yet another personality test

You ARe A ISTP by Myers Briggs


What makes an ISTP tick?

The Dominant function is the judging one of Thinking. Characteristics associated with this function include:

Likes making decisions on the basis of logic, using objective considerations
Is concerned with truth, principles and justice
Is analytical and critical, tending to see the flaws in situations
Takes an objective approach

The judging Thinking function is introverted. That is, Thinking is used primarily to govern the inner world of thoughts and emotions.

The ISTP will therefore:

spend time thinking analytically, organising thoughts on a logical basis

develop an understanding of the principles involved in a situation

spontaneously feel critical of a person or situation, but not necessarily express that criticism
be inwardly decisive, but not communicate those decisions to others

think mostly about impersonal issues, focusing more on concepts, truths and systems rather than individuals' feelings

The Thinking function is primarily supported by extraverted Sensing perception. That is, Sensing perception is used primarily to manage the outer world of actions and spoken words. This will modify the way that the Thinking is directed, by:

focusing the (inner world) Thinking on understanding practical or mechanical problems
perceiving appropriate facts to support the logical analysis
The classic temperament of an ISTP is Dionesian, or Sanguine, for whom freedom is a basic driving force - seeking to enjoy the present.
Contributions to the team of an ISTP


In a team environment, the ISTP can contribute by:
being a source of information, or an 'expert' in some subjects
using analytical skills to produce practical solutions to difficult problems
encouraging the team to think, and then act
having a cool head in a crisis
applying relevant and realistic logical arguments
encouraging the team to realistically assess the situation


The potential ways in which an ISTP can irritate others include:
focusing too much on the current task at the expense of longer term or interpersonal issues
not seeing the wood for the trees
not completing a task before moving on to the next one
not communicating his/her understanding of the situation
taking shortcuts
seeming to flit from one thing to another

Personal Growth

As with all types, the ISTP can achieve personal growth by developing all functions that are not fully developed, through actions such as:
taking time to consider the impact of the ISTP's approach and ideas on people's feelings
expressing appreciation towards others
consulting others, to engender ownership of the solution
learning to acknowledge and develop the ISTP's own emotions and personal values
developing a long term personal strategy
developing personal relationships for their own sake

Recognising Stress
As stress increases, 'learned behaviour' tends to give way to the natural style, so the ISTP will behave more according to type when under greater stress. For example, in a crisis, the ISTP might:
withdraw from people, to think through possible solutions
use tried and trusted solutions to short-term problems
criticise others efforts and ignore their feelings
sort out detailed points that could perhaps wait
Under extreme stress, fatigue or illness, the ISTP's shadow may appear - a negative form of ENFJ. Example characteristics are:
displaying intense feelings towards others, or insisting on things being done without any logical basis
being very sensitive to criticism
having a gloomy view of the future
attributing unrealistic negative meaning to others actions or statements
The shadow is part of the unconscious that is often visible to others, onto whom the shadow is projected. The ISTP may therefore readily see these faults in others without recognising it in him/her self.