ISTPs and Other Personality Types
Kindred Spirits
People of the following types are more likely than most to share the ISTP's values, interests, and general approach to life. They won't necessarily agree on everything, and there's no guarantee they'll always get along, but they're more likely to feel an easy rapport and have plenty of things in common.
Intriguing Differences
People of the following types are likely to strike the ISTP as similar in character, but with some key differences which may make them seem especially intriguing. The ISTP may find people of these types particularly interesting and attractive to get to know. Relationships between ISTPs and these types should have a good balance of commonalities and opportunities to challenge one another.
Potential Complements
ISTPs may not feel an immediate connection with people of the following types, but on getting to know each other, they'll likely find they have some important things in common, as well as some things to teach one other. Although people of these types may not attract the ISTP initially, their relationships present a lot of potential to complement and learn from one other.
Challenging Opposites
People of the following types present the most potential for personality clash and conflict with the ISTP, but also the best opportunities for growth. Because people of these types have fundamentally different values and motivations from the ISTP's, initially, it may seem impossible to relate. But because they are so different, their strengths are the ISTP's weaknesses, and if they are able to develop a relationship, they can learn a tremendous amount from each other.
ISTPs in Love
In relationships, the ISTP is independent and calm. They are often handy around the house, and enjoy being useful to their partners as quick and able problem-solvers.
ISTPs are fun-loving and adventurous, and will often encourage their partners to learn new and exciting physical skills. They are good at responding to their partners’ immediate physical needs, but may be less adept at dealing with emotions. ISTPs are natural troubleshooters, but look for logical, practical solutions to problems; more complex personal issues may leave them stumped.
Often private, the ISTP tends to keep their feelings and reactions to themselves. For the ISTP, this is not about withholding: they simply prefer to move on to the next activity rather than dwell on their emotional experience. ISTPs understand the temporary nature of their emotions, and rarely find them an interesting topic of conversation.
ISTPs are unlikely to offer flowery speeches or romantic overtures, and are more likely to show affection by being of practical service to their partners. They want their partners to appreciate their skills in getting things done, and to allow them plenty of freedom to do their own thing.
ISTPs as Parents
As parents, ISTPs often connect with their children through their mechanical and physical skills, first by teaching their children, and then by enjoying an activity together. ISTPs are rarely demonstrative or particularly verbal, and may show their love to their families by crafting or building something for them rather than being outwardly affectionate. ISTPs are generous and helpful but sometimes unreliable, and may become distracted from family responsibilities when adventure is at hand.
ISTP Communication Style
ISTPs are often reserved communicators, preferring action to conversation. They like to do what needs to be done and may grow impatient with discussion that does not turn quickly to action. They are often observant, picking up on details of the current situation, and evaluate information in a detached and logical way. Typically flexible and tolerant, the ISTP is ready to adapt to the situation at hand, but can be bluntly critical if they see inefficiency or incompetence.
Comments
Twinky (not verified) says...
I'm an INFJ married to this ISTP guy.. uggh!
fyahstarta (not verified) says...
It is great to know that i'm not actually broken and this is just who I am, lol. The people in my life constantly tell me that I am "icy" or that I "have a strong personality" (depending on how polite they're feeling at the time, I guess).
I usually just stand there flabbergasted. In most cases, all I did was be honest. I say what is on my mind, one way or another. If my life, job, or something else crucial is on the line, I will sanitize what I say before I say it. If not, I'll just spit it out whichever way I'm thinking it.
I kinda hate that this is such a big problem for most other types, BUT I can see why brutal honestly would be uncomfortable for people who prefer things to be spun in the most rosy light (what I would simply call being lied to, but I know... nobody asked, lol).
Anyway, I've said way more than I planned to. This was a good read. Hopefully I'll find someone who is okay with my icy variety of charm one day, Haha.
wow (not verified) says...
after read all of that, now I know why all of my friends always keep their distance with me and called me a walking refrigerator
fyahstarta (not verified) says...
same, honestly. I gave up on making or maintaining close friendships a while back. Figured the people who are meant to understand and tolerate me will. Lol. Best of luck to ya
Just a guy who likes Tony Stark =') (not verified) says...
This is me. I feel relieved and like got that good feeling in my brain when everything works correctly. Because I have just accepted my reservancy most of the time, which bothered me because people considered me a cold person. I can be warm and "live"as well (usually with family and friends).
Also liked a list of hobbies. I wanna try everything!
Also: BRUCE LEE IS ON OUR SIDE =D *started throwing random things in the air*
Pepper pots (not verified) says...
I love u 300
Eh (not verified) says...
It's 3000, not 300 pal. ( ;¬{|)>
Lion (not verified) says...
Good to know. Now it's time to work on the weak points.
Ches (not verified) says...
After reading a whole bunch of ISTP facts weakness from a number of websites... I can see why people think I'm rude, a jerk & most commonly... an @$$hole.
