This is a question for anyone who sometimes considers they are an ISFP: What personal traits make you think you may be this type and what traits cause you to doubt it. I've observed over the past several months that several people who list "ISFP" as their MBTI type will often delete from their profile, and then restate it, delete it, then restate it. While there are some members who have always identified as ISFP, there are about half-a-dozen who go back and forth. It seems interesting to me and I wonder if there is a type-related reason for it.
We haven't had a lot of ISFPs on this forum, and sometimes I think it is a misunderstood type. Some of the literature has a very shallow notion of the ISFP, and I've been wondering if there are significant variations in the type. For both ISTP and ISFP, there can be a range from concrete to abstract because their middle functions are Se-Ni. In the arts I've seen ISFPs who seems rather abstract when they talk, like Jimi Hendrix, but whose Se-prowess cannot be denied.
Some of the people who go back and forth in their ISFP typing also have a noticeable abstract dimension to their personality. I would be interested to hear how you think about it.
Edit: I could only think of a few people to tag, but I would have liked to tag everyone related to the topic.
I've gone back and forth for years! But I have finally settled (well, 95%...i think) on ISFP.
The things that made me consider it were that I largely identified with the type description, even the stereotypes. I am quite quiet, kind, love nature, I'm artistic, aesthetically oriented, I feel emotions strongly but don't necessarily express them outwardly. My dream job would be an artist or forest/countryside ranger...so there's that stereotype :L
Reasons I didn't? Well, I thought I was too aware of the consequences of my actions. ISFPs are often described as being drawn to extreme sports, spontaneous behaviour, possibly reckless and live in the moment. I am very concious of consequences which made me think I was an N type as I see long term so I considered INFP. Even as a kid I refused to do stuff other kids did because I could see how it could lead to physical pain. I also thought I used Si not Se however after discussing it with several people I think I DO use Se only for me it's less action fueled like an ESXP type might be and more experiencing every beautiful sight, sound, smell and taste. I have a good memory for those things and my very sensory memories made me think I was an Si user. To be honest I''m still not totally sure. The other thing is that, when looking purely at dichotomies, I can seem quite J like. I like schedules, a time to do things, an order to do them in. I make endless lists, occasionally spreadsheets and love to plan. Only my follow through isn't always great (inferior Te could be responsible?).
I think because Fi users place great importance on REALLY knowing who we are, we go through all the types to make sure we have the right one. For me I often wonder 'was I completely authentic and objective when I answered that? Was I swayed by anything?' so it's like a review over a long period of time to get the most accurate result. I think functions can be confusing too although that's not limited to ISFPs. I think you have to get quite in depth with functions to really understand them. It's not enough to say that 'Fi is focused on your own morals and values whilst Fe is concerned with others' because everyone is interested in their own feelings, but most people, at least to some degree, are aware of others feelings too. I kind of struggle because I don't get these theoretical descriptions, I understand when someone gives me an example of a function in action by describing a specific thought process or concious thought or action. Like the walking through the forest analogy where it describes what each function would be thinking whilst walking through a forest.
An issue I had too was that I was so concerned in looking for proof and finding examples that I overlooked the things that came totally naturally and subconciously to me. The stuff I thought was just normal but was actually what I should've paid attention to like my intense introspection and needing to a have a purpose.
I agree that ISFP descriptions can make ISFPs seem shallow. It's not necessarily the case though. I value kindness and genuine people. I don't spend time thinking about the origins of the universe, I don't want to be a big boss of people, I'm not 'ambitious' in the career sense. I appreciate beautiful things (people, nature, animals, glittery details on birthday cards, sparkling light on water) and those details however shallow they may seem, make me happy. I also pay attention to my outward appearance and environment not because I want to follow trends but because for me, looking good makes me feel good. I like things that a flattering in fit and colour, I enjoy putting together outfits, creating comfortable environments that are cohesive in colours, textures, smells etc. Maybe it is shallow, I often thought i should be looking for something deeper in life but creating and appreciating beautiful things is my 'gift' in life.
ISFP, INFP, INFJ and ISFJ all seem to be described as caring, gentle types. Add on top of that that many feeling types can get a buzz from positive social interaction which may plant seeds of doubt as to whether they're introverts plus descriptions seeming to only cater for the extremely organised vs totally scattered...I think its easy for people to get confused and start to identify with more than one type. How developed each function is can lead to confusion too as can people in unhealthy places or people in function loops