help! what am I?

[chocky]

Mostly I test as INTP, but I notice myself feeling a good deal more comfortable here than at *****. I get that, you know, "my kind of people" feeling.

There's been a lot of discussion about intp/j/x, and lots of different views. I'm not qualified to have an opinion on the topic, but I'm doubting my p-ness. I took the cognitive functions test and these were the results:

Ni 43.2
Ne 42.1
Ti 40.2
Te 30.3
Si 26.1
Fe 23
Fi 22.8
Se 12.9

It suggested my best fit as INTP, but also the possibility of INTJ or ENTP.

Since I'm strongest in INTJs primary function, I'm wondering if this is leading to delusions of J-ness, or might I really be an INTJ going through a rather messy, out of control P period?

Anybody have any further experience/better understanding of this that could clarify my situation? Jezebel, I think you've described yourself as a messy J. Did any one thing finally decide for you that you were J and not P? I can relate to aspects of both type descriptions. Sometimes I feel like I flip between the two personality types. Though being mutable is a P quality, I just don't feel at home with the other Ps.

Well, I thought my example could be an interesting exercise. Please,let's not even entertain the thought I could be an E...

[justmeiguess]

I'm pretty new to all this MBTI stuff, so I can't offer much technical help. However, I have heard it said that the best way to work out what type you are is to read the descriptions of each one and find the best fit.

[qwerty]

:) Rational hows that?

It's hard to say as those numbers do fit to INTP I think(is it last to letters for introverts as Si Fe or is the 3rd one meant to be extroverted?). But then again on numerous occasions I've said that I thought I switched too (even though it appears that you're not supposed to).

I guess it's like being ambidextrous each lettering combination shows what your natural personality is, the closer you fall in between the more likely you are to be subject to both sets of traits - it's just that should have a natural preference one way or the other.

E.g. Bob can write with left and right hands equally well, and on occasion he will use both. But if he is in a rush to sign his name then he will use the dominate hand at a higher frequency subconsciously. Then there is always the ideal answers to questions e.g. idealy I like being around lots of people, in real life I can do it but I can't hold focus with them all for huge amounts of time (at which point I will fade into the background) hence how my introvertism(it's make up a word wednesday).

I guess what it means is do some more reading and make up your mind. I have and I'm settling with intj because intj is awesome :).

But judging by the question - what am I - I guess intj. As all the intp that I've met or grown up with(my brother) don't seem to question themselves as much - I guess that's the meaning of being self aware.

[orange]

From my understanding your type in MBTI is prefered way of being and the way that you normally are, but that in some circumstances other traits are needed (like sometimes you have to be 'E' for a while because of the situation, or 'P' when something happens all of a sudden that messes up your schedule). If my understanding is correct it is normal to 'shift' or at least be forced to fake a personality shift between personality types depending on your current surroundings.

[chocky]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait.

Hmm. I'd like to be a shape-changer... switch identities. Must just be having a J moment imagining that I need to fix my personality type...

[chocky]

I like the ambidextrous analogy...

[qwerty]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait.

Hmm. I'd like to be a shape-changer... switch identities. Must just be having a J moment imagining that I need to fix my personality type...

To me I relate to the chaos question. Yes I do think the world is chaos and unpredictable which is why I tell people I don't plan hugely into the future, yet I can see the paths ahead of me and I will try to follow one that works (in other words I know what I want to do, but I anticipate changes - most J's would set a plan at this point).

To control your world you must master it. To master it you must understand it. To understand it, in huge complexity you must predict it.
So at this stage I come to math. Lets look at Principia Mathematica as it is important to controlling your world and understanding yourself. Even to prove that 1 + 1 = 2 we must assert an axiom to the world and that is that 1 is a real number, that one exists and is complete in all reference points within the domain we plan to use it. E.g. 1 is still 1 even if I'm look at it from a different side of the page of paper or if I subtract 4 and add 2 and then add another 2.
So the Perceiver thinks that it absurd to think 1 is not equal another 1 (as if this is the case then our world is an anomaly and unpredictable), but a judger will find it hard to accept that 1 is equal another 1 unless they are either given proof or if they choose to accept it so they can use the result to find another answer.

