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- Profile: INTJ
- Revision: 1.2
- Date of Revision: 19 Nov 93
- =============================================================================
-
-
- Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
-
- by Marina Margaret Heiss (mmh0m@poe.acc.virginia.edu)
-
-
- Particularly to the outside world, the INTJ's most apparent personality trait
- is their self-confidence. This self-confidence is rooted in the specialized
- knowledge systems that most INTJs start building up at an early age; they
- know what they know -- and, just as importantly, what they don't know.
- Within their own fields of expertise--and INTJs can have several -- they will
- be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and
- if so, how.
-
- INTJs are also the most pragmatic of all types, applying (often ruthlessly)
- the criterion "Does it *work*?" to everything from social norms to their own
- research efforts. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind,
- freeing the INTJ of the constraints of authority, convention, and sentiment
- for its own sake. INTJs are not, however "open" people with respect to their
- personal physical and psychological space; they usually dislike being in
- close proximity to anyone who isn't an intimate, and dislike still more
- having their private lives invaded in any way.
-
- INTJs are "Systems Builders," and, be it based on technology, personnel, or
- information, whatever system an INTJ is working on becomes their equivalent
- of a moral cause to an INFJ. As a result, they tend to be nearly as unsparing
- of others on the project as they are of themselves; anyone considered to be
- "slacking" (including superiors) loses their respect--and generally is made
- aware of this. On the other hand, INTJs usually take the time to point out
- positive contributions, and are scrupulous about giving others credit for
- their ideas. If, however, an INTJ feels that the goals and progress of the
- system are being stifled or corrupted by the powers-that-be, they may become
- embittered, and have radically uncharacteristic obstructive reactions (e.g.,
- walking out at 5:00 sharp the night before a major deadline). Or, if they
- don't trust their co-workers' competence or dedication, they may take it upon
- themselves to make and implement critical decisions without consulting anyone.
-
- Obvious INTJ careers are in science and engineering; they rise to management
- level positions in these fields if they can use their pragmatism to regard
- the existing management and bureaucracy as tools rather than obstacles to be
- circumvented. INTJs can also be found wherever a combination of intellect
- and incisiveness are required (law, some areas of academia, etc.).
-
- Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, tend to be the INTJ's
- Achilles heel. They are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a
- select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a
- relationship, but the knowledge and instincts that make them so successful in
- the academic/work environment often seem to abandon or mislead them in
- interpersonal situations. For example, INTJs have little patience with and
- less understanding of small talk, flirtation, and other social/courtship
- rituals that most types consider half the fun of a relationship. Also, many
- INTJs will enter a romantic involvement with a naivete' paralleled by that of
- many Fs--only instead of inexhaustible kindness and empathy, they expect
- inexhaustible reasonability and communication from their SOs. Their most
- stable relationships, both platonic and romantic, tend to start in an
- academic/work environment, where the INTJ is in their element and usually has
- a significant amount of time to get to know the other person.
-
-
- Famous INTJ people:
-
- U.S. Presidents:
- John F. Kennedy
- Richard M. Nixon
- James K. Polk
- Woodrow Wilson
- Susan B. Anthony
- Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Rome
- Jane Austen
- William F. Buckley, Jr.
- Hannibal
- Confederate Civil War General James Longstreet
- Union Civil War General John Reynolds
- Mystery writer Josephine Tey
-
- Fictional:
- Cassius in _Julius_Caesar_
- Mr. Darcy in _Pride_and_Prejudice_
- Sherlock Holmes' nemesis Professor Moriarty (it's only fair to include the
- occasional villain :-)) Holmes himself is probably an INTX.
- Ensign Ro of _Star_Trek:_the_Next_Generation_
- John le Carre's master spy, George Smiley
-