5 Signs You're Actually An ISTJ
Summary
TLDRThis video discusses the often misunderstood ISTJ personality type, focusing on five key signs that may indicate someone is an ISTJ. The speaker addresses misconceptions, such as the belief that ISTJs are rigid or solely routine-based. Instead, ISTJs possess strong internal worlds, vivid imaginations, and deep convictions rooted in introverted sensing and feeling. The video also highlights the role of extroverted thinking in their competence-driven nature and explores their struggles with extroverted intuition. The speaker encourages self-reflection for those questioning their type, offering valuable insights into ISTJ cognition.
Takeaways
- ๐ ISTJ is often misunderstood as a cognitive type, especially when people stereotype them as hyper-organized or workaholics.
- ๐ค Introverted sensing in ISTJs isn't about routines; rather, it's about vivid internal experiences and reflections.
- ๐ง ISTJs are emotionally reflective, spending a lot of time with their introverted feeling, which helps them maintain internal consistency and integrity.
- ๐ผ ISTJs tend to use their extroverted thinking to establish competency in external environments, often striving for improvement and high standards.
- ๐ Many ISTJs prefer peace and reflection, contrary to the stereotype of them being rigid rule enforcers.
- ๐ The ISTJ's extroverted thinking allows them to analyze external systems and make strategic decisions, making them effective leaders in various roles.
- ๐ โโ๏ธ ISTJs often stand firm in their beliefs and convictions, unaffected by social pressures or emotional manipulation from others.
- ๐ Socially, ISTJs can struggle with small talk and may have stiff or monotone expressions, leading to awkward interactions.
- ๐ ISTJs are more holistic thinkers, often using intuitive patterns and general principles rather than detailed, mathematical logic.
- ๐ ISTJs are sometimes drawn to mysticism and the philosophical, having a natural sense of wonder and awe that influences their thinking.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about ISTJs that the speaker addresses?
-The speaker argues that ISTJs are often misunderstood as routine-based, rigid individuals with a hyper-organizational work ethic. This stereotype focuses more on their external behaviors rather than understanding the internal cognitive functions that drive their actions.
What is the first sign that someone might be an ISTJ, according to the speaker?
-The first sign is having a strong and vivid internal world, where ISTJs spend time reflecting and engaging with their introverted sensing (Si) and introverted feeling (Fi) functions. This internal focus may manifest as a preference for personal introspection over external routines.
How do ISTJs differ from ISFJs, despite sharing the Si function?
-ISTJs and ISFJs differ in their dominant function pairings. While ISTJs use Si-Fi (introverted sensing paired with introverted feeling), ISFJs operate with Si-Ti (introverted sensing paired with introverted thinking). This difference means their cognitive focus and internal values vary significantly.
What role does extroverted thinking (Te) play in the personality of an ISTJ?
-Extroverted thinking (Te) serves as a supporting function for ISTJs, helping them navigate and structure the external world. This function drives their need for competence, high standards, and a results-oriented mindset, often leading them to focus on external metrics for self-assessment.
Why might ISTJs be seen as natural strategists?
-ISTJs' ability to use extroverted thinking to analyze external information and their vigilance in scanning for potential risks make them excellent strategists. They consider multiple perspectives and account for long-term consequences, making them effective at complex decision-making.
How can the stereotype of ISTJs being 'stuck in their ways' arise?
-This stereotype can emerge when ISTJs are under stress or experiencing high levels of responsibility. In such states, their extroverted intuition (Ne) function may become overly cautious, leading them to eliminate possibilities and stick rigidly to familiar approaches to maintain stability.
What is the 'Ne-Fe blind spot' for ISTJs?
-The 'Ne-Fe blind spot' refers to ISTJs' lower emphasis on extroverted intuition (Ne) and extroverted feeling (Fe). This means they may struggle with considering multiple abstract possibilities or understanding the emotional expectations of others, making them less flexible in social settings.
