hi! I honestly am just so confused on typing, I think it’s because I’m overthinking it and got a bit lazy😭 for clarity I think I’m 100% ISFJ, but I also overthink this and doubt. So now I’m confused if I’m ESFJ or another at all? I also know I used to think of myself as Enneagram 3, but I also heard how this does not mix with ISFJ, so I am even more confused. If you have any tips on how to narrow this down to a T I would appreciate it a lot!
sorry if this is confusing or a repetitive question! I just would really like to not be doubting and have a solid understanding. If this is a question that is asked a lot, then you can ignore it lol
It's hard for me to advise you when you give me no reasons for your self-doubt and overthinking (except to say I'd start with core 6 as a likely possibility). Why are you doubting ISFJ? Too much Ne? Do you feel you "might" be extraverted? What is extraversion to you?
ESFJ and ISFJ are very different.
An ESFJ is a Fe-dom. They are highly emotional, sensitive, aware of what is expected from them, and have expectations about what is expected from others. It's easy to hurt their feelings or offend them because there is no buffer between what they feel and the outer world, which they are attuned to 24/7. Their entire life is people and they are highly social extraverts who process their feelings instantly and can instantly articulate them and talk about what they are feeling, and why, and what is going on around them. Lower Ne and inferior Ti means there is a lot of openness, exploration, "oh, I could turn this into that," etc. They are also organized judging types who like to decide and plan things. Inferior Ti means they rarely question themselves; their logic does not always hold up when they try to explain "why," because it's all built around people and their emotional wants and needs.
ISFJs are Si-doms. Their memories and personal experiences are most important to them, along with prioritizing and detail-seeking on the things that they find most interesting (which is unique for every one). They can be fussy about details and meticulous in wanting to get things right, because they understand and believe that skill takes time and repitition. They are dominant sensors who love and pay attention to their environment and what they care about within it. Because they are not dominant feeling types, they are less emotionally reactive than EFJs, can still process their feelings through talking about them on the spot, but are sometimes delayed in doing so, because whatever is happening is being filtered through their sensing function (comparisons to expectations, previous interactions, etc) first. They can shut off their feelings easier and do what seems rational, but struggle more than the ESFJ in being able to come up with alternative ideas and possibilities on the spot, because their intuition is low and mostly used for "playing" (writing creatively, exploring different beliefs, reimagining their life).
You can find more info on the MBTI section of funkymbti.com, or in my book, 16 kinds of crazy. Enjoy!
Hello, all! I’ve been working on a couple of posts illustrating the differences between similar types, and here is ENFJ vs INFJ, if you couldn’t already guess by the title. These types can appear quite similar, so I thought I would shed some information on both of them using a character of each type.
I decided to compare Korosensei and Nagisa Shiota from Assassination Classroom. Even if you haven’t seen the anime, this post should still be informational about ENFJs and INFJs.
Korosensei is an ENFJ. He defines himself in terms of external structures and expectations, and is strict with himself about remaining within the boundaries of the roles he has taken up. He is a teacher, and behaves as such, fulfilling all of the characteristics a teacher is expected externally to fulfill. He is embarrassed or ashamed whenever he muddles the image he has carefully procured for the children to see with characteristics more flawed or personal. He knows his effect on others and he is aware of what is considered acceptable and out of place in his role in the outer world.
Unlike Fe-Si, Korosensei’s Fe-Ni looks at a group of people like Class 3E and doesn’t wonder how he is going to uphold the current status quo, but how he can change it. Characteristic of Fe-Ni, he looks at the students and doesn’t see what they currently are, but the potential of what they could be. He sees how he can tap into the students’ potential through his role as a teacher.
Both Korosensei and Nagisa are decidedly people-oriented, with their skills being in helping others to see their potential, gently guiding them along the path. Their difference comes in their relationship with the outer world.
