o_19kdfsn0q18e31dfraas1esh19vta.pdf

So, don't be too concerned if your beloved doesn't match the "ideal" type recommended by any
particular theorist. Everybody else is in the exact same boat, and we seem to be floating around
fairly randomly. Type is merely one of dozens of factors that goes into making a successful match.
INTJ Matches: Research and Theory
Keirsey (1998) believed that the best partner for the INTJ is the ENFP Champion. He arrived at this
conclusion by reversing all preferences save for Intuition, which he came to believe was important
in a relationship for communication and mutual interests. The INTJ, he suggested, will be intrigued
by the ENFP's bubbling overflow of life, warmth, and spirit. The ENFP, for his or her part,
appreciates the INTJ's inner core of strength, their gift for strategic planning, and their enigmatic
reserve.
This theory is the popular in MBTI circles, but is it correct? While Keirsey's description of the
match's dynamics is accurate, it seems that INTJs actually prefer other INTJs. Let’s take a look at
the research.
A study containing 41 INTJs found that they were more likely than average to marry fellow INTJs. 79
Male INTJs were 3.85 times more likely than average to marry a female INTJ, while female INTJs
were 2.22 times more likely than average to marry a male INTJ. Male INTJs did not ever marry
female ESFPs, nor did female INTJs ever marry male ESFPs. It would seem that for INTJs,
similarity attracts.
So the INTJ-INTJ pairing is slightly more common than average, but is it actually the best match?
Marriage and Satisfaction
A study found that INTJs expressed moderately low satisfaction with their marriage/intimate
relationship compared to other types. 80 However, this is relative since most Sensors had higher
satisfaction than most Intuitives. When compared to other Intuitives, INTJs expressed an average
level of satisfaction.
Referring back to the study which examined the 41 INTJs, 81 it was found that 56% of the INTJ
women were in a relationship where both partners were satisfied; similarly, 54% of the INTJ men
were in a relationship where both partners were satisfied. None of the INTJ men were in a
relationship where they were satisfied, but their wives were not. 11% of the INTJ women were in a
relationship where they were satisfied but their spouse was not.
We can also look at the question of marital satisfaction from a temperament perspective. Tieger and
Barron-Tieger (2000) found Rational-Rational pairings have an average satisfaction rate of 59%;
this fits in with the idea that INTJs prefer relationships with other INTJs. But in fact, Rational-
Idealist pairings have an even higher satisfaction rate, namely 65%. (Note that this was the
Rational rating for the pairing; Idealists rated the pairing at 64%).
What about the other temperaments? Guardians with a Rational spouse tended to have a 62%
satisfaction rate, whereas Rationals with a Guardian spouse reported a 52% satisfaction rate.
As for the SPs, Artisans with a Rational spouse tended to have a 73% satisfaction rate, while
Rationals with Artisan spouses tended to have only a 54% satisfaction rate.
So are you confused yet? Let’s summarize.
79 Marioles, Strickert & Hammer, 1996
80 Myers, McCaulley, Quenk & Hammer, 1998
81 Marioles, Strickert & Hammer, 1996