INTJ
INTJs have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for improvement. Constantly working to better themselves, they are often perfectionists. INTJs are also focused on finding ways to improve processes, always open to possibilities and new ideas. They enjoy taking the time to truly understand ideas or systems, and using their analytical skills to solve complex problems. INTJs often have a broad vision for what is best for an organization, and are driven to implement these ideas.
Although quite creative and open to new ideas, INTJs often process information internally, sharing their inner thoughts only with those they trust. Without being able to observe the INTJs consideration of different ideas and theories, some may view their clearly stated opinions and decisive action as stubbornness. The typical INTJ, however, is always willing to consider other points of view and information and change their mind, when warranted.
INTJs prefer structure and order, and expect others to follow the rules and procedures. Once committed, INTJs go to great lengths to fulfill their responsibilities and typically can be trusted to get the job done. Independent and forward-thinking, INTJs tend to be visionaries and are often found in leadership positions where they can apply their well-developed organizational skills to systems and people. Typically confident in their abilities and their insights, INTJs often have a unique ability to clearly and concisely express their vision and goals.
INTJ Type Dynamics
The core of the INTJ personality type is Introverted Intuition. This dominant function guides the way INTJs make sense of things and explore information in their own minds. Using Intoverted Intuition, the INTJ contemplates connections and make sense of patterns. The reflect on their intepretations to develop insight and understanding and to create a clear vision for the future.
The auxiliary function for INTJs is Extraverted Thinking. This mental function supports their dominant Introverted Intuition to help them evaluate information and options in the world around them. When using Extraverted Thinking, the INTJ seeks to order their environment to bring logic to systems and processes. They analyze the options objectively and communicate ideas clearly.
The tertiary Feeling function is less developed for most INTJs, especially early in life. When this function is not well developed, INTJs may have trouble tuning into values and considering the impact of decisions on people.
The inferior function for INTJs, or that function which is least likely to be conscious and well developed, is Extraverted Sensing. When this function is not developed, INTJs may ignore the importance of details in their environment, and may overlook aspects of current reality which conflict with their vision.
INTJ in the Population
INTJ is the third rarest type in the population, and the rarest type among women (with ENTJ). INTJs make up:
- 2% of the general population
- 3% of men
- 1% of women
Famous INTJs
Famous INTJs include Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Dwight Eisenhower, Alan Greenspan, Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, Ayn Rand, Isaac Asimov, Lewis Carroll, Cormac McCarthy, and Sir Isaac Newton.
INTJ at Work
At work, the INTJ excels at creating and implementing innovative solutions to analytical problems. They naturally see possibilities for improvement within complex systems and are organized and determined in implementing their ideas for change.
INTJs are comfortable with abstraction and theory but gain the most satisfaction from turning their ideas into reality. They often enjoy working independently or with a small team, taking measured, strategic steps to implement change.
INTJs enjoy working with logical systems that they can understand in depth. They enjoy the challenge of comprehending complex ideas, and want to understand how they can improve the way things work.
The ideal work environment for an INTJ is logical, efficient, structured, and analytical, with colleagues that are competent, intelligent, and productive. The ideal job for a Mastermind allows them to use their analytical skills to problem-solve in a challenging environment, and to take responsibility for implementing their ideas to create efficient, innovative systems.
To read more about the INTJ, visit the INTJ page at Truity.com.





Comments
That was a great list, loved
That was a great list, loved all the random tidbits at the end!
-INTJ
yup, same here. i'm a female
yup, same here. i'm a female and have a friend or two, but all within a very safe distance -_-
I sometimes wondered if there's something wrong with me, but hey this is okay- I got awesome career and money from being an INTJ ;)
Tell me about it. I'm often
Tell me about it. I'm often wondered if there was something wrong with me too, but after finding out my personality type, it gave me some really good closure. :) I'm a guy btw. It's hard to imagine there being only 1% of women with my personality. Explains why I'm single lol.
only 1% of women of women are
only 1% of women of women are this type. Now I at least understand why I have no female friends. Yet this survey just served to make me feel more special and misunderstood than I already did, so thanks?
