Estimation and Ni/Ne

**Merle** · 06-01-2009, 01:50 PM

I've noticed a lot recently that I'm exceptionally good at estimating things...distances, speed, weight etc and knowing when a suggested figure is off-the-mark (e.g. the other day on the tube, my boyfriend asked how fast I thought the trains went, I said about 35 km/h without thinking at all - I just looked it up and it's 33 km/h)
Now, I now for sure that this has nothing to do with my mathematical prowess, since that is almost non-existent. Therefore, it must be a product of logic and intuition working subconsciously in tandem.

So, a) I assume most INTJ's are also good at estimation - are you?
and b) would such a skill come from use of Ni or Ne? (I always score top on both, so I want to know which one I really use most)

**wittykitty** · 06-01-2009, 01:56 PM

	Originally Posted by Merle To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I now for sure that this has nothing to do with my mathematical prowess, since that is almost non-existent. Therefore, it must be a product of logic and intuition working subconsciously in tandem.

I agree on the math and intuition comment. I can't really think of any personal examples at the moment but this has been something I've always been decently good at. Usually for me it has to do with matters involving time estimates, some distances as well.

**tp6626** · 06-01-2009, 03:32 PM

I'm usually bang on or way off. And when I'm way out, it (of course) was sarcastic humour!

So most people think I'm pretty good at estimating things, but only because I'm good at playing down my bad estimates.

I have methods for estimating though, that I consciously use. For distances I think of something of known length closest to the actual distance I see and scale up or down by a factor. For weights I try to estimate a rough volume, and multiply by a rough density that I know from a material close to the one in question (that's without even picking up the object).

On the other hand, if I picked up the object, I'd be way out doing it by feel. And the same with speeds; using my senses that way, I'd probably be off.

**Xanthippe** · 06-01-2009, 04:30 PM

Oh god no. I'm absolutely dreadful at it. Numbers don't mean a thing to me, anyway, and when you add arbitrary units, it's a nightmare.

**Synamon** · 06-01-2009, 06:39 PM

I don't think estimation has anything to do with N, all types would be able to estimate, they would just do it differently.

Trying to figure out your type from one discrete data point is impossible, but since you asked this question with that goal, I will offer the following generalization. I think the willingness to rely on estimates is more INTJ than INTP, most INTPs that I know value precision. That goes with the "knowledge for knowledge sake" part of that type, whereas INTJs would be satisfied with "close enough" as long as it works.

**Phoenix rising** · 06-01-2009, 07:05 PM

I'm pretty good with estimates too, my method is the same as TP's. I've actually been meaning to post a thread about how INTJ's convey their estimations, but this seems a good home for it. Personally, I'll have a number in mind, but I'll give an estimate that affords a margin of error. For example, if I was asked how long it would take to drive to a destination, I would look at the distance, consider what the speed limits are on the roads and work out an estimate for the average speed, and from there, a supposed time for the journey. But I wouldn't say it will take x time, I would add on time in proportion to the journey and say we'll be there by this time, so as to allow for delays. Anyone else similarly cautious when giving estimates?

**Xanthippe** · 06-01-2009, 07:24 PM

Well, I try to avoid estimating in general, with the large exception of the schedules I make for myself on days without obligations. Then, I add a certain amount to the time allotted for each task, according to how much I hate it - if an assignment is truly odious, it can take me 50% more time than an equally lengthy but interesting one. So yes. I do that.

**Prunesquallor** · 06-02-2009, 10:20 AM

I'm crap at it. I like to be exact.

**jca23** · 06-02-2009, 10:22 AM

I am pretty good at that kind of thing.

Even when watching TV I can usually surf during commercials and always come back to what I was watching at just the right time...

**Merle** · 06-02-2009, 10:34 AM

Hmmmn, my hypothesis seems to have been wrong... perhaps I should revise my own estimation of my abilities lol

**Beryl** · 06-02-2009, 11:28 AM

Its kind of like the short story "The Rocking Horse Winner." When you are sure, then you are sure. It has to be right. But sometimes you are not sure and you don't know. That is why, according to some pages on INTJ's, we are more hesitant than our types to rely on our intuition and rationalize the situation instead.
It really comes in handy with tests though. Also, I noticed it at a young age when I would lose my place in group reading but then I could look at the page and immediately find where we were. It also helps when I play a piano; sometimes I just play without really thinking. I have experienced the measurement instance too, estimating time and distance to very accurate degrees.

I like to think of introverted intuition as a pipe, where the answer is direct, and extroverted intuition as a funnel, where the answer is among a set of possibilities that need to be whittled down. They are both pretty good, though I can't say I have used Ne all that much.

