MBTI: Relevance is Relative (ISTP)

Basically everything and anything I feel pertains to being an ISTP. Or is just interesting and related to the subject. Feel free to submit stuff and ask me questions. I will do my best to answer. Just remember I'm not an expert. I just find this interesting.

[asanistp]

ISTP's are supposed to be interested in mechanical and generally hands-on jobs, right? I'm an ISTP (as far as I know), plan on going to college for animation since I've been drawing since I was little (+I feel like that might be a career I might enjoy, so why not). While cars and how they work, etc. seems interesting, I just never get into that kind of stuff. I was "accused" of being an ISFP because of my career choice, but I can't identify with that. Do I lose one of my ISTP badges now? :0

Not at all! If that were the case I would have to turn mine in as well, lol. Being an ISTP just means that you're wired a certain way. You are totally allowed to be an individual. Sure it means that some of us fall easily into certain fields because we find that we are best suited for it. But feel free to do you, it doesn't make you any less of an ISTP. 

[type-unboxed]

publius-virgilia-maro asked about this topic. Sensing and Intuition are different, but they work together. Someone with Intuition (N) can have an idea that will inspire someone with Sensing (S) to come up with concrete details. For instance, an N could come up with an idea, and an S can fill it in with the building blocks that make up the idea. Often there is also a body language of people with S and N: Typically, those with an N preference don’t show their mental or emotional state physically as much as an S does. 

Classic example of the difference between Sensing and Intuition: giving directions. If you’re going to travel with a GPS, an S would find it easier to follow the step-by-step instructions, while an N finds it easier to follow a map. This post brought to you by an ENTP (Misha) who came up with the words and an ENTJ (Mack) who made the graphic. 

[djmelodie]

Put the first 3 words you see in the comment. (Input your myer briggs personality type too!) Afterwards, compare & see what other personality type saw!

[asanistp]

experience, honesty intelligence...ISTP

[inquisitivemidnight]

MBTI Personality Types do not define one’s personality. They describe how one’s brain works… Please recognize that you are so much more than those four letters. Please remember that we are all unique and have very special personalities that can only be created by our genes and experiences. But definitely relish in the fact that you now know how you process information and use that brainpower to its fullest potential to grow, transform and improve your very individual personality.

The Biggest Misconception About MBTI Personality Types

[istpdaredevils]

Never get in the way of a determined ISTP.

[clitorissss]

Group 3. Philosophers (INTP, ISTP, ISFP, INFP): Introverts with right-brain predominance “I came into this world not to be in a hurry” Members of this group mostly appreciate a calm life with a relatively lax agenda. As Introverts, they seek for some regulating and even limitation of their relations with the outer world. As a “right-brain persons”, they like variety of impressions and non-standard approaches. Such kind of combination creates Philosophers - people who take life, like most of us take weather: with both curiosity and philosophical resignation, including portion of humor. The Philosopher’s dominant mental process is either Introverted Thinking or Introverted Feeling – so these people are born with a mental prototype of the world, which implies personal philosophy, with all the reasons and explanations for life. This philosophy is also the Philosopher’s shelter from the outside “bad weather”. To be healthy, Philosophers have to lead the life without heavy outside push. Any pressure is undesirable to these people. They are ‘in love with contemplation’ and prefer adapt to reality, which is already created in their mind. So the more life offers a variety of wishful environment, the better feels any Philosopher. Being in chime with both their maxims and the outer world, Philosophers do not express too much emotions and/or assertive guidance to others – they just prefer enjoying life without pomp. The main problem here is an incapacity for existing in a “harsh climate”. That means that Philosopher cannot see any opportunities, promising enough for forming a desirable reality without breaking of his/her innate principles. This non-fitment with the world might cause periods of a deep melancholy, which can develop into severe depressions. Being healthy, Philosopher has the reputation of a very wise and balanced, though partly leisurely person. Tips for Philosophers: Do not be embarrassed by your taste for a “sweet serenity”; Do not expect the whole world would live by your personal principles; Try to be more favorable to other’s views and experience; Try to enrich your philosophy by real life experience – as much as you can.

