Introverted
Sensing with
Extraverted Thinking
STRENGTHS
Inclined to focus on the inner world
of thoughts and ideas, ISTJs often prefer to work quietly, on their own. In
fact they may sometimes find conversation and discussion an unwanted distraction
from their desire to complete tasks in a systematic, methodical way. Focusing
on facts and practical realities, they tend to view life from an objective,
distant and somewhat detached point of view. Logical, analytical and orderly
in their thinking, they will be motivated to find practical, concrete solutions
to well defined problems. Having a strong sense of duty and responsibility,
they believe it is important to adhere closely to established systems and procedures.
However, their emphasis on Thinking may cause them to question tasks and procedures
that are not based on a sound logical analysis. Steadfast, loyal and dependable,
they approach tasks with a calm, steady perseverance, and will be committed
to complete their work on schedule and to the required standard.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Orientated towards the Introverted world
of thoughts and ideas, ISTJs may sometimes need to be drawn out in social settings.
Not usually the first to put forward their own views and opinions, they may
prefer carefully to think through all the options before contributing to a debate
or discussion. When working in teams they will wish to have a clearly defined
role, and to be set well defined, achievable goals. Task focused and goal directed,
they may feel more at ease working with facts and hard data, than when managing
interpersonal relationships. Inclined to cool logical analysis, understanding
others¹ feelings may not come naturally to them. Dependable and reliable, they
will focus on getting things done and, as a result, it may take others a while
to warm to them. They will generally prefer to learn about a subject by reading,
or through private study, rather than by engaging in lively, informed debate
or discussion.
THINKING STYLE
Having a clear, logical and analytical thinking style, ISTJs are known for their ability to focus on the detailed aspects of a task or problem. Not inclined to abstract debate, they tend to reject the purely theoretical, choosing instead to seek practical solutions to real-world problems. Basing their opinions on a logical analysis of observable facts and hard data that they have directly perceived through their Sensing function, they are likely to be steadfast in their opinions. Goal directed, orderly and methodical in their work, they have little interest in approaching problems from novel, theoretical perspectives. Being pragmatic and realistic, they do not seek change for change¹s sake. Rather, they prefer to examine new procedures in an objective manner, and will only accept new approaches if they offer clear benefits over tried-and-tested methods. Marshalling facts in an orderly and systematic manner to support their arguments, they may be at their best when communicating in writing, rather than in interpersonal contexts.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Well organised, dependable and reliable,
they will be trusted to see tasks through to the end. Known for their sound,
sensible and realistic judgement, colleagues will respect their ability to analyse
problems in a systematic and logical manner. However people who are, on the
surface, more emotional than them may on occasion have difficulty understanding
their reliance on hard logic, and their tendency to focus on the stated facts
in a given situation. Independent and self-reliant, they will be respected for
their ability to persevere with tasks that require attention to detail. However,
some colleagues may on occasion misperceive their detail-conscious, pragmatic
realism as indicating a lack of imagination. While some colleagues may at times
see them as being a little reserved, distant or even somewhat aloof, this is
to misunderstand their private inner-directed nature and tendency to view life
in an objective, analytical way. Outwardly calm, serious and composed, even
when under pressure, they will tend to keep their feelings and personal values
to themselves.
After publishing his seminal work on psychological types in 1921, Jung did little further work in this area. However the importance of his work was recognised by the mother and daughter team, Elizabeth Myers and Catherine Briggs. Realising that if Jung's ideas were to have any practical application it would be necessary to develop an easy method for assessing a person's psychological type, Myers and Briggs published the first type indicator in 1949. Moreover, they developed the now famous four-letter type code as a short hand way of describing a person's type.In addition to providing a short-cut route for describing a person's psychological type, the four-letter code also reveals a set of complex personality dynamics which provide insights into the order in which the preferred psychological processes are likely to manifest themselves in the person's daily life.
The way to discover the dynamic relationship between these psychological processes is by examining the middle two preferences; SN for perceiving, and TF for judging, types. These are referred to as functions. For any type, one of these functions is dominant and this dominant function is used in the preferred world (external or internal as indicated by the EI preference), with Extraverts using their dominant function in the external world and Introverts using their dominant function in the internal world. Moreover, the function which the type code indicates is not preferred is called the auxiliary function. Thus, if either the S or N function were indicated as being the preferred function, then either the T or F function would be the auxiliary function.
So, introverts are more likely to exhibit their auxiliary function when relating to the outer world, whereas their dominant function will be used mainly when relating to the inner world, and will thus not be readily accessible for others to see. In contrast, because Extraverts use their dominant function in the outer world, it will be available for all to see.
