How You Use Introverted Thinking Based On Its Location in Your Function Stack

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
– Albert Einstein, an INTP

Introverted Thinking is the dominant function of some of the leading physicists, philosophers, leaders, and technological wizards in the world. It is focused on intensely expanding one’s own knowledge of a subject and finding how it is related to other subjects. Introverted thinkers are analytical and internally organized in their thoughts. One could imagine their minds as having little doors, each leading to specific libraries, each holding a multitude of books on a particular subject. Where Extraverted Thinking (Te) is largely focused on organizing and directing the outer world, Introverted Thinking (Ti) analyzes and organizes knowledge internally. Introverted thinkers have very little interest in directing other people and have more interest in organizing and expanding their own knowledge base. They come up with independent conclusions that are unique and do not rely solely on existing facts. Ti-users will always strive to remain logical and reasonable and they are exactly the people you need when you need to troubleshoot or solve a complex problem.

Introverted thinkers are very independent in the way they gather information. Typologist A.J. Drenth says in his book My True Type: Clarifying Your Personality Type, Preferences & Functions that Ti-users “despise working in a cookie-cutter, step-by-step fashion. Eschewing instruction manuals and “how-to” guides whenever possible, they prefer to use their own methods and powers of reasoning to figure things out.” A good way to understand this is to imagine an ISTJ and an ISTP fixing a washing machine. The ISTJ uses Extraverted Thinking (Te), and would probably look at the manual before getting started on the project and follow the outlined guide. The ISTP who uses Introverted Thinking (Ti) would probably cast aside the manual and get right to work trying to figure out the whole entire machine in their own way and independently finding a unique solution. Now obviously there are variations to this, but it’s one way of understanding the difference between Te and Ti.

Ti-users like to understand all the ins-and-outs of a problem before making a decision. Where a Te user likes to take in only the information necessary to make a decision and, in fact, thrives on the decision-making process, Ti users like to understand all the complexities, all the pieces of the problem, before they make a decision. They will make this decision internally, without needing to talk to others about their process. The outside world may see the Ti-user as procrastinating or wasting time while, in fact, they are carefully considering all the options and angles and pieces of an equation before forming a conclusion.

The Neuroscience of Introverted Thinking

According to Dario Nardi, author of Neuroscience of Personality: Brain Savvy Insights for All Types of People, Ti-users “show high use of four brain regions that afford complex logical reasoning….Ti types dedicate themselves to using brain resources that other people tend to neglect.” These four regions are in charge of many different tasks: linearly deriving solutions, categorizing and defining concepts, integrating visual-kinesthetic data, and holistically weighing numerous pros and cons of many factors or options. Nardi suggests that Ti-users can think even when there are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic distractions. As a result, Ti-users can detach themselves from the current moment to think through a problem clearly.

Ti users are also intensely stimulated mentally by debate and argument. According to Nardi, during an argument or debate about religion, politics, or philosophy they engage six separate brain regions that indicate “maximal attention to examining a topic from multiple angles – each angle from a different brain region – while integrating the angles into a coherent way as a part of an explanation or decision.”

How INTPs and ISTPs Experience Ti:

INTPs and ISTPs are known for their ability to find commonalities between seemingly unrelated things. They may seem laid-back to the outside world, but internally they are often sorting through a vast storehouse of information and knowledge. They analyze and organize all their thoughts internally and will show the world the possibilities and innovations they see (INTPs) or their hands-on practical skills (ISTPs).  They want to understand the underlying principles behind how things work, and can often be found taking things apart and putting things back together. They love to improve systems and solve problems. They are known for being independent, open-minded, yet impersonal. Many great minds have been dominant Introverted Thinkers; people like Albert Einstein (INTP), Marie Curie (INTP), Miyamoto Musashi (ISTP) and Magnus Carlsen (ISTP).