(via wetlikesound)

[myersbriggspersonalitytypes]

The ISTPs I know have sharp, dry senses of humor. They tend to fascinate those around them and draw people to them, though they themselves don’t really understand why.

ISTP Observations (via myersbriggspersonalitytypes)

[myimpatientyears]

ISTPs value sincerity above everything else. If you want to make an impression, be sincere and genuine; they can see through every half-truth and attempts to be polite and consider this as being fake. Smiling when you don’t feel like it? Fake. Showing enthusiasm when you’re not sure about the issue? Fake. Asking how the ISTP feels just to show concern? Fake, fake, fake. Don’t ask questions you don’t have time to listen the answers to, don’t force emotions you don’t feel, don’t force a small talk or otherwise try to adjust your behavior to make them comfortable and welcome, because that will read as being fake, and it will make the ISTP feel very uncomfortable. It’s okay if you don’t have anything to say, it’s okay if you feel a bit down. You don’t need to protect the ISTP’s feelings - whatever you can handle, (s)he can handle. Actually, the ISTPs will handle it better.

(via hyperballadism)

[fortruinous-deactivated20170101]

Honest MBTI Stereotypes

ISTJ: Practical and down-to-earth. Probably your mother. ISFJ: Always nice enough to be suspicious and more loyal than all your pets combined. ISTP: Probably don’t care about you, might still kill you in your sleep though. ISFP: Always carrying at least 4 daisy chains on them at all times; don’t take them to museums if you ever want to come out again. INTP: That one guy hiding in their room trying to calculate exactly how much bigger the TARDIS is on the inside. INFP: Starry-eyed idealist, so caring and sweet they might just rot your teeth out. INTJ: 50% standoffishness, 50% being right all the time, 100% better than you. INFJ: Spends half their time delivering melodramatic heroic monologues and the other half attempting to purify the ground they walk on. ESTJ: 100% committed to their life partner, the rulebook. ESFJ: Happy to make you happy to make them—could potentially create a feeling paradox. ESTP: Probably Kanye West. ESFP: The golden retriever you always wanted, except in human form. ENTP: Would probably blow up the world to calculate shrapnel velocity. ENFP: Like a bottle of fizzy soda, except with more righteousness. ENTJ: Like an INTJ, just better at hiding the fact that they’re an asshole. ENFJ: The world’s mother hen. May also be running ten cults of worship behind your back.

[asanistp]

My friends constantly say that I'm "full of mysteries" and quite frankly, I don't know what they're talking about. I don't think I intentionally hide things from them, or act mysterious in any way. And this is coming from friends who have known me for some time. I've read that ISTPs are usually seen as aloof and mysterious but I really don't understand. Could you elaborate?

Ok this is a little tricky to answer in a way that doesn't make us out to be elitist assholes, so many things can factor into that, but let me take a shot at it.

Basically most people will share anything with close friends, I'm not just talking secrets, and inner thoughts, I'm talking about where they went for breakfast or what shoes they're thinking of buying. We aren't big on sharing, especially not everyday banalities that don't even ping our radar. ISTP's aren't like that, we don't care about things we consider frivolous and thus assume that no one else would either, so why would you detail your everyday plans to someone else when you don't consider it interesting or important?

It's not that you are being 'mysterious' you just don't have much to say. Which is only worse when you consider an ISTP's more reserved nature and go with the flow attitude. Most of the time, unless something is going directly against your desires or code of ethics ISTP's will go along to get along, and even then when you disagree with something you are more likely to leave than get confrontational about it. And that type of mentality means we don't have much to contribute to conversations about making plans, or group decisions.

