You aren't an INFP.

[Yama]

Well, the preferences actually have solid empirical support (especially when one treats them as non-dichotomous). Type dynamics doesn't really appear to, although I think the function descriptions themselves are defensible. It's a shame that most of the other preference combinations get short shrift (except for Kiersey's temperaments), since some of those no doubt would describe people better than either function descriptions or whole type descriptions.

I think SJ as a temperament is rather fitting for me (more so than FJ would), but I really like seeing temperaments other than the Kiersey ones. Like NP and NJ and such. Though in my case, as Pi dominant and relating more to Si than Fe, this makes sense for me, I think.

Although I should also note my problem with function descriptions isn't really the functions or descriptions themselves, but rather various peoples' interpretations of it. I think the reason I test as ISTJ more than ISFJ is because when I get a question that's overly-stereotypical for Fe--like "I care about others more than myself and always put their needs before mine"--I can see right through it, and I'm like ugh oh god. Like yes, I'm very aware of dynamics and people's feelings and actively strive not to hurt them and to make sure they get what they need, but I'm not selfless, and don't put them before me. In the end if something's gonna make me uncomfortable, I'll wiggle out of it somehow. Usually on dichotomy tests I lean T sometimes and F others, though they're usually pretty close. Depends on the test and its interpretations.

Despite Si stereotypes I usually still score highly on Si, because an aspect of Si stereotypes that I do identify with is routines/etc. Although I usually score higher on Fi than Fe with tests that have poor Fe interpretations. The last time I took a functions test, last week I think, I got INFP. Was expecting to probably get ISTJ, but I didn't. It was amusing to me

 

[thoughtlost]

As a side tangent - do you think it's possible for someone to have a different type by letters than by functions? For instance, an ESTP by MBTI, but an ESFP by functions? Because if so, I'll be an INFP in MB and ISFJ in JCF.

That can of course happen, if you take a test ...like any test and then don't thinking deeply enough about it and just accept it as is. For example, my sister gets ISFJ on the actual MBTI test they give you in medical school (it's the actual MBTI) to help you with your career). She is an ExTJ and an E8. She believes herself to be an ISFJ simply because the test said so and won't even consider being a T because she wants to 'help people'. Anyone with eyes would see the difference between her and her twin sister (who is closer to being an ISFJ). There are both quite reserved people, but the ExTJ has such a different and outward energy that you don't need a letter or JCF code to tell you that.

But yeah, in terms of simply being an IxFx there would be some similarities anyway, even if there are clear differences, in actual reality (meaning if you pretend the personality typing system didn't even exist... you would still see a difference).

 

[Seymour]

I think SJ as a temperament is rather fitting for me (more so than FJ would), but I really like seeing temperaments other than the Kiersey ones. Like NP and NJ and such. Though in my case, as Pi dominant and relating more to Si than Fe, this makes sense for me, I think.

Although I should also note my problem with function descriptions isn't really the functions or descriptions themselves, but rather various peoples' interpretations of it. I think the reason I test as ISTJ more than ISFJ is because when I get a question that's overly-stereotypical for Fe--like "I care about others more than myself and always put their needs before mine"--I can see right through it, and I'm like ugh oh god. Like yes, I'm very aware of dynamics and people's feelings and actively strive not to hurt them and to make sure they get what they need, but I'm not selfless, and don't put them before me. In the end if something's gonna make me uncomfortable, I'll wiggle out of it somehow. Usually on dichotomy tests I lean T sometimes and F others, though they're usually pretty close. Depends on the test and its interpretations.

Despite Si stereotypes I usually still score highly on Si, because an aspect of Si stereotypes that I do identify with is routines/etc. Although I usually score higher on Fi than Fe with tests that have poor Fe interpretations. The last time I took a functions test, last week I think, I got INFP. Was expecting to probably get ISTJ, but I didn't. It was amusing to me

Certainly bad tests, descriptions and stereotyping can lead people astray. Plus, even a good test/instrument is usually limited by the test taker's self-perceptions. And, as far as the preferences go, people are fairly likely to have some middling preferences... so scoring somewhere in the middle may be an accurate description in many cases (even for the J/P preference).

 

[OrangeAppled]

Thank you . It was a Good read.
In some places, it felt like you were more discussing enneagram differences, as I identified with her notions of future and imagining and a few other things. I saw that as your mum and me being "mental" (lol),and you "emotional",(this is sounding so bad, but I hope you understand)....it could even be that your mum is a 6(!?) and the similarities Im feeling between her and me are that (me-possible 6wing). Either that or I'm actually an ISFJ in disguise ahah. Awesome

The rest was very elucidative though. Especially the thought process differences (concrete vs abstract) and possible analogies due to culture (hippie flower power). So thanks for your post. 😊

Yes, she is a 6, and I'm not surprised that clearly comes through when describing her . I find 6w7 xSFJs can masquerade really well as ENFPs, so I can see how they might end up relating over a few things. Incidentally, my mom either tests as ESFJ or ENFP, but she agrees with me that she is an introvert, just not as "withdrawn" as me (which lines up too perfectly almost with our enneatypes).

I am curious as to 9 ISFJs....because they trip me up even more. Many 9s can seem like NFs or IxFPs when they are not. I consider myself pretty decent at typing people, but I've made the mistake of typing some SFJs as NFP too, which is why I've been supporting these threads.

Conversely I have a friend I believe is INFP 9 who I mistook as ISFJ upon meeting her. After getting to know her, our mentality is strikingly similar, but our outer demeanor is very different. She is much nicer and more likable than me . Maybe the "gut" and "emo" difference is part of it . People who see me when I am more relaxed will say that we remind them of each other, but they probably would never say we have similar "personalties".

 

[Smilephantomhive]

Certainly bad tests, descriptions and stereotyping can lead people astray. Plus, even a good test/instrument is usually limited by the test taker's self-perceptions. And, as far as the preferences go, people are fairly likely to have some middling preferences... so scoring somewhere in the middle may be an accurate description in many cases (even for the J/P preference).

I will agree with you on that understanding yourself is one of the most important things in finding your correct type.

I also think that not everyone reads the directions. I skipped them the first time I took the cognitive function tests, but then I read them and I noticed that it said to clcik "not me' if you didn't understand the statement. Most people (myself included) probably tried to guess what it meant and interpreted it incorrectly.

 

[Forever]

Makes me really happy that I got your type right before @themightyfetus

When I type others, I usually try to consider all angles and make sure I'm not prone to stereotyping or listing traits that other types can easily fall into as well. I'm extremely into jcf though when it comes to typing, I don't type people by the traditional sense (aka letter preferences typing). I know Facebook groups find my typing for others anathema to their preferences but then when they claim to be like INFJ purely by mishap understanding of even the preferences, I know they aren't describing the INFJ that I come to very well know.

 

[strychnine]

Yup, my mother is probably an Fe/Si type but tests anywhere from ISFP, ISFJ, ESFP, ENFP, ENFJ, etc! Really her only constant is F, and that's apparent in her behavior, too. She's super Fe and epitomizes the best of Fe-doms, really That's what you'd notice first upon meeting her, is her strong Feeling function and the fact that it is extraverted. It is really her dominant trait (lol, dominant! That wasn't even deliberate!).

As a side tangent - do you think it's possible for someone to have a different type by letters than by functions? For instance, an ESTP by MBTI, but an ESFP by functions? Because if so, I'll be an INFP in MB and ISFJ in JCF.

Yes, absolutely! By the dichotomies, I'm INFP, but by the functions, I'm ESFP. "I" because I'm quiet, keep to myself, don't party or pointlessly "hang out" with people, spend a lot of time alone, am introspective, etc. I probably do have a strong auxiliary though; I mistyped as ISFP for years. I only realized I was Se-dom (and more glaringly Ni-inferior) a couple months ago. But nevertheless, dichotomously, I'm an introvert. Cognitively, my focus is on the external world almost all the time!