Why are ISTJs often perceived as lacking humor or social grace?
-Due to their lower prioritization of Fe and their focus on internal consistency, ISTJs may struggle with more nuanced social interactions, such as small talk or humor. Their communication can appear flat or direct, which may lead to misconceptions about their warmth or approachability.
What is the holistic thinking style of ISTJs?
-Contrary to the stereotype of ISTJs being detail-oriented, they often think in holistic patterns and general overviews. They prefer cyclical logic and intuitive thinking rather than focusing on micro-level precision, making them more attuned to broader principles and overarching themes.
What types of interests might ISTJs have due to their holistic and intuitive nature?
-ISTJs, due to their more intuitive and generalist thinking, may be drawn to topics like mysticism, philosophy, or the supernatural. These areas appeal to their preference for internal exploration and understanding concepts that cannot be easily defined by science or strict logic.
Outlines
๐ค Understanding the Misconceptions of ISTJs
The ISTJ personality type is often misunderstood, particularly in relation to introverted sensing (Si) and its perceived association with routines. The video explains that while some ISTJs may exhibit routine-driven behaviors, especially older generations, this is not inherently due to their Si dominance. Instead, ISTJs are more reflective and operate out of necessity rather than strict adherence to routines. Newer generations, in particular, are less bound by survival instincts and more comfortable with reflection. The stereotype of ISTJs as rigid and hyper-organized often overlooks their creative and peaceful sides, particularly their vivid imaginations and ability to escape into internal worlds, making them more abstract than commonly assumed.
๐ญ Interactions Between Sensing and Feeling in ISTJs
This paragraph emphasizes the unique cognitive function pairing of introverted sensing (Si) and introverted feeling (Fi) in ISTJs. Contrary to popular belief, ISFJs and ISTJs do not share the same cognitive processes despite both using Si. While ISFJs use introverted thinking to compensate for their extroverted thinking, ISTJs rely more on introverted feeling to guide their experiences. This makes ISTJs more reflective, with a solid and consistent emotional core, often tied to their achievements and resilience. The paragraph highlights that ISTJs and INFPs share similar functions but approach self-concept and reflection differently, with ISTJs maintaining a stronger sense of continuity.
๐ The Role of Extroverted Thinking in ISTJs
ISTJs use extroverted thinking (Te) to achieve external standards of competence, often balancing it with their more sensitive SiFi pairing. While they might appear focused on organization and authority, this is a mechanism to protect their vulnerable emotional core. The constant self-improvement associated with ISTJs stems from this extroverted thinking, pushing them to meet high personal and external standards. However, this focus on external competence can sometimes lead to a harsh self-assessment and neurotic tendencies, where they impose similar high standards on others. This competitive drive with themselves and the world around them is central to their cognitive process.
๐ Vigilance and Strategic Thinking in ISTJs
This paragraph dives into the extroverted intuition (Ne) aspect of ISTJs, explaining how their need for external harmony can sometimes push them to adopt survivalist mindsets. ISTJs are frequently seen in leadership roles due to their strategic ability to analyze external situations comprehensively, considering various perspectives to make informed decisions. However, this heightened vigilance can cause stress and anxiety, leading to resistance to change in unhealthy ISTJ manifestations. This often results in the type being stereotyped as rigid and stubborn, though this trait primarily arises from their meticulous nature and a desire to minimize uncertainty.
๐ Struggles with Extroverted Feeling and Social Dynamics
ISTJs often have difficulty with extroverted feeling (Fe), leading to potential challenges in social interactions. While they are unwavering in their beliefs and integrity, their lower cognitive priority on Fe makes them less susceptible to emotional manipulation or external emotional pressures. This can make ISTJs come across as blunt or socially stiff, struggling with small talk or humor. Their communication may lack emotional reciprocity, and they can sometimes miss social cues like awkward silences. Nevertheless, ISTJs possess a warm and intimate core, albeit expressed in a more subdued manner compared to other types that prioritize Fe.
