Is Gregory House (House M.D.) an INTJ?

[Mogura]

Definitely an INTX I would think.

Any thoughts or opinions?

[sbella]

Hmmm... he's definitely NT... I see him as an INTJ or ENTJ. Maybe INTP...?

[Uberfuhrer]

I stand by a misanthropic ENTP.

If you want a misanthropic xNTJ doctor, look at John Becker. I identify with him more than House, except I think he is more ENTJ because he's more assertive.

[green eyes]

House is YUMMY! :lovestruck:

I do wish they'd let him use his British accent for the character, though. British accents are HOT.

I seem to have a thing for smart, confident assholes...I have a crush on Gordon Ramsay, too.

Anyways...
I think he is either an INTJ or an ENTJ.

[Uberfuhrer]

I remember Hugh Laurie in Stuart Little.

[lagoon]

House would be INTJ, he's fairly reclusive definatly NT and makes decisions fairly fast, and only changes them when the known facts change

[INTJoe]

Seriously, how many threads are we going to have about House being an INTJ or not? This is going way overboard. Do a search, please. This has been discussed ad nauseum.

He's a poorly-written fictitious character, so the debate lingers on.

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ".

:thinking:

[Uberfuhrer]

I tend to think that the reason INTJs are portrayed as evil in Hollywood cinema is because Hollywood is a strongly ESFP culture, making the INTJ its opposing force, the opposing force which is bent on change and thus spoiling the ESFP's enjoyment of life.

But evil is really just a point of view.

[Fej]

Hey what is Adrian Monk's personality type? (from the show Monk)

[searcher]

House? INTJ or INTP
I love House!!! (not in a creepy stalker type video every episode and watch them over and over type way though.)
I can really relate to him and every episode there is at least one thing that I think "hey, I do that!" about.
So I am basing my idea on what I am and have been. ( I was once an INTP - a long time ago.....)

[Sarah]

Hey what is Adrian Monk's personality type? (from the show Monk)

I think a new category would have to be created for Monk. ;)

[Claptonian]

House is definitely an INTJ, but this comes up way too often. :laugh: There was a relatively in-depth debate in the INTJ's and Fictional Characters thread.

I would think Monk is an ISTJ.

[meanlittlechimp]

How did you guys come up with this INTJ stuff?

House is an irreverent, rule breaking, risk taking, drug addict who tends towards disorganization and spontaneity. Baffled at how you guys come to these conclusions.

Monk is definitely IXTJ though.

[Claptonian]

Why do people act like drug addiction is incompatible with INTJ's? INTJ is one of the six male types that are overrepresented among self-proclaimed substance abusers. Nearly every in-depth description of the type that I've read talks about how INTJ's often exhibit addict behavior when under stress, usually directed towards drugs, alcohol or exercise.

But, honestly, this thread was redundant a month ago and it's redundant now.

[iuniperus]

Definitely an INTX I would think.

Any thoughts or opinions?

I agree that he's probably an INTJ. Whatever he is, I find House incredibly sexy. Nothing like scathing sarcasm to make women swoon.

[rokxal]

INTJ although the introvert is a bit weak as hes much more manipulative and aware of his exterior behaviors (speaking, body language, etc).

If anyone watches Law and Order: CI, I see Robert Goren as more of an INTJ than House.

[Erika Redmark]

I haven't watched Law and Order in a while, but if I recall correctly, Bobby struck me as extroverted.

[zoophilia]

entj

[meanlittlechimp]

Why do people act like drug addiction is incompatible with INTJ's? INTJ is one of the six male types that are overrepresented among self-proclaimed substance abusers. Nearly every in-depth description of the type that I've read talks about how INTJ's often exhibit addict behavior when under stress, usually directed towards drugs, alcohol or exercise.

But, honestly, this thread was redundant a month ago and it's redundant now.

Yes any type can be a drug addict, though I think it's more/less likely in some types than others (P's and E's, being more likely, than I's and J's). Most people also exhibit addict behavior under stress. Everyone who smokes cigarettes, smokes more when stressed, etc.

I actually took the time to look at the thread you mentioned, and no one seemed to have a rationale for why he's an INTJ. Can you tell me yours? or point me to this detailed rationale you mentioned on the other thread?

My reasoning is that House is VERY in your face, while he's being anti-authority (though INTJs also tend to be anti-authority); he does so with a sense of humor, playfulness, and chaos. He is very EXPRESSIVE both verbally and gesturally. That's not exactly what INTJs are known for. I've seen many accused of being aloof, which is the opposite of expressive and playful. House can laugh at himself and that's not typically an INTJ trait; though obviously some individual INTJs can. He oozes P. What about him seems J to anyone here? He constantly dominates the conversation, in any room he enters. How many INTJs here share this trait with him?

Not a fan of the show and only saw one and half episodes - so I could be completely full of shit. But from what little I saw, there was nothing about him that seemed INTJ, nor have I seen an argument for him being one here. I don't care what type he is; but I'm interested as to how people type. It's a pet peeve when I see people claim someone is a type, without any case for their claim, except so and so is smart.

INTJ fans of the show, who claim him as one of their own, should do better than this...

Typing fictional characters is inherently flawed, since an individual writer of a given episode is not necessarily going to stay in character, even if they were trying to do that. Not to mention fictitious characters aren't necessarily REAL-isitic, but... I think typing fictitious characters can still be a worthwhile exercise from a learning or discussion standpoint.

[Claptonian]

See my posts here: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I agree that House is quite "in your face," but that's mainly his way of keeping people at a distance. Most INTJ's may hide themselves by being quiet, but many use sarcasm and irreverence to achieve the same goal. And notice that any time someone tries to go beneath House's facade, he either avoids them completely or becomes quiet and aloof.





Claptonian added to this post, 6 minutes and 44 seconds later...

Also, the "in your face" and dominating conversations attributes aren't incongruent with INT's. My dad is an INTP and he tends to be quite loud and active in conversations. He almost seems like an extravert because of this, but this is because he's expending energy through socializing. Once it's over, he's exhausted and ready to be alone. In many episodes of the show, House exhibits this exact same behavior: at work he's active and dominating, and then he quietly returns to his apartment and sits/watches TV/plays piano/plays guitar in solitude.

[Erika Redmark]

I totally agree with Claptonian–I could totally see myself acting a little more extroverted if it meant that some people I didn't like would leave me alone. And I've noticed the same quasi-extroverted behaviour with my (very likely) INTP dad.

[meanlittlechimp]

See my posts here: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I agree that House is quite "in your face," but that's mainly his way of keeping people at a distance. Most INTJ's may hide themselves by being quiet, but many use sarcasm and irreverence to achieve the same goal. And notice that any time someone tries to go beneath House's facade, he either avoids them completely or becomes quiet and aloof.





Claptonian added to this post, 6 minutes and 44 seconds later...

Also, the "in your face" and dominating conversations attributes aren't incongruent with INT's. My dad is an INTP and he tends to be quite loud and active in conversations. He almost seems like an extravert because of this, but this is because he's expending energy through socializing. Once it's over, he's exhausted and ready to be alone. In many episodes of the show, House exhibits this exact same behavior: at work he's active and dominating, and then he quietly returns to his apartment and sits/watches TV/plays piano/plays guitar in solitude.

I agree with you guys re: INTPs; I have an INTP uncle and INTP friends who are can be just as dominant, or "in your face" as any extrovert, when they feel comfortable. I think House could be an INTP, ISTP, ENTP, ESTP (but not F), and I don't see any J in him.

I was looking at these originally To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The thrill seeking/hedonism angle could apply to several types beyond the EXTPs/IXTPs, I originally mentioned. I find EXTJs are typically as much, or more, thrill seeking - than IXTPS. But I still don't see House, as an EXTJ because of other dead giveaways.

[Claptonian]

He's definitely not ESTP. I still vote INTJ; regarding J, he's quite a control freak, and despite supposed "risk taking" behavior, he isn't fond of change. He likes things to be a certain way and rebels against anyone threatening his routines. Also, look at the way he approaches his job: he writes down every symptom, sometimes leading to elaborate lists and charts. Obviously list making isn't exclusive to J's, but it is (supposedly) a tell-tale sign.

I can understand the case for him being ISTP, but at the end of the day, iNtuition is what makes House, House. He sees patterns, connections, comes to solutions through hunches, comes up with theories out of the blue, etc. An NT who enjoys risk taking activities makes more sense to me than an SP who comes up with theories the way that House does.

[Erika Redmark]

Not only that, but he has to write stuff down–like in the episode where he writes with Stacey's makeup all over the airport wall.

[TheEnlightenedOne]

Take a look at this comparison of the psychological traits:
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Please keep this open and refer to it as I explain:


I or E?

While House sometimes displays characteristics of an extrovert (i.e. says what he thinks, interested in what's going on around him, works with a team), for the most part, unless that "something" or "someone" is connected to his latest case, he really doesn't care. He only uses his team to accomplish his agenda. He spends a lot of time philosophizing and thinking, and characters frequently point out that he doesn't have many friends.

Winner: I



N or S?

House displays characteristics of both intuitiveness and sensing. As far as "N" goes, he thinks a lot about his accident and his bum leg, interested in new/unusual things (in this case, cases), sometimes has people treated for things they don't necessarily show symptoms of (although some can argue that he gains this "insight" from his senses). On the "S" side: tends to adapt to new situations/symptoms quickly, bases his diagnoses almost entirely off of empirical senses/clues, likes physical/sensual pleasures (Vicodin, Alcohol, sexual activity, etc.), practical and active (discounts stupid diagnoses, always takes the most advantageous course of action), is realistic and self-confident.

Winner: Tie; More of an emphasis on S, I would argue.



T or F?

This one is fairly straightforward. House rarely expresses emotions, and when he does it's usually anger, lust, or other emotions that manifest themselves in extreme situations, and aren't considered very "sensitive" towards others, and has at times manipulated people through their emotions. House is interested in systems, patterns, and logic, and discounts all credibility of the Supernatural. Comes off as relatively cold and unemotional (impartial), has difficulty talking about his feelings, and doesn't like people to argue with him or go against what he's saying (i.e. not being allowed to do a treatment he thinks is necessary). Evaluates problems/conflicts in terms of a logical "right or wrong".

Winner: T, by a long shot.



P or J?

House, much like the N/S debate, shows characteristics of both P and J. Arguments for P: House tends to act impulsively, usually based on his decisions and diagnoses (i.e. won't ask for permission to do a treatment, just does it without double-checking), likes freedom (doesn't like to be obligated by regulations, standards, or rules), curious (his job is diagnosing peculiar medical cases), often works without any preparation (House will take a case whether he has a cracked skull, hasn't slept in days, or is unable to pee). J arguments: Doesn't like leaving questions unanswered (has to solve a case, and understand why something happened like it did, even if patient happens to recovers before he solves the case), relatively stable in his workability.

Winner: P, but not by a huge amount.



My personal typing: Most likely an ISTP, sometimes displays characteristics of an INTP, occasionally exhibits behavior one COULD attribute to an INTJ (although maybe not exclusive to INTJs).

Take a look at this description of ISTPs, and I think you'll agree it matches House pretty well (even down to his love for risky/daredevilish behaviors [riding motorcycles, etc.]): To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

That's my personal opinion. What do you all think?

[Jenny Penny]

I think House is ENTJ. He's very verbose and seems to enjoy debate for the purpose of shaking people up and getting a reaction from them.

[Claptonian]

I think House is ENTJ. He's very verbose and seems to enjoy debate for the purpose of shaking people up and getting a reaction from them.

I've known (too) many ENTJ's in my lifetime. House is not even close. :p



Claptonian added to this post, 12 minutes and 22 seconds later...

On the "S" side: tends to adapt to new situations/symptoms quickly...

Sometimes, but he often sticks with his original theory even when new symptoms don't fit perfectly. Even if he does give up a theory, he'll jump back to it at the first possible opportunity.

...bases his diagnoses almost entirely off of empirical senses/clues...

Not always. Often it's based purely on hunches, or House's idea of the big picture, such as assuming it's an STD when there's no evidence to support it, assuming it's a symptom when a patient is "too nice," etc.

...likes physical/sensual pleasures (Vicodin, Alcohol, sexual activity, etc.)...

Substance abuse and sexual activity are not exclusive to S. INTJ's are overrepresented among substance abusers, and they stereotypically approach sex in the same way that House does: get the job done, move on.

...discounts stupid diagnoses...

This is because he's a TJ; he doesn't want to waste time on stupid diagnoses. Though you'll notice if someone comes up with an unrealistic diagnosis that intrigues him, he'll usually show a spark of interest. That's N.

...is realistic...

I don't see House as overly realistic. He's not any more realistic than most of the N's I know, including myself.

...and self-confident.

NT's stereotypically tend to be confident to the point of arrogance. In fact, most descriptions of the INTJ claim that it's one of the most self-confident types. This concept is skewed by the amount of INTJ's that are absolutely terrified of social interaction, but not all INTJ's are like that.

House definitely has some S traits, but it's his N traits that are his trademarks: following hunches, coming up with the solution out of the blue, recognizing a pattern in seemingly unrelated things, etc.

[Erika Redmark]

I wish my subconscious would leave me explicit hints like that.

[Uberfuhrer]

I've been thinking that House may be what happens to an INFJ when bitter. He seems to be the kind of person who yearns for deep connection with others but is unable to attain it.

Ni dominants will often engage their inferior Se for crude pleasure seeking (eating, drinking, drugs, sex, etc.) to satisfy their dominant function, which desires to come up with insights. But House does not use Se in a very direct fashion. He relies on flashes of insight.

[INTJUncensored6]

I would say INTJ. Before I knew about the MTPI types, I always said that House is always like me.

[Terian]

I stand by a misanthropic ENTP.

If you want a misanthropic xNTJ doctor, look at John Becker. I identify with him more than House, except I think he is more ENTJ because he's more assertive.

While I would love to agree with this (he acts very much like I would if I were severely emotionally damaged), I think that House is more Sensory than Intuitive.

[Snowdragon]

Is Dr. Gregory House an INTJ?

Well, is the state of Florida a peninsula?

How could he NOT be an INTJ :p

[Asylum]

I liked watching House for quite a while, but eventually I got bored of it.

Anyway, I originally thought maybe ISTP, but in the end that didn't make sense via functions. I would say ESTP, but it's hard to type House, because he was kind of made to be an absurd character.

House definitely comes off as an extrovert. He knows how to mess with people and get them riled up. His communication comes easy and without hesitation.
He is at least not an INTP. I have trouble communicating quickly and with the right words. I'm not positive that's true for all INTPs, but I could never be that vocal, especially with my thinking, which is introverted.

Sensors rely on linear, factual realities. House doesn't appear to be an intuitive to me. House seems to have a sharp memory and extraordinary sensing abilities. He relies on his experiences and what he observes and picks up in the outside world. He doesn't seem to miss anything. I've found that sensors like to talk about their pasts and the past in general. They seem to have a keen interest and memory of history.

I don't know if he's really a Perceiving type. He's meant to come off spontaneous and random, sort of that "out of control". Though some of his moves are clearly calculated. Also an ability to pick up patterns is often something I've seen in J types. I've seen it in NJ types though.

In overall description I would say ESTP.

[IXTJ]

Wow this was an excellent bit of profiling, but I agree, ISTP could match. But, I personally think INTP--but you make great point. No way he is NTJ.

I type TV shows here, To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I am actually going to be doing all the characters of house this week (hopefully). But it is definitely next.

I also am trying to figure out the cast before I actually write it. So if anyone has any ideas (and reasons) let me know!

Cuddy, ESTJ? The Aussie dude, ISTP? Kutler, ISTJ? The Plastic Surgeon guy, ESTP? Thirteen, ISFJ? Foreman, IXXJ? And whats his name..... the Cancer doctor (wowI suck with names today). HOuses only friend. ESFJ?

[BlackMita]

House definitely seemed like a hyper dysfunctional ExTx. I think a lot of people see 'misanthropic with wit' and knee jerk type as INTJ, but ENTP would probably be fit him best if you consider functions:

Ne and Ti would work perfectly to explain his problem solving awesomeness. He can also use to figure out people's motives and social dynamics in order to mess with their heads (patterns, Ne at play) and often uses process of elimination with comparisons of both common and rare medical facts to reach diagnosis (mentally methodological, Ti).

Wouldn't say he's INTJ because House is a firm believer in using logic for everything, implying a (Ti) Preference instead of (Te); INTJs are fine arbitrarily bending their logic to suit the scenario. Also House is more willing to accommodate close friends and other people wishes when the circumstances are emotionally built up (Fe) whereas I think an INTJ would be more rigid in these situations because of firm emo principles (Fi).

Hope that made sense... I probably muddle some semantics, but that's a rough idea of what made me identify House as ENTP. I personally identify more with Dr. Wilson than House… he could be an uber wimpy INTJ perhaps?

[Freak87]

Seriously, how many threads are we going to have about House being an INTJ or not? This is going way overboard. Do a search, please. This has been discussed ad nauseum.

He's a poorly-written fictitious character, so the debate lingers on.

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ".

:thinking:

haha. love your comment!

I go back back and forth between house and wilson. this is why I think house is an INTJ- He's not warm on the outside. and you guys know amber? they were saying on the show, amber and house are the same, but amber clearly sees things cut and dry, while house has debates himself and is a truly deep character. amber is bossy and persistent. house isn't as persistent as I think he likes connecting with people- asking questions. he's pushy- not bossy. but much as a facade- much like sarcasm. I would say wilson is an ENFJ and house I would definitely peg as an INTP or an INTJ

Foreman would be an example of an ISTJ
Cuddy would also be an example of an S
maybe ESTJ





Freak87 added to this post, 10 minutes and 55 seconds later...

