Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey ISTJ CharacteristicsISTJ Strengths and WeaknessesCognitive FunctionsPersonal RelationshipsIdeal Career PathsTips for Interacting With ISTJsNext in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator GuideISFJ: Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Key ISTJ Characteristics
ISTJ Strengths and Weaknesses
Cognitive Functions
Personal Relationships
Ideal Career Paths
Tips for Interacting With ISTJs
Next in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Guide
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ISTJ (introversion, sensing, thinking, judgment) is a four-letter code representing one of the 16 personality types found on theMyers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI). People with an ISTJ personality type tend to be reserved, practical and quiet. They enjoy order and organization in all areas of their lives, including home, work, family, and projects.
ISTJs valueloyaltyin themselves and others, and they emphasize traditions. Although they have a reputation for being blunt, they are also known for being nice, loyal, and responsible.
The ISTJ personality type is not rare. It is one of the most common, accounting for around 11 to 14% of the population. It is more common among men, with 14 to 19% of men having this type compared to seven to 10% of women.
Some of the main ISTJ traits and characteristics include:
The ISTJ type has both strengths and weaknesses. These traits can be advantageous in some situations but more of a liability in others.
Strengths
Weaknesses
StrengthsDetail-orientedRealisticPresent-focusedObservantLogical and practicalOrderly and organizedWeaknessesJudgmentalSubjectiveTends to blame othersInsensitive
StrengthsDetail-orientedRealisticPresent-focusedObservantLogical and practicalOrderly and organized
Detail-oriented
Realistic
Present-focused
Observant
Logical and practical
Orderly and organized
WeaknessesJudgmentalSubjectiveTends to blame othersInsensitive
Judgmental
Subjective
Tends to blame others
Insensitive
The MBTI suggests that the four cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensing) form a hierarchy. Each function is directed outwardly (extraverted) or inwardly (introverted) and the order of these functions determines an individual’s personality.
Dominant: Introverted Sensing
Auxiliary: Extraverted Thinking
Tertiary: Introverted Feeling
Inferior: Extraverted Intuition
ISTJs You Might KnowGeorge Washington, U.S. presidentHenry Ford, inventorJohnny Carson, entertainerElizabeth II, Queen of EnglandEvander Holyfield, boxer
ISTJs You Might Know
George Washington, U.S. presidentHenry Ford, inventorJohnny Carson, entertainerElizabeth II, Queen of EnglandEvander Holyfield, boxer
Are You an Extroverted Introvert?
Because of this need for order, they tend to do better in learning and work environments with clearly defined schedules, clear-cut assignments, and a strong focus on a task When learning new things, ISTJs do best when the material is something they view as useful and having real-world applications. Concrete, factual information appeals to ISTJs, while theoretical and abstract information has little value unless they can see some ]practical use for it. While they may exert tremendous energy into projects they see as valuable, they will avoid wasting time and energy on things that they view as useless or unpractical.
ISTJs tend to do well in careers that require order, structure, and perseverance. Jobs that involve dealing with concrete facts and figures (accounting, library science, computer programming, etc.) are all good options. Jobs that require accuracy, respect for rules and stability often appeal to those with an ISTJ personality.
Popular ISTJ CareersAccountantComputer ProgrammerDentistDoctorLibrarianLawyerPolice Officer or DetectiveMilitary Leader
Popular ISTJ Careers
AccountantComputer ProgrammerDentistDoctorLibrarianLawyerPolice Officer or DetectiveMilitary Leader
Friendships
Parenting
ISTJ parents tend to be quite focused on tradition and are good at providing security and stability to their children. Children of ISTJ parents often find that their parents will treat them with care and respect and that they also expect the same treatment in return.
Parents of ISTJ children will find that providing consistency can help their children feel more secure. Sticking to routines, introducing change slowly, and giving them time to adjust to new situations are all ways to help an ISTJ child.
Relationships
Although the ISTJ can be compatible with people of any personality type, the ISTJ gets along best with people who share their interests and characteristics. Some other compatible types includeISTPs,ISFJs,ESTJs, and other ISTJs.
The ISTJ can experience deep feelings but often struggles to show that side in romantic relationships. They don’t bare their soul quickly and can seem insensitive. Facts and logical explanations can help them see the other side of an argument.
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Center for Applications of Psychological Type.Estimated frequencies of the types of the United States population.King SP, Mason BA.Myers‐Briggs type indicator. In: Carducci BJ, et al, eds.The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. John Wiley & Sons;2020:315-319. doi:10.1002/9781119547167.ch123Additional ReadingThe Myers & Briggs Foundation. (n.d.).The 16 MBTI Types.
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Center for Applications of Psychological Type.Estimated frequencies of the types of the United States population.King SP, Mason BA.Myers‐Briggs type indicator. In: Carducci BJ, et al, eds.The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. John Wiley & Sons;2020:315-319. doi:10.1002/9781119547167.ch123Additional ReadingThe Myers & Briggs Foundation. (n.d.).The 16 MBTI Types.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Center for Applications of Psychological Type.Estimated frequencies of the types of the United States population.King SP, Mason BA.Myers‐Briggs type indicator. In: Carducci BJ, et al, eds.The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. John Wiley & Sons;2020:315-319. doi:10.1002/9781119547167.ch123
Center for Applications of Psychological Type.Estimated frequencies of the types of the United States population.
King SP, Mason BA.Myers‐Briggs type indicator. In: Carducci BJ, et al, eds.The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. John Wiley & Sons;2020:315-319. doi:10.1002/9781119547167.ch123
The Myers & Briggs Foundation. (n.d.).The 16 MBTI Types.
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