INTP Relationships: The Secret to Understanding This Personality Type -

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Each person can be classified with a specific personality type. According to Myers-Briggs, there are 16 different MBTI types that makeup who we are, who and how we love, and how we function in relationships. Do you struggle with relationships? Are you often seen as an introvert? Are you known for introverted thinking? If you struggle with finding that perfect match, you probably aren’t unlucky with love. You just may have a rare personality type. Read on to learn more about INTP relationships.

What Are INTP Relationships?

As mentioned briefly above, there are 16 different personality types defined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. The Introverted Intuitive Thinking Perceiving (INTP) is one of the 16 personality types that we will explore in this article. The INTP personality type is also one of the rarest personality types. In fact, INTPs make up only approximately four percent of the population. The rarest personality type is INFJ Myers-Briggs personality type, making up less than one percent of the world’s population.

Introversion (I): INTPs are sociable but prefer to stick to small groups of close friends and family rather than crowds of strangers. They are also known for introverted thinking.
Intuition (N): INTPs tend to look at the big picture rather than focus on minute details.
Thinking (T): INTPs are logical and make decisions and problem-solve based on objective information rather than subjective feelings.
Perceiving (P): INTPs aren’t typically planners. They prefer to keep their options open and are often intimidated by firm structures or plans.

The INTP personality type is often described as aloof, self-focused, and witty. INTPs are also kind, considerate, and go above and beyond to treat others with respect. They also avoid speaking negatively about others and forgive easily.

Intuitive Thinking

INTPs and INFJs are often seen as intuitive thinkers. Although INTPs emphasize logic and objective information as to their approach to making decisions, INFJs take a different approach. INFJs are also introverted, but they focus problem-solving on intuitive thinking. This means that these thinkers use feelings rather than rational processes to solve problems.

So, out of the 16 MBTI personality types, what are the other types? Here is a list of each personality type and their nicknames:

INTJ: The Mastermind
INFP: The Healer
ENTP: The Visionary
ISTP: The Craftsman
INFJ: The Advocate
ENTJ: The Commander
ENFP: The Champion
ISTJ: The Inspector
ISFP: The Composer
ESTP: The Dynamo
ENFJ: The Teacher
ISFJ: The Protector
ESTJ: The Supervisor
ESFP: The Performer
ESFJ: The Provider

INTP-T vs. INTP-A

Furthermore, the INTP personality type can be broken down into two categories: INTP-A and INTP-T.

The INTP-A Personality Type: INTP-As are introverted thinkers, but they are also highly assertive and very straight forward. Conversely, experts believe that despite their assertiveness, INTP-A types aren’t goal-oriented individuals.
The INTP-T Personality Type: INTP-T types tend to be less emotionally stable, moodier, and easily stressed than traditional INTPs.

INTP Personality Traits

What personality traits make up the INTP personality type? INTPs are often described as quiet and analytical. They enjoy spending time alone and value their personal freedom and independence. Their quiet time is when they think about how things work and develop solutions to problems. This is an example of introverted thinking when compared to extraverted thinking or extraverted intuition.

According to the MBTI, here are some of the top strengths and weaknesses of the INTP personality type:

INTP Strengths

High cognitive functions
Experience love and affection, which is often seen as almost childlike and innocent
Incredibly loyal
Generally laid-back and easy-going
Approach things with interest and enthusiasm
Richly imaginative and creative
Not typically threatened by conflict or criticism
Not very demanding
Maintains a simplistic lifestyle with very simple daily needs

INTP Weaknesses

Not naturally in tune with others’ feelings; slow to respond to emotional needs
Not naturally good at expressing their own feelings and emotions
Tend to be suspicious and distrusting of others
Struggles with money management
Struggle with getting out of toxic relationships
Will often avoid conflicts or ignore difficult situations
Tend to “blow up” in heated anger

INTP Relationships

Their genuine compassion, high level of intelligence, and sincerity make INTPs incredibly appealing to partners. Furthermore, INTPs are always full of ideas, which often pleasantly surprise partners. INTPs love sharing with others, and when finally meeting a partner, they are often excited, eager, playful, and flirt by playing intellectual games.