I just looked this up and

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I have come to the conclusion that YES, an ISTP is a lot like house, but because it seems people think he's an INTJ, it is apparent he has some mixed qualities. it shows a lot of his inner-world and he seems to be quite sensitive/intuitive and in touch. but yeah, ISTP fits on the large scale while I would say, in his mind, he appears much more INTJ

[Linwenilid]

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ".

:thinking:

LOL! :D But nah, I see Mulder more as an INTP.

Is Dr. Gregory House an INTJ?

Well, is the state of Florida a peninsula?

How could he NOT be an INTJ :p

Heh heh, I think exactly the same as you, and agree completely with Claptonian in his/her analysis. My main reason to think House is an INTJ is his independence from rules and conventions - the reason why he and Cuddy keep butting heads: she keeps wanting him to do his paperwork, etc. As for N or S, I think he's not aware of every single fact, but only the ones that matter, and fit in his theories, and often he disregards some glaring facts to favour his initial theory; that doesn't strike me as very Sensing.

And as for the P or J debate, I'll quote the typelogic site (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) (bold is mine):

A major concern for INTPs is the haunting sense of impending failure. They spend considerable time second-guessing themselves. The open-endedness (from Perceiving) conjoined with the need for competence (NT) is expressed in a sense that one's conclusion may well be met by an equally plausible alternative solution, and that, after all, one may very well have overlooked some critical bit of data. An INTP arguing a point may very well be trying to convince himself as much as his opposition. In this way INTPs are markedly different from INTJs, who are much more confident in their competence and willing to act on their convictions.

If you ask me, I'd say Thirteen strikes me as an INTP rather than House.

(yeah, I know this House discussion is more than overdone, but I just found out about this forum and couldn't resist - especially now that I've nailed down all the characters...)

[Claptonian]

To me, House being an "N" is just obvious. I see where the ISTP-advocates are coming from, because House does have some SP traits, but at the end of the day, you have to focus on the attributes that are most characteristic of the character. I think those attributes are his elitism (classic NT), his hunches (classic N), and his forays into philosophy and other intellectual areas (N).

ENTP vs. INTJ is harder because the show portrays two different sides of House that seem to contradict each other. The first side is his dominating demeanor when he's around other people. He storms into a room, dominates the conversation, and takes complete control. This is generally associated the Extroverts.

On the other hand, House doesn't really like being around people. The majority of episodes end with House alone in his apartment, playing piano or guitar or getting high. How many episodes end with House going out with a group of co-workers? Would he call anyone other than Wilson his "friend"? Does he seek help from other people when he has a problem or when he's trying to learn a new skill? The only time he engages in typical extrovert behavior (aside from domination), it's with extreme reluctance.

So yeah, a case can be made for ENTP, but I find that most INTJ's are like House: they want to speak their mind, they want to take control, but they lack the balls (yes, I'm getting scientific here!) to do it. House is an INTJ that isn't afraid to speak his mind, as long as it has nothing to do with him personally.

In closing, I don't know why I'm writing about this again since this subject has been argued to death. I'm quite a hypocrite.

[onlyparallel]

I think he has a personality disorder. Discussion over.

Though, I'm attracted to him so he can't be that far off INTJ. (I'm always attracted to people who are off by maybe a letter, but who are mostly pretty close. I think it's the same for a lot of female INTJs.) Besides, people are always telling me how much House is like me. Perahps this means that I have a personality disorder and not that he's INTJ :)

[kubrickfan]

I tend to think that the reason INTJs are portrayed as evil in Hollywood cinema is because Hollywood is a strongly ESFP culture, making the INTJ its opposing force, the opposing force which is bent on change and thus spoiling the ESFP's enjoyment of life.

But evil is really just a point of view.

We are just so misunderstood.

I definetely think House is an INTJ or an ENTJ. Both are awesome!

[Tsuru]

I think he's definitely an extremely misanthropic ENTP.

I mean, where have you guys seen any major J traits in him? If you were to look at his behavior throughout the show from solely from a P/J standpoint, what would you say? He's intensely disorganized, personally messy, runs (walks:P) around in casual clothes everywhere, completely ignores the rules, plays pranks on people and plays games with (on:P) them all the time, ect.

And for the sake of contrast, notice that most of his dynamics are between "J" types (Cutty, Wilson, his ex, Cameron, whatever the new girl's name is).

And remember that extroverts don't necessarily like people or want to chum around with them. It just means they get their energy from and are primarily oriented towards the external world. Which I'd say he is.

[Terian]

I think he's definitely an extremely misanthropic ENTP.

I mean, where have you guys seen any major J traits in him? If you were to look at his behavior throughout the show from solely from a P/J standpoint, what would you say? He's intensely disorganized, personally messy, runs (walks:P) around in casual clothes everywhere, completely ignores the rules, plays pranks on people and plays games with (on:P) them all the time, ect.

And for the sake of contrast, notice that most of his dynamics are between "J" types (Cutty, Wilson, his ex, Cameron, whatever the new girl's name is).

And remember that extroverts don't necessarily like people or want to chum around with them. It just means they get their energy from and are primarily oriented towards the external world. Which I'd say he is.
Not to mention that he only works on cases that are interesting- as soon as he's solved them sufficiently enough (to the point of no more intrigue), he's through. He's definitely a misanthropic ENTP- he tries to gain social prestige with his extraordinary mind, he has a very strong and sarcastic sense of humor, and he needs other people to bounce ideas off of. Describes me to a T... except I'm not (usually?) an ass.

[blckprljinju]

I remember Hugh Laurie in Stuart Little.

LOL... random, but yeah, i remember him too.

[Linwenilid]

I mean, where have you guys seen any major J traits in him? If you were to look at his behavior throughout the show from solely from a P/J standpoint, what would you say? He's intensely disorganized, personally messy, runs (walks:P) around in casual clothes everywhere, completely ignores the rules, plays pranks on people and plays games with (on:P) them all the time, ect.

Are you sure you're not thinking of SJ types? He certainly isn't a Guardian either of rules of society (Cuddy) or people (Wilson), to use Keirsey's sub-cats, but that doesn't mean he can't be an NTJ. He's clearly very intelligent, which is why I think he gets bored quickly with routinary things, like paperwork and putting stuff in order, or dressing for work: neither of those stimulate his overly-active mind. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Perceiving vs Judging doesn't have much to do with neatness or disorder, but with open-ended processes and conclusion-reaching, and how one or the other affects a person's behaviour: House risks everything - even his own life - to reach an accurate diagnosis, and if that's not a clear J, then I don't know what it is.

And precisely that rule-ignoring trait is a trademark of INTJs everywhere: whenever we see that rules don't render results, we have no problem ignoring them in favour of a more effective procedure, which is what he does all the time.

I think he has a personality disorder.

Interesting. While I don't completely agree, I think he has serious issues with trust and people, which add bitterness to his natural independence and emotional aloofness, and this ever-present loathe for emotional bonding trascends his own experiences to ruin - or try to, at least - his closest friends' attempts at forming them, which I think it's a serious problem that goes beyond personality.

[onlyparallel]

Interesting. While I don't completely agree, I think he has serious issues with trust and people, which add bitterness to his natural independence and emotional aloofness, and this ever-present loathe for emotional bonding trascends his own experiences to ruin - or try to, at least - his closest friends' attempts at forming them, which I think it's a serious problem that goes beyond personality.


That's why I think to some extent he must have a personality disorder. Though I do agree with your other arguements, and think he must be an INTJ underneath that personality diorder. He certainly has some of our biggest and most obvious traits.

[richirare]

I say House is an INTJ. That's my "hunch".

He has learned E functions to take control of people but he is obviously an I.
He is N, and again, he is engaged in a job where the only thing that count is what you can proof so he developed his S functions to work better, but he always comes up with the solution like a N type would do. He is a T, but also has some F as everybody does otherwise I don't think he would had get married in first place. As for J or P, well I've been checking INTP forum and people there is convinced about House's INTPish, so do people here with INTJish. Actually I don't see much of a difference for this devate, he has both traits, I could convince anyone about House being INTP or INTJ deppending on the episode, but I'd go for a J.

After all House is a character that after 4 years has shown some contradictions (or progression) within his persona. But I adore him. Cant wait for season 5.

[Linwenilid]

He is a T, but also has some F as everybody does otherwise I don't think he would had get married in first place.

He didn't; he just lived with Stacey for 5 years, but I see your point. Besides, she being a clear T, too, was probably a good reason for them to be together for so long.

As for J or P, well I've been checking INTP forum and people there is convinced about House's INTPish, so do people here with INTJish.

Heh, so we're both pulling to our sides? That's probably the reason why this debate is so useless: House is a cool character, the kind that most people would like to share a bit of personality with.

But I adore him. Cant wait for season 5.

Same here. :)

[Brilliance]

Very nice to see this question arise. When i first saw the program I automatically saw myself. lol, I believed he is more INTP because of the 'not-care' attitude when it comes to dress, etc.. But it could go either way, he represents our type quite alot.

[richirare]

He didn't; he just lived with Stacey for 5 years, but I see your point. Besides, she being a clear T, too, was probably a good reason for them to be together for so long.

Heh, so we're both pulling to our sides? That's probably the reason why this debate is so useless: House is a cool character, the kind that most people would like to share a bit of personality with.



I think he was married to Stacy, otherwise she wouldnt had got the chance to decide for him once he was put into a coma. But as you said, useless debate, everybody that I know (including me of course) looks up to House. I even got the flamed cane for when I got into deep data processing. :)

BTW I just heard the rumor that the producer wants to ends House soon and the season finale could be a movie.

[Terian]

I say House is an INTJ. That's my "hunch".

He has learned E functions to take control of people but he is obviously an I.
He is N, and again, he is engaged in a job where the only thing that count is what you can proof so he developed his S functions to work better, but he always comes up with the solution like a N type would do. He is a T, but also has some F as everybody does otherwise I don't think he would had get married in first place. As for J or P, well I've been checking INTP forum and people there is convinced about House's INTPish, so do people here with INTJish. Actually I don't see much of a difference for this devate, he has both traits, I could convince anyone about House being INTP or INTJ deppending on the episode, but I'd go for a J.

After all House is a character that after 4 years has shown some contradictions (or progression) within his persona. But I adore him. Cant wait for season 5.
House is a damaged person. This has made him very reclusive. However, we know for certain that he works best when he's bouncing ideas off of other people. We also know he will only work as long as the case is interesting (often stopping halfway through simply because he's lost interest). For example, he hates working in the clinic because he views it as unchallenging- there is nothing there for him to prove his superiority. When he doesn't like something, or doesn't want to do something, he finds a way to manipulate people around him to make things easier for him.

We know the reason for why House became a diagnostician in the first place, as well- he discovered that no matter what you looked like, or what your current social status was, people had to listen to you if you're right.

Now let's examine the ENTP:
They need smart people around for brainstorming (almost at all times).
From typelogic: "ENTPs... tend to become extremely petulant about small setbacks and inconveniences. (Major setbacks they tend to regard as challenges, and tackle with determin- ation.)" This describes House to a T.
From lifexplore: "Orderliness in the routines of daily living is not apt to inspire them; they usually solve this problem by mobilizing those around them." I can tell you from experience that this doesn't only apply in routinized work, but in anything that I find uninteresting in which I am obligated to perform.
Also, all ENTPs have a pretty well developed Sensory function- it feeds their intuition, keeps them in orbit around reality. House isn't any different.
And finally, one of the greatest Hallmarks of ENTPs is their desire to acquire social status through intellectual means. Meaning: They want people to respect them because they're smart and can prove it.


Oh, and as for him showing some contradictions in his persona, welcome to the world of the ENTP. ;)

As House is a damaged person, I'd make the case that he's a misanthropic ENTP.

[Linwenilid]

I think he was married to Stacy, otherwise she wouldnt had got the chance to decide for him once he was put into a coma.

She was his health care proxy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). :)

Interesting points, Terian. I read the ENTP description and you do have a point. The descriptions reminded me more of Tony Stark, though. I don't think House is that bent in calling attention to himself.

[Terian]

She was his health care proxy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). :)

Interesting points, Terian. I read the ENTP description and you do have a point. The descriptions reminded me more of Tony Stark, though. I don't think House is that bent in calling attention to himself.He definitely wants people to want him because of his competence. And that is a solid sign of an ENTP.

[iuniperus]

I haven't gotten over how unbelievably sexy he is long enough to examine his type. :lovestruck:

Any other INFPs hopelessly drawn to his scathing personality?

[Claptonian]

He definitely wants people to want him because of his competence. And that is a solid sign of an ENTP.

I'm the same way, and I'm definitely an introvert.

The obsession with competence is an NT trait. Wanting to be appreciated for competence is just part of that obsession.


Claptonian added to this post, 6 minutes and 54 seconds later...


I mean, where have you guys seen any major J traits in him?

I don't think he's a very strong J, but many INTJ's are close to borderline on that trait. He does exhibit some J trait. For example:

1. He always makes lists.
2. He has a need for closure.
3. He likes to classify and label things.
4. He likes to control situations; in one episode Wilson states that this is because House doesn't like unpredictable environments. One of the J vs. P questions that seems to appear on almost every MBTI test is "Do you prefer structured environments?"

Most of the "P" traits people point out aren't necessarily "P" traits at all, such as a lack of respect for rules, which can be attributed to iNtuition. I also don't know why people claim that House is disorganized. His home and office both seem relatively tidy. Looking a little scruffy does not make someone disorganized, especially since it's been implied in the show that House's scruffiness is deliberate and calculated (Wilson occasionaly ribs House for going for the "unshaven look," and it's been said that House dresses the way he does so patients won't think he's a doctor and won't ask him for help or information).

[Kisai]

How did you guys come up with this INTJ stuff?

House is an irreverent, rule breaking, risk taking, drug addict who tends towards disorganization and spontaneity. Baffled at how you guys come to these conclusions.

Irreverent? Check.

Rule Breaking? Check. INTJs don't care about the rules if the rules make little sense or are inefficient to them.

Risk Taking? Disorganized? Spontaneous? It's because he's a genius and his NT is working overtime. He's PO'ed all the time because no one else can keep up with his thought processes. He tries to lead them down the path, but his underlings can't keep up with him.





Kisai added to this post, 5 minutes and 15 seconds later...

.

I mean, where have you guys seen any major J traits in him? If you were to look at his behavior throughout the show from solely from a P/J standpoint, what would you say? He's intensely disorganized, personally messy, runs (walks:P) around in casual clothes everywhere, completely ignores the rules, plays pranks on people and plays games with (on:P) them all the time, ect.



J's aren't J about everything. He's disorganized in his outer world (I and N behavior) but very meticulous as a doctor. It's just that he's so heavily N that it seems that it overshadows the J because he's always following the beat of a different drummer.

[d4m45t4]

House's character is complex because the actor isn't playing his own personality:

Actor: ISTP
Character: INTJ

Not the first ISTP to play an introverted intuitive and confuse the f*ck out of viewers -- Dr. Cox on Scrubs is an INTJ/ENTP played by very funny ISTP.

[MacGuffin]

I stand by a misanthropic ENTP.
I first posted he was a misanthropic ENTx in 2006. I don't think I was the first one to diagnose the character this way, but maybe I was.

The episodes since have only confirmed it. I point you all to the first episode of the last season where he was bouncing ideas off the janitor. He may hate people but he needs them.

[seaoftime]

He definitely seems an NT to me and there is no way he's an extrovert. I think people are mistaking his confidence for extroversion. He only comes across as a bit extroverted when around his "team" because he is the most competent and he knows it. He is completely introverted around strangers including his patients and when not on the case he always withdraws from relationships.

[Eleven]

I'm going to chime in with a tiny, tentative voice and say that Ni and Te seem to be involved...Ni in the way he comes to conclusions, Te in the way he always has to bounce ideas off people and write them on his whiteboard to organise his thoughts.

At least, those seem to describe him better than Ti and Ne. So I'd guess INTJ or ENTJ.

[Terian]

I'm going to chime in with a tiny, tentative voice and say that Ni and Te seem to be involved...Ni in the way he comes to conclusions, Te in the way he always has to bounce ideas off people and write them on his whiteboard to organise his thoughts.

At least, those seem to describe him better than Ti and Ne. So I'd guess INTJ or ENTJ.The problem with this is that when you combine the two (Ni and Te), you see plans being made. When Ne and Ti are combined, you see ideas being generated. House is a brainstormer- he's not a planner.

[Eleven]

The problem with this is that when you combine the two (Ni and Te), you see plans being made. When Ne and Ti are combined, you see ideas being generated. House is a brainstormer- he's not a planner.

This is why I find MBTI so confusing. I've seen brainstorming, and the generation of ideas, attributed to N generally, more specifically to Ni, and to INTJs more specifically still.

I do agree that House isn't that much of a planner, though.

[Kisai]

I do agree that House isn't that much of a planner, though.


I'd argue that that the character is a genius, heavily N, and that his 'plans' don't appear rationally constructed, but actually he's just putting them together much, much faster than his peers or underlings (or audience) can keep up with.

[Reon]

I've been thinking that House may be what happens to an INFJ when bitter. He seems to be the kind of person who yearns for deep connection with others but is unable to attain it.

Ni dominants will often engage their inferior Se for crude pleasure seeking (eating, drinking, drugs, sex, etc.) to satisfy their dominant function, which desires to come up with insights. But House does not use Se in a very direct fashion. He relies on flashes of insight.

