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Case of INTP: Dumb until Smart

It has come to my attention that INTP (especially) have to deal with this issue: being dumb until they suddenly become smart.

What do I mean by this?

I look to introverted thinking (Ti) dominance in the INTP to answer this peculiarity in the INTP to answer that question.

The INTP’s Ti is always running. It is always building and correcting one’s internal framework, looking at different facts, figures, concepts, and arguments (even if contradictory) to create the most accurate build of whatever Ti user is interested in (could be anything from fashion to math, by the way).

Now, that sounds really cool. I admit it. However, there’s a caveat to that: internal. Unlike Te dominant people (extraverted thinkers: ENTJ/ESTJ), the thinking process in the INTP is introverted, meaning the INTP uses a subjective categorizing system to identify, sort, and store the data they observe and obtain. Te users use the external data itself to make decisions, while Ti user must have a framework in which to put that data into, otherwise it’ll likely have no relevance and therefore, be forgotten.

Thus, an INTP is only as smart as the model one has built in one’s head, and equally, as dumb as the model one has built. If that model is inaccurate in some way (whether due to lack of due diligence in Ne and Si or unconscious Fe), the INTP individual will have trouble identifying problems and and coming up with adequate solutions. INTP will struggle, not with the delivery of thought or idea, but rather, with the reception or lack thereof.

Because the subjective Ti model is incorrect or inaccurate, the Ti using INTP will not be able to figure out where the disconnect is. Then it’s the familiar pattern; confusion, frustration, and finally, decision that everyone else is dumb for their inability to comprehend or understand. Because Ti is a rational judging function (even if introverted), INTP will actually believe the self is right and even be able to convince themselves that they’re not the problem, even if others point out flaws or differing viewpoints.

That’s how you have a dumb INTP.

However, with enough failures, some dumb INTPs stop thinking that they’re 100% correct. They start to question their presumptions and conclusions. They question the model. Some of them may question themselves (could lead to depression or other instability during this phase). They realize that the model they have in their head might be incorrect and start research to verify that their “deductions” are correct.

This is how you have the typical, average INTP.

Then, the INTP begins to seek out more objective observations. They talk to people, asking for input. They share their thoughts, not with the goal of arguing, but for clarification. And when they’re in this “exploratory mode,” they will likely tap into their unconscious inferior Fe function, which will prevent them from coming across as crass, cold, or like a jackass. In the process, INTP will likely find many consistent but also inconsistent information, they’ll find different but potentially equal and valid points, and seek to integrate it to the Ti model. As the INTP actively turns and twists the model within oneself, INTP will finally be granted their “Eureka” moment, when everything finally clicks into place. Of course, through this process, their model is going to be potentially immense and complex (yet at the same time, incredibly simple for the Ti user) due to the amount of Ne-Si data collection that will have likely gone into it.

INTP will find that their model is perfectly suited to understanding many areas, but also to actually solve important real life problems, … this will make the INTP very happy. This allows the inferior Fe to come out more as well, due to the relaxation resulting from an accurate understanding. The INTP will then continue looking at new things to incorporate and change their models to be even more accurate and applicable in even broader areas of life, and this will make a very excited INTP. This also helps those around them, and they’re more likely to come to the INTP for advice, which the INTP will more than likely be happy to help with (depends on the problem).

And that’s how you finally have the smart INTP.

Not saying it’s easy to be any other type, but being smart INTP takes a lot of determination and work for sure. So keep at it, INTPs. You’re always going to be a work in progress, but that’s when you’re “smart.”

These people went from lifting chips to pulling off some action movie shit

On board Apollo 7 - these days 50 Years ago!

weird little comic

MBTI: reasons to live

Okay so this is a bit more serious than my usual posts which are literally about memes and procrastination, but I thought it would be sorta nice to give each type a reason why they should stay alive. These sorts of things are important :)

INFP: there are so many books left for you to read

INFJ: you see things differently and the world needs people like that

INTP: live for that discovery you’ll make a decade from now

INTJ: you haven’t truly left your mark yet

ENFP: there are animals who need you

ENFJ: who will campaign for change without you?

ENTP: you’re gonna do something big, just wait

ENTJ: you are the one thing holding some groups/organisations together

ISTP: you haven’t visited every continent yet

ISTJ: the world needs your innovation

ISFP: there’s so many beautiful things you haven’t seen

ISFJ: trust me, your friends need you

ESFP: you brighten up the lives of everyone you meet

ESFJ: one day, you’ll be so in love that you’ll be glad you’re alive

ESTP: there are so many experiences left for you to feel

ESTJ: you may not know it, but people are relying on you

Look, all you science-types classifying “bugs” with your “science names”. Just stop it. The truth is out there. Those are fairies and you know it.

