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ISTP, a term from theMyers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI), stands for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. ISTPs are practical, analytical, and flexible, often recognized for their mechanical skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and preference for hands-on experience.ISTP MeaningISTPs find energy in solitary activities (Introversion), favor practical details and present realities over abstract concepts (Sensing), base decisions on logical analysis rather than personal emotions (Thinking), and appreciate adaptability and a spontaneous approach to life (Perceiving).People with this personality type are fearless and independent. They love adventure, new experiences, and risk-taking. They tend to be quiet observers and are not well attuned to the emotional states of others, sometimes coming across as insensitive or stoic.They are results-oriented, acting quickly to find workable solutions and understand the underlying cause of practical problems. ISTPs are sometimes referred to as “the Craftsman,” “the Crafter,” or “the Virtuoso.”ENFJis the opposite personality type of ISTP.
ISTP, a term from theMyers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI), stands for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. ISTPs are practical, analytical, and flexible, often recognized for their mechanical skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and preference for hands-on experience.
ISTP MeaningISTPs find energy in solitary activities (Introversion), favor practical details and present realities over abstract concepts (Sensing), base decisions on logical analysis rather than personal emotions (Thinking), and appreciate adaptability and a spontaneous approach to life (Perceiving).People with this personality type are fearless and independent. They love adventure, new experiences, and risk-taking. They tend to be quiet observers and are not well attuned to the emotional states of others, sometimes coming across as insensitive or stoic.They are results-oriented, acting quickly to find workable solutions and understand the underlying cause of practical problems. ISTPs are sometimes referred to as “the Craftsman,” “the Crafter,” or “the Virtuoso.”ENFJis the opposite personality type of ISTP.
ISTP Meaning
ISTPs find energy in solitary activities (Introversion), favor practical details and present realities over abstract concepts (Sensing), base decisions on logical analysis rather than personal emotions (Thinking), and appreciate adaptability and a spontaneous approach to life (Perceiving).
People with this personality type are fearless and independent. They love adventure, new experiences, and risk-taking. They tend to be quiet observers and are not well attuned to the emotional states of others, sometimes coming across as insensitive or stoic.
They are results-oriented, acting quickly to find workable solutions and understand the underlying cause of practical problems. ISTPs are sometimes referred to as “the Craftsman,” “the Crafter,” or “the Virtuoso.”ENFJis the opposite personality type of ISTP.
The ISTP personality type is much more common among men than women. Among men, it is the third most common type in the population. Among women, it is the fourth rarest.
Famous ISTPs include Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Clint Eastwood, Amelia Earhart, Bruce Lee, and Katherine Hepburn.
StrengthsWeaknessesPracticalInsensitiveSpontaneousReservedAction-orientedEasily boredEasygoingRisk takers
Key ISTP Characteristics
ISTPs are fiercely independent
ISTPs are adventurous and ambitious
ISTPs are practical, creative, and result-oriented
ISTP individuals are actually quite enigmatic
Cognitive Functions
The MBTI suggests that the four different cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensing) form a hierarchy where each function is either directed outwardly (extroverted) or inwardly (introverted). The order of these functions determines one’s personality.
The dominant function is the primary aspect of personality, while the auxiliary and tertiary functions play supportive roles.
Dominant: Introverted ThinkingISTPs process most of their emotions and thoughts internally as opposed to expressing themselves verbally.ISTPs approach the world rationally and logically, making decisions based on practical and objective information rather than personal opinions or emotional factors.Their actions and choices are dependent on careful observation and thought.Auxiliary: Extraverted SensingISTPs are highly attuned to their surroundings and have a strong sense of their immediate environment.They prefer to focus on the present moment rather than think about future possibilities or make long-term commitments.They enjoy learning about how things work and operate and are interested in things that have practical applications.Tertiary: Introverted SensingThis function of the ISTP personality is largely unconscious. It tends to operate behind the “gut feelings” that ISTPs occasionally experience when making a decision.As ISTPs take in information from their dominant and auxiliary functions, they occasionally experience sudden epiphanies or revelations.Inferior: Extraverted FeelingThis is the least developed element of the ISTP personality, surfacing in times of stress.When faced with pressure, ISTPs can erupt with emotion, displaying their feelings and concerns in inappropriate or unexpected ways.
