Intelligence is a complex concept and can refer to various abilities and traits, including abstract reasoning, problem-solving, learning, and emotional intelligence. It’s also important to note that a single metric or test can only partially measure intelligence.
However, if we talk about intelligence in terms of cognitive ability, individuals with the INTJ personality type (as identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) are often considered intelligent. The bigger question now is this: How smart are INTJ?
Are INTJs Smart?
Yes, they are! This is due to their natural preference for logic and strategic thinking, as well as their drive for knowledge and understanding. INTJs are known for their ability to analyze and understand complex systems and to use that understanding to make well-thought-out decisions.
Reasons Why INTJs Are Smart People
There are eight types of intelligence, and INTJ’s intelligence falls within the spatial and logical categories.
INTJs love logic, right? And if you’re an INTJ, you know for a fact that you will only admit or believe in something if there are valid reasons to support it. So, to prove our assertion that INTJs are clever individuals, here are concise answers to this big why.
1. INTJs are rational by nature.
INTJs, also known as Architects, highly value their rational thinking abilities. They view challenges as opportunities to refine their analytical skills and increase their understanding. And with this perspective, they can devise inventive solutions to even the most challenging issues.
INTJ intelligence isn’t just reserved for serious affairs like school or work-related activities. Even with their dealings with people in their lives, they remain rational.
And when someone dear to them does something hurtful, it’s easy to forgive since they can be sensible. Forgive, and move on. But of course, they don’t easily forget.
If someone from work attacks their ideas, they fight with reason. Yet, if others truly make a point, INTJs are prepared to step back and collaborate. Since they’re more rational than emotional, it’s easier for them to move on from this event.
Since INTJs constantly nurture their rationality, it blossoms. This is precisely why they’re smart. It’s like working out, trying to develop muscular strength. In their case, they use every opportunity to train their mind, and build mental muscle over time.
2. They are seekers of truth and always love learning.
So, you often hear other people ask this: Do INTJ have high IQ? While a personality type can’t determine IQ, we can tell how INTJ’s psyche generally impacts their IQ.
Architects are always dedicated to forming opinions grounded in reason and evidence. Instead of relying on intuition or incomplete information, INTJs base their conclusions on thorough research and analysis.
Because of this, they have the confidence to defend their ideas, even in the face of formidable opposition.
It’s easy to stand up for something they truly and genuinely believe in. It’s even easier when they have pieces of evidence to support their beliefs. This is precisely why it’s hard to refute an INTJ’s argument.
They can also come up with premises, complex or not, to make a point.
3. INTJs are curious and conscientious hard workers.
According to a study, conscientiousness and curiosity largely contribute to academic excellence.
You see, you can always find someone curious, but not all are driven to work on the answers. Intellectual laziness is rampant; only some have the desire to seek explanations for the hard questions.
In the same way, you can hire experienced hard workers for the job. But while it’s great to have someone with experience, the world also needs people who thrive on seeking the undiscovered, cultivating potential developments.
This is where INTJs come in. Their curiosity, thoroughness, and unwavering patience to reach a conclusion helps the world take big steps forward in developing our society.
This is one of the major reasons INTJs deserve to be called the “Architects” and “Strategists.”
4. INTJs always aim for self-sufficiency.
INTJs view conformity as synonymous with mediocrity. With their creative and self-driven nature, they strive to chart their course. Few things are more frustrating than having arbitrary rules or norms obstruct their path to success.
True to their introverted nature, they love their own company. And while it’s true that no man is an island, it doesn’t mean they can’t do some things alone. INTJ’s independence is a classic example of self-sufficiency.
INTJs are that person in class who isn’t afraid if they’re not given a partner or group to work with. They’re the go-to person in the office when there’s a challenging project that everyone has given up on.
INTJs are not even bothered by being not chosen or paired with because they can always rely on themselves.
5. INTJs are goal-driven.
Their ambitious and goal-driven nature characterizes INTJs.
If you’re an INTJ, you will only give it a rest once you have achieved your definition of success, which often involves mastering subjects and activities of personal significance.
If you just set your mind on something, nothing can stand in your way of achieving it. Since emotions do not drive you, there are lesser days wherein you feel you’re “too emotional” to work on your goals.
As you work on your goals, you also gain knowledge and wisdom along the way. And since you don’t stop at achieving one dream, you accumulate a wealth of knowledge.
And more importantly, uncovering knowledge after knowledge excites you the most! This is another reason why you’re smart. You seem to never get tired of learning.
6. They love ingenuity and innovation.
With a naturally skeptical mindset, INTJs are particularly intrigued by unconventional or unorthodox perspectives. They are willing to reevaluate and adjust their opinions if presented with facts that contradict their beliefs.
While everyone else in the group thinks they have to take the conventional route to solve a problem, INTJs figure out how to play with the rules.
While INTJ’s workmates believe there’s one way to attack a problem, they show them an ingenious solution. And that’s how they set the bar high and remain clever.
7. INTJs are highly intuitive.
Rationality and intuition characterize INTJs. They conceptualize and process information by collecting facts and details, and use their intuition to understand it as a whole.
Many INTJs are not even satisfied with just thinking about it. They categorize their own knowledge on paper. They love making tables, charts, and keeping compartments of information.
With this high intuition, INTJs can better understand the world around them and make informed decisions that lead to a clear direction in the future.
Their intuition and logic work together to help them solve problems and plan strategically, making them valuable assets in various careers and life situations.
They’re constantly seeking ways to improve and be more efficient, never content to remain stagnant. This drive, combined with their intelligence, allows them to excel in numerous areas of their life.
Takeaway
Some people brand INTJs as someone cold and emotionally detached. Others may perceive them as condescending or arrogant. However, these negative characteristics don’t define INTJs.
Instead, let’s bank on the characteristics that make INTJs stand out – their cleverness and rationality. With these, INTJs can move forward with a more positive outlook on life, not only for themselves but also for the people around them.
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- The Good and Bad Traits of INTJ Personality
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- 5 Negative Traits of INTP Personality
