Myers-Briggs s/o - any other INTP,s or do we just not care about that sort of thing?

[Bluegoat]

I feel like there should be plenty of us around at a classical homeschooling site? 

[MomatHWTK]

Sorry, I'm pretty sure I'm an INTJ. I know that in the broader personality styles categories I am a "Driver." (That pretty much means, don't care- just get it done. LOL)

[maize]

Pretty sure I'm INFP.

[SamanthaBea]

INTP here! I care. :-)

[Anne in CA]

DH is INTP, but almost a J, so very close. I am INTJ and he gets mad at me for judging :lol:, but he judges almost as much, lol.

[carriede]

I consider myself INTX, as my P designation was only 55%. But no, I didn't vote. ;)

 

Added: Okay, I voted INTP, just to "balance" things out.

Edited May 4, 2016 by carriede

[heartlikealion]

I took the test several months ago and cannot find my results. I don't remember what it was... I think it was INTJ or something with "IN" but now I don't have anything to reference. Maybe I'll force myself to take it again.

[Onceuponatime]

My father, son-in-law, and youngest son are INTPs and they don't care. 😊

[Bluegoat]

Well, there are a few of us.

 

It's interesting that the level of caring is luke-warm, as INTPs generally seem to be keen on any sortof systematic modeling.  But perhaps it is a matter of being unsure of the model has any validity - generally it isn't a test that is used by professionals.

[Onceuponatime]

Well, there are a few of us.

 

It's interesting that the level of caring is luke-warm, as INTPs generally seem to be keen on any sortof systematic modeling. But perhaps it is a matter of being unsure of the model has any validity - generally it isn't a test that is used by professionals.

I think a big part of the not caring is that it is not hard science. Its ability to predict people's thoughts or actions, and their outcomes, in a particular instance is not reliable. I find that understandable, being an atypical ISTJ who finds it easier to relate to INTJs than people of my own type. It also provides the means to create caricatures of types, which irritates me. I am not Spock.

 

That said, it has helped me have a greater understanding of my ENFP daughter whose thought processes and actions are often alien to me.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Onceuponatime

[Farrar]

Sometimes I'm an INTP on those tests. I always get I and N, but the T and P change every time. It's not a very scientific system really.

 

 

[Bluegoat]

I think a big part of the not caring is that it is not hard science. Its ability to predict people's thoughts or actions, and their outcomes, in a particular instance is not reliable. I find that understandable, being an atypical ISTJ who finds it easier to relate to INTJs than people of my own type. It also provides the means to create caricatures of types, which irritates me. I am not Spock.

 

That said, it has helped me have a greater understanding of my ENFP daughter whose thought processes and actions are often alien to me.

 

I'm not sure that INTPs are typically dedicated to a hard science only approach though.

 

And as far as not predicting outcomes in a particular instance, that is very normal even in the sciences, that is what we would expect from that kind of statistical information.

[carriede]

Sometimes I'm an INTP on those tests. I always get I and N, but the T and P change every time. It's not a very scientific system really.

Classic INTP response. ;)

[Bluegoat]

Sometimes I'm an INTP on those tests. I always get I and N, but the T and P change every time. It's not a very scientific system really.

 

There seem to be better but less popular systems for this sort of thing.  On the other hand, I have tried some of those and find them less insightful.

 

Interestingly MB is based on Jungian approaches and Jung himself was an INTP.

 

It would be pretty normal for people to vary regularly in their results though.  The numbers attached to the letters are actually important but for some reason many people don't bother with them.  If you are close to the crossover point for P and J you may test as either on a given day, but you will still be closer to your own results than someone who is an extreme of either.

[lailasmum]

I always come up as ISTP but reading about INTP there are some things that make me question that I may actually be INTP. 

 

I actually just retook the test and came up INTP so maybe it depends on my mood as to the results. 

Edited May 4, 2016 by lailasmum

[happypamama]

I always come up as ISTP but reading about INTP there are some things that make me question that I may actually be INTP.

My DH is an ISTP -- they're the craftsperson DIY types, and he's definitely that -- but the INTP is the intellectual, book reading, information-gathering type, and I definitely see that in him too. It could be that you're like me and your S is actually very close to the N side also, so you have a lot of both; I came up as ISFJ, but very close to INFJ (protectors and counsellors). I actually think that people will probably identify a lot with the ones that are just one letter different. I actually identify a lot with the ESFJ, except for the E part. I do not think it's an exact science, because most of us are a mix of various things (even my strong I is only about 86%, which means there's a small hidden extrovert in there somewhere), and personality is more complex than can be explained in sixteen types.

 

When I look at Mystie's very helpful descriptions of the types as they relate to our homeschooling style, I find that I relate to most of the types in one way or the other, with the exception of the ENTP and ESTP -- they sound great but overwhelming to me, and while I might wish I could school those ways, the reality is that I'm not going to be happy or confident in them.

