THE LOGICIAN” (INTP-T)

1/8/2016 INTP Personality (“The Logician”) | 16Personalities 

INTP PERSONALITY (“THE LOGICIAN”) 

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop 

questioning. 

Albert Einstein 

The INTP personality type is fairly rare, making up only three percent of the 

population, which is definitely a good thing for them, as there's nothing they'd be 

more unhappy about than being "common". INTPs pride themselves on their 

inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. 

Usually known as the philosopher, the architect, or the dreamy professor, INTPs 

have been responsible for many scientific discoveries throughout history. 

The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living 

INTPs are known for their brilliant theories and unrelenting logic – in 

fact, they are considered the most logically precise of all the 

personality types. 

They love patterns, and spotting discrepancies between statements could almost 

be described as a hobby, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP. This makes it 

ironic that INTPs' word should always be taken with a grain of salt – it's not that 

they are dishonest, but people with the INTP personality type tend to share 

thoughts that are not fully developed, using others as a sounding board for ideas 

and theories in a debate against themselves rather than as actual conversation 

partners. 

This may make them appear unreliable, but in reality no one is more enthusiastic 

and capable of spotting a problem, drilling through the endless factors and 

details that encompass the issue and developing a unique and viable solution 

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than INTPs – just don't expect punctual progress reports. People who share the 

INTP personality type aren't interested in practical, day-to-day activities and 

maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and 

potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will 

expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution. 

Wisdom Begins in Wonder 

They may appear to drift about in an unending daydream, but INTPs' thought 

process is unceasing, and their minds buzz with ideas from the moment they 

wake up. This constant thinking can have the effect of making them look pensive 

and detached, as they are often conducting full-fledged debates in their own 

heads, but really INTPs are quite relaxed and friendly when they are with people 

they know, or who share their interests. However, this can be replaced by 

overwhelming shyness when INTP personalities are among unfamiliar faces, and 

friendly banter can quickly become combative if they believe their logical 

conclusions or theories are being criticized. 

When INTPs are particularly excited, the conversation can border on incoherence 

as they try to explain the daisy-chain of logical conclusions that led to the 

formation of their latest idea. Oftentimes, INTPs will opt to simply move on from a 

topic before it's ever understood what they were trying to say, rather than try to 

lay things out in plain terms. 

The reverse can also be true when people explain their thought processes to 



INTPs in terms of subjectivity and feeling. Imagine an immensely complicated 

clockwork, taking in every fact and idea possible, processing them with a heavy 

dose of creative reasoning and returning the most logically sound results 

available – this is how the INTP mind works, and this type has little tolerance for 

an emotional monkey-wrench jamming their machines. 

Let Those Who Would Move the World First Move 

Themselves 

Further, with Thinking (T) as one of their governing traits, INTPs are unlikely to 

understand emotional complaints at all, and their friends won't find a bedrock of 

emotional support in them. People with the INTP personality type would much 

rather make a series of logical suggestions for how to resolve the underlying 

issue, a perspective that is not always welcomed by their Feeling (F) companions. 

This will likely extend to most social conventions and goals as well, like planning 

dinners and getting married, as INTPs are far more concerned with originality and 

efficient results. 

The one thing that really holds INTPs back is their restless and pervasive fear of 

failure. INTP personalities are so prone to reassessing their own thoughts and 

theories, worrying that they've missed some critical piece of the puzzle, that they 

can stagnate, lost in an intangible world where their thoughts are never truly 

applied. Overcoming this self-doubt stands as the greatest challenge INTPs are 

likely to face, but the intellectual gifts – big and small – bestowed on the world 

when they do makes it worth the fight. 


1/8/2016 INTP Strengths and Weaknesses | 16Personalities 

INTP STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES 

INTP Strengths 

Great Analysts and Abstract Thinkers – People with the INTP personality 

type view the world as a big, complex machine, and recognize that as with 

any machine, all parts are interrelated. INTPs excel in analyzing these 

connections, seeing how seemingly unrelated factors tie in with each other 

in ways that bewilder most other personality types. 

