An INTP is highly introspective and will, more often than not, be deep in thought solving countless problems and puzzles in their mind. Highly analytical, an INTP will analyze every little thing they come across in a Sherlock Holmes-esque manner. Even after events, the INTP will think over past events and over-analyze things people said or how they themselves acted. This constant thinking can sometimes turn negative and leave the INTP feeling dissatisfied with their actions or life.
INTP Principles
What are the core principles behind the type INTP?
INTP stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Perceiving. INTP personality types are proud of their intelligent way of looking at the world. They have very often creative minds and thrive in the right academic environments suited to them. They are inquisitive by nature and can enjoy finding creative solutions to problems. INTPs can try to view situations from different perspectives and they are inclined to collect evidence which will help them identify the most logical decision. They are highly practical and are more likely to follow their mind rather than their heart.
INTPs are one of the rarest personality types and they can be seen as quiet, perhaps even a little guarded by some, but there is great depth to their person which they will share with a select few people close to them.
Here's how to spot an INTP:
INTPs seek logical solutions to their problems.
INTPs will solve problems in unique ways.
Getting lost in their own thoughts is characteristic of an INTP.
INTPs curiosity may sometimes never be satiated.
Asking Big Questions
INTP personality types are likely to not shy away from difficult questions and hard truths. They have a desire to know more and their love for learning can take many forms, not just by asking questions but picking ideas apart through inward thought. INTPs can enjoy sharing their passion for a topic at quite some length, which they will and they’re often very well educated on many topics. They tend to seek love discussing the big questions with people who are on a similar intellectual level. They can be perceived as standoffish but that couldn't be further from the truth. INTPs are introverted by nature so they are discerning about who they expend their social energy on.
INTPs can prefer to carefully cultivate a smaller group of friends with which they are on a similar level too, even if their beliefs and interests may differ. This offers them a healthy variety of stimulation with the right, accepting company.
The Day Dreamers
The mind is constantly whirring away for many INTPs. They may find themselves lost in thoughts, seeling to improve whatever it is they are dwelling on. While they are extremely logical thinkers, they aren't always interested in the most efficient answers. They enjoy creative solutions and will often daydream about multiple ways to solve a problem. They like having choices at their fingertips and are willing to expend a lot of mental energy coming up with these choices. This particular quality is certainly admirable, but it does have a downside. The mind of an INTP may sometimes may be overwhelming, and the ideas which spring up change so quickly that it can be difficult sticking to a particular course of action.
Friends of INTPs know that they are constantly absorbing and processing new information to make the right choices.
Analytical Mind
INTPs love information. They absorb it however they can and use that information to make their decisions. They are less likely to follow a gut decision when there is perfectly good evidence to make an informed decision. This can also create a conflict for INTPs to reach a decision as heart and head can battle between each other. Since there is always new and changing information, their opinions and thoughts on things are also always adapting to new evidence. They can get stuck in their own heads, trying to come up with a perfect solution. This doesn't usually last for long, however. This temporary block can easily be broken by bouncing ideas off of their very close social circle.
INTPs like to offer well thought out opinions.
Global Thinker
INTPs believe in looking at things from all angles. They are rarely satisfied with a singular point of view. They can be thorough in their education to the point where they may play the devil's advocate, or ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of the topic, whichever appeals to them in that moment. INTPs aren't afraid to shy away from their opinions when asked, and can be a great source of wisdom, support and well thought out advice. They will tend to not sugar coat their answers and will always offer solutions that are logically sound to them.
INTPs have a thorough understanding that many issues in the world today are incredibly complex.
Data: INTP World Heatmap
What is the global distribution of the INTP personality type?
Which countries have the highest percentage of INTPs? Is this type more common in certain countries? Use our research data to find out.
Figure 1: INTP types by region
What this chart shows
This heatmap shows the percent of each country's population who are INTP. This helps us to easily identify global distribution of this personality type. For example we see Ghana has an above-average proportion of INTPs and Finland has a below-average proportion of INTPs.
