INTJ vs ISTJ: 8 Differences

INTJ vs ISTJ is a very common typing dilemma, because these types are actually pretty similar. They both share the same extraverted function, which means that the key differences between the two lie in their introverted functions. Naturally, this makes the INTJ vs ISTJ differences more subtle, or at the very least, concealed initially. I’m going to go over some key things to look for when determining whether you are an INTJ or ISTJ, or how you can observe the difference in someone else. First though, my typical bias warning.

Beware of Bias

If you think you’re an ISTJ, you probably are one. An ISTJ who actually recognizes himself (or herself) as an ISTJ, is unlikely to be wrong… unless he’s actually an ISFJ, but that’s a completely different issue that I covered here. My point is that an ISTJ (or an Si dominant) who recognizes himself as an Si dominant is unlikely to actually be an Ni dominant. ISTJs, unfortunately, get beat up pretty bad in the stereotype arena, so people don’t tend to want to be one. Ergo, someone is unlikely to claim the type unless he/she actually is one. However, the reverse is not true. INTJs are highly idealized and coveted, as a type. There are many self-proclaimed INTJs out there who are not actually INTJs. Please be honest with yourself. Claiming to be one does not make you one.

INTJ vs ISTJ: Shared Te Strengths

Several of the traits or gifts that INTJs are idealized for are actually shared by the ISTJs. This is due to attributing certain characteristics to Ni which really should be attributed to Te. ISTJs and INTJs will certainly have different motivations due to the change in dominant function, but they’ll both have the potential to share all of the strengths associated with Te. I’m just going to list off some things and then explain more in depth later on, when I contrast the two types.

Both INTJs and ISTJs can be: disciplined, goal oriented, long term thinkers, efficient, factual, highly strategic, brilliant, and emotionally stunted (:P).

It is foolish to believe that being strategically brilliant makes you an INTJ, or that all INTJs are strategically brilliant. I hope that stereotype dies a horrible death. IQ has nothing to do with type. Dumb INTJs do exist.

INTJ vs ISTJ: The Basics

Before, I proceed on to the comparisons, let me very briefly lay out some prerequisite knowledge.

Ni – translates real time data (Se) into an overall meaning or impression, which it can then compare against other “impressions” in an effort to learn the “patterns” of life so they can effectively navigate the future. The past is primarily remembered through these impressions rather than all of the nitty gritty details, causing them to place little value on individual details, but rather on their hunches, instincts, or “intuition.”

Si – stores away individual details. When they recall the past, it’s as if they’re reliving every painful (or blissful) moment of it, because of how intricate their memory can be. However, this does not necessarily include emotions. They’ll tend to place a high value on their past experiences, because they remember “exactly” how good or bad something went. They use these vivid past experiences to help inform all of their decisions.

INTJ vs ISTJ: 8 Differences

1. The Past

ISTJs get a bad rap for being stuck in the past, but people take this way too far. Te drives ISTJs to adjust their behavior and patterns to make their lives more efficient or their futures more ideal. Ergo, ISTJs will be driven toward a future based on their past experiences, rather than being driven to mindlessly repeat the past. AKA: Repeat past good, avoid past bad. They’ll sometimes do this to an extreme extent and avoid anything associated with the dreaded negative past, as a result of failing to see the forest for the trees, so to speak.

INTJs are known for being future oriented, which is because they don’t view the past the same way ISTJs do. Bear in mind that the past affects all of our decisions, regardless of personality type. However, unlike the ISTJs, the INTJs don’t relive every nitty gritty detail like the ISTJs do.  Due to Se, they’ll view their past in a more detached manner, meaning more objectively. “That was then and this is now.”

2. Goals/The Future

Goal orientation is not an Ni trait as some people seem to think. It is actually Te. So, the difference between these two types lies in how or why their goals are being formed.

ISTJs are primarily concerned with security or personal comfort, because of the way they store memories. Goals and planning for the future in general are important in order to secure the future. Ergo, an ISTJ will be all for that. They’re also very concrete people. It’s unlikely they’ll select goals that are too “lofty” or appear unreachable. Si will choose the goal, and Te will drive them to achieve it.

INTJs will probably place a high value on having vision or seeing the bigger picture. They’re much more comfortable dealing in the more abstract realm, so the vision won’t necessarily need to be as concrete. This is most likely why INTJs are the stereotypical super villains. An ISTJ is unlikely to go that route unless jaded by the past. The same is not true for an INTJ. They’ll form an idea or vision of how something should be, regardless of past experience with it, and attempt to make it so.

3. Decision Making

ISTJs are very slow to make decisions. They will analyze of the details, all the facts, all of their past experiences, and etcetera when making important decisions. They’ll research something to death, and gather information from other people. They’ll want to make their decision as concrete as possible before finally choosing. This will be especially true if they feel as if they’re in uncharted waters, meaning they have no relevant past experiences to go off of. They’re the types that may triple check everything before moving forward.

