I was always fascinated by Lincoln, even when people came along and mentioned other, more influential historical figures. I identify with Einstein's personality and Socrates' ideas.

 

One thing that I think is very peculiar about me (compared to other INTPs) is that although I'm especially good at math, I hate it. It comes natural, but I just don't like it for some odd reason. Then on the other hand I am fascinated by science, yet I cannot ever seem to wholly grasp the concepts except superficially. Maybe that comes from my need to know everything before I feel I know anything about something. Hehe, cheers to you if you even understood that sentance.

 

Anyway, I'm very very logical but my interests lie more in the open-ended subjects rather than the systematic. Like psychology, philosophy, spirituality, literature, etc. I like concepts more than details, but I also have a need to know and understand every little detail about it too. That may sound contradicting, but let me rephrase that. I have a strong curiosity for details, but find it too tedious to be enjoyable working them all out.

 

My personality is so layered that I couldn't describe it in 10 words or even 1000 words. I kinda stopped caring about my personality though I pay special attention to understanding every other aspect of myself. I have a different personality for every person I meet, and I think that they are all genuinely me somehow. It is not forced, nor does it come from a desire to fit in. It comes naturally and it has puzzled me for a long time. When I'm not with people or when I'm engaged in my thoughts however, which is as I prefer it most of the time, I can withdraw into myself for amazingly long periods of times. Sometimes I think I would lose all awareness of a world beyond my own mind if it weren't for the people who are constantly pulling me back to it.

 

Also, I'm horrible when it comes to time management or extended focus on something I consider unimportant. I tend to move on once I understand something, even if it's not finished. This usually means low homework grades and high test scores.

 

Also, I would like to know if any other INTPs notice a considerably slower thinking process, albeit moderately more thorough?

 

-- Anonymous, age 16

 

HERE'S DAVID'S ANSWER:

Hi Alex, 

Nancy, the IntrovertZCoach, asked me if I would like to respond to the questions that you submitted to her website. It is very cool to find a young person that is already aware of their MBTI type. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about this stuff until I was in my early 40's. You are off to a great start in understanding yourself and others. 

Although I am not an INTP myself, I do have some answers to your questions. Like many INTP's, it is easy for you to get lost in your own mind. Not all INTP's are math/science nuts. The determining factor is whether or not you are deeply interested in the search for knowledge, not necessarily the application (as an INTJ) or whether you are more interested in how this knowledge impacts people (as an INFJ/INFP). Time management is often a problem for P function people. P's also have a tendency not to finish what they start. This is especially true for INTP's who are more interested in the knowledge than the application. The thinking process can be slow for many types often for different reasons. 

An ISFP would have Thinking as their inferior function. Logic might be difficult for them because they use their other functions are stronger. For INTP's, the situation is a little different. Their dominant function is Introverted Thinking which gets it information on the outside world (of places and things) from their Extroverted Intuition. 

The typical INTP needs to withdraw into their own self to resolve the constant and often contradictory flow of information from Extroverted Intuition. Since you are not subject to the same need for closure as an INFJ/INTJ, you are in no hurry. Because you are no hurry and you have a strong desire for knowledge, you continually take in more information, which compounds the time issue. I hope this answers some of your questions. I hope that you continue studying the MBTI so that you can learn about others as well as yourself. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me by e-mail. 

David DeVaughn
INFJ - DiSC type DC - Enneagram 1w/2wing

 

David DeVaughn is an INFJ that got tired of fighting the corporate world and is now an entrepreneur living in Traverse City, Michigan.