I have to agree with this, I think house is a bitter infj with super T functions :p. Anyway, trying to profile House is fun, but unfortunately a waste of time. He is a fictional character that can/will changes overtime to fit the episode, not so much the character.

[JonD]

Is he an I or E? I say I

House certainly thinks first, then acts. While he has certainly acted first, then thought, and made mistakes for the purpose of drama in the show, I think his introversion is more of a primary function. I daresay, he may have been an E before he had the infarction in his leg. The scenes from the first season of him and Stacy in the hospital made him seem much more human, and not as misanthropic. But the Dr. House now, he's certainly an I. He spends his free time watching TV alone, or sitting in a park to avoid Cuddy.

N or S? I say N

House does not care about the way he looks, which is trademark N. I think this is fairly evident by his unironed shirts, messy hair, and scruff. He has a very good memory which is an S trait, but doctors in general must memorize countless things. Getting your MCAT is essentially just a test in memorization of tons of medical facts. More N trademarks include his ability to see patterns, which he uses all the time when he observes people. Also, most prominently, House loves using theories and testing them. Almost every show's centerpiece is the team trying to find a theory for why people are sick, using analogies, metaphors, etc.. That is trademark N. I have to say he's an N.

T or F? I say T

House can care less about achieving consensus in his differential diagnoses, which I classify as a T trait. House understands conflict is a regular part of relationships with people, which is also a T trait. I'd say that when he's desperate he leans a bit on the F side, but on the whole, he's a T.

J or P? I say J

Like how others have mentioned, House does use lists, but he doesn't use them for planning, just for writing down symptoms. Doctors are generally very on the go kind of people, which is a P thing. We rarely get to see the side of house that would provide evidence of him being a J. For example, I'd say he keeps his work life unorganized, but that's only because he knows he can get away with it, and he's lazy when it comes to administrative work such as answering his own mail, and filing his insurance claims. So it's hard to tell. The reason he seems like a J to me, is because I know many INTJ's and INTP's, and House seems way more INTJ to me. INTJ's are rule-breakers if they view something as a moral cause, and that basically sums up house right there. He lies to his team about having authorization to perform MRI's and CATscans, all because he wants to save lives. These, and other INTJ characteristics he seems to have makes me think he's INTJ.

[Terian]

Is he an I or E? I say I

House certainly thinks first, then acts. While he has certainly acted first, then thought, and made mistakes for the purpose of drama in the show, I think his introversion is more of a primary function. I daresay, he may have been an E before he had the infarction in his leg. The scenes from the first season of him and Stacy in the hospital made him seem much more human, and not as misanthropic. But the Dr. House now, he's certainly an I. He spends his free time watching TV alone, or sitting in a park to avoid Cuddy. Thinking before acting and vice-versa has nothing to do with extroversion. It's generally viewed as a Judging trait, or perhaps a trait for people with intelligence. I'm Extroverted and I think before I act. Every other intelligent Extrovert that I know thinks before they act.

House is introverted in the traditional sense of the word. He likes to be left alone most of the time and he spends his free time alone. However, even though I am an Extrovert, I can also be called an introvert according to the classic definition. However, I examine the world around me first, then apply my thoughts to myself, my Extroverted iNtuition sees possibilities everywhere, and I don't just crave, I need other people to bounce ideas off of. House can't work without having consults. Hell, he'd use a janitor if he was desperate enough. House is damaged, which is why he demonstrates introverted tendencies, but in the end, he's an Extrovert through and through.
J or P? I say J

Like how others have mentioned, House does use lists, but he doesn't use them for planning, just for writing down symptoms. Doctors are generally very on the go kind of people, which is a P thing. First of all, the lists that House uses can be attributed to Introverted Thinking. That is the function of logic and categorization. His lists aren't used for planning. They're used as anchor points for his abstract mental processes.
Second of all, doctors are usually Js, at least the happy ones usually are. They are usually SJs, due to the field's propensity towards detail orientation and routine.

He lies to his team about having authorization to perform MRI's and CATscans, all because he wants to save lives. These, and other INTJ characteristics he seems to have makes me think he's INTJ.No, he doesn't really care about saving lives for the sake of human life. He's not a noble character. INTJs have a strict code of morality and House has little morality to speak of. He is his morality, and even then he barely subscribes to his own code.
He saves lives because he wants recognition for being right. He likes solving puzzles, and will risk his own life if it means he might find the answer. He wouldn't risk his life otherwise for another human being unless he already had some sort of connection with them outside of mere acquaintance.

[Kisai]

INTJs have a strict code of morality

We do?

I would like to stick to a code of ethics, but bottom dollar is the ends justify the means. If I had to create a vaccine to save millions from a rampant plague in emergency circumstances, I'd sacrifice 10 babies for quick medical experiments. And I wouldn't lose any sleep over it either.

[Sinequanon]

First of all, the lists that House uses can be attributed to Introverted Thinking. That is the function of logic and categorization. His lists aren't used for planning. They're used as anchor points for his abstract mental processes.
Introverted thinking occurs in the head.

No, he doesn't really care about saving lives for the sake of human life. He's not a noble character. INTJs have a strict code of morality and House has little morality to speak of. He is his morality, and even then he barely subscribes to his own code.
You seem to be assuming that House is working from a position of health. While he may be a brilliant doctor, able make extreme intuitive leaps and have high self-confidence in his own abilities, he is also a deeply disturbed and conflicted character who is in constant pain and in denial about his addictions (or more appropriately, the toll his addictions are taking on his health and interpersonal relationships). Under those circumstances, how could anyone expect a person to maintain a constant or strict moral code?

House is absolutely an INTJ, or rather, he is an amalgam of a number of different writers' interpretations of a character, who ultimately acts in a manner consistent with MBTI INTJ most of the time.

[Synamon]

I thought the readers of this thread would enjoy this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

[MacGuffin]

House really isn't miserable.

He's pretty happy being a bastard and solving medical mysteries.

ENTP.

[Synamon]

Happy being a bastard sounds very ENTP, but I think he's introverted. So I'm going with an unhappy INTP.

[MacGuffin]

Happy being a bastard sounds very ENTP, but I think he's introverted. So I'm going with an unhappy INTP.

I just said he was happy!

He seeks out strangers to bounce ideas off of. Extravert.

[Synamon]

I just said he was happy!

He seeks out strangers to bounce ideas off of. Extravert.

So, I get some of my best ideas bouncing things off other people too, doesn't make me an extravert. I described this to someone the other day, there are people who radiate, people who are sponges and I'm like a ball bouncing off someone, that's where I get my inspiration. Then I retreat and mull the idea over in my own head.

[Ace1337]

House is definitely an NT. I'm sure of that. I can't believe some of you think he's an ISTP, lol.

My guess would be that he's a non typical ENTJ(because of his leg injury). He:
- leads a team
- is verbally fluent
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
- is good at solving problems
- dominates all debates and conversations, puts people on the defensive often
- likes to poke people to see their reaction
- seems like he lives for his job, enjoys his competence and always being right
- hates incompetent inefficient people and is sometimes brutal because of that(to his patients or his team)
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
- he doesn't rebel against authority - he IS the authority
- extremely direct and straightforward
- challenging and confrontational
- tends to get involved in win-lose conversations
- he's always in charge, never sharing responsibilities

Those were his ENTJ traits. I rest my case.

[Eleven]

We do?

I would like to stick to a code of ethics, but bottom dollar is the ends justify the means. If I had to create a vaccine to save millions from a rampant plague in emergency circumstances, I'd sacrifice 10 babies for quick medical experiments. And I wouldn't lose any sleep over it either.
Doesn't that just mean that your code of ethics is utilitarian? You believe a smaller sacrifice is justified if it saves a greater number, and that's a perfectly valid moral position that a lot of people take. You're still sticking to a code of ethics in making that decision, so long as you don't believe what you are doing is wrong (immoral) and so long as you're not just refusing to consider ethics at all (amoral).

[Kisai]

Doesn't that just mean that your code of ethics is utilitarian? You believe a smaller sacrifice is justified if it saves a greater number, and that's a perfectly valid moral position that a lot of people take. You're still sticking to a code of ethics in making that decision, so long as you don't believe what you are doing is wrong (immoral) and so long as you're not just refusing to consider ethics at all (amoral).

In that hypothetical situation, my actions can be considered utilitarian, yes. But I may not act using a utilitarian model necessarily. I could just as easily consign those millions of people to death by omission of action if I didn't like the cuts of their collective jibs, so to speak. They may not be worth the lives of 10 infants if they had a habit of oppressing their neighbors.





Kisai added to this post, 1 minutes and 56 seconds later...

I just said he was happy!

He seeks out strangers to bounce ideas off of. Extravert.


Extraverted thinking. INTJ.

[Sinequanon]

House is definitely an NT. I'm sure of that. I can't believe some of you think he's an ISTP, lol.

My guess would be that he's a non typical ENTJ(because of his leg injury). He:
- leads a team
I can lead teams, especially if I'm the one guy who has any idea what I'm really doing. I would have about the same patience level with the incompetent nincompoops he keeps hiring, too.

- is verbally fluent
E's don't have a monopoly on verbal fluency, pal. ;)
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
I think this has more to do with his being a miserable bastard and an NT than E or I.
- is good at solving problems
His insights come, ultimately, from his use of introverted intuition (the moment about 52 minutes into every show where he looks up and yells eureka, internally), which points neither to E or INTJ in particular.
- dominates all debates and conversations, puts people on the defensive often
He dominates debates with people he is comfortable with. He places himself in authoritative positions and then manipulates people who are his subordinates. I would find it more likely that an ENTJ with House's capabilities would think himself so capable that he should be running the hospital, not Cuddy.
- seems like he lives for his job, enjoys his competence and always being right
Still xNTJ here. :)
- hates incompetent inefficient people and is sometimes brutal because of that(to his patients or his team)
Calling this an NTJ thing too, particular with a strong J bias (or when they're technically on a deadline, which they happen to be every episode).
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
I'd say he makes decisions impartially. The decision making can be fast or it can be protracted. It depends on its urgency. A quick decision made impartially appears to be cold and calculated. A labored decision made impartially is likely more an indicator that there was not a desperate need to make a decision at that time. Think about how prolonged his search for his new team was, and how the extension of it served his own ends (not because he needed competent, capable people but because the farce of the entire endeavor amused him).
- he doesn't rebel against authority - he IS the authority
He is the authority within his circle. He rebels against every other form of authority or advice that comes from outside of it. He fights against Wilson's insights (I have Wilson typed as INFJ, btw), rebels against Cuddy, and gets into fights with the law. None of these are necessarily traits of a completely healthy INTJ but he is obviously not completely healthy.
- he's always in charge, never sharing responsibilities

Those were his ENTJ traits. I rest my case.
He shares responsibilities in a very pragmatic manner. He wants/needs warm bodies to bounce his thoughts off of, because he sometimes doesn't know what he thinks until he hears himself say it (Te). He doesn't build a team because he loves people or needs other doctors (he's done the same differential diagnoses with janitors, it just happens to be faster to do it with doctors), but because without a team he works slower, and he is on a deadline.

I know I've made friends in the past with people who I knew wouldn't steal my ideas but who I otherwise had very little use for. I eventually let them go because I felt guilty about simply using them for that small value I received from them.

[Terian]

House is definitely an NT. I'm sure of that. I can't believe some of you think he's an ISTP, lol.

My guess would be that he's a non typical ENTJ(because of his leg injury). He:
- leads a team
- is verbally fluent
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
- is good at solving problems
- dominates all debates and conversations, puts people on the defensive often
- likes to poke people to see their reaction
- seems like he lives for his job, enjoys his competence and always being right
- hates incompetent inefficient people and is sometimes brutal because of that(to his patients or his team)
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
- he doesn't rebel against authority - he IS the authority
- extremely direct and straightforward
- challenging and confrontational
- tends to get involved in win-lose conversations
- he's always in charge, never sharing responsibilities

Those were his ENTJ traits. I rest my case.Most of those traits would also apply to a damaged ENTP (when I'm in a bad mood, I emulate the vast majority of these traits).

[LiamWolf]

Most of those traits would also apply to a damaged ENTP (when I'm in a bad mood, I emulate the vast majority of these traits).

That or a ENTP with strong J. I also 'emulate' all of those traits.

[Ace1337]

Sinequanon, I wasn't making an ENTJ vs INTJ debate, just listing his ENTJ traits. But if you want to:
There are a lot of traits that ENTJs and INTJs have in common(almost half of them). Actually all NTs have many common traits.

E vs. I debate:

House is usually a real blabbermouth and likes the attention and drama. He doesn't avoid people, not even strangers(there were scenes of him arguing in the street). He does spend time alone but spending time alone is not an introvert exclusive trait. It's not like extroverts die if they don't talk to someone for an hour. House doesn't strike me as a passive person who keeps their best to themselves. He can never shut up and listen for more than 30 seconds, and he often invades other people's privacy which is not something an introvert would do. He's also often thinking out loud. All in all I'd say he's 60% extroverted but still an extrovert.

J vs. P debate:

- he sees things as black and white
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
- extreme dislike of incompetency
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
- makes lists of symptoms often (not an exclusive J trait but a good indicator)
- has a need for closure

He is a little playful but I am too. That's because all intuitives are like children.

[LiamWolf]

I'd just like to point out something that another forum said "It's extremely hard to type house because his character changes from time to time. He maybe be a ENTP in one episode but a ENTJ in another. The only sure thing is that he is a NT."


J vs. P debate:

- he sees things as black and white
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
- extreme dislike of incompetency
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
- makes lists of symptoms often (not an exclusive J trait but a good indicator)
- has a need for closure

He is a little playful but I am too. That's because all intuitives are like children.

Heh, I do all that expect see things in Black and White. I see in shades of gray, and I may take a little long making a decision, but I try and make sure its the right one (in my mind). I love closure though.

[Terian]

Sinequanon, I wasn't making an ENTJ vs INTJ debate, just listing his ENTJ traits. But if you want to:
There are a lot of traits that ENTJs and INTJs have in common(almost half of them). Actually all NTs have many common traits.

E vs. I debate:

House is usually a real blabbermouth and likes the attention and drama. He doesn't avoid people, not even strangers(there were scenes of him arguing in the street). He does spend time alone but spending time alone is not an introvert exclusive trait. It's not like extroverts die if they don't talk to someone for an hour. House doesn't strike me as a passive person who keeps their best to themselves. He can never shut up and listen for more than 30 seconds, and he often invades other people's privacy which is not something an introvert would do. He's also often thinking out loud. All in all I'd say he's 60% extroverted but still an extrovert.

J vs. P debate:

- he sees things as black and white
- has no trouble punishing people for their mistakes
- extreme dislike of incompetency
- pretty decisive and makes decisions fast
- makes lists of symptoms often (not an exclusive J trait but a good indicator)
- has a need for closure

He is a little playful but I am too. That's because all intuitives are like children.All the others are either shared ENTP traits or simply NT traits in general.

As for seeing things in black and white, if you'd ever met an ENTP, you'd see that oftentimes we state things as if we thought they were black and white even though we would gladly change our minds (which we do, as does House) if someone presented a strong enough argument.

House also doesn't have the ambition to lead that ENTJs have. Every ENTJ I know is either in a leadership position, or is making steps to achieve a status of leadership. House has no desire to have Cuddy's job. He doesn't even like "leading" his team. He likes their respect because he likes being appreciated and recognized as the best. And although all NTs highly value competency, ENTPs want more than anyone else to be the best.

[JonD]

"It's extremely hard to type house because his character changes from time to time. He maybe be a ENTP in one episode but a ENTJ in another. The only sure thing is that he is a NT."

I second that. Or third that, or whichever number I am.

Although, I find it hard to believe he's an E, when he so obviously has no social life. If you remember the Season 4 premiere, on his 8 week break, no one in the hospital, not even his so called best friend Wilson had seen him for those 8 weeks.

I disagree with a lot of points saying he's an E or a P, but I'm obviously biased since I'm an INTJ, and let's face it, most everyone here contains a bit of admiration for our lovable arrogant jackass, so they'll be biased too. When it comes down to it, to truly type a fictional character is impossible, since their behavior is not natural; It's created. We're all picking and choosing from the episodes the patterns that tell us what he really is, and the only discernible pattern is that he's an NT. In the end, we cannot know for certain what type he is, because we don't see what House is like in the course of a day, or a week. We don't know if bets on horses frequently or infrequently. We don't know if he goes to Hospital poker parties frequently or infrequently. We're relying on the storytellers to show us what his life is like, but we are completely unaware to the things they do not reveal. If one wanted to truly type him, and prove it in this forum, one would have to type him for each episode, or whatever, and take an MBTI average or something statistical of that nature, and base it on the assumption that what you see is what you get. Otherwise, the biases would still be present.

[LiamWolf]

Although, I find it hard to believe he's an E, when he so obviously has no social life. If you remember the Season 4 premiere, on his 8 week break, no one in the hospital, not even his so called best friend Wilson had seen him for those 8 weeks. .

I have no social life, are you saying I'm a INT-. Extroverted is not about having a social life, its about the way you think. House thinks extroverted.

I'd also like to throw in another ENTP trait, He needs someone to bounce his ideas off of, and to go back to what another person said "He doesn't want to lead." He wants his team to be a group that will fight against him in order for him to argue with and come to conclusions faster.

I say he's like me (ENTp strong j) or a injured ENTP.

In socionics I believe he would be classed the exact same way I am, which is probably why he is one of the few main characters that I like, a Ti-ENTP (The Finder) that would explain his seriousness too.

[MacGuffin]

Although, I find it hard to believe he's an E, when he so obviously has no social life.

