Are you curious about the rarity of the ISTP personality type?
You’re not alone. ISTPs are known for their analytical abilities, quick wit, and private nature. But just how common or uncommon are they in the general population?
The answer may surprise you. In this article, we’ll explore the statistics and demographics of the ISTP personality type, including gender distribution and frequency in the population.
So, let’s dive in and discover just how rare (or not) ISTPs really are.
How Rare Is ISTP Personality
ISTPs make up 5.4 percent of the U.S. population, which means they are not an extremely rare personality type. However, when we look at gender distribution, we see that ISTPs are much more common among men than women. Among men, ISTPs are the third most common type in the population, while among women, they are the fourth rarest.
Male ISTPs make up about 9% of the population, which makes them the third most common type in the world. This could be due to the fact that ISTPs tend to have a small group of close friends, and if none of them know anything about MBTI, chances are the ISTP won’t know too. On the other hand, female ISTPs are very rare compared to males, making up only 2% of the population. Therefore, among women, ISTP is the fourth rarest type of MBTI personality.
ISTP females may have been called “tomboyish” growing up and may defy female gender stereotypes as adults. They often feel like fish out of water throughout their day-to-day lives and are not recognized for their unique strengths and contributions. Despite this, ISTP women have an incredible number of strengths, including their deep analytical abilities and quick wits.
What Is The ISTP Personality Type?
The ISTP personality type is one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, characterized by Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving traits. ISTPs are sometimes referred to as “the virtuoso” personality, as they are highly skilled at working with their hands and fixing things. They are often mechanically inclined and enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together.
ISTPs are also known for their problem-solving abilities and their cool, pragmatic approach to life. They tend to be highly observant and analytical, gathering information and using it to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.
ISTPs are part of the SP temperament, which is also known as the Originator temperament. This temperament makes up about one-fourth of the general population, with ISTPs making up 5.4% of all 16 personality types.
While ISTPs are not an extremely rare personality type, they are much more common among men than women. Male ISTPs make up about 9% of the population, while female ISTPs make up only 2%. This makes female ISTPs one of the rarest gender-type combinations in the world.
ISTP Gender Distribution
ISTP gender distribution shows that this personality type is more common among men than women. According to data from the 16 Personalities Institute, 52.3% of ISTPs are male, while 46.9% are female and only 0.9% are other. This means that male ISTPs make up about 9% of the population, while female ISTPs are much rarer, making up only 2%.
ISTP females often feel pressure to fit into a more stereotypical nurturing role, even though they have unique strengths and contributions that are not recognized. They may be seen as “tomboyish” or “unusual” and struggle to fit in with traditional gender expectations. Despite these challenges, ISTP women possess deep analytical abilities and quick wits that make them valuable contributors in any setting.
Frequency Of ISTPs In The General Population
ISTPs are the ninth rarest personality type in the general population, making up only 5.4% of people. These individuals are known for their practical and logical thinking, as well as their love for hands-on work and problem-solving. They are often drawn to activities that involve building, fixing, or tinkering with machines.
When we break down the percentage of ISTPs by gender, we see a significant difference between males and females. Male ISTPs make up 8.50% of the population, which is much higher than the female population at 2.30%. This means that ISTP is actually the rarest personality type for female Sensors.
Despite their rarity, ISTPs have a lot to offer in terms of unique strengths and contributions to society. Their analytical abilities and quick thinking can be invaluable in problem-solving situations, and their willingness to take risks can lead to great success in their pursuits. While ISTPs may feel like outsiders at times, they should embrace their unique qualities and recognize the value they bring to the world.
ISTP Personality Traits And Characteristics
Individuals with the ISTP personality type have a unique set of traits and characteristics that set them apart from others. Here are some of the key traits and characteristics of ISTPs:
1. Analytical: ISTPs are known for their analytical abilities and their ability to quickly assess a situation and come up with a logical solution.
2. Reserved: ISTPs tend to be introverted and reserved, preferring solitude over social interactions. They may not be the most talkative people in a group, but they are great listeners.
3. Diligent: ISTPs are hard workers who enjoy becoming experts at their craft or career. They take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to improve.
4. Levelheaded: ISTPs tend to be calm and levelheaded in a crisis, quickly determining what needs to be done and effectively solving the problem.
