(This
is the fourth post in an eight part series on the eight characteristics of the
MBTI. Find an introduction HERE, and use the tags at the end to find other
related posts.)
Intuitives
are represented by the letter N, and live up fully to their name – they live by
intuition. Facts and reality are only one facet of the vivid world in their
heads, the world where ideas and improvements and innovation are constantly
appearing. They tend to live in the hypothetical rather than the factual.
The
brain of an Intuitive is constantly dealing with the abstract and imaginative
part of the world. They constantly come up with concepts for making things
better. Theoretical situations automatically come to their minds, and original
ideas happen constantly. They are the ones on a team who suggest option after
option, sometimes with no notice of practicality (that is, after all, what
sensors are for).
One
word that sums up those who carry the N in their four-letter combination is
“abstract.” Mental representations keep them going, rather than hard facts.
They dwell on what could be, rather than what is. This means that at times,
they are susceptible to over-complicating things. Their thoughts are not linear
or sequential, but roundabout and jump rapidly from one thing to another –
therefore, it makes sense that they are known as out-of-the-box thinkers. Their
thoughts seem random to many.
An
Intuitive considers the “concept of information” and then finds ways that it
connects to other information, making patterns. One source put it this way:
“Intuition is an information compilation function which means it focuses on
drawing information from many sources in order to understand the big picture.”[1]
Intuitives
have strong brains, and are more likely to earn a Master’s Degree than Sensors
are. They often have a love of learning and acquiring knowledge, viewing mental
challenges as a positive thing. They are resourceful.
The
speech of an Intuitive tends to be full of analogies and metaphors, rather than
facts. They use the words that let them express themselves, often ending up
with complex speech patterns and compound sentences. In order to communicate
clearly, they tend to repeat themselves. Because of their thoughts, their
speech tends to be about the big picture and to use a wide brush.
Intuitives
are attracted to new and unusual ideas or concepts. Routine and practicalities
do not speak to them like they speak to Sensors. They prefer to ponder the theoretical
over the practical.
Intuitives
have a great ability to jump to conclusions. This means that they complete the
sentences of others for them. They also skip over the details that the Sensors
catch, and fly ahead to the hypothetical conclusion.
They
desperately want their ideas to become real, but are not always the best
equipped to make it actually happen. An Intuitive who is also a Feeler (F) will
produce things like “romantic poetry, social justice, and a utopia of a society
we should always work towards.”[2]
However, Intuitives who are also Thinkers (T) will turn more to things such as
scientific exploration and theories towards a better society. They think in the
future.
One
article put it this way: “Intuitives cherish having time for analysis and
thinking and their reactions are typically not immediate…but instead manifest
themselves after a period of reflection.”[3]
Intuitives think before they act, plotting the possible consequences of their
actions before they do anything.
[1]
Calise Sellers, “A Little Bit of Personality,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.alittlebitofpersonality.com.
[2]
“Personality Café,” accessed July 9, 2015, http://personalitycafe.com/myers-briggs-forum/42390-i-cant-tell-difference-between-s-n-myself-others-help.html.
[3]
“The Qualities of Sensing & Intuition,” accessed July 9, 2015, http://www.celebritytypes.com/blog/2011/03/sensingintuition/.
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