Sourced from http://fuzzy.snakeden.org/intj/, surprisingly accurate with a handy "Dealing with" section at the end. Take note, or beware!
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INTJ FAQs
This site was created to clear up common misunderstandings and frequently asked questions about the Myers-Briggs temperament of INTJ, called by Keirsey as the Mastermind personality.
INTROVENT
They are not good at dealing with minutia or very detailed tasks. The INFJ will either avoid such things, or else go to the other extreme and become enveloped in the details to the extent that they can no longer see the big picture.
Introversion in regards to temperament does not mean shy or antisocial. It refers to how a person revitalizes himself. MBTI introverts are people who need to be by themselves to recharge their energy and feel their best. Extroverts feel more "jazzed" surrounded by people.
Though some MBTI introverts are truly shy and stay away from social gatherings whenever they can, others develop coping techniques like stepping out for about 15 minutes to be alone and things like that. An introvert can enjoy communication just as much as an extrovert - many just prefer not to do it face to face.
It is also possible for an extrovert to be shy, due to some traumatic event. S/he may love being around people, but had been rejected sometime in the past.
Introverts tend to be more reflective, since introspection usually gives them more satisfaction.
INTUITIVE
Intuitive people are those who easily think "outside the box". While a sensing person reasons from Point A to Point B to Point C and so forth, an intuitive person can go from Point A straight to Point F without any trouble.
Sensor Thinking
Intuitive Thinking
THINKING
A thinking temperament uses critical thought as a final deciding factor instead of feeling. This does not mean that a thinker has no feelings or does not acknowledge them. It just that feelings are not automatically the first consideration. A Thinker can learn to judge when to use Feeler techniques to solve a problem. Also, Feeler as in Feelings is a little bit of a misnomer. It includes moral sense as well as personal feelings. A feeler and a thinker can reach the same conclusion through logical means, but often their justifications differ. A feeler may be polite because it makes them feel better when there is harmony. A thinker may be polite because it is easier to accomplish things when they aren't dealing with ruffled feathers.
JUDGEMENT
People with judging temperaments are not necessarily critical. They just like to have things decided and acted upon. They evaluate, make their decision and go on. If they have to rethink something, they will, but they don't like waffling or bullshit.
A distinction between perceiving and judging:
Perceiver: We haven't had peaches in three months.
Judger: We should have peaches for dinner.
The point being the distinction between straight observation and a value added statement. Judgers tend to evaluate things far more than Perceivers. Perceivers don't want to overlook a possibility. Judgers want to know the importance of something.
DEALING WITH INTJS
- Be willing to back up your statements with facts - or at least some pretty sound reasoning.
- Don't expect them to respect you or your viewpoints just because you say so. INTJ respect must be earned.
- Be willing to concede when you are wrong. The average INTJ respects the truth over being "right". Withdraw your erroneous comment and admit your mistake and they will see you as a very reasonable person. Stick to erroneous comments and they will think you are an irrational idiot and treat everything you say as being questionable.
- Try not to be repetitive. It annoys them.
- Do not feed them a line of bull.
- Expect debate. INTJs like to tear ideas apart and prove their worthiness. They will even argue a point they don't actually support for the sake of argument.
- Do not mistake the strength of your conviction with the strength of your argument. INTJs do not need to believe in a position to argue it or argue it well. Therefore, it will take more than fervor to sway them.
- Do not be surprised at sarcasm.
- Remember that INTJs believe in workable solutions. They are extremely open-minded to possibilities, but they will quickly discard any idea that is unfeasible. INTJ open-mindedness means that they are willing to have a go at an idea by trying to pull it apart. This horrifies people who expect oohs and ahhs and reverence. The ultimate INTJ insult to an idea is to ignore it, because that means it's not even interesting enough to deconstruct.
This also means that they will not just accept any viewpoint that is presented to them. The bottom line is "Does it work?" - end discussion. - Do not expect INTJs to actually care about how you view them. They already know that they are arrogant bastards with a morbid sense of humor. Telling them the obvious accomplishes nothing.
* A group of INTJs is an argument. *
Q: Is Spock an INTJ?
A: Spock is a fictional character, but to answer the question - no. Mr. Spock of Star Trek is not a representation of an INTJ temperament. No INTJ would go around quoting Star Fleet regulations on a regular basis and especially not during a crisis. A more common INTJ reaction would be, "To hell with the regs! We need to do this to save our butts!" Spock is more of an ISTJ.
J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf is a better fictional representation of an actual INTJ.
Q: Is God really an INTJ as you have been hearing?
A: Yes. God is the Ultimate INTJ. If you have any doubts, ask an INTJ. *grin!*
INTJ Prayer:
* God, let me be open to other people's views, *
WRONG though they may be.
