It's interesting in our outward based society how different temperaments can be misconstrued.
My
Jung Typology test indicates that I
am moderately introverted (44%). However, I have no trouble making
friends, being social, striking up conversations with strangers, and
although I am quiet at times when I am observing a situation, I cannot
recall an instance, even as a child when it was due to shyness or
timidity. I have met people who say they are introverted, and who are
socially awkward, but although I may feel anxiety at times, I quite
natural with my social graces and behavior. I also enjoy being out and
about and experiencing new things. However, I also enjoy being alone or
just one on one with a friend, and social activity every day, except for
with my few closest friends who are like me, leaves me feeling drained,
and desperately craving alone time to recharge my batteries after
social activity. I also like spending lunch breaks alone at work, but
have made exceptions for a few coworkers over the years. I used to tell
people that I am introverted because of this need to be alone at time
and recharge and because I dislike large crowds. However, people took my
saying that I am introverted to mean that I did not feel comfortable or
natural socializing. Consequently, introversion has to do with where
one
gets one energy from. It is not shyness or social awkwardness, and most
people think. Shyness and social awkwardness occurs in people who
desire to be more social or lack social skills. Some introverts are also
shy, but so are some extroverts. I obtain my
energy recharge internally and from being alone as well as from new
experiences and sensations in the world. After too much outward
activities though, I feel overwhelmed. This led me to be unsure of
whether I am introverted or extroverted for a long time. I never felt
that introverted descriptions aptly fit me or extroverted ones.
Then I discovered one of the books that changed my life: Elaine Aaron's The
Highly Sensitive Person for it really changed my understanding of
myself. I realized that while I do lean more toward introversion, I am
not an extreme introvert, but I am definitely highly sensitive
from being affected by loud noises, having a very sensitive body to
allergies, my need to be alone due to overwhelm of stimuli, and being
able to sense and feel a room or a person's moods very strongly.
However, when I tell people that I am highly sensitive, they assume that
I am emotionally sensitive and just emotional in general. This couldn't
be furthest from the truth because I am a true INTJ because I am very
logical and analytical. I even analyze my emotions. High sensitivity
related to sensory and biological sensitivity more than emotions. So, I
have then stopped telling people I am a HSP, because I find it extremely
aggravating when people assume I am emotionally sensitive and delicate
(not that there is anything wrong with that. I have a close friend who
is very sensitive and I love that about her. However, it is very much
not me). I know for sure that I am an HSP as described by Dr. Aaron.
Only
30% of HSPs are extroverted and many assume that the need to withdraw
due to over-stimulation is due to introversion, but that is not always
the case. Sometimes, you know instinctively when something
describes you.
This article explains my point of view
quite aptly and explores the relationship and differences between HSP
and introversion, check out this great article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/attending-the-undervalued-self/201107/understanding-the-highly-sensitivity-person-sensitive-int
What
I have learned from people's feedback is that it is not
necessary to tell people what you are, especially if you are doing so in
an effort to make them understand you because there are preconceived
notions prevalent in society about some labels. If they are interested,
you can perhaps describe your character trait and then explain high
sensitivity, and then send them an article or get them a book on it.
However, I find it quite cumbersome, and it appears so self-centered to
go to such great lengths to explain and talk about yourself for as long
as it will take to clear up the mis-assocations. Even some of my
wonderful friends
have made a mis-association when I told them I was more introverted and
a HSP. These concepts are great to learn about so that you can
understand yourself and learn how to maneuver in your own life and in
the world in a manner that utilizes your greatest strengths and enables
you to build build coping skills in regards to your weaknesses.
2012-02-25
INTJ vs INTJ Cognitive Function Analysis
INTJ vs INTP Cognitive Function Analysis
I didn't feel that INTP described me very well (which is why I recommend the Humanmetrics test above the rest), other than my occasional disorganization, researching topics for lengthy periods of time, and my lack of punctuality. However, all of these behaviors occur because I desire perfectionism.