Notes:
1. Countries with less than 0.001% share of global population have not been included due to sample size.
2. n=27985
3. Population: all
4. Live dataset last updated:
Figure 2: Regions with highest and lowest percent of INTP types
Top ten countries with highest and lowest percent of respondents with INTP personality type
What this chart shows
This chart shows the top ten countries with the highest proportion of people with INTP personality type and ten countries with the lowest proportion of people with INTP personality type.
Notes:
1. Countries with less than 0.001% share of global population have not been included due to sample size.
2. n=27985
3. Population: all
4. Live dataset last updated:
Source: Personality Project, INTP data
INTP: The Four Letters Explained
What does INTP stand for?
The four letters of the INTP personality stand for: Introverted, i(N)tuitive, Thinking, and Judging. Let's consider each of these four traits.
Introverted
(I)ntroverted vs (E)xtraverted
An introvert is often thought of as a quiet, reserved, and thoughtful individual. They don't seek out special attention or social engagements, as these events can leave introverts feeling drained.
Prefer time to themselves
Find social interaction an effort
Have close circle of friends
Introspective and curious
Prefer writing to talking
Prefer working alone
Introverts and extraverts can be separated based on how they regain energy. Introverts prefer minimally stimulating environments, and they need time alone to recharge. Extraverts refuel by being with others.
Intuitive
I(N)tuitive vs (S)ensing
Intuitive types focus on impressions or underlying patterns of information they see. They prefer learning by thinking it through rather than by hands-on experience.
Remember the sense of events
Read between the lines and looks for meaning.
Like to see the big picture
Daydream about possibilities
Make decisions based on hunches
Intuitive types take a high-level view and may experience dissatisfaction when attention to detail is required. People with an Intuition preference doubt and test everything. They value innovation and imagination, and present information through figures of speech.
Thinking
(T)hinking vs (F)eeling
Thinking types are objective. They make decisions based on facts. They are ruled by their head instead of their heart. Thinking people judge situations and others based on logic. They value truth over tact and can easily identify flaws.
Use logic and objectivity
Seek the truth
Value reason and rationality
Direct with people
Prefer facts to opinions
Thinking types are critical thinkers and oriented toward problem-solving. Thinking does not mean a person is without emotion.
Perceiving
(J)udging vs (P)erceiving
Perceiving types are cognitively flexible and open to new possibilities. They prefer variety and unpredictability to routine, welcoming change and rejecting rigidity whenever possible.
Open to new possibilities
Acts spontaneously
Adapts to new information
Seeks new experiences
Lives in the moment
Perceiving types are comfortable making decisions spontaneously, or even postponing decisions until more information is available. They focus predominantly on the present moment, preferring tasks which are open-ended and flexible, rather than those with deadlines or timetables.
Data: What percentage of people are INTP?
Which MBTI® type is the rarest and which is the most common?
Figure 3: Global distribution of INTP types
How does the percent of INTP type people compare with other types?
What this chart shows
This chart shows percentage of the population who are INTP. We see that INTJ is the rarest and ESTJ is the most common. INTP is one of the more rare personality types at 4.6% of the population.
Notes:
1. n=29746
2. Population: Global
3. Live dataset last updated:
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Data: INTP Age Statistics
Are INTPs more or less likely to be in a particular age group?
Figure 4: percentage of INTP types by age
How does the proportion of INTP types vary by age?
What this chart shows
This chart shows what percent of each age group are INTP.
Notes:
1. n=40574
2. Population: Global
3. Live dataset last updated:
Data: INTP Genders
Survey data on INTP types by genders
INTPs are mostly male (51.0%) with 47.9% female and 1.1% other.
Figure 5: Type INTP by gender
What this chart shows
The split between genders across the INTP population is 47.9% female, 51.0% male, 1.1% other. Compared to the average population, INTPs have a higher proportion of 'other'.
Notes:
1. n=27985
2. Population: global
3. Dataset last updated:
4. Data is derived from users' self-report responses to the question "What is your gender?"
Ellie Simmonds, MSc
University of Bath, Psychology
Ellie Simmonds, MSc in Psychology from University of Bath. Ellie is an associate lecturer on psychometric assessments and has extensive knowledge of the 16-type model.
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