Imaginative and Original – These connections are the product of an 

unrelenting imagination – INTPs' ideas may seem counter-intuitive at a 

glance, and may never even see the light of day, but they will always prove 

remarkable innovations. 

Open-Minded – INTPs couldn't make these connections if they thought they 

knew it all – they are highly receptive to alternate theories, so long as they're 

supported by logic and facts. In more subjective matters like social norms 

and traditions, INTPs are usually fairly liberal, with a "none of my business" 

sort of attitude – peoples' ideas are what matter. 

Enthusiastic – When a new idea piques their interest, INTPs can be very 

enthusiastic – they are a reserved personality type, but if another person 

shares an interest, they can be downright excited about discussing it. More 

likely though, the only outward evidence of this enthusiasm will be INTPs' 

silent pacing or their staring into the distance. 



Objective – INTPs' analysis, creativity and open-mindedness aren't the 

tools of some quest for ideology or emotional validation. Rather, it's as 

though people with the INTP personality type are a conduit for the truths 

around them, so far as they can be expressed, and they are proud of this 

role as theoretical mediator. 

Honest and Straightforward – To know one thing and say another would 

be terribly disingenuous – INTPs don't often go around intentionally hurting 

feelings, but they believe that the truth is the most important factor, and they 

expect that to be appreciated and reciprocated. 

INTP Weaknesses 

Very Private and Withdrawn – While INTPs' intellectualism yields many 

insights into their surroundings, their surroundings are ironically considered 

an intrusion on their thoughts. This is especially true with people – INTPs are 

quite shy in social settings. More complicated situations such as parties 

exacerbate this, but even close friends struggle to get into INTPs' hearts and 

minds. 

Insensitive – Oftentimes INTP personalities get so caught up in their logic 

that they forget any kind of emotional consideration – they dismiss 

subjectivity as irrational and tradition as an attempt to bar much-needed 

progress. Purely emotional situations are often utterly puzzling to INTPs, and 

their lack of timely sympathy can easily offend. 

Absent-minded – When INTPs' interest is captured, their absence goes 



beyond social matters to include the rest of the physical world. INTPs 

become forgetful, missing even the obvious if it's unrelated to their current 

infatuation, and they can even forget their own health, skipping meals and 

sleep as they muse. 

Condescending – Attempts at connecting with others are often worse than 

INTPs' withdrawal. People with the INTP personality type take pride in their 

knowledge and rationale, and enjoy sharing their ideas, but in trying to 

explain how they got from A to B to Z, they can get frustrated, sometimes 

simplifying things to the point of insult as they struggle to gauge their 

conversation partners' perspective. The ultimate insult comes as INTPs give 

up with a dismissive "never mind". 

Loathe Rules and Guidelines – These social struggles are partly a product 

of INTPs' desire to bypass the rules, of social conduct and otherwise. While 

this attitude helps INTPs' strength of unconventional creativity, it also 

causes them to reinvent the wheel constantly and to shun security in favor of 

autonomy in ways that can compromise both. 

Second-Guess Themselves – INTPs remain so open to new information 

that they often never commit to a decision at all. This applies to their own 

skills as well – INTP personalities know that as they practice, they improve, 

and any work they do is second-best to what they could do. Unable to settle 

for this, INTPs sometimes delay their output indefinitely with constant 

revisions, sometimes even quitting before they ever begin. 


1/8/2016 INTP Relationships | 16Personalities 

INTP RELATIONSHIPS 

When it comes to romantic relationships, INTPs have an interesting mixture of 

traits that often pleasantly surprise their partners. People with this personality 

type are always full of ideas, but they have few opportunities to explore their 

more romantic notions. As with any of their theories, INTPs love sharing with 

others, and in finally meeting someone where romantic thoughts are appropriate, 

they show themselves to be excited, enthusiastic, and even playful, flirting with 

word-play and intellectual games. 

None of this is to say that these relationships come easily to INTPs – they are shy 

and withdrawn individuals, and getting out and meeting new people, risking 

rejection and making themselves the center of attention in emotionally delicate 

situations are far from being their strengths. It is more likely that INTP 

personalities will leave a trail of breadcrumbs for a potential partner, allowing 

them to make the first move and committing to their partner as an act of 

reciprocation rather than bravado. 

