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- Profile: ISTP
- Revision: 1.1
- Date of Revision: 31 Oct 93
- =============================================================================
-
-
- Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
-
- by Marina Margaret Heiss (mmh0m@poe.acc.virginia.edu)
-
-
- Like their fellow SPs, ISTPs are fundamentally Performers (note the capital
- 'P' :-)), but as Ts their areas of interest tend to be mechanical rather
- than artistic like those of ISFPs, and unlike most ESPs they do not present
- an impression of constant activity. On the contrary, they lie dormant, saving
- their energy until a project or an adventure worthy of their time comes along--
- and then they *launch* themselves at it. The apparently frenzied state that
- inevitably ensues is actually much more controlled than it appears--ISTPs
- always seem to know what they're doing when it comes to physical or mechanical
- obstacles--but the whole chain of events presents a confusing and paradoxical
- picture to an outsider.
-
- ISTPs are equally difficult to understand in their need for personal space,
- which in turn has an impact on their relationships with others. They need to
- be able to "spread out"--both physically and psychologically--which generally
- implies encroaching to some degree on others, especially if they decide that
- something of someone else's is going to become their next project. (They are
- generally quite comfortable, however, with being treated the same way they
- treat others--at least in this respect.) But because they need such a lot
- of flexibility to be as spontaneous as they feel they must be, they tend to
- become as *in*flexible as the most rigid J when someone seems to be threatening
- their lifestyle (although they usually respond with a classic SP rage which
- is yet another vivid contrast to their "dormant," impassive, detached mode).
- These territorial considerations are usually critical in relationships with
- ISTPs; communication also tends to be a key issue, since they generally
- express themselves non-verbally. When they do actually verbalize, ISTPs are
- masters of the one-liner, often showing flashes of humor in the most tense
- situations; this can result in their being seen as thick-skinned or tasteless.
-
- Like most SPs, ISTPs may have trouble with rote and abstract classroom learning,
- which tend not to be good measures of their actual intelligence. They tend,
- sometimes with good reason, to be highly skeptical of its practical value, and
- often gravitate towards classes in industrial arts; part-time vocational/
- technical programs can be useful to even the college-bound ISTP. In terms of
- careers, mechanics and any of the skilled trades are traditional choices,
- and those ISTPs with strong numerical as well mechanical gifts tend to do
- extremely well in most areas of engineering. Working as paramedics or
- firefighters can fulfill the ISTP need to live on the edge; they are at their
- best in a crisis, where their natural disregard for rules and authority
- structures allows them to focus on and tackle the emergency at hand in the
- most effective way.
-
- ISTPs with more sedate careers usually take on high-risk avocations like
- racing, skydiving, and motorcycling. While aware of the dangers involved,
- they are so in touch with the physical world that they know they can get
- away with much smaller safety margins than other types.
-
-
- Famous ISTPs: (I have to give Joe Butt credit for most of the following)
-
- Charles Bronson
- Tom Cruise
- James Dean
- Clint Eastwood
- U.S. Presidents:
- Millard Fillmore
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Zachary Taylor
- Ernest Hemingway
- Burt Reynolds
- Keith Richards
- Charlie Yeager
- Frank Zappa
-
- Fictional:
- "The Fonz" in the _Happy_Days_ TV series
- Hedda Gabler in Ibsen's play of the same name
- John Miller in the movie _American_Grafitti_
- Archibald "Harry" Tuttle in the movie _Brazil_
-