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The 31 type experts considered the following two descriptors characteristic of Ni: "mystical" and<br />
"Trusts the unconscious." "Mystical" was also considered to be somewhat characteristic of Fi, and<br />
"trusts the unconscious" was also considered to be somewhat characteristic of Ne and Fe. This begs<br />
an obvious question. Why is it that out of 25 suggested descriptors for Ni, only 2 of them were<br />
actually sort-of-agreed-upon by type practitioners?<br />
It is quite simple: no one actually knows what Ni is, and everyone is using their own unique<br />
definition of the term. Therefore there is no one consensual meaning of Ni—rather, there are 31<br />
meanings of Ni, each one unique to a specific type user. Such sloppy non-definitions allow<br />
unlimited interpretations of data, thus making any claims for or against cognitive functions<br />
unproven and unprovable. Ni was, in fact, the most poorly differentiated cognitive function of all.<br />
Another interesting point is that the raters' agreed-upon descriptors for Ti (the INTJ auxiliary) seem<br />
to match INTJs better than the descriptors for Ni (the dominant). Ti is, of course, the supposed<br />
dominant of INTPs/ISTPs.<br />
12 descriptors were found that matched Ti. 46 The list was as follows: aloof, cold, desires internal<br />
logic, detached, in-depth concentration, independent, individualistic, likes mental models,<br />
overcomplexifies, pure intellectual, research-minded, and unique use of logic.<br />
These 12 descriptors fit type INTP, as would be expected since Ti is the INTP's dominant function.<br />
But as far as I can tell, all 12 descriptors match both INTPs and INTJs equally well. However, only<br />
five of the descriptors seem to fit type ISTP (aloof, cold, desires internal logic, independent, and<br />
individualistic).<br />
Ti is not the dominant of INTJs, yet the descriptors of Ti seem to fit both INTJs and INTPs to a tee.<br />
Ti is the dominant of ISTPs, yet the descriptors do not seem to fit type ISTP as well. Yet Ni, not Ti,<br />
is believed to be the dominant of the INTJ.<br />
What can we say about this? Even if one accepts that the cognitive functions exist, the murkiness<br />
and paucity of these descriptors must give one pause. There would seem to be little use in trying to<br />
use the cognitive functions to tell INTJs apart from INTPs.<br />
Here is a list of other characteristics that can be helpful in differentiating INTJs from INTPs.<br />
Judging vs. Perceiving Differences<br />
• INTJs like following a regular schedule. INTPs aren't interested in having a routine.<br />
• INTJs tend to have neat rooms, cars, and desks. INTPs tend to have messy rooms, cars, and<br />
desks.<br />
• INTJs like clear structure more than INTPs. Indeed, INTPs are the least enthralled with<br />
clear structure of all types. 47<br />
• INTJs tend to make a plan and then follow it through. INTPs would rather just figure it out<br />
as they go along. Both types will create far-reaching strategies, however.<br />
• INTJs are more persevering; INTPs are more flexible.<br />
• INTJs are better at preparing in advance; INTPs are better at improvising on the spot.<br />
• INTJs like to come to decisions quickly and seek closure; INTPs tend to leave their options<br />
open as long as possible so that they can gather information.<br />
• INTJs tend to put work before play; INTPs tend to put play before work.<br />
46 However, for 5 of these 12 descriptors, secondary matches with Te, plain N, and Ni were found. In short, the<br />
surveyed experts thought that those five descriptors mainly matched Ti, but also secondarily matched Te, N, and<br />
Ni.<br />
47 Myers, McCaulley, Quenk & Hammer, 1998
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