Jeweled flower mantis? That’s a fairy.

Lace bug? Nice try, government. FAIRY.

Satin moth? FUCK YOU. FAIRY.

“You must go on adventures to find out where you really belong.”

— Sue Fitzmaurice

Inert vs. Contact Subtype in a Nutshell

I felt this is useful information that should be more known, so I decided try to dessiminate it myself. 

Guardians

ISTJ:

ISTJ-Si: Courteous, professional, appreciator of comforts, lowkey individualistic

ISTJ-Te: Industrious, severe, impatient, very resourceful within their area of expertise

The latter is apparently rarer and occassionally mistypes as INTJ. I presume the former’s orientation toward comforts can completely turn around/express itself differently depending on enneagram.

ISFJ:

ISFJ-Si: Measured, considerate, unhurried, mildly inquisitive Can be artsy.  

ISFJ-Fe: Lively, friendly, upbeat, sociable, tiny bit cheeky. 

Basically elegant vs adorable. 

ESTJ:

ESTJ-Te: Serious, straightforward, more taciturn, courageous; Can be strict or have no chill 

ESTJ-Si: Enthusiastic, sociable, hospitable, a lot more expressive, does have chill but can be pushy

The stereotype is ovsly more inspired by the former;  The descriptions of the former sound somewhat unflattering, but theoretically, they’d have better acess to their Ne, so there’s that. 

ESFJ:

ESFJ-Fe: Very expressive & social but also temperamental,  wears more “attractive” clothes, can be a bit scattered, opinionated 

ESFJ-Si: More plain but also more practical & dilligent; Lively, charming and helpful, can tend to overwork themselves

The popular stereotype is the former, the descriptions on internet profiles more the latter.

Artisans

ESFP:

ESFP-Se: Proactive, energetic, confident, assertive, can be dramatic, leader material

ESFP-Fi: Charming, team worker, pragmatist, likes having the newest & shiniest toys, not quite as risk-taking

The stereotype is ostensibly more based on the latter. More ppl should remember the former exists before declaring ambiguous cases as ESTP or ENFP.

ESTP:

ESTP-Se: Basically the commonly known “flashy clever bastard” version; Forget the “clever” part at your own risk. Snarky, charming & strong-willed with a soft spot for their favorite people

ESTP-Ti: Much more low-key in clothing & demeanor, collected, suspicious & skeptical,  good with business stuff, cunning behind-the-scenes-y person but notices everything that happens around them

The latter could be mistaken for introvert, or even an intuitive if someone’s going purely by stereotypes. Chances are they’ll have more pronounced Ti-ish speech patterns & expressions. 

ISFP:

ISFP-Fi: modest, gentle, caring, well-mannered, sensitive, can be shy & dislikes to impose, but firm & critical about principles, very perceptive of ppl’s behavior 

ISFP-Se: Tough, fortright, blunt, venturesome and vigilant and adaptable, impressive death glare.

Gentle Flower Child vs. fierce independent adventurer. Descriptions are usually one or the other, leaving at least one half of them miffed. The former can be mistaken for ISFJ, the latter for an extrovert. 

ISTP:

ISTP-Ti: Very discerning & autonomous, likes some degree of preparation, stoic & preseverant, modest & unpretentious but can also be friendly & attentive

ISTP-Se: More restless, gusty & impulsive, though more outwardly courteous & communicative as well, perhaps more sportsy & stylish, bit more sociable

All the “badass vigilante” or “hardcore hobby person” stereotypes sort of reference the former. The latter seems like that stereotypical super chill male friend. (or tomboyish soccer girl.)

(Boy, does socionics as a whole ever have a crush on SPs. If you’re tired of descriptions that were obviously written by NPs, read these ones.)

Diplomats

ENFP:

ENFP-Ne: Super dreamy & outwardly carefree, frequently bookish, maybe a bit more scattered, can alternate between shy & cheerful, chill & energetic, more colorful clothes, forgiving (to an extent), tries to be friendly & understanding toward everybody

ENFP-Fi: Independent, original & artsy. Prefers to work directly with people, (unlike the other subtype), determined clever & purposeful, energetic & sociable, earthy & comfy but still original clothes. Adventurous, romantic, maybe a tad self-critical

The stereotype seems based on the latter. I’ve read somewhere that the former can have sciencey inclinations, and maybe be closer to ENTPs in some respects, though the presence of Fi ultimately makes for a marked difference. 