Then there is the emotional aspect we tend to happily ignore. When it comes to 'sharing' and our feelings most of us just go 'yeah, no,' and walk away. For most ISTP's emotions are messy at best and irrelevant at worst. We are a logical people and nothing quite fucks with logic like emotion. We also consider impartial information superior to feeling based opinions, so our mode of thinking doesn't automatically engage the 'how does this situation/thing make you feel' filter most people have. We don't even consciously form that opinion most of the time, there's really no way to share what, to us, doesn't exist.

We also have to take into account our tendency to hang back and observe. Constant analysis is natural to us and we seldom notice we are doing so. It usually takes someone asking an explicit question and the resulting word dump to draw your own attention to all of the information you've gathered. We are constantly busy in our own heads and have evolved a blank expression out of sheer self defense. If we let our facial expressions match our thought process exactly we would probably all be committed. 

ISTP's follow thoughts to their natural conclusion, and assume others do as well. I mean really painfully obvious things, like you wouldn't tell someone to lock the door when they leave since they're the last ones home because 'duh, what else would they do?'. This assumption that so many things are painfully obvious it's pointless to actually talk about it also ties into our more 'mysterious veneer'. Because people don't think the way we do. 

I could probably keep going on about this subject at length, but these are the basics. I hope this helps!

[asanistp]

ISTP here. As weird as it sounds i have fallen hard and strong and deep for another ISTP. Will it work or is this unheard of? (I am the guy)

It's not completely unheard of, but surprisingly rare. Being the same mtbi type you guys will have an easier time understanding where the other is coming from. But you must remember to check in with each other and make sure that you are on the same page. ISTP's tend to work on a series of unspoken assumptions . As we tend to consider most observations we make to be glaringly obvious . Ie: If we aren't fighting, then things are going great. Also depending on the ISTP's in question, competition can get fierce. So just be sure to watch out for that, and good luck with your relationship . I hope you guys make each other really happy.

[fictionalrachel]

Actual PSA. 

this is something that’s really important for people to understand, and that most people don’t

[idksivan-deactivated20150629]

Actual queen

[asanistp]

I don't talk enough to get to know people on a level where I know their interests, so I have so many hobbies/ things I like doing but no one to do them with, eg mountain biking, seeing bands. Do you have any tips on making finding friends with similar interests who will do things with you? My main group of friends don't share any of my interests.

Well introvert's aren't exactly known for their love of socializing, so I can see how your skills might be rusty.You can always ask your main group of friends to introduce you to someone they think you might get along with, or you could bite the bullet and introduce yourself to someone at a concert, or if you run into someone during your other hobbies. Keeping in touch is key, as is opening up new venues of conversation, there is a difference between having say, a band friend, and an acquaintance you speak to about bands. Just try saying what's on your mind more often, and contribute significantly to the conversation even if your first instinct is to hang back and observe. Keep your objective in mind and there's no reason you won't succeed, good luck!

[myersandbriggs]

If a given tool is operated with a precision that defies belief, that operator is likely an ISTP.

David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II

[myersandbriggs]

ISTP FRIENDS

ISTP friends are usually very well rounded and interesting, living in the present and enjoying whatever life brings to them. Their key phrase is “everything can be changed.” A friendship with an ISTP is like a rollercoaster: it can be really exciting and fulfilling one day, and a complete opposite the following day. ISTP personalities do not like to commit, seeing their relationships as something that can change every day.

[funkymbtifiction]

Could you pretty pretty please give an ISTP explanation?

ISTPs are less outgoing than their extroverted counterparts, and a lot more analytical, which means they get into fewer scrapes. They love all the same things, but have a stronger grasp of the abstract.

Ti makes them swift problem-solvers and immediate “judging” personalities (judging dominants, despite being Perceivers). This enables them to quickly assess a problem and reach a rational conclusion on it, which is often manifested through their Se-tendency to take quick action, search for opportunities around them, notice their environment, and naturally know how to interact with it on a physical level. This unique combination, along with their unconscious Ni, enables them to understand HOW tangible things (like cars, watches, etc) work, more than any other type.

