Female INTJs: Katniss and Hermione


July 11, 2012 by philipbullitthughes

Today I will discuss two notable INTJ’s in popular fiction: Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.

Now, Katniss and Hermione are fundamentally different, and some of you INTJ’s may relate to one more than the other, but make no mistake, both are “Masterminds.” The reason for these differences is because there are actually two types of INTJ’s: The Creative and the Scientific.

It is important to note that INTJ’s are usually very talented in both English and Science, and will typically pursue one or the other depending on preference and the environment in which they grew up. For example, if an Idealist parent raises a little INTJ, chances are they would be exposed to a vast assortment of literature, thus developing their creative side. On the other hand, if an INTJ had a parent who was interested in science, say a Guardian or another Rational, they would probably latch on to the scientific side.

As you may have guessed, Katniss is the Scientific Mastermind and Hermione is the Creative.

Katniss is raised in a world where she had almost no access to literature, and thus would be inclined to prefer the sciences, which in her case manifested itself in the form of botany, taught to her by her father. There is little doubt that Katniss is both an Introvert and Thinker. She eschews the limelight, prefers one-on-one contact with close friends, is calculating and is often accused of being cold. Now, the biggest indicator that Katniss is a Mastermind is not an instance of her being organized with sticky notes, or talking about mythology, (as many iNtuitive Judgers tend to do) but how she behaves once inside of the Games. She had one goal: survival. And she is willing to do most anything to accomplish it. For instance, she feigns love with Peeta, then instantly severs that connection with little emotional response when she thinks he betrays her. Another example is how she sizes each person up in her mind, their strengths, their weaknesses, and plans a course of action on how to deal with each of them accordingly. She gives a girl the name Foxface, seeing her truly threatening potential before anyone else—clearly an indication of her being a Scientific Mastermind. No other type behaves with such calculating precision. No other type could brilliantly maneuver herself into a position of victory when most would discount her abilities from the beginning.

Hermione, on the other hand, is clearly the Creative Mastermind. Hermione has only two close friends: Harry and Ron. She takes responsibility for both of their academic success, not only because she wants them to like her, but also partially because it makes her feel appreciated for her intelligence, which is the thing all Masterminds prize in themselves above all else. Now Hermione is at the top of her class, spends most of her time in the library, and is a quiet-natured individual who is not inclined to like sports like Quidditch very much. However, in class she speaks her mind constantly, as creative INTJ’s do, and appears almost extroverted. She solves nearly all of her problems creatively (The polyjuice potion, the riddles in the dungeon, etc.), rather than approaching them from a practical angle. All of these are primary traits possessed by Creative INTJ’s.

Another very interesting indication of Hermione’s creative side is her concern for the house elves. Now, independence is a trait that is highly valued amongst INTJ’s, and one that has dealt quite a bit with literature will sometimes be emboldened to create that independence in others, even when they don’t want it. Some would say her concern for house elf rights is an Idealist trait, and you’d be correct. However, what might be an Idealists concern for a person’s general well-being, a Creative INTJ is usually concerned for those who they see as prisoners of the mind, and will try to convince them that they really should think for themselves.

In conclusion, both of these fictional characters have inconsistencies, like most invented character. But I think it’s safe to say that they are the clearest examples of the Scientific and Creative Masterminds in pop-culture. Also, there are many INTJ’s who can delve into both worlds, and quite enjoy both. But the trend is a matter of fact, and that is that they typically choose one or the other.

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32 thoughts on “Female INTJs: Katniss and Hermione

  1. agatewood says:

    Haley would be Katniss… I’ve also heard that Peeta is an ESFJ… thoughts?

  2. Tracey says:

    Do you have a source for more information about the two types of INTJs? I’ve not been able to find anything on Creative vs Scientific INTJs.

    • Great question!

      That’s because it’s a hypothesis of David Keirsey’s, and I merely expounded upon it. He discusses the different creative and scientific intellectual persuits of the INTJ in his book, “Please Understand Me II.” He doesn’t call them “The Creative and Scientific.” That’s my own name for them. But here is one of his quotes touching on the subject:

      “[INTJs] are often led into technical positions such as scientific researcher, design engineer, environmental planner…[but] some have a strong artistic/creative bent and may become an artist, inventor, or designer.”