I recognize myself. Luckily I
I recognize myself. Luckily I have found one female friend who understand's me, but sometimes it's quite hard to deal with all the emotional issues that she's experiencing and I'm not because I'm a INTJ. But I wouldn't want to loose her for no money in the whole world.
While having lunch at a
While having lunch at a restaurant, one of my girlfriends melted down in noisy tears talking about her frustration with men. I was kind of horrified and embarrassed and instead of offering the emotional support she was craving, I started offering strategies.
She works as a college counselor and accused me of being Aspergers. I thought that was funny and probably true and I started researching Aspergers and found much that I could relate to. However, I now know I'm an INTJ and that is a much better description of me.
My tone-deafness about overly emotional people also applies with my husband. Oftentimes I've thought it incredibly stupid that he gets so emotional about issues like being upset that his sisters aren't close to him anymore. I just want to tell him "Grow up", but of course I don't. But it gets really tiresome to have to be emotionally supportive about the same issues, over and over.
He gets lost in a dark hole with his emotions sometimes and it just makes me think, what is the purpose of doing that? I have emotions too, but I ask myself what is valuable about what they're telling me and how do I want to feel? Usually I choose happiness and trying to figure out strategies to make things better rather than wallowing in sorrow and self-pity.
Nice to know that other women are equally boggled by people who choose to be emotional rather than rational.
Thank you for taking time to
Thank you for taking time to write this comment, Su Lin. It is a very well-written and descriptive comment. I identify with everything you wrote, especially the "offering strategies" line and the part about having to be emotionally supportive when you watch those around you get stuck in the same emotional pits over and over again. Brava! Will you please write a book?
Will you marry me? We'd get
Will you marry me? We'd get on like a house on fire, where i live, there are no INTJ women.lol!
I had the same issue with my
I had the same issue with my previous partners - they just couldn't understand why I am not as emotional as they are. And it's not like I wouldn't have any emotions, but when I need to analyse the situation and think about possible solutions and their probabilities, I don't have for dealing with my emotions. And I don't understand why the men can't be more like me, why is it me who has to be the adult (from my point of view).
So I'm really glad that I'm not the only who feels this way, thank you.
"Now I at least understand
"Now I at least understand why I have no female friends." -- Ditto.
Me too! (Well, I have a
Me too! (Well, I have a few--about 3--but they live far away and I never keep in touch with them). I've never been the hang out with the girls type!
female intj here. I also have
female intj here. I also have a few friends, but i could never EVER throw a party and let them meet each other..(dont like partys in the first place haha) This sounds horrible, but hopefully you would understand, they all have a different meaning/function to me. I simply couldnt put them all in one room :)
But its very nice to read something that actually fits you.. im not crazy, im an intj :)
"Now I at least understand
"Now I at least understand why I have no female friends." -- ANOTHER Ditto!! :)
Anyone else hate playing the
Anyone else hate playing the flirting game? How nice would it be if everyone could just be straight forward. I have been working on my communication skills for years, I can convey my feelings and opinions openly and clearly to just about anyone. The one thing I can't seem to understand is the joy people get from such things. I guess you can learn to mimic others society(talking and expressing yourself at their level) but in the end you can't gain the emotion that is at the root of such behavior.
This is
This is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo true.
Much agreed. As a female
Much agreed. As a female INTJ I seem to meet players that think their 'feelings BS' will work on me, hahahahahaha. It's too funny to watch them flounder when they realize, I am not like the others, I don't give a crap about insignificant matters. Dinner and sex sounds great, no don't worry about calling, I will call you. And, please, don't talk, you'll blow it for me ;). The dating small talk is the worst. And, people that don't understand if it does not calculate for me, it does not matter.
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto.
Ditto.
I feel like I just stumbled
I feel like I just stumbled into a place filled with people who are just like me. A little dramatic? Probably. But it's tiring not having anyone who can really relate to you, and everyone claiming that you are "cold" just because you don't react the same or revel in your emotions like everyone else. Just because I think first and try to solve a problem with my mind rather than my emotions, it doesn't mean that I don't have emotions. My whole family is a sea of extroverts and they have been trying to pick me apart since I was little. They could never understand why I would drift away to corner after a while with my book and mp3 player. Its not that I don't like them or love them, I just get exhausted after awhile with their endless chatter. It doesn't make them bad or wrong for being the way they are, but does it make me bad or wrong being the way I am?