He has a social life, it's just all at the hospital. How many times do you see him barge into Wilson's or Cuddy's office?

[Santana28]

I'm going to say ENTJ, especially after tonight's episode. Getting Cuddy her old desk is a classic NTJ expression of love, and the whole "logical next step" boob grabbing was too for that matter ;)

I'm attracted to ENTJs almost exclusively... and they all share the same traits that we saw tonight.

From personal experience it seems ENTJs are much more unsure of expressing themselves 1 on 1 in a relationship than INTJs are...

I would also say he's an E who has other issues which cause him to appear more I... i know someone who has tested ENTJ but whose life mirrors Dr. Houses life socially almost exactly.

[Sinequanon]

House thinks extroverted.

I'd also like to throw in another ENTP trait, He needs someone to bounce his ideas off of, and to go back to what another person said "He doesn't want to lead." He wants his team to be a group that will fight against him in order for him to argue with and come to conclusions faster.
He uses other peoples' thoughts more than he bounces his own insights off of people. His insights come during moments of reflection, the way he pieces ideas together is what makes him unique amongst his team/in the hospital (although I'd say Foreman is also an INTJ in a subordinate position, who has a similar disinclination to lead, and sees House as a person he is in extreme danger of becoming).

House extroverts his thinking and introverts his intuition/perceiving.

I say he's like me (ENTp strong j) or a injured ENTP.

In socionics I believe he would be classed the exact same way I am, which is probably why he is one of the few main characters that I like, a Ti-ENTP (The Finder) that would explain his seriousness too.
I'd say that we all see NT-ish traits in him but I don't see how House needs to be around others to recharge, or particularly enjoys people or has an active social life or ever really considers people in his calculus. None of those things are traits all extroverts share, but you'd expect him to have at least some of them, wouldn't you? The fact that he occasionally talks to people or pushes peoples' buttons doesn't suddenly make him an extrovert. We're not all shrinking violets. :)

[Luthor Rex]

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ".

:thinking:

Oh please, you know that at least ONE intj had to be an architect of the Holocaust. They would have never been so organized and methodical otherwise. Ever see that movie about the Wannsee Conference (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.(film))?

[Santana28]

I'd say that we all see NT-ish traits in him but I don't see how House needs to be around others to recharge, or particularly enjoys people or has an active social life or ever really considers people in his calculus. None of those things are traits all extroverts share, but you'd expect him to have at least some of them, wouldn't you? The fact that he occasionally talks to people or pushes peoples' buttons doesn't suddenly make him an extrovert. We're not all shrinking violets. :)

Like i said, what if he is a natural E with issues which cause him to appear more I? I have an ENTJ friend who suffers from cluster headaches on a daily basis, and severe depression. As a consequence, he spends nearly all of his "free" time sitting in a dark room staring at walls trying to ignore the pain in his head. However, he has to work. When he is at work that is his socialization - he acts very much in the same manner as House does, with his team. I know this friend both personally and professionally so i have seen both sides of him, and yes - he is a confirmed ENTJ.

Comparing this with House - what if House is secretly insecure about his bum leg and/or painkiller addiction? Of course he's not going to tell that to anyone - but he wouldn't need to. You can be an extrovert with one REAL friend, just as an INTJ can have many friends if they put a real effort towards it. Maybe House doesn't value personal relationships as much as professional ones (much as my Extroverted friend does).

I'm going to stand by my ENTJ assertion.

[Ace1337]

It might be hard to believe but Mulder is an INFP.

[Sinequanon]

Like i said, what if he is a natural E with issues which cause him to appear more I?
I'd say this little talking razor named "Occam's" is telling me he's an I. I'm sure you could find a way to stuff a square peg into a round hole but that doesn't mean it should fit.

I'd contend a brilliant ENTJ would want to be leading the hospital. He's content to let Cuddy lead because he knows he can step over her while he needs to and that she will otherwise run a steady ship.

[Santana28]

I'd say this little talking razor named "Occam's" is telling me he's an I. I'm sure you could find a way to stuff a square peg into a round hole but that doesn't mean it should fit.

I'd contend a brilliant ENTJ would want to be leading the hospital. He's content to let Cuddy lead because he knows he can step over her while he needs to and that she will otherwise run a steady ship.

I'm not so sure about that. Every ENTJ i know (and i know a few) wishes to be the leader - of his friends. There seems to be a limit to their desire to be in charge... and it seems to be their immediate social circle or peers. Not that they couldn't easily take over the world if they wanted to - they just don't have the desire, or see it as more hassle than it is worth. And you forget - ENTJ's work *through* people, not over them. Why would House want all of the hassles of running the hospital, when he can have someone like Cuddy take the flak for him and still make her do whatever he wants in the meantime?

[Ace1337]

I'd say this little talking razor named "Occam's" is telling me he's an I. I'm sure you could find a way to stuff a square peg into a round hole but that doesn't mean it should fit.

I'd contend a brilliant ENTJ would want to be leading the hospital. He's content to let Cuddy lead because he knows he can step over her while he needs to and that she will otherwise run a steady ship.

He's a competent doctor who enjoys being the best doctor and the leader of the team. Why would he want to lead the hospital? Not all ENTJs end up in CEO positions. There are ENTJ teachers, doctors, career counselors. I'm an ENTJ and I'd be pretty happy to be so competent in some area and to always know that I'm the best doctor in the team.

[Kisai]

Alright. I hate to resurrect dead horses and make them jump around the stable a couple of times (actually, I take that back, if a lot of electricity was involved...hmmm..)

The question of whether House is an INTJ/ENTP/INTP/ENTJ had been futzing with my head, so I found a person (Pink Human on the Fuselage board, a Lost fansite) who did an excellent analysis of the characters from Lost. (here: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. )

So I wrote a nice letter to her/him and asked if s/he would type Gregory House for me.

Pink Human was kind enough to tender a response:

Hmmm. Dr. House as an extravert? Wow, I have a very hard time seeing that. And he reads very much like a TJ rather than a TP since he is driven to find closure--the answer to the puzzle as he calls it. The N aspect of his character, which is pretty obvious, is probably what is throwing people--they see his actions as bouncing around and think of that as being a P quality rather than the N quality that lets him shift focus as old data is found to be incorrect and new data sends him down a different rabbit hole. That type of behavior is actually very, very INTJ. All NTs have this ability to shift, but House extraverts thinking (secondary function in INTJs) whereas ENTPs actually introvert thinking (it's the secondary function for them). He does not suffer fools. At all. At least that's my take on things. :-)

In addition, the function that gets out of control under stress is the inferior, and in INTJs that's extraverted sensation, which explains House's drug and drinking habits, plus his ladies of the night. For ENTPs, their inferior is introverted sensation, and that does not appear to be what happens to House when he feels boxed in or threated or unable to solve a puzzle. Introverted sensation out of control looks like a weird version of an ISTJ, and House doesn't ever look like one of those.

[pocohauntus]

He's just so lame. And why is he lame anyway? I don't watch the show, but I've always been curious about that.

[DailyFiction]

i agree INTJ

[Franklin71]

entj

I simply don't get why people think House is an extrovert. Yes, he needs other doctors to bounce ideas off of, but we see him time and time again retreat into the isolation of his darkened office or apartment when he really needs to think, and also at the end of the day when, case solved, he needs to recharge from having been around people all day.





Franklin71 added to this post, 3 minutes and 32 seconds later...

It might be hard to believe but Mulder is an INFP.

Actually, I have no trouble at all believing that. Only the P seems debatable at all.





Franklin71 added to this post, 2 minutes and 48 seconds later...

The fact that he occasionally talks to people or pushes peoples' buttons doesn't suddenly make him an extrovert. We're not all shrinking violets. :)

I'm a very strong I. That doesn't keep me from f---ing with people. It makes them more interesting to me, and, thus, more tolerable.

[MacGuffin]

I simply don't get why people think House is an extrovert. Yes, he needs other doctors to bounce ideas off of, but we see him time and time again retreat into the isolation of his darkened office or apartment when he really needs to think,
ENTPs do that all the time. 2nd function!

You're mistaking his misanthropy for introversion.

[Franklin71]

ENTPs do that all the time. 2nd function!

You're mistaking his misanthropy for introversion.

You cut off the part where I mention his need to recharge!

Remember the episode where he's going on vacation and comes up with all of these crazy ideas but ends up ripping up his airplane tickets and staying home to watch the Travel Channel? Introversion!

[Terian]

You cut off the part where I mention his need to recharge!

Remember the episode where he's going on vacation and comes up with all of these crazy ideas but ends up ripping up his airplane tickets and staying home to watch the Travel Channel? Introversion!One act of introversion does not define a person.

[Franklin71]

One act of introversion does not define a person.

No, but it's typical of him. Plus, he's based on Sherlock Holmes, who is a classic INTJ. Everything fits!

[Uytuun]

I vote ENTP. He plays pranks, loves to provoke reactions in people, is a child in many ways, needs attention and gets it by annoying people. Obsessed with finding "the truth" (Ti). Attraction to Cuddy (more of an IJ as far as I can tell). Relationship with Wilson (ENFJ?) screams father-child...NTJs don't generally give off a child vibe. He's irresponsible, or at least isn't afraid of risk...

ENTPs don't need to be in love with people at all. I know some that use them as mental bouncy pillows (House and Team), but have no need (and certainly no love) for them beyond that.

(sorry ENTPs :p)

The way the series are structured is also very Ne-Ti, you get a frame, certain occurences and you have to work within that, making connections, to find a single truth - does House make metaphysical reflections or is he preoccupied with the possibility conditions of his job or the assumptions on which his modus operandi is based? (a question)

[Nomadofthehills]

He's just so lame. And why is he lame anyway? I don't watch the show, but I've always been curious about that.

From wikipedia: "an infarction in his quadriceps muscle...that forces him to walk with a cane."

[MacGuffin]

You cut off the part where I mention his need to recharge!

Well yeah, but I know ENFJs that need alone time as well.

No, but it's typical of him. Plus, he's based on Sherlock Holmes, who is a classic INTJ. Everything fits!

INTJs are highly observant of details? That's why I've never liked typing Holmes (plus it's the major characteristic that they didn't apply to House - House is far more about connections of discussed facts than observing the facts first hand).

I vote ENTP. He plays pranks, loves to provoke reactions in people, is a child in many ways, needs attention and gets it by annoying people. Obsessed with finding "the truth" (Ti). Attraction to Cuddy (more of an IJ as far as I can tell). Relationship with Wilson (ENFJ?) screams father-child...NTJs don't generally give off a child vibe. He's irresponsible, or at least isn't afraid of risk...


Yes, he can be quite reckless. Which is one thing I've never thought INTJs were. It's why I went with ENTP over ENTJ.

[Franklin71]

INTJs are highly observant of details? That's why I've never liked typing Holmes (plus it's the major characteristic that they didn't apply to House - House is far more about connections of discussed facts than observing the facts first hand).

House being interested in connections is an INTJ trait: "Likes looking at information from a global viewpoint, spotting patterns and relationships, that lead to an understanding of the key issues." (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

[MacGuffin]

House being interested in connections is an INTJ trait: "Likes looking at information from a global viewpoint, spotting patterns and relationships, that lead to an understanding of the key issues." (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

Yeah, that's every iNtuitive.

[boldbidder]

He's an ENTP, the prankster streak and game playing point more to ENTP than INTJ. A true INTJ would have no patience or desire to waste energy with the games and pranks he plays on a consistent basis. I have a good friend who is an ENTP and he plays pranks on people and does deliberate a-hole like behavior just to elicit some sort of reaction.

[Nihilum]

He could be anywhere from INTJ to ENTP. But I am very sure that Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds is an INTJ.

[Reon]

He could be anywhere from INTJ to ENTP. But I am very sure that Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds is an INTJ.

Oh, indeed. I would be shocked if anyone said otherwise. >_>

[Franklin71]

He's an ENTP, the prankster streak and game playing point more to ENTP than INTJ. A true INTJ would have no patience or desire to waste energy with the games and pranks he plays on a consistent basis. I have a good friend who is an ENTP and he plays pranks on people and does deliberate a-hole like behavior just to elicit some sort of reaction.

House isn't just interested in reactions. He is experimenting.

[Indubitably]

No, but it's typical of him. Plus, he's based on Sherlock Holmes, who is a classic INTJ. Everything fits!

I can't say that there is much consensus on what type House is, but Sherlock Holmes is pretty universally accepted as an INTP by most every MBTI site and or type description I have ever read that mentioned the character. Generally Holmes is presented as the stereo typical INTP and Moriarty as INTJ.

I strongly suspect that House is more a mix of the two characters than either one, which could be an explanation as to why he seems so difficult to type. Quite frankly, it seems to me as though various scripts are written by various different writers, each with a different take on who exactly house is.

I'd personally lean more towards INTJ than INTP for most episodes, but I'd also like to note that the need to solve puzzles is about as Ti as it gets. Te is certainly capable of solving puzzles, but it almost exclusively does so in service of some grand plan to realize a vision. I sincerely doubt that a Te driven individual would be satisfied with solving puzzles as a means of obtaining closure.

I have as a matter of fact often been chastised by INTJs and ENTJs for my puzzle solving obsessions because they tend not to see it as actually accomplishing anything. INTPs do indeed have a need for closure, its just that the word used for Ti "closure" is comprehension. Decisions we are happy to leave open ended, mental models not so much. We will literally pursue a theory or puzzle to the ends of earth. We will pursue it until it erodes our health, home, sanity, and personal higene, and on our death beds, we will curse it with our last breath.

Nothing about House however, "clearly" identifies his type beyond NT. I think the problem is that non NTs tend to see the whole lot of us as being indistinguishable. From our point of view we are each very different, but a non NT writer could very easily make the mistake of just throwing every misanthropic intellectual they have ever met into one big pot then grafting the entire mess onto the substructure of some famous character like Homes and or Moriarty.

[Franklin71]

Quite frankly, it seems to me as though various scripts are written by various different writers, each with a different take on who exactly house is.

This is the problem of typing fictional characters in general. They are not real people and don't necessarily behave realistically. They sometimes behave how the plot needs them to behave or how the formula of the genre dictates they behave. Now that I've made my case for House as an INTJ (which I do think is his dominate personality), I'll concede that he also often behaves as an ENTP.

House clearly does his deepest thinking alone, for example, but a show in which he did nothing but sit in the dark, twirling his cane for an hour would be pretty boring to watch. So, he bounces ideas off others in a very ENTx (but especially ENTP) manner, which makes for better drama. Does that make him an ENTP, or is he still an INTJ forced into a TV formula that forces him to act as an ENTP? Even within the context of the show, could he be a INTJ forced to act as an ENTP by the circumstances of his job?

The way House plays practical jokes on people and generally screws with them seems to be an ENTP trait. But I find myself doing the same thing, but largely because it's the only way I can make other people interesting to me, which is more indicative of an introvert trying to cope, I'd think. At least it's what I do.

In any case, seeing as this argument has no practical outcome, I'll do the INTJ thing to do and stop.

[MacGuffin]

So, he bounces ideas off others in a very ENTx (but especially ENTP) manner, which makes for better drama. Does that make him an ENTP, or is he still an INTJ forced into a TV formula that forces him to act as an ENTP? Even within the context of the show, could he be a INTJ forced to act as an ENTP by the circumstances of his job?

As to the first question, we could play the "what if" question and push him into any type, really. Fictional characters are flawed, as you stated. So the only thing we can do is observe what we are shown.

As to the second question, I'd say no. If he was truly an INTJ, he wouldn't be seeking out people like the janitor at the beginning of the previous season to bounce ideas off of. He'd just sit in the dark twirling his cane. You could respond that it'd be boring TV and so they force him into a formula, which takes us back to the first question, making this question moot.

Going on what I've observed (and yes, I've seen every episode) he's a misanthropic extravert. There was a thread over at some other forum like this one and people there wanted to say he was INTP. We all see something to admire in a fictional genius and want him to be our type, but I finally gave up on that when presented with the contradictions. He just doesn't operate like an INTJ or INTP.





MacGuffin added to this post, 1 minutes and 38 seconds later...

House clearly does his deepest thinking alone,Oh, and I'd state this as false. Most of his epiphanies happen in conversation where he pauses and runs off to treat the patient.

[Franklin71]

OK. I was done, but actually I'd meant to say this earlier and forgot.

Is House's misanthropy the disease or just a symptom with an underlying cause (i.e., his introversion).? Figure out how to put that on the white board.

OK. Done now.

[MacGuffin]

OK. I was done, but actually I'd meant to say this earlier and forgot.

Is House's misanthropy the disease or just a symptom with an underlying cause (i.e., his introversion).? Figure out how to put that on the white board.

OK. Done now.

Introverts aren't misanthropes. They're not even linked!

His father (actually his non-biological father if you believe that DNA test he did) was the big cause.

[Indubitably]

Introverts aren't misanthropes. They're not even linked!

His father (actually his non-biological father if you believe that DNA test he did) was the big cause.

Correlation may not prove causation, but it doesn't prove a lack of causation either.

Sure, the fact that he is misanthropic doesn't make him an introvert, but the possibility that someone could be misanthropic because they are an introvert is not entirely implausible. Being an introvert certainly doesn't make enjoying human interaction any easier.

[Kisai]

Typical House Episode:

House goes to work. Doesn't care about much. Someone tries to get him interested in a case. House still doesn't care. Person mentions mystery symptoms. House gets puzzled look and is immediately interested in the case.

At this point, his Ni is puzzled and he needs to resolve it (TJ). This is his impetus for the episode.

He doesn't know what the problem is, but he already knows what it isn't.