06-01-2009, 01:50 PM	#1
Merle Veteran Member [56%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,259	I've noticed a lot recently that I'm exceptionally good at estimating things...distances, speed, weight etc and knowing when a suggested figure is off-the-mark (e.g. the other day on the tube, my boyfriend asked how fast I thought the trains went, I said about 35 km/h without thinking at all - I just looked it up and it's 33 km/h) Now, I now for sure that this has nothing to do with my mathematical prowess, since that is almost non-existent. Therefore, it must be a product of logic and intuition working subconsciously in tandem. So, a) I assume most INTJ's are also good at estimation - are you? and b) would such a skill come from use of Ni or Ne? (I always score top on both, so I want to know which one I really use most)
Merle is offline post a comment

06-01-2009, 03:32 PM	#3
tp6626 Core Member [108%] MBTI: iNTj Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,345	I'm usually bang on or way off. And when I'm way out, it (of course) was sarcastic humour! So most people think I'm pretty good at estimating things, but only because I'm good at playing down my bad estimates. I have methods for estimating though, that I consciously use. For distances I think of something of known length closest to the actual distance I see and scale up or down by a factor. For weights I try to estimate a rough volume, and multiply by a rough density that I know from a material close to the one in question (that's without even picking up the object). On the other hand, if I picked up the object, I'd be way out doing it by feel. And the same with speeds; using my senses that way, I'd probably be off.
tp6626 is offline post a comment

06-01-2009, 04:30 PM	#4
Xanthippe Member [15%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 603	Oh god no. I'm absolutely dreadful at it. Numbers don't mean a thing to me, anyway, and when you add arbitrary units, it's a nightmare.
Xanthippe is offline post a comment

06-01-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
Synamon Core Member [465%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 18,616	I don't think estimation has anything to do with N, all types would be able to estimate, they would just do it differently. Trying to figure out your type from one discrete data point is impossible, but since you asked this question with that goal, I will offer the following generalization. I think the willingness to rely on estimates is more INTJ than INTP, most INTPs that I know value precision. That goes with the "knowledge for knowledge sake" part of that type, whereas INTJs would be satisfied with "close enough" as long as it works.
Synamon is offline post a comment

06-01-2009, 07:05 PM	#6
Phoenix rising Member [27%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,086	I'm pretty good with estimates too, my method is the same as TP's. I've actually been meaning to post a thread about how INTJ's convey their estimations, but this seems a good home for it. Personally, I'll have a number in mind, but I'll give an estimate that affords a margin of error. For example, if I was asked how long it would take to drive to a destination, I would look at the distance, consider what the speed limits are on the roads and work out an estimate for the average speed, and from there, a supposed time for the journey. But I wouldn't say it will take x time, I would add on time in proportion to the journey and say we'll be there by this time, so as to allow for delays. Anyone else similarly cautious when giving estimates?
Phoenix rising is offline post a comment

06-01-2009, 07:24 PM	#7
Xanthippe Member [15%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 603	Well, I try to avoid estimating in general, with the large exception of the schedules I make for myself on days without obligations. Then, I add a certain amount to the time allotted for each task, according to how much I hate it - if an assignment is truly odious, it can take me 50% more time than an equally lengthy but interesting one. So yes. I do that.
Xanthippe is offline post a comment

06-02-2009, 10:20 AM	#8
Prunesquallor Veteran Member [66%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,647	I'm crap at it. I like to be exact.
Prunesquallor is offline post a comment

06-02-2009, 10:22 AM	#9
jca23 Member [03%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 147	I am pretty good at that kind of thing. Even when watching TV I can usually surf during commercials and always come back to what I was watching at just the right time...
jca23 is offline post a comment

06-02-2009, 10:34 AM	#10
Merle Veteran Member [56%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,259	Hmmmn, my hypothesis seems to have been wrong... perhaps I should revise my own estimation of my abilities lol
Merle is offline post a comment

06-02-2009, 11:28 AM	#11
Beryl Member [03%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 140	Its kind of like the short story "The Rocking Horse Winner." When you are sure, then you are sure. It has to be right. But sometimes you are not sure and you don't know. That is why, according to some pages on INTJ's, we are more hesitant than our types to rely on our intuition and rationalize the situation instead. It really comes in handy with tests though. Also, I noticed it at a young age when I would lose my place in group reading but then I could look at the page and immediately find where we were. It also helps when I play a piano; sometimes I just play without really thinking. I have experienced the measurement instance too, estimating time and distance to very accurate degrees. I like to think of introverted intuition as a pipe, where the answer is direct, and extroverted intuition as a funnel, where the answer is among a set of possibilities that need to be whittled down. They are both pretty good, though I can't say I have used Ne all that much.
Beryl is offline post a comment