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Building Blocks of Personality Type - Introverted Intuition (Ni)

Leona Hass & Mark Hunziker

Dominant for INTJ and INFJ Auxiliary for ENTJ and ENFJ

In this chapter, we seek to present a picture of the “pure” Introverted Intuiting that we would see if we could carefully remove it from its natural state where it is influenced and colored by all the other elements of personality. Though no process actually exists separated from the rest of the personality, the portrait that follows reflects core characteristics that are in play whenever Introverted Intuiting is engaged at a conscious level.

Introverted Intuiting most clearly resembles the descriptions in the following pages when it is in the dominant (first) position. In fact, these descriptions are based on input from people for whom the process is dominant (INTJ and INFJ). But even with Introverted Intuiting in the first position, what you observe will vary noticeably depending on other factors – particularly whether it is paired up with Extraverted Thinking or Extraverted Feeling in the auxiliary (second) position.

In order to draw a complete picture of the “essence” of Introverted Intuiting, one must use bits and pieces that cannot individually demonstrate “pure” Ni. Like the splashes of color in an impressionist painting, however, the bullets in this chapter, when taken all together, reveal a vivid portrait that will enable you to recognize Introverted Intuiting when you see it. Knowing what the process would look like if it could be separated from other influences is the foundation of process watching, the practice that will quickly take you as far as you want to go in understanding personality.

Introverted Intuiting is an information-gathering process. It focuses on the subjective, internal world of the unconscious to find intangible connections and abstract relationships between the contents of the unconscious and/or the environment. Ni wants to discover underlying significance, systems, and meaning.

KEY FEATURES Introverted Intuiting

Focuses on the contents of the unconscious.

Involves a psychic awareness of the intangible.

Searches for grand patterns, themes, and systems in order to understand the meaning and significance of everything.

Operates unpredictably, often through flashes of insight.

Seeks to understand through an abstract sense of the essential nature of all things and their complex interrelationships.

Attaches meaning and symbolism to the concrete world of the senses.

Seeks to understand the entire “dance of the universe.”

WHAT’S GOING ON? Introverted Intuiting

Is the only perception process that is independent of the conscious mind.

Is the only process that does not need any external stimulus

Can be triggered either internally or externally or have no identifiable trigger at all.

Works in mysterious ways and on its own timetable.

Views everything on the broadest, most complex level possible.

Has an abstract, futuristic approach to information.

Asks, “What else is going on here?”

Quickly grasps the meaning behind words. Its focus is on reading between the lines.

Is the keeper of the so-called sixth sense. Unexplainable information can take the form of hunches, clairvoyance, abstract intuition, and messages from the unconscious.

Is really ultimately about trying to understand life itself.

When people are using their preferred Introverted Intuiting

Unconscious images are as real to them as anything tangible.

An external object is important primarily for what it may release within them.

They can intentionally access the process only by creating certain conditions and letting it happen.

That which can be perceived by the five senses is important mainly as a source of clues to aid in the pursuit of an inner understanding of the universal truths that the tangible objects represent.

They look for associations and connections to identify patterns and systems in order to see and understand everything at once as an interconnected whole.

The focus is on indistinct, broad-stroke futures, with seemingly little regard for apparent factual inconsistencies.

Details are not viewed as being very interesting or important.

Gathering concrete information is a challenge. They tend to move quickly, sometimes prematurely, into internal abstractions.

An understanding of what is beneath the surface comes easily.

The connections that they perceive are often not demonstrable. Often these connections appear to others to be leaps or gaps but are actually links of abstract knowing, possibly through pattern recognition.

Life is about inner images: abstractions and visions of how things are and how they could be.

They view everything in the tangible world as a reflection of the much more complex and interesting world “behind the curtain.”

They seek to understand complexity through its simple underlying essence.

Visions and intuitive insights are trusted and valued. They ‘just know" with a confidence and certainty that often cannot be justified or explained to others.

They view abstract relationships as real and vague future scenarios as actual alternate futures. People who dispute their predictions simply lack the vision to be able to see what is coming.

Inspiration is the driver, the energizer, and the goal.

They are carrying on a search for meaning: a search for the cosmic significance and for the underlying commonalities of all that we see

FROM THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN When we experience people who are engaging their preferred Introverted Intuiting, they:

Can be difficult to relate to or understand. The unconscious nature of their process is very different from the other three approaches to Perceiving. Not only are their perceptions unique to the individual, but they are nearly impossible to explain or describe in words.