He goes to his juniors and starts the Extraverted _Thinking_ session. He writes symptoms on the board. He dismisses lines of _reasoning_ with evidence or lack of evidence.

House will do almost anything to resolve the problem. Even he subconsciously knows that he can get out of hand. He allows Wilson or Cuddy to sometimes talk him out of drastic measures because his lack of evidence isn't justified. Most of the time he convinces them to take drastic measures (and shake and mix).

And then, of course, the last piece of evidence falls into place and it all comes back to his Internal Intuition again. Sometimes he already takes steps before hard evidence is found.


Overwhelmingly, he has introverted behavior. He needs his team to do the grunt work, but they are not peers to him. If he didn't need them to solve the problem, he wouldn't even acknowledge them. I don't know if he sees anyone else on his level.

[Terian]

Typical House Episode:

House goes to work. Doesn't care about much. Someone tries to get him interested in a case. House still doesn't care. Person mentions mystery symptoms. House gets puzzled look and is immediately interested in the case.

At this point, his Ni is puzzled and he needs to resolve it (TJ). This is his impetus for the episode.

He doesn't know what the problem is, but he already knows what it isn't.

He goes to his juniors and starts the Extraverted _Thinking_ session. He writes symptoms on the board. He dismisses lines of _reasoning_ with evidence or lack of evidence.

House will do almost anything to resolve the problem. Even he subconsciously knows that he can get out of hand. He allows Wilson or Cuddy to sometimes talk him out of drastic measures because his lack of evidence isn't justified. Most of the time he convinces them to take drastic measures (and shake and mix).

And then, of course, the last piece of evidence falls into place and it all comes back to his Internal Intuition again. Sometimes he already takes steps before hard evidence is found.


Overwhelmingly, he has introverted behavior. He needs his team to do the grunt work, but they are not peers to him. If he didn't need them to solve the problem, he wouldn't even acknowledge them. I don't know if he sees anyone else on his level.This is a classic example of an individual shaping the evidence to fit their biases.

Brainstorming, at least in the cases of diagnoses and finding out why something is the way it is, or what something might be, is a function of Ne. In an objective setting, such brainstorming sessions would be carried by Ne and Ti (since Introverted Thinking deals primarily with logic).

Brainstorming sessions driven by Te are those asking "what will" questions. Te prepares; Ti observes.

[stasis]

House = ENTP.
A randomized cloud of cacophonous, tangential Ne. He's on the goddamn phone all the time.

[Indubitably]

This is a classic example of an individual shaping the evidence to fit their biases.

Brainstorming, at least in the cases of diagnoses and finding out why something is the way it is, or what something might be, is a function of Ne. In an objective setting, such brainstorming sessions would be carried by Ne and Ti (since Introverted Thinking deals primarily with logic).

Brainstorming sessions driven by Te are those asking "what will" questions. Te prepares; Ti observes.

Even with an ENTP I wouldn't say that this is an Ne thing, its more like a Ne/Ti thing. Ti is where the drive to understand, to explain the "why" originates, it is after all still an ENTP's the primary "judging" function. Ne is a perceiving function, so its more like what sniffs out possible connections. Ne will go hey "hey, I found some really interesting things over here, and I think they might be connected", to which Ti would respond "ok, yeah, let me come up with some explanations as to how that might work, this could be connected to this like this...", and Ne would respond "ok, yeah that fits with my observations, now that we have a better idea of whats going on I want you to look more closely at this suspicious possibility". I really don't think you can completely isolate one or the other, but to the degree they are separable Ne is the one doing the perceiving, the "observation". Ti's primary job is to extract the fundamental nature of the possibilities provided by that perceiving function. With an ENTP Ti is subjugated by Ne's need to explore possibilities, but it is none the less an integral element of any diagnostic, problem solving, or brain storming pursuits the ENTP might undertake.

[Kisai]

This is a classic example of an individual shaping the evidence to fit their biases.

Brainstorming, at least in the cases of diagnoses and finding out why something is the way it is, or what something might be, is a function of Ne. In an objective setting, such brainstorming sessions would be carried by Ne and Ti (since Introverted Thinking deals primarily with logic).

Brainstorming sessions driven by Te are those asking "what will" questions. Te prepares; Ti observes.

The Juniors practice Extraverted Intuition with the "what ifs?". House does not. He shoots down their theories with Extraverted Thinking until someone chooses a logical or experimental course of action that is not contradictory with present evidence.

From To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. :
Empirical thinking is at the core of extraverted Thinking when we challenge someone’s ideas based on the logic of the facts in front of us or lay out reasonable explanations for decisions or conclusions made, often trying to establish order in someone else’s thought process. In written or verbal communication, extraverted Thinking helps us easily follow someone else’s logic, sequence, or organization

[Sinequanon]

You guys, it's a TV show written by a billion different coked out writers whose primary concern is not Jungian integrity. His behaviors reflect both preferences for Ne and Te, and Ni and Ti. He's a lot of things, but he's mostly a xharacter primarily contrived for entertainment. You should be happy he stays primarily NT and leave it there. ;)

[Nikita]

House being interested in connections is an INTJ trait: "Likes looking at information from a global viewpoint, spotting patterns and relationships, that lead to an understanding of the key issues." (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

Isn't spotting "patterns and relationships" itself more in the domain of Ne?


On the other hand, House doesn't really like being around people. The majority of episodes end with House alone in his apartment, playing piano or guitar or getting high. How many episodes end with House going out with a group of co-workers? Would he call anyone other than Wilson his "friend"? Does he seek help from other people when he has a problem or when he's trying to learn a new skill? The only time he engages in typical extrovert behavior (aside from domination), it's with extreme reluctance.
I know that Sean O and Solaris would agree with me (though they can tell me I'm wrong if they like, lol) that not all extraverts are the types to go out with coworkers as opposed to being home alone at the end of the day. The type of extraversion to which you are referring is not common to ENTs.

[Indubitably]

Isn't spotting "patterns and relationships" itself more in the domain of Ne?

This is not an entirely incorrect assumption but I really don't think "spotting patterns" is something exclusive to Ne. It would appear as though some more recent tests have taken to essentially defining each function in terms of the behavior most typical of a particular type they feel is representative of that function. For instance, questions regarding Ne seem to be designed to determine how ENTP-ish you are. Which is all fine and dandy if you are an ENTP but may be misleading for other types like ENFP or INTP that also make very heavy use of Ne. This is perhaps most pronounced in the case of Ni, as these test seem to feel INFJ is most representative of Ni. The effect is only exasperated by the assumption that said typical INFJ apparently has a rather underdeveloped Ti, hence tests with sections entitled "magical thought", that give an over all impression that Ni is some how a function defined by how psychic-crackpot-ish you are.

Perhaps more relevant to the discussion at hand though, is that this sort of test has the side effect of giving many self appointed pundits (such as those of us on this board who regularly engage in conjecture concerning the roll of cognitive functions, myself included of course) the impression that the entirety of a person's cognitive capacity resides within a single dominant function. An ENTP for instance would use Ne to recognize patterns, make judgments, draw conclusions, make connections, interpret implications, and otherwise do just about everything under the sun necessary for abstract thought. Which in turn makes every other function pretty much useless vestigial appendages of Ne.

I don't know how many people you are going to find who agree with me on this, but I for one think basically all of a person's functions work in concert. Some are perhaps used more effectively or heavily than others, but I really doubt you can effectively isolate any one function entirely responsible for something as complex as recognizing patterns and making connections. Sure, someone with a well developed Ne is going to be very good at sniffing out possible connections, but I think it is much more of an Ne-Ti thing than an Ne thing, and likewise I think the Ni-Te combination does something very similar in its own way. The priority and process is perhaps different, but Ni-Te is certainly capable of making connections and recognizing patterns.

I think the strongest argument you are going to find for House being an ENTP (or an INTP for that matter) as opposed to INTJ is the way in which he makes connections and derives a sense of accomplishment, not the fact that he does make connections. House seems to derive a sense of accomplishment from figuring things out, not getting things done (often times very much at the expense of getting things done), which is a trait very indicative of the Ne/Ti combination (with perhaps a strong emphasis on the prominent roll that Ti, like any judging function, takes in deriving a sense of accomplishment). He also seems to ask himself "what is going on here" then try to figure out "why", which is also strongly indicative of Ti-Ne.

At any rate though, I do think Ni-Te is capable of recognizing patterns, and it is not uncommon for House to approach a problem from the "what could this become, and how can I make it happen" angle that is so characteristic of the Ni-Te combination. He really does act like an ENTP/INTP, INTJ, and occasionally even almost an ENTJ, depending on the situation and or episode in question.

[nostudyrequired]

Seriously, how many threads are we going to have about House being an INTJ or not? This is going way overboard. Do a search, please. This has been discussed ad nauseum.

He's a poorly-written fictitious character, so the debate lingers on.

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ".

:thinking:

I think that there is an automatic desire to have all cool people be your type. Obama for example, clearly not an INTJ, was discussed in a forum.

However, in the case of House... INTJ fits. NT definitely fits, the whole detached thing and the desire to understand the world's systems. I definitely fits in my mind, reclusive and would prefer to talk about someone else's perceptions and lets out very little about himself. I understand that upbringing could have a say in the misanthropy of an E (being a somewhat misanthropic E) but it would still require a desire to talk about oneself. I know that sounds strange but that's one of the biggest differences I see between E's and I's, a reticence to speak and a reticence to speak about oneself except in some sort of mysterious way...

And I say J because the typing makes more sense to me.

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v.

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The aura of definiteness and whatnot really seems to fit better with INTJ.

[Claptonian]

I know that Sean O and Solaris would agree with me (though they can tell me I'm wrong if they like, lol) that not all extraverts are the types to go out with coworkers as opposed to being home alone at the end of the day. The type of extraversion to which you are referring is not common to ENTs.

My mother, sister, aunt and cousin are all ENTJ's and while they aren't all social butterflies, they all share a very clear desire to go out and do things. They would be miserable if their lives consisted of going to work, coming home and spending the evening in solitude.

I know several ENTP's as well, and while they seem more capable of entertaining themselves than the aforementioned ENTJ's, they still aren't the kind of people who cut themselves off from the rest of the world at the end of every day.

These observations are clearly based only on my personal experiences, but still, House's pattern of retreating to an empty apartment screams "introvert" to me. It would be extremely difficult for a mainstream TV show to portray the lead character as an introvert any other way without being utterly boring or resorting to other storytelling devices that would change the flow of the show (such as the first-person narration used in Dexter). House's personality needs to be on full display because that's the hook of the show, but the personality that is displayed certainly seems like an INTJ to me.

[jakattack]

Why don't we ask him? First in reference to the janitor thing he says:
"When I was 14 my father was stationed in Japan. I went rock climbing with this kid from school. He fell, got injured and I had to bring him to the hospital. We came in through the wrong entrance and passed this guy in the hall. It was a janitor. My friend came down with an infection and the doctors didn't know what to do. So they brought in the janitor. He was a doctor. And a Buraku. One of Japan's untouchables. His ancestors had been slaughterers, grave diggers. And this guy, he knew that he wasn't accepted by the staff, he didn't even try. He didn't dress well. He didn't pretend to be one of them. The people that ran that place, they didn't think that he had anything they wanted. Except when they needed him. Because he was right. Which meant that nothing else mattered. And they had to listen to him." [#307}

Quotes to think he's an INTJ:
"I don't know how to have casual conversation. You think you're talking about one thing, and either you are and it's incredibly boring, or you're not because it's subtext and you need a decoder ring."

"I have difficulty with is the whole concept of belief. Faith isn't based on logic and experience."

"The only thing I can do is think. I can pretty much do that anywhere. As long as no one's bugging me."

"She was right to say no. I had no objective reason to think I was right. Just needed the puzzle."

Wilson: "You know how some doctors have the Messiah complex, they need to save the world? You've got the Rubik's complex, you need to solve the puzzle."

"There's an evolutionary imperative why we give a crap about our family and friends. And there's an evolutionary imperative why we don't give a crap about anybody else. If we loved all people indiscriminately, we couldn't function."

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[MacGuffin]

Quotes to think he's an INTJ:
"I don't know how to have casual conversation. You think you're talking about one thing, and either you are and it's incredibly boring, or you're not because it's subtext and you need a decoder ring."

"I have difficulty with is the whole concept of belief. Faith isn't based on logic and experience."

"The only thing I can do is think. I can pretty much do that anywhere. As long as no one's bugging me."

"She was right to say no. I had no objective reason to think I was right. Just needed the puzzle."

Wilson: "You know how some doctors have the Messiah complex, they need to save the world? You've got the Rubik's complex, you need to solve the puzzle."

"There's an evolutionary imperative why we give a crap about our family and friends. And there's an evolutionary imperative why we don't give a crap about anybody else. If we loved all people indiscriminately, we couldn't function."

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Those quotes don't speak to INTJness, I could quote them at ***** and all the INTPs would agree with them. Hell, the ENTPs would too.

[Nikita]

Those quotes don't speak to INTJness, I could quote them at ***** and all the INTPs would agree with them. Hell, the ENTPs would too.

I second that. Especially talking about the puzzles and the type of thinking to which he was referring. xNTPs are more known for figuring out the why/why not, whereas xNTJs are more known for figuring out how to implement the what (contingency planning, strategizing, field marshaling, masterminding...). It should be noted that I've only seen a few episodes of House, so I do not have a vested interest in his type one way or the other.

[Terian]

I second that. Especially talking about the puzzles and the type of thinking to which he was referring. xNTPs are more known for figuring out the why/why not, whereas xNTJs are more known for figuring out how to implement the what (contingency planning, strategizing, field marshaling, masterminding...). It should be noted that I've only seen a few episodes of House, so I do not have a vested interest in his type one way or the other.QFT

This is precisely my problem with the xNTJ argument.

[Kisai]

Pish. If you want to debate from the point of view of the profiles:

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"Although the ENTP is more interested in absorbing information than in making decisions, they are quite rational and logical in reaching conclusions."

That's not House at all. His conclusions are intuitive leaps.

Primary.
Introverted.
Intuition.

[Terian]

Pish. If you want to debate from the point of view of the profiles:

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That's not House at all. His conclusions are intuitive leaps.

Primary.
Introverted.
Intuition.
Epiphanies != iNtuition. House is always very particular in his explanations and conclusions. Things come together instantly in his head with clarity, not the haze of iNtition.

[Indubitably]

Pish. If you want to debate from the point of view of the profiles:

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That's not House at all. His conclusions are intuitive leaps.

Primary.
Introverted.
Intuition.

An ENTP's conclusions are "logical" because like all NTs their judging function is T rather than F. Thats what a judging function is essentially defined as, a function that draws conclusions and makes decisions. Likewise, all NTs perceive with intuition, so the fact that House makes "intuitive" leaps really only implies that he is an NT. Hell, it doesn't even mean that hes NT, I've met plenty of ENFPs and INFJs that are very much capable of making intuitive leaps of logic. Not to mention that an ENTP's dominant function is no less Ne than an INTJ's is Ni.

Edit: I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but I think I should digress by noting that I sincerely doubt that something like making an "intuitive leap" is the exclusive domain of any one function. You have to keep in mind that the common usage of the word "intuition" is most definitely not the same thing as the term "iNtuition" that the MBTI uses. Intuitive cognitive functions are "perceiving", they observe, they take in. They may be observing patterns, or possibilities, or potential, but it is still observation. It doesn't mean a whole lot if a judging function is not backing it up with some sort of inference or interpretation to connect intuition's dots.

[Kisai]

Epiphanies != iNtuition. House is always very particular in his explanations and conclusions. Things come together instantly in his head with clarity, not the haze of iNtition.

Congratulations. If you consider Intutition a 'haze', you're not an INTJ.

Here's the thought process in an INTJ's head:

{faced with problem}

Primary: Ni

Either: (knows that he knows it and skips the T steps. If pressed, can easily go down the T steps for an explanation on the fly. STOP)

Or: (recognizes that he doesn't know the problem)

Goes to Secondary Te: (Analyzes problem, turns it back and forth, tries to get handle on problem, tries to analyze where problem is not intuitively apparent, tries to increase understanding of problem. By extraverting thinking: you take the problem and make it *separate* from you.)

Either: (Problem is solved and knowledge is added to intuition (this takes practice))

OR: (Problem is not solved. Either take extraverted problem to another person, packaged neatly in explainable form. Or try with a different function to solve the problem)

If problem is not solved: (Introverted Intuition may still save the day. Solution appears from nowhere. Answer and understanding appears instantaneously. Problem is solved.)

For INTJs: if the problem is not solved, and one is invested in its resolution, it is annoying. The problem must be solved. It is difficult to put it down and walk away, admitting defeat.

[Ex Libris]

Personally, I'm of the opinion that House is definitely one of us.

Anyone who thinks he's extroverted is a fool. Just look at the way he deals with people. He's dismissive, condescending, misanthropic and incredibly reserved. Wilson is his only real friend, and even their relationship is strained because House keeps so much of himself to himself. He stays away from the patients whenever possibly, and that's more than just trying to avoid the touchy feely stuff.

Sure, he be very assertive when expressing himself, even aggressive, but that's classic INTJ behaviour. We're not shy about voicing our opinions.

[MacGuffin]

Personally, I'm of the opinion that House is definitely one of us.

Anyone who thinks he's extroverted is a fool. Just look at the way he deals with people. He's dismissive, condescending, misanthropic and incredibly reserved. Wilson is his only real friend, and even their relationship is strained because House keeps so much of himself to himself. He stays away from the patients whenever possibly, and that's more than just trying to avoid the touchy feely stuff.

