The INTJ and the INTP personality types are often understood as similar types. Both personalities are commonly called “mentors” because of the logical thought process that also seems to limit them socially.
However, those who think that the INTJ and INTP personalities are the same are wrong. This is justified by the logic of their ideas leading to the mentoring path. However, these two personality types are not so similar.
The INTJ and INTP personalities indeed have strong intuition, which contributes to their alikeness. However, you need to look carefully to see the main differences between them.
INTJ vs INTP – 12 Important Differences You Need to Know
#1 First impressions
The first impressions of these two Meyers and Briggs personalities typology are shrouded in mystery, a hint of detachment, and perhaps a sense of low empathy. Both stand out for their above-average intelligence, but not to the point of conveying a sense of arrogance.
To avoid any generalizations it is necessary to break each of the personality types into pieces. The INTJ and INTP have completely different characteristics when analyzed through a magnifying glass. We have listed some of these features to make it easier to identify and understand each of them. Check them out!
#2 Focus vs. Diffuse Interests
If you want to understand the main differences between the INTJ and the INTP when talking about focus, just ask a person with an INTJ personality about their musical or writer’s preferences. They will probably pick one or two favorite artists and nothing else.
INTJs are focused, while INTPs have diffuse interests. They will show you a playlist full of artists of different styles or start talking about many authors that inspire them. INTJs prefer to specialize in their interests, delving deep into a single topic that interests them. Unlike the INTP, which would rather take full advantage of all the opportunities that have arisen.
#3 Impulsivity vs. Complacency
Other traits that can distinguish the two types are Impulsivity vs. Complacency.
The responses to stressful situations of the two personality types are extremely different. INTPs often overact when under pressure and may end up abusing food, drink, or entertainment, which does not happen with the INTP type.
Generally, INTPs control their emotions so much that they become complacent with extreme or even unpleasant situations. While one overreacts, the other remains inert if a situation gets out of hand.
#4 High performance vs. Research
The INTJ personality types are high performers and often use their extraversion skills to organize ideas and then take action. They have great ambitions and are always trying to develop the skills necessary to help them achieve their goals and objectives.
INTPs, on the other hand, tend to focus on investigating possibilities and ideas to find counterpoints to support their arguments. They are the famous “devil’s advocates”.
They are also extremely curious people. When they find a new hobby or interest, they go to the bottom of it and try learning everything they can about this new topic.
#5 Decision-maker vs. Cool head
INTJs are definitely people with initiative, influential decision-makers, and extremely assertive. They like to act quickly when they recognize themselves in trouble and find simple ways to get out of them.
INTPs, on the other hand, are cool-headed and tend to live their lives lighter and without major concerns. If you need an opinion from an INTJ, they will not hesitate to say what he thinks. The INTP will likely prefer to step aside as a way to not commit themselves to the responsibility of influencing important decisions.
#6 Sudden changes vs. Adaptations to situations
The specialty of INTJ personalities is in solving complex problems. If they are facing a new challenge, they will do anything to overcome it. Their productivity increases and they will solve problems no matter what. For the INTJ, it is easy to analyze the possibilities and find a solution because they can deal with conflict resolution more effectively.
INTPs will brainstorm the problems presented and possible solutions. Because of their perfectionist trait, they tend to overthink and analyze all the angles of the situation before making decisions. They may eventually procrastinate on the decision, but they know their responsibility and will take the lead if necessary.
#7 Caring core with friends vs. Have fun with friends
People with the INTJ personality type are extremely caring with other people. This feature takes a long time to appear, as it takes some effort to gain their trust. But once you can reach the core of these people, INTJ can become extreme and exceptional caregivers, caring deeply for their friends and those close to them.
INTPs, on the other hand, are party prone and tend to be more partners when there is fun involved. They get emotional when they drink some alcohol and declare undying love for their friends on these occasions, which doesn’t always happen. While socializing is very easy, INTPs are selective with true friends.
#8 Progressive dialogues vs. prolixity
Because of their Introverted Intuition (iN), the dialogues developed with people of INTJ personality usually present an evolution that goes through the central idea, presentation of arguments, and ends with a solution to the discussed issue.
They organize their thoughts in a way that makes the conversation flows and reach the point it was meant to reach.
Unlike the INTPs, who can end up getting lost in defending their arguments and lose their line of reasoning, making the conversation more verbose and the subjects pulverized.
#9 Personal cares
INTJs are extremely organized in their environments, whether at home, in the office, or even inside their cars. Personal appearance, therefore, is an item they are concerned about as they consider it a valuable resource for gaining people’s trust.
Status is important for them to become productive and to maintain their positions of power. INTJs often value organization and meticulous personal care.
INTPs, on the other hand, are not as organized and tend to be less concerned about what they think about them or whether they are socially accepted or not.
If they spend time taking care of their appearance, the objective is to show exactly the opposite: that they don’t care about other people’s opinions, conveying an air of detachment.
#10 Emotional traits
Both personalities, INTJ and INTP tend to reflect a lot on their issues, including emotional ones. INTJs are very rational and aware of their feelings.
Meanwhile, INTPs tend to get carried away by emotion and lose their way when under stress. They can be challenging and dramatic when faced with strong emotions, unlike INTJs, who don’t usually have tantrums. Instead, as stated, they can break out by abusing alcohol, drugs, sex, partying, or any other destructive habit.
#11 Comparing personalities
In general, as we can see, INTJs and INTPs can be types confused by the spectrum of leadership they assume, but they have stark differences between them. While INTJs are intellectual and upstanding, INTPs are honest and innovative.
INTJs like to develop skills and are goal-oriented, while INTPs tend to develop people and be satisfied with the success of others.
It is important to highlight that both types are natural explorers of intellectualism. While INTJs are more focused on discovering universal truths, INTPs are more concerned with pursuing a huge range of ideas and possibilities.
#12 How INTJs and INTPs can get along
INTJs can appear curmudgeonly to INTPs, very serious and even strict. INTPs may appear unfocused, disorganized, or a little bit disoriented from their goals to the INTJs.
Due to its more objective characteristic, INTJs may find it difficult to understand the subjectivity of reality, focusing on systems built through logic and order. While the INTPs consider everything relevant and therefore take longer to fulfill their demands.
Therefore, they can convey the feeling of procrastination and inefficiency to the INTJs.
Our recommendation is that one personality type extracts from the other all the possibilities of learning, in order to gain trust and intimacy that will bear good fruit.
The INTP must learn from the INTJ to be more considerate and committed. INTJs can learn from INTPs to be more flexible, understanding, and lightweight.
Conclusion
Both are personalities with incredible characteristics that are similar, but the differences end up standing out for being so evident when coexisting.
They are personalities that have success as a unique characteristic and some other similarities. But the differences between INTJs and INTP stand out more than the similarities. Despite this, they can be good friends and complement each other in projects or even in their personal lives.
This pair might do well to focus on what they have in common, which is the pleasure of intellectual exploration and conceptual understanding. This exchange and exercise of dialogues are extremely important for the professional and personal development of these personalities.
Both types need to pay more attention to concrete facts/details as well as immediate practical concerns. INTPs must do more to help maintain order and fulfill responsibilities in a timely manner. INTJs must understand that INTPs like to do things at their own pace, allowing them greater flexibility in fulfilling obligations.
In terms of conflict and compatibility, both types tend to withdraw easily when situations are too heated or emotionally charged. Therefore, it would be important for both of them to learn to deal better with emotional conflicts. Otherwise, the problems remain unresolved and are left to diminish. Together, they are able to shake the world and conquer unimaginable things.