However, relationships don’t always come easy for INTPs. They often feel shy and withdrawn and are reluctant to get out and meet others. They are most comfortable with small, social groups of people they already know and love. One of their biggest fears is rejection or making themselves the center of attention. Rather, the INTP personality types will leave hints or clues for a potential partner, allowing them to make the first move.

INTP Dating

INTPs enjoy their personal freedom and can work very well independently for long periods of time. Therefore, they are often reluctant to make relationship choices that would complicate their lives. However, their inferior function pushes them to surround themselves with people whom they love. This is often prompted by overwhelming loneliness or emptiness. INTPs are excited by the thought of having a partner and thoroughly enjoy being around others and in long-term relationships.

On the other hand, because INTPs are highly independent, the thought of long-term relationships scares them. This is because they fear this will take away their independence. As a result, INTPs deal with a constant internal struggle. INTPs need people and want intimate relationships. On the other hand, they also want to maintain a level of personal freedom and independence. Their seeming lack of commitment to a partner often leads to relationships issues over the long term.

INTP Compatibility

INTPs who are in intimate relationships value their partners as their best friends and their closest confidant and source of support. They often take their relationships very seriously. Because INTPs are intuitive and introverted thinkers, they tend to be incredibly particular about whom they choose as a partner. INTPs are attracted to those who are intelligent, creative, and interested in personal goals. INTPs often struggle to maintain interest in those who lack open-mindedness or intelligence.

Additionally, INTPs also enjoy discussing their areas of interest with a partner. Therefore, they look for partners who can keep up with them in theoretical conversations. During the early phases of a relationship, INTPs are very direct and honest. This is their attempt to establish a proper mindset and reach a mutual understanding to avoid misunderstandings and conflict.

The INTP’s natural partner is ENTJ or ESTJ. Because introverted thinking is an INTP’s dominant personality characteristic, INTPs are best matched with extraverted intuition or those with extraverted feelings. The INTP ENTJ or INTP ESTJ partnership is often the best match because these two types share a similar intuition level. Additionally, INTPs are best paired with another intuitive personality type, the INFJ INTP relationship is another common partnership.

INTP Test

You might be thinking about or identifying with many of these strengths, weaknesses, and personality type characteristics as you read this. So, are you one of the rare folks with the INTP personality type?

The good news is that there are a number of free online INTP tests that can help determine if you are or aren’t an INTP and your true personality type.

INTP Female

If you discover that you are, in fact, an INTP, then you are in good company! Below are some lists of INTP women, celebrities, and famous people.

Women make up approximately two percent of all INTPs, compared to only one percent of men. So, who are the most famous female INTPs? Here is a list of some top female INTPs:

Tina Fey
Meryl Streep
Sigourney Weaver
Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate Olsen
Asia Carrera
M.I.A.
Amy Smart
Kate Moss
Diane Lane
Kristen Stewart
Eleanor Roosevelt
Emily Bronte
Florence Nightingale
Shirley MacLaine

INTP Celebrities

Additionally, here is a list of the top INTP celebrities and famous people:

Albert Einstein
Charles Darwin
William James
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Carl Jung
Socrates
Sir Isaac Newton
J.K. Rowling
Abraham Lincoln
Dustin Hoffman
Rick Moranis
John Cusack
Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft)
Larry Page (co-founder of Google)
Mohandas Gandhi
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Jimmy Carter
Edward Snowden

Looking for Love in All the Right Places

All in all, people who struggle with finding the perfect match may not be unlucky in love. They just might be very selective with finding a partner. Although INTP and INFJ personality types are the rarest personality types, INTP and INFJ relationships are entirely possible, and can be successful.