[mind_wander]

Chocky,

I've sometimes doubted sitting in a room with one INTP. Sometimes I wonder, but I am not. I'm more the silent type, so this will annoy INTP's alot. The Silence of Doom, I called it. It is part of self-doubt. Jezebel is very neat actually, clean-up my misplace threads is one of great examples. Its my fault, but I can't help it because of my personality type.

[Jennywocky]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait...

You knooooow... that's what I was thinking? :P

Most of the INTJ's don't sit around speculating frantically about who and what they are... they just "know" it already and maintain a good outer front and then, if they decide they were wrong, just CHANGE it without much ado.

INTJs don't fret as much as us INTPs. We constantly challenge our own ideas and processes and see all of the holes. Ni is a way of 'seeing' and the person "knows" the truth; Ti is a constant processing and reprocessing, and if we are missing information (or suspect it... since we are ALWAYS missing information), then we fret.

Someone else was helpful in pointing out (or insinuating, I suppose) that we ALL have access to all eight functions, and we use them (in some way) when it is appropriate to do so. It's just that being forced to use non-preferred functions (especially Te for an INTP, running counter to Ti, or having to Fe alot) tends to tire us out. When we use our Ti+Ne functions, often we don't burn that much energy and sometimes get restored by the process.

[Max T]

help! what am I?

You're a figment of a child's imagination in a John Wyndham novel.
;D
I loved that book as a kid.

[StJimmy]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait...

You knooooow... that's what I was thinking? :P

Most of the INTJ's don't sit around speculating frantically about who and what they are... they just "know" it already and maintain a good outer front and then, if they decide they were wrong, just CHANGE it without much ado.

INTJs don't fret as much as us INTPs. We constantly challenge our own ideas and processes and see all of the holes. Ni is a way of 'seeing' and the person "knows" the truth; Ti is a constant processing and reprocessing, and if we are missing information (or suspect it... since we are ALWAYS missing information), then we fret.

Someone else was helpful in pointing out (or insinuating, I suppose) that we ALL have access to all eight functions, and we use them (in some way) when it is appropriate to do so. It's just that being forced to use non-preferred functions (especially Te for an INTP, running counter to Ti, or having to Fe alot) tends to tire us out. When we use our Ti+Ne functions, often we don't burn that much energy and sometimes get restored by the process.


i'm a "P sympathetic" INTJ; my J score is usually my lowest, around 30ish. i was very more "j" when i was younger. but yeah i have a pretty healthy dose of INTP. "Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum."

i don't question myself much or really sweat the details unless something isn't working for me; once i've decided i tend to stay decided, although yes i'm very quick to admit an inferior argument or theory if sufficiently proven, and move on.

i make a conscious effort to be as pragmatic as possible, and i like to think i've been training my Ti since i was a kid. i consider my intuition to be like my internal "computer," and as such has to follow the "GIGO" principle (garbage in, garbage out) i am always conscious of the fact that any picture, in any context, is usually incomplete....

in short one could say i try to logically prove my intuitive conclusions, sort of like trying to fit the bullseye around a dart already stuck in the board. i'm generally successful at it i guess ;)

i see a lot of math people around here, and i have to admit i am more language oriented... just easier for me to "play" with i guess. with the exception of algebra, which i find terminally boring, math has been interesting for me, but i just didn't groove on it. i never got past calculus, which actually was the most interesting math class i ever took, and i've often thought i should take some advanced physics classes sometime.

anyway yeah don't worry about not being able to pigeonhole yourself hehe. edit: and i would also like to point out here that i agree with the statement about INTJ's not worrying about "who" they are so much; at this stage in my life i'm very comfortable in my own skin, and have been shying away from posting in the "mind and behavior" forums very much, as many of the threads seem to be redundant.

[thegnat]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait...

You knooooow... that's what I was thinking? :P

Most of the INTJ's don't sit around speculating frantically about who and what they are... they just "know" it already and maintain a good outer front and then, if they decide they were wrong, just CHANGE it without much ado.

INTJs don't fret as much as us INTPs. We constantly challenge our own ideas and processes and see all of the holes. Ni is a way of 'seeing' and the person "knows" the truth; Ti is a constant processing and reprocessing, and if we are missing information (or suspect it... since we are ALWAYS missing information), then we fret.

