7 Introverted Thinking (Ti) Stereotypes

Ahhh, stereotypes. The bane of typology’s existence. An article specifically about Ti, or Introverted Thinking, stereotypes was requested many moons ago, and I’ve finally forced myself to sit down and start writing it. (Or, if I’m being honest, Ryan strongly encouraged me to.) Here’s the problem with an article about Ti stereotypes: it’s one of the blessed cognitive functions (as Ryan so aptly likes to put it). Of course, what I mean by that is that Ti is one of the more desirable functions in the eyes of others. I’m not saying that it’s better than any of the others, but simply that many people seem to believe it to be. It’s mostly talked about in a positive way, which means that most of the stereotypes are positive …which inversely means that this article is probably going to be primarily negative. Yay.

For those new to the cognitive functions, Ti is the dominant function for the ISTPs and the INTPs and the auxiliary function for the ESTPs and the ENTPs. This article will be aimed primarily at those types, and honestly, some of the stereotypes may be more strongly associated with the dominants than the auxiliaries.

Before I get started, I want to make this basic disclaimer statement: You may or may not relate to the stereotypes for your personality type or cognitive functions. Stereotypes are not always true, but they’re also not always completely false. They are often rooted in truth, in a sense, because somewhere someone noticed a certain tendency within a person or multiple persons, which then evolved into a broad conclusion about all people within that category. Ergo, an ISTP might relate to an ISTP stereotype, but they also might not. So, when an article starts busting stereotypes, realize that the goal is merely to inform people that a certain personality type will not adhere to their associated stereotypes as a rule.

Anddd, on to the stereotypes…

Introverted Thinking (Ti) Stereotypes

1. Ti logic is objective

Introverted functions by nature are subjective. All of them. Extraverted functions are objective. Ergo, Ti, by that statement alone, cannot be objective. Of course, that’s not to say that Ti users can’t be objective, but Ti itself is subjective. (Shall I say it a few more times just for good measure?) Now, I think the mistake people make is in assuming that subjectivity is bad. I mean, I get it. The association that happens is that “well, if I’m not objective then I’m either biased or being influenced by personal feelings.” Forget that. Toss it out the window. Reset.

Ti uses relative logic, which essentially means that Ti users (if we assume no other functions in their stack) really only care about how something relates to their current internal framework. Ti users are quick to dismiss an openly established and well-accepted external fact if it does not fit with their own personal, internal truth. That is a complete lack of objectivity, but it’s also why Ti users can’t just approach something and accept that it works. They have to know WHY it works. They have to go off and reinvent the wheel.

Let me toss in a quote from Carl Jung on the matter for good measure.

“The introverted thinking type is strongly influenced by ideas, though his ideas have their origin not in objective data but in his subjective foundation…However clear to him the inner structure of his thoughts may be, he is not the least clear where or how they link up with reality” – Carl Jung

2. Ti uses infallible logic

I’ve seen Ti users get all high and mighty about how Ti logic can’t be wrong. (I’m not sure if they’ve ever out and out stated that, but I’ve seen some IXTPs all but state that.) Let’s just be reasonable here. No one is perfect. Everyone is biased. Everyone makes mistakes. No one has perfect reasoning and rationale all the time. Ti logic is great and all, but it is subject to error. Te users are great at throwing monkey wrenches into Ti logic, because they seem to immediately notice when Ti logic departs from reality. (In other words, they point out a factual error because their primary focus is on externally verifiable facts.)

3. Ti seeks truth

Ti specifically seeks consistency, not truth. (Don’t freak out, Ti users. I’m diving into the weeds a bit on this one. I’m not saying that Ti users don’t desire or strive to seek truth. I’m saying that truth is not exactly what Ti users are seeking.) Ti users only adopt data or logic into their framework that fits everything that’s already there. Their framework is a complex web of intricate data, all interconnecting. Anything that fits with that framework is determined to be true. Anything that is not consistent with that framework must be false. Ergo, what Ti users really seek is consistency, because any information that is consistent is deemed to be truth.

4. Ti uses precise language and cares about terminology

Here’s where we reach the divide between NTPs and STPs. Out in the vast internet, most of the information about typology has been written by intuitives, which subsequently means that most of the Ti information has been written by NTPs. I frequently see Ne/Si and Ti mixed up, which is something that is very noticeable to me as a dominant Ti without Ne/Si.

As an ISTP, I recognize the value in precision. I’ve been long involved in the tech industry where there is an acronym and a term for just about everything. I had to learn these terms, but it was not my strong suit. I would much rather just point to the “thing”. When it comes to being precise in my language, I only care so far as the person can understand or get the gist of what I’m saying. I will very intentionally say something incorrectly if I know it’ll provoke the correct understanding in the person that I’m conversing with. As long the correct meaning has been relayed, I don’t really care if the exact wording is off or if the terms have been jumbled all around. If I sense in someone’s response that they misinterpreted me, I will correct them, but I probably won’t correct them if all they did was confuse the wording in a non-impactful way.

The people who really care about precision in this way and tend to get caught on wording and language typically have Ne/Si somewhere in their stack. (Although, bear in mind that someone who is not naturally inclined to use precise language can be forced to develop it due to external factors, like a career.) Remember how the INXJs tend to struggle to verbalize their thoughts precisely? This concept can extend down to the lower Ni users as well.

5. Ti users are emotionless

Many Ti dominants specifically tend to have a problem with not displaying emotion adequately. I’ve been told that I’m unreadable. I’ve heard complaints about not being expressive enough in certain situations. However, I will say that not all Ti users will have this problem, and Ti users are certainly not emotionless even if they do. The inferior Fe users specifically tend to struggle with emotional displays and emotional processing. Their emotions run just as deep as the next person… It can just take a lot longer to access (and share) them, and it can be very uncomfortable to do so. Granted, it’s plausible that a truly emotionally numb Ti user does exist, but don’t make that assumption.

6. Ti users don’t have values

Everyone has values of some kind. Anti-morals are morals. I’ve seen people argue that they are a Ti user because they claim to not have morals or values. This is not an adequate argument. Ti users just tend to be less vocal about their values in comparison to some of the other types. They’ll act within their values, but not necessarily explain what they’re doing or why. Their lines or boundaries also tend to be less black and white than the Te/Fi types.

7. Ti users are always intelligent

There are idiots among every type. You don’t have to be smart to be a high Ti user. That is all.

In conclusion…

Did I miss any? Ryan and I tried to think of as many as we could. Function stereotypes tend to be a bit less… specific than the stereotypes for one of the 16 types because they cover more than just one type. I hope you found this useful!