Marry! A Good Wife Makes Happiness, A Bad One, 

Philosophy 

From the start, INTPs take their relationships seriously – their imagination and 

vision, and the challenge of getting to know new people, make them all too aware 

of how important it is that they're involved with someone, and they will prove 

themselves surprisingly loyal. Even early in the dating phase, INTPs are unusually 

direct and honest, doing their best to express their mindset and create mutual 

understanding, believing that this shared knowledge will help to minimize 

misunderstandings and avoid conflict. 

As their relationships progress, INTPs' daily needs prove remarkably simple. 

Gifts, surprises, complex social plans and date nights are all fairly unimportant to 



people with the INTP personality type, but this is also one of their chiefest 

weaknesses – their partner may very much need these things, and it won't even 

occur to INTPs to plan them out. For all their analysis and attempts at mutual 

understanding, INTPs are notoriously bad at picking up on others' emotional 

needs. 

When it comes to conflict, there is a certain willful ignorance for 

INTPs, and they often set aside their partners' feelings, and their own, 

for far too long. 

When these conflicts do arise and are inescapable, INTPs will do their best to find 

a logical solution. But this hardly helps if the problem is logic itself, that INTP 

personalities aren't meeting their partners' emotional needs. INTPs should keep 

this in mind, and try to meet their partners halfway by communicating on an 

emotional level – if they make this effort, understanding partners will recognize 

and appreciate the gesture, clumsy though it may be. After all, they need to 

afford INTPs the same benefit, and meet them halfway with logic and simplicity 

as well. 

Beware the Barrenness of a Busy Life 

All this material asceticism and conflict avoidance support one primary goal – to 

free up mental resources for more important things. INTPs' creative, vivid 



imagination make for a surprisingly enthusiastic, passionate, and romantic 

partner. While INTPs may prioritize their inner world too much, imagining 

interesting and exciting intimate situations that are never expressed to their 

partners, they also use this rich inner world to achieve as much as possible in 

intimacy – they rarely want for ideas. 

Physically, intellectually and with a little effort emotionally, INTP relationships are 

rich and rewarding connections. Partners who share the Intuitive (N) trait are 

usually best, along with one or two opposite traits to create variety and balance, 

but so long as INTPs remember that they are with people who have their own, 

independent wants and needs, and so long as their partners remember the same 

of their INTPs, these are long-lasting and satisfying relationships. 


1/8/2016 INTP Friends | 16Personalities 

INTP FRIENDS 

Many of the usual motivations for making friends – emotional support, social 

validation, shared routine – simply don't apply to INTPs. More likely, these 

concepts are met with disdain, as people with the INTP personality type prize 

intellectual depth above all else. It is not easy to become good friends with 

INTPs, but if there is a common interest and a common train of thought, the 

connection is likely to spark instantly, surprising everyone else who thought they 

had this distant personality type pegged. 

Be Slow to Fall Into Friendship... 

INTP friendships are knowledge-based, defined by the exchange of ideas, 

theories, and concepts, and those who aren't able to keep up with this, or who 

have sharply differing tastes (don't talk to INTPs about celebrities) will find stony 

faces that border on rude. To INTPs, communication is often more of a nuisance 

than a pleasure, and conversation is reserved for topics that they find meaningful, 

or for people they already like enough to stick it out. 

Unless there's a natural affinity for this intellectual style, few have the 

patience to try to penetrate their shields, and INTPs are left with a 

naturally small circle of good friends. 


1/8/2016 INTP Friends | 16Personalities 

Other Analyst (NT) types are a natural fit for INTPs, who share their passion for 

new ideas, riddles and solutions. People with the INTP personality type are 

knowledgeable and intelligent, and have a great deal of respect for those who 

can keep them on their toes in this regard. They will gladly help to tackle any 

dilemma thrown their way, offering up sound advice and rational solutions. As 

valuable as these qualities are though, they are not always the best approach – 

when it comes to emotional support or advice in dealing with matters of the 

heart, INTPs are at a loss. 

