10 Signs That You Might Be an Introverted Thinker
Finding your personality type can be a long and difficult process. Many tests and indicators rely on shallow, poorly-worded questions and therefore mistype individuals as a result. As an MBTI® practitioner I speak to people daily who are unsure of their type. Many individuals feel unsure whether they are a TJ or a TP personality type. That’s where I’m hoping this article can help! People who use introverted thinking (Ti) match up to the TP personality types (ENTP, ESTP, INTP, ISTP) whereas people who value extraverted thinking (Te) match up to the TJ personality types (ENTJ, ESTJ, INTJ, ISTJ). FJs also use Ti, but they consider extraverted feeling (Fe) before they consider Ti in many cases.
What Is Introverted Thinking?
Introverted thinking is a judging (decision-making) function. It is focused on impersonal analysis, categorization, and evaluation based on a set of logical, subjective principles. Ti-users try to detach from situations to see various factors, angles and leverage points that could be useful.
10 Signs That You Might Be an Introverted Thinker
#1 – I Pride Myself On Staying Objective
I’m not easily swayed by emotions and biases. I try to detach myself from a situation before evaluating and analyzing it. Getting too involved and putting my own personal feelings into the situation might result in an unfair or illogical outcome.
#2 – I Make My Decisions Internally
I don’t need to tell everyone what I decide, and I don’t generally “think out loud” about my decisions. I analyze privately and then act on whatever decision I make. Sometimes this makes me seem spontaneous to people, even though many of my decisions have been the result of a lot of time and thought.
#3 – I Don’t Automatically Subscribe to “Universal Truths”
I need to understand a rule or “fact” in my own way. I have to research and experiment and decide whether this truth really lines up with logic and my principles. Sometimes this irritates people because they want me to take certain rules and “empirical evidence” at face value.
#4 – I Speak with Precision
I try to use my words sparingly, but also with the utmost accuracy. I dislike generalized statements and try to choose just the right words that fit the situation and conversation perfectly.
#5 – I Hate Being Rushed to Decide
I want to sift through all the data before I make a decision. I need to know I’ve looked at the problem from every angle thoroughly before I move forward.
#6 – My Mind Is Like a Vast, Organized, Grid
Everything is categorized into the finest, most precise subjects. Everything is labeled accurately. The subjects I’m interested in have incredibly complex categories and sub-categories. I like organizing and developing this inner world of truths and data throughout my lifetime.
#7 – I Can Seem Argumentative
I naturally see many sides to a problem and can easily debate an issue from all positions. I quickly take on the role of “devil’s advocate” and get frustrated when people make snap decisions without looking at all the data.
#8 – I’m Extremely Independent
I don’t like to follow pre-established structures and routines. I want to figure out my own way to get things done. Bureaucratic red tape and procedure drives me crazy. If something doesn’t align with my principles or seem logical to me I get frustrated with it. Many rules are useless and meant to be broken.
#9 – I’m Inwardly Organized, but Outwardly Laid Back.
I hold myself to a high standard and strive to keep my mind and thoughts organized and carefully categorized. I filter each thought I have into the appropriate category or sub-category and this can take a lot of time. On the outside my desk might be a mess or I might seem disorganized, but on the inside I’m actually very careful, organized, and precise.
#10 – Sometimes I Struggle to Explain My Decisions
My thought process is so internalized that I usually just state my decisions without explaining how I came to a conclusion. When people question my decisions I’m usually happy to explain, but sometimes it’s hard to bring my inner thought-process out. In my attempt to be accurate and concise sometimes my meaning is lost on people. My logic is very independent and I know my opinions can be unpopular. I find that many people (even thinking types) have illogical biases and adhere to certain structures and rules that have no logical basis. This can cause them to question me excessively or pressure me to accept their pre-ordained rules.
What Do You Think?
Do you relate to these signs? Share your thoughts with other readers in the comments!
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
How You Use Introverted Thinking Based On Its Location in Your Function Stack
The Board Game You Will Dominate Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Want to discover more about personality type? Get the inside scoop with Susan Storm on all things typological, along with special subscriber freebies, and discounts on new eBooks and courses! Join our newsletter today!
No doubt: Ti
I often use initials mnemonic processes and three-dimensional references in internal since my childwood. This relaxes me.
Often distracted by my thoughts. Rather intellectually slow if no stress… Make decisions can be very long. I m objective even if it’s painful.
I am very glad this website exists and I enjoy your articles.
I think number 9 is probably the biggest one. It’s also worth mentioning (although this may be too obvious to qualify for a whole point by itself) that another sign you’re an introverted thinker is you are also indeed an extraverted feeler! I do find that, as an INTJ, with people who use Ti, whether they be ENFJ, INTP or any type in between, that they aren’t interested in what an idea presented to them would LOOK like. Rather, they’re usually quick to trace it to its origin or critique it straight away. I heard that Ti creates logic where Te observes logic. I am certainly interested in Ti, however no way near as interested as I am in Se, my inferior/aspirational function, let alone Te. Te is me almost all day every day on a good day. Ni, however, is non-stop and can be overwhelming. I am going off on a tangent now.
Great article and an even greater website!