Are INTJs Usually Friendless?

Kevin Price, Editor at Large for USA Business Radio and Host of the Price of Business Show, has recently become hooked on Quora.  In addition to daily hosting the Price of Business, Kevin has numerous writing obligations on this and other sites for which he serves as an editor and with his syndicated column, so we decided that if he’s going to write at Quora, he is going to share that content on this website.  If you are on Quora, make sure to follow Kevin.  You can check out his page here.

Kevin’s hot topics on Quora are history, free market economics, philosophy, and Myers Briggs typology, and many others.  The following is one of his recent answers to the question in the title.

I have numerous associates, many of whom would call me a friend. It is kin of necessary with being in the media. However, I have very few whom I deem as friends. When it comes to friends I have less than 5. This doesn’t include family with whom I am also close to, but probably would not be if we were not related. I have another 5 that are borderline “real friends.”

This is because the INTJ (and INTP) loves their alone time more than any other personality type. The INTJ’s best friend is him or herself.

Also, INTJs are all about utility. What can I provide for this relationship (and more important to INTJs, what can this relationship provide for me)? If it isn’t logical, why bother? Much of that criteria centers around the other personality types. For example, my closest friend is an INFJ and I quickly connect with them as a group. They “get” the INTJ and appreciate them, while some of the other types tend to dismiss them as “arrogant” or even “cruel.” I also enjoy other INTJs (whom I found threatening when I was younger). I like other INTJS because we speak the same language, enjoy discussion for the content and are okay with different conclusions (as long as they are logical), and we want meaningful conversation. I also love ENFPs because they not only seem to “get” me, but appreciate what I bring to a relationship and conversation. Two of my favorite people are a couple where one is an INFJ and the other an ENFP.

There are other types that do not work nearly as well with me. ISTPs are similar to INTJs, but are often stuck on identifying problems (which they are excellent at), but get stuck on figuring out solutions. It is often like water and oil when I try to engage with them, because INTJs are all about solutions. ESFPs, with rare exception, are hard for me. They tend to be such clowns. I can enjoy them, but not often or long. There is zero serious friendship potential with them.

MBTI certainly plays a role in… (READ MORE and while there FOLLOW Kevin on Quora and check out his articles).