INTP Personality Type [The Architect]

INTP is one of the 16 personality types developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in the first part of the twentieth century.

It is important to mention that their goal was to identify 16 healthy personality types, so no personality type is considered inferior to another. If you would like more background on their theory, check out our Jung’s personality typology page, which includes some necessary disclaimers.

Back to Myers-Briggs: each personality type has unique gifts and inclinations that serve an important role in society. Each type is different in its own way.

People with the INTP personality type account for less than 5 percent of the general population, with some sources citing even lower numbers. While it would be impractical to try to find exact numbers, nobody would argue that INTPs are rare.

Are you an independent and original INTP? You can take this test to find out.

INTP Meaning

The INTP four-letter combination means that:

• their focus is directed inward toward their own thoughts, ideas, and impressions (I for introversion);
• they look for patterns, meanings, and possibilities rather than focusing only on concrete facts (N for intuition);
• they rely on logic, analysis, and objective reasoning when making decisions (T for thinking);
• they prefer flexibility and spontaneity over rigid plans (P for perceiving).

Introversion is a preference for focusing internally and spending a good portion of your time alone in quiet surroundings. Being intuitive means that you pay more attention to general concepts, abstract ideas, and interpretations, while facts and details are secondary.

Your inclination to use thinking instead of feeling makes you a highly rational person who prioritizes logic and reason. Having a perceiving style means you are flexible, spontaneous, and usually prefer to keep your options open.

Other Names for INTP

The INTP personality type has several other names given by Myers-Briggs and those who later expanded on their theory.

The authors of the official Myers-Briggs assessment tool refer to this type as “Objective Analyst.”

David Keirsey, in his books “Please Understand Me” and “Please Understand Me II,” called this type “The Architect,” which is a little confusing because Myers-Briggs used this nickname for INTJ, another personality type whom Keirsey called “The Mastermind.” To make it even more confusing, he sometimes used the word “Engineers” when talking about INTPs.

Linda Berens, in her book “The Sixteen Personality Types: Descriptions for Self-Discovery,” called this type “Designer Theorizer.” Alan Brownsword, the author of “It Takes All Types,” called it “Builder of Theories.” Jonathan P. Niednagel, the author of the brain typing theory based on Jung’s and Myers-Briggs’s work, called this personality type “Creative Logician.”

Some online sources use their own names for INTP, such as Logician, Rational Philosopher, and The Inventive Logician.

In the four temperaments model, INTP is similar to the Phlegmatic-Choleric temperament, with Phlegmatic as the primary temperament and Choleric as the secondary one.

How to Recognize an INTP

People with the INTP personality type often appear lost in their intellectual world. Although they are great at organizing thoughts and concepts, they usually neglect the physical world, which may make them seem messy and disorganized.

Just like other introverts, INTPs dislike the superficial and do not bother much with small talk. On the other hand, they enjoy talking about abstract concepts, science, technology, and mathematics, which often results in technical and complex speech that other people may not easily understand.

Another important INTP trait is that they are more interested in the underlying structures and principles of things than in the things themselves.

Because INTPs’ thoughts are precise and organized, their language is usually precise too. They pick up on inconsistencies in other people’s speech very quickly and can be truly devastating in a debate. Because they believe one of their main functions is the search for understanding, they will typically point out logical flaws, no matter who they are talking to.

Debates aside, INTPs often appear shy because they prefer to work quietly and alone. Their natural reserve can be difficult to penetrate, and except for a few close friends, INTPs do not really open up to anyone. As a result, they are often underestimated.

INTP Interests, Hobbies, and Learning Style

INTPs are very interested in design and architecture. They often have excellent spatial skills, and from an early age, they may be preoccupied with concepts of space and orientation. A typical INTP is also fascinated by technology and will often choose to study science.

INTPs enjoy studying broad theoretical concepts that stimulate their minds. Although they often spend a considerable amount of time learning non-compulsory material, they prefer to explore at their own pace. This gives them the freedom to choose topics of interest on their own.

When it comes to hobbies, INTP favorites include:

• strategy games such as chess, checkers, dominoes, Go, Axis and Allies, Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Dungeons and Dragons, Civilization, and similar board and video games,
• reading,
• writing,
• photo manipulation,
• cultural events such as exhibitions,
• hiking,
• travel.

One Special Thing About INTP

People with the INTP personality type look at the world a little differently from most of us. They see the world as raw material — something they could influence, change, or redesign according to their mental sketch.

