# Difference between INTP and INTJ personality types
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 9, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223 "2010-09-09T20:57:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Animastryfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Animastryfe)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/1 "2010-09-09T20:57:13Z")
I’m having difficulty in distinguishing between the INTP and INTJ personality types from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Please enlighten me.
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### Author:  [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/2 "2010-09-09T21:59:51Z")
An INTJ would say he knows exactly what the difference is, and he would never ask for enlightenment. 😉
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### Author:  [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/3 "2010-09-09T23:03:11Z")
Namby-pamby INTPs need someone else to make up their mind for them. 😛
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### Author:  [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/4 "2010-09-09T23:08:34Z")
> [@Animastryfe](#):
>
> I’m having difficulty in distinguishing between the INTP and INTJ personality types from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Please enlighten me.
The way I learned it, Perceiving and Judging are sort of misnomers; the real difference is in how much order and planning you like in your life. INTPs like to roll with changes and take life as it comes along, INTJs like to come up with plans and follow them.
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### Author:  [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/5 "2010-09-10T00:11:27Z")
This reminds me of the joke of the M-B facilitator who got kicked out of her own class. She had been hired to give an employee workshop by a company owner who had been talked into sponsoring the program, but who wasn’t completely sold on it.
During the workshop he peppered her with questions, asking over and over again how this could possibly benefit his company. So she decided to use him as an example. He was heavily J, and liked quick decisions. She came close to convincing him as she talked about the need to get enough information to base a good decision on. That although other people might have the opposite problem and need his motivation to stop saddling up and ride, his need was to know that he might come to a decision too soon, and to develop enough awareness to ensure that this does not happen.
She almost had him convinced until she said: “Your problem is that you have too much J-ness and not enough P-ness.”
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### Author:  [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/6 "2010-09-10T00:20:48Z")
> [@athelas](#):
>
> The way I learned it, Perceiving and Judging are sort of misnomers; the real difference is in how much order and planning you like in your life. INTPs like to roll with changes and take life as it comes along, INTJs like to come up with plans and follow them.
I think the rolling with the changes vs planning behavior stems from the root meaning of the perceiving/judging terms. They’re not really misnomers. The Perceiving person is looking around saying “This is all very interesting. What should I do with it?” while the judging person looks around and says “This part is good, but this part is bad - how do I fix it?” The J person is constantly comparing to the outside to an internal model or set of expectations.
That’s why P people dance in the rain while J people go get an umbrella. 🙂
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### Author:  [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/7 "2010-09-10T03:11:41Z")
> [@dracoi](#):
>
> > [@athelas](#):
> >
> > The way I learned it, Perceiving and Judging are sort of misnomers; the real difference is in how much order and planning you like in your life. INTPs like to roll with changes and take life as it comes along, INTJs like to come up with plans and follow them.
>
> I think the rolling with the changes vs planning behavior stems from the root meaning of the perceiving/judging terms. They’re not really misnomers. The Perceiving person is looking around saying “This is all very interesting. What should I do with it?” while the judging person looks around and says “This part is good, but this part is bad - how do I fix it?” The J person is constantly comparing to the outside to an internal model or set of expectations.
That’s more of the T/F difference than the P/J difference.
Both the P and the J will have use an umbrella. The J’s umbrella will be in the umbrella stand that’s positioned exactly 2 feet from the front door. Where it always is. Because that is where umbrellas go. The P’s will also be exactly where it always is, that place being “wherever they left it the last time it rained.”
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### Author:  [@ramel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ramel)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/8 "2010-09-10T03:32:20Z")
And INTP is a person who got an INTP result on a Myers-Briggs test, whereas an INTJ got an INTJ result.
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### Author:  [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/9 "2010-09-10T04:51:39Z")
INTPs are slobs, INTJs aren’t. At least in my experience.
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### Author:  [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/10 "2010-09-10T05:11:47Z")
I’m just kind of winging it here without reading any official Myers-Briggs documentation, but in a linguistic context Perceiving sure sounds like descriptivism and Judging sure sounds like prescriptivism.
If you Perceive, you care about what is. If you Judge, you care about what should be.
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### Author:  [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/11 "2010-09-10T05:12:36Z")
> [@ramel](#):
>
> And INTP is a person who got an INTP result on a Myers-Briggs test, whereas an INTJ got an INTJ result.
Indeed. What evidence is there that the results of a Myers-Briggs test, or even the particular system of “personality types” they are based on, are in any way useful?