      Hope this helps!

      • Brian P says:

        Thanks for clarifying this. I am an INTJ but I am creative and not as scientific. Of course I love science and technical detail but not the tedium of it for the sake of it, rather I see it as a way to improve the world (almost INFJ) and our understanding.

      • Glad to hear it helped!

        I think sometimes we get lost in the mire of generalizations. We forget that each of the personalities has their own sub-personalities, and when we read up on a type that is over-simplified it can cause us to feel as though we’re put in a box. It’s a delicate balance.

  3. Interesting post! Thanks for writing!

    I am a Creative INTJ. I recognize in myself the potential to be a Scientific INTJ. It’s like the life I did not choose to have versus the one I did. It’s very interesting.

    I’ve heard a lot of criticisms of both those characters saying they aren’t “realistic.” I suspect that is precisely because they are INTJs, and specifically female INTJs. Someone called Katniss “emotionally retarded” (while she essentially believably masterminds Games set up to be unbeatable and saves everyones bum) and someone said Hermione was “too competent to be real.” You hear weird stuff just like that from people who misunderstand and/or dislike INTJs. And I think with female characters people are less accepting of the uniqueness of the characters because it does not jive with stereotypical gender roles assigned to women.

    Just out of curiosity, do you know of any INFPs in literature or pop culture? It seems INFPs are often writers and have that capacity for empathy that allows them to really embody many characters with total believability, so I’d imagine they would show up quite often. But at the moment, I am drawing a blank.

    • Cassidy says:

      I sort of feel like i think like a scientific INTJ emotionally but when comes down to expressing myself and my love for knowledge and literary works and my artistic drawing ability I’m probably a creative INTJ. i totally get the whole “the like i could have chosen but didn’t” thought. it’s almost like i could trace my life back & see how it would have changed if i had somehow “re-chosen” my “choice”.

  4. Charity says:

    Hermione seems concerned with people’s feelings too much to be a straightforward INTJ — but then, so do I (and I rate INTJ every time I test). I like to think of her as one, I’m just not sure that she is! =/

  5. I can’t comment on Katniss, I’m afraid, as I’ve not read Hunger Games. I do, however, know Hermione’s character intimately.
    I’ve only just discovered MBTI, so I am by no means an expert in it, but this analysis is one of the most sensible I’ve seen; many seem to think she’s ISTJ,and I’ve even found ESTJ. Still, I have to say I would peg Hermione as INFJ.
    She feels emotions very strongly herself, and these can overpower her rationality: in first year, she spends an entire day in a bathroom crying because she is not accepted by her peers, in third year she punches Malfoy when his insults go too far, and in sixth year she attacks Ron in a fit of jealousy. These are just a few of quite a number of times in which Hermione loses her control in times of extreme emotional stress.
    I feel that her rational approach is actually a defensive mechanism; that she consciously detaches herself precisely because she feels things too strongly and can’t deal with them. The fact that she deals with it by attempting to detach herself can make her seen on the surface more Thinking than Feeling, but I’m not sure that she is.
    She is also very insightful about other people’s emotions;

    “Don’t you understand how Cho’s feeling at the moment?…Well, obviously, she’s feeling very sad, because of Cedric dying. Then I expect she’s feeling confused because she liked Cedric and now she likes Harry, and she can’t work out who she likes best. Then she’ll be feeling guilty, thinking it’s an insult to Cedric’s memory to be kissing Harry at all, and she’ll be worrying about what everyone else might say about her if she starts going out with Harry. And she probably can’t work out what her feelings towards Harry are, anyway, because he was the one who was with Cedric when Cedric died, so that’s all very mixed up and painful. Oh, and she’s afraid she’s going to be thrown off the Ravenclaw Quidditch team because she’s been flying so badly.” – Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, page 405-406.

    You also mentioned the House Elf rights, but Hermione doesn’t only campaign for “prisoners of mind”; she later goes on to campaign for all non-humans who are discriminated against in wizard law. She even goes so far as to pursue this in her career with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and later in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

    Well this became a bit of an essay. I guess I was just curious as to how you decided on Thinking over Feeling and if I’ve understood the system properly.