May experience insights that are not connected to the tangible world in any way that makes sense to anyone else.

Tend to search for a better solution, even if the current one works just fine. They are always looking for something new and unlike anything else. They do not want to hear “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” because they believe that everything can be reinvented and improved.

May be seen as “way out there.” In the most dramatic cases they may be called shamans, prophets, or visionaries if other people’s reactions are positive. Negative responses can get them labeled as crackpots, radicals, or witches. The difference depends not so much upon the contents of their visions as on how those visions are expressed and whether or not others are receptive to their messages.

Usually have little concern about the usefulness of their insights.

Sometimes are seen as inconsistent or even disloyal. Their internal integrity is complex and private and may not be apparent to others.

Often communicate through abstractions, metaphors, images, and symbols.

Can sound halting, rambling, or awkward as they search for words that convey their abstract thoughts.

Must create brand-new imagery and language every time they attempt to explain anything since they are trying to express something that comes from a place where perception is outside the bounds of language.

May fall into ever-more vague and theoretical language as they try to explain something, prove something, or convince you.

Often communicate very little specific concrete data and sometimes none at all. The outer world of tangible facts may have little to do with the validity of the message they are trying to convey.

May use abstract or symbolic art as a way of communicating.

Have no limits on the scope of their perception except for the challenges of describing it to others.

Have a hard time listening carefully for long. They are too preoccupied with searching for the meaning and patterns behind the words.

Have a very future-oriented focus on what may come to pass.

Seem to make everything more complex. To them, when you look beneath the surface, all things are interconnected and are, indeed, incredibly complex.

Are sometimes slow to reply. They are not usually seen as being quick on their feet. Before responding, they usually need time to access internal information and consider how it fits in with the rest of the universe. At other times they may be too quick to reply because the information they present with such conviction is so far removed from the immediate subject being discussed that it sounds like an off-the-wall comment.

May seem to change their focus in a split second from talking about bits of information to making a dramatically broad general statement about what is really going on.

May tune out conversations that do not have meaning or depth for them.

Often ask questions that are very penetrating and may be uncomfortable for others.

Like to ask why. If asked and answered enough times, the question brings them to the depth of understanding that is of interest to them.

Want to know what is really going on behind the facade.

Are extremely independent and take pride in that.

Have little regard for authority. They decide for themselves whether or not rules and regulations make sense and should be followed.

Tend to be exceptionally stubborn.

Have difficulty accepting limitations and constraints. They really believe that the impossible usually just takes a little longer. If you want to see them take action, tell them they cannot do something.

Are easily bored by repetitious tasks unless a task requires so little attention that it allows them to focus on their internal world.

Are hard to fully challenge.

May appear arrogant.

Are often quiet in their demeanor. They may even be awkward and shy.

Can become very vocal, passionate, animated, and obstinate when they are convinced that they understand something that others need to know.

Can appear moody or preoccupied. They are often “off somewhere” internally. Their outward demeanor usually reflects what is going on inside, which may be out of sync with what is happening around them.

May have difficulty sharing their creativity with others.

Are often seen as daydreamers.

Often excel at higher, more theoretical and abstract levels of education.

CONTRIBUTIONS Special perspectives and approaches of Introverted Intuiting

A fine-tuned awareness of people’s authenticity level and of how safe it is to be open, honest, and vulnerable with them

An understanding that all things are interrelated in ways that are often intangible and perhaps even unknowable

Insight into what is going on beneath the surface through a sense of the meaning of what can be seen

A talent for operating outside the box

Applying metaphors and symbols

Advancing scientific theory beyond the bounds of conventional wisdom

A capacity to promote understanding by teaching the whys and wherefores

The vision that guides strategic planning

FROM THE INSIDE Paraphrased descriptions of what it is like to gather information through one’s preferred Introverted Intuiting

Sometimes I just know something. Even though I don’t always understand how I know it, I’m certain that I’m right.

I always wonder, what does this really mean?

I will always accept input for consideration, but I can’t be coerced.

I want to understand how complex processes and mechanisms work. I love theory and abstract concepts. The more theoretical and abstract a conversation or line of thought is, the more exciting it is.

I’m always being told to get my head out of the clouds and come down to earth.

I am happy when I begin to understand what is going on, to see what will happen.

I’m gratified when I see things happening as I said they would.

I am more interested in pioneering a new road than exploring anything along the beaten path.

I am deeply discontented with routine work that doesn’t allow for inspiration or creativity.

