Are you an INTJ personality type? If so, you may have heard of the subtypes INTJ-A and INTJ-T.
But what do these letters mean, and how do they impact your personality?
Understanding the differences between these two subtypes can help you better understand yourself and your approach to life.
In this article, we’ll explore the traits and characteristics of both INTJ-A and INTJ-T, so you can determine which subtype best describes you.
So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of MBTI subtypes, let’s get started!
Am I INTJ-A Or INTJ-T
The first thing to understand about the INTJ-A and INTJ-T subtypes is that they share the same cognitive functions and process information in the same way. The difference lies in how they approach life and react to stressors.
Assertive INTJs (INTJ-A) are more self-confident and less likely to stress over past mistakes or failures. They rely on their skills and observations and stand up to challenges with great confidence. They are not reluctant to make decisions, even when that means making drastic moves and relying on their own judgment. Assertive INTJs show greater readiness to tackle any unexpected issue when it comes to dealing with unperceived situations.
On the other hand, Turbulent INTJs (INTJ-T) are more sensitive to stress and prone to worry, anxiety, depression, anger, and self-consciousness. They may struggle with emotional instability and find it difficult to act with confidence and consistency. However, they are often more diplomatic and willing to listen to others’ opinions, even if they lack confidence relative to Assertive INTJs.
Another key difference between these subtypes is their level of independence. Assertive INTJs are highly independent and act on their own, while Turbulent INTJs are more likely to seek advice or help from others. Assertive INTJs are less concerned with how others perceive them, while Turbulent INTJs may be more approachable due to their willingness to express their emotions.
It’s important to note that neither subtype is better or worse than the other – they simply have different approaches to life. Assertive INTJs may be more self-assured, but they may also be less motivated to change or improve themselves. Turbulent INTJs may struggle with emotional instability, but they may also be more open-minded and receptive to others’ opinions.
What Is The INTJ Personality Type?
The INTJ personality type is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The acronym INTJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging. INTJs are imaginative thinkers who prefer to focus their energy internally and are highly organized. They are known as “The Mastermind” archetype and are both creative and analytical.
INTJs are rational strategists who are inspired by creativity and wit. They seek challenges in everything they do and are high-achievers who manage to overcome an array of obstacles to get themselves where they want to be. They are deterred by mediocrity and mundane lifestyles and tend to be cynical when surrounded by ordinary people. They have a vivid imagination but don’t have a hard time making decisions. They strive for socialization but would rather stay on their own if they don’t find individuals with similar traits. Their expressed curiosity doesn’t prevent them from staying focused on their goals, and they avoid trivialities by all means.
Despite the fact that INTJs are perceived to be highly rational types, their dominant function is actually intuition, or more specifically, Introverted Intuition (Ni). This suggests that INTJs are far more receptive than they are often given credit for. Their first goal is not to define or impose order on things (T), but to attune to the insights of their intuition. What intuition offers INTJs is an understanding of the bigger picture, as well as how that bigger picture comes to bear on a particular problem or situation.
The Difference Between INTJ-A And INTJ-T
The primary difference between INTJ-A and INTJ-T subtypes is their level of assertiveness and sensitivity to stress. Assertive INTJs are more self-confident and less likely to stress over past mistakes or failures. They rely on their skills and observations and stand up to challenges with great confidence. On the other hand, Turbulent INTJs are more sensitive to stress and prone to worry, anxiety, depression, anger, and self-consciousness. They may struggle with emotional instability and find it difficult to act with confidence and consistency.
Another key difference is their level of independence. Assertive INTJs are highly independent and act on their own, while Turbulent INTJs are more likely to seek advice or help from others. Assertive INTJs are less concerned with how others perceive them, while Turbulent INTJs may be more approachable due to their willingness to express their emotions.
It’s important to note that neither subtype is better or worse than the other – they simply have different approaches to life. Assertive INTJs may be more self-assured, but they may also be less motivated to change or improve themselves. Turbulent INTJs may struggle with emotional instability, but they may also be more open-minded and receptive to others’ opinions. Ultimately, understanding which subtype you fall under can help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses as an INTJ, and can help you navigate both personal and professional relationships more effectively.
