INTJ Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

Would you consider yourself a perfectionist? Do your besties often call you a “book worm” or a “nerd?” Are you confident, analytical, and organized? If so, you might be an INTJ. 

Interested in learning more? We can help. Read on as we explore this rare personality type to uncover what INTJ stands for, its meaning, history, and more. Are you ready?

Let’s dive in!

What Is the Definition of INTJ?

According to Definitions.net, INTJ is an acronym used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator — or MBTI for short — to refer to one of the sixteen psychological types. INTJ stands for:

• (I)ntroverted
• I(N)tuitive
• (T)hinking
• (J)udging 

Of the sixteen personality types, INTJs are one of the rarest, accounting for approximately 1 to 2% of the population. This classification typically indicates an individual who is energized by spending time alone, who focuses on ideas and concepts, and who makes important decisions based on logic and reason. 

What Is the History of INTJ?

To understand where the INTJ personality type came from, we need to go back to 1921 when Carl G Jung published Psychological Types. According to Jung, every person on the planet is predisposed to Introversion or Extraversion, indicating where we direct our energy — inward toward our own minds or outward toward the external world. 

Fast forward to a few years later, Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers became inspired by Jung’s publication. This set the duo on a journey to research and develop an indicator — known as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator — that could be applied to understanding the differences in personalities.

Briggs and Myers began testing it over the next two decades until the instrument was fully developed with its categorization of 16 personalities. By 1962, it was ready to publish. 

What Are the 16 Personality Types?

All of the MBTI questions are designed to categorize people into four key personality designations based on how they respond to the outside world, gather information, and make decisions. The four personality designations are as follows:

1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I) 

• Extroverts enjoy focusing on the world around them and feel energized by social interactions.
• Introverts prefer turning toward their inner world, value deep, meaningful social interactions, and find energy from spending time alone. 
  
  2. Sensory (S) vs. Intuitive (N)

• Sensory refers to people who pay attention to the information they take in from reality. 
• Intuitive refers to people who enjoy interpreting impressions and patterns, imagining possibilities, looking toward the future, and working with abstract theories. 
  
  3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

• Thinking folks place greater emphasis on facts and objective data. 
• Feeling people make decisions based on the people and emotions involved. 
  
  4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

• Judging people tend to lean toward structure and making firm decisions.
• Perceiving individuals are often more flexible and open. 

What Are the 16 Personality Types?

After the four basic personality designations are completed, an individual is then assigned to one of the 16 personalities listed below:

• The Inspector (ISTJ)
• The Craftsperson (ISTP)
• The Artist/Composer (ISFP) 
• The Protector (ISFJ) 
• The Advocate/Counselor (INFJ) 
• The Provider (ESFJ) 
• The Performer (ESFP)
• The Supervisor (ESTJ) 
• The Dynamo (ESTP) 
• The Healer (INFP) 
• The Architect (INTP) 
• The Campaigner (ENFP) 
• The Commander (ENTJ) 
• The Teacher (ENFJ) 
• The Visionary (ENTP) 

And, of course, we have “the Mastermind” — INTJ. 

INTJ Personality Traits

In addition to “the Mastermind,” INTJ is also nicknamed “the Architect.” Those with this personality type are often intelligent and discerning, pulling from their intuition (N) trait. 

Quiet, objective, and logical with a creative and abstract flair, other characteristics of the INTJ personality trait include:

• Pragmatic
• Hardworking
• Independent
• Innovative
• Diligent
• Detail-oriented
• Brilliant
• Knowledgeable 
• Decisive
• Determined
• Strategic
• Confident
• Multi-skilled
• Open-minded
• Collected 
• Driven

Famous INTJs

People with the INTJ personality type are innovative and strive to succeed in their chosen professions. These folks tend to look at the bigger picture and focus on logic rather than emotions. 

Despite being one of the rarest personality types, there are many well-known INTJs, such as:

• Jay-Z
• Jane Austen
• Cillian Murphy
• Ashley Olson
• Elon Musk 
• Julia Stiles
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Friedrich Nietzsche
• Greta Thunberg
• Al Gore
• Jared Kushner
• Hillary Clinton
• Lance Armstrong
• Bobby Ficher
• Sir Isaac Newton
• Stephen Hawking
• Charles Darwin
• Norbert Wiener
• Nikola Tesla
• William F. Buckley
• Isaac Asimov 
• Jodie Foster
• James Cameron
• Ayn Rand
• Bruce Wayne   
• Lewis Carroll

Popular INTJ Careers

INTJs are predisposed to several career choices, including:

• Accountant
• Lawyer
• Computer Programmer
• Architect
• Detective
• Project Manager
• Engineer
• Technical Writer
• Scientific Researcher
• Judge
• Scholar

In contrast, someone with this personality type may not enjoy a career as a salesperson or police officer. 

Recap

So, what does INTJ mean, you ask?

Simply put, INTJ stands for introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging. It is one of the 16 personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, one of the most well-known personality assessments today. Based upon psychoanalyst Carl Jung’s theory of personality, the MBTI is an effective way to understand who you are, your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and affinities.

Nicknamed “the Mastermind,” INTJs like to analyze, decode and plan. They are lifelong learners, proactive, and independent with a go-getter attitude toward most things in life. 

Think you might have an INTJ personality? Consider taking an assessment such as the MBTI to find out. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter — created by world-renowned psychologist David Keirsey — is another popular personality assessment that can help you discover more about yourself. 

Sources:

1. INTJ Careers and Majors | Ball State University
2. What does INTJ mean? | Definitions.Net
3. CG Jungs Theory | The Myers & Briggs Foundation