4 Reasons Why ISTJs Mistype As INTJs

ISTJs frequently mistype as INTJs. As per usual, it’s the stereotypes and the general intuitive bias that cause this. Personally, I’ve noticed that within the MBTI and personality enthusiast communities, the Si doms (ISTJ or ISFJ) seems to be the most hated on. It’s not necessarily done on purpose, but just reading the different descriptions, I’ve noticed that the Si doms seem to be the least desirable out of all 16 types. The intuitives are made out to be highly creative and intelligent. The Se users are described as adventurous, adaptable, and risk-taking. But, what are the Si users like? Boring, stuck in the past, risk-averse, straightforward, and mindless little worker bees obeying every order given to them without a second thought. Want to be one of those? NO? Yeah, exactly. Sure, there’s some truth to most stereotypes, but usually stereotypes are portraying extreme cases or cases that attract a lot of attention, thus popularizing them.

But anyways, I said all of that to say that many Si users mistype as their personality type’s Ni variant due to either poor online descriptions or a subconscious desire to not be an Si user… or a combination of both. I’ve already written an article detailing the difference between an ISTJ and an INTJ which you can find here: Am I an ISTJ or an INTJ?. So, make sure and pop over there if you’re stuck between these two types. However, this current article that I’m writing is going to cover the common reasons why ISTJs mistype as INTJs. This more then likely applies to the ISFJs as well, but my inspiration was drawn from ISTJs specifically.

The Reasons Why

1. ISTJs who dislike rules, authority, and rigid hierarchy may mistype as INTJs

ISTJs are described as the perfect soldiers. The descriptions teach that ISTJs always obey the rules, never questioning or rebelling. INTJs, however, are described as rebellious and eager to ignore any rule that seems pointless to them. However, these are both extreme cases. ISTJs do NOT always like a bunch of rules and hierarchy. They’re just prone to following and submitting to the hierarchy out of safety and security (Si). However, that does NOT mean that they agree with said authority, and are not angry with having to submit themselves to it. In fact, an ISTJ can rebel if Fi is given a great enough trigger. After all, ISTJs have a moral code that they will stubbornly abide by. In contrast, INTJs are more prone to rebel or spite authority, but this is because they’ll use Ni to tell them what they can or cannot get away with. INTJs might look for ways in which they can spite authority or break a rule without being noticed or without suffering any long term consequences. ISTJs are less likely to feel that need since they lack Se.

2. ISTJs who plan for the future may mistype as INTJs

ISTJs are described as being stuck in the past. Apparently that’s all they ever think about? They spend their lives preserving tradition and dwelling in… the past… -____- Yeah, no. That’s dead wrong. Let me spell this out very plain: If an ISTJ is like this, he/she is incredibly extreme and UNHEALTHY. Period. Can they end up this way? Sure. Is that always going to be the case? Most definitely not. Si dominants like to plan… and planning innately involves the future. I mean, you obviously can’t plan for the past, right? ISTJs hate surprises and fear the unknown. Ergo, the best way to protect themselves from both is to PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. ISTJs will frequently and purposefully reference the past in their planning process, but their focus is still on securing their future.

In addition, Te is an ambitious, goal-oriented function. ISTJs have goals, and they will work to achieve those goals. Sentimental or pointless traditions may be set aside in favor of those goals. I knew an ISTJ who proclaimed at a young age that he wanted to have a Master’s license, a house, and a wife by the age of 25. He then made each goal happen regardless of what anyone around him said or did. When I mentioned this to some other personality enthusiasts, they wanted to call him an INTJ, since goal-orientation has been mistakenly attributed to the Ni users. However, the way this guy approached life was very Si in nature.

3. ISTJs who are highly intelligent may mistype as INTJs

INTJs (and NTs in general) are made out to be more intelligent than their sensor counterparts. This is not true. Personality type has nothing to do with intelligence. However, unfortunately, due to intuition being associated with intelligence within most MBTI and personality enthusiast communities, ISTJs may struggle to identify themselves as ISTJs, seeing themselves relating more to the description of the highly intelligent INTJ.

4. ISTJs with a creative or poetic flare may mistype as INTJs

Creativity and abstraction has been associated with intuition. Bear in mind, I’m not saying that’s outright wrong. Intuition is abstract, and certain types of creativity is associated specifically with certain intuition functions. However, every type has an intuition function. The flaw here is that personality enthusiasts tend to mistakenly put people into boxes that are far too rigid. ISTJs have Ne, and ISTJs that are both healthy and mature can utilize their Ne. They’re not known for it, but that tends to be because they are very private individuals. Goofy or quirky behavior is only shared with close friends or intimate relationships. Those who know an inferior Ne user really well can probably vouch for this. Ne is known for being able to connect several different topics together in a humorous or insightful way. ISTJs can utilize Ne like this, along with the ability to be creative, goofy, and etc. They’ll just usually keep it at home or within their comfort zone.