According to licensed therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar, MSW, LCSW-S, CST, INTPs are quiet, intellectual types that like to spend time alone. “They’re constantly thinking and trying to figure things out, and they may value intellect over emotion—they’re really logical,” she explains. Take Albert Einstein, for example. He was an INTP, and his ability to intuitively, creatively, and intelligently make breakthroughs in theoretical physics is what gave him his legacy. “INTPs are really good at thinking outside of the box and thinking about the big picture of the situation,” Blaylock-Solar explains. And because this personality type loves to ponder, think abstractly, and problem-solve, they appreciate a partner who can keep up with their mind, and intellectually stimulate them. For that reason, when it comes to MBTI compatibility, they would likely do well with another INTP, as well as an INFP, ENTP, or an INTJ. On the other hand, personality expert and author of Neuroscience of Personality Dario Nardi, Ph.D., previously told mbg that type combos where the first three letters are different and the last letter the same are the least compatible. So in this case, an INTP would be least compatible with an ESFP. Other Sensing-Feeling types (ESFP, ESFJ, ISFJ) also may not mesh with the INTP’s personality. If you’re dating an INTP, Blaylock-Solar says it’s a good idea to be straightforward with your communication, and create a safe and open environment for them, as this personality type can have a hard time expressing their emotions. And because this type has a lot of independence, it comes out in their work. Blaylock-Solar says they like a job where they can be autonomous and work alone, so large teams or heavily client-facing roles (like sales or the service industry) likely won’t be a good fit for them. “Because these people are so highly intuitive but struggle to articulate that intuitiveness, what we want is the cognitive development and the social/emotional development to match—because then that gives you confidence in a way to start interacting with people,” she explains. Nuñez also adds that these folks need to be wary of situations that drain their energy because they can be very affected by their environments. And the first step to knowing when an environment is rubbing you wrong, she adds, is to practice being present and identifying your feelings. In addition to that, Blaylock-Solar says INTPs would benefit from setting up different systems to keep them on track, whether that’s through calendars or different task lists.