Luv you all, my fellow ISTP.
Wife of A** (not verified) says...
That's how I feel about husband.
antisocial tiger (not verified) says...
Bruh same, but nobody says it to me. I just know cause I feel like a jerk when talking to people, but I can't fix it cause of my complete lack of social skills :/
papi (not verified) says...
i can relate to that @$$hole part
shequille oatmeal (not verified) says...
Bruh, that's a fat mood. I get that. And my siblings wonder why I have no friends, huh.
im ur daddy ; ) (not verified) says...
ikr
MR. COMPUTER NERD (not verified) says...
Anyone else notice how creepy "The Craftsman's" eyes look at the top of this page? XD
Eh (not verified) says...
Pretty much x'D. They have some other guy holding a wrench on diff websites, cos they're always talking about "risky behaviour" I seriously thought he lost his leg and replaced it with the wrench... x_x"
TommyGunn (not verified) says...
He looks more like he's thinking about smashing his own hand with that hammer rather than the steel plate :D
Isaiah Moreno (not verified) says...
It just be like that sometimes. Your empty stare into the abyss as you dream of things that are to come. You want to feel pain but the chains of society's ideas prevent you from doing so without going to a mental hospital.
Other than that, funny comment.
Susan Anderson (not verified) says...
And here I always contributed my personality to being a 100 % Capricorn go figure
Pam B. (not verified) says...
That's remarkable Susan, I too am a Capricorn! I also happen to be a retired carpenter as was my ex-husband. This information was very accurate.
Zlaty (not verified) says...
You mean you ATTRIBUTED your personality to being 100% Capricorn.
INFP here. I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.
Twinky (not verified) says...
HA!
Seabell (not verified) says...
Nice one just had a huge row with my ISTP husband of 40 years and as an INFP I'm bloody drained
Thanos (not verified) says...
Wow, this is so relatable! Too bad I had to kill Iron Man... Very cool!
Just a guy who likes Tony Stark =') (not verified) says...
Monster.
Thanos (not verified) says...
Can relate, this really helps me so much. To bad I had to kill Iron Man... Very cool!
Tanold Drump (not verified) says...
yup
Jason cowart (not verified) says...
This is me.
Nikki says...
I don't feel that this personality type fits me. I have done this test twice this year and have the same results. I am pretty unpredictable, unemotional, friendly with a million interests. I like being crafty and finding solutions to any given problem. I don't feel like I grew up as a tomboy, but didn't mind getting my hands dirty and climbing trees. The outdoors are my absolute favorite. I can seem aloof as I don't care about things that are unimportant. I don't get caught up in being emotional. I am in the aviation industry, but not as a pilot. I have always thought about being a police officer but decided against it. Then again, I have thought about many occupations during my lifetime.
Sean (not verified) says...
So... your description is EXACTLY this personality. lol
Suma (not verified) says...
maybe you are grown enough not to consist on one specific kind of job
if you don't have one of the weaknesses that doesn't necessarily make you anouther person
because you make a better person of yourself
TommyGunn (not verified) says...
Marry me
Terralyn (not verified) says...
Lol! You describe this personality perfectly!
Boosey Finn (not verified) says...
Sounds more like a ESFP or ESTP
Sio’Noir (not verified) says...
You said it didn't fit you but everything you said about yourself was described in the texts. Try reading it again maybe. It definitely described you.
J100 (not verified) says...
Military Officer should be in the avoid category. ISTPs fit best in military positions where technical/weapon mastery is key. Officers are overwhelmingly generalist administrators. At the very least if an ISTP is a military officer they should strive for a position like pilot, navigator, platoon leader, special ops, etc. Most officers (in fact most of the military) are in supporting functions that will not be well suited to an ISTP.
jovial kumar shrivastav (not verified) says...
Thoughts of an ISTP
according to me the test can basically change your life. Just think about it, that by knowing each others personalitity can help you to understand others in a better way because you know how to act infront of that that particular person that you like the most and you want him/her to get comfortable while he/she is talking to you. And you can also call it mind manipulating technique.
Mike Kaufmann (not verified) says...
Could you make the book suggestions for ISTPs please? I would be really curious and would try to read them. Thanks for all the given info, love it.
Huien (not verified) says...
I’m very curious as to this point mentioned. I’m a female ISTP who just hit 30 and have been experiencing heart ‘issues’ for the last year. X rays, blood tests and a treadmill test reveal nothing wrong but yet something in me is convinced this is not normal. The doctor concluded ‘stress’. I experience anything from tightness, heart pounding and a prickly pain in my chest when this happens- usually when I feel fatigued and still push myself. Nothing to do with caffeine or mental stress in the moment. It’s a physical phenomenon and can even happen in bed when I experience fatigue. No breathlessness or panting or anxiety attacks. So I usually still remain functional and ignore it until it goes away, most of the time. I have a (relatively) healthy diet but struggle to meet my exercise goals as my heart and lungs don’t get stronger over time. Often I fall ill after moderate exercise. The only reason why I’m posting this here because of a health website is because I would like to know if it’s related to my personality type ? Please any answers or arrows pointing even in a somewhat vague direction would be appreciated.