My desk and closet sometimes becomes disorganized because unless I am able to order it precisely by topic, clothing by color and style, I am not satisfied. So, when I am busy and unable to organize in such a time consuming, meticulous manner, I let things pile up a bit. Then, when I have time, I go into an intense cleaning or organization frenzy, after which, everything is immaculate...for a period of time. Then, the cycles start again. From what I understand, INTPs are disorganized, but it does not bother them much. For me, it bothers me so much that sometimes I cannot focus on my work. I am slowly trying to weed out my possessions, so it will be easier to manage and keep in an organized system. In regards to researching extensively, it is usually because I am trying to understand a concept precisely and accurately. For instance, I sometimes do multiple searches on multiple dictionaries to find the exact meaning of a word or concept. However, this is usually to apply use the word or concept in an essay, to answer a question better, etc. I like to learn things that can be applied as I think everything we do should have some value. I respect those who learn for the sake of learning, but I learn to make my life and the lives of others better in some way.
In terms of my lack of punctuality, it is because I like to have my outfit perfectly match in the message and style it is sending and plan my travel route meticulously because the only train near me is so unreliable. Unfortunately, planning out my travel route never seems to prevent the train from having trouble. In regards to planning my outfit, I am not into trends at all and I don't crave attention like some females as I rather be the sophisticated observer, but I value looking put together and appropriate for each situation. This has become too cumbersome, and a bit of a nuisance to me, so I have returned to the color scheme that I had from age 12 to 25: red, black, grey (bottoms only as the color drains my complexion) and champagne or blush/apricot pink blouses (which are still neutrals and easy to coordinate match). This makes it a lot easier to not worry about matching. I have also embarked on a new project to return to wearing business casual as I did from my late teens to mid 20s, so I don't have to worry about being under-dressed for situations or having three different categories of outfits: casual, business casual and business formal. For the last few years, I have made an effort to look more casual, taking on my husband's casual way, but my style is more formal, and it worked better for me. I don't like to dress flashy, but most people say it is better to be overdressed than under-dressed, so low key business casual outfits are versatile and less time consuming in getting ready.
As it happens, INTPs generally do not put too much stock in or care about their appearance very much. I also don't think an INTJ would plan their travel route so meticulously. Furthermore, being late bothers me and stresses me very much. It is something that I am trying to work on very much, and hopefully I am able to do so as I simplify my life.
So these small explanations was my way of demonstrating that although some behaviors of INTPs may seem the same, the way of thinking and processing is very different. This leads me to share the wonderful material on how INTPs and INTJs may appear very similar, but are not in their cognitive functions.
INTJ vs INTP
Source: http://intjcentral.com/intj-vs-intp/
INTJs and INTPs are both inwardly
focused abstract thinkers. This results in the two types having many
overlapping interests and behaviors. However, if you look beyond
superficial common interests, the thinking processes are very
different.
J vs P
Misunderstanding the differences
between J/P is one reason many people mistype. Many assessments and
descriptions use environmental factors to differientiate Js from Ps.
This often leads to inaccurate results. Having a messy room and
putting off tasks to the last moment does not make one a P type. Many
INTJs report being messy; probably a result of not placing a high
priority on the external environment. Any type can put off tasks when
they don’t find value in them or find them tedious.
The main difference between Js and
Ps for is the desire closure or flexibility. INTPs value keeping their
options open and find deadlines restrictive; it’s cutting them off
from bringing in more possibilities. INTJs value coming to a
conclusion so they can put their ideas in action and efficiently move
on to the next task.
Cognitive Functions
The cognitive functions for INTJs
and INTPs are completely different and should be taken into
consideration if you are still confused about your type.
| INTJ | INTP |
| Cognitive Functions: Ni, Te, Fi, Se | Cognitive Functions: Ti, Ne, Si, Fe |
| Gain knowledge so it can be applied. Once the knowledge is applied to something that works, INTJs may lose interest in gaining additional knowledge on the subject. | Knowledge is the end goal. It doesn’t have to be applied to be worth pursuing, and INTPs usually don’t want to bother “applying stuff” anyway. |
| Explores possibilities and finds potential (Ni) then interacts with the environment to realize those possibilities and potential (Te) | Pieces information together and draws conclusions (Ti) then interacts with the environment to find additional possibilities (Ne) |
| Perfectionists of action. | Perfectionists of thought. |
| Desire to control the world around them | Spontaneous and adapt to the world around them |
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