over deep conversations and shared passions.

Personal Relationships

• As introverts, INTPs prefer spending time alone for the most part.
• Unlike extraverts, who gain energy from interacting with a wide group of people, introverts must expend energy in social situations.
• After being around many people, INTPs might feel like they need to spend some time alone to recharge and find balance.
• While they may be shy around people they do not know well, INTPs tend to be warm and friendly with their close family and friends. 
• Because INTPs enjoy solitude and deep thinking, they sometimes strike others as aloof and detached.
• People with this personality type can get lost in their thoughts and lose track of the outside world.
• They love ideas and place a high value on intelligence and knowledge. 
• INTPs tend to be quite easy-going and tolerant in social situations.
• However, they can become unyielding when their beliefs or convictions are challenged.
• Their high emphasis on logic can make it difficult not to correct others when others present arguments that are not rational or logical.
• Because they rely on their minds rather than others, they can also be tough to persuade.

Partner Relationships

• INTPs tend to live inside their minds, making it difficult to get to know.
• Even in romance, they often hold back until they feel the other person has proven themselves worthy of hearing these innermost thoughts and feelings.
• One thing to remember is that while INTPs enjoy romance in a deeply committed relationship, they do not play games. Be honest and forthright.
• Because INTPs are not good at understanding the emotional needs of others, you may need to be very direct about what you need and expect in that regard.
• INTPs also struggle to share their feelings, so you may need to pay attention to subtle signals that your partner is sending.

Parenting

• If your child is an INTP, it is important to remember that your child may respond better to reason and logic rather than appeals to emotion.
• Encourage your child to develop their intellectual interest, but also look for situations that may help your child foster friendships.
• This can be an area where your child struggles, but putting them in contact with other kids who share the same interests can be helpful.

Careers