๐ฎ ISTJ's Holistic and Intuitive Thinking Style
The final paragraph highlights that contrary to popular belief, ISTJs are not necessarily hyper-detailed or mathematically precise in their thinking. Instead, their cognitive process is more holistic and general, often focusing on patterns and heuristics rather than dissecting precise details. This intuitive approach leads many ISTJs to be drawn towards mystical or philosophical subjects, appreciating concepts that transcend strict logic. Their action-oriented thinking style favors quick overviews rather than deep analysis, which aligns with their preference for cyclical thinking. Beneath their pragmatic exterior, ISTJs often harbor a sense of awe for the profound and the mystical.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กISTJ
๐กIntroverted Sensing (Si)
๐กExtroverted Thinking (Te)
๐กIntroverted Feeling (Fi)
๐กExtroverted Intuition (Ne)
๐กRoutines
๐กSurvival Mode
๐กStereotypes
๐กHolistic Logic
๐กMysticism
Highlights
The ISTJ is often misunderstood, especially in terms of their introverted and reflective cognitive function.
ISTJs are not always routine-based individuals, contrary to common stereotypes; they focus more on reflecting in their internal world.
Younger generations of ISTJs tend to be less routine-bound and more reflective, using their introverted sensing for vivid imagination.
Introverted sensing doesn't necessarily equate to routine, as many ISTJs do not rely on routine in their daily lives.
Unlike ISFJs, who rely on systematic frameworks, ISTJs focus more on internal reflection and sensing to make sense of their experiences.
ISTJs can spend a lot of time exploring their emotions, values, and sense of self, often leading to strong convictions.
ISTJs and INFPs share the same cognitive functions, but they use them differently, with ISTJs focusing more on concrete reflections.
ISTJs are naturally independent individuals with strong convictions and integrity, not just routine-based workers.
ISTJs often hold themselves to high standards of competency, constantly competing with themselves to improve.
While ISTJs may exhibit vigilant and strategic traits, they also value peace and consistency in their personal lives.
ISTJs are often natural strategists, making complex decisions by evaluating all variables and managing external risks.
In stressful situations, ISTJs may become rigid or stubborn as they try to control their environment to avoid anxiety.
ISTJs are less likely to be swayed by external emotional manipulation, holding firm to their values and integrity.
Despite their reputation for being logical and precise, ISTJs often think in holistic, intuitive ways rather than focusing on micro-details.
Beneath their logical exterior, many ISTJs are drawn to mysticism and philosophy, finding awe and wonder in the unexplained.
Transcripts
here we go the IST today this is in my
opinion the most misunderstood cognitive
type and I've been really looking
forward to getting this video out I'm
going to give you five reasons to
consider why you yourself may actually
be an istj and hopefully to spell a myth
off too along the way and it is to those
of you who consider yourselves to be too
relaxed peace seeking and creative to be
this type that I dedicate the first sign
of this video I do so it's another one
that you may actually be an istj
intermitted sounds like dominance for
some reason people seem to associate a
highly introverted and reflective
function with a host of extroverted
implications people assign the istj
highly industrious work ethic bound
stereotypes but then say hey they still
don't like people so they must still be
introverts don't get me wrong there are
istjs especially among older Generations
who do conform to their workaholic hyper
organizational and routine bound
stereotype but they do so inspires their
dominant functions rather than because
of them due to the position of
introverted feeling within this type
isdjs may have traditionally been more
prone to manifestations of Divergent
subtypes
that is where an introvert is
essentially pushed to be more
extroverted usually associated with some
kind of survival mindset when the world
is falling apart introverts can become
hyper Vigilant as frankly they cannot
afford to take the time out for
themselves to be introverts people see
the Relentless hyper Vigilant
extroverted thinking
the routines that are necessary in order
for a Divergent introvert to be able to
sustain any amount of prolonged
extraversion slap an intermitted sensing
label on it and call it a day but in
reality intermittent sensing is not a
routine function routines are the means
by which conscientious extroverts and
introverts optimize their lives sure
some introverts may do this more art of
energetic necessity but it is fallacious
to equate introverted sensing with
routines generally it is isfjs and INFJs
who are the more naturally systematic of