    • Steph says:

      I totally agree that she is an INFJ. Much more emotional. INFJs otherwise can be just as brilliant, motivated, and academically talented as INTJs. They often hold themselves to very perfectionistic standards, too.

  6. [...] had posted a link to an article about INTJ females in pop culture, and how Katniss from The Hunger Games trilogy and Hermione from the Harry Potter series present [...]

  7. FinnTheHuman says:

    Hermione is an obvious ISTJ.

    Katniss is an obvious ISTP.

    Where you get Ni-dom for either of these characters is beyond me.

    • Gabriella says:

      Exactly; neither or them is a female INTJ, and I say this as a female INTJ.

      • You are right in that it’s all speculation as they are fictional. But they could be anything based on your argument. Most of my INTJ friends agree that they’re INTJs, but it’s all opinion.

  8. Sara Joy says:

    I’d like to start off by saying this post has started a worthwhile discussion since these two women represent such popular figures, and I value the author’s contribution. However, Katniss is an ISTJ so the premise of this thread IS flawed. That may make it even more intriguing.

    Yes, she manipulated Peeta in the Hunger Games and responded to Haymitch’s signals. However, anyone who has read the trilogy (Which is written in the first person POV) knows she spends the majority of the three books struggling to operate as a strategist who plans ahead, and doing so brings her incredible mental and emotional stress. Her survival instincts are focused on the here and now for herself and her family, and it is other people (Haymitch, District 13, Peeta) who think to use her as a larger force for revolution.

    Hermione however, seems to be a true INTJ who thrives emotionally on aggressive planning and execution, always thinking about how to one-up her adversary and finding satisfaction in her triumph.

    Both women have strong personalities that have developed distinctive survival strengths – and personal flaws. Perhaps that is why we see them as BOTH INTJs?

  9. I have only read The Hunger Games, and not seen the movie. I actually think that Katniss is a hardened INFJ who grew up in tough circumstances. This is what makes her seem T-ish, along with her being an Enneagram type 8. From the time she described her rationale on trying to drown her sister’s cat, I completely related. Sounds horrible, but you have to make sacrifices to save your family.

    I felt like we were the same person throughout her narrative during all three novels, especially the first one, where she’s describing and reasoning her life, family, and society. Her tone and brashness were also classic Type 8 INFJ. Just like me. This is a very rare personality combo, especialy for a female. This is likely what confuses people.

    • Julia says:

      I’m an INTJ, and I 100% related to Katniss throughout the entire book. I see myself more of a Hermionie than a Katniss, but I still think both of them are Ts instead of Fs. I think a common misconception on an INTJ is that the T makes them unfeeling. Katniss didn’t drown the cat because she is human and not a sociopath. What makes Katniss such a hard T, is because she realized that life would be easier without the cat in it, because she realized that she would have to care for her family, and because she knows what has to be done to survive, and that sometimes means she will have to lead Peeta on. If she were an F instead of a T, I think it is very likely she wouldn’t have survived as well as she did in the conditions she grew up in.

  10. Dominika says:

    I’ve done 3 tests on mbti ( one test twice, then one with a bit different questions). I’m intj (female) and I’m a bit terrified :( it’s like… things got even more complicated because it’s all so true and…. will anyone ever understand? I mean, that I don’t need that many hugs, that I don’t show I care but I do?

    • Hello Dominika! You share the fears of many female INTJs. I think it’s best you search for someone who really appreciates you for who you are. Do they exist? Yes. Are they rare? Yes. The most accepting personality types tend to be NFs. If you find someone with this preference to be your friend or significant other, you would find an empathetic ear.

    • Melanie says:

      It is funny. I am an INTJ female also. I never wanted to be touchy or feely with. However, when I found my boyfriend (we have been together for 5 years now) and I was able to break this down more. I cannot stand this with other people, but with the love of my life I have been able to do it. Hopefully it will happen with you! All of my other loved ones understand me greatly and I have great relationships. You can also :)

      • Great thoughts, Melanie!

      • Leelu says:

        I can relate. I can barely hug my own mother even though I care deeply for her. My husband and children are a different story. I often surprise myself at how affectionate I am with them without thinking about it. I never thought I would ever be a mom that sang lullabies. Turns out I do and I enjoy it (just as long as my children are my only audience).
        With my immediate family aside, I will accept hugs. I learned quickly that others sometimes need the acceptance of a hug as validation of their feelings, their perception of your feelings and their attempt at empathizing with you.

