This type description comes from Your Key to Sports Success (12th Edition, 2006) by Jonathan Niednagel. An updated edition is expected to be released later this year, and if you would like to know more about Jonathan Niednagel's Brain Typing system you can purchase the book from his web site, BrainTypes.com - Understanding for the new millenium.
BCIR / INTP "Logician"
master of conceptual logic; problem-solver; scientific—desires understanding of universe; designs logical models; seeks precision; introspective; adaptable; tends to excel in theoretical, philosophical subjects; logical abstraction skilled.
INTPs are usually precocious children, synthetically logical and reserved. They may be solemn and independent, with a passion for asking why or seeking to find out why? all by themselves. They are obedient in matters to which they are indifferent, provided they think the rules are fair. They think physical punishment is violating to their dignity.
Hands-off parenting that allows constructive experimental behavior can be productive with INTPs. Ridicule and sarcasm concerning their abilities will be devastating and will promote their ready tendency for self doubt. Others may ridicule them for their ability to be lost in thought. They may use personal isolation as a defense mechanism. INTPs often feel they are very different from others until they find more commonality in a college setting.
INTPs may appear to be somewhat socially slow, needing to work hard to develop interpersonal skills. They are original thinkers, enjoying logical reasoning for its own sake. Having a passion for questions that being “What would happen if . . . ,” they are highly effective in organizing themselves to research and plan. As premier problem-solvers, any project, big or small, presents itself as a stimulating challenge. INTPs are sought after for their creative ideas and theories.
INTPs, as we can see, live in the creative world of concepts and ideas, placing greater value on the principles behind the facts than on the facts themselves. Even existence can be an abstract to INTPs. They have been known to pursue the impossible theory, the grand idea, to the disregard of reality or those closest to them. They make excellent writers, artists, computer programmers, scientists, professors, philosophers, and mathematicians. Because of their extremely competent cerebral abilities, INTPs are most often attracted to academic pursuits (INTPs are generally valedictorians, especially at the college level), and less to athletic activities, unless motivated by parents, siblings, peers and so forth.
INTPs are rare and complicated individuals indeed. Relating to them can be an intellectual challenge. If you can persuade INTPs to simplify their thought processes and slowly unweave their complicated conclusions so that you can follow their intricate logic, the trip will be quite worthwhile. They seek precision, you see, qualifying to the nth degree what they are expressing. INTPs with a handle on truth can be persuasive geniuses. As teachers, they need to take every care to talk on the student’s level. They make supportive parents, wanting children to develop their own abilities, preferring not to push or control. It’s estimated that INTPs approximate 1-2 percent of the American population.
INTP Albert Einstein spoke little prior to the age of three. His family even believed him to be retarded at a stage in childhood. His mother once wrote to a friend:
Einstein never respected those who automatically submitted to the establishment; he valued those who were independent thinkers. He considered it stupid to learn things by heart. Remembering matters was a process of understanding why and how things worked or were. Just to know was not enough; he had to understand. This thinking is common for INTPs.
Einstein, like other INTPs, was best designed for unscrambling the unknown complexities of this world and universe. INTPs normally do not get exposed to these complexities until college and beyond. When they do, they are unparalleled in problem solving, relying upon conceptual logic.
Honors and recognition had no meaning for Einstein, though he received many.
INTP Sports Profile
American Lori Norwood, the 1989 women’s world pentathlon champion, depicts the INTP. (Pentathlon events include swimming, running, riding, fencing, and shooting.) Let’s look at Norwood to better understand some aspects of the INTP Brain Type.
Coach Janusz Peciak told Sports Illustrated:
Lori Norwood is an accomplished artist as well. Her INTP right brain preference enables her to see and visualize creatively and in detail.
Lori’s and other INTPs’ iNtuition will be the catalyst for “always creating.” Regardless of how they use their N, it will be a highly proficient brain function.
INTPs normally take to academics like ducks take to water. They have an aptitude for learning and can find great satisfaction in excelling in school. They can find the formative years of lower education quite a bore, however. The subject matter is often too rudimentary and the pace of learning too slow. Encouraging INTPs to develop an interest in school and learn solid study habits is the first step to help INTPs vocationally. No Brain Type has greater cerebral potential than INTPs.
INTPs can be very good athletes. Tennis is a great sport for them to pursue. I don’t know of a professional sport in which INTPs can achieve greater success. They can also excel at long distance running.
INTPs, like all iNtuitives, should work hard on developing their motor movements. Lots of running and learning body balance will improve the gross motor skills, while performing hand eye coordination drills will enhance the fine motor movements.
PROBABLE INTPS IN SPORTS
Basketball: Dikembe Mutombo
Tennis: Mary Joe Fernandez, Arthur Ashe
Football: Art Monk
Track and Field: Cathy Freeman
Coaches: Tyrone Willingham
POPULAR CAREER CHOICES:
Mathematics, philosophy, psychiatry, medicine, advanced sciences, university teaching, physics, research, strategic planning, creative writing, literature, music, art.
BCIR / INTP "Logician"
master of conceptual logic; problem-solver; scientific—desires understanding of universe; designs logical models; seeks precision; introspective; adaptable; tends to excel in theoretical, philosophical subjects; logical abstraction skilled.
INTPs are usually precocious children, synthetically logical and reserved. They may be solemn and independent, with a passion for asking why or seeking to find out why? all by themselves. They are obedient in matters to which they are indifferent, provided they think the rules are fair. They think physical punishment is violating to their dignity.
Hands-off parenting that allows constructive experimental behavior can be productive with INTPs. Ridicule and sarcasm concerning their abilities will be devastating and will promote their ready tendency for self doubt. Others may ridicule them for their ability to be lost in thought. They may use personal isolation as a defense mechanism. INTPs often feel they are very different from others until they find more commonality in a college setting.