5. Logical: ISTPs are generally logical thinkers who rely on facts and data to make decisions.
6. Tolerant: ISTPs tend to be kind and tolerant individuals who are slow to anger. They are understanding of others, even if they may not agree with them.
7. Tomboyish (for females): As mentioned earlier, female ISTPs may have been called “tomboyish” growing up due to their tendency to defy female gender stereotypes.
8. Inquisitive: ISTPs have a curious mindset and enjoy exploring the world around them with cool rationalism and spirited curiosity.
9. Hands-on: ISTPs love to explore ideas through creating, troubleshooting, trial and error, and first-hand experience. They enjoy getting their hands dirty and building things from scratch.
10. Spontaneous: ISTPs tend to be unpredictable and spontaneous, preferring to think and process information internally rather than following a strict plan or schedule.
ISTPs In Relationships And Careers
ISTPs have a unique approach to relationships and careers. They are known for being independent and adventurous, which can make them challenging partners to those who seek commitment and emotional connection. ISTPs prefer to keep their emotions and feelings to themselves, which can make it difficult for their partners to understand them on a deeper level.
In relationships, ISTPs are reserved, preferring to show their love through action rather than words. Their love language is acts of service, meaning they prefer to perform tasks or complete projects for their partner rather than express their love verbally. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustrations for partners who value verbal communication and emotional connection.
Despite their challenges in relationships, ISTPs are great problem-solvers who are quite loyal once committed. They are action-oriented and practical, always looking for ways to solve problems and navigate challenging situations. ISTPs are most compatible with the ISTJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, ESTP, and ISFJ types, as well as fellow ISTPs.
In terms of careers, ISTPs are often referred to as “virtuosos”, “crafters”, and “artisans” due to their tendency to be resourceful with tools and objects in the environment. They enjoy solving problems and finding creative solutions to challenges. ISTPs excel in careers that allow them to use their analytical skills and attention to detail, such as engineering, mechanics, and technology. They also thrive in careers that offer variety and excitement, such as firefighting or law enforcement.
Famous ISTP Personalities
ISTP personalities are known as “Crafters” or “Virtuosos” due to their hands-on approach to life. They are often associated with sports, visual and performing arts, politics, and law enforcement. Many famous people and fictional characters have been identified as having ISTP personality traits.
Some of the most well-known ISTP personalities include:
– Georgia O’Keeffe: American artist known for her unique style of painting
– Clint Eastwood: American actor and filmmaker known for his tough guy roles
– Michael Jordan: American basketball player widely considered the greatest of all time
– Kobe Bryant: American basketball player and Olympic gold medalist
– Harrison Ford: American actor known for his roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones
– Bear Grylls: British adventurer and television host
– Bruce Lee: Chinese-American martial artist and actor
– Donald Rumsfeld: American politician who served as Secretary of Defense under two presidents
– Yulia Tymoshenko: Ukrainian politician who served as Prime Minister twice
– Ernest Khalimov: Tajikistani footballer who played for the national team
– Landon Ricketts: Fictional character from the video game Red Dead Redemption
– Daniel Defoe: English writer best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe
– Jens Kidman: Swedish musician and lead vocalist of the band Meshuggah
– Wyatt Earp: American lawman and gunfighter of the Old West
– Toquinho: Brazilian musician and composer
– Clarence Kennedy: Irish weightlifter and powerlifter
– Daniel Boone: American pioneer and explorer
– Zacher Gábor: Hungarian musician and composer
– Duncan Bannatyne: Scottish entrepreneur and television personality
– Eric Dane: American actor known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and The Last Ship
– Renato Rocha: Brazilian musician who played bass guitar for the band Legião Urbana
– Jerry Quarry: American boxer who fought Muhammad Ali twice
– Mikhail Vrubel: Russian painter known for his unique style of Symbolism
– Charles Lee: Fictional character from the video game Assassin’s Creed III
– Keith Richards: English musician best known as a member of The Rolling Stones
– Tony Baker: American comedian and voice actor
– Amelia Earhart: American aviator who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
– Shaquille O’Neal: Former American basketball player and current television analyst
These famous personalities demonstrate the diverse range of careers and interests that ISTPs can pursue. Their reserved, detail-oriented, rational, free-spirited nature allows them to excel in many different fields.