Someone else was helpful in pointing out (or insinuating, I suppose) that we ALL have access to all eight functions, and we use them (in some way) when it is appropriate to do so. It's just that being forced to use non-preferred functions (especially Te for an INTP, running counter to Ti, or having to Fe alot) tends to tire us out. When we use our Ti+Ne functions, often we don't burn that much energy and sometimes get restored by the process.


In other words, Chocky: The more you fret about who you are the more you should embrace INTP as your personality ;)

[Evalind]

Maybe you're on the borderline between P and J. I am... I always seem to come out J, but just barely. I'm in the neighborhood of a 55%/45% or 60%/40% split most of the time.

[chocky]

Well I've pretty much proved to myself with all my questions and self-doubt and fretting (yes, I fret!) and fishing for more "facts" to process, that I'm INTP - but still I question it. Talk about tail-chasing! Those were some insightful responses - thanks!

So now, either I'm a P with a serious case of "J envy", or:

help! what am I?

You're a figment of a child's imagination in a John Wyndham novel.
;D
I loved that book as a kid.

Yeah! I'm an alien figment of imagination. Fits me perfectly ;D

[ShaiGar]

Mostly I test as INTP, but I notice myself feeling a good deal more comfortable here than at *****. I get that, you know, "my kind of people" feeling.
Doesnt mean much. I am an INTP, and I cannot stand *****.
***** is just another tyranny online. You wouldnt feel comfortable because it is far too imposing with it's rules and punishments. INTJF hasnt punished anyone yet so it still has a light feeling.

[chocky]

Mostly I test as INTP, but I notice myself feeling a good deal more comfortable here than at *****. I get that, you know, "my kind of people" feeling.
Doesnt mean much. I am an INTP, and I cannot stand *****.
***** is just another tyranny online. You wouldnt feel comfortable because it is far too imposing with it's rules and punishments. INTJF hasnt punished anyone yet so it still has a light feeling.

I think that's the core of it. Tryanny be damned.

INTJF is all compellingly new-born and untried... the shadow of ego has not yet clipped anyone's wings.

[ShaiGar]

That's why i first formed INTPUnderworld with Zedo. That died due to a very bad image.

December 12th INTP-Hell will be back, and I hope will partner with INTJF

[Ijz]

Bits from both profiles seem to fit me.

Maybe I'm faking being P? Or at least embracing the P? I cannot order the chaos around me, so perhaps I have 'given up' in response - decided that in order to master chaos I must become chaos; surrender to chaos and come to comprehend the nature of it. I maintain conviction that I will one day control my world. Is this a J trait? How can this sit side-by-side with the desire for open-endedness; the desire for limitless possibility?

Yes, I do question myself a lot. Almost constantly. I read somewhere that second-guessing oneself was an INTP trait.

Hmm. I'd like to be a shape-changer... switch identities. Must just be having a J moment imagining that I need to fix my personality type...
After long consideration I think I'm a INTP rather than a INTJ. I feel that my 'J' traits are somehow a result of my thinking and therefore "artificially". Whenever I learn a new bit of information I feel compelled to challenge it and fit it into my mind properly. If I feel that the new information let's me understand something better or deal with something in a better way I also feel compelled to adopt it. Perhaps my interest in psychology/NLP has contributed to this as well...

[Max T]

That's why i first formed INTPUnderworld with Zedo. That died due to a very bad image.

December 12th INTP-Hell will be back, and I hope will partner with INTJF
'INTPUnderworld'... 'INTP-Hell'... forums dying due to bad image problems... same fundamental mistakes likely to be repeated by same founders... partnering? :scared:

[Jezebel]

Anybody have any further experience/better understanding of this that could clarify my situation? Jezebel, I think you've described yourself as a messy J. Did any one thing finally decide for you that you were J and not P?

I think the main reason I typed as an INTP was because when I first took the test, the perceiving preference seemed to explain my disorganized behavior. My room was usually messy, I procrastinated, I was always quitting things I got bored with, and so on. I think the problem was I was only focusing on my physical environment and day to day things that I had to do. I'm very different when it comes to personal projects and things that interest me. Once I decide a goal is worth reaching, I have no problems following through, but it must be something I decide is worthwhile. If it is unwillingly imposed upon me and/or I only took it up because I didn't have better options, I'm terrible at follow through.