INTPs may appear to be somewhat socially slow, needing to work hard to develop interpersonal skills. They are original thinkers, enjoying logical reasoning for its own sake. Having a passion for questions that being “What would happen if . . . ,” they are highly effective in organizing themselves to research and plan. As premier problem-solvers, any project, big or small, presents itself as a stimulating challenge. INTPs are sought after for their creative ideas and theories.
INTPs, as we can see, live in the creative world of concepts and ideas, placing greater value on the principles behind the facts than on the facts themselves. Even existence can be an abstract to INTPs. They have been known to pursue the impossible theory, the grand idea, to the disregard of reality or those closest to them. They make excellent writers, artists, computer programmers, scientists, professors, philosophers, and mathematicians. Because of their extremely competent cerebral abilities, INTPs are most often attracted to academic pursuits (INTPs are generally valedictorians, especially at the college level), and less to athletic activities, unless motivated by parents, siblings, peers and so forth.
INTPs are rare and complicated individuals indeed. Relating to them can be an intellectual challenge. If you can persuade INTPs to simplify their thought processes and slowly unweave their complicated conclusions so that you can follow their intricate logic, the trip will be quite worthwhile. They seek precision, you see, qualifying to the nth degree what they are expressing. INTPs with a handle on truth can be persuasive geniuses. As teachers, they need to take every care to talk on the student’s level. They make supportive parents, wanting children to develop their own abilities, preferring not to push or control. It’s estimated that INTPs approximate 1-2 percent of the American population.
INTP Albert Einstein spoke little prior to the age of three. His family even believed him to be retarded at a stage in childhood. His mother once wrote to a friend:
Yet Einstein was not unusual for a young INTP, who finds the rigorous discipline of Sensing reality in lower education to be boring and militaristic. His precocious mind was not interested in rote learning.
Einstein never respected those who automatically submitted to the establishment; he valued those who were independent thinkers. He considered it stupid to learn things by heart. Remembering matters was a process of understanding why and how things worked or were. Just to know was not enough; he had to understand. This thinking is common for INTPs.
Einstein, like other INTPs, was best designed for unscrambling the unknown complexities of this world and universe. INTPs normally do not get exposed to these complexities until college and beyond. When they do, they are unparalleled in problem solving, relying upon conceptual logic.
Honors and recognition had no meaning for Einstein, though he received many.
Albert Einstein said:
INTP Sports Profile
American Lori Norwood, the 1989 women’s world pentathlon champion, depicts the INTP. (Pentathlon events include swimming, running, riding, fencing, and shooting.) Let’s look at Norwood to better understand some aspects of the INTP Brain Type.
Generally Reserved
Norwood’s Introversion not only gives her personality a “shy” aura, but allows her to reflect deeply. One interest of hers is sculpting.Janusz Peciak said:
Lori Norwood said:
Erudite, Driven, Disciplined
Sports Illustrated said:
How would you respond to her coach’s comment of Lori’s mental toughness being superior to men, (I’m sure he means most rather than all), based on what you’ve learned thus far in the book? I would have to agree with him. We have repeatedly seen the ISTP’s superiority in most sports, both physically and mentally. The INTP shares the same Introverted, Thinking, right-brained dominance, with only iNtuition differing from the ISTP’s Sensing. INTPs will not possess the ISTP’s superb motor skills but will share similar mental intensity and toughness. INTPs normally attack and dominate the books (using iNtuition) the way ISTPs dominate sports (using Sensing). In the case of Norwood, she has demonstrated her prowess in some sporting events as well.Coach Peciak said:
ITPs (ISTP and INTP) are able to concentrate longer and deeper, and reason more in the inanimate, logical realm than any other Brain Type. If the reported percentages of Types in America are roughly accurate, with ISTPs accounting for 5% and INTPs 2%, then approximately 93% of the population (including men) is not as mentally tough as ITPs.Lori Norwood said:
Bob Nieman, the only other American besides Norwood to win a pentathlon world championship, said:Sports Illustrated said:
In 1991, after observing his rookie player for only five days, Dikembe Mutombo (INTP), Denver Nuggets coach Paul Westhead made an assessment:Bob Nieman said:
Paul Westhead said:
Artistic, Spatial, Right-brained
Lori Norwood is an accomplished artist as well. Her INTP right brain preference enables her to see and visualize creatively and in detail.
It’s fascinating to hear her speak of “three dimensional sense” and “always creating.” We saw in the Neuroscience chapter how the right hemisphere has superior three dimensional perspective. Though left-brained Types do not possess this innate adeptness, they can appreciate the finished artistry of the Perceptive Types.Lori Norwood said:
Lori’s and other INTPs’ iNtuition will be the catalyst for “always creating.” Regardless of how they use their N, it will be a highly proficient brain function.
Type Tips
INTPs can be very good athletes. Tennis is a great sport for them to pursue. I don’t know of a professional sport in which INTPs can achieve greater success. They can also excel at long distance running.
INTPs, like all iNtuitives, should work hard on developing their motor movements. Lots of running and learning body balance will improve the gross motor skills, while performing hand eye coordination drills will enhance the fine motor movements.
PROBABLE INTPS IN SPORTS
Basketball: Dikembe Mutombo
Tennis: Mary Joe Fernandez, Arthur Ashe
Football: Art Monk
Track and Field: Cathy Freeman
Coaches: Tyrone Willingham
POPULAR CAREER CHOICES:
Mathematics, philosophy, psychiatry, medicine, advanced sciences, university teaching, physics, research, strategic planning, creative writing, literature, music, art.