      • Good for you! It’s often tough to evolve in such a way that meets others needs. It’s difficult to pull out of our comfort zones. That’s not to say all INTJs aren’t fond of hugs, but the majority I have found are reserved when it comes to any sort of public display of affection.

  11. MandarinKitten says:

    I think that you are trying type them by stereotypes of INTJs. Maybe you should think of the cognitive functions of what they could possibly be.

    For Katniss, she is most likely, as you say, introverted and a thinking type because of her obvious tendencies to keep to herself and to put her feelings aside in order to survive, but she doesn’t act as an INTJ would. She is most likely an ISTP, with cognitive functions in order as Introverted Thinking, Extraverted Sensing, Introverted Intuition, and Extraverted Feeling.

    An INTJ primarily uses Introverted Intuition, Extraverted Thinking, Introverted Feeling, and Extraverted Sensing

    Katniss doesn’t seem very opinionated when she speaks, mostly keeping her thoughts to herself which is why she is a Ti user. She thinks about what she will do inside her own mind, not outside. As for Extraverted Feeling(Fe), which she uses only a little of, she sympathizes with most every citizen of Panam, and rarely ever thinks of her own feelings. Her own don’t influence her decisions as she does a lot of things that conflict with how she would feel about them affecting herself. As an INTJ, I think that Fi is somewhat of the selfish function. It would be based on her beliefs and values alone. While you may think of her as only thinking for her family, this function of hers is developed more in the third book(which I got irritably bored of because of the “greater good” content). She feels for Panam as a whole, which is necessary for the one fulfilling the position as Mockingjay.

    Her Extraverted Sensing(Se) is a higher tier than that of an INTJ because this is her primary way of taking in information about her surroundings, as she observes the forest to see what her possible choices of actions are, although she does sometimes use Introverted Intuition(Ni) to get an idea of what the heck the crazy governing bastards are planning. An INTJ has Ni as the primary function, which is the organization of ideas in one’s own head, looking for deeper meanings to things, and being imaginative, possibly thinking of LaLa land with rainbows and unicorns. This is the least like of Katniss, as she is very practical and doesn’t indulge in asking “why” as often. Most often, other characters have to inform her of what is going on behind the scenes of the Hunger Games. She gets things done as they come and is not too inflexible about how she does it.

    An ISTP would probably survive the longest in a Zombie Apocalypse. In the first book, she accepted her circumstances and adapted to it,

    On the side: An argument that I’ve come across for Katniss not being an ISTP is that she is too loyal. While loyalty is not usually associated with an ISTP, you must know that everyone has their own set of loyalties whether it is to friends, family, or oneself. Katniss chooses to only be loyal to her family, tossing out the possibility of being bound many, making it hard for anyone to truly become close to her.

    Also, an INTJ is not necessarily always a Mastermind, plotting and scheming behind the scenes. Meyers-Briggs just adds to the stereotyping nature of typology, which maybe is supposed to be so, looking at the name. Huh there I go generalizing… Anyways, Katniss doesn’t plot, she adapts and finds loopholes.

    And I will get to Hermione eventually…

    • I appreciate the detailed comment! I agree with most points. However, I think when typing fictional characters that it’s always speculation. But I like how you actually backed up your argument with solid facts. I am assuming you’re an INTJ?

      • Mandarinkitten says:

        Yeah, it is all speculation, Plus, authors use their characters just to tell a story. They will do whatever the authors says they will do regardless of how we perceive their thought process. Suzanne Collins probably doesn’t care what group she’s put in, she just needs Katniss as a viewpoint for the Hunger Games.

      • Exactly. And I think at points Katniss acts like an ISTP, INTJ, INTP, and ISTJ, though I’d say in my opinion she tends to run the INTJ line the most.

        But again, it’s all speculation. :)

  12. Steph says:

    I really disagree with Katniss as an INTJ. I know several and I’m married to one, so I don’t make this assertion lightly! I agree she is really hard to type. She’s not portrayed consistently.