INFP:

INFP-Fi: Polite, quiet, firm, very serious, very introvertey; Insightful but private about it. Clothing can be minimalistic or reflect inner thoughts somehow (music subculture etc.)

INFP-Ne: Reserved in public but diplomatic & mentor-like in private, bit more openly friendly or dreamy, tends to have a mischievous sense of humor in the manner of other NPs. Modest & unassuming clothes. 

The usual stereotype is very specifically a sx/sp 4w5 base subtype individual, and not a particularly well-adjusted one at that. 

ENFJ-Fe: More moody/passionate, dramatic or flashy, also decisive & a good speaker, very initiative & inclined to solve other’s problems with advice, but can be perceived meddlesome, wants to be seen as serious & respectable and might agonize over responsibility.

ENFJ-Ni: More reflective, deliberate/purposeful, very sociable in a inquisitive sort of way, boundless interest in people, eloquent & good at “selling” their ideas & beliefs or describing feelings in a detailed distinctive manner, can have a more latent kind of temper

“Hero” vs. “Teacher”. Stereotype wise I can’t so much discern a general tendency. Interestingly & perhaps amusingly, the descriptions suggest either variety is very creative with their clothing. 

INFJ:

INFJ-Ni: Quiet, dreamy & contemplative, romantic & melancholic, significantly more withdrawn & observer-like

INFJ-Fe: Artistic & charming, more socially involved, very persuasive & excellent at picking up & shifting the mood around them, can come off somewhat bohemian & have surprisingly good crisis reactions.

The former can mistake themselves for NTPs or INFPs, the latter could be confused with extroverts.

Rationals

ENTJ:

ENTJ-Te: Less expressive, decisive & forward  despite a tendency to think & reflect, quick to abruptly spring into action, serious & dignified, persistent & tenacious, not that extroverted, values honesty, bit more pragmatic & cautious 

ENTJ-Ni: Bold & charming with a well-developed sense of humor, good sense for opportunities, naturally constructs plans that are far-reaching yet concrete, bit wider interests, ponders the big questions

I wonder how this correlates with wether they’re 8s, 3s or 1s.

INTJ:

INTJ-Ni: Way more lowkey in terms of ambitions, spends much time with contemplation & reading, calm, reserved & distanced, can be grumbly, reserved lifestyle, small & stable circle of friends, well-developed imagination, less confident

INTJ-Te: Ambitious, tries to improve on/ methodical about everything, dislikes inefficiency, good at forming wide circle business connections, tries to be knowledgeable on a variety of issues & shows creativity in practical matters

Again, here the stereotype is pretty specifically a Te-subtype 5w6, making it a bit harder to identify the base subtype ones, even more so if they’re one of the rarer enneagram combinations. 

ENTP:

ENTP-Ne: Very curious about all manner of unusual topics, has a certain childlike naivity & helpfulness about them, loves to share exciting discoveries with others, tends to be more scattered but can be thorough when they find something they’re truly passionate about

ENTP-Ti: More savy & self-assured, but can come off sharp & inconsiderate at times. Can be impatient. Vigorous, strategic Debater, good a turning vague ideas into workable plans, could be leader material

The “trololol” Stereotype seems like an exaggeration of the latter variety. The former seems almost too cute to exist but I think I’ve encountered a few examples. 

And last but not least: INTP!

INTP-Ti: Calm, serious & uncompromising, remains silent and austere if uninterested, correct, proper & strict, dislikes leghty discourse.  Erudite & specialized, frequently math-y, more persistent, hard-working & meticulous

INTP-Ne: More into breadth of knowledge, creative, soft, funny & excitable when in the right mood but also a lot more scattered & procrastinatey, rarely as absolute in statements, but very much in action,  can be stuborn.

The former seems more represented in descriptions whereas the latter seems more frequent on tumblr. I am an example of this… (^^°)

—

Incidentally, this (along with enneagram-related variations) probably contributes to varying degrees/shadings of introversion vs extroversion (”social introverts”, “introspective extroverts”, introverts who present with fairly forward personalities in private etc.) 

You can do further reading here or here  to determine which one you or your aquaintances are, it gets pretty detailed complete with body language. Also, here’s some theory behind it; 

The Tl;Dr of that article is  (as far as I get it) basically that for brain science reasons, there’s either a positive or negative feedback reaction when you use your 1st 2 functions, resulting in a slight emphasis of all other odd- or even numbered functions, and that this is why there is such a thing as an unusually sciencey ENFP, also why some ppl might actually be better at their role function than their tertiary. (For what little good that does.) 

Feel free to tag/post which one you are or something.

As usual corrections & additions by actual experts are always appreciated.