WS (not verified) says...
I am NOT a doctor but have you been carefully screened for anxiety? I've heard of people with some symptoms similar to this who wound up later finding out that they had anxiety after YEARS of not knowing (or being in denial). Could be worth talking to your doctor. Also, you could ask your doctor about betta-blockers (i.e. Propranolol) as a low-risk test to try during these episodes (as related to blocking physical symptoms of anxiety).
rogerthorn says...
Being indepedent and not very socialable we carry many of our personal problems inside. Having a social support system relieves much of the stress. Just having some one to talk to helps. This, however, isn't our style.
Anthony8x (not verified) says...
I am a 31 year old male, same personality type and I have almost identical symptoms. Same thing, doctors can't find anything. I used to work out all the time with no issue. Then it got to the point where I just gave up working out because I would always end up feeling sick. I wish I knew what the problem was. I see you posted this 7 months ago, have you had any success finding the cause?
Matt in Seattle (not verified) says...
Huien, you said you have chest tightness and heart issues "usually when I feel fatigued and still push myself.".
It sounds like you are aware that you are not listening to your body when it tells you that it is fatigued and needs a rest.
So I think you may have answered your own question... when you are fatigued, rest, don't keep pushing. Our bodies are flesh and blood, not machines. :)
I just previously read the ISTJ description and, like this ISTP description, it says that heart problems are more common for them...
I wonder what the common trait is with regard to the hear problems... the I, S or T ?
Maybe its the "thinking"? Maybe we overthink and stress our body out- or over react to things that upset us...
I know that type A personalities (people who get mad and overreact) have more heart problems.
I focus on relaxing and letting go and not reacting to things that are upsetting (like I used to do). Driving in really bad traffic is a great way to observe how we might overreact to things and learn to stop resisting things we cannot change... which will reduce stress.
"Expending emotional energy over the uncontrollable is the definition of suffering". - Dr. Paul Dobransky
"Know thyself".
I'm not any kind of professional on this topic in any way!
Jelena says...
I can recognise myself as an ISTP, as well as an INTP. Even when I'm taking the same test on a different pages, sometimes I get ISTP and sometimes I get INTP. Not really sure which one is my true type, because I can see myself in both of these types. Nevermind, I'm pretty satisfied with the results, it's accurate for me.
Jelena says...
Yeah, I can see myself here, describing ISTP's, but I can recognise myself as an INTP's as well. Like both these types, so nevermind, I like the results anyway.
Just Bob (not verified) says...
Well some of those jobs ain't the easiest to change career to! Would love to be a pilot or try again at mechanical engineering instead of civil/surveying but there's those pesky bills to pay!
mathies says...
This test is 100% accurate. I've always been interested in mechanics and inventing stuff. I draw on a daily basis. I also love to draw blueprints and write how-tos. you would not belive how hiper i get when im alone and am not doing anything.I have severe adhd but i know how to control it. Belive that this site is 100% accurate. I am an ISTP and i am proud to be one. ISTP IS A GOOD PERSONALLITY TYPE+
karan (not verified) says...
This is exactly like me every single thing i do is here ........OMG I like all those think like aviation i do archary
potato psoas says...
Here are some facts about ISTPs from someone who's been studying MBTI and cognitive functions for a while now, to help some of you confirm your results:
) ISTPs are very logically accurate
) ISTPs are very opinionated
) ISTPs like to debate
) ISTPs can be insensitive
) ISTPs can be very awkward in public
) ISTPs are very good at sport, arts and video games
) ISTPs can see into the future
) ISTPs find it draining to constantly learn about abstract topics - they would rather be playing
) ISTPs find social interaction draining
) ISTPs aren't the best at relationships
) ISTPs are independent and not traditionalists
) ISTPs are rebellious
) ISTPs find it incredibly invigorating to help people
) ISTPs detest "fake" people
) ISTPs can have mental breakdowns and anger issues
) ISTPs don't have the best abstract memory
) ISTPs have amazing kinesthetic memory
) ISTPs can be extremely lazy
) ISTPs lack empathy
) ISTPs are very stubborn
) ISTPs lack the ability to brainstorm and be creative
KaeSea says...
I agree with most of this, but the lack of empathy, definitely not. I am an ISTP but also a physical empath. I feel the pain of others.
As to the 'are good at sports, art and video games' ... one out of three ain't bad. I'm extremely lazy, and can't stand to be active so that rules out sport for me, as for video games.... Spyro is the only one I ever played and liked. LOL
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