the types relying as they do upon
introverted thinking Frameworks in order
to make up for a lack of excavator
thinking with you guessed it routines
isdjs 90js on the other hand do not need
routines for extra better thinking in
each type can take in external
information without relying upon a
pre-existing internal model to a comfort
so many istkas I've tapped have had
difficulty coming to terms with the type
because they are simply not routine
based people and istjs from newer
Generations in particular seem far less
within a survival State and therefore
having more time to stay in a reflective
s i f i to be into better sensing
dominant is to spend time in High
Fidelity internal world
sure this internal world may not
necessarily be as off the veils as
introverted intuition dominance but on
the flip side the imaginative product of
the SI dominant can often feel more real
than external reality itself and it's
hard to get more abstract than that if
you consider yourself someone with a
strong and vivid imagination who loves
nothing more than to take time out to
spend within a reflective introverted
sensing intubated feeling in a world
istj may be worth considering sign
number two that you may be an istj
intermitted feeling convergence so as
I've said in previous videos there isn't
really such thing as introverted sensing
in reality current functions work in
pairs and therefore produce a kind of
cognition through their interaction with
each other as such isfjs and istjs do
not technically share the same dominant
function in fact the cognition of each
of these types is radically different to
each other and putting too much emphasis
upon this intimated sensing label we
whack on the top of a corner of the map
can blind us to this you see unlike the
Siti of the isfj the dominant pairing of
the istj is sifi that is intermittent
sensing intermittent feeling this is a
type that by default spends a lot of
time interacting with their emotions
values and self-concept this isn't some
tertiary function the type goes into
every now and again to take a break from
Relentless productivity and as a lens
dominant type the emphasis is for
integrated sensing to essentially orbit
around a more secure and consistent
introverted feeling generally from a
more experiential perspective than a
national one as such unlike the I FP who
spends time changing the product of into
better feeling the istj instead
perceives upon a less fluid introverted
feeling for me experiential perspective
into What a Feeling therefore feels more
solid and consistent for example istjs
can more easily take applied upon their
achievement and their resilience
because the Lamb's dominant type here
can enjoy the product of fi
istj is an infps share the same
functions but people all too often
portray them as opposite types when the
only real difference here is a different
emphasis of attitudes the Kodak dominant
infp tends to more voluntarily change
and shape the self whereas the isdj can
more consistently reflect upon a sense
of continuity
so you can essentially call both types
perceiving types in their own way the
infp is called a perceiving type by mbti
because their extroverted thinking isn't
quite as demonstrable as their
extroverted intuition whereas the isdj
is technically the two perceiving type
because their dominant function is a
perceiving function
both things here can be true and I'd say
too much of this typology stuff is
dominated by either or mentalities so
unless we're talking about an isdj in
survival mode chances are this is a
gentle and peace-loving individual who
forms strong and enduring bonds and even
deeper convictions and it is a more
consistent and concrete nature of sifi
that lends this type such conviction in
fact when I think istj I don't think of
some routine based automaton but rather
a naturally independent person with
unshakable convictions and integrity and
the taxonomy from which these Concepts
originate actually contribute to this
misunderstanding people would see the
word dominant in a seemingly introverted
feeling of an infp whose dominant
function is intuitive feeling here would
therefore be stronger and more Sovereign
over not only their cognition but their
behavioral output but in reality both
the infp and the isdj are interverted
feeling dominance in their own right the
infp places emphasis upon changing
intuitive feeling to facilitate a harder
introverted sensing perspective whereas
the isdj changes upon intimate a sensing
perspective in order to facilitate a
harder introverted feeling
both types will be seen living in
accordance with their own values and
both will tend to embody integrity and
self-respect and ironically owing to the
agency position of introverted feeling
within its type the istj might actually
be more likely than the infp too form
any kind of attachment to a type label
in the first place and a final word on