Nagisa is more withdrawn from these outer roles and structures that Korosensei exists in. Nagisa’s definition of things such as teacher are not dependent on external definition and expectation, but by his own internal conclusions. For example, after facing off with Takaoka for a second time, even after all of the danger he put the class through, Nagisa is struck with a new perspective. He recognizes that, although it may not have been Takaoka’s intention, the situation he forced the class to ultimately grow and improve as assassins, while also teaching them more about the real world in the process. Thus, Nagisa declares that Takaoka is a teacher, and expresses gratitude for the lessons he imbued to them, even despite the general trauma of the situation. This is typical to how Ni dominants solve problems--they simply change the perspective, shift the angle of what they’re looking at so that they see it from a new light and thus glean a whole new conclusion and definition. The application of the title teacher to Takaoka is certainly an unconventional one, separate from external definition and characteristic of Nagisa’s dominant Ni.
ENFJs also use Ni, as it is their auxiliary function. However, they use it differently; they are focused on helping others reach their individual potential within the structures and expectations of the external world. Nagisa has an Introverted approach in which he defines things from his own internal analysis, taking an external title like teacher and applying it in a new, unconventional way, separate of external standard and definition, as discussed above.
Further, Nagisa has more trouble deciding how he should define himself in the outer world when trying to pick a career path. He realizes what he’s gifted at—assassination—but knows that that would be a career with certain social implications he couldn’t take lightly. It isn’t until the young girl he tutors helps him see that he is also gifted in teaching that he realizes he wants to follow in Korosensei’s footsteps as a teacher. Conversely, as an Extravert, Korosensei is more adept at embracing social roles and seeing where he fits in.
Additionally, Nagisa, while he possesses strong convictions, is unaware of his effect on others, unlike Korosensei, who is quite aware of his effect. For example, when Nagisa calls the class together and suggests that they try and save Korosensei rather than kill him, it is a concept he has given deep thought internally. However, when he expresses it outwardly to the class, many of them take it as Nagisa trying to exert authority over them, which catches him off guard as it’s not something he even considered. He is excellent at shifting perspectives to create new solutions to problems, but he is not always immediately aware of how it will look from the perspective of the group. Korosensei thrives on and exists in how he effects a group or system, which can be attributed to his dominant Je.
Something else to note is that Korosensei is sometimes noticeably sensitive to criticism or critique towards his own methods. We see this mostly in flashbacks when his first student/protégé (who we know as Reaper 2.0) suggests ideas for improvement for a disarming/combat move of Korosensei’s, to which he is not receptive and asserts for his student to do it the way he taught him. This can be attributed to inferior Ti.
Overall, ENFJs and INFJs are quite similar. Both of them are able to derive profound insights from seemingly simple things they see in reality, and both types tend to make a noticeable mark on the world or groups in which they find themselves. The difference, in my opinion, mostly comes from Extraversion vs. Introversion (not sociability; what I mean here by Extraversion and Introversion is whether they look to the external world for ways to define their reality, which would be Extraverted, or whether they look inward and derive their own definitions for reality, which would be Introverted. I will do a post soon further elaborating on E vs. I!).
I hope this was helpful, and if you ever have any questions, please send us a DM or an ask!
I can't decide if I'm ESTJ or ENTJ. Can you help out?
ENTJ: Te>Ni>Se>Fi
ESTJ: Te>Si>Ne>Fi
Ni: ENTJs always have advice and solutions. They have a tendency to aggressively make decisions for people (even though it usually comes from a place of love) and think they’re always right.
Se: ENTJs value ideas that hold weight and can be used. They like being engaged in the world around them.
Si: ESTJs tend to notice and remember a lot of [the important] details in the world around them, and easily notice changes. Their thought process seems very linear and direct.
Ne: ESTJs like to explore possibilities, take things apart, and form new concepts. They also generally like to tell stories and talk about their day.
This has been in my inbox for an embarrassingly long time…
Do you have any tips for typing people over 40, who have more developed functions? I've been trying to type my mom for months, and I still can't figure her out, I'm not sure if it is because she's an adult and her functions are more developed or if there's something else preventing me from typing her. I'm pretty sure she's INFX. I know that there's a big difference in the cognitive stacks for those two types, but I can't tell if her intuition and/or feeling is introverted or extroverted.