I get very frustrated and impatient when others cannot see what I see and will not listen to me. It seems that invariably, a while later someone else will say the same thing and then people will listen and think it is a great idea.

In a “type-alike” group exercise focusing on an object, everyone in our group was disappointed that it wasn’t something more complex or meaningful.

The flash of inspiration comes when it wants to come. I can’t consciously summon it.

I get a sense of who people are very quickly. I have to remind myself that they probably don’t know me as well as I know them.

You have to search for the meaning in something. You sense the path, but you have to feel your way along it. It’s mostly hazy, with a flash of clarity here and there. You think maybe you see something in the distance, but it is never clear. You move through the haze with the certainty that there is something out there to strive to reach. Exactly what that something is, you may never know.

My best ideas come to me during my morning shower. I think I do my best thinking in the morning because I’ve had a chance to sleep on an idea.

I always know about people.

Sometimes it is hard to start a task. I need to wait for an understanding of the implications, nuances, and broad scope of it because only then will I know what I need to do and how to do it. People often tell me that I procrastinate.

I usually don’t remember people’s names or factual information about them very well.

I have lived in the same city most of my life. I don’t think anyone is better at knowing the best route from one point to another in any given weather or traffic. On the other hand, I couldn’t tell you the names of most of the streets.

I was having dinner with a friend. Suddenly I had a clear picture in my mind of what would happen to her on her vacation. Sometimes I get flashes with a lot of information, and other times I have to reflect to figure out what a vision meant.

I often feel like the child in the story “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” I am the only one who says what is really going on. I have learned that sometimes I need to hold myself back and not say it out loud.

I am sometimes able to have a sense of what the future holds without anything in the external world appearing to support the prediction.

I can sometimes feel people’s pain when I look at or touch them.

In finding a career, I know what I do not like, but it is hard to put together a clear vision of what I would like to do. What I do know is pretty vague, as in “I’d like to work with people, to work with my hands or work with animals, or to do work that has meaning.”

It’s really frustrating when I know how something can be done more effectively and see people clinging to the old way.

I do not let details and facts get in the way of solutions.

I tend to get lost when navigating through the physical world. I guess I’m the classic absent-minded professor.

I have a strong sense about danger. On several occasions I have ducked out of harm’s way in the nick of time because I sensed it coming. Usually, though, it just comes through as a reliable sense of which situations to avoid. Until my fiftieth birthday, I had never really been surprised in my life. That party was the first time that I did not know about something ahead of time. As a child, I was never surprised at Christmas or birthdays. I knew what presents I would be getting.

I feel as if I have about five hundred social studies in progress in my head at all times. Every behavior I observe gets automatically fed into those studies to continually revise my hypotheses about human nature and interaction.

VIGNETIES Scenes from the world of Introverted Intuiting

When I am looking at a tree, I often don’t really see the tree itself. I might be envisioning the forest as it was hundreds of years ago, with Indians living there, or seeing the earth being formed or the forest growing. I could be seeing the tree’s environment in the future. I may go off onto an environmental tangent, pondering trees’ contributions to the ecosystem or the future of the planet. I may explore a symbolic tangent: the tree as a symbol of life force or as a safe haven for animals.

In a restaurant, I’ll probably be very aware of the atmosphere. I may not even pay much attention to the food but will usually tune in to the social dynamics between the people at the table. I’ll ponder all sorts of questions: What is the occasion? Should we find a quiet corner where we can talk? What does it mean that we are gathered here together? Is there a special occasion to celebrate?

In a boat with friends, I’ll be wondering: What is this trip really all about? Is everyone really saying what they mean? How does this all playout in the greater scheme? What impact will this boat ride have on our future relationships? I may not even notice the weather.

In a “type-alike” group exercise involving instructions to talk about a certain object, our group gravitates immediately to expansive images and themes. For example, one time the object was a simple paper bag. We had very little discussion. One man said, “Everything in the universe can fit into this bag.” This statement was written on a piece of paper and placed in the bag. That was all that needed to be said. Everyone in the group then went off on their own internal journey in search of meaning.

GIFTS Unique strengths of Introverted Intuiting

A capacity for seeing the shape of possible futures, unrestricted by time, place, concrete data, or events

Grasping the whole context in a flash of insight

A tendency to fill the roles of prophets and visionary leaders to inspire cultural change toward new models of what can be

A talent for teaching a deeper level of understanding

Connecting society to the intangible, metaphysical world (shamans)

A knack for putting things in a bigger context: a universal context of meaning.

Connecting to the collective unconscious

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