Dominant: Introverted Thinking
Auxiliary: Extraverted Sensing
Tertiary: Introverted Sensing
Inferior: Extraverted Feeling
ISTP Hobbies, Interests, and Careers
ISTPs enjoy hobbies and careers that require hands-on work and technical expertise. They prefer tasks that have practical, real-world applications where they can solve problems and find logical solutions.
They feel the most satisfaction from building something concrete where they can see tangible results. Because of their adventurous nature, ISTPs enjoy careers that involve physical activity, even with a bit of thrill or risk.
ISTPs have a particular fascination with how things work and how tools can be used. They enjoy a job that is action-oriented and does not involve much planning, theorizing, or rule-following. Popular ISTP careers include engineers, mechanics, carpenters, forensic scientists, firefighters, pilots, or detectives.
In their free time, ISTPs are drawn to thrilling activities and those that allow them to work with machinery or tools. They enjoy archery, weaponry, hunting, scuba diving, rappelling, aviation, skydiving, motorcycling, and other extreme sports.
ISTP Work Environments
ISTPs thrive in work environments that are unpredictable, fast-paced, and rewarding. They enjoy working alone, and engaging in a variety of tasks with minimal supervision.
They are problem solvers who want to have the space and freedom to utilize their skills and solve complex problems. They need room for risk-taking and the freedom to jump in and out of activities. They also appreciate challenges, and they thrive in difficult, pressured situations.
ISTPs appreciate the independence to create their own schedules, responsibilities, and solutions. They struggle in highly structured and regimented environments where they are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations.
ISTPs flourish in careers that will offer challenge, variety, flexibility, stimulation, and unpredictability.
ISTP Personal Relationships
Because ISTPs areintroverts, they tend to be quiet and reserved and struggle to share their emotions with others. They are extremely private individuals, and for this reason, they tend to be difficult to get to know and understand.
ISTPs are highly independent individuals and they value their own personal space which can make others feel shut out at times.
They are not highly adept at dealing with other people’s emotions and personal issues as they find the temporary nature of emotion difficult to understand.
Commitment is also challenging for an ISTP as they are not forward-thinking individuals and do not want to be bound to any particular person or activity.
However, they will put a lot of effort into the relationships that matter to them. They tend to form their closest relationships with those who enjoy similar hobbies.
They enjoy spending time with their friends pursuing these similar interests and activities.
Tips for Interacting With ISTPs
Friendships
ISTPs form the most stable and rich friendships with those who give them the freedom to be themselves. They want friends who are willing to pursue new activities and go on thrilling adventures with them.
As a friend of an ISTP, you must respect their need for space and allow them the independence to do their own thing.
Relationships
They want a partner who will appreciate their skills and hard work, while allowing them plenty of freedom to be themselves, both physically and mentally.
They are able to enjoy the comforts of a steady partner as long as you can respect their need for independence and do not make them feel constrained to any obligations or expectations.
Parenting
As a parent, ISTPs show their love for their children through action-oriented tasks such as crafting or building something for them rather than being verbally affectionate.
They give their children a lot of freedom to explore and venture on their own and tend not to impart their own principles or interests to them.
Test
Answer these questions to find out if ISTP might be your personality type:
If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, you may have ISTP personality traits. However, remember that personality is complex, and a professional assessment would be needed for a definitive personality type determination.
Sources
King, S. P., & Mason, B. A. (2020). Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Measurement and Assessment, 315-319.
Myers, I. B. (1962). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Manual (1962).
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. (2019, May 28). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator&oldid=1020015.
Myers, Isabel B.; Myers, Peter B. (1995) [1980]. Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89106-074-1.
Pittenger, D. J. (2005).Cautionary Comments Regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221.
The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. The Myers & Briggs Foundation: MBTI Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
virtuoso personality
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Julia Simkus
BA (Hons) Psychology, Princeton University
Julia Simkus is a graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness in September 2023. Julia’s research has been published in peer reviewed journals.