Sure, he be very assertive when expressing himself, even aggressive, but that's classic INTJ behaviour. We're not shy about voicing our opinions.
Fool here!

And no, you all don't act like House.

[Terian]

Fool here!

And no, you all don't act like House.Fool here too!

Ex Libris, you do realize that nothing that you've said is INTJ-specific.

[Franklin71]

Fool here!

And no, you all don't act like House.

I do.

Oh, snap!

[Terian]

I do.

Oh, snap!I guess that makes you a misanthropic ENTP.

[Franklin71]

I guess that makes you a misanthropic ENTP.

No, it makes House an INTJ. My "I" tests off the scale. (And I actually have one acquaintance who has nicknamed me House without any prodding from me.)

[Sinequanon]

I suppose this thoroughly interesting back-and-forth, "rabbit season"-"duck season" conversation will soon devolve into a discussion of the quantity of angels who could dance on the top of House's stethoscope, right?

Or do you guys believe there's only one right answer here sincerely?

[Franklin71]

I suppose this thoroughly interesting back-and-forth, "rabbit season"-"duck season" conversation will soon devolve into a discussion of the quantity of angels who could dance on the top of House's stethoscope, right?

Or do you guys believe there's only one right answer here sincerely?

I'm sure this goes against everything you've been taught, but right and wrong do exist. Just because you don't know what the right answer is -- maybe there's even no way you could know what the right answer is -- doesn't make your answer right or even okay. It's much simpler than that. It's just plain wrong.

[Tunnel]

INTP INTP INTP

That is all.

INTP !!!

ok.

[Sinequanon]

I'm sure this goes against everything you've been taught, but right and wrong do exist. Just because you don't know what the right answer is -- maybe there's even no way you could know what the right answer is -- doesn't make your answer right or even okay. It's much simpler than that. It's just plain wrong.
Not every question has an answer.

This is one of them.

Intelligence is being able to recognize when that happens.

Ramming one's head against the same wall is the definition of... well, you know.

Edit: More to the point, I initially thought House was an INTJ. Seemed like a slam dunk.

But then other people brought in their perspectives which I still haven't really seen anyone refute. I suppose I could buy the "wounded ENTP" angle. It's plausible, though not, to me, incredibly strong.

But as I said, the arguments going back and forth aren't substantive. "Nuh uh, ENTP"-"Yuh huh, INTJ" isn't interesting. Maybe it's my F attempting to reach some harmony in this situation by noting (as I have a couple of times now) that House is a composite character, and many different conclusions can be drawn from his attributes - in other words, you're not going to get Gregory House to sit down and take the MBTI, so what is the point of continuing to argue.

That is the right answer, to your chagrin. But please, continue to argue. And I do appreciate the patronizing lecture. Every question has a right and wrong answer? What's the right answer to the question "How far is your head up your ass?"

[Tunnel]

He's an INTP.

Unfortunately I don't believe I can convince anyone to this due to my lack of credibility and potential to gain credibility in this situation.

It would be best and more efficient if someone argued with me so that I can somehow be convincing.

I don't know why people think he is judging -- well I can see why in this atmosphere and generally why people would say that but still. He is definitely not judging or an extrovert.

[Kisai]

Or do you guys believe there's only one right answer here sincerely?

If you collated the evidence supporting House being an INTJ it would overwhelm the evidence that he is ENTP.

I'm not denying that there is evidence that he is ENTP. But so far I have not seen an examination of his functional preferences from an ENTP perspective.
I also see a lot of misunderstanding the terms "introvert" and "extrovert" and a lot of calling out of MBTI type descriptions (which is akin to calling out astrological descriptions and arguing when he was born instead of referring to his birthday).

[Tunnel]

When he has his meetings with his team he does them because he needs them to understand not because he needs to express his opinions. He needs them because it would be more efficient if they helped. Since he is a not a leader he has his own way of making his team lead themselves; which leads to my next paragraph.

He is not a leader or feels he must lead (or find a leader for the group). He perceives something interesting and reacts without judging it -- and since he is a IP he is content with pursuing the solution by himself.

An extrovert would openly express their opinions and have them weighed by the group rather than holding them back and internally examining them.


He cannot be an extrovert -- he has 1 friend and spends loads of time by himself in his head.

INTP

[Sinequanon]

If you collated the evidence supporting House being an INTJ it would overwhelm the evidence that he is ENTP.

I'm not denying that there is evidence that he is ENTP. But so far I have not seen an examination of his functional preferences from an ENTP perspective.
I also see a lot of misunderstanding the terms "introvert" and "extrovert" and a lot of calling out of MBTI type descriptions (which is akin to calling out astrological descriptions and arguing when he was born instead of referring to his birthday).
I agree with you, in a lot of ways, but the question is really one of consistency or not. If the character is consistently inconsistent then does it make sense to attempt to apply one rigid model to it? That's more what I'm getting at. There are times he does INTJ stuff. I'd agree that seems to be most of the time. But there are times he does ENTP stuff (that is uncharacteristically INTJ). So, maybe the framework won't fit.

We're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole at that point, aren't we? Let's use a little mutual Ni and just transcend the round hole and make ourselves a new square one? :)

(And to Tunnel - House's need to have things decided - he usually cuts off discussions, has his team perform endless tests simply to get them done, to me points to an overwhelming use of J, but I can also see how a wounded EP could exhibit those traits as well.)

[Franklin71]

(And to Tunnel - House's need to have things decided - he usually cuts off discussions, has his team perform endless tests simply to get them done, to me points to an overwhelming use of J, but I can also see how a wounded EP could exhibit those traits as well.)

Regarding the J/P controversy, when House explains what kind of puzzles interest him in "One Day, One Room," he clearly exhibits a far stronger J tendency. He says that he doesn't see any need to discuss questions that have no right or wrong answers. Why? Because you can never reach a conclusion. And he shows this in action when talking about abortion, saying you can argue forever about viability, when "life" begins, etc., but there is one certain, practical divide that you can't ignore (i.e., birth). Essentially, he's saying he's pro-choice because everything before birth is fuzzy and uncertain, things that wouldn't bother a P as much as they bother a J, who needs closure.

[Tunnel]

This decided thing didn't do it for me

. . . but since he does have a system he follows in his head regarding symptoms, he orders his team to do things they don't necessarily want to do, how he hates being contradicted, or having to give in to others ideas -- therefore I'll give him a J.

Also, an INTP would have a hard time getting into that authority position since they have a hard time following through.

I cannot see him being an extrovert or Perceiving for reasons already stated in this and earlier posts.

INTJ

Good stuff Franklin btw -- those are good points as well.





Tunnel added to this post, 45 minutes and 55 seconds later...

This does have an answer.

Everything does have an answer -- how can you say that everything doesn't have an answer?

The answer is that he's and INTJ or this wounded ENTP thing I've never heard of but most likely INTJ.

You're just impatient maybe. You can find a sufficient enough answer to anything with time.

[MacGuffin]

He's not INTP.

[Tsuru]

It seems pretty clear to me that House is an extrovert. Not at all a typical one: he hates people, but he is *very frequently around them* even given the option of not having to do so. Rather than simply be alone, he spends much of his time playing pranks, meddling in other peoples' affairs, and/or generally causing discord among people for his own amusement.

He tends to do most of his thinking by gathering his team and using them as a sounding board for his ideas rather than simply sitting in a room alone to do it.

I forgot if I commented on this thread before, but my vote goes for ENTP all the way. The pranks, playful and willful scorn of convention, slobbish personal appearence, lack of boundaries with others' property, interpersonal/external involvement coupled with heavy psychological distance, manipulativeness, and novel/innovative approach that lacks proper caution are all big indicators imo.

[Sinequanon]

This does have an answer.

Everything does have an answer -- how can you say that everything doesn't have an answer?

The answer is that he's and INTJ or this wounded ENTP thing I've never heard of but most likely INTJ.

You're just impatient maybe. You can find a sufficient enough answer to anything with time.
I'm saying everything doesn't necessarily have a single answer. There is no one-to-one relation between each question and each answer. A question does not imply an answer.

All of those things. It has nothing to do with patience and everything to do with realizing when one is wasting time. If you find a wall that's comfortable and want to keep banging your head into it, by all means continue.. but it doesn't mean the effort itself isn't useless in general.

[Terian]

OMG YOU GAIZE HES AN ESFP! :o

[Nikita]

"Tests take time. Treatment's quicker."

"Tell a surgeon it's okay to cut a leg off and he's going to spend the night polishing his good hacksaw.... they care about their patients. They just care about themselves more. Which is not an unreasonable position. Trying to maximize the tissue you save also maximizes the chances of something going wrong. Which means you've gotta be extra careful. Which is such a pain in the ass."

"You want to make things right? Too bad. Nothing's ever right."

"You could think I'm wrong, but that's no reason to stop thinking?"

"If you can fake sincerity, you can fake pretty much anything."

"There's nothing in this universe that can't be explained. Eventually."

"Arrogance has to be earned."

"I solved the case, my work is done."


Ok so I'm having my own version of a Grinchy Christmas: watching House until everyone else gets here. One thing that is sticking out to me is that House seems to really understand people. The understanding is a trend that appears to span any and every episode I actually have seen. Understanding people never struck me as an INTJ strength.

[Franklin71]

House understands people in an intellectual sense. (He's read a lot of books. He knows psychology, even if he hates psychologists). But he rarely "gets" them, which is why he is occasionally surprised when someone doesn't behave according to his theories. And he doesn't empathize.

[Nikita]

Oh I never said he empathized. I don't think he's an NF.


I also see a lot of misunderstanding the terms "introvert" and "extrovert" and a lot of calling out of MBTI type descriptions (which is akin to calling out astrological descriptions and arguing when he was born instead of referring to his birthday).

The basic question here is: does he get energized around people, or energized when alone? I haven't seen enough episodes to answer the question.


Also, an appropriate quote for this thread:

"Occam's Razor. The simplest explanation is almost always somebody screwed up."

[braeden]

House definitely recharges alone (and thus is introvert). He always seeks solitude after work or when he really has to think something through. For him, people are just cheap entertainment, or at best, puzzles to be solved.

[Kisai]

Ok so I'm having my own version of a Grinchy Christmas: watching House until everyone else gets here. One thing that is sticking out to me is that House seems to really understand people. The understanding is a trend that appears to span any and every episode I actually have seen. Understanding people never struck me as an INTJ strength.

House "understands" people by putting his chips on "lazy", "negative", and "deceitful". He's generally correct in his assumptions, but he's stubborn about recognizing genuine positive or heroic motivation. Thus he's not practicing empathy, he's rationalizing their behavior (TJ).

House spends most of his free time alone. I recall an episode where he took the juniors to break into Cuddy's house. Wilson and the hospital lawyer were surprised when he claimed that they were going "out to lunch". House apparently does not even socialize on his lunch break.

[MacGuffin]

House definitely recharges alone (and thus is introvert). He always seeks solitude after work or when he really has to think something through.

House apparently does not even socialize on his lunch break.

Just cause you people say things doesn't make them true. He socializes all the time, how often do you see him accosting Wilson in the lunch line? How often does he have his epiphany in conversation with others?

He literally cannot function without a team. That was the whole point of hiring the new team.

[Nikita]

House "understands" people by putting his chips on "lazy", "negative", and "deceitful". He's generally correct in his assumptions, but he's stubborn about recognizing genuine positive or heroic motivation. Thus he's not practicing empathy, he's rationalizing their behavior (TJ).

To quote myself:

Oh I never said he empathized. I don't think he's an NF.

Understanding and empathy are two entirely different things.

[braeden]

He socializes all the time, how often do you see him accosting Wilson in the lunch line? How often does he have his epiphany in conversation with others?

He literally cannot function without a team. That was the whole point of hiring the new team.

Basically, the only person he socializes with is Wilson. Even then he's not really what one would call social.

Other people he basically uses just to achieve his goals. When working, he uses them to speed up his own thinking process (Getting ideas and bouncing his own ideas back. It's not a social thing). When not working, he just uses them just to satisfy his need to figure everything out by invading their private lifes. Not really social either.

[Kisai]

Just cause you people say things doesn't make them true. He socializes all the time, how often do you see him accosting Wilson in the lunch line? How often does he have his epiphany in conversation with others?

He literally cannot function without a team. That was the whole point of hiring the new team.


You ever read the original The Strand Sherlock Holmes detective stories? They're all written from Watson's POV. Sherlock Holmes, a classic introvert cannot help but call Watson to come over and hang out with him every time he has a mystery. By your logic, Holmes is an extrovert because he can't function without Watson.

Whereas INTJs *say* they don't like to care about who's noticing them, they actually *do* want people close to them to be amazed by their prowess. I don't know how it is with INTPs, but INTJs do need some sort of audience to show off in front of.

Dr. House's career position is one that requires a team to function. He can't run around the hospital running tests by himself all day. He's in the leadership postition because he has to be. By your logic, *no* introvert can be in a career position as a manager or above. Again, I don't know how INTPs feel about this, but INTJs will put themselves up in the leadership position if their need to accomplish their goals (J) outweighs their introversion (I), which House certainly does.

[Indubitably]

You ever read the original The Strand Sherlock Holmes detective stories? They're all written from Watson's POV. Sherlock Holmes, a classic introvert cannot help but call Watson to come over and hang out with him every time he has a mystery. By your logic, Holmes is an extrovert because he can't function without Watson.

Whereas INTJs *say* they don't like to care about who's noticing them, they actually *do* want people close to them to be amazed by their prowess. I don't know how it is with INTPs, but INTJs do need some sort of audience to show off in front of.

Dr. House's career position is one that requires a team to function. He can't run around the hospital running tests by himself all day. He's in the leadership postition because he has to be. By your logic, *no* introvert can be in a career position as a manager or above. Again, I don't know how INTPs feel about this, but INTJs will put themselves up in the leadership position if their need to accomplish their goals (J) outweighs their introversion (I), which House certainly does.

Most good MBTI descriptions will tell you that an INTP will avoid being the center of attention, with the one exception of their chosen field of expertise. It is not uncommon for them to be symphony conductors or professors. They can and will lead, but they tend to lead more as a means to an end, or as an outlet for self expression. Its not something they desire, but if it lets them do what they want with their life they will do it, and if leading lets them solve their all important puzzles they have little difficulty making the decision to embrace it. INTJs will lead, but for different reasons, and usually only if they think no one else is capable of doing the job.

This brings us back to House's pension for puzzle solving though. This is highly indicative of a an INTP, and to a somewhat lesser degree ENTP. All NTs are of course good at solving puzzles but INTJs and ENTJs are not driven by solving puzzles, they are driven by realizing potential, by envisioning a possible outcome and making it happen, puzzles are just a means towards that end. This is not really proof that he is an NTP but it is definitely a tick in the NTP column. If you often found House saying "I don't give a damn about solving the puzzle, its just that solving the puzzle happens to get the job done", then you would have an argument for this being a Te thing, but I really don't see that.

I know others have said this before, but the only conclusive answer you are going to get for this question is that House really doesn't fit any one type well.

[Claptonian]

Just cause you people say things doesn't make them true. He socializes all the time, how often do you see him accosting Wilson in the lunch line?


Wilson is his one real friend. I do the exact same thing with my best friend; I bother the hell out of him whenever I'm bored or feel the need for human interaction.

[MacGuffin]

You people don't know many ENTPs do you?

They are the most introverted extraverts there are. They don't need masses of people, but they need someone to ignite their Ne. The way House needs someone, whether Wilson, his team, random airline passengers, or the janitor to kick start his thinking.

[LiamWolf]

You people don't know many ENTPs do you?

They are the most introverted extraverts there are. They don't need masses of people, but they need someone to ignite their Ne. The way House needs someone, whether Wilson, his team, random airline passengers, or the janitor to kick start his thinking.

The most true post ever.

[Mozzes]

Hmmm...how about the possibility that he's fictional so he's not bound by the requirement to act or think in a manner consistent with MBTI? I don't think there's a right answer to this question.

[vertex]

Just cause you people say things doesn't make them true. He socializes all the time, how often do you see him accosting Wilson in the lunch line? How often does he have his epiphany in conversation with others?

He literally cannot function without a team. That was the whole point of hiring the new team.

house only talks with an outcome in mind - only for a goal
thats not socializing, thats thinking and judging imo

[elsdfr]

Yeah anyone who tries to bind a fictional character to a "mbti type" is obviously insane.

[Claptonian]

You people don't know many ENTPs do you?

They are the most introverted extraverts there are. They don't need masses of people, but they need someone to ignite their Ne. The way House needs someone, whether Wilson, his team, random airline passengers, or the janitor to kick start his thinking.

The most convincing post I've read. I'm still not 100% convinced, though. I know quite a few ENTP's, and they are social creatures; maybe not as social as other Extraverted types, but still social. House almost never goes out and he never invites people over to his place, other than for his poker game, which he keeps as impersonal as possible (if I recall correctly, he refers to everyone by their profession and doesn't allow them to use their names; he likes playing poker but has no desire to use it as a social outlet). This doesn't seem consistent with an Extravert.

The janitor and airline passengers might very well be examples of House being a creature of habit; he got used to including other people in his initial diagnosis, so when his team wasn't around he found the nearest person to fill their space.

[WayBehind]

This is the best comparison of the dichotomies I've seen: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Based on that, I would vote for INTJ, J being fairly weak.

[MacGuffin]

I hate dichotomies.

[Kisai]

Here, you can have Gaius Baltar as a misanthropic ENTP:

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[MacGuffin]

Here, you can have Gaius Baltar as a misanthropic ENTP:

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Except he's not a misanthrope... the crazy fucker!