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/12 "2010-09-10T05:38:40Z")
I’m not sure what the difference between MBTI, Keirsey, and Jungian types are, but since they share the same 4-letter characterization scheme, I’m going to assume there is some overlap. With that in mind, I’m going to quote from Keirsey’s book, “Please Understand Me II” as excerpted [here](http://www.brainscareersniches.com/jp.html):
> [@](#):
>
> **Judgment or Perception**
> Myers claimed that she confined her usage of the word “judgment” (J) to mean “coming to a conclusion,” but again and again she used “judgment” to describe people who make and keep schedules in their daily lives. Myers also used the word “perception” (P) to describe people who prefer to probe for options and thus not be tied to a schedule.
>
> In other words, Schedulers are judicious about schedules, Probers perceptive of options. Schedulers make agendas, timetables, programs, lists, syllabi, calendars, outlines, registers, and so on, for themselves and others to follow; Probers keep their eyes open for chances to do things they want to, for opportunities and alternatives they might avail themselves of. Each orientation has problems. By committing themselves to a set agenda, Schedulers tend to stop looking for alternatives and options and so may never know what they’re missing. By keeping their options open Probers are reluctant to commit themselves to schedules and so are inclined to miss deadlines and leave tasks unfinished.
>
> Unfortunately, the difference between Schedulers and Probers can be a source of irritation in personal relationships, both in the home and the workplace, the latter where opposites must work together to accomplish a task. Schedulers, whether observant or introspective, tend to believe that one’s work comes before all else, and must be finished before one rests or plays. This strict work ethic has a marked effect on what they will to do to get the job done. They tend to establish deadlines and to take them seriously, expecting others to do the same. And they are willing to do all sorts of preparation, maintenance, and cleaning up afterwards – just because these are necessary to see the job through to its conclusion.
>
> Not so with Probers, who seem more playful about their work. The job doesn’t have to be finished before play or rest begins, and they tend to look upon deadlines as mere alarm clocks which buzz at a given time, easily turned off or ignored while they catch an extra forty winks, almost as if the deadline were used more as a signal to start than to complete a project. Also, Probers are much more insistent that the work be enjoyable and to the purpose. Indeed, if the given task is not directly instrumental (is mere preparation, maintenance, or clean up), then they may balk at doing it, or wander off and leave it to someone else.
>
> This difference extends to the physical environment as well. Schedulers tend to be neat and orderly. They like their desk at work to be tidy, and their house picked up – dishes done, bed made, car washed, and so on. Not that they always manage all of these chores, but they are unhappy when their personal space is a mess, and straightening things up is often near the top of their list. Probers, in contrast, have a much greater tolerance for disorder in their physical environment. They seem absorbed in whatever they’re doing or thinking about at the moment, and are somewhat oblivious to the details of housekeeping. And so their personal spaces – office, house, garage, car – are often cluttered with a variety of objects they have picked up, used, and then dropped when they have finished with them.
>
> These two styles – Oscar and Felix in The Odd Couple – can get on each other’s nerves. Schedulers can become impatient with Probers for what seems their passiveness and playfulness, and can be heard to describe them as “indecisive” and “foot-dragging,” as “aimless” and “lazy,” as “uncooperative,” “quibbling,” and a “roadblock,” as “sloppy” and even “slovenly.” On the other hand, Probers can become impatient with Schedulers because of their pressure and urgency, and will describe them as “in too big a hurry” and “too rule-bound,” as “driven” and “wearing blinders,” as “uptight,” “stressed-out,” and “slave-driving,” as “arbitrary,” “rigid and inflexible,” and even as “neat-freaks.”
>
> Usually, such irritation and name-calling will subside when the two study each other’s behavior. Many become fascinated and entertained by their differences, and with further understanding find it easy to make allowances for the other’s way. Some can actually come to see that the two styles are complementary in turning in a job well done: Probers to spot opportunities and lay out alternatives, and Schedulers to be timely and press for closure.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/13 "2010-09-10T05:41:32Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#):
>
> > [@ramel](#):
> >
> > And INTP is a person who got an INTP result on a Myers-Briggs test, whereas an INTJ got an INTJ result.
>
> Indeed. What evidence is there that the results of a Myers-Briggs test, or even the particular system of “personality types” they are based on, are in any way useful?
They are very useful to CPP Inc., which publishes the tests, and to the numerous psychologists who are paid to administer the tests.
Wait, did you mean beneficial to the people being evaluated? In that case they are probably useless.😃
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/14 "2010-09-10T05:46:05Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> > [@Indistinguishable](#):
> >
> > Indeed. What evidence is there that the results of a Myers-Briggs test, or even the particular system of “personality types” they are based on, are in any way useful?
>
> They are very useful to CPP Inc., which publishes the tests, and to the numerous psychologists who are paid to administer the tests.
>
> Wait, did you mean beneficial to the people being evaluated? In that case they are probably useless.😃
They’re entertaining and amusing. That counts, right?