How INTPs Use Ti:

INTPs combine their quest for knowledge with an intense and vivid imagination. INTPs are ingenious and creative, looking outside the box for answers and inspiration. They make up 2.5% of the population and as a result are often misunderstood. Very few people can see outwardly the depths of imagination and knowledge that are accumulated inside the INTP mind. Isabel Briggs-Myers says that INTPS “are perhaps the most intellectually profound of all the types.”

INTPs love to let ideas spring forth from their minds, gathering inspiration from their surroundings and then digging deeper internally to form a vast web of interrelated subjects and themes. Many university professors and mathematicians are INTPs because they love the opportunity to study and research and constantly learn more. Their focus in life is less on financial achievement and more about having autonomy and having creative freedom. That said, most INTPs would love to earn a lot of money, but unfortunately, they earn far less than their Extraverted Thinking cousins. An ENTJ or ESTJ will earn an average of $77K or $76K per year, while the average INTP will earn $36K per year.

According to the MBTI® Manual, INTPs are among the three highest on two of three measures of creativity. They also prefer the academic subjects of art and science. While many of us can easily imagine INTPs being skilled in the fields of science and mathematics, what many don’t realize is that INTPs have a very strong creative and artistic streak. Randall Munroe, the cartoonist for ‘xkcd’ is an INTP, along with the pianist Glenn Gould, and actress/comedy-writer Tina Fey.

INTPs use Introverted Thinking to expand their inner knowledge base, make new discoveries about the universe, and gain a deep and rich understanding of the underlying principles that govern everything from mathematics to art to philosophy.

How ISTPs Use Ti:

ISTPs are some of the most practically intelligent of all the personality types. They are known for being good with their hands, calm in a crisis, and excellent at solving problems as they arise. They are usually skilled in the fields of mechanics and applied science. They have a cool, aloof presence that hides how much thought and analysis is going on underneath the surface. That said, ISTPs are more apt to be “doing” something than sitting and analyzing for long. They love to work with their hands, to build and construct. They thrive on new and novel tasks, improving systems, and reacting quickly in challenging and ever-changing environments. According to the MBTI® Manual, ISTPs are highly represented among male college scholarship athletes.  The combination of practical, hands-on logic and extraverted sensing (Se) allows the ISTP to have a certain physical grace and knowledge of sport.

ISTPs see the world in a concrete way and are interested in learning about physical techniques and equipment. They are masters of tools, according to psychologist David Keirsey. He says in his book Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence, that ISTPs “are the true masters of tool work, with an innate ability to command tools and to become expert at all the crafts requiring hand tool skills. Even from an early age they are drawn to tools as to a magnet”

Isabel Briggs-Myers says of ISTPs that they can “use general principles to bring order out of confused data and meaning out of unorganized facts.” This is one reason that ISTPs can also greatly excel in the fields of economics as security analysts or sales analysts.

ISTPs use Introverted Thinking to accumulate knowledge and create their own logical system that is completely independent. They organize all the knowledge in their mind and find a connection and an underlying principle that ties it all together. They are excellent problem-solvers and quick to come up with logical solutions in a crisis. Some famous ISTPs include Jack Dorsey (the founder of Twitter), Ron Paul, Clint Eastwood, and Bruce Lee.

How ENTPs and ESTPs Experience Ti:

ENTPs and ESTPs access Introverted Thinking only after it filters through Extraverted Intuition (for the ENTP) or Extraverted Sensing (for the ESTP). They are first of all stimulated by either the sights, sounds, textures, and opportunities of the world around them (ESTPs) or the possibilities and potential of the world around them (ENTPs). ESTPs and ENTPs come across as open-minded, spontaneous, curious, and tolerant. They will be more expressive to the outer world, and more sociable as they find stimulation and excitement by interacting with their surroundings. They will have a natural charm and ability to read other people because of their tertiary Extraverted Feeling (Fe), but deep down they prefer the world of logic over the world of feelings and emotions. They usually keep their own emotions well-hidden from the outside world.