Edited May 4, 2016 by happypamama

[Farrar]

The Myers-Briggs is definitely pseudoscience... but that's okay. I mean, it's fun and sometimes thought provoking to think about the questions. I mean, it's the 1950's equivalent of a which Harry Potter character are you quiz. I like which character are you quizzes...

[MistyMountain]

I am a definite INT but borderline on the J and P and can test as either.

[ElizabethB]

Me. I am strongly INTP.

[Bluegoat]

The Myers-Briggs is definitely pseudoscience... but that's okay. I mean, it's fun and sometimes thought provoking to think about the questions. I mean, it's the 1950's equivalent of a which Harry Potter character are you quiz. I like which character are you quizzes...

 

I guess if we are thinking that anything measured is meant to be science.  Or that science is limited to the measurable which is probably easier to argue, though some might disagree.

 

Given that it's based on Jung, who didn't work in a way that we would consider a hard science should, I think that isn't surprising though.  In a way that's his strength.  So much of what it is to be human is just not measurable, which is why literature is as good a way to learn about psychology as any study of the science of it.

[MistyMountain]

Oh and I am not currently homeschooling. Part of me wants to but I am not as organized as I like and indecisiveness gets me. I do not think the personality test is perfect especially limiting it to 16 types but I can see why people who test with a P would be less represented.

[Bluegoat]

Yes, my lack of physical organization is a problem with homeschooling.  It's a reason I try and stick to a very stripped down model. 

[OlgaLA]

I am an INTP. I test firmly on all 4 letters, and what I read describes me pretty well. My DH and DD test in the middle on 2 letters each, so the descriptions are hit and miss. So, yes, 16 types is not enough. Plus, I/E is tested wrong, The questions are mostly trying to determine how shy you are, but it is not what I/E is. My son would definitely test as an introvert on those tests, but he is a shy extrovert. So, guess who gets the brunt of his need to interact with someone all.the.time? My DD is introverted, but you would never tell when she is out. It is when she comes home, I see that she needs lots of time to recharge. So, yes, not very scientific. I can't tell for sure about J/P. It is called judging, but from what I see it is planners/let's see how it goes. All of us fall into P category, so it makes for a fun household. Maybe the lack of organizational skills results in many INTP realizing that they can't run a homeschool to their own liking? I mean, I like everything neat and organized, I just can't do it. If I need to set something in stone, I feel insecure for some reason. like, what if XYZ happens and I am tied to this decision? And schooling requires a lot of that, especially at highs chool level. OK, I'll post his now, since my INTP brain starts telling me that all I wrote is obvious and not of any interest to this discussion :)

 

 

[AK_Mom4]

I don't care.

And I don't necessarily agree with the validity of the model. Too easy to manipulate answers to get the letters you want.

 

And I don't really agree that personality types necessarily correlate to the "success" of homeschooling. Personality is one of many factors in an educational relationship, but not necessarily the driving influence.

[Dmmetler]

My thing is that I come out to something like 7 different personality types +/- 5, and 14 +/- 10. Not enough to make a statistically clear determination, darn it!

 

 

[Bluegoat]

I am an INTP. I test firmly on all 4 letters, and what I read describes me pretty well. My DH and DD test in the middle on 2 letters each, so the descriptions are hit and miss. So, yes, 16 types is not enough. Plus, I/E is tested wrong, The questions are mostly trying to determine how shy you are, but it is not what I/E is. My son would definitely test as an introvert on those tests, but he is a shy extrovert. So, guess who gets the brunt of his need to interact with someone all.the.time? My DD is introverted, but you would never tell when she is out. It is when she comes home, I see that she needs lots of time to recharge. So, yes, not very scientific. I can't tell for sure about J/P. It is called judging, but from what I see it is planners/let's see how it goes. All of us fall into P category, so it makes for a fun household. Maybe the lack of organizational skills results in many INTP realizing that they can't run a homeschool to their own liking? I mean, I like everything neat and organized, I just can't do it. If I need to set something in stone, I feel insecure for some reason. like, what if XYZ happens and I am tied to this decision? And schooling requires a lot of that, especially at highs chool level. OK, I'll post his now, since my INTP brain starts telling me that all I wrote is obvious and not of any interest to this discussion :)

 

I think it's interesting.

 

My husband is a strong J type, and that causes us a lot of issues around this idea of making decisions.  But I think it goes beyond that to, for example, having a much stronger sense of things being one thing or the other.  (Though I think many people modify that as they get older.  But people inclined to more black and white thinking about things are more likely to be Js.  I also find that whereas I tend to think of things being related together in a giant web, Js like my husband are more inclined to think about them being in a line.