    But why is she pretty surely not INTJ? 1) Katniss is impulsive, and not very strategic. Peeta tells her not to run to the cornucopia in book 1. She wasn’t going to, and then she does it anyway. She almost gets killed in the process. She gets lucky because she accidentally gets something out of it. An INTJ would not risk it. Just no!

    2) She’s slow to see the implications of some things that are clear to others. (the clock in Book 2, the Gale/Beetee scheme in Book 3, the bee’s nest in book 1.) Also, I might add, Ni is a common trait in book characters because it’s necessary for dramatic irony. So her “aha” moments are crucial to the plot but are not an essential part of her nature.

    3) She’s best at reacting to situations as they evolve in the moment, not strategizing for the long term. She sometimes makes stupid strategic mistakes but she makes up for it in her quick reaction/adaptation to the consequences. When stuff goes down, Katniss reacts quickly. Huge generalization, but Introverted intuitives – INTJs especially- often hesitate when physical action is required, being more awkward and not as athletic as Se dominants. Katniss is a super athlete.

    One more illustration: I hate to say it, but if it came down strictly to an unplanned battle in the streets, there would be a lot more ISTP survivors than INTJs. Think about how she does in battles in book three. Is Katniss INTJ or ISTP then?

    4) She can’t make up her mind about her feelings for Peeta and Gale. Due to their Ni, most INTJs I know go head-over-heels for someone. In the movie Katniss maybe came off as a little cold but in the book she is genuinely uncertain. It’s hard to portray that inner dialogue in a film. That uncertainty seemed much more like Ti being fed by Se, rather than Ni being corralled by Te.

    5) She is fiercely loyal to her family and her love, rather than everyone else. That’s her end goal. To make it out alive with them. While she cares about others in the districts, she is a reluctant hero (because she’s forced to be) and she doesn’t see the path forward that Gale and others do. I know a lot of INTJs who love their family but I think if she were an INxJ she would be throwing herself toward the cause without hesitation.

    That said I can’t type her cleanly. Her general vibe in both the book and the movies reminds me of ISFJs that I know – fiercely protective of others and will do anything to achieve security for them. Personally, I think Jennifer Lawrence was drawing on that archetype in her portrayal of the character. She’s alluded to it in interviews. There’s no way Lawrence was thinking INTJ and I don’t think Collins was either. Beetee is Collins’ version of an INTJ.

    ISFJ doesn’t really fit because she’s got way more Se than Si, so I’m most on board with ISTP with unusually developed Fi (?). The ISTP stack is Ti > Se > Ni > Fe, so that would explain the dominant Se with Ni introverted intuition-like -instances that crop up now and again. It doesn’t fit perfectly in that I see more Fi than Fe in her, though. Fi just fits.

    I have to disagree with MandarinKitten. There’s very little Fe vibe from her, it’s all about her loyalty to her family and Peeta. She develops Fe a little more in Book 3, but still. She is so reluctant to become a hero for Panem. Her love for her family trumps all, and that’s Fi.

    In sensing dominants like Katniss, Fi tends to lead to fierce familial loyalty rather than the more esoteric, self-centered-appearing loyalty to “pet” causes that often crops up in intuiters with Fi (esp. ENFPs, INFPs).

    So her cognitive stack is more like Ti > Se > Fi > Ni and she was written as an artificial mix of types, if you ask me.

    I see zero trace of INTP or ISTJ in her. Give examples?

    • I think you give some solid reasons for Katniss not being an INTJ. The point of this article was really to show the difference between the Creative and Scientific INTJ giving fictional examples. As Katniss is fictional it’s possible to argue half a dozen different types for her effectively.

      I respect the way you give thought and reasons behind your assertions! Truthfully, I believe Katniss isn’t always consistent. Sometimes she acts like an INTJ and others she tends to resemble an ISTP. Overall, she strikes me as an INTJ. But who really knows? It’s just fun to speculate! :)

      • Steph says:

        Why do you think she is an INTJ? Can you give some examples? :-)

        It’s not all fully “speculation” – after all, we have 400+ pages of narration and two films on which to observe her dominant cognitive functions.

        I ask because I don’t think your arguments are backed up with real examples of any “mastermind” attitude. You argue she is calculating, sizing up each of her opponents, but I just don’t see that. Yes, she observes them, but she has no “master plan” for handling them.

