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.