"but does it make me bad or
"but does it make me bad or wrong being the way I am?" absolutely not. If you can't be who you are then what's left. It's not your fault they find it difficult to understand why your not as outgoing or emotional as they are. I myself am the same. Unless the conversation is interesting and sparks my creative mind I just switch off. I can't understand why people place so much importance on the emotive aspects of life when really they should just work out what the problem is and get on with life. I don't know if this is true of all INTJ's but I'd rather be spontaneous and creative rather than plan out my existence. Also I'd rather not get hung up on what caused a problem, just figure out how to fix it and get it going again. I get totally frustrated by people that procrastinate as well. If they don't know what their doing move aside and let me fix it (this goes for following instructions to build something as well).
I can choose to be emotional
I can choose to be emotional and talk about emotions but i just don't seem to get the point of it, or like you said 'understanding the joy people get'! Why people dwell over emotions so much is beyond my understanding! Most of the time i have to re-evaluate things i said in my head just to be sure i didn't say anything insensitive... i've mostly been called insensitive, and not by just one person, but it was only after i came across this test i realised that i had a low EQ. Its annoying to be around emotional people because you never know what you might say may offend them even though you didn't really mean to!
I am a nurse female INTJ. I
I am a nurse female INTJ. I work with a physician who only works well with the nurses who flirt with him. I don't flirt and wouldn't flirt with him if I did. Needless to say makes the working relationship less than ideal. Still, proud of who I am, learning to be more sensitive to others.
I'm an INTJ and a
I'm an INTJ and a retired(young) nurse. The medical profession drained me dry yet I loved helping people. I have since found a job that suits my personality and have an abundance of energy.
On the subject of doctors, one movie comes to mind,"The good,the bad and the ugly". Some are in it for the right reasons,some are more than jerks and then there is the nerd.
It's not easy being an INTJ. It's not for the weak. We are different in good ways and possibly some bad. It's helpful to know why others have a hard time with us. I see their point of view but more importantly I see who I am and have the God given right to be who I am as long as I use my gifts morally. Remember, there is always going to be someone who is smarter than you,prettier than you, richer than you, etc. so, it would be a fatal mistake to use your gifts on the dark side.
I only have good wishes for you. Anyways,flirting is a game for whomever can't get another as they were meant to be . Personally, you have to be at least as smart as me or better to get my attention.
I have this problem also... I
I have this problem also... I just put it down to the fact that most humans frustrate me!
Couldn't agree more....
Couldn't agree more....
I'm a guy and I understand
I'm a guy and I understand all the female comments. Now I know why woman tell me I'm cold, but I'm really not, just not emotional.
Another ditto. I'm always
Another ditto. I'm always told Im "impassive" or "just don't care" about other peoples feelings. It's not that I don't care about them, I just have no interest in dealing with emotions a lot of times, let alone someone who makes emotionally-based decisions.
DITTO - I have about three
DITTO - I have about three friends, and only one of them leaves me alone and knows not to bug me with emotional stuff. The other two, I am just about ready to slap every 10 minutes from all of their complaining.
Also, about dating & relationships... I HATE FLIRTING. To me, it seems like a waste of time. My thought process: If you like me, tell me. Because otherwise I'm not going to waste time on you...
If I might make a reply to
If I might make a reply to your comment: For the longest time I could really care less about other people's emotional troubles and social encounters. As an INTJ through and through, acting on feelings and discussing them constantly was both completely illogical and boring.