The details of reality are often boring to me. I only have so much energy, and I'd rather spend it doing things I enjoy. There are certain things I have to do day to day to get by, so I do what I need to do at bare minimum level. This gives the impression that I'm messy and disorganized, when I'm actually spending that energy on my own things which other people might not consider "important". You will see the order and structure in my life if you look at the things that are important to me.

Other hints were my lack of spontaneity (I will get upset when my plans are changed even if option B is just as desirable as option A), relating more to the chart the course (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) interaction style than behind the scenes (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and being more attracted to knowledge that is used in some way rather than just collecting knowledge as the end goal.

What prompted me to reconsider:

Situations at work. I had to collaborate with coworkers on projects and got frustrated/conflicted due to significantly different work styles. I was also told that I was intimidating and dismissive of people during my job review, and people were afraid to approach me (so they went straight to upper management). I'm not saying that is a quality of all INTJs, just that it prompted me to look into the MBTI more thoroughly.

My relationship. We've had some problems due to extroversion/introversion differences, my tendency to become too absorbed in my personal projects and ignore everything going on around me, and my tendency to argue and get upset when things don't happen like I plan.

I do agree with the others to an extent about worrying about MBTI type. I typed as an INTP and didn't spend much time questioning it for years. I didn't change it immediately when I suspected I might be wrong and spent quite some time looking into it, but I didn't worry about it too much after I did. I'll change it if I see good reason, but otherwise I'm not concerned about it.

[Jezebel]

INTJF hasnt punished anyone yet so it still has a light feeling.
The keyword there is yet. ;)

[Chainsaw Dundee]

No one is absolutely one type or another. It seems like you have a good balance there. :thumbsup:

[Tarrick]

No one is absolutely one type or another. It seems like you have a good balance there. :thumbsup:

Mostly true. Some people have stronger tendencies then others. I'm have very INTJ and rarely stray from that. I have a friend that's an INTP but can go close to the edge of ISTP.

If you're struggle to label yourself between the two, then consider these two things: It looks like your "Internal Intuition" is stronger then your "Internal Thought", which is are the primary traits of the INTJ and INTP, respectively, so your primary as a INTJ is greater then your primary as an INTP. Two, you're a Rational (NT) at the core, and there's no reason to not just say you're just a Introverted Rational if your J/P is borderline.

[snoogit]

You are a meat popsicle. (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

[chocky]

You are a meat popsicle. (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

How very flattering! Have you had this obsession with freezers and bodies for long? Unless, unthinkably, you're a Bruce Willis fan :o

The problem is, Dundee, that it doesn't always feel like a balance - it feels like a war!

I can understand a lot of what you relate, Jezebel, and suspect I'm going through a similar process.

In my second guessing of my intuition and paralysing self-doubt I am functionally intp, so for now that label sticks, but these aren't necessarily comfortable traits for me. I am beginning to doubt how innate they are. I think they're learned or maladaptive behaviours and maintaining them costs me energy.

As for chart the course and behind the scenes - they both fit! I can read either and think That's Me!

Being a primary intuiter, as Tarrick notes, is (I suspect) the more comfortable mode for me. But still I over analyse! I find myself wishing this 'block' would just get out of the way so I could be me, but the more aggressively I tackle the block the more interminable it becomes.

Being at war with myself is tiring, I'm trusting that time will make clear to me what character traits are innate and what acquired.

And yes, a part of me knows it doesn't really matter.

Either that or being intp is inherently painful. :-/

[snoogit]

How very flattering! Have you had this obsession with freezers and bodies for long? Unless, unthinkably, you're a Bruce Willis fan :o


I'm a Luc Besson fan actually. First thing that popped into my head... really! Trust me I sat there for 5 minutes wondering if I should press the reply button, but my curiosity to see what the outcome would be pressed the reply button for me.

[chocky]

How very flattering! Have you had this obsession with freezers and bodies for long? Unless, unthinkably, you're a Bruce Willis fan :o


I'm a Luc Besson fan actually. First thing that popped into my head... really! Trust me I sat there for 5 minutes wondering if I should press the reply button, but my curiosity to see what the outcome would be pressed the reply button for me.

The man's holding a cleaver and "trust me" he says! Help! Freak! Freak! Homicidal Freak!

*how's that for an outcome? ;D