intervalent sensing this is a internal
lens of a more concrete and precise
nature concrete does not mean but now
but rather something that is closer to a
ground rather than approximate truth and
istjas seeks such concrete Grant truth
within ethi more than TI
if you're a human being some of this
will probably resonate with you you have
a lot of it resonates with you you might
be an istj sound number three that you
might be an istj the extroverted
thinking or authority so this type isn't
all about sifi deep diving and the
stereotypes you know they're not
entirely wrong they're just mostly wrong
most of the time people tend to see the
organizational nete at this time more
than the sensitive sifi that that
pairing conceals it follows that people
of this type would seek to protect this
vulnerable core through a combination of
Competency and privacy and it is in the
realm of Competency that the extroverted
thinking Authority shines the most in
essence the extroverted thinking
competency this time that is the ability
to meet external standards and Thrive
within external parameters actors are
kind of Bedrock upon which identity can
be formed many of this sifi dominant
would strive for a ideal version of the
self based upon T thermometers more
often than not istgs are in this kind of
continuous
competition with the self as they
constantly seek to improve themselves to
the next demonstrable level but this te
Authority can be a double-edged sword
this type tends to hold themselves to
extremely high standards and there fired
can suffer a blow should they ever fall
short of their own expectations and
what's more and more neurotic
manifestations of this type these
standards are the self can extend to
others as well and it is on those
occasions when there are stereotypes of
you know enforcing rules and standards
upon other people can come into play if
you find yourself in a kind of Perpetual
state of competition with the self and
perhaps use external parameters such as
Rank and competence to build your
self-esteem
sifi dominance might be worth
considering Sunday before that you might
be an istj extroverted intuition next a
bit of thinking Divergence for many but
not all istjs the external worlds must
be first harmonized before the type
feels comfortable investing within the
security of their peaceful dominant
pairing this is a type that can feel
Vigilant against anything that might
come out of left field and can lead to
some kind of survivalistic Tendencies
again there was a reason why so many
istjs are in positions of of the
management be it a CEO General or even
president
nete Divergence naturally surveys the
external World accounting familiar
different perspectives to ensure
decisions are made in full light of
their potential consequences
if you're pitching a costly idea it
might be an isdj who tells you it won't
work if your department is being
overlooked or treated unfairly it'll
often be an isdj who takes action
there is often no cognition better
suited to getting a thorough layer for
land and making complex managerial
decisions based upon countless
interacting variables
this type is often a natural strategist
a true Mastermind even a decided to me
how often it gets overlooked by this
community however this naturally
Vigilant attitude can cause a great deal
of strain upon this types peace of mind
especially when you're burdened with
many the responsibility and for this
reason istgs who are in positions of
great stress or who are just simply less
healthy variants May seek to eliminate
as many possibilities as possible in
order to for example alleviate anxiety
and in this any derived State the istgas
can become the stuck in their ways late
adopters that they tend to be
stereotyped as and when this less
healthy pattern is coupled with their
oftentimes iron beliefs and values a
type naturally gifted at strategic
leadership and risk assessment to become
rigid stubborn or even antagonistic
towards the collective and this leads me
to my next point the nefe blind spot
there are a lot of people who have
successfully identified their intubated
feeling preference but completely
Overlook isdj going to the unhealthy
stereotypes are often assigned to it and
a good tell here is to look at what
extroverted feeling is doing in the
psyche look to how you interact with
others how many social four powers you
tend to commit and perhaps more
importantly how easily you can turn off
any kind of consideration as to what
other people might think of you stick to
your guns and if this is you you should
be strongly considering isdj standing
like a lock in a face of adversity is
definitely one of these types Fortes the
isdj is often so unwavering in their
ethi integrity and sense of self that
they can seldom be swayed by any
extroverted feeling based manipulation
strategies such as for example emotional
blackmail or appeal to Universal values