Then I started reading a few books, namely all of Robert Greene's books (eg. The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction), some of Paul Ekman's books (especially Emotions Revealed), and a few other psychology and strategy books. Armed with that new knowledge, my social encounters became quite an enjoyable game. Instead of being bored with all who weren't interested in talking about political theory and current events, history, psychology, astronomy, etc., I now engage regularly with women who work in beauty salons, or as dental assistants, and men who work at Starbucks. I would ask them penetrating questions about their work and their ambitions, while being able to read their body language and phrasing in order to know where to lead the discussion. I began to see socializing as a means of self improvement, no matter who I spoke with. For all have their quirks, lies, proclivities and psychological scripts that they unknowingly employ, and with a new knowledge of their existence, I would slip past mental barriers and find truths that had long eluded the person I was speaking with. Not only was this much more engaging for me, but I was surprised to find more and more people interested in talking to me ranging from the simplest of minds to very successful businessmen and professors.
The point of all this is to illustrate what waits a step above your newly (or late-ly) realized INTJ personality. There is a way for you to re-engage society in a way that is mutually beneficial and personally invigorating. Have I ever dated a woman who works in a beauty salon? Hell no. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the brief company of such on numerous occasions, en route to winning over the self-sidelined, on-looking INTJs who may have, like you, given up on social discourse.
All the best.
Ditto. No wonder I find it
Ditto. No wonder I find it so difficult to relate to other women...
Didn't ever really think
Didn't ever really think about the affect of being an INTJ on forming female friendships, but after reading the descriptions, some questions have been answered and insights have been confirmed. Was beginning to feel so alone with the difficulty of finding and/or maintaining female friendships. Seems like most women have a least one close friend. Some guys seem to be threatened by INTJ women as well; they want the more feeling and nurturing types.
I can certainly identify with
I can certainly identify with your and others' comments on finding/maintaining female relationships. My deal is not so much that I do not have female friends as it is I have trouble maintaining close relationships with them. I do not do well with unpredictable moods and behaviors, and thus I have a STRONG proclivity to avoid-- so much so that I have occasionally questioned whether something was wrong with me (that, as a woman, I have trouble befriending/maintaining friendships with other women). Thanks to this forum, I now know better.
As an introvert I am/we are, by nature, the so-called "loner." I will happily (and usually without thought) avoid the rest of the human species (because people wear me out/I value privacy/personal space) as much as I deliberately avoid the gossiping, whining, emotional basket case I so vehemently loathe. Lol... Don't get me wrong (though I am certain my fellow INTJ's will not)-- I value my relationships with my family and those closest to me, and I am deeply concerned by social and economic crises and injustices at home, and around the world, as I am sure many of you are. I simply do not care to deal with people's emotions/feelings, ESPECIALLY their emotions/feelings towards me! (I avoid conflict like the plague/like peace at all times. Although I have no problem expressing my opinion.) So I will avoid/typically do not gravitate toward them (my female friends/women in general).
well, as an INTJ woman, it is
well, as an INTJ woman, it is frankly extremely hard to meet like-minded men as well. It's just that we are too few in population overall.
The good news is that the
The good news is that the incidence of INTJs online is 6% - so that's doubling your chances straight away.
However, judging from what I see on INTJ forums, we do NOT mix well. We are superior, pedantic and quarrelsome.
A relationship might tolerate one partner like that, but I don't see it working with both being like that.
Which must account for the 4%
Which must account for the 4% on the poll regarding what people are seeking in a romantic partner, who prefer someone with a different personality type from their own.
INTJ's often do well on IQ
INTJ's often do well on IQ tests. I ended up joining an online HiIQ discussion group. A survey there suggested that amongst active posters, the majority were INT's. There are also more men, though the founder and a few regulars were women. And yeah, lots of strong opinions, but enjoy sharing ideas and are not closed to a well stated position.
They also enjoy expressing themselves with writing, another inclination you'll find online in bloggers and forums and such.
INTJ's often write. They can
INTJ's often write. They can see what they are saying and redo it when it sounds too INTJ like.
Lordy, this is so true! When
Lordy, this is so true!
When I was in Jr. High, my boyfriend and I kept a diary that we wrote back and forth in, screw trying to talk face to face. Ironically or maybe not so ironically I find myself still trying to communicate by written communication when I am dealing with issues with my fiance at 33 years old. I always thought it might have been because of some brain damage from epilepsy but no, it seems to be part of my general make-up too.