(Gif: Matthew & Mary Crawley, Downton Abbey. INFP, ENTJ.)
I ran into this problem early on in typing my dad, only he’s extroverted. I thought ENFP at first because he fits some of the stereotypes but over time, came to realize that his focus is not on short-term possibilities (that’s where I excel, with Ne/Te) but on far-reaching events (Ni - ENFJ). He’s somewhat private / guarded with his personal feelings, enough that I thought he might be Fi – but he shows no Te whatsoever and is rather impressed when I or my mother use it. And yet, his reaction to everything that happens is first and foremost – Fe.
My Ne also impresses him in its ability to innovate / change direction without much warning (his Ni does not like to adapt an overall vision, even though his Se is excellent enough that he can seize opportunities as they arise) whereas he finds my changeable nature (Ne) somewhat aggravating to his Ni-desire to find a single solution that encompasses and solves all the problems, in a way that will play out positively in the future (Ni) for everyone involved (Fe). He also cares much more about how things work (Ti) and getting to “the truth of something” (Ni) than I do. I want only enough knowledge to serve a goal or purpose (Te).
His insights are far sharper, more focused, and direct than mine – I will say this or that about someone, and he will fire off an intuitive Ni insight into their psyche – he may or may not be right, but he believes the pattern aligns to produce that truth (example: so and so said this to me about that; “so and so is jealous of this aspect of your personality and is retaliating with comments designed to make you doubt yourself in that area”). I am more inclined to assert an intuitive opinion and seek evidence to support it, or seek external affirmation / support for that idea (Ne) as being plausible (Te).
Well balanced or not, NFJs and NFPs are decidedly different – so look for what they share with you, their overall patterns of behavior, and their levels of distaste for change. INFJs are prone to futuristic mindsets in the long term and in stating a conclusion as a personal fact once they have decided on it; once they reach that point (of intensive inner processing spitting out a single truth) they are not inclined to change their mind, whereas the INFP allows their strong personal ethics and feeling of affection / dislike for things to direct their Ne.
INFPs want to share and latch on to other people’s ideas; Ni’s can be somewhat resistant to that. INFJs want to form comprehensive inner worlds (Ni/Ti) that inform their greater understanding of how humanity works (FeTi); INFPs want freedom to pursue their own passions, beliefs, and whims. INFPs will “change” far more often than an INFJ; in anything where a central ethical truth is not involved, their opinions, beliefs, pursuits, interests, hobbies, etc., may shift rapidly over time.
Ni looks to the long term (years ahead); Ne looks a few weeks down the road.
In particular, from strong Ni’s, look for strong futuristic opinions. When Donald Trump entered the GOP presidential race, back before anyone thought he had a chance to even win the primary, my dad read a few articles, heard a couple of his speeches, then said, “He’s our next president. He will resonate with the core of the people.”
Naturally, being an “anything can happen” Ne, I said, “Pfft, YEAH, RIGHT, Dad.”
INFP: How to Strengthen Your Mind, Body, and Spirit to Maximize Your Best Self
INTP: Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/why-paint-cats-burton-silver/1005368795/2672583463602?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP1755&k_clickid=3x1755)
Out of curiosity, I've always typed myself and tested as an ISTP but one of my friends absolutely insists I'm an ENTJ. What are the major differences between the two types and how would I know which one I am.
There are some pretty big differences between ENTJs and ISTPs. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what type other people think you are. You’re the best judge of yourself, and if you’ve studied and understand the cognitive functions and come to the conclusion that you’re an ISTP, then you’re probably an ISTP. If you’re stil stuck, pay attention to the difference between Te and Ti.
