“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Albert Einstein – INTP
The INTPs
are known for their rich, intellectual curiosity and innovative ways of seeing the world. They have an endless thirst for knowledge, and love to experiment with new angles and methods of solving problems. The INTP is not in a rush to discover, but takes his time, exploring new depths and new angles that other’s may have passed by in their hurry. The INTP uses their masterful Introverted Thinking to collect numerous data and facts and to explore systems and concepts thoroughly. They use their auxiliary Extraverted Intuition to see things from multiple angles and to bring a curiosity and open-mindedness to all their endeavors.
If you look at the world of science, philosophy, and even politics, you will find a plethora of INTPs. People like Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Immanuel Kant, and James Madison were all well-known INTPs.
What Does INTP Stand For?
I = Introversion. INTPs focus inwards before responding to the outside world. They gain energy from alone time when they can reflect on their own thoughts.
N = iNtuition. INTPs prefer focusing on abstract possibilities and ideas rather than concrete data. They prefer imagining what could be rather than dwelling on what “is.”
T = Thinking. INTPs look at the world of logic, pros and cons, or cause and effect when they make a decision.
P = Perceiving. INTPs like having a lot of options and tend to be adaptable and flexible. They like to mix work with play and enjoy an exploratory approach to life.
INTP Motivations and Weaknesses:
- Driving Force: To analyze, categorize, and evaluate information to understand how everything works and is connected.
- Back-Up Strength: To explore alternatives, generate ideas, and discover hidden meanings and interconnections.
- Weaknesses: May be so focused on the logic of something that they lose sight of the human impacts of their decisions. Can be overly-critical to a fault or out-of-touch with the needs of others.
- Stressors: Excessive socializing, rigid rules and structures, being in emotionally turbulent situations, constraints on creativity, having to do things “by-the-book.”
INTP Personality Traits:
While every person varies depending on their background and Enneagram type, INTPs often have the following characteristics:
- They are curious and excited by novel ideas and theories
- They need a great deal of alone time
- They enjoy understanding how things work
- They try to remain logical and unbiased in their decisions
- They consider themselves truth-seekers
- They like having their plans open-ended
- They dislike a lot of rules and guidelines
- They enjoy brainstorming and exploring ideas and possibilities
INTP Careers:
Independence, ingenuity, and room for creativity are all things that INTPs need in a career. Being able to develop and critique new ideas gives them a rush. They also need regular quiet time to focus, strategize, and delve into their projects in peace. Busy, highly-structured environments overwhelm them, especially if they have a supervisor looking over their shoulder on a regular basis. Being an idea-person, creating innovative solutions, and interacting with a small group of respected friends allows them to be comfortable. Delegating the nitty-gritty detail work while they work on the bigger plans and concepts is also something they appreciate.
Career Suggestions: Software developer, Strategic planner, Computer animator, Cybersecurity specialist, Microbiologist, Economist, Architect, Intelligence specialist, Mathematician, Astronomer.
Famous INTPs:
Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Immanuel Kant, Marie Curie, Hannah Arendt, John Locke, Adam Smith, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jesse Eisenberg, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Richard Ayoade, Randall Munroe.
Your Important INTP Links:
24 Signs That You’re an INTP, the Prodigy Personality Type
12 Fictional Characters You’ll Relate to if You’re an INTP
10 Things That Excite the INTP Personality Type
Are You an INTP or an INTJ? 7 Ways to Tell Them Apart
The Top 7 Gift Ideas for INTPs
The Childhood Struggles of INTPs
10 Things You Should Never Say to an INTP
The Introvert’s Ultimate Summer Bucket List
How to Connect with Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
The Loneliness of Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
Why a Cookie Cutter Approach to Style Doesn’t Work for INTPs