 

Though - both those things seem to be related also to the S and N functions.  SJ types are very "That is how it is so we just need to deal with it" types.

 

I don't generally get my knickers in a twist about having to make final decisions though.  I think perhaps that is something I learned in the army, but for me it is completely pragmatic.  What it comes down to is that at a certain point it is worse not to commit than to be flexible, and so making a decision - even if it is the wrong one, is almost certainly better than making no decision.  If it isn't, I figure it will probably become obvious soon enough.  But almost always I feel it is possible to eliminate the really really bad decisions from the mix (at least with homeschooling.)

 

ETA - I agree it's possible for the I/E questions to mislead. I think they hope that because there are many, different scenarios will balance out.  It seems to me that what they are looking for is to see if people are renewed mainly by interaction or being alone.  But I am pretty sure, for example, that the fact I come out as such a strong I is partly because of social anxiety, because I do in fact need a fairly steady diet of interaction - just within the right kind of setting.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Bluegoat

[kiana]

I score INTX on every test.

 

But as someone else stated above I really don't agree with introvert/extrovert. I'm a shy extrovert. 

[Tsuga]

XNTP.

 

It's not that I don't care. I just am not attached to one option as the solution to the whole world's problems. Like "Aha. Homeschooling. That will do it. I've found the answer and now I will not change because it is the RIGHT answer." Instead I adjusted. I liked the idea of homeschooling as an alternative but the reality of it was that my kids and I didn't thrive in a one-on-two environment.

 

So I took that new information and made a different decision.

 

I think INTJs are much more likely to operate to some extent out of... if not fear, maybe, caution? Like, "I have to homeschool because otherwise X." From bad influences in the school to fascist government automaton making teachers, whatever, I just don't see the world like that. I know that terrible things can happen to children and we of course talk about honoring yourself but I'm not living my whole life without changing my beliefs or adjusting my plans. INTJs tend to get very, very set in their ways (like all Js).

 

I think SWB's book is THE best book and guideline on home education available. I think the emphasis on classical education and her delineation of the trivium is a gift their family has given the world. It's amazing. I have read many homeschool books and theories and hers comes out of a love for learning and observation. So yes, I do subscribe to that method, though I can only get so far as an afterschooler. But! But!

 

I don't need to adhere to it in an almost religious way. Like we have barely touched on history in the primary years because I'd much rather make sure the kids are getting solid math, music and reading outside of school. And outside time. But in terms of making things fit together, absolutely I integrate that into my work.

 

And the control, holy cow the control.

 

INTJs. They need control. I notice this less in terms of education on these boards--because okay, you are the teacher, you are the only teacher, many kids won't educate themselves, so you have to take control of nearly everything. I get that. Boy do I ever.

 

But the friends, the activities, the lack of playdates, the control of relationships (someone insulted me--> cut them off!), the amount of sitting, the where, the how, holy moly mother of pearl people LET GO. Just let go. They are people. They are their own people. You cannot make their fate for them. I know, you want the best for them, we all suffer as mothers.

 

But INTJs suffer more than most, LOL. You just need to let go of the fact that your kid's personality is not part of your plan. There's nothing wrong with them for not being like you expected, it's a person not a project, if you love somebody set them free.

 

I have definitely presented an extreme picture of the INTJ homeschooler here. And someone could present an equally extreme portrait of me, the scattered XNTP without any control over her life to the extent that I leave a trail of disorganization in my path and it's probably grounded in reality, heh.

 

But I think the control thing + planning + the fact that Ns don't enjoy the school setting as much (less reflection) + T means they are thinkers and often care deeply about academic subjects, theoretical subjects + Introverted, assuming that their kids like them won't necessarily need interaction to thrive, leads to a lot of INTJs homeschooling.

 

ENTPs and INTPs will be less attached and IMO more likely to let their kids determine their own paths. That makes a huge difference, because the chances of an INTP having another INTP are low, same with INTJ. So if you're like, "Nope, do it my way, I have it all planned out" then whatever the kid's personality type, they are going to be homeschooled.

 

Because that was the plan. 

 

The ENTP/INTP did not have such a plan. They were enthusiastic, thought it sounded cool, but they are going to adapt to a kid who is an EXFP (lordy lordy I have one of these god help us all). I NEVER thought my kid would be taking three types of art classes at once some months. If I had planned out homeschooling from the start and determined that that was the "right" way and that she had to respond or be somehow fixed to fit the plan, I don't think we'd have survived.

 

And indeed that is the source of many posts on this board. "How can I fix my kid to fit this plan I had?" "What is wrong with my kid that the plan did not work?"

