![ISTJ Personality Type [Inspector, Investigator, Trustee]](https://psychologia.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/istj.jpg)
People with ISTJ personality type account for approximately 10-14% of the general population, which is great because it means you aren’t alone. When it comes to men, however, ISTJ is the most common personality type. So whether you are an ISTJ or a woman who wants to understand men better, read on!
Before we begin, it might be a good idea to take a personality test to find out your personality type. While you may find many such tests on the Internet, not all of them are scientifically validated. If you are serious about finding out your personality type, you may want to consider taking this test.
One thing you should know that ISTJ has several other names. These names are meant to be more descriptive than just a four-letter combo, so if you happen to stumble upon one of these names, chances are you are reading about ISTJ:
- Responsible Realist (official MBTI site)
- Inspector (David Keirsey, “Please Understand Me II”)
- Trustee (David Keirsey, “Please Understand Me”)
- Planner Inspector (Linda Berens)
- Super Dependable (Alan Brownsword)
- Investigator (Jonathan P. Niednagel)
- Life’s Natural Organizer (Otto Kroeger, “Type Talk at Work”)
Some online sources use their own descriptive names such as Logistician, Examiner, Pragmatist and Duty Fulfiller.
In terms of four classical personality types, the ISTJ is a pure Melancholic.
What ISTJ stands for?
According to Otto Kroeger, the author of “The Type Talk”, ISTJs are simply “doing what should be done”, and looking at their four faculties, this doesn’t come as a surprise. The meaning of ISTJ is introverted (I), sensing (S), thinking (T), judging (J).
Being introverted means that you prefer to focus internally and get energized by spending time alone.
Being sensing means that you prefer dealing with concrete facts rather than abstract ideas and concepts.
Being thinking means that you are a logical person; you tend to make your decisions based on reason rather than emotion.
Being judging means you favor structure and organization more than spontaneity.
ISTJ Personality Overview
If for ENFJ it’s all about empathy and kindness, for ENTJ it’s about achievement, for INTP it’s about creativity and innovation, when it comes to ISTJ (Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging types) it’s all about responsibility. They do what needs to be done, including behaving out of character if the situation calls for it. David Keirsey, the author of “Please Understand Me II”, said about ISTJ:
They base their self-image on being seen as dependable, beneficent, and respectable.
Dependable, beneficent and respectable — if you want to really understand the ISTJ, you have to keep these three words in mind. Nearly everything that the ISTJ does and says is the result of them wanting to appear to have these three qualities. This is how they want to be seen by others and this is how they want to feel about themselves.
Systematic and hardworking ISTJs honor their commitments while respecting the existing structure and following the hierarchy. They will get right things to the right place at the right time. Their ability to keep track of facts and details is particularly remarkable.
ISTJ aren’t attention-seekers. Generally, they prefer comfort over style, but if they had to choose a style, it would be something classic. Although ISTJs aren’t into fashion, they look put-together at any given time, and their clothes are always properly matched and color-coordinated. Looking good 24/7 takes a lot of effort and attention to detail, but the ISTJ has all the right traits to pull that off. In fact, what separates an ISTJ from an INTJ is ISTJ’s neater appearance and their greater regard for rules. Read more on ISTJ vs. INTJ here.
The ISTJ dislikes fanciness, be that in clothes or interior. They dislike showy things; their homes, just like their clothes, are typically plain, neat and orderly. The ISTJ avoids luxury — price and durability are their primary consideration. Even when they can afford it, they won’t buy anything ultra-modern and would rather go for something old-fashioned instead. Unlike some other types, ISTJs don’t want to be original; anything unique or anything exotic makes them feel uncomfortable.
In spite of their introversion, ISTJs are likely to participate in community service projects, particularly those that promote traditional values. Unlike some other types, ISTJs believe in importance of social events such as engagement parties, weddings, anniversaries and funerals and will attend without fail.
ISTJs aren’t risk takers and will not take chances with their own or others’ money, which also means that they are less likely to be self-employed. Yet, ISTJ is the third top-earning personality type after ESTJ and ENTJ. ISTJs earn significantly less than ESTJs or ENTJs, but on the other hand, they are still ahead of all other personality types (source).
Since their young age, ISTJs train themselves to complete what they start. Career-wise, they tend to choose large and stable organizations, because it implies their own financial security and stability. Because ISTJs are stable, persistent and reliable, they are often rewarded with positions of responsibility. More than most other types, ISTJs are likely to dedicate their entire working life to one organization. As long as it provides financial security and stability, they will not leave, even if they aren’t completely happy with their work.
Most of the time, ISTJs operate in information-gathering mode. They constantly screen for data that is objective, concrete and pragmatic — something that can be translated into immediate action. Because of this natural habit, ISTJs expect the same behavior from everyone else — be that at home or at work, the ISTJ is impatient and demanding.
The ISTJ has rules for everything and expects them to be followed without questions. Their homes should be orderly, their meals should be served “properly” and on schedule, their children should get good grades, do their homework and go to bed on time, their spouses should look a certain way and do the household chores assigned to them…
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Having such inflexible and demanding spouse may sound like a nightmare but more often than not, ISTJs are good and reliable life partners.
You can read a lot more about ISTJ personality traits here.
