ISTJ 5w4: (A Complete Guide)

In this article, we will describe a combination of ISTJ 5w4 personality type i.e. ISTJ personality from the MBTI types and the type 5w4 from enneagram types. We will be describing each personality separately followed up by giving an in-depth overview of a combination of both personalities i.e. ISTJ 5w4.

ISTJ 5w4

ISTJ 5w4 shares traits of both ISTJ and 5w4 personality. These people strive to be competent and helpful to others. They are driven to acquire knowledge and skills to feel worthy. They take details into account and use knowledge and experiences to guide their behavior. They can think at a logical and abstract level. Finally, they try their best to fulfill their duties. 

MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions

 Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types, approaches personality to be composed of four cognitive functions that govern how people think, process, and make decisions. The top two cognitive functions play a dominant role in guiding a person’s personality. Whereas, the latter two play less of a role. However, they still have some impact or influence on how a person behaves in certain situations. ISTJ is one personality type out of the 16 types. 

ISTJ: The Inspector (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

The ISTJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are quiet, reserved, practical, and organized. They are traditionalists and value loyalty. 13% of people have an ISTJ personality type in the world.

Four Cognitive Functions of ISTJ

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

Introverted Sensing

ISTJs are present-oriented and can take in information from their surroundings.  They have a good memory and can use prior experience to predict or expect what will happen in the future.

Extroverted Thinking

ISTJs are logical,  objective, and rational.  They focus on details and concrete information rather than abstract information.  They are efficient and productive people who appreciate knowledge with practical application.  They are also good decision-makers who use logic and evidence instead of feelings to guide their judgment. 

Introverted Feeling

ISTJs often have gut feelings about different situations.  Although they make decisions based on logic but their feelings inform them to trust their emotional instinct rather than just facts. 

  Extroverted Intuition

This is the weakest part of ISTJ’s personality. They enjoy new ideas and experiences which help them to have a more balanced personality. 

Enneagrams

Enneagrams are a map or typology of human personalities. It was developed by George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo, and Claudio Naranjo.It is divided into nine personality types that are spread across 3 triads i.e. Feeling triad, Thinking Triad, or Instinctive Triad. It describes a person’s fundamental psychological orientation in the form of good or bad traits and sees which triad quality i.e. emotion, intellect or instincts is most characteristic of his or her personality.  The Basic Personality Type is the most characteristic of a person. Whereas wings add elements to the overall personality. Type 5w4 is one of its types.

Type 5w4: ‘The Iconoclast’

Type 5w4 has basic traits of type 5 and secondary traits of type 4 personality. Both types reinforce each other and influence subtype 5w4 to withdraw and turn to their inner world of imagination. They feel like there is something missing that they need to find in order to live more fully. They struggle with self-confidence to take action due to self-doubt and confused identity. As a result, they have trouble being grounded and forming relationships. 

Type 5w4 are introverts and emotional but can be social when required. They take a special interest in the intrapsychic domain. They also have a special ability to be artistic and intellectual at the same time. 

Healthy versions of this subtype are knowledgeable, aesthetic, sensitive, and insightful. They make good writers, artists, musicians, directors, and choreographers. They do well in academia, have a unique way of looking at things, are analytical, imaginative, and systematic. In science, they are drawn to areas of intuition and comprehension rather than pure hard scientific aspects. They are alert and find beauty in truth, objectivity, and knowledge. They also like to uncover new areas of knowledge and are fans of innovation. 

Average versions of this subtype are emotionally independent, dislike deadlines and restrictions. They are internally-oriented and can detach from their environment to focus on their thoughts and emotions. They can use their analytic powers to not get emotionally invested in people rather they try to understand them from an objective point of view. At times, they can be moody and sensitive to criticism especially on their work because that is directly related to their self-esteem.

Creativity and imagination propel them to withdraw and spend time in an alternate universe of their imagination. The idea of these fantasies is more scientific than romantic. Activities like reading, intellectual games, and courses to improve their skills attract them greatly. Their self-expression can take dark and horrific forms. Some types may turn to drugs, alcohol to escape their complex and pessimistic thoughts.

Unhealthy versions of this subtype are vulnerable to depression and aggressive impulses. They are envious of others yet desire to be separate from the world. Their intellectual conflicts impact them emotionally and emotional conflicts impact them intellectually. So, they can become neurotic, nihilistic, full of self-hatred, and hopeless. They are prone to cutting off their needs, socially isolating, having chronic depression, getting addicted, or turning to take their life.  

Examples of Type 5w4: Vincent Van Gogh, John Lenon, Emily Dickinson, Kurt Cobain, Tim Burton

A Combination of ISTJ 5w4

Personality: ISTJ 5w4

ISTJs 5w4 fear being helpless and incompetent. They prevent that from happening through overcompensating and excessively acquire knowledge and skills to feel worthy and useful. They want to be helpful and productive. For that, they pursue knowledge and try to understand the world. They focus on details, logic, and rationality as well as theoretical ideas. They use their knowledge and experiences to guide their behavior. They work according to plan, are loyal, and duty fulfiller. 

Workstyle: ISTJ 5w4

These people are deep thinkers with good imagination and creativity. They focus on details and fulfill their objectives. They like abstract thoughts as well as factual knowledge. They follow rules and regulations and try that the plan is executed smoothly. They prefer to work in jobs that allow them independence, personal space, and a chance to grow e.g.author, scholar, novelist, inventor, programmer, etc

Emotional stressors of ISTJ 5w4

These personalities are often stressed by spending time with others and receiving criticism. Feelings of incompetence and difficulty expressing themselves can upset them. They protect themself by withdrawing from others which can create feelings of loneliness. 

Conflict: ISTJ 5w4

These personalities dislike conflict. They have an internal conflict of their own going on. Their confused identity makes them difficult to pick sides and hold a viewpoint. Although they can differentiate between right and wrong, they have trouble expressing themself at an emotional level in disagreements. 

Interpersonal Skills: ISTJ 5w4

ISTJ 5w4 can engage with other people but may not connect at an emotional level. Although they have a good grip on rationality and abstract ideas, they have trouble and feel confused especially in establishing relationships. Self-confidence may get low at times and they doubt themself. They do not open up easily not do they express themselves. They need a break from socialization after some time as they are introverted in nature. 

Strengths of ISTJ 5w4

• They are creative thinkers
• They have a high focus and attention level
• They can work independently
• They are detail-oriented
• They are realistic
• They are focused on the present
• They have good observational skills
• They like practicality, organization, and order in their life.

Weakness of ISTJ 5w4

• They are overly sensitive
• They are over-focus on themself
• They distance themself from others
• They can be judgmental and insensitive

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

 FAQs: ISTJ 5w4

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed ISTJ 5w4 personality.  We found that ISTJ 5w4 shares traits of both ISTJ and 5w4 personality. These people strive to be competent and helpful to others. They are driven to acquire knowledge and skills to feel worthy. They take details into account and use knowledge and experiences to guide their behavior. They can think at a logical and abstract level. Finally, they try their best to fulfill their duties. 

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

Citations

https://www.verywellmind.com/istj-introversion-sensing-thinking-judgment-2795992

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-5-wing-4

Personality Types – Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery by Don Richard Riso with Russ Hudson

The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson