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[MBTI General] I used to be an INTP, now I'm an INFP. What happened? What does it mean?

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
Hi. I just joined the site and posted basically this same message in the "Welcome" forum, but probably should have just posted it here to start with. My bad. That's what I get for trying to play by the rules.

Here's the thing: I've tested INTP, every single time, over at least a 15 year period - until recently. I've been through some pretty big changes in my life over the last few years, and I hadn't tested in a while, so I re-tested a couple weeks ago. And now I'm an INFP, and it bothers me a little. It doesn't bother me that I'm now an INFP, it just bothers me that I changed. I know it shouldn't, but there ya go. So, for corroboration, I took as many different online tests as I could find over the last couple weeks, and they all agree... INFP.

What happened? What does this mean? Can I change back? (Just kidding, I know it doesn't work that way.) I know it's really not that big a deal, but I do happen to believe in MBTI/Kiersey/Jung, so it does matter to me. In fact, it's been on my mind enough that I actually joined an online community (this one), which is very unlike me. I'm just so used to attributing my ways to being an INTP. Now that I'm apparently an INFP, I wonder what happened? The other three are still very much I, N, and P, but the T changed to an F, and according to the results, convincingly. And after what I've been through, I'm actually very curious to hear from some other NFs.
 

Stanton Moore

morose bourgeoisie
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
3,900
MBTI Type
INFP
Maybe your functions are more balanced than they used to be...
Some people change their type as often as they change their clothes. I wouldn't worry about it.
Did you think you would get through life without changing at all?
 

slowriot

He who laughs
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
1,314
Enneagram
5w4
I went from the other way from infp to intp. But I contribute that to being in love with a girl and not having the mental capacity to control those feelings efficiently.

Can you describe in short what circumstances made you change your ways towards INFP? Is it just attitude or is it a core change, have you thought of that? Have you looked into the differences between introverted feeling and thinking? Basically what is your basis for believing you are INFP?
 
P

Phantonym

Guest
Welcome to the forums. :) Test results are not final. They're only supposed to lead you to explore more. You mentioned that you've gone through some big changes. There's your answer. There could be a number of reasons why you identify more with options in the test that would indicate an F preference at the present and only you know why. Anyway, don't worry about it that much and take an opportunity to explore yourself and learn.
 

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
@nebbykoo - balance would be good, but unfortunately I went from "very" T to "very" F. :-\ I didn't think I wouldn't change, but I was an INTP for so long, it just confuses me. Thanks for telling me not to worry about it though. I'll try. :)

@slowriot - Sorry, but I'm just not comfortable talking too much (yet) about what I went through, or more accurately, PUT myself through. Let's just say it was a series of very bad lifestyle choices. I don't think it's just attitude. Core change? Probably. I definitely will look into the differences. Basis? Well, I sorta suspected some basic changes, and I guess all the tests validated that. I do know this though: I'm even MORE sensitive than I used to be. I cry a lot more now... not for myself, but for anyone that I see who has some REAL challenges (unlike me - I've been very lucky), but THEY don't sit around self-doubting and wondering what to do. They just do it. Example: Temple Grandin. Wow! Every time I see that movie I cry like a baby. Partly because she inspires me, and partly because I should just shut up and DO something.

Thanks to both of you for responding!

Edit: I just read what I wrote, thought about Temple Grandin, and started to cry a little, and I'm at work! Wow.
 

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
@Sky is BLUE! - Wow, thanks. I'm already feeling better that you folks are being nice to me. People can be so mean online, and I hate that. I would NEVER do that. It baffles me. Anyway, thanks! :)

Explore myself -- wonderful advice, but I hope I don't feel too selfish about it. I'm such a mess.
 

Xenocide

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
23
MBTI Type
INTP
Hi. I just joined the site and posted basically this same message in the "Welcome" forum, but probably should have just posted it here to start with. My bad. That's what I get for trying to play by the rules.

Here's the thing: I've tested INTP, every single time, over at least a 15 year period - until recently. I've been through some pretty big changes in my life over the last few years, and I hadn't tested in a while, so I re-tested a couple weeks ago. And now I'm an INFP, and it bothers me a little. It doesn't bother me that I'm now an INFP, it just bothers me that I changed. I know it shouldn't, but there ya go. So, for corroboration, I took as many different online tests as I could find over the last couple weeks, and they all agree... INFP.