It's not that INTP personalities don't feel – quite the contrary, they actually have 

very strong sentiments. But Feeling (F) is one of INTPs' least developed traits, 

making their emotional reactions strong, untrustworthy and naturally in need of 

being tempered by their well-trained logic and rationalism. Still waters run deep. 

...But When in Friendship, Continue Firm and Constant 

While they may not be able to help directly with these sorts of problems, INTPs 

help indirectly with unambiguous and reliable friendships. INTPs' friends need 

never worry about power games or emotional baggage – they are liked for their 

minds and abilities, not their status or possessions. While it may not be easy to 

establish true friendships with INTP personalities, once the link is made, they will 

provide years of understanding and thought-stimulating ideas, making them well 

worth the effort. 


1/8/2016 INTP Parents | 16Personalities 

INTP PARENTS 

In parenting roles, as with many social roles, INTPs find themselves facing a 

robust but healthy challenge. Not a naturally sensitive type, INTP personalities 

struggle to identify with the raw emotions and irrationality that are often the 

standard with young children, who have yet to develop the sort of self-control 

and logical thinking that INTPs take for granted. 

People with the INTP personality type are nevertheless incredibly devoted – 

perhaps not in the traditional, emotionally supportive sense, but they are parents 

who are committed to encouraging their growing children to think and act 

independently, seek out new knowledge, and voice and defend their own 

opinions. 

For INTPs knowledge is key, and they will do their best to give their children the 

tolerance and freedom necessary to acquire it. INTP parents take a relaxed, 

intellectual approach towards their children, allowing them to explore the world 

around them and overlooking the more minor offences along the way. 

Having no interest in exerting control over other human beings, INTPs 

are likely to allow their children to form their own principles – though 

they may take the opportunity of the "why?" phase to share their own 

perspectives and ideas, just in case. 


1/8/2016 INTP Parents | 16Personalities 

INTP personalities are not particularly demanding parents, at least not in the 

sense that they expect their children to live a traditional life of 

school/career/marriage/house/kids/retirement (and in that order, thank you very 

much). Rather, INTP parents are demanding in an intellectual sense – they want 

their children to ask if this path is the best path for them, and how to go about 

following a different one if they need to. This level of personal freedom can be 

daunting, and can take a long time to come to terms with, but INTP parents are 

prepared to stand by their children with support and advice for as long as they 

need. 

While there is hardly a better parent for having rational, intelligent discussions 

with their children, there is hardly a clumsier example when it comes to providing 

the emotional support that many children need, especially as they approach their 

teenage years. In this area, INTPs will need to either rely on a more capable 

partner, or to take themselves far out of their comfort zone in order to empathize 

without trying to clear away the tears with an endless series of rational 

suggestions and blunt truths. 

Not Just Life, but Good Life 

INTPs want nothing more than for their children to grow up smart, independent, 

and tolerant, but if they want them to be well-adjusted too, they must make this 

effort. INTPs' parenting style affords a great deal of latitude for their children, but 

with this freedom comes responsibility, and it is INTPs' responsibility to ensure 

that it is used constructively. Though it's a challenge for people with the INTP 

personality type to teach empathy alongside rationality, if they are able to pull it 

off, their children will grow into confident adults who know how to ask questions, 

use their minds, and take care of themselves no matter what comes their way. 


1/8/2016 INTP Careers | 16Personalities 

INTP CAREERS 

INTPs are solitary, eccentric, and independent – none of which is listed as 

desirable for corporate positions, which are usually designed for very different 

personality types. INTPs duly struggle in finding careers that meet their needs, 

but what they do bring, qualities in much higher demand, are creativity, a passion 

for theoretical methods and ideas, and an entrepreneurial, innovative spirit. If they 

are able to put this better foot forward to secure a position in a suitable line of 

work, people with the INTP personality type will find that, whatever the job listing 

says, these "less desirable" qualities will prove an asset after all. 