or even emotional reciprocity and it is
not that the isdj would not be deeply
affected by such things but excavator
feeling simply tends to be a lower
cognitive priority and as it is low
priority it can be more easily pushed
aside for the sake of perhaps standing
up for the self and this often means
they will not mince their words either
if you ever need honest feedback from
someone who will just tell you like it
is
and istj is often a good choice but this
cannot be great but does come with a
caveat of a higher difficulty
meaningfully engaging with of this istjs
and even intjs can often Be Stiff in
their social mannerisms and they may not
necessarily notice the awkward silences
that may ensue when they simply do not
know what to say there can be a
disconnect of social affect here
and while I've not yet met a single sifi
dominant who lacks a kind of warmth
unlike the FI dominance this fi agency
type May struggle with more musical
social interactions for example their
pitch may be flat and monotone facial
expressions would tend to be quite
subtle and out of all of the 16 types
this is a type you can struggle the most
with small talk in essence while safd
warmth and intimacy may not be so
difficult for this type the more Musical
and amorphous expert of feeling
employment that is nefe may be much more
of a struggle appearing often associated
with humor for example there is a good
reason why comedy tends not to be the
isdjs Forte although I would add that
istjs who I've known who have tended to
possess an excellent Divine wit bonus
Point holistic Logic the single biggest
thing people get wrong about this type
is the hyper detailed mathematical and
logically precise stereotypes assigned
to it in so many ways they could not be
more long
typically it is the intj who is the more
precise and mathematical in their logic
possessing as they do in St pairing
rather than in anti-pairing an opposing
pairing of sete rather than any te an
introverted thinking pairing of s ITI
rather than as in the case of the istj
and ITI istj is by contrast think a lot
more intuitively yes the type still
tends to be pragmatic and generally
averse to disks but that actual thought
process itself is more naturally
holistic and General in fact this type
may even struggle with more precise
logic typically it is the intj who wants
to go into the underlying mechanisms the
actual law facts within a data set for
example really passing out one micro
detail from another one and it is an
istj who wants the general principle the
pattern the heuristic even
and this would explain why so many istjs
I have typed and even met in real life
tend to be much more drawn towards the
mystical that which cannot be so easily
explained by science mysticism the
supernatural even
these are often areas of Interest so I'd
associate more with istjs than intjs
but it would make sense given the more
intuitive journalistic and holistic
nature of their thinking pairing not to
mention the implications for introvertis
Center conversions whereby the internal
World feels more naturally real than the
external world
and even imbuing the world with a more
natural sense of awe and wonder the istj
may even struggle with more precise
logic thinking as they do in more of a
general overview they may prefer to
employ heuristics and cyclical Logic for
example thinking in patterns and you
know step-by-step deductions indeed I'd
even say this type tends to be more
action-oriented than the intj preferring
a faster process of thought that can get
the overall impression without getting
stuck in the details and it's also the
more General approach to logic that
lends these types there more often times
philosophical persuasion I mean sure not
every istj is going to be reading
through philosophy books which kind of
goes back to what I was talking about
before in regards to details but the way
they think itself is very much naturally
philosophical NT parents as a whole
prefer to operate according to general
principles and frequencies common tones
for example and beneath the oftentimes
tough exterior of this type is a soft
heart
romanticizes the profound and the
mystical
and that concludes the video thank you
so much for watching and if you know
anyone who you suspect might be an isdj
please share this video with them
if you yourself are wondering what type
you might be perhaps you might be an
isda for example
you can get typed by me or my friend Rob
on cognitivepersonality.com if you would
like to support the theory and the
channel on that additional level I
highly recommend checking out the
patreon page and for those of you who
would prefer to join a CPT Community
without signing up for patreon in order
to access it there is a CPT Facebook
group that I've linked down below
so that concludes a video and I'll be
back in a few weeks time for now take
care
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)