ENTJ: Te Ni Se Fi
ISTP: Ti Se Ni Fe
The ENTJ’s primary function is Te, extroverted thinking. Extroverted thinking has to do with setting clear goals, working out organized ideas of what needs to be done, and enacting these plans into action. It likes the world around them to be organized. Te wants to collect facts from the outside world and sort through information and apply them in some practical manner. They can understand flaws in the world around them, and want to understand what can actually be improved on. They feel comfortable making decisions and stating their opinions confidently, making them naturals for leading others. They think about how to work details and facts into an over-arching system. They think out loud in order to understand ideas and come up with concrete ideas.
The ENTJ’s auxiliary function is Ni, introverted intuition. This function looks for connections and meaning, looking to converge on a single truth. When looking towards the future, they may brainstorm various possibilities, but it is all for the purpose of understanding the one singular truth: what will actually come to be. They brainstorm to get to a singular truth, and are happiest once they have found this. They seek out patterns in the world, picking up subconscious feelings and information and synthesizing them. They see the symbolism behind things and seek out deeper truth than what is present on the surface. Even when they don’t have sufficient proof to back up their claims, they may just “feel” like something is true or right. Therefore ENTJ’s are very future oriented, looking forward to how to improve their systems or the world around them. ENTJ’s look at the broader picture, both in terms of Ni and Te, and are less concerned with small details.
The ENTJ’s tertiary function is Se, extroverted sensing. Extroverted sensing means living in the moment, taking in life through their five senses. They think in the moment, wanting to experience spontaneity and adventure. Although it doesn’t have as much influence on the ENTJ personality as the first two functions, it is something they are generally skilled at. They probably have a taste for fine sensory experiences and possess the ability to craft their appearance well. They probably like events like taking their date to a nice restaurant, or going to play sports with their friends. They also are fairly comfortable with placing their future plans into physical action. However, they are more comfortable with abstract ideas, plans, or reasoning.
The ENTJ’s inferior function is Fi, introverted feeling. Introverted feeling is characterized by a deep, intense, private experience of emotions; private beliefs and values, and an unwavering allegiance to these ideas. The inferior function is generally weak, ignored, and is a function that ENTJ’s avoid using and don’t feel comfortable with. They are not very comfortable dealing with their inner world of emotions or beliefs. Instead they feel more comfortable expressing these sentiments through the outside world (for example, working for and becoming dedicated to a cause that they are partial to). They have a difficult time understanding their own feelings and and prefer to orient themselves towards the world of logic and action. However, they don’t like dealing with feelings in general, preferring to deal with less emotional, more rational matters. They may have difficulties empathizing or comforting others.
The primary function of ISTP’s is introverted thinking, Ti. Introverted thinking seeks to understand the world of ideas, to make rational logic judgements in one’s mind. Ti seeks logic and understanding the world by taking the experiences and facts of the outer world and filtering them: is this logical? Does this make sense? How can I understand this? Once I have understood this, how can I classify it? It has a complicated internal framework of ideas and concepts that may or may not be utilized for outer plans. Ti is good at focusing on a single problem, figuring out what is wrong and then coming up with a plan to fix it. It constantly seeks understanding, taking ideas apart and playing with theories for the sole purpose of understanding them. ISTP’s approach the world through a lens of logical understanding, seeking to understand and organize ideas in their inner world. They have a strong sense of inner control, like working on independent projects, and are inwardly disciplined. When they approach choices in life, they make decisions based on their independent, internal sense of rational and logic. They may appreciate wit and intellectual humor, like playing with ideas, and may seem to approach life with a more serious outlook. They see life as a series of intellectual and physical challenges to be overcome by their inner discipline.
The ISTP’s auxiliary function is extroverted sensing, Se. This function is primarily concerned with what can be taken in through their five senses, looking at life to experience it and live in the moment. The Se users asks “What is right now and how can I experience it?”. They think in the moment, wanting to experience spontaneity and adventure. A lot of Se users enjoy sports, art, sensory experiences, crafting their appearances, driving fast, appreciating sex, and only learn by doing and working with their hands. They are more comfortable implementing plans or working with what is concrete than theorizing or planning in an abstract way. They prefer their facts to be clear and in front of them. They will notice changes in their environment and see that as a cue to act a certain way. They are generally spontaneous, adventurous, reckless, and think about what is going on in the present (instead of learning from the past or envisioning the future). They are thrill seekers, and look for what is novel and exciting in the environment around them. ISTP’s enjoy novel sensations and thrills, and enjoy experiencing life through their five senses. They prefer to learn by doing, and will seek practical applications for their internal challenges and theories. This is why they are often found in careers such as mechanics, engineers, and pilots: careers that combine internal planning and intellectualism and external, physical application.