Characteristics Of INTJ-A
INTJ-A personality types share the same cognitive functions as INTJ-Ts, but they differ in their approach to life and how they handle stressors. Here are some key characteristics of Assertive INTJs:
1. Self-Confidence: Assertive INTJs are highly self-confident and rely on their skills and observations to tackle any challenge that comes their way. They don’t stress over past mistakes or failures and are not afraid to make decisions, even if that means taking risks.
2. Independence: Assertive INTJs are highly independent and prefer to act on their own without seeking help or advice from others. They trust their own judgment and are not concerned with how others perceive them.
3. Readiness: Assertive INTJs are always ready to tackle any unexpected issue that comes their way. They have a proactive approach to problem-solving and are not easily caught off guard.
4. Decisiveness: Assertive INTJs are decisive and quick to make decisions, even in high-pressure situations. They rely on logic and objective information rather than subjective emotions.
5. Open-Mindedness: While Assertive INTJs may be highly self-assured, they are also open-minded and receptive to others’ opinions. They are willing to listen to different perspectives and consider alternative viewpoints.
Characteristics Of INTJ-T
INTJ-Ts, or Turbulent INTJs, have three main characteristics that set them apart from Assertive INTJs. Firstly, they tend to be self-conscious and place a great emphasis on perfection. This means that they may doubt themselves more often and strive for perfection in everything they do. Secondly, Turbulent INTJs are tactful and sensitive to others’ emotions. They will respectfully assert themselves and are more likely to adapt to others’ ideas. Finally, Turbulent INTJs are adaptable and open to communication. They are willing to listen to others’ opinions and adjust their own perspectives accordingly.
Turbulent INTJs may struggle with emotional instability and find it difficult to act with confidence and consistency. They may worry, experience anxiety and depression, and even struggle with anger or self-consciousness. However, they are often more diplomatic and willing to listen to others’ opinions, even if they lack confidence relative to Assertive INTJs.
While both subtypes share the same cognitive functions, Turbulent INTJs may be more prone to seeking advice or help from others. They may also be more approachable due to their willingness to express their emotions. However, they may also struggle with indecisiveness and a lack of confidence in their own abilities.
Pros And Cons Of Being An INTJ-A
Furthermore, INTJ-As are determined and ambitious, with high expectations for themselves and others. They won’t rest until they’ve achieved their own definition of success, which usually entails mastering the subjects and pursuits that matter to them. They are also curious and open to new ideas, as long as those ideas are rational and evidence-based.
However, there are also some potential downsides to being an INTJ-A. One of the biggest challenges is the tendency towards a superiority complex. While their prowess in the area of intellect, logic, and reason is unarguable, this can turn into arrogance and condescension towards those who don’t catch on as quickly as they’d like.
Another weakness is emotional distance. INTJ-As tend to have little patience for emotional concerns and struggle to pick up on and respond to the emotional cues and needs of others. This can stifle interpersonal relationships and may end up keeping others at arm’s length.
Finally, there is the risk of imbalance between work and personal life. While INTJ-As place a high priority on work and professional success, this can come at a cost to family, relationships, and leisure time. It’s easy for them to find themselves with misplaced priorities, which can lead to relational problems.
Pros And Cons Of Being An INTJ-T
As an INTJ-T, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this personality type. One of the strengths of being a Turbulent INTJ is that they are more diplomatic and willing to listen to others’ opinions. This can lead to better relationships and a more well-rounded perspective on issues.
However, Turbulent INTJs can also struggle with emotional instability and find it difficult to act with confidence and consistency. They may worry excessively about the future, past mistakes, and their own self-worth. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness.
Another potential disadvantage of being a Turbulent INTJ is the tendency to seek advice or help from others. While it’s important to seek guidance when necessary, relying too heavily on others can lead to a lack of independence and decision-making skills.
On the other hand, one of the strengths of being an INTJ-T is their willingness to express their emotions. This can make them more approachable and relatable to others. Additionally, Turbulent INTJs may be more open-minded and receptive to others’ opinions, which can lead to better collaboration and teamwork.
Overall, being an INTJ-T has its pros and cons. While Turbulent INTJs may struggle with emotional instability and independence at times, they also have the potential to be more diplomatic, approachable, and open-minded than their Assertive counterparts.
