Profile:  INTJ
Revision:  1.2
Date of Revision:  19 Nov 93
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              Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

       by Marina Margaret Heiss (mmh0m@poe.acc.virginia.edu)


Particularly to the outside world, the INTJ's most apparent personality trait
is their self-confidence.  This self-confidence is rooted in the specialized
knowledge systems that most INTJs start building up at an early age;  they
know what they know -- and, just as importantly, what they don't know.
Within their own fields of expertise--and INTJs can have several -- they will
be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and
if so, how. 

INTJs are also the most pragmatic of all types, applying (often ruthlessly)
the criterion "Does it *work*?" to everything from social norms to their own
research efforts.  This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind,
freeing the INTJ of the constraints of authority, convention, and sentiment
for its own sake.  INTJs are not, however "open" people with respect to their
personal physical and psychological space;  they usually dislike being in
close proximity to anyone who isn't an intimate, and dislike still more
having their private lives invaded in any way.

INTJs are "Systems Builders," and, be it based on technology, personnel, or 
information, whatever system an INTJ is working on becomes their equivalent
of a moral cause to an INFJ.  As a result, they tend to be nearly as unsparing
of others on the project as they are of themselves;  anyone considered to be
"slacking" (including superiors) loses their respect--and generally is made
aware of this.  On the other hand, INTJs usually take the time to point out
positive contributions, and are scrupulous about giving others credit for
their ideas.  If, however, an INTJ feels that the goals and progress of the
system are being stifled or corrupted by the powers-that-be, they may become
embittered, and have radically uncharacteristic obstructive reactions (e.g.,
walking out at 5:00 sharp the night before a major deadline).  Or, if they
don't trust their co-workers' competence or dedication, they may take it upon
themselves to make and implement critical decisions without consulting anyone.

Obvious INTJ careers are in science and engineering;  they rise to management 
level positions in these fields if they can use their pragmatism to regard
the existing management and bureaucracy as tools rather than obstacles to be
circumvented.  INTJs can also be found wherever a combination of intellect
and incisiveness are required (law, some areas of academia, etc.).

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, tend to be the INTJ's
Achilles heel.  They are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a
select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a
relationship, but the knowledge and instincts that make them so successful in
the academic/work environment often seem to abandon or mislead them in
interpersonal situations.  For example, INTJs have little patience with and
less understanding of small talk, flirtation, and other social/courtship
rituals that most types consider half the fun of a relationship. Also, many
INTJs will enter a romantic involvement with a naivete' paralleled by that of
many Fs--only instead of inexhaustible kindness and empathy, they expect
inexhaustible reasonability and communication from their SOs.  Their most
stable relationships, both platonic and romantic, tend to start in an
academic/work environment, where the INTJ is in their element and usually has
a significant amount of time to get to know the other person.


Famous INTJ people:

U.S. Presidents:
     John F. Kennedy
     Richard M. Nixon
     James K. Polk
     Woodrow Wilson 
Susan B. Anthony 
Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Rome
Jane Austen
William F. Buckley, Jr.
Hannibal
Confederate Civil War General James Longstreet
Union Civil War General John Reynolds
Mystery writer Josephine Tey

Fictional:
Cassius in _Julius_Caesar_
Mr. Darcy in _Pride_and_Prejudice_
Sherlock Holmes' nemesis Professor Moriarty (it's only fair to include the
   occasional villain :-))  Holmes himself is probably an INTX.
Ensign Ro of _Star_Trek:_the_Next_Generation_
John le Carre's master spy, George Smiley