Most people who are reasonably intelligent will have a preference for theory over facts, abstract over concrete, etc. and will thus test as N. If you ask me if I prefer the "big picture" or "details", I'll answer big picture every time. Details for their own sake are boring as hell, unless they fit into a bigger picture. But I'm no iNtuitive! In my case, it's Fi that's highly abstract and holistic, seeking to understand the entirety of the universe in its mental model (Ti is similar in that way).

Anyway, in your case, I can easily see an Si/Fe INFP. You lead with a perceiving function, so you test as P over J. You're smart, so you test as N. IxFx is the same. So Si/Fe, SEI, and INFP by the dichotomies. Btw, I see lots of Ti/Se INTJs for a similar reason: they lead with a judging function so they test J over P, and are intelligent so they test N (Ti in particular is also rather abstract, as is Fi). Fi/Se INFJ happens similarly. I myself test xNFP, but I'm Se/Fi.

 

[Mal12345]

Si-tertiary makes itself felt in the INFP.

 

[fetus]

Si-tertiary makes itself felt in the INFP.

How so?

 

[Lady Lazarus]

I've known that for years.

 

[elcie]

Ti is not offended. Offendedness is a feeling of upset that is not in the realm of Ti. Perhaps their auxiliary Fe is offended by the type community's negative view of ISFJs, leading to the ISFJ preferring a different type. Ti seeks truth despite offense.

)

Yes! Curse that functional stacking, can't I just be offended and bury my head in the sand please...

 

[OrangeAppled]

I agree, and I've long thought this as well. I've noticed a lot of MBTI INFPs seem like Socionics SEIs, and while we are at it, a lot of MBTI INFJs seem like Socionics ESIs or EIIs.

One nitpick:



Ti is not offended. Offendedness is a feeling of upset that is not in the realm of Ti. Perhaps their auxiliary Fe is offended by the type community's negative view of ISFJs, leading to the ISFJ preferring a different type. Ti seeks truth despite offense.



A+ post.

Meh, Ti has quite the chip on its shoulder....and excessive emotionality is more about lower order functions, IMO.

 

[Forever]

Yeah I agree with this. I wish I wasn't an ISFJ, not because I hate ISFJs, but because of the automatic assumptions that come with it

You think the N counterparts don't suffer either?

PEOPLE DON'T THINK I EXIST.

 

[á´…eparted]

Meh, Ti has quite the chip on its shoulder....and excessive emotionality is more about lower order functions, IMO.

Eh. I'm not entirely convinced on this. I'm 95% certain I'd fall into the excessively emotional category, but it has much more to do with my Fe, not my Ti or Se.

 

[Yama]

You think the N counterparts don't suffer either?

PEOPLE DON'T THINK I EXIST.

B-but I didn't say that

The Ns have their set own of problems and stereotypes, of course.

 

[Forever]

B-but I didn't say that

The Ns have their set own of problems and stereotypes, of course.

It's ok, I didn't mean to hurt you by taking words that you didn't say. (i mean in the quickest way possible in hugging or just count as hugs for thought)

Of course... *soothing tone*

 

[Yama]

It's ok, I didn't mean to hurt you by taking words that you didn't say. (i mean in the quickest way possible in hugging or just count as hugs for thought)

Of course... *soothing tone*

Lol you're fine, I just didn't want you to think I didn't care about your problems

 

[Forever]

Lol you're fine, I just didn't want you to think I didn't care about your problems

Lol okay excellent. We both have our own basketcases.

oh look 2121 posts in honor of you 21lux.

 

[PeaceBaby]

Can I ask a question? Does it somehow seem appealing to self-type as an INFP?

 

[fetus]

Can I ask a question? Does it somehow seem appealing to self-type as an INFP?

Oh yes. INFPs get to be the pretty, dreamy tumblr girl with a wonderful mind. ISFJs are supposedly kitchen homebodies who only think about how they're going to prepare their house for the church Bible study group.

It's the stereotypes.