They have a yearning for action thanks to their Se, but their dominant Ti makes them more careful in their pursuits (they look to rationality first, sensory things second) than the ESTPs, who tend to leap into things without looking. The ISTP looks, considers a moment, and THEN leaps. They love physical activities that challenge their body to its limits, and since they rely so strongly on their five senses, it makes them aware of and attentive to what goes on and in their body. They like expensive stuff, fast cars, beautiful people, and often put a fair amount of effort into staying in shame, since they want to be attractive to the opposite sex (Se-Fe).

Ni makes them inclined to weighing options and choosing a precise form of action, rather than continually considering alternate perspectives; they filter information quickly and go for what they want. Ni also gives them insight into how things work, which is why they can “know” how to fix something with very little effort thanks to an intuitive leap. ISTPs make the best “secret agents” because they are quick-thinking, adrenaline-junkies who often get their “flirt on” around other people. They are warm, considered with how people see them, interested in keeping “peace” between the people they love, and driven to protect others.

[mshmaek]

Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Much of Hiei’s combat finesse is the result of Ti. This is the function which pushes him toward mastery of his own skills. Hiei regards his opponents as problems to which he must find the simplest and most efficient solution. It is probably no coincidence that Hiei’s battles are among the shortest and most explosive in the series; it doesn’t take him long at all to determine the best way to slaughter someone, so a fight with Hiei is only long when a progression through multiple solutions is required to reach the desire outcome.  His own personal welfare is not particularly important to him during this process, and he has few qualms about sacrificing his own body to reach the outcome he desires.  Outside of combat,  Ti tends to be what we see the most in Hiei’s social behavior. For the most part, he doesn’t speak often and gives short, simple responses when he has to. He also does not hesitate to call others out when they say or do something he views as dumb, because he’s interested in what makes sense, not in others’ feelings.

Extraverted Sensing (Se) - Hiei is highly attuned to his immediate environment and reacts quickly to changes. He is even able to conceal himself in the environment well enough that he surprises others when he comes out of nowhere.  In combat, Se combines with his primary function Ti to create, quite literally, an extremely efficient killing machine. Along with Ti’s concern with mastery and Se’s concern with immediate action, Hiei is able to assess what is happening and react before it happens (a thought pattern that is only further emphasized by his incredible physical speed). As a result, even for skilled opponents, Hiei is hard to hit and hard to counter. (The Jagan only serves to enhance this, by expanding his awareness.)

Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Despite tending to be very concrete in his thoughts and actions and very rarely planning ahead, Hiei does occasionally find himself in sticky situations and must rely on his gut to extricate himself. In these moments, we are likely to see Hiei’s Ni shining through as he says “what the hell” and lights his broken sword aflame for the first time, or when he sacrifices his arm on the extreme and ridiculous conclusion that he can summon the Dragon of the Darkness Flame without ever having tried it before.

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) – It may be odd to think of Hiei as expressing any amount of emotion, but he does so fairly frequently. If he is displeased with something, he vocalizes it. Likewise, if he is impressed, he vocalizes that too. More importantly, though, Hiei really wants to belong, much as he doesn’t admit it. Sadly, his Fe has developed in such a way that most of what he expresses is anger, and his quick temper has gotten him in trouble on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, we can still see positive manifestations of Hiei’s Fe in the small, subtle ways he cares for those closest to him - pushing them to fight harder, avenging them when they fall, and doing what he can to help them cope with their own emotional struggles.

—-

Additional Notes: Even though it is not a major function for the ISTP, Hiei has a well-developed Si. Necessity has trained him to live in the moment, but he is still plagued by his past. He is even reluctant to form a bond with his sister on this front. He has been burned once, so to speak, and has reached the conclusion (based on compelling past evidence) that people like her don’t like people like him.