In this post, I will just note what I share with the INTP type (the Architect) as defined by David Keirsey. I will not bother to point out all the things I can’t relate to. I won’t mention what seems foreign to me.

“INTPs are rare–say one percent of the general population–and therefore not to be encountered in ordinary places”

I’m also rare. Actually, there’s only one of me within 5 billion people. And I’m not encountered ordinary places, either.

“With their grand desire to grasp the laws of unity and diversity, they can be a bit snobbish and may show impatience at times with others less endowed with engineering ability, or less driven. Unfortunately, their pride in their ingenuity can, at times, generate hostility and defensive maneuvers on the part of others.”

The ’science’ I spend most time discussing with others is ‘theology’. (This topic belongs with humanities, not with sciences. Science doesn’t interest me much, not even Math.) I do recognise feeling snobbish and getting impatient with people concluding something simple from a single verse or passage in the bible without fitting it into the whole picture and understand the true complexity of the issues at hand.

Narrowmindedness on complicated issues slightly annoys me. It doesn’t bother me a lot, because I don’t need others to know the truth as long as I feel assured myself. I mostly feel like avoiding debates with such individuals. I may even ridicule their narrowminded approach to the topic. This has caused quite a few conflicts from time to time.

“Architects exhibit the greatest precision in though and language of all the types. They tend to see distinctions and inconsistencies in thought and language instantaneously, and can detect crontradictions in statements no matter when or where the statements were made. Only sentences that are coherent carry weight with them”

This definitely applies to me. I also find it very embarrassing when I realise that a statement I’ve made contradicts itself. If you expect people to listen to you and take you seriously, your sentences ought to make perfect sense with no risk of being misinterpreted. I try not to waste time arguing with people who can’t express themselves verbally, because I feel powerless and confused having such conversations. I will much rather observe their behaviour and try to make sense of their actions myself. Dangerous approach, at times, I know.

“Like the ENTPs, INTPs are differential analysis giving them an enourmous advantage in discrediting their opponents’ arguments and in structuring their own. They regard all discussions as a search for understanding, and believe their function is to eliminate inconsistencies, no matter who is guilty of them.”

Of course? I’m struggling to see how else one would regard the function of discussions and debates if it’s not about coming closer to the truth?

“It is difficult for an INTP to listen to nonsense, even in casual conversation, without pointing out the speaker’s error, and this makes communication with them an uncomfortable experience for many.”

I’ve paid much attention to this habit of mine lately. It has nothing to do with the people I’m talking to. It’s all about the words and phrases. A friend seems to think I just enjoy correcting her. Truth is, I can’t help it.

“They are inclined to be shy except when with close friends, and their reserve is difficult to penetrate.”

I’m sorry to say yes to this one.

“Architects take their mating relationship seriously and are faithful and devoted–albeith preoccupied at times, and somewhat forgetful of appointments, anniversaries, and other common social rituals.”

I recognise that. I don’t have a ‘mate’, so I obviously can’t say for sure. I’ve managed to forget my own birthday, though, I’ve even decided not to celebrate it once (when I got 18), because I didn’t want all the fuss. I will most certainly remember my future wife’s birthday, though. And yes, I promise to spoil her.

“They prefer to keep their desires and emotions to themselves, and may seem insensitive to the desires and emotions of others, an insensitivity that can puzzle and frustrate their mates.”

The key word is ’seem’. We’re not, we just ’seem’ to be. I’ve been accused of being it once or twice which is a bit hurtful. This quote, I added, because I definitely ‘keep most of my emotions to myself’ (usually) in good faith. They really don’t concern others, and I prefer dealing with them on my own. Some friends are bothered by this. Others actually prefer it that way. I’m just trying to please everybody, really. (And I’m doomed to fail)

So my conclusion would be, I’m definitely an INXP.

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