A Poem of Numbers 

Chief among INTPs' interests is exploring and building models for underlying 

principles and ideas, even going so far as to find these concepts, in their own 

way, beautiful – this makes them natural mathematicians, systems analysts, and 

career scientists, especially in more abstract fields such as physics. There are 

many other careers that allow INTPs to explore these interests, but many of them 

are far too rooted in uninteresting practical applications. As useful as it is to 

develop a better vacuum cleaner, it is no Large Hadron Collider. 

INTP personalities are self-driven and have very high personal standards – "good 

enough" is never good enough – but have few environmental needs. Despite this 

relative simplicity, they are often hard for more people-centric types to 



understand. INTPs live primarily in their own heads, and have little interest in 

social distractions like chitchat and motivational speeches. 

All INTPs really want is to immerse themselves in an interesting 

project, and anything that interrupts that, be it overactive managers, 

the need to manage others, or office parties or meetings, are simply 

unwelcome burdens. 

For this reason, the flatter the workplace hierarchy, the better, making small, 

technical workplaces and fields such as law, forensics, and laboratory research 

very desirable for INTPs. Insightful and open-minded managers who can 

accommodate these needs will find their INTP subordinates to be a tireless 

generator of brilliant and unique ideas. However, many people with the INTP 

personality type may do away with the immediate hierarchy altogether, opting 

instead to provide their services on a freelance basis as consultants. 

Emotional Values: A Mere Illusion 

Where INTPs do not thrive is in workplaces that require them to provide a high 

degree of emotional satisfaction – cruise ship masseuses they are not. INTP 

personalities struggle to understand emotional exchanges, and service-oriented 

positions will prove baffling and exhausting for them. Though INTPs are talented 

analysts who are perfectly capable of understanding the theoretical importance of 

customer service, the day-to-day application of such a scheme is simply better 

left to more people-oriented personality types. 

Business is growing more complex every day, and this complexity is managed 

with technical systems, economic theories, and data. The need for novel 

approaches is stronger than ever for people and organizations to distinguish 

themselves. Though general people skills are often phrased as a must, it is the 



technical work that creates something to talk about, and it is in this pursuit that 

INTPs thrive. 

Work as business analysts and corporate strategists is well suited to INTPs, but 

they can also move things forward as data analysts, mechanical, electrical and 

software engineers, and even as technical writers and journalists, provided the 

field is interesting enough. If they can smile and shake hands just long enough to 

establish themselves as the brilliant innovators that they are, people with the 

INTP personality type will find that whatever the expectations for social conduct, 

it is the qualities unique to them that are truly in demand. 


1/8/2016 INTP in the Workplace | 16Personalities 

INTP IN THE WORKPLACE 

The running theme for INTPs is their desire for solitude, need for intellectual 

stimulation, and the satisfaction of the final piece of a puzzle clicking into place. 

Whether in subordinate or management positions, with colleagues or working 

alone, these privileges and the freedom to pursue them unfettered by social 

obligations and progress reports are about all people with the INTP personality 

type look for in their workplace. 

Though INTPs may scoff at the notion, they actually function best when paired 

with another person. Their position determines which personality type best fits 

their needs, but INTPs' tendency to live in their heads and vent inspiration and 

creativity seemingly at random demands the presence of an implementer, 

preferably a Sentinel (SJ), to ensure that no stroke of genius goes unnoticed. 

INTP Subordinates 

Under the right conditions, INTP subordinates are innovative, resourceful, and 

hard-working, easily wrapping their minds around whatever complex problems 

are placed in front of them and delivering unorthodox but effective solutions. 

However, these qualities require a great deal of freedom, something stereotypical 

managers are loath to cede. It is difficult to quantify these qualities on a resume – 

several other characteristics, like a relative indifference to job security and to 

being liked, exacerbate the challenge – and it can take time to grow to trust INTP 



subordinates enough to allow this latitude. 

INTP personalities prefer to work alone, but at the same time they despise "gruntwork". 