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### Author:  [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/15 "2010-09-10T05:49:31Z")
Entertainment value does count for something. But it doesn’t count for much in the way of establishing the scientific validity of concepts like INTP, INTJ, and the distinction between them.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/16 "2010-09-10T05:57:40Z")
From what I googled, I got that INTPs have dominant thinking, while INTJs have dominant intuition. Both are very thoughtful, but an INTP is more likely to to rely upon logical facts to make a conclusion, while an INTJ is more likely to trust their intuition, and only then think about it and see if their intuition is wrong.
Both have their advantages. When quick decisions are necessary, and INTJ is very useful. When you have more time to think about something, an INTP is more useful, as they are less likely to be biased by their initial observation.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/17 "2010-09-10T05:59:18Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#):
>
> Entertainment value does count for something. But it doesn’t count for much in the way of establishing the scientific validity of concepts like INTP, INTJ, and the distinction between them.
No argument there.
On the other hand, on a casual, non-scientific level, imagine sitting down with someone and asking them 70 questions about themselves over an hour or so. Don’t you think you’ll learn a little about them – at least what they think of themselves, if nothing else?
That’s what these tests do, in broad, sweeping categories. They’re not perfect. They’re not individualized to each of 7 billion people. But they provide one method of thinking about people and personalities.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/18 "2010-09-10T06:33:31Z")
> [@Reply](#):
>
> > [@Indistinguishable](#):
> >
> > Entertainment value does count for something. But it doesn’t count for much in the way of establishing the scientific validity of concepts like INTP, INTJ, and the distinction between them.
>
> No argument there.
>
> On the other hand, on a casual, non-scientific level, imagine sitting down with someone and asking them 70 questions about themselves over an hour or so. Don’t you think you’ll learn a little about them – at least what they think of themselves, if nothing else?
>
> That’s what these tests do, in broad, sweeping categories. They’re not perfect. They’re not individualized to each of 7 billion people. But they provide one method of thinking about people and personalities.
I do find it fascinating, the Myers-Briggs or Kiersey temperament, but I have to admit, they read almost like horoscopes to me. While I consistently score E/I NFP (the E/I score flip-flops–I’m pretty much the quintessential ambivert), I feel like reading pretty much any of the personality descriptions applies to me. Reading the description of the supposed [exact opposite personality type (ISTJ)](http://www.personalitypage.com/ISTJ.html), were somebody to ask me whether that accurately describes me, I would say yes.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/19 "2010-09-10T06:47:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> I do find it fascinating, the Myers-Briggs or Kiersey temperament, but I have to admit, they read almost like horoscopes to me. While I consistently score E/I NFP (the E/I score flip-flops–I’m pretty much the quintessential ambivert), I feel like reading pretty much any of the personality descriptions applies to me. Reading the description of the supposed [exact opposite personality type (ISTJ)](http://www.personalitypage.com/ISTJ.html), were somebody to ask me whether that accurately describes me, I would say yes.
I’ve known people who’ve said that and people who are entirely different from their opposites (I’m one of the latter). Some variants of the tests will score you in more detail, telling you how much you lean in any direction (49% I and 51% E, for example)… perhaps you’re just on the fence for many of the traits?
As an E/INFP myself, much of the ISTJ personality contradicts what I believe about myself. For example, the following line:
> [@](#):
>
> The ISTJ is extremely dependable on following through with things which he or she has promised.
is directly opposed to the ENFP
> [@](#):
>
> An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals.
which is much more accurate for me.
To some degree, society and work train people to behave in certain ways, so over time you can learn to behave differently no matter your innate personality – or perhaps your personality is largely shaped by your experiences to begin with. That said, I’ve been taking these things since I was 14 or so; a decade later my results are still the same except the I sometimes crosses over into E.
They’re different from horoscopes because they judge you based on self-reported attributes, not arbitrary dates. They’re similar in that they both report findings in broad generalizations, making it easy to find overlaps, but _taken as a whole_ any given type should be different from another. In theory, anyway 😉
If you’re bored and this stuff really interests you, I found the [Ansir test](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1929067003) to be more insightful than the MBTI and anything else I’ve tried. Unfortunately, the company behind it never became very successful and they eventually moved to a business-to-business model, and the free personal stuff is no longer available online. The book has all the same info, but you’d have to score it yourself with pen and paper.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-intp-and-intj-personality-types/553223/20 "2010-09-10T06:50:02Z")
Ack. For some reason I thought this was in MPSIMS and not GQ . It should be obvious, but my comments were just opinions and not factual advice. I’ll leave them be for the sake of discussion, but don’t take them too seriously.
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