ISTJ in Love Dating and Relationships
The ISTJ is a type of life partner many of us want to have. Just like they honor their other commitments, they honor the marriage contract. If you want a loyal and committed partner — a partner that will be a source of strength — look for an ISTJ.
The ISTJ loves traditions and, when it comes to romantic relationships, they behave in accordance with what is expected from them in every given stage of the relationship. When they are in a courting stage, they will give gifts and flowers. When they want to propose, they will get a ring. When they are ready to settle down, they will provide a fully-equipped house. And yes, you will have a real wedding too!
An ISTJ male sees himself as the head of the family and takes on responsibility of protecting and providing for his loved ones. An ISTJ female is a steady and reliable wife who does things “properly”. When you are married to an ISTJ, the bills are paid, the house is well-maintained, the food is ready. The downside of being married to them is that they will expect you to put in just as much effort as they do. You will have errands to run and chores to do, and it all has to be completed by a clearly defined deadline.
If the relationship goes bad, the ISTJ will stay committed even if they would be better off alone. They do so out of sense of duty and their unwillingness to step out of their comfort zone.
ISTJ Strengths and Weaknesses
Honesty and reliability are the main strengths of ISTJ personality type. Their inability to express their feelings and their natural aversion to risk and/or anything new are their primary weaknesses.
Learning Style
Because ISTJs do what needs to be done whether they like it or not, they make diligent students. They dislike theory and enjoy subject areas with practical application. The materials and instructions have to be clear and precise with no errors. Study environment should be task-oriented with clearly defined goals and deadlines.
Work
ISTJs avoid professions that require abstract thinking and spontaneity. They want to follow established rules and tend to gravitate toward professions that require them to achieve practical and measurable results such as accountant, surgeon, dentist, technician, soldier, etc. Otto Kroeger mentioned in his book “Type Talk” that ISTJ is the predominant configuration of the U.S. military, from enlisted personnel to four-star generals and admirals (based on the sample of more than ten thousand people).
The ISTJ will get the job done on time following established procedures, and they will not cut corners or experiment in their approach. They need stability, organization, structure, rules and clearly defined tasks; once all these conditions are fulfilled, the INTJ will not leave. In fact, they are some of the most fiercely loyal employees out there.
ISTJ Leadership Style
Typical ISTJs don’t usually seek leadership positions but often find themselves promoted to these positions thanks to their loyalty, commitment and reliability. As a leader, the ISTJ is likely to lean towards hierarchical and traditional approach. They will reward those who follow the rules and are consistently reliable; in other words, to please an ISTJ boss, you need to be just like them. Forget innovation, forget experimenting, don’t stress yourself trying to think of something clever and original — all you need to do is to get your job done on time while following the rules to the tee.
In addition, an ISTJ boss will be
- fair to everyone,
- clear about his or her expectations from others,
- consistent and predictable.
ISTJ Job List
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Administrator
- Airplane Pilot
- Auditor
- Bank Employees
- Bank Examiner
- Bank Teller
- Budget Analyst
- Chief Information Officer
- Civil Engineer
- Compliance Inspector
- Computer Programmer
- Coroner
- Corrections Officer
- Cost Estimator
- Credit Analyst
- Criminalist
- Database Administrator
- Dentist
- Detective
- Economist
- Efficiency Analyst
- Electrician
- Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Estate Planner
- Farmer or Rancher
- Financial Officers
- Flight Engineer
- General Surgeon
- Geologist
- Government Employee
- Health & Safety Engineer
- Health Care Administrator
- Insurance Underwriter
- Lab Technician
- Landscaping Manager
- Librarian
- Manager
- Mechanic
- Medical Doctor
- Medical Technologist
- Military Officer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Nursing Administrator
- Office Manager
- Optometrist
- Paralegal
- Pharmacist
- Physical Education
- Physician Assistant
- Police Officer
- Pollution Control
- Power Plant Operator
- Property Manager
- Purchasing Agent
- Real Estate Appraiser
- School Administrator
- School Broker
- School Principal
- Statistician
- Steelworker
- Stock Broker
- Stockbroker
- Surgeon
- Supervisor
- Teacher
- Technical Instructor
- Technical Writer
- Veterinarian
Random Facts About ISTJ
- ISTJs have their own brand of humor, but not all people can pick up on their jokes because they are delivered in a very sarcastic way, as if they were being serious.
- The ISTJ may appear blunt, but in reality, all they really want is to be honest. They will not lie in an attempt to spare someone’s feelings because they believe it doesn’t serve a good purpose. They want to be honest and real, not fake.
- Although ISTJs aren’t very emotionally expressive, they express their love by solving problems and satisfying practical needs of their loved ones.
- A typical ISTJ dislikes change. They live by the principle: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- ISTJs do things because they believe they need to be done; they don’t need a pat on the back for anything they do.
- ISTJs stick to whatever they planned to do and go all the way through completion.
- ISTJs are hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those they care for.
- ISTJs are uncomfortable with expressing their emotions.
Famous ISTJ People
These famous people are likely to belong to ISTJ personality type:
- George Washington
- Johny Carson
- Henry Ford
- Warren Buffet
- Sigmund Freud
- Xenophon
Fictional Characters with ISTJ Personality Type
- Mulan
- Joe Friday from Dragnet series
- Stark from Game of Thrones
- Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
All updates on the ISTJ personality type here.
The 16 Personalities main page here.
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