How ENTPs Use Ti:

ENTPS are visionary, analytical, and imaginative. They see possibilities and potential everywhere in the world around them and come up with endless ideas of how to improve systems and create new, innovative programs. They are excellent troubleshooters who can stay calm in a crisis and come up with many alternative pathways to getting a job done. ENTPs have an excitable, inspiring personality and are driven by their visions and an ever-expanding set of interests.

ENTPs use Ti to analyze systems, expand their knowledge base, and find ways in which seemingly unrelated ideas are connected. They also use Ti to quickly find logical loopholes and as a result, are skilled debaters. They are highly independent, preferring to do things their own way instead of relying on pre-ordained rules and manuals. They hate being controlled by external structures or restricted by deadlines and “meaningless” rules. Marvel’s Tony Stark (Iron Man) is a good example of an ENTP; someone who is constantly wanting to invent more, innovate more, and who has a quick and witty countenance. The ENTP is someone who doesn’t care for bureaucracy but wants to experiment and innovate in their own way, on their own time. They are filled to the brim with ideas, active in experimentation and analysis, and grounded in logic.

“As an adolescent I was arguing all the time, usually about me failing to abide by… petty and arbitrary rules. I found that I could generally win these arguments.”
– Barack Obama, an ENTP

How ESTPs Use Ti:

ESTPs are independent, practical, and skilled with hands-on activities and projects. They are known for being adventurous, brave and impulsive. They thrive on taking risks and trying new and novel activities. While on the outside they may seem like daredevils, inside ESTPs are quick to grasp underlying principles and logical concepts. In school, ESTPs excel in the fields of math, history, and practical skills. They score high on deductive reasoning and thrive in careers that offer a variety of tasks, independence, and a clear structure. While ESTPs are extroverts, they may seem less so than other extroverts. This is because ESTPs are more concerned with action and physical participation in the outside world over talking with numerous people. They would rather be climbing Mount Everest with a group of friends than having long conversations.

ESTPs use Ti to analyze systems, form independent logical thoughts, and make decisions objectively. Ti gives the ESTP an inner structure and order and a strong sense of inner control. While externally ESTPS may seem constantly active and adventure-seeking, internally ESTPs are usually self-disciplined, realistic and practical. They can analyze nearly any situation, diagnose the problem, and determine how to fix it. They are some of the quickest responders in a crisis and use their Ti to find ways to solve real-world problems in the here-and-now.

How INFJs and ISFJs Experience Ti:

How INFJs Use Ti:

INFJs have Extraverted Feeling (Fe) as their main decision-making function. This causes them to naturally absorb the feelings of the people around them. As a result, INFJs work tirelessly to make sure the people around them are happy. However, when the INFJ is alone they prefer the world of intuition above all, and balance that out with their introverted thinking. The MBTI® Manual says that INFJs score higher on deductive reasoning than any other feeling personality type. They also are one of two types with the highest college GPAs.

INFJs are one of the most commonly  mistyped personalities, and one of the easiest ways to tell the difference between an actual INFJ and a mistyped INFJ is to look at how involved they are with their emotions. INFJs easily absorb other people’s emotions and can get very stressed in atmospheres of conflict, yet internally they are much less focused on feelings than most other feeling types. Many INFJs when they are alone get stuck in what is called a “Ni-Ti loop” where they focus on intuitions and connecting underlying principles to expand their knowledge base. They can obsessively try to learn more and more about something they’re interested in. Unlike INFPs, INFJs are actually somewhat unaware of their own emotions. This is because Introverted Feeling (Fi) is not in their primary function stack and they value intuition above feeling.

Ti is the INFJs “relief” function. They enjoy using it when they are in a stress-free environment. For this reason, many INFJs enjoy collecting intense volumes of knowledge and reading non-fiction books. They may enjoy mind bending puzzles and brain teasers that keep them mentally stimulated. However, when making a decision, feeling will still outweigh thinking for the INFJ.

