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INTJs and Asperger's Syndrome
In INT internet communities, the question of a link between Asperger’s syndrome and type comes
up over and over again. Several responses typically appear, namely:
• “Suppose that Asperger’s syndrome is simply INT taken to an extreme?”
• “I’m an INT and I have this problem.”
• “You’re misdiagnosed.”
• “I’m an INT and I have a sibling/acquaintance/friend who has this problem and there is
definitely something wrong there.”
• “I know someone with Asperger's and I don't think they're an INT.”
The reason that these questions keep coming up over and over is that many of the descriptions of
Asperger's syndrome symptoms read like a checklist for how to identify an INTJ.
• Lack of social skills? - Oh yeah.
• Lack of empathy? - Depends on how hard the T in INTJ is.
• Flat, formal, advanced speech? - Yes.
• Obsessed with learning about certain interest areas—Absolutely.
• Talk a lot about their favorite subject—If you can find someone who will listen...
• Above average sensitivity to tastes, noises, lights, etc—Has been found to describe all
introverts: a drop of lemon juice placed on the tongue will cause an introvert to salivate
more than an extravert. 272
• Measurable associations with math and science—No question about it
Yet there are also some symptoms which do seem to be exceptions to the INTJ description--
particularly a strong emphasis on details, a trait which is typically associated with sensing.
However, as we have seen, INTJs can be quite precise, methodical and thorough when their current
investigation requires it. So what does the research say?
Duke (2006) used the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children-Revised (a version of the
272 Eysenk; Deary, Ramsay, Wilson & Raid in Bayne, 2005