Masters of organization, INTPs do not only design physical systems such as machines, buildings, and bridges. They also excel at building theoretical systems, such as corporations and curricula.

Although INTPs are deeply interested in knowledge, they know how to concentrate on the issue at hand. With this deep and narrow focus, they are often capable of reaching a better understanding of whatever they are trying to analyze than others.

INTP in Dating, Love, and Relationships

INTPs make loyal and committed partners. Although they take their relationships very seriously, they may sometimes forget important anniversaries and appointments.

When an INTP chooses to focus on their relationship, they may suddenly seem to have a relationship chip installed. In true INTP style, they will analyze everything about their partner and the relationship.

In general, INTPs do not enjoy social activities in their homes and would rather live in their intellectual world. Their partners must be prepared to arrange and schedule everyday social obligations themselves. They may also have to pay courtesy visits to other people alone because their INTP partners usually cannot be bothered with this type of activity.

Another possible point of conflict is that INTP men and women tend to keep their emotions to themselves and may appear insensitive to other people’s feelings. Also, while being completely unaware of their partners’ emotions, they will often ask for a logical basis for their partner’s words and actions.

Their partners need to understand that asking for a rationale is the INTP’s attempt to understand them, not an insult to their feelings.

INTP Decision-Making Style

When making a decision, INTPs carefully evaluate the problem at hand and consider all available options. Because they tend to see many alternative solutions to the same problem, they may get caught up in analyzing the alternatives and postpone deciding until it is too late.

INTPs should also realize that sometimes their decisions affect the lives of other people. Because INTPs are not especially good at reading people, they may need to make sure their decisions do not harm anyone.

Another potential problem with INTP decision-making is that they can get carried away in their thinking and waste time considering unrealistic options.

INTP Strengths

• independent thinking,
• originality,
• creative problem-solving,
• ability to see patterns that are not obvious to others,
• ability to see possibilities beyond the obvious,
• very high standards for performance,
• striving for knowledge,
• high intelligence,
• competence,
• logical thinking.

INTP Weaknesses

• difficulty communicating effectively,
• lack of desire to lead or follow, which can be problematic in a corporate environment,
• may be impractical,
• lack of respect for other people’s opinions,
• may become eccentric.

Random Facts About INTPs

• People with the INTP personality type are usually smart and solution-oriented, but they can and often do procrastinate.
• Despite their in-depth knowledge of a given topic, INTPs often struggle to explain it to others.
• Although INTPs may seem arrogant and aloof, they often feel lonely.
• Even though the INTP personality type generally strives for knowledge, INTPs are only interested in specific topics and get bored easily if they are forced to deal with something they do not care about.
• INTPs tend to be a little single-minded, nerdy, and socially awkward; their spouses or families may have to look after them almost as if they were children.
• INTPs like to develop complex systems to keep their lives organized, then completely disregard them.
• A lot of things INTPs do are done only halfway because once they figure out everything there is to understand about a particular project, they lose interest and switch to something else.
• Sometimes INTPs do not do the work they are supposed to do because they get carried away researching something else.
• A person with the INTP personality type may seem very old and very young at the same time — the result of a unique combination of mature and childlike traits.
• INTPs often feel disconnected from the world around them.
• INTPs may feel like scientists and artists at the same time.
• If an INTP asks you how you are feeling, likes and comments on your social media posts, compliments you for being smart, and explains their ideas to you, they are probably in love with you because these are things they usually do not do.
• INTPs despise trends and fads simply because they are popular.
• INTPs can be very romantic; unfortunately, this is not always obvious to their potential partners.
• INTPs secretly wish they could stick to one thing until they become good at it. Yet they often get bored with their pursuits once they reach an adequate level of mastery.
• INTPs have no balance between “obsessed” and “not interested.”
• If your INTP partner stops giving opinions and explaining things to you, chances are they are giving up on you.
• INTPs enjoy recognition for their work but do not know how to take compliments.
• INTPs buy a lot of books but read only a few.

How to Get an INTP to Like You

• Learn to appreciate them for who they are and what they do.
• Give them plenty of personal space.
• Appreciate their sense of humor.
• Talk about subjects they find interesting.
• Do not pressure them into participating in social activities.
• Allow them to process their emotions and feelings without pressure.
• Play mentally stimulating games with them. See INTP interests and hobbies above.
• Read their favorite books, then discuss these books with them.
• Do not scold them for being messy. Just accept them as they are.
• Do not scold them for procrastinating. If you want to be with them, get comfortable with the idea that some things they promise you may never become reality.