        To address your examples: we know, because she tells us, that she goes into the games with no long term plan, basically terrified she is going to die, and makes it through each stage of the games by thinking fast and coming up with a plan based on her gut reaction when stuff hits the fan. Gut survival is a very Se-oriented thing.

        For example, going into the games, she doesn’t even know whether Peeta is her ally or not. She doesn’t know whether she will kill him or not. Not an INTJ-like thing to do. INTJs tend to be assured of how they feel about particular people, either liking them or finding them disposable.

        If you read the book, Katniss’s feelings for Peeta are very ambiguous and it’s not just so clearly an “act” like the movies make it out to be. I think the movie muddles things because it’s hard to tell what’s going on in Katniss’s head.

        She names the girl Foxface and notices she’s cunning, but Foxface dies by accident. Foxface is actually a much better INTJ, and I think that is the archetype Collins was drawing on when she wrote Foxface. Collins has also crammed District 3 full of INTJs (Beetee, etc.)

        Like Foxface, an INTJ would be less likely to take physical action, preferring to stay behind the scenes and let all the other characters kill one another before swooping in.

        If you want to give a good example of the INTJ science vs. literature types, it might help to find a movie with a “mentor” or “mastermind” archetype. Aside from Foxface, few female INTJ characters come to mind, but I bet sci fi / fantasy has a few out there.

        I don’t think Katniss is easy to type, but of all the types, INTJ is one of the last ones I would choose. Her Ni -type insights are spontaneous rather than calculated, and they are far fewer than her Se in-the-moment adaptations.

        I agree, though, it is fun to speculate! Thanks for sharing. :)

      • Ah, you’re going to make me write. ;)

        You know, going back and reading my original post I am not convinced she’s an INTJ either, at least considering the evidence I presented. I read the book long ago (at least and a two and a half years) and I do not have the sharpest of memories.

        However, I’ll do my best. Forgive any flimsy arguments I might present from poor memory.

        First, you must remember, when under stress personalities rely on tertiary functions. Katniss is constantly under the threat of a figurative anvil falling on top of her. Thus, at times she resembles an Artisan (tertiary), mostly the ISTP (also, Katniss is not perfectly written so that adds to her being convoluted.)

        I assume you type Katniss as an ISTP. She might be. But the ISTP, given the opportunity (and given a high enough EQ) can maneuver people and put up a facade as well as, if not better, than any personality (ESTPs and ENFJs being the chiefs, I’d say.) Unfortunately, while the INTJ is a brilliant strategist, they often do not understand how to handle people (granted some do, but most don’t.) Katniss is about as good at dealing with other humans as a printer from the 1990’s. But for what she lacks in people skill she makes up for in discernment (also known as iNtuition.) She knows who is trustworthy, who to align herself with instinctively: Peeta, Beety, Cinna, for example. Also, she knows who is not a threat: Effie and her other designers, despite their close ties to the government. She knows she doesn’t have the skills on her own to navigate person to person. But Peeta does…So she just shuts her mouth for fear of revealing her true, as I see it, INTJness.

        Sure, Katniss doesn’t know what to make of Peeta. Not because she isn’t astute, but because Peeta confused her (as often Idealists tend to do to Rationals.) She would never operate the way Peeta does (sacrificing herself for someone she hardly knows,) though I do believe she picks up on his sincerity. She instinctively knows Peeta loves her. But why? It must be a ruse! But no, despite all her doubts, the voice in the back of her head holds true. Peeta is hers. And then her strategy unfolds. She gives Peeta just enough to keep him on her side. She knows she should like him, mostly because he’s a good guy. Now you mention that she doesn’t know if Peeta will kill her or not. True. That “knowing” is actually an Idealist trait more than a Rational trait. She senses Peeta’s loyalty, but her rational side says no.

        But I would also like to point out that her feelings for Peeta are more in question than her trust for him. But that stems from her feelings for Gale.

        Anyways, I’m sure if I went back and read the books again I would be able to come up with a sturdier argument. She very well could be an S (although with a poorly developed EQ if she’s an ISTP.) I do appreciate you backing up your argument. It was fun to read!

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