o_19kdfsn0q18e31dfraas1esh19vta.pdf

jumping swiftly to "the wild hilarity of childhood" does not coincide well with the average
characteristics of this type.
Bowditch was not known for displaying the INTJ death glare (he did have a "penetrating" gaze,
however) or even an impassive face. In fact, his biographer/son described a fault in a bust that had
been made of him in the following terms, "Though it accurately represents the features, the artist
has not succeeded in arresting that bright and cheerful expression of the deceased..." Similarly, his
son found fault with an engraving: "[T]he changes which, with the rapidity of lightning, passed
across those expressive features, as they in turn exhibited the feelings of benevolence, or the most
intense thoughtfulness, -- at one moment radiant with smiles, and at another dark with virtuous
indignation, -- can never be realized but by such as have themselves seen and studied the outward
manifestation of...his character. His, indeed, was a face never to be forgotten. Intellect there
altogether predominated over sense."
He was gesturally expressive as well as facially expressive. This is not a typical INTJ trait; in fact,
Thorne and Gough's (1991) observers' descriptions of male INTJs specifically noted that they were
not "facially and/or gesturally expressive."
It has been strikingly said of him that "he was a live man!" All his processes of body and of mind, all his
thoughts, all his actions, were full of life. When any thing pleased him, he would rub his face with his
hands, or rub his hands together, with an expression of the most free and unrestrained delight; and when
any thing displeased him, and he felt excited enough to speak, he always, as he said, found himself upon
his feet, without knowing how he got there; and except in a standing position, his tongue never became
effectually loosed.
This sounds very extraverted.
Many INTs like to have a private study lined with books (or computers) so that they might seclude
themselves to read, study, and work. Though Bowditch later had a private room, he put all his
books in the family living room. He would study there at his desk while his kids played nearby.
His son also noted that, "Dr. Bowditch's intercourse with his family was entirely free and
unreserved. No feeling of restraint was ever inspired by his presence. Among his children, he was
himself a child. One occasion is remembered, when, after partaking with them in some frolic, he
laughed at his own want of dignity, and proceeded humorously to contrast the scene around him
with a description of the formal observances and requirements of past times." Contrast this
behavior with Thorne and Gough's description of male INTJs as being "formal," "aloof," "reserved"
and "deliberate."
Finally, we have this bit: "Let the conversation turn in which way it might, he was always prepared
to take the lead; he always seemed to enter into it with a keener zeal than any one else."
So we are left with the question: was Bowditch an introvert or an extravert? If we were to focus on
the above indications, I would say that he was unquestionably an extravert. But, there is other
evidence to consider.
He avoided public speaking like the plague and had a "hesitant" manner of speech: "He always
declined talking in public. He would teach all who came to him, but he could not deliver a public
course of lectures. His extreme modesty prevented. For it will be remembered, that he was as
remarkable, from his youth, for his modesty, amounting, in early life, to diffidence, as he was for
his other qualities. Moreover, it should be stated that, at times, he had a certain hesitation in his
mode of speaking, which probably would have prevented him from addressing easily a public
audience."
True, everyone is a little afraid of public speaking. However, Bowditch also declined to speak up in