The Enigmatic INTP Psyche, Part 1

Ha, so a friend of mine alerted me to a description of INTP's, which is my Myers-Briggs type, on a web site. It's pretty fun to read what I'm like and seems fairly accurate, but you can check it out for yourself at An INTP Profile and let me know if you think it sounds like me. ...because I'm sure you have nothing better to do with your time than read about my personality type.

But I figure I'll post a series of blurbs from the description and add my commentary here and there in colored italics. Reading some of this stuff makes me laugh at how accurate it is, and other parts are just so-so. But I'll throw it out here and see if anyone else has anything to say about it. Fun times.

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The INTP is above all a thinker and his inner (private) world is a place governed by a strong sense of logical structure. Every experience is to be rigorously analyzed, the task of the INTP's mind is to fit each encountered idea or experience into a larger structure defined by logic. For here is the central goal of the INTP: to understand and seek truth. The experience of anything takes a back seat.
SO true. I have, on occasion, experimented with just trying to experience things for the sake of experience, but it often proves unfulfilling and...boring. :-) But sometimes, it's totally OK. I've been learning to let go of understanding everything and just simply enjoying some things.

The INTP is not interested in experiences themselves but is far more fascinated by concepts. The drive to understand things that are not yet understood is a very powerful force in the life of an INTP.

...Once understood, [something] has nothing left to offer, once the satisfaction which comes with achieving the goal of understanding diminishes.
So, this makes me wonder about something. You know how guys are generally famous for being done with a relationship once they've gotten what they want physically? Am I an intellectual slut? Hm...

Indeed, most primary interests of an INTP are things which he cannot fully understand, usually because they are highly complex or have some exotic, mystical element that does not yield to analysis. ...anything simple is too quickly understood and cannot hold the fascination for long.
Ha, so true, so true.

Similarly, proficiency in any area (which requires continual practice after understanding) is not such a driving force as it might be for NTJs, for example. While a judging NT will often seek to become master of his field, an INTP is satisfied by analyzing it alone.
Oh my gosh. I have thought this very thing but didn't really consider it was a personality thing. But I guess it could be.

The latter is often more of dabbler with ideas which leads me on to his second crucial aspect: detachment.

...a curious overriding desire to observe from a detached position... Since accurate analysis needs to avoid becoming hampered with details or being influenced by the actions of others, the INTP invariably seeks to withdraw, at least in spirit, from the situation being considered.

...The argument may even be made that "points of view" and "opinions" are irrelevant since only objective truth counts...
It's true. How could anyone think otherwise? :-)

...the principle of detachment even encompasses how an INTP views himself. He may analyze his own thought processes as if his mind and body were separate from his conscious self. In wanting to understand his reactions to things, he may treat himself, even his own thoughts, as subjects for experiment.
Yup.

Where detachment ceases is when someone makes an illogical statement or violates one of the INTPs principles. At such a point, the INTP feels the instant drive to provide for clarity. This is his Mission; to be the provider of clarity, and is often suspicious that he is the only person capable of this task.
Well come on, if someone else would do it, I wouldn't have to. But so rarely does anybody actually do it... *grin*

Here, the INTP risks being seen as over-critical, aloof and arrogant. On the whole, however, real arrogance is rare for INTPs for their desire is not to dominate others but simply to observe, analyse and clarify. Once the point has been clarified, the INTP withdraws quickly, for he prefers not to be in the limelight unless absolutely necessary. Hence, for most of the time, INTPs are easy-going and will fit in to others' needs, taking up the role of observer again.
Yes, I bounce between soapboxing and lurking in the shadows.

...INTPs hate to think of themselves being in any way inadequate, at least in areas that are important to them. So, as soon as he puts himself behind some task, then he must achieve competency. But that is as far as it goes. Refined competency requires too much effort and has little attraction. It would require practice and that usually bores an INTP. Hence, it is common to see INTPs dabbling at many things, achieving competency, just enough to prove to themselves that they could become more proficient if they wished, but rarely actually bothering to refine their skills further.
This one made me laugh out loud at how true it is!
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OK, that's enough for now. Man, this stuff is fun. Right?

*chirp* *chirp*