Without further ado, Part 2 of the MBTI Person of Interest Analysis Project–Harold Finch:

INTJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinker, Judger)

Future-oriented, private, knowledgeable, strategic.

Introverted Intuition:

As Harold’s primary function, Introverted Intuition keeps him focused on two things: the big picture and the connections between, well–everything. Finch is particularly adept at making connections, seeing cause and effect, and predicting how things are going to fit together: for example recognizing that Reese was not just a rogue killer, and also that he could be convinced join the cause Finch was offering him. (“I know exactly everything about you, Mr. Reese…I think all you ever wanted was to help people!”) It is this Introverted Intuitive function that allowed Finch to build the colossal Machine in all its networked glory in the first place. (“Shhh. It can hear you.”)

Harold’s skill of seeing the big picture is what gives him the perfect ability to oversee and manipulate events that are under his control–namely anything electronic. If there is any electronic connection to the Number of the week, Harold will find a way to use it in order to get close to the person and further the cause.

The mind of an Introverted Intuitive dominant sees everything and sometimes too much, imagining every possible outcome spanning from one person, one decision, or one Number as the case may be. (“Only the paranoid survive. Sage advice.”) This is quickly seen in the Pilot episode with Finch’s tack board of Irrelevants–full of pictures, newspaper clippings, snippets, social security numbers, and red threads connecting them all together. Because of his Introverted Intuition, Harold became plagued by the unknown fate of “The Irrelevants,” worrying about the countless lives that would be lost by inaction. Finch still realizes, however, that the outcome of the “Person of Interest” may still be outside of their control, even if he and Reese try to intervene. (“John, we had limited information. We knew when we began this that we might make mistakes. But we have to go now, more people to help, more numbers.”)

Extroverted Thinking:



As an Extroverted Thinker, Harold works his best by dialoguing with others. He spends a fair amount of the Pilot eloquently trying to convince Reese of the gravity of his cause and offer and eventually wins the man over by the logic of his compelling words. Also, Finch prefers to be in as much direct verbal contact with Mr. Reese as possible, constantly being updated by Reese on his Bluetooth.



For Finch, the best solution is the one that can be talked about rationally. Harold is often the one who must convince the Number of the week that they are there to help when Reese’s actions don’t quite work to convince others. While Finch realizes the need for legwork (being Reese) he prefers mental and electronic warfare over physical warfare, leaving that end to Mr. Reese and instead arming himself with knowledge and logic and of course his unbeatable hacking skills. (“‘Hacking’ is such a harsh word.”)

His Thinking being an Extroverted function, Finch–while much more paranoid than Reese–is never the less somewhat more comfortable interacting with people and is at his ease when speaking with others, for example waxing poetic to his “students” about the beauty of math in the episode 2 Pi R. He is still staunchly private about almost every aspect of himself, however. (“I breached the space-time continuum. [Pause] Not really, but I did sense my privacy being invaded.”)

Introverted Feeling:

As Finch’s third function, Introverted Feeling gives Harold an unconscious but very decided moral compass. Being Introverted, Finch’s Feeling function is focused more introspectively towards his own standards than on others and their feelings. As seen in flashbacks, Finch was at first very decidedly against intervening with The Irrelevants, instead programming The Machine to delete their numbers every night at midnight–he could make this decision because of the Introverted nature of his third function. (Whereas an Extroverted Feeler would have a much more difficult time ignoring The Irrelevants.)

Finch’s tertiary Introverted Feeling coupled with his primary Introverted Intuition caused him to distance himself from the woman he loves, letting her believe he is dead in order to keep her safe. His Introverted Intuition recognized a million ways that the relationship could turn deadly, and his Introverted Feeling allows him to let Grace think he is dead even though he still loves her–and she still probably loves him. Because it is his third function, Finch is more willing to be open to people on a personable level (as opposed to Reese, who has great difficulty opening up to anyone on any level) although Finch usually only gives the appearance of geniality, keeping his identity and any personal information tightly locked away.

Extroverted Sensing:

As his inferior function, Extroverted Sensing doesn’t play a big role in Harold’s life. For instance Harold doesn’t really care that the “office” he and John share in the abandoned library is an abandoned library. Scattered books, drafty air, and dank lighting don’t really seem to come onto Harold’s radar. Environmental and sensory details are things that Finch only notices specifically in acute settings. (“Oh dear. Look at it. It’s squishy!”) His Extroverted Sensing does make appearances, however, in extreme situations as inferior functions are apt to do–such as when Harold had to ride on the back of a motorcycle in the episode Shadow Box, finding it “exhilarating” much to Reese’s dismay.

Conclusion:

Harold Finch is a secretive mastermind, the quintessential picture of an INTJ. He is exotically rich, but sees his resources more as a means to an end, not his life’s fulfillment. His Introverted Intuition keeps him focused on the big picture and his personal life locked tightly away. Harold’s ability to put together pieces and manipulate events are extraordinary–so it’s a good thing that he has a strong moral compass that guides him in a compulsion to help others, as opposed to the unhinged Root who simply wishes to use her similar abilities to her own deviant ends. One thing is for sure: when there is an INTJ involved, they will most likely be at least one step ahead of you at all times.