How To Spot An Introvert

Whilst most people rely on how determining whether someone is introverted by how they speak much, whether they listen well or not, whether they are leaders or followers, whether they’d go to parties regularly and so on, such methods will lead to inaccuracy when someone does not fit the mould.

Here are some tips that will help you spot even the most talkative introvert:

• The natural equilibrium state of an introvert will be detached or contained within themselves as that is where they gain energy from
• In conversation they will typically have a neutral to backward lean - they may lean forward while they draw upon extroverted functions, but they will return to their equilibrium contained state after
• There will be a greater comfort level in using introverted functions when disengaging eye contact (up, down, left or right) from the conversation or environment

The Introvert Myth

Common belief is that introverts are most drained by being around people and social interaction, however this is not the case with all introverts. In fact many introverts will not find interacting with other people that draining and be highly articulate, well skilled in conversation and public speaking (particularly IxxJ's as they have their external interaction function, Fe or Te, placed second on their functional hierarchy), which can result in them being misconceived or mistyped as extroverts, when they are actually drawing their energy from inside as introverts do.

The truth is that introverts are drained by different aspects of the external world depending on what their dominant (which is what we are most stimulated by) and hence inferior cogntive function (which is what we are most drained by) is:

Si dominants (ISTJ and ISFJ) are most drained by Ne i.e. the different patterns and possibilities of the external world

Ni dominants (INTJ and INFJ) are most drained by Se i.e. the literal physical details of the external world

Fi dominants (ISFP and INFP) are most drained by Te  i.e. the structural dynamics and protocols of the external world

Ti dominants (ISTP and INTP) are most drained by Fe i.e the social dynamics of the external world

Famous ISTP

Male

David Attenborough
Juan Martin Del Potro
Clint Eastwood
Lou Ferrigno
Al Gore
Hugh Hefner
Derek Jeter
Kaka

Female

Jessica Biel
Kim Clijsters
Elena Dementieva
Nicky Hilton
Jelena Jankovic
Danica Patrick
Dinara Safina
Venus Williams

ISTP Profile

http://mbtitypes.blogspot.com/2010/07/famous-istp.html
Dominant Cognitive Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
Auxiliary Cognitive Function: Extroverted Sensing (Se)
Tertiary Cognitive Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Inferior Cognitive Function: Extroverted Feeling (Fe)

ISTP Celebrities

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) is an external “dynamics” judgment function that makes objective decisions based on the social dynamics of the external world.

Who uses it?

As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ESFJ, ENFJ
As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ISFJ, INFJ
As a tertiary function – ESTP, ENTP
As an inferior function (most drained by) – ISTP, INTP

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Caring
• Social Awareness
• Charisma
• Diplomatic
• Communal

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions

Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Introverted Thinking (Ti) is an internal “compass” judgment function that allows us to make decisions based upon internal, subjective logical deductions.

Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ISTP, INTP
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ESTP, ENTP
• As a tertiary function – INFJ, ISFJ
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – ESFJ, ENFJ

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Precision
• Clarity
• Dispassionate
• Analytic
• Diagnostic
• Calibration

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions 

Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Introverted intuition is an internal “worldview” perception function that gives us information based on future conceptual visions processed via patterns and impressions, that we can use to make decisions.


Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – INTJ, INFJ
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ENTJ, ENFJ
• As a tertiary function – ISTP, ISFP
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – ESTP, ESFP

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Imagination
• Visionary
• Global
• Insightful
• Speculation
• Detachment
• Independence

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions  

Extroverted Sensing (Se) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Extroverted Sensing (Se) is an external “stimulus” perception function that gives us information based on the present physical environment using the 5 basic senses that we can use to make decisions.

Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ESTP, ESFP
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ISTP, ISFP
• As a tertiary function – ENTJ, ENFJ
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – INTJ, INFJ

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Present orientation
• Sensual Experience
• Alertness
• Kinetic Energy
• Passion for life

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions