If one were to look at a relationship between people with Myers-Briggs INTP and INTJ indicators, you might assume they are completely disinterested in each other. But is that really what is going on under the surface? The compatibility potential between an INTP and INTJ might surprise you.
INTP vs INTJ
INTP personalities are known for being creative problem-solvers that like to think about the big picture and are always working toward improving the world’s problems. They don’t like rules or structure to confine their thinking and struggle with making decisions, or connections based on emotions.
INTJs are also deep thinkers with a thirst for knowledge. They are proud of their tendency to bury themselves in books and master any topic that interests them. They will develop a detailed plan to see their ideas through to success. They are also intensely private and struggle to empathize with emotions.
12 Realities About INTP and INTJ Relationship Compatibility
#1 First Impressions
If these two are to develop a romantic relationship, it will not take the form of a rom-com “meet-cute” – they are more likely to establish a romantic connection as an evolution of an existing relationship such as being classmates or friends.
Neither INTPs nor INTJs can understand the emotions of others easily. Flirty behavior might go right over their heads. For INTJs particularly, if they have never been in a flirty situation, they would not know what to do and could miss the opportunity to build a connection.
#2 Common interests
INTPs and INTJs share a passion for knowledge and applying it to solving problems. They both desire to fill their time with learning and thinking. In this regard, there is a great chance they will have common interests, and that they would be very compatible with one another.
The topic of interest could be anything – science, music, economics – as long as there is a ton of data, these two can explore it together
#3 Engaging conversations
INTPs like to share their ideas and abstract thinking with those around them. They love to present their thoughts, even before they are fully formed, with their partners. They can be very passionate about their topic of interest and if given the opportunity, will talk endlessly about it.
INTJs also like to share thoughts and ideas. However, they prefer if the people they surround themselves with are on the same intellectual level as them. They tend to be blunt at the expense of other’s feelings. They need to remember the half-formed ideas of their self-critical INTP partners should not be immediately shot down.
#4 Focus on details
When it comes to the small things, INTPs couldn’t care less. They are so focused on the big picture, that the small details are essentially ignored. Although they are constantly thinking and imagining the potential for improvements, they miss the little details of their solutions.
INTJs on the other hand thrive on the details. They fully immerse themselves in every detail of their topic of interest to completely understand it. They go through life in an informed, rational way – with a carefully thought out strategy.
This difference lends itself to favorable compatibility in a relationship. The neglect of details in one is balanced by the hyper-attention to detail on the part of the other. As long as no resentment is harbored, the potential for a good match is there.
#5 Value of logic and reason
Logic, reason, rationality, and analysis are the cornerstones of INTPs and INTJs. Both of these personalities assess every stimulus that is presented to them in a logical, reasonable way.
If something is illogical, or not supported by factual evidence, both people will zone in on it and try and uncover the truth. Do not lie or embellish things with either an INTP or INTJ – they will easily figure it out!
#6 Emotional intimacy
Plenty of words can be used to describe the emotional capabilities of an INTP and INTJ. Most of these words are not kind (cold, rude, condescending…) Very few of the actions either of these people take are meant to hurt feelings, but rather to inform on what is correct or realistic.
INTPs and INTJs do not use emotional intelligence to interact with the world. They have a very difficult time understanding the emotions of others and do not like to talk about their own.
For this pair, intimacy is their intellectual connection. Lack of emotional intimacy does not mean that they are not compatible, but rather than talking about feelings is not a way to show love in this relationship.
#7 Motivation for goal achievement
INTPs are driven by a desire to improve the world around them. They think big and focus on the result as a motivator. They can be so single-minded that other things they are responsible for (like daily caretaking of their environment) are considered unimportant until the problem is solved.
INTJs are similar in the sense that they can be single-minded when it comes to achieving a goal or completing a task. They take a much more structured approach and will plan out the details needed to reach their results.
Both INTPs and INTJs will have an excellent focus on their goals, and both hate the feeling of failure. In this aspect, they are very compatible.
#8 Desire for improvement
While both hold a desire to improve things, their motivation for doing so varies slightly. The motivation for INTPs to learn as much as they can about a topic stems from their desire to improve it.
INTJs on the other hand, have a desire to learn about a topic so that they can fully understand how it works. If they see an opportunity for improvement, they will make those changes, but their motivations more about having things operating perfectly.
#9 Need for independence
Both INTPs and INTJs are personalities that need independence. They desire space to think without input from others. Once they are ready to share their ideas, they will emerge, but not before that.
In the context of a relationship, they will understand the need for independence that their partner has. This leads to good compatibility.
#10 Energy and rest
According to the Myers-Briggs Foundation, INTPs and INTJs are both introverted. They need some social interaction, but find it exhausting. INTJs in particular find social rituals (like small talk) useless, and would rather not participate. This pair is well-suited for staying in and catching a documentary on Netflix to recharge their batteries.
#11 Organizational needs
Regarding organization, INTPs and INTJs structure their lives differently. INTPs dislike rules and structure since they inhibit their out-of-the-box thinking. Many times this translates outward into their environment leading to a messy, disorganized space.
INTJs on the other hand, love organization, rules, and structure. They operate their lives strategically, and that includes a lot of organization.
Hopefully, this difference leads to compatible balance in a relationship, and not resentment between the two.
#12 Living in the moment
Living in the moment is what INTPs are best-known for. They do not have a tendency to daydream, but rather envision the realistic potential for the future and then taking information currently around them and using it to achieve that future.
INTJs also act rationally and do not tend to daydream. They never rely on chance to achieve their goals, and so use real-time information to always think one step ahead.
Conclusion
INTPs and INTJs are both personalities that are difficult for most people to be in relationships with. They can be emotionally distant, and can come off as “know-it-alls”, but they might be a perfect match for each other. They balance each other out in the right ways and share an intellect that equalizes them as romantic partners and leads to good compatibility.