What happened? What does this mean? Can I change back? (Just kidding, I know it doesn't work that way.) I know it's really not that big a deal, but I do happen to believe in MBTI/Kiersey/Jung, so it does matter to me. In fact, it's been on my mind enough that I actually joined an online community (this one), which is very unlike me. I'm just so used to attributing my ways to being an INTP. Now that I'm apparently an INFP, I wonder what happened? The other three are still very much I, N, and P, but the T changed to an F, and according to the results, convincingly. And after what I've been through, I'm actually very curious to hear from some other NFs.

Please, please don't take the test at such face value. You didn't change your type just because you got a different result on a test. The test doesn't give you any information about your actual type, just what you think your type is. For all you know, you might not be an INFP or an INTP, but a different type altogether.

There are no short-cuts to finding your type. Using critical skills when picking your typology studying material and keeping an objective sense of self are your best bets if you want to go down the road of figuring it out.
 

slowriot

He who laughs
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
1,314
Enneagram
5w4
Maybe your functions are more balanced than they used to be...
Some people change their type as often as they change their clothes. I wouldn't worry about it.
Did you think you would get through life without changing at all?

I dont think we should completely derail the thread, but that is really not true. According to Jungs theories we are not tabula rasa when we are born, we have some genetic disposition or archetypes. We try on different functions during childhood but we always fall back on the archetype of our being. That is Jungs idea. But a person do not only develope its primary and auxiliary function other functions are also used and developed but the focus is on the 1st and 2nd function. An example; when I talk to one person I act in a certain way, when I talk to a different person I act in another way. Does that mean Im two different persons? No it only means I have the natural ability of adapting. That all humans have. We adapt when we are at school, when we are socialising, when we are relationships, when we are at work and so on. But we will still be the same person. I take on traits of other types when I am at work, but that dont change me as a being. Even if it might be taxing my energy but thats a different thing.

It all about energy, not the bull crap that the spirituals believe, but where your energy is best used. I could go on but will end it here.
 

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
objective sense of self

Wow, when I read that, it caught my breath. I'm not sure I could EVER be objective about myself. Is that hard for you? Any of you? It is for me.

I just got so soft, I guess that's what made me think to take the tests again. Thanks for the input.
 

slowriot

He who laughs
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
1,314
Enneagram
5w4
@slowriot - Sorry, but I'm just not comfortable talking too much (yet) about what I went through, or more accurately, PUT myself through. Let's just say it was a series of very bad lifestyle choices. I don't think it's just attitude. Core change? Probably. I definitely will look into the differences. Basis? Well, I sorta suspected some basic changes, and I guess all the tests validated that. I do know this though: I'm even MORE sensitive than I used to be. I cry a lot more now... not for me, but for anyone that I see who has some REAL challenges (unlike me - I've been very lucky), but THEY don't sit around self-doubting and wondering what to do. They just do it. Example: Temple Grandin. Wow! Every time I see that movie I cry like a baby. Partly because she inspires me, and partly because I should just shut up and DO something.

Could it be a physiological change in the biochemistry in your brain? I have seen many examples of people changing nature due to stuff like that.
 

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
It all about energy, not the bull crap that the spirituals believe, but where your energy is best used.

Well said. It IS all about energy. From the physical world, to the metaphysical, to the emotional.
 

INTP

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
7,803
MBTI Type
intp
Enneagram
5w4
Instinctual Variant
sx
type does not change, but how you use functions in new situation might change. Like you might be still intp, but if you have gone some big changes in your life that is forcing you to use more Fi and you have got used to it, you might test as infp instead of intp. Or maybe the situation might have been so that earlier you had to use Ti more than Fi and you tested as intp because of that.

Dont never ever rely on some internet tests when determining whats your type. They only measure the current function usage and function usage might change based on whats the situation in your life. Even those pro tests that you take one on one with someone they always ask your opinion about the type that you tested and try to figure out if the test gave you the right results or not.
 

Abstract Thinker

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Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
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4w5
Okay, gotta go home. Thanks so much to all of you for your input so far. This is the first forum I've ever joined that had any kind of emotional vibe. I was always way too private about such things. Anyway, you've made my first experience a good one. :)
 

Abstract Thinker

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
323
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4w5
type does not change, but how you use functions in new situation might change.

Interesting. Yes, I very well might be using functions differently now. There's a lot in my life that's different. I'll give it some thought. Thanks.
 

cyborg

New member
Joined
Aug 15, 2016
Messages
1
MBTI Type
infp
Same here! I tested in April 2000 and I was INTP. Now, over 16 years later, I tested and I'm INFP. I tested twice to make sure.
I thought maybe my personality type changed because now I have children. That's the only major change in my life since then.
I was a little upset at first, too. I always thought of myself as more of a thinker then a feeler.
 
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