The tertiary function for ISTP’s is introverted intuition, Ni. Introverted intuition is the function involved in understanding subconscious gut feelings, envisioning what the future will hold, and interpreting symbols and deep underlying meaning. ISTP’s are more future oriented than ESTP’s, although they still prefer what is current or physically manifested in front of them. Sometimes they may feel like certain things are true/have a gut feeling without being able to understand why they feel that way, or even seek out hidden meaning in life. They may, therefore, be drawn to what is poetic or symbolic. However, they generally are more comfortable with, and prefer the present and tangible world in front of them.
The inferior function of the ISTP is extroverted feeling, Fe. Generally, ISTP’s like to make decisions based on their own, personal set of logic and beliefs. They dislike looking at situations in an emotional light, since it is a function they are uncomfortable using. They are generally poor at changing their behavior to fit social appropriateness (their way of speaking may seem callous or tactless to others), disinclined to sharing their feelings with others, and bad at picking up on how others are feeling or empathizing with them. However, some unhealthy ISTP’s may overindulge their Fe, being drawn to overemotional situations and expressing their feelings (sometimes inappropriately) and having a deep desire for positive affirmation from their peers.
The INFP’s dominant function is Fi. They’re very interested in understanding themselves and cultivating a world of internal tastes, likes and dislikes, emotions, and beliefs. They deal with their emotions very independently and may see external expression of emotions as being “fake” or unauthentic. They are independent and wish to understand themselves as an individual outside of society. They approach life from an emotional standpoint, so they are drawn to sympathizing and helping others, as well as finding modes of self-expression.
The INTP’s first function is Ti. They like to apply logic and reasoning to their internal frame of mind, developing an inner world of ideas and structure. They may see life as a series of challenges to be overcome or understood. They like to play with ideas and theories (preferring to deal with the theoretical rather than the fact based).
Both of the types’ second function is Ne. Jumping off from what the INFP has decided they like or is in their morals, or what the INTP has decided is logical and interesting, Ne provides potential ideas. It acts as the external brainstormer, jumping from idea to idea and seeking patterns in the world. This can cause them to be very open minded and interested in different ideas.
Both types then use Si as their tertiary function. This means they may pull from experiences, memories, and past details. They are very conservative in their interactions with the outside world. They may wear a minimal amount of make up and go for a natural look/diet/etc. Additionally, they are well attuned to their physical state of wellbeing.
FYI, (this is important!) the inferior function often has unexpected influences on personality. Usually a person of any type will be uncomfortable with this function and may avoid using it as much as they can. However, especially in times of stress, they can become overly indulgent and obsessive with their inferior functions.
The INFP has Te as their inferior function. They may have be subconsciously drawn to careers and situations that are more practical and logical; for example, thinking that they will become a doctor even though it is clear they have neither passion nor skill for this career. They may be attuned to external structure (for example, the government) and think about ways it could be improved. They may exhibit OCD-like tendencies in times of stress, becoming very intense about the organization of their physical surroundings. They may become very rigid in their ways or they may be very passive and lack assertiveness. An unhealthy relationship (either obsession over or complete rejection) with external situations of logic and structure may indicate an INFP.
The INTP has Fe as their inferior function. They may seem extremely emotionally distant, have trouble expressing their feelings, and not be able to sense the right way to act/feel in a certain situation around other people. They may have an “all or nothing” relationship with their feelings: when they are emotional they may either avoid it completely or feel them intensely and become overwhelmed. In addition, INTP’s may be subconsciously drawn to the romantic idea of finding their “place” in life emotionally.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions
