ISTJ Stereotypes: Rules and Traditions

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I thought I’d take the time out to dedicate an article to a very common stereotype: ISTJs being sticklers for the rules and traditions. You’ve all heard of this, right? Pop onto a ‘type me’ thread and the most common evidence you’ll see laid out as proof of not being an ISTJ is not caring about tradition or not being die hard about rules. So, where did this stereotype come from? And is it true? The obvious first step in discussing this subject is to briefly cover Si.

What is Si?

Si, while not necessarily hard to understand, is heavily stereotyped, making it highly misunderstood. The base definition of Si, with all extrapolations aside, is a preference for internalizing data via subject sensory observations and bodily sensations. In other words, these people tend to recall important moments in great detail. (Note – they don’t recall everything – just what they deem important.) This subsequently means that they are naturally sensitive to negative experiences since they will be trapped with an in depth memory of these for forever. From this key fact, we derive the well-accepted idea that dominant Si users repeat what has worked in the past, and may avoid new experiences due to their potential to go wrong. This is why they are considered security-oriented above all else.

With that in mind, let’s move on to the first item on the agenda: tradition.

Tradition

Many sources claim that Si users (or SJs) will be upholders of tradition. However, go on any typology forum where ISTJs are present and ask them how they feel about tradition. The vast majority will tell you that they don’t really care about tradition. So, why the contradiction? Why don’t the ISTJs view themselves the way the rest of the world wants to describe them? Well, first you need to look at the word “tradition.”

I’ve already stated that Si users will prefer to repeat what has worked in the past. In that sense, they will be “traditional”. Generally, systems are formed with rules to keep things orderly and consistent. An ISTJ will be all for that, and will typically prefer to err on the side of trusting said system. However, that more business aspect of tradition is not always what people associate with the word “tradition”.

In many people’s minds, the word “tradition” tends to imply a certain degree of sentiment. Think about it. Most people have holiday traditions that they repeat year after year. These could be activities, rituals, or whatever. Ultimately, people get satisfaction from rituals, a sense of holiday fulfillment, or to put it a little more plainly, warm and fuzzy feelings. But, looping back to my earlier statement – these traditions are rooted in sentiment, which is based in emotions. ISTJs are not typically emotional people. They do have that tertiary Fi which may value certain holidays or traditions, which are important to them personally. However, they may not get as deeply wrapped up in the intricacies of every family tradition. Some might care for all of the sentimental traditions, and some might not. It will likely vary. Some may want the important moment or day recognized in some fashion, but not care about specifically how it is recognized. Unless there is a logical, practical, or efficiency based reason for a tradition, some ISTJs may not care for it at all. I don’t mean this to say that ISTJs will never hold to certain sentimental traditions, but not all will.

The Rules

Now for the second item: the rules. ISTJs are said to be sticklers for the rules, never disobeying. The perfect little soldier. I guess this isn’t so obvious to others, but I’ve always seen this description as very extreme. After all, do you really think an ISTJ will follow someone blindly off of a cliff? Are they that stupid? No. There is a point in which they will view breaking the rules as necessary. That’s only logical. They have brains. They can think. So, is this stereotype way off base?

Well, let me recall my earlier statement about ISTJs (or Si dominants) being security minded. Think of it like self-preservation. They will be prone to obeying rules so as not to suffer the consequences of breaking said rules. However, if a rule has either little consequence or the consequence is unlikely to be applied to them, they may not think twice about breaking the rules. For instance, an ISTJ could be prone to speeding, due to faith in their own driving skills, knowing that they won’t get caught, and that if they do, it’ll ultimately just cost them a small fee.

INTJs, in comparison to the ISTJs, tend to be described as less liked (meaner) and prone to breaking or bending rules. This is due to inferior Se. With that thought in mind, ISTJs (without that Se) tend to be good at keeping their mouth shut and not making that snarky comment when the stakes are high. They won’t trust themselves to dance that close to the line. However, they will only feel the need to be this careful around people that they deem consequential. For instance, family (who is stuck with them) may not get such careful treatment, whereas their boss at work probably will. Are you starting to understand what I’m saying?

The last thing worth noting when it comes to the rules is the ISTJ’s moral code. They have that stubborn tertiary Fi. Tertiary Fi users tend to be very rigid about certain things. When these things are threatened or called into question, they may get abrasive, aggressive, or rebellious. If an ISTJ is in a situation where someone is trying to make them cross their internal moral boundary, they will hold to their own morals and ignore/break whatever rule is running to the contrary. (This is, of course, assuming that the ISTJ is healthy from a personality standpoint.)

In conclusion…

I’ve said this many times, but Si doms tend to get the most hate in typology communities. I’m not saying it’s on purpose, but they are definitely written out to be the least desirable types out of all the 16. Of course, this has provoked a ton of mistypes, and is why I tend to hit on the subject quite a bit. I’ve noticed this tendency to give all of the impressive IXTJ characters to the INTJs and the boring, spineless, and mindless ones to the ISTJs, and I think it’s sad.

I’ve recently been reading arguments on why Darcy is claimed as an INTJ, and I’m just not so sure about the support people are presenting. He married Elizabeth so he can’t be an ISTJ? He argued and was generally rude to the inconsequential lower class so he must be an INTJ? Of course, there is always my most hated form of evidence: I relate to him completely, so he’s me. -__- Come on people. Love can make anyone do crazy things, and ISTJs have that same abrasive Te as the INTJs. My opinion on him is still up in the air, and this article isn’t about that. I just would like to encourage people to think about ISTJs in a more realistic and positive light, and give them a fair treatment, equal to the other, more desirable, types. Stop taking stereotypes at face value and start looking for the logic behind the stereotype to see when it will apply, and when it may not.

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