[Kisai]

Hmm.. Maybe 'stupendously selfish to the point where the needs of other human beings don't even compare to his own' is better than misanthropy.

[Indubitably]

Hmm.. Maybe 'stupendously selfish to the point where the needs of other human beings don't even compare to his own' is better than misanthropy.

Yeah, this reads more like a very charismatic INTP than a misanthropic ENTP to me. We kind of already think everyone is a figment of our imagination to begin with, and being crazy as f**k doesn't help much.

[Nikita]

House spends most of his free time alone. I recall an episode where he took the juniors to break into Cuddy's house. Wilson and the hospital lawyer were surprised when he claimed that they were going "out to lunch". House apparently does not even socialize on his lunch break.

I spend most of my free time alone and I use my lunch breaks as an excuse to get away from everybody else. Whatever he is, do you have any other suggestions on what might point to I vs. E or vice versa?


House almost never goes out and he never invites people over to his place, other than for his poker game, which he keeps as impersonal as possible ([...] he likes playing poker but has no desire to use it as a social outlet). This doesn't seem consistent with an Extravert.

I don't go out often because I don't typically enjoy the types of gatherings my friends and acquaintances enjoy and organize. I do play poker, but do not use it as a social outlet, either. My point is simply that I/E really goes back to from where House draws his energy and how he recharges vs. what depletes him. I'm not sure that focusing on specific activities is the way to analyze this dichotomy.

[Kisai]

Yeah, this reads more like a very charismatic INTP than a misanthropic ENTP to me. We kind of already think everyone is a figment of our imagination to begin with, and being crazy as f**k doesn't help much.

Eh. Gaius has absolutely no problem introducing himself to a poker game, running for vice-president or getting laid. He'd also rather spend his time in an extroverted situation getting attention from girls than hanging out in his lab. That all screams 'E' to me. An INTP especially wouldn't have their Extraverted Feeling 'charisma' so well developed, as its their Inferior function.

IMHO, an INTP would have had every Cylon corpse and device taken apart and analyzed back and forth merely because its really interesting. I don't think an INTP would be given in to some of the crazy but correct guesses that Gaius has made.





Kisai added to this post, 19 minutes and 45 seconds later...

I spend most of my free time alone and I use my lunch breaks as an excuse to get away from everybody else. Whatever he is, do you have any other suggestions on what might point to I vs. E or vice versa?


Err. No offense, Nikita. but you've come out as an Introvert on the Cognitive Process test, plus you exhibit tendencies not to show your 'true' self to people. You still may be an ENTP, but not an ENTP poster child.

House spends his free time at home alone. He's unable to form relationships with people because he deliberately tries to alienate them. His misanthropy is a huge spanner in his personality. But from his bio, it also indicates that he was an introvert as a child:

From: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

House was obviously a bright child, a mixed blessing as his demanding father and loving mother obviously had high hopes for him. He cultivated a variety of interests, such as chemistry and playing the piano, which have served him well into adulthood. However, it appears that his isolation from people his age and his poor relationship with his parents led House to become something of a loner.

[MacGuffin]

Yes, a frustrated extravert.

[Kisai]

Oogh. You're second guessing House. Maladjusted extroverted teenagers don't magically become introverts, they join gangs. If House took an MBTI test he would score as introverted.

Also: introverts aren't all introverted because they're 'shy', some (like myself) are arrogant and bored by other people.

[MacGuffin]

Maladjusted extroverted teenagers don't magically become introverts... got it.

Must stay extraverts then...

[Sinequanon]

You people don't know many ENTPs do you?

They are the most introverted extraverts there are. They don't need masses of people, but they need someone to ignite their Ne. The way House needs someone, whether Wilson, his team, random airline passengers, or the janitor to kick start his thinking.

Yes, a frustrated extravert.

Maladjusted extroverted teenagers don't magically become introverts... got it.

Must stay extraverts then...
I can't tell, do you think he's an introverted extrovert? Maybe you should repeat yourself again to make it more clear.

[MacGuffin]

I can't tell, do you think he's an introverted extrovert? Maybe you should repeat yourself again to make it more clear.

Repetition is the only way to break thru the J-wall.

[Kisai]

Psht. Being correct and successfully explaining your viewpoint breaks you through the INTJ 'J' wall.

[Terian]

Psht. Being correct and successfully explaining your viewpoint breaks you through the INTJ 'J' wall.I believe he's adequately explained his position. The "J" wall has rejected his explanation simply because it doesn't fit the way you want House to be.

In my observations, NTJs aren't nearly the objectivists and debaters that NTPs are. NTJs often develop logical fallacies that hinder their position from an NTP standpoint, but strengthen their position in their own mind. NTJs (with few exceptions) may have great perspective in many areas, but they are far too single-minded in a debate. That single-mindedness just serves to allow people to dance around your argument and cut it down from every angle, as well as lessen your credibility as a debater.

Single-mindedness can be a very useful tool when you need to get something done and you aren't going to let anything get in your way. However, in a debate, nothing is actually being done. Single-mindedness just leads to a limited position in a debate and although you may think you're right, you're oftentimes too blinded by your opinions to see anyone else's.

[Kisai]

I believe he's adequately explained his position.

Nope.

[Nikita]

Err. No offense, Nikita. but you've come out as an Introvert on the Cognitive Process test, plus you exhibit tendencies not to show your 'true' self to people. You still may be an ENTP, but not an ENTP poster child.

House spends his free time at home alone. He's unable to form relationships with people because he deliberately tries to alienate them. His misanthropy is a huge spanner in his personality. But from his bio, it also indicates that he was an introvert as a child:

From: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I'm not the poster child for anything. I was simply indicating that focusing on individual items as opposed to the general method of recharging is not always effective. (No offense taken. :))

[MacGuffin]

Find me an INTJ that behaves as recklessly in public as House does, cause I've never seen one.

You are all pretty quiet. Snarky and sarcastic, sure, but not in the larger-than-life manner of House.

[Kisai]

Find me an INTJ that behaves as recklessly in public as House does, cause I've never seen one.

You are all pretty quiet. Snarky and sarcastic, sure, but not in the larger-than-life manner of House.

Oh, you haven't met me. I'd actually speak out loud all of the things that I write here. The more familiar I am with an area or workplace, the more pronounced I am.

[Terian]

Nope.And you've just validated the rest of my post.

[Sinequanon]

Repetition is the only way to break thru the J-wall.
It's difficult, if not impossible for me to respect a position that's simply repeated, without evidence, as though it gains more momentum or truth by the act of repeating it. If you feel like you've not adequately explained it, or worse, that people have misunderstood you, then by all means, clarify what you're saying. But you don't win a debate by virtue of being the person who's said what they said the most times. At a certain point (say, beyond the second), it just becomes spam.

Anyway, at the risk of repeating myself, the issues that are raised here still lead me to believe, by the way, that House defies typing precisely because of his role/function as a TV character. I would agree that House as a straight introvert would be boring to watch. Foreman is a pretty level introvert. So is 13, so is Wilson. None of them would be interesting to focus a show around because they're not initiating action. At the same time, he utilizes cognitive processes most closely aligned with Ni and Te - he has a directing communication style, not an informing communication style. He is much more concerned with using ideas so long as they work than he is with bouncing ideas around just to try it (like Kutner enjoys doing). His insights come by use of making connections between systems within his inner world, through use of introverted intuition.

[Franklin71]

Repetition is the only way to break thru the J-wall.

No it just annoys us. Especially since you're wrong.





Franklin71 added to this post, 0 minutes and 54 seconds later...

Find me an INTJ that behaves as recklessly in public as House does, cause I've never seen one.

I have.

[Kisai]

And you've just validated the rest of my post.

Nope. The rest of your post was bait. !A does not imply B.

[Terian]

Nope. The rest of your post was bait. !A does not imply B.Speaking of bait.

And although A may not always imply B, in this case it does infer it.

[Kisai]

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[NDBrewer]

He definitely wants people to want him because of his competence. And that is a solid sign of an ENTP.

I think it's actually a sign of an INTJ who routinely comes close to meeting his own standard. I think "people wanting House" flows from their perception of the psychological reward of extreme self-confidence that House derives from his repeated successes and thus his repeated flirtation with satisfying the universal INTJ standard of complete competence and ultimately, perfection.

I'm the same way, and I'm definitely an introvert.

The obsession with competence is an NT trait. Wanting to be appreciated for competence is just part of that obsession.

I completely agree.


Irreverent? Check.

Rule Breaking? Check. INTJs don't care about the rules if the rules make little sense or are inefficient to them.

Risk Taking? Disorganized? Spontaneous? It's because he's a genius and his NT is working overtime. He's PO'ed all the time because no one else can keep up with his thought processes. He tries to lead them down the path, but his underlings can't keep up with him.

Exactly.

Find me an INTJ that behaves as recklessly in public as House does, cause I've never seen one. You are all pretty quiet. Snarky and sarcastic, sure, but not in the larger-than-life manner of House.

I'm one, nice to meet you.

Obviously House has the advantage of many intelligent, witty writers and multiple takes, but other than that it's simply how secure does the INTJ feel. House is clearly entrenched and protected. Remember, life has taught we INTJs well that we are an outside minority severely outnumbered and though we care little about your opinions of us as they relate to our identity, we are not ignorant of the fact that if we piss too many of you off at the same time you may well pack-up as dogs and target us for destruction. Although we would ultimately prevail, that would be a very time consuming battle and delay our world takeover. Thus, many of us must refrain from using our "larger-than-life" abilities.

That being said, I think there are numerous INTJs who if placed in the insulated fiefdom that House inhabits, where solving complex problems using a commonly held body of knowledge that must be constantly synthesized and the synthesizing abilities of those around you then immediately judged, would feel that they had died and gone to INTJ heaven and their public behavior would likely mimic House's.

[dogwoodlover]

I think this topic is bullshit to some extent...

But if I had to pick an MBTI type for "House," based on what I've seen from the show (which is not much at all actually), I would have to say he is ENTJ. At least in terms of his behavior, it seems abundantly clear that he is a stereotypical extravert. He also seems to have a case of Te-gone-out-of-control, typical of ENTJs. And while he has at times sort of "in-the-zone" moments of realization, which seem like Ni more than anything, they seem to be far less frequent than his snap decision-making and biting insults. His "Te" seems to have strong precedence over his "Ni." Personally, I don't see how anyone could mistake him for an introvert. He's loud, interrupting, rude, disrespectful, abrasive, overly-assertive, witty, makes snap judgments, always has to be in control and calling the shots, etc.--all classical ENTJ traits.

EDIT: Looking over some of these posts, it looks like "House" is a role-model for some here, and maybe this is why we have such strong assertions that "House" is an INTJ. It's a bit of a stupid question anyway--seeing as how he's a fictional character.

As far as him "acting" like a loner, well, I happen to know an ENTJ who is one of the least "social" people at my school; he sits at home by himself and drinks all the time--I suspect he has some form of social anxiety. My ENFP girlfriend, when it comes to social interactions, is far more awkward and reluctant than I am. Extroversion and Introversion are not about how you act, but about how you direct the energy of your cognitive processes--towards the world of things or of ideas.

[NDBrewer]

From what I have read, I thought I v. E is more about where you are energized from, not where you project to. House seems primarily energized from his inner world of thoughts and ideas (especially his obsession with understanding and predicting human behavior). His outer interaction is how he furthers and develops his theories.

I agree, that maybe House is admired by some and that could create a desire to "claim him" for a certain type, but since when does an INTJ think such a discussion to be "bullshit"? I understand the premise that because he's fictional there are flaws in interpreting his behavior, because you are actually interpreting an actor playing a character and, assuming the actor's type differs from the character's, it's difficult or impossible to know what of the actor is filtering through. But the discussion is entertaining nonetheless.

[Rudy]

This argument is pointless, I'm afraid. House is very inconsistently characterized, depending on who is writing for him. He's radically different in later seasons, as opposed to the beginning, as well.

There have been times that he's been written as an INTJ (I see him as this in most of the first season,) and times that he hasn't.

[web]

House's character was designed to keep threads like this alive.

Do you really think he has to fall into one of 16 MBTI types' box?
His informational metabolism is IMO omnifunctional regarding the 4 (8) basic socionics/MBTI functions.

Sorry if this has been mentioned above (or in any other angle) i don't have time
to read the whole thread.

[Only Forward]

Perhaps there's something wrong with the MBTI and not our ability to type House. We're INTJ's ffs we can't be wrong!

[Plane Stress]

House is an INTP. Because he is not an INTJ.

[MacGuffin]

House is an INTP. Because he is not an INTJ.

Nah, he's not INTP.

[Hatsumomo1]

House is an INTP. Because he is not an INTJ.

He's too much of an asshole to be an INTP.

[Terian]

He's too much of an asshole to be an INTP.Anybody can be an asshole.

[SRVcardsfan27]

I have been watching House lately and I don't see how he could be anything but an INTx.

Most agree he is an xNTx. About the I or E; he keeps all things personal to himself, except for Dr. Wilson, who is his only real friend. He frequently goes home and plays piano in the dark. He hates people, and will do anything he can to avoid appointments, and when he does an appointment, it's usually fairly short. He gets energy from his job, which allows him to use his analytical skills which are a hobby and passion of his. He is energized by his own world and work, not the patients or others around him. They may have some influence in that, but it's not direct. He screams INTx to me, and I'd bet money he's an INTJ if there was an absolute way to tell.

[Plane Stress]

He's too much of an asshole to be an INTP.

That is why he's an INTP. Just kidding. He's definitely an INTX, and I just see him as being more of a P than a J, based on a hunch more than anything.

[WaeV]

Have we tried typing him by his function order?

[Hatsumomo1]

Anybody can be an asshole.

To that extent with such consistency? I think it takes a J to be the House kind of asshole.

By the way, perhaps this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) article can help. Someone else can look at it for now. I'm too tired to be bothered at the moment.

[Seppuku Savant]

House is an ENTP.

Watch all the episodes, then come to a conclusion. It's glaringly obvious.

[Terian]

To that extent with such consistency? I think it takes a J to be the House kind of asshole.

By the way, perhaps this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) article can help. Someone else can look at it for now. I'm too tired to be bothered at the moment.Absolutely. We can see that House's bitterness stems primarily from his constant pain; any type would be a perpetual asshole if they were perpetually in pain.

[Plane Stress]

House is an ENTP.

Watch all the episodes, then come to a conclusion. It's glaringly obvious.

I think you might be right. If he is a J he's not a strong J at all. I don't know much about function order but here are straight up P characteristics:

-Comfortable moving into action without a plan; plan on-the-go.
-Like to multitask, have variety, mix work and play.
-Naturally tolerant of time pressure; work best close to the deadlines.
-Instinctively avoid commitments which interfere with flexibility, freedom and variety

And I think he fits most of them.

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[speedsuit721]

Why do people act like drug addiction is incompatible with INTJ's? INTJ is one of the six male types that are overrepresented among self-proclaimed substance abusers. Nearly every in-depth description of the type that I've read talks about how INTJ's often exhibit addict behavior when under stress, usually directed towards drugs, alcohol or exercise.

Just seeing page one of this thread. Yep, I had a severe exercise addiction at my most stressed time in life, 3 1/2 hours of hardcore cardio a day for years. It's still an addiction, but I don't devote nearly as much time to it.

[Deliberator]

I vote INTJ:

You tell me "happy birthday" and I will be very uncomfortable.
When I am comfortable in an environment where I feel like I have control over my own "domain" then I can act very extroverted.
Patients are puzzles, they keep me from getting bored.
I like to see theory in action (very un-INTP)... it's solved, closed up, and then it's off to another one! (J)
People are terribly boring and I don't mind saying so.
Average people don't matter much to me; they are ultimately irrelevant.
I'm comfortable being an asshole because I recognize that's just the role I play... and I'm good at, so I'm allowed.
I've found that being an asshole is the easiest way to fend off the emotional drama that drains and annoys me.
I am not intimidated by anyone or anything.
I am very methodical when I solve problems.
I am very perceptive. I do not go by the book like an ST doctor would.
I don't second-guess myself... I am NOT an INTP!

[dalidaisy]

I've watched a lot of House episodes, on my computer, in a row, to catch up on this pop-culture phenomenon everyone was talking about. I came away with the conclusion that the guy is very similar to me. I cast my vote as INTJ. He doesn't like people & prefers his solitude (I). He tells his staff what the issue is (he just knows) & lets them figure out if he's right (N). He is not personable, doesn't use feelings to make decisions & is clearly a (T). He weighs the evidence, makes decisions quickly & is quite predictable (J).

[MacGuffin]

I don't think he's a J. When does he ever make plans? He just wings it, constantly changing with whatever evidence is in front of him.

The most he plans is the practical jokes he plays to get reactions from others.

P.S. he's not an introvert.

[Medicine Man]

To me the biggest give away of his MBTI type is the way he treats people he does not know. I am in medical school, and am around patients a lot. I would never dream of mocking a patient to their face if I don't know them. I might be thinking "this person is an idiot", but to me telling this person they are an idiot is pointless and will only create extra baggage that I don't want to deal with. Extroverts have this incredible need to vocalize their thoughts. House is always pushing the boundaries by making incredibly judgmental statements about whomever he encounters. House is very intuitive and is able to connect the dots between disparate pieces of information, a highly N trait. He is usually right, but he is usually incredibly blunt in the way he makes this known. The people I know that are like this test as ENTJs or ENTPs with J qualities.

[Plane Stress]

I don't think he's a J. When does he ever make plans? He just wings it, constantly changing with whatever evidence is in front of him.

