So, I've been doing some reading lately and I was wondering what's the main difference between a ISFJ and a ISFP? I used to think that I was a ISFJ but I'm not so sure now... Can you help me? This personality thing is very confusing lol
I’m really happy you are researching more! It is confusing at first, trust me. It has taken me years to understand the system in depth, and I’m still learning every day.
Although these two types look similar cause of their code on the surface, they are not similar at all. They have completely different functions. To understand what I mean by functions please look here first for a very general understanding and then read the help guides and masterposts on this blog to understand them in depth.
ISFJs functions are in this order: Si, Fe, Ti, Ne.
ISFPs functions are in this order: Fi, Se, Ni, Te.
An example of an ISFJ would be Jane Bennet from Pride & Prejudice or Narcissa Malfoy from Harry Potter. An example of an ISFP would be Harry Potter himself.
Every person of each type varies a lot for multiple reasons. They have different house combinations, different enneagrams, and different interests in general. This gives each person different motivations. What people mess up about typology is that they think it defines their behaviors. Any type can act any way for a variety of reasons depending on their environment, how they were raised, mental disorders, etc. What typology is about is how a person processes information.
Like Katniss Everdeen, I have accepted that I am an ISTJ. I have had difficulties for a long time accepting this is my type, because I don’t fit a lot of stereotypical ISTJ behaviors. Mainly because I am prone to looping, but also because my interests “aren’t” common for an ISTJ. However, I cognitively process information the exact same way as Katniss. I first look at the world through the lens of Si, then I solve problems with Te, then I think about what is important to me ethically with Fi, and then I think of all the possibilities using Ne (and weakly, I might add, since it is my inferior function - you’ll learn what that means later). I relate to Katniss a lot because of that, but we are also very different because we have different interests/skill sets and different houses according to @sortinghatchats.
My main point with that ramble is that you can’t compare yourself to the stereotypical type descriptions, because chances are, you won’t fit into that box perfectly. That is a good thing, because if you do, that means you are only focusing on your first two functions and aren’t trying to develop yourself further.
So to answer your question, I can’t really tell you easy differences between the types other than link you to sources like I did above to help you understand the functions in depth and how they work in each type’s particular order. If you have anymore questions, feel free to message me! But the first thing you need to do is read up in depth of the functions to gain a better understanding. Stereotypical descriptions will do nothing but confuse you and give you an inaccurate perception on what typology actually is.
