INTP Vs INTJ: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare INTP vs INTJ personalities from the MBTI types. We will do that by initially describing both personalities in-depth including their four cognitive functions. This will follow up by comparing and seeing how these personalities are similar and different from each other.

INTP vs INTJ

If we consider INTP vs INTJ and compare them, we find that they share many similarities. Both are introverted and prefer to work in the background. They also like to make their own decisions and are logical. They are different as well especially since INTJ are open to accepting leadership roles, unlike INTP. Furthermore, INTJ backs up their thoughts by action whereas, INTP prefers to think of thoughts as a reward in itself.

MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions

Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed from the theory of Carl Jung and 16 personality types. According to him, the human personality is made up of four cognitive functions. These decide how we process information, think, and make daily decisions. There are two dominant cognitive functions that makeup or explain a major part of a person’s personality. Apart from that, there are two other cognitive functions that play less of a role in determining a person’s behavior. Nonetheless, they have their own significance.

INTP and INTJ are two personality types out of the 16 types. We will discuss their cognitive functions in detail as follows.

INTP: The Thinker (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

INTP personality characterizes people who are quiet and withdrawn. They are private people who are analytical in nature. They spend their time thinking about how different things work and think of new ideas and solutions. Their orientation is internal rather than external to the world. upto1-5% of people in the world have this personality out of the 16 types.

Four Cognitive Functions of INTP

Four cognitive functions that guide how INTP personality type processes information includes:

Introverted Thinking

The INTP personality spends most of their time in their thoughts. They think about how the world works and process information by breaking it down into chunks. Unlike most people, they do not think in whole. This explains how they understand complex ideas by dividing it into small parts. They invest time in thoroughly understanding something. Only after that they take any decision or form an opinion.

Extroverted Intuition

INTP personalities have a good imagination. They use their previous experiences to make informed decisions. They are also likely to think about the future and ‘What if’ scenarios. They can detect patterns among interrelated concepts. Furthermore, they have the ability to gain insight by thoroughly processing information from every angle in their minds.

Introverted Sensing

INTPs are careful and detail-oriented people. They have the tendency to categorize things in order to understand them better They also compare new and old information to get greater information about something. This helps them form their judgment and foresee how things will play out in the future.

Extroverted Feeling

INTPs are not good with emotions. They are able to use their social skills to connect with others. However, in stress, they withdraw and spend time alone. Furthermore, they feel more comfortable with logic than feelings. At times like these, they have difficulty connecting with others.

INTJ: The Architect/Strategist (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)

INTJ personality is characterized by people who are logical and analytical. At the same time, these people are creative and self-confident. They prefer theoretical information to understand something. Others find them good listeners who take criticism openly. However, they are perfectionists. Sometimes, they can be perceived as insensitive due to their high dependence on logic. 1-4% of the INTJ personality type exists in the world out of the 16 types.

Four Cognitive Functions of INTJ

Four cognitive functions that guide how INTJ personality type processes information includes:

Introverted Intuition

INTJ personalities can pick out patterns among interlinked ideas and concepts. They are open to understanding something from multiple perspectives. They don’t like to focus on details. Rather, they just take in impressions of things. It is easy for them to read between the lines to understand the real meaning behind something.

Extroverted Thinking

INTJs go through life in a systematic manner. They prefer order and structure their lives. It is probably because they like feeling in control. Their decision making is usually rational. Furthermore, they organize their thoughts and incoming information in the form of cause and effect relationships.

Introverted Feeling

INTJs are open to feelings but are more dependant on logic. It is important that these people develop this part of their personality so they are more balanced. Furthermore, paying attention to the feelings of others and values can help them attract people and make good relationships.

Extroverted Sensing

INTJs are not good at sensing things and tuning into their surroundings. It is hard for them to live in the present moment. This is because this is the weakest part of their personality. Nonetheless, it helps them in different situations.

A Comparison of INTP and INTJ

Personality: INTP vs INTJ

INTP personalities are difficult to know since they are reserved. They are logical people who like to engage in intellectual discussions. They struggle with understanding emotions. They like to spend their time doing things of their interest and dislike being constrained by routine and mundane tasks.

INTJ personalities are also logical and quiet and like to have intellectual discussions. They are patient and determined people who like to visualize the future. They spend the majority of their time in their internal world. There, they process complex information and reflect on ideas. They dislike being around people and crowds as it drains them emotionally. They like their own company.

Workstyle: INTP vs INTJ

INTPs are serious workers with an analytical approach. They think critically and make good decisions. They do not like people who are too dependent on them and need frequent instructions. They like autonomy and freedom of thought and speech at their workplace. They are not detail-oriented especially if it distracts them from the main goal.

Compared to them, INTJs like thinking about complex problems and their solutions. They like spending time on new challenges and can get bored easily. They work best with people who are like them. They make creative, hardworking, and perfectionist workers. They are open to different ideas and dislike being constrained by routine.

Conflict: INTP vs INTJ

INTP personalities are open to arguments as they see them as an opportunity for an intellectual discussion. Their approach in conflict is to support their argument by logic. They dislike it when people violate principles. But other than that they are easy-going. They do not let emotions rule their judgment. So, they can be cold and outspoken at times like these. They easily forget conflicts when they reach a solution and don’t hold on to it.

INTJ personalities also like to engage in intellectual debates. They like discussions that are logical. In conflicts, they dislike a lot of emotions. They ensure to resolve conflicts by reaching to a definitive conclusion.

Interpersonal Skills: INTP vs INTJ

INTP personalities can be quiet and skeptical in their relationships. They are reserved and do not open up to anyone too easily nor do they let people come close to them. They communicate in a direct and rational way. They do not rely on emotions too much which explains why they don’t get emotionally manipulated. People may perceive them as detached and cold.

INTJs are also reserved people who are serious and logical in their relationships. They do not rely on emotions too much either. So, they are perceived as cold and insensitive. They try to understand people at a conceptual and abstract level rather than paying attention to their emotions, which can make it difficult for them to understand others.

FAQs: INTP vs INTJ

Can you be both INTJ and INTP?

No. One cannot be INTJ and INTP at the same time. This is because they do not share the same cognitive functions.

Who Should an INTJ marry?

INTJs should marry an ENFP or ENTP. This is because their dominant introverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant extroverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.

Who should an INTP marry?

INTP should marry an ENTJ. This is because their dominant function of introverted thinking can be matched well by the dominant extroverted thinking of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.

Conclusion

In this article, we compared INTP vs INTJ. We found that they share many similarities. Both are introverted and prefer to work in the background. They also like to make their own decisions and are logical. They are different as well especially since INTJ are open to accepting leadership roles, unlike INTP. Furthermore, INTJ backs up their thoughts by action whereas, INTP prefers to think of thoughts as a reward in itself.

I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