The most he plans is the practical jokes he plays to get reactions from others.

P.S. he's not an introvert.

This. I'm with the ENTP people.

[AceBrown]

I vote INTJ:

You tell me "happy birthday" and I will be very uncomfortable.
When I am comfortable in an environment where I feel like I have control over my own "domain" then I can act very extroverted.
Patients are puzzles, they keep me from getting bored.
I like to see theory in action (very un-INTP)... it's solved, closed up, and then it's off to another one! (J)
People are terribly boring and I don't mind saying so.
Average people don't matter much to me; they are ultimately irrelevant.
I'm comfortable being an asshole because I recognize that's just the role I play... and I'm good at, so I'm allowed.
I've found that being an asshole is the easiest way to fend off the emotional drama that drains and annoys me.
I am not intimidated by anyone or anything.
I am very methodical when I solve problems.
I am very perceptive. I do not go by the book like an ST doctor would.
I don't second-guess myself... I am NOT an INTP!

Sounds more like an INTJ who read description of INTJ on the net and started sniffing their own farts too much, thus turning them into something they're not. Little off-topic, but do most INTJs really think like this? Must be extreme INTJs or something.

Like Seppuku Savant said, watch all/most of the episodes. ENTP is pretty apparent to me. Probably a weak E though. I'll say Foreman is more INTJ than House is.

[Deliberator]

Sounds more like an INTJ who read description of INTJ on the net and started sniffing their own farts too much, thus turning them into something they're not. Little off-topic, but do most INTJs really think like this? Must be extreme INTJs or something.

Like Seppuku Savant said, watch all/most of the episodes. ENTP is pretty apparent to me. Probably a weak E though. I'll say Foreman is more INTJ than House is.

See, I think those things in bold are probably a little more due to past experience (some are just NT traits in general). Most people, regardless of personality, wouldn't be that much of an asshole (House is indeed a fictional character). However, if anyone could do it, I'd hand it to an INTJ.

Perhaps the "not being intimidated" thing is not unique to the INTJ but I know that's something mentioned in the INTJ profile and it is something that I experience as well. Another reason why I often relate to House.

Problem with the extrovert argument:
ENTP's are charismatic and tend to be optimistic.
ENTx's are leaders; they LIKE to lead.
ENTJ's love to interact with people, although they are abrasive.

[MacGuffin]

Problem with the extrovert argument:
ENTP's are charismatic and tend to be optimistic.
ENTx's are leaders; they LIKE to lead.
ENTJ's love to interact with people, although they are abrasive.

A misanthropic extravert takes care of that.

[Medicine Man]

In a twisted way, House does like to interact with people, he toys with them in ways that INTJs would never go to the trouble to formulate. (aka always sniffing out Wilsons, Cuddys, and his team's business) He SEEKS out trouble, and has difficulty interacting with people because he is very abrasive. This is very ENTP. You are right, he does not like to lead, neither do ENTPs.

[PatricBatemen]

I disagree, Hannibal Lecter, another fictional Intj who enjoys toying with people. I don't buy this argument that needing people makes you E.... EVERYONE NEEDS PEOPLE... He may need people but he certainly doesn't like people, plus he only has one friend. Oh, he always has a reason when he does mess with people... Usually to get them to do what he wants, maybe to find out personality traits, or just trying to get them to see the truth.

[MacGuffin]

Just give it up INTJs.

Never met an INTJ that acts like House, never will.

[NoStoneUnturned]

I just started watching this on hulu recently and I can't get enough...

I've seen about 10 eps by now. From that I'm pretty secure in saying that he is an INTP. The way he only cares about finding the diagnosis kind of sets it off. It's all a game to him; INTP.


At the same time, arguments such as Rudy's probably make a good point; he could have changed through the seasons. If this is true, I'd only be looking at the latter seasons since that's what's on hulu and, therefore, should really look into the first season too.

[BlizzarD]

house is tv made type, he is made that way, so everyone would love him, he is introverted, yet he likes to play with people.
everyone loves him, i havent heard about I type person that extraverts like... he is mixture of types, so each person would love him...

[dyshira]

For one, fictional characters are Super characters so they can borrow from other types without breaking themselves too much. House is a prime example of that. I can see him as an INTJ but I see him more as an ENTP.

People think he’s a J because he’s methodical in his work but have you met anyone that was good at their job that wasn’t methodical about it? You have to have some order to how you do things in order for them to be accomplished. What makes him a P is his disregard for rules. He makes and breaks every rule given to him, which is a very clear P trait. He only wants to be ruled by his own self but he has no control over himself (ENTPs are known for this, trust me I'm married to one).

P (with J tendencies)

I does NOT equal anti-social. He has a personality disorder of some sort where he cannot function normally in society. He likes people, which is why he treats them. He likes people just as much as he likes treating illnesses. He wants to fix things. He’s proved he cannot function as a hermit; he has to find someone as a companion constantly. He cannot be alone. What keeps him from getting the companionship that he really needs is whatever anti-social illness he may have.

E (with a mental illness that makes him look like an I)

Even though he’s a T, he cares deeply for people. ENTPs are known for this since they have Fe in their third slot, which makes them able to connect with people more easily then the other NT types. He takes his time to think about the diagnosis because he wants to save that person’s life (even though he may say the exact opposite). He keeps himself removed from the patient so he doesn’t get too involved and attached. It’s easier that way for him.

Ti with a Fe

He could be an S but he’s most likely an N. He’s very abstract and mysterious in such a way that I can’t imagine him as a salesman (ESTP) and ENTP (inventor) seems closer to what his reality is.

N with strong S under tones.

I think a lot of people see themselves in House (even myself who is an INFJ) but that is because the actor that plays House (Hugh Laurie) is -probably- an INTJ. I'm not 100% certain because that guy does not speak in public hardly ever but from what I've read I T J are definitely letters I can see him being.

[Benzebub]

To me, House being an "N" is just obvious. I see where the ISTP-advocates are coming from, because House does have some SP traits, but at the end of the day, you have to focus on the attributes that are most characteristic of the character. I think those attributes are his elitism (classic NT), his hunches (classic N), and his forays into philosophy and other intellectual areas (N).

Don´t forget that ISTP have Ni as their tertiary function.

[Benzebub]

I haven´t seen much of it but I ca surely say he i not an INTJ. Some people here seem to type everyone as INTJ if they just have similar shoe-laces.

[Mickehh]

Just give it up INTJs.

Never met anyone that acts like House, never will.

Fix'd.

Although INTP would be closer for House ;)

[dbpeege]

How did you guys come up with this INTJ stuff?

House is an irreverent, rule breaking, risk taking, drug addict who tends towards disorganization and spontaneity. Baffled at how you guys come to these conclusions.

Monk is definitely IXTJ though.

That's what INTJ's are all about. We can be very sarcastic and rude. (Note: can be not necessarily always though some people will definitely go for always. Some INTJ's can be very polite.) Rule breaking is something that almost all INTJ's do. It's what happens when we don't respect your authority. Yes House takes risks but they are necessary risks to fulfill the big picture. They are always well thought out risks made by numbers which INTJ's are willing to do even though we don't like chance we will use statistics to make sure we get the results we want. INTJ's are confident. Some will say our balls of steal are impenetrable (awesome line). Yes he is a drug attic but we are susceptible to addictions. Disorganization...I must of missed that part of the show. Did you see anything out of place there...ever? Spontaneity...really...hmmm...well he creates logical systems of thought and when he is sure he acts on it. He does have to adapt to different diseases but that is the big picture system kicking in. Yeah he has balls but so do most INTJ's ask any of my friends. I hate working with people but if I got shit to do or say you better not get in my way. He has a small group of experts that he throws his ideas off of and that is definition I of INTJ. His Intuitivity is blatently obvious. He is going all out on a big picture crusade has to be his favorite set of words. Metaphors are his best friends when he uses them. He likes to play off ideas and possibilities than what is factually obvious. His thinking preference is also obvious. He tells it like it is no matter who gets hurt. He hates the essence of emotion. He relies on facts alone. (Side Note:I think his atheism is a mistake by the writer. I think house would theorize that it is ridiculous to assume it was true or untrue that the atheists are as bad as the believers.) His judgmental nature is obvious as well. Even though he notices small details does not make him perceiving. INTJ's are skilled at this as we are ultimate perfectionists. House is the ultimate organizer. He takes his people lists the systems refutes and accepts their thoughts. Brings it all together to create a system defined by a disease. House is undeniably INTJ the ultimate mastermind.

here is what myers briggs site has to say about INTJ's:


INTJ
Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others.

Sites explaining what the terms mean to you people according to myers briggs
E versus I
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S versus N
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F versus T
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P versus J
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Descriptions for each type individually
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dbpeege added to this post, 8 minutes and 7 seconds later...

Just because you care for people doesn't make you feeling. It is a preference of what you like to work with facts or emotions. Introversion is a working style do you prefer working alone or consulting with a small group of experts or big groups of people. Intuitiveness simply means that you like to work by thinking through abstract puzzles. Judgmental means you prefer creating systems and acting on it. Perceiving people prefer deadlines because it scares them.





dbpeege added to this post, 11 minutes and 14 seconds later...

P DOES NOT MEAN YOU BREAK RULES. IT IS NOT THE BAD ASS TRAIT. INTJ's ARE KNOWN FOR BREAKING RULES WHEN THEY DO NOT RESPECT AUTHORITY. House is even afraid of change. He gets addicted to drugs. Classic J.





dbpeege added to this post, 17 minutes and 55 seconds later...

How did you guys come up with this INTJ stuff?

House is an irreverent, rule breaking, risk taking, drug addict who tends towards disorganization and spontaneity. Baffled at how you guys come to these conclusions.

Monk is definitely IXTJ though.

Just give it up INTJs.

Never met an INTJ that acts like House, never will.

Right you go around typing people. INTJ's probably take up about half the friggen population. We probably aren't unique from each other. Exactly...oh and house probably isn't also a super genius with psychological issues. Which don't make him an INTJ either but that just means you need to exam the facts *gasp*.





dbpeege added to this post, 20 minutes and 33 seconds later...

In a twisted way, House does like to interact with people, he toys with them in ways that INTJs would never go to the trouble to formulate. (aka always sniffing out Wilsons, Cuddys, and his team's business) He SEEKS out trouble, and has difficulty interacting with people because he is very abrasive. This is very ENTP. You are right, he does not like to lead, neither do ENTPs.

This leading bullshit is irrelavent. He screws with people to get them to see their point and because it is fun. Introversion is a working style, I screw with people but that doesn't mean I like to work with them.




dbpeege added to this post, 30 minutes and 54 seconds later...

I'm done with picking off your arguments one by one. I'm not going through 226 more so if you want to you'll have to come to me. But please check the url and read the descriptions. They are from myers briggs so they are accurate. I don't want to go through minor stupid arguments.

[MacGuffin]

Right you go around typing people. INTJ's probably take up about half the friggen population. We probably aren't unique from each other. Exactly...oh and house probably isn't also a super genius with psychological issues. Which don't make him an INTJ either but that just means you need to exam the facts *gasp*.
I see words, but the meaning probably isn't also lost.

[Elfrun]

House is an ENTP.

Watch all the episodes, then come to a conclusion. It's glaringly obvious.

Freaken aye! Ain't nothing INTJ about his character.


I don't think he's a J. When does he ever make plans? He just wings it, constantly changing with whatever evidence is in front of him.

The most he plans is the practical jokes he plays to get reactions from others.

P.S. he's not an introvert.

That. People who suggest he's an INTP cause he's an antisocial narcissist who doesn't have many friends and likes to be by himself are misunderstanding the I/E dichotomy. Aint no chance his character an INTP. The guys an asshole, but he's an ENTP asshole.

[Samoan Corleone]

He's INTP, possibly ENTP, according to this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). House was too unpredictable to be a J of some sort.

[Kisai]

House is not an extravert. He was drinking, alone, in a bar when Amber came to pick him up. When he hires a prostitute he tells her to shut up. He does not recharge by social interaction but in isolation or with Wilson.

[Elfrun]

House is not an extravert. He was drinking, alone, in a bar when Amber came to pick him up. When he hires a prostitute he tells her to shut up. He does not recharge by social interaction but in isolation or with Wilson.

Drinking alone does not mean someone's an introvert. Not liking someone to talk about pointless crap does not mean they're an introvert. He's so ENTP it's not funny.

[Sinequanon]

It is not at all strange and completely un-noteworthy that the INTJs seem to read him as INTJ, and the ENTPs read him as ENTP, and the INTPs read him as INTP.

Besides, everyone knows House is an INFJ.

[Elfrun]

It is not at all strange and completely un-noteworthy that the INTJs seem to read him as INTJ, and the ENTPs read him as ENTP, and the INTPs read him as INTP.

Besides, everyone knows House is an INFJ.

That generally happens. On several MBTI forums the consensus is ENTP and yet the majority of posters are INTP.

I think the character is a rude arrogant narcissistic prick, I don't want to claim him, there's just no chance of him being an INTJ or INTP.

[MacGuffin]

House is not an extravert. He was drinking, alone, in a bar when Amber came to pick him up. When he hires a prostitute he tells her to shut up. He does not recharge by social interaction but in isolation or with Wilson.

He was drinking in a bar. Not home alone.

He got a prostitute instead of jerking off to internet pr0n like all good INTJs.

[The Psyentist]

We just need a sticky that says "All awesome people (like Fox Mulder as well) are apparently INTJs, and evil people can't be INTJ". :thinking:

INTJ+evil=exponentially more interesting

[fatkattykat]

I would have go with having House being an INTP

I believe there is no question that House is introverted. The basis of introversion is the need to recharge by being by themselves. He mostly keeps to himself, he is very private, and prefers not to be around people. But like anyone, he does have a basic need to socialize...and he basically drives Dr. Wilson insane when he does try to express his need for companionship lol.

I think that House is intuitive because he can think abstractly. He often does not rely on the medical data in front of him, but he often gets hunches based on some serendipitous encounter that allows him to find the missing piece of the puzzle to diagnose the patient's illness. He is also not much for rules and regulations.

He is more of a T because he is clearly detached from the patients and his staff. He does not take others' feelings into consideration when making decisions

I think that he is more likely a P because he is not big on order and structure. He does what he feels like doing, rather than a set schedule. Sometimes he will be playing videogames when he supposed to be treating a patient. It is madness, but there is some method to it.

[BlackMita]

This thread is still going?

Isn't it enough evidence that Hugh Laurie is himself an ENTP??

[Elfrun]

He was drinking in a bar. Not home alone.

He got a prostitute instead of jerking off to internet pr0n like all good INTJs.

Seriously!

Bar alone and yet not interacting is totally energising to this ENTP. Not wanting small talk but still wanting company, again, pretty normal for ENTPs (I always tell my hooker to stfu).


I believe there is no question that House is introverted. The basis of introversion is the need to recharge by being by themselves. He mostly keeps to himself, he is very private, and prefers not to be around people. But like anyone, he does have a basic need to socialize...and he basically drives Dr. Wilson insane when he does try to express his need for companionship lol.

Yeeeeeeaaaah... no. He keeps to himself cause he's anti-social, being private is not an introverted thing besides he does have a habit of oversharing and he doesn't like people, none of those things suggest he isn't energised by external stimuli.

[Synamon]

Freaken aye! Ain't nothing INTJ about his character.




That. People who suggest he's an INTP cause he's an antisocial narcissist who doesn't have many friends and likes to be by himself are misunderstanding the I/E dichotomy. Aint no chance his character an INTP. The guys an asshole, but he's an ENTP asshole.
This would be more convincing if you hadn't mistyped yourself as an INTJ originally. ;)
It is not at all strange and completely un-noteworthy that the INTJs seem to read him as INTJ, and the ENTPs read him as ENTP, and the INTPs read him as INTP.

Besides, everyone knows House is an INFJ.
I guess that makes me an ENTP because I think House is usually an ENTP. :p

(a TV character is going to be a blend of types)

[Sinequanon]

(a TV character is going to be a blend of types)
Isn't it spamming the forum to repost something to the same thread that's been posted a hundred times now?

Or does it not count because no one is listening to it? ;)

[Elfrun]

This would be more convincing if you hadn't mistyped yourself as an INTJ originally. ;)

I've grown :p

Isn't it spamming the forum to repost something to the same thread that's been posted a hundred times now?

Or does it not count because no one is listening to it?

Wait, TV isn't the same as rl?

*sticks fingers in ears and dreams of livin' the Beverly Hillbillies life* don't wanna hear it! don't wanna hear it!

Actually like BlackMita said, there's a good chance that Hugh Laurie is an ENTP so that would prolly influence how he portrays the character/brought him to life.

[NoStoneUnturned]

(a TV character is going to be a blend of types)

Unless he's meant to be that way. House is suppose to be (1) super eccentric, (2) a product of abusive parenting and (3) ex-military Navy SEAL. I'm sure all of this can produce a personality like his, it is just rare to come across one. Especially when considering his high wisdom and rational.

[MacGuffin]

I would have go with having House being an INTP

I believe there is no question that House is introverted.

Wrong.

I've grown :p

Wrong.

Hugh Laurie is an ENTP

And wrong.

:scholar:

[JonX]

INTJ. In no way does his character like socializing enough to even be an ENTJ. And he is too structured, rational, ruthless, and pragmatic to be an INTP (or anything else but an INTJ).

[MacGuffin]

INTJ. In no way does his character like socializing enough to even be an ENTJ. And he is too structured, rational, ruthless, and pragmatic to be an INTP (or anything else but an INTJ).

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ENTP!!!!!!!!