Their focus on conceiving new and exciting ideas and ignoring the details 

of execution means that INTPs need someone alongside to keep things in order 

and actually put into practice their often unrefined ideas. Such a condition can't 

be forced on INTPs, but a few logically phrased criticisms (certainly not emotional 

appeals or pep talks about working as part of a team) and clever management 

can make it happen. 

INTP Colleagues 

For INTPs, colleagues aren't so much a group of people who they socialize and 

work with as they are a series of obstacles and diversions with occasionally 

useful knowledge. Mingling, chitchat, drinks after work – these make INTPs want 

to work alone, not get up in the morning. Despite this distance, people with the 

INTP personality type are unusually good at developing insightful and unbiased 

interpretations of others' motivations, though sometimes they overthink it, 

becoming unnecessarily suspicious of others' goals. 

What they do enjoy are riddles and patterns, and any INTP would be proud to be 

the guru who is sought after as arbiter on the validity of an idea, or for their 

insight on how to apply a principle to novel situations. INTPs love discussing 

theories, at least with "proven" colleagues, and are almost always available as 

impromptu consultants. This, however, does not apply to emotional riddles and 

conflicts, INTPs' Achilles Heel – in these charged situations, INTP personalities 

have no clue what to do. 

INTP Managers 

While INTPs don't care for managing other people, it is likely the most rewarding 

position as it provides the opportunity to direct concepts and theories while 

others handle the logistics. INTPs have a very tolerant and flexible style, 



characterized by an openness to logical suggestions and relative freedom for 

their subordinates. But this freedom comes at a cost – INTP managers have very 

high standards, and they expect others to grasp their insights instantly, and to 

provide their own in equal measure. 

As well as their demand for innovation, INTPs are better than any other type at 

noticing logical discrepancies – their tendency to ignore others' feelings means 

that their criticisms often come hard and fast as they direct projects to their own 

perfectionistic standards. Here again INTPs do best with a partner, this time a 

delegator who can filter their thoughts and direct their team in more socially 

productive ways. A liaison can also help to deter schmoozing and attempts at 

emotional manipulation, a sure mistake for anyone who tries. 


1/8/2016 INTP Personality – Conclusion | 16Personalities 

INTP PERSONALITY – CONCLUSION 

INTPs' intelligence and logical reasoning skills are a force to be reckoned with. 

Be it a minor debate or a life-changing decision, INTPs will find it easy to 

entertain multiple ideas and keep a cool head. This allows INTPs to overcome 

many challenging obstacles – yet they can be easily tripped up in areas where 

careful and rational thinking is more of a liability than an asset. 

Whether it is finding (or keeping) a partner, making friends, reaching dazzling 

heights on the career ladder or learning to make difficult decisions, INTPs need to 

put in a conscious effort to develop their weaker traits and additional skills. 

What you have read so far is just an introduction into the complex concept that is 

the INTP personality type. You may have muttered to yourself, "wow, this is so 

accurate it's a little creepy" or "finally, someone understands me!" You may have 

even asked "how do they know more about me than the people I'm closest to?" 

This is not a trick. You felt understood because you were. We've studied how 

INTPs think and what they need to reach their full potential. And no, we did not 

spy on you – many of the challenges you've faced and will face in the future have 

been overcome by other INTPs. You simply need to learn how they succeeded. 

But in order to do that, you need to have a plan, a personal roadmap. The best 

car in the world will not take you to the right place if you do not know where you 

want to go. We have told you how INTPs tend to behave in certain circumstances 


1/8/2016 INTP Personality – Conclusion | 16Personalities 

and what their key strengths and weaknesses are. Now we need to go much 

deeper into your personality type and answer "why?", "how?" and "what if?" 

This knowledge is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. Are you ready to learn 

why INTPs act in the way they do? What motivates and inspires you? What you 

are afraid of and what you secretly dream about? How you can unlock your true, 

exceptional potential? 

Our premium profiles provide a roadmap towards a happier, more successful, 

and more versatile YOU! They are not for everyone though – you need to be 

willing and able to challenge yourself, to go beyond the obvious, to imagine and 

follow your own path instead of just going with the flow. If you want to take the 

reins into your own hands, we are here to help you.

THE LOGICIAN” (INTP-T)

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