In mid-life INFJs will develop Ti more fully and will enjoy being able to be more objective and logic-driven in their decisions.

How ISFJs Use Ti:

ISFJs, like INFJs, have Extraverted Feeling (Fe) as their primary decision-making function. They will first consider the needs of others around them before making a decision. They are “harmonizers” always wanting to ensure that everyone is taken care of and their needs are met. However, internally ISFJs are first of all sensors. They are keenly aware of details around them, and remember a vast storehouse of facts and details from the past. They are practical and kind people who will go out of their way to provide hands-on help to people who need it.

ISFJs use Ti to analyze and think critically when needed. They like to have a logical basis for their decisions regarding their own personal lives. Ti is also the ISFJs “relief function” which means during relaxed times in their lives ISFJS may enjoy utilizing Ti a great deal. They may enjoy brain-teasers, puzzles like Sudoku, and expanding their knowledge base in whatever fields interest them. They apply practical knowledge to whatever situation is at hand and can easily make logical decisions that coincide with the needs of others around them through both Fe and Ti.

Academically, ISFJS are one of the two types least likely to have trouble in school. They especially excel in elementary school as children, and are often at the top of their class.

In mid-life ISFJs will develop Ti more fully, which allows them to think more objectively and form logic-driven conclusions.

How ENFJs and ESFJs Experience Ti:

How ENFJs Experience Ti:

Ti is the most unconscious of the ENFJs primary functions and therefore the least accessible to them. ENFJs rely most fully on Extraverted Feeling (Fe) and Introverted Intuition (Ni) and will experience Ti more as “background noise. That said, ENFJs (like all types) are somewhat captivated by their inferior function. ENFJs strive for a sense of inner control and logical competence and may have some Ti interests; for example, reading extensive non-fiction books or taking up formal study in math. However, even with their fascination with Ti, ENFJs still are much more focused and skilled in the world of feelings and values and emotional intelligence.

At certain times in life ENFJs may overuse their dominant and auxiliary functions (Fe and Ni) and cause the two functions to wear out. This usually happens during times of extreme or chronic stress. When this happens, they may fall “into the grip” of Ti and become uncharacteristically critical of themselves, finding flawed logical reasons to blame themselves for any and every failure. They may also become obsessed with analyzing irrelevant data to find some ultimate truth or reason for their distress. To find out more about this you can check out my article How Each Myers-Briggs Type Reacts to Stress (and How to Help).

As ENFJs get into their 50s and 60s they will develop Ti more fully. This will make them seem more independent and logically sound in their beliefs and ideas. It will also become easier for them to make more objective decisions.

How ESFJs Experience Ti:

ESFJs, much like ENFJs, experience Ti more as “background noise” than as a real driving force in their lives. They are focused primarily on harmony and will consider the feelings and emotions of other people when making decisions. As a result, they may feel incomplete and unsure of themselves when trying to make objective decisions. All the same, because Ti is their inferior function, ESFJs strive for a sense of inner control and logical competence, and they may try to utilize Ti by teaching themselves new skills or reading non-fiction books. No matter what they may try, however, their natural skill will always lie in emotional intelligence more than objective logic and problem-solving.

At certain times in life ESFJs may overuse their dominant and auxiliary functions (Fe and Si) and cause the two functions to wear out. This usually happens during times of extreme or chronic stress. When this happens, they may fall “into the grip” of Ti and become uncharacteristically critical of themselves, finding flawed logical reasons to blame themselves for any and every failure. They may also become obsessed with analyzing irrelevant data to find some ultimate truth or reason for their distress. To find out more about this you can check out my article How Each Myers-Briggs Type Reacts to Stress (and How to Help).

As ESFJs get into their 50s and 60s they will develop Ti more fully. They will enjoy more independent logical thought and be able to make objective decisions more easily.

What Do You Think?

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type or The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

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