 

It's not the kid, it's the plan. :D

 

It's fascinating to watch. None of us are immune from that tendency to want to make the kids fit or preconceived notions but INTJs are particularly susceptible, IMO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kbutton]

Wow, I read this out of curiosity--INTJ here with an acquaintance (married to a homeschooling wife) who is an INTP. I didn't quite expect the thread to be largely an assessment of or contrast with INTJs--in my experience INTJs are all about the practical plan. If it stops working (is no longer practical), or you could make it better (including turning yourself inside out for that kid not at all like you), an INTJ will do it. Some of us are all about it working, and the plan is the means to an end that can change as needed. Anyway...

 

My INTP friend takes a strong interest in the philosophical direction of the homeschooling of his children and sometimes steps in with strong opinions about materials that will accomplish that goal. He very much leaves the day-to-day circus to his wife. He does teach a subject or two as it strikes his fancy and when he can pull it off (as the mood strikes inconsistently). I think one of other threads theorized that INTPs in the Middle Ages would've been studying theology and whatnot and being all classical--I would say that's the INTP friend I know. Happy with the books and the theory.

 

 

[amy g.]

I'm a pretty extreme INTP who is married to an INTJ and has 2 INTJ daughters.

 

I have been homeschooling 14 years now and I tend to focus on the philosophical aspects of homeschooling rather than the the practical. My INTJ family members make AWESOME partners because they have the practicality make my ideas a reality.

 

In our family of 7, my middle daughter is the only F. I really feel for her and try to make sure she has time every day to talk to friends and aunts and uncles who are also Fs and can validate her experiences more the extreme Ts that she lives with do.

[Ausmumof3]

INXP who can't figure out if she's socialised to be an F by society of socialised to be a T by a strong relationship with a T father. Theoretically you can't be a borderline as it has something to do with the function stacks being totally different but realistically I think many people are.

 

I think even though it's soft science it can be useful for understanding why we have the weaknesses we do and likewise why others don't. It helped me stop beating myself up about lack of organisation and like you said realise that eventually sometimes a wrong decision is better than endless circling. My brain definitely can get into endless loop mode if I don't set a time limit on decision making.

 

Like you I do a mostly stripped down version of school otherwise lack of organisation causes havoc for us. The extras get done when they fit in.

 

I did find an intp parent description once which I liked and think is accurate. It basically said we are fairly laid back parents who are good at helping our kids become who they are and facilitating their interests rather than trying to turn them into mini-mes.

[Ausmumof3]

Also yes studying theoretical philosophy all day would be an ideal world for me but of course we have to snap out of it and parent sometimes.

[Bluegoat]

So here is a question around this idea about INTPs tending to be (statistically) non-religious rationalists who like computer programming and informatics.

 

I tend to associate philosophy with theology pretty strongly, not because they always go together but because historically they are closely related, and that was my field of study.  I can easily see why someone with that personality type would find real theology - be it Buddhist or Christian or whatever - very satisfying. 

 

The descriptions I think tend to say INTPs are inclined to be non-religious mainly for statistical reasons - that just happens to be the case.  But I've never seen a theory for why that might be.  And if you look at historical INTPs they seem to include people like Aquinas, Descartes, Newton, and Jung.

 

So - what gives?  (I have a few thoughts myself but I would like to see what others think.)

[Ausmumof3]

I think the intuitive perceiver combination makes people more likely to observe internal flaws in birth religion and reject it. That said I would probably expect most intps to be agnostic rather than full scale atheist.

 

I know that although I'm still part of our religion I am more likely to question and examine various sides than some.

[luuknam]

I've mentioned I'm INTP on one (or more?) of the other threads. I just don't care all that much anymore. It was interesting 12 years ago, I'm sort of bored with it now.

 

My INTP friend takes a strong interest in the philosophical direction of the homeschooling of his children and sometimes steps in with strong opinions about materials that will accomplish that goal. He very much leaves the day-to-day circus to his wife. He does teach a subject or two as it strikes his fancy and when he can pull it off (as the mood strikes inconsistently).

 

That'd be me, except my wife (whom I met on an INTP email list) has a full-time job so I'm running the circus, and well, it's a circus. :lol:

 

I think the intuitive perceiver combination makes people more likely to observe internal flaws in birth religion and reject it. That said I would probably expect most intps to be agnostic rather than full scale atheist.

 

This. That said, while I think it's technically impossible to ascertain whether there is/are god(s), for practical purposes I just pretend to be an atheist.

[Bluegoat]

Should that not be equally true though of any philosophical system?  A heck of a lot of people these days in the west are some sort of materialists?  So would we not then expect INTPs to be observing internal flaws in that system of thought and questioning them?  And why would that not have been the case in the past, when many INTPs were philosophically engaged in various systems?

 

It sounds like what you would have would be a group composed mostly of skeptics, but that doesn't seem to have been the case particularly?