Careers for INTPs

The INTP’s dream job allows them to work on one project at a time and is intellectually stimulating enough to keep them interested.

The type of job INTPs like usually involves building elaborate systems and long-term planning. To be completely happy at work, the INTP wants freedom of action, little or no supervision, and respectful colleagues.

Because INTPs are all about innovation and design, they thrive in high-tech fields with an artistic edge, such as animation, graphic design, user interface design, video production, editing, and architecture.

Because of their introverted nature, INTPs prefer to work alone or with a small group of colleagues they respect. Also see 19 INTP Careers to Avoid.

INTP Job List

• 2D Character Animator
• 3D Motion Designer
• Accountant
• Aerospace Engineer
• Analyst
• Animator
• Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Architect
• Artist
• Astronomer
• Atmospheric Scientist
• Auditor
• Author
• Biochemist
• Biologist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Biophysicist
• Cartoonist
• Character Animator
• Character Designer (Animation)
• Chemical Engineer
• Chemist
• Civil Engineer
• College Instructor
• College Professor
• Composer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Computer Network Architect
• Computer Programmer
• Computer Professional
• Computer Software Designer
• Computer Scientist
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Database Manager
• Development Specialist
• Economist
• Editor
• Electrical Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Scientist
• Executive Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Forensic Evaluator
• Forensic Psychologist
• Forensic Scientist
• Geographer
• Geological Engineer
• Geoscientist
• Graphic Designer
• Historian
• Hydrologist
• Industrial Designer
• Information Security Analyst
• Investigator
• Management Consultant
• Market Research Analyst
• Mathematician
• Mechanical Engineer
• Medical Scientist
• Microbiologist
• Multimedia Artist
• Musician
• Network Administrator
• Neurologist
• Nuclear Engineer
• Pharmacist
• Photographer
• Physician
• Physicist
• Plastic Surgeon
• Political Scientist
• Production Artist
• Product Designer
• Professor
• Psychologist
• Psychoanalyst
• Regional Planner
• Research Specialist
• Sales Engineer
• Social Scientist
• Sociologist
• Software Developer
• Strategic Planner
• Survey Researcher
• Systems Analyst
• Technical Writer
• Top Executive
• UI Designer
• Video Editor
• Videographer
• Video Production Specialist
• Video Producer
• Web Developer
• Wildlife Biologist
• Writer
• Zoologist

INTP Leadership Style

In general, INTPs do not strive to lead, but if they end up in leadership positions, they prefer to focus on providing direction more than anything else.

They value individual knowledge and expertise over fancy titles and encourage input, which can make them empowering leaders. Because INTPs are highly independent themselves, they like people who can work independently as well.

When faced with a specific problem, INTP leaders focus on understanding the underlying causes of the issue at hand and try to share this knowledge with other team members.

Adjectives to Describe INTPs

• smart,
• creative,
• innovative,
• intelligent,
• independent,
• precise,
• reserved,
• introverted,
• logical,
• original,
• aloof,
• lonely,
• skeptical,
• cold,
• unemotional,
• messy,
• autonomous,
• speculative,
• detached,
• self-determined,
• quiet,
• content,
• flexible,
• adaptable,
• critical,
• analytical,
• solution-oriented,
• demanding,
• perfectionistic,
• knowledgeable,
• curious,
• theoretical,
• focused.

The INTP Warning Label

Heidi Priebe, the author of the book “How You Will Do Everything Based on Your Personality Type,” wrote an entertaining post for Thought Catalog. In that post, she assigned warning labels to each of the 16 personality types.

The label for the INTP personality type reads:

May fact-check literally everything you say and catch you in any attempt at a lie or exaggeration.

Famous INTP People

These famous people are often listed as INTPs:

• Albert Einstein
• Abraham Lincoln
• Blaise Pascal
• Thomas Jefferson
• Milton Friedman
• Sergey Brin
• Larry Page
• Marie Curie
• Socrates
• Robert Rosen

INTP Characters

The following fictional characters display INTP traits:

• Master Luwin from “Game of Thrones”
• Gandalf from “The Hobbit”
• Rust Cohle from “True Detective”
• Zhu Li from “The Legend of Korra”
• Linus van Pelt from “Peanuts”
• Filburt from “Rocko’s Modern Life”

You may also like INTJ Personality Profile and Top-Earning Personality Types.

INTP vs. INTJ: A Head-to-Head Comparison