At least I'm not so bizarre as I thought I was! Interestingly, one of my closest friends (male) is an INTJ too. We get along famously until we start headbutting on ideas.
Yep, I AM actually a bit
Yep, I AM actually a bit superior, pedantic, and quarrelsome- and almost always right. And I agree with you - two like me could never get along. My husband is sentimental, flexible, generous and forgiving thank goodness! How else could he tolerate me?
You know what I'm enjoying about these posts? Almost all of them are carefully written, with good grammar and spelling, adapted to a conversational tone where appropriate. So pleasant to read!
ditto. Glad to know that I am
ditto.
Glad to know that I am not alone. Thanks for sharing. :-)
It takes lots of work....but
It takes lots of work....but I have that personality type and have female friends.
Me too - it certainly isn't
Me too - it certainly isn't impossible. I have 4 really good female friends now. We don't call each other on the phone and gossip. We get together and discuss the things that interest us and how we seek to improve ourselves. You just have to find the right people, male or female.
When you think of a female
When you think of a female INTJ, do not think of a dude in a lab coat.
Think of the sexy librarian, into literature and psychology.
INTJ, and similar type women largely prefer to be housewives over career women.
Look it up. Most women highly into things like science want to be good wives and moms instead of being caught up in a laboratory, classroom, library, or wherever while the kids are at home with a stranger who might teach them stupid things. Do you want your kids being taught something like 2+2=3? Or, something much less stupid by normal people's understandings, but that seems equally moronic to you?
Not to mention, INTJ, of all the intellectual types, does not give a crud about our broken, corrupted society's expectation for women to be career women who neglect our kids. INTJ has no problem rebelling against a broken system.
An INTJ woman is a woman. An intelligent woman. We have the brains that we know our place is with the kids, ensuring the continuation of our species. Our role is to conceive, birth, and RAISE the next generation of scientists. How exactly are we supposed to do that if we're in laboratories while our kids are off with some ESFP babysitter?
Leave the lab work to the men, and "get in the kitchen!"
We're INTJs, we don't need a PHD to be brilliant. The internet is a lot faster, and a lot cheaper than taking a college course, or buying lots of books. And, I don't know about you, but THIS INTJ woman is broke, so not only am I domestic, I scour the internet, or rely on my own intellect for growth, instead of relying on unreliable, expensive classes and books.
Frankly, if you want to increase the odds of meeting compatible women for friendship (or for more for those who like women romantically), you're going to have to face the fact that women of intellectual types are very home-bound, and a lot less likely to have careers or jobs. Try classes and workshops. Try conventions. And, try to find intelligent people who share your hobbies and interests.
On the bright side, we don't all have the same specializations, but we all have similar tastes. So, if YOU like a particular anime, movie, book, etc. you can guarantee other INTJs do, too. And, the less mainstream, the better. Things like Star Wars and Star Trek are WAY too popular to be used in this way. (Trust me, I've tried them. Now, I'm trying the anime BLEACH, thusfar without success, but at least it's a hobby I love.)
In case, it was unclear... My point was, you need to stop thinking that we INTJ ladies are in any way less feminine than an F type.
Those F types are often pretty masculine, relying on false femininity, like make up, to hide it. F versus T does not designate if the person is feminine or masculine. Try saying that to an F man, and he might punch you in the face, blow his top yelling at you, or say something highly cruel meant to break your heart.
In what way is a quiet woman who likes learning less feminine than a loud woman who hits people? Tell me that, and I'll concede you might be right in thinking being an INTJ makes it harder to be friends with other women.
T versus F is about which you prefer to rule your decisions, to guide you through life. In no way does being a T mean you don't have feelings. There is a very big difference between being an INTJ, and being a psychopath. A psychopath is not preferring to be a T, they simply have no F, because they have a deformed or damaged brain in areas concerning feelings, like autism. Do not confuse INTJs with psychopaths.
I'm an INTJ, and I'm highly emotional, and highly romantic. In fact, my specialization is the social sciences, especially in regard to humanity/psychology.
