INTP: MBTI® personality profile
INTP personality types are logical, analytical and adaptable, with the ability to respond to new opportunities as they come along.
This introduction to the INTP personality type, based on the Myers-Briggs® Step I personality assessment, can help INTPs to understand how they interact with others, and what careers they might enjoy.
INTP strengths
INTP people think strategically and are able to build conceptual models to understand complex problems. They tend to adopt a detached and concise way of analysing the world, and often uncover new or innovative approaches.
Potential development areas for INTPs
INTPs may struggle to work in teams, especially with others who they perceive to be illogical or insufficiently task-focused. They may have no clear sense of direction and may overlook important facts or practical details.
Typical INTP characteristics
INTPs are typically independent and detached, who also tends to be challenging and logical as well as sceptical and innovative.
Their most common characteristics are shown here in the form of a fun Typie, which you can download and share.
INTP careers & career ideas
INTPs tend to appreciate occupations in technical and scientific fields, and gain expert knowledge. They work best in an environment that offers time and space to concentrate without interruption, and which doesn’t pressure people to work in teams or attend lots of meetings. Jobs that might appeal to INTPs include architect, researcher and social scientist. More insight about INTP jobs can be found in our Introduction to Type and Careers.
INTPs under stress
An INTP will typically become stressed in the situations shown in this MBTI stress head illustration. In extreme circumstances you will tend to feel alienated and upset, and prone to whingeing and hypersensitivity. Download and share* this INTP stress head to remind yourself and your colleagues about the things that stress INTPs.
INTP relationships
An INTP can be tolerant of a wide range of behaviour of those around them, however they can fail to consider the impact on others of the way or style they express their ideas. Others see INTPs as independent who values autonomy.
Read our blog post on "What if your date is not your type?!"
Fun ways to share INTP characteristics:
- Explore what kind of drink, sport or shoes we think depicts an INTP personality
- Discover more ways to characterise the INTP personality on our Fun ways to share your type page
- Already have your MBTI Step II profile? Create your Personal Typie
- Read more on our blog about how aspects of Type dynamics are captured in each Type