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type with the fewest problems in this area with a 10.7% rate, while ISFPs were the type with the
most problems with a 27.4% rate.) Given that INTJs and ENFPs are almost complete opposites, yet
they tied, I wonder how much type actually affects these conditions? But of course, ENTPs and
ISFPs are almost complete opposites too, yet they sit on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Myers, McCaulley, Quenk & Hammer (1998) found that INTJs regard school as a low stress
activity. INTJs were also among the four least stressed types about "balancing home and work,"
"caring for aging parents," "health," and "children." If this were all the factors we had to consider,
then INTJs would qualify as one of the least stressed-out types. Unfortunately, they were also
among the top four types most stressed about "work," "finances," and "intimate relationships."
How do INTJs respond to stress? Keirsey (1998) has noted that the Rationals become impatient
with everything and when under stress. Myers et al. (1998) found that INTJs were the type second
most likely to seek professional help as a way to cope with problems and the type fourth most likely
to "try to think of options." They were also the type fourth most likely to use exercise as a coping
method, and the least likely to use TV. INTJs were the third least likely type to get angry and show
it. They were ranked third lowest for relying upon religious beliefs.
Philanthropy
Gerdes (2010) examined the giving behaviors of each type in response to an internet advertisement
soliciting money for classroom enrichment. In terms of likelihood to donate, ENFJs were the top
givers, followed by ESFJs. In terms of unlikelihood to donate, ESTJs were least likely to give,
followed closely by INTJs. Why is this?
It may have something to do with the fact that the Rationals were the temperament least affected by
the emotional content of the ad. The ad viewers were asked to rate how the ad made them feel:
guilty, angry, sad, happy, or hopeful. The Rationals rated themselves as experiencing the least
emotions in all categories; they were also the least likely to donate. In fact, when given the chance
to record a remark about the ad, the Rationals were the temperament most likely to critique and
question the ad's message.
From most likely to give to least likely to give, the Rationals were lined up like so: INTP = ENTP >
ENTJ > INTJ.
Another study of each type's values confirms the fact that INTJs are one of the types least likely to
perform what are typically considered altruistic behaviors. 24 24.1% of ENFJs reported that
community service was "very important" to them, whereas only 4% of INTJs thought it was "very
important." ENFJs rated community service the highest of all types, and INTJs the lowest. (The
average rating was 11.3%.)
Now, is this a bad thing? Are INTJs (and Rationals in general) cold and selfish? It's not an either or
question. Some NTs certainly are, of course (all types can be selfish), but on the whole I think they
are not so much selfish as focused on non-people-oriented forms of service. For example,
Nathaniel Bowditch, a mathematician, sailor, and INTJ, meticulously recalculated a set of popular
mathematical tables so that ships would no longer be imperiled by the faulty numbers in the table.
He also taught navigational mathematics to his uneducated shipmates so that they would be able to
take on better jobs. If the goal of community service and charity is to lift up the unfortunate and
alleviate misery, then Bowditch could certainly be called a charitable man—though not in a way
that could be measured by volunteer time at a homeless shelter. To be sure, giving and volunteering
are virtues to be desired, but they are not the only way virtue may be expressed.
24 Myers, McCaulley, Quenk & Hammer, 1998