Or, going into fiction, Kurotsuchi Mayuri is an INTJ, and that guy is definitely emotional.
Or, how about all those romantic INTJ guys on forums boards asking advice in how best to pursue the object of their loving and romantic desires? That's right, I typed LOVING and romantic. If you've ever read the posts by these INTJ guys about us ladies, it's pretty innocent, indicating a higher leaning to love over lust. Lust is not practical, it's a waste, and INTJs are not very fond of waste. They might not drip romantic language in the posts, but it's certainly quietly romantic in its tendency to be utterly innocent and truly focused on compatibility. Maybe that looks robotic to an F, but it looks sweet to me.
And, I would hope, and expect that INTJ men feel the same way about us, on the rare occasion they really meet one of us. We are not cold-hearted b****es, we're simply smarter than the F and S women, quieter than the E woman, and both smarter and more reliable than the P women. (One could actually argue that INTJ is a feminine type, rather than a masculine one. It depends on one's preferences for themselves and their partner, and is often based off their parents. My father is an F, and my mother is a T, and in no way does that make my father more girly than my mother. My father's a mean son of a b***h.)
I very much respect your
I very much respect your comments, and enjoyed reading. INTJ (am commercial hardware tech), and my now adult daughter (oldest) tested the same. Similairity of your comments and hers are striking, though still different, of course, and yet, still similair. Ended up being divorced and single parent with 3 kids (all kids being older and basically on their own now - but Dad is still their fall back financially or in times of trouble, to the point of hindering I - but still wish to help them in anyway to prosper, and suffer when they struggle). Am a romantic, and my worst fault, but yet still my greatest joy as the perfect (?) companion is nothing less than just that, guess part of us that makes us what we are, some of us we love deeply. I make a good, but still a bit nominal living. But am here for my kids, and let go many opportunitys for higher success to make sure I was available for my kids, and so nice to read your comments, as rare to find someone who can state their vision vividly. Unlike others, even some friends that condemn me for being their for my kids, and assiting them as best I can, above myself. I wish you the very best and commend you most highly.
As an INTJ woman , I disagree
As an INTJ woman , I disagree with this. I would love my children and would love to make them the best- certainly. But, I would never say I'd quit the idea of advancing my career because I believe in some traditional female role of holding myself back to man the home front. I didnt spend all of my years of receiving a strong education to do things that do not give direct and tangible solutions for this world. Sorry, raising a smart child is not, in my opinion, a female INTJs ideal vision of giving back and contributing to society.
Totally agree, the OP is not
Totally agree, the OP is not an INTJ. She's something else, likely with an F in there. There's nothing wrong with that, but she is fooling herself if she thinks she's an INTJ.
Was thinking the same thing.
Was thinking the same thing. I was like wtf
Haha, I too was thinking
Haha, I too was thinking that... So interesting because real INTJ types are deeply intelligent and I wouldn't expect them to make such blanket statements and generalizations (or dare I say, negative feelings?) to "P" and "F" types. I wonder if she is an INTJ at all? Her rant is... a bit much.
I actually cannot disagree
I actually cannot disagree with your idea that an INTJ would rather be at home with her children, focusing on the mundane and boring tasks such as housework, and homework help.
In fact, housework and being around children are said to be the main things INTJ's struggle with the most.
I would rather tear my hair out than be a stay at home mum. In actuality I think I would be tearing my hair out if I was a SAHM.
You seem to think you are combating the stereotypes that women should have a career and fall straight back into the ones when our sole purpose is to produce more children. What on earth is there to discover in the kitchen? Who are you going to help? What are you going to get out of it?
Nothing. Nothing whatsoever.
And actually I have found that other intellectual type women are the ones who so desperately run away from being SAHM's. They ARE the ones in businesses, law firms and science labs. Not making cakes and babies!
In fact, if you are so happy being at home, and don't see to strive for these jobs I have a hard time believing you ARE an INTJ, due to the fact you are going against everything an INTJ stands for, and the fact you are romantic and "highly emotional" makes me think you are NOT an INTJ... you, to feel how you say you do, must have an F in there.
*Disagree more.
*Disagree more.
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