INTJs naturally trust their intuition. They won’t require as much concrete information as an ISTJ. This is not to say that they won’t research, or be careful in making decisions, but they’re unlikely to be as meticulous about it as an ISTJ. Primarily remembering impressions of the past allows lessons learned to be applied across a wider spectrum of situations. They’ll get an idea of how best to proceed based on their impressionistic memory, and won’t get caught on the nitty gritty. Once their intuition tells them what to do, they’ll do it.

4. Change

ISTJs are willing to change as long as it is deemed to be necessary or fixes a current problem. However, they will probably be hesitant to change and certainly not eager to do it, but Te will motivate them to change when necessary. They may take a really long time adjusting to major life changes. ISTJs will uninterested in change for the sake of it. Consistency will always be more appealing.

INTJs will view change more favorably and less hesitantly, since intuition rather than past experiences is driving them forward. This ties back to the paragraph on future orientation.

5. Established Systems

ISTJs are known for being a stickler for the rules. This is due to Si’s cautious nature.  A healthy ISTJ will not be inclined to cause unnecessary issues. They will do their best to work within the confines of the established system they’re in submission to. Rebellion purely out of disagreement will be frowned upon, unless tertiary Fi objects strongly enough.

INTJs are naturally more independent, or rebellious, shall we say. An INTJ, being less cautious, will skip over any rules or regulations that they view as pointless and believe they can get away with ignoring. If they believe it’s unlikely that they’ll get caught, they’ll probably have no qualms breaking rules that they disagree with. They’ll also be more eager to argue against the established system.

6. Conversations

ISTJs love gathering information and facts to better inform their decisions. They’ll tend to have a vast wealth of knowledge and information stored away. Some of it will seem completely random, prompting the listener to wonder “why do you know that?” ISTJs enjoy both listening for the sake of information, and sharing their own information. When discussing something, they’ll tend to get caught on the details.

INTJs want to relay specific ideas. They will be more interested in the larger picture or idea, than they will the individual details. They’ll probably get impatient if someone takes too long to relay their point. Basically, they may ask “why are you telling me this?” in an effort to understand the point first. All of the details leading up to the point may or may not be necessary, depending on the situation. INTJs will probably gather information more specifically, rather than just randomly gathering knowledge like an ISTJ. Because INTJs place a greater emphasis on ideas, patterns, or the bigger picture, they’ll sometimes mistakenly disregard details that contradict the idea their mind has latched onto.

7. Observations

ISTJs are usually highly observant, noticing when small details change in their environment. They’ll be capable of making very keen observations about people based on concrete observations. (They’ll be able to tell you exactly what observation led them to draw a conclusion about someone.) They’re relatively straightforward people though, and won’t tend to read too deeply between the lines when someone says something. They prefer to take things at face value. This is not to say that they’re incapable of reading between the lines. That’s a matter of what past experiences caused them to learn.

INTJs will notice when something deviates from the typical pattern. They’re observations are concrete in the moment, but quickly forgotten once translated into an impression. They may not remember precise details later. However, an INTJ’s impressions will aid them in reading people quicker than an ISTJ might. INTJs won’t need to call out the individual details to draw a conclusion about someone. Instead, they’ll quickly tie impressions and patterns together, resulting in a hunch or gut instinct about someone, possibly immediately after meeting them. This is all subconscious, and seemingly out of nowhere. They may or may not feel the need to look for real time data to support their sudden conclusion. INTJs are also more likely to read between lines and look for the hidden meaning behind someone’s words.

8. Fear/Paranoia

This has been mentioned already so I’ll be brief.

Inferior Ne leads ISTJs to consider all possible outcomes of a decision or event. They’ll tend to focus only on the negatives ones in order to prevent the negatives ones from happening. Under stress, they’ll lose themselves in a flood potential negative outcomes and struggle to decide what is the best path forward. Because of the nature of bad Ne, these scenarios may not always be very logical or likely. The ISTJ’s confidante (because it’s incredibly unlikely that an ISTJ would share any of their fear or paranoia with anyone who isn’t really close to them) may note that some of the ISTJ’s worries and fears are very unrealistic.

INTJs, both having good intuition and trusting their own intuition, won’t be prone to overly worry about the results of their decisions. They’re unlikely to produce unrealistic “what-if” scenarios. Under stress, they’ll probably fall back on inferior Se in an effort to not worry. However, they may fixate on a specific outcome that they believe whole-heartedly will happen, and that outcome may sound paranoid to others.

INTJ vs ISTJ: In Conclusion

I hope you find the above useful. My original draft actually ended up being almost 1000 words longer than it is now, so I cut it down in an effort to keep the post from being too crazy long. (I’m considering putting out an e-book with my unabridged typing dilemma articles.) If you have any questions or would like me to elaborate on something, feel free to ask.