INFP vs INFJ - Knowing the Difference
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- Despite being highly seperate in terms of cognition, the INFP and INFJ tend to mistype as one another - personality tests that focus on behaviour over cognition tend to exacerbate this dilemma, owing to the behavioural overlap these two types share.
Find my INFJ vs INTJ comparison here: • INTJ vs INFJ - Type Co...
In this video I employ CPT methodology to help tell these types apart, and attempt to elucidate the significant differences between their styles of thought.
Some people will always be more 'neutral' than others and accordingly feel affinity with both type descriptions - nonetheless, they will still lean more towards one than the other, and through this presentation of the two extremes I hope people can find the type they belong within.
Thanks to Kiara Kerrick for the subtitles!
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About me:
Hi, I'm Harry, and I'm intensely passionate about personality typing and self-development - so much so that I have created my own Jung-inspired system, taking a more high-resolution look at the factors making up personality.
Through Cognitive Personality Theory I examine the underlying mechanisms behind cognition, and the means through which a single type can have limitless individual variation - I believe type itself is just a set of cognitive predispositions that can according to the needs of the situation be overcome.
I don't believe any type is limited in what they can achieve, but have noticed sensationalist attitudes and internet trends propagating a culture in which type-development is actively discouraged in favour of conforming to simplistic archetypes. Through CPT I hope to dispel various myths and oversimplifications of what constitutes personality type, and along the way encourage a healthier attitude towards type that allows a person to become not who they are told they are, but rather who they want to be.
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00:00 - Introduction
01:35 - INFJ Dominant Stack
03:25 - INFP Dominant Stack
04:55 - INFJ Divergent Stack
06:12 - INFP Divergent Stack
09:31 - The Attitudes - Feeling
10:40 - The Attitudes - Thinking
14:02 - The Attitudes - Opposing Stacks
19:00 - Levels of Consciousness -
30:22 - Thought Styles
31:20 - Compatibility Dynamics
37:00 - Authority Functions
40:24 - Wrap Up
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KEY
Ni/Introverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of internal world.
Ne/Extraverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of external world.
Si/Introverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of internal world.
Se/Extraverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of external world.
Fi/Introverted Feeling - Subjective codec; internal emotional data & harmony.
Fe/Extraverted Feeling - Subjective codec; external emotional data & harmony.
Ti/Introverted Thinking - Objective codec; internal logical order.
Te/Extraverted Thinking - Objective codec; external logical order.
Lens - Perceives data.
Codec - Rationalises data.
Convergent - Positive, creative, enacting change and seeking novelty.
Divergent - Negative, authoritative, instilling consequence and driving utility.
For more clarification on terms see the CPT eBook!
#infp #infj #16types
What a WAY of explaning things!!, I'm usually feeling so detached from being an INFP specially since they describe us so "lost in thought", "definitely artsy", "need to try things new things or else they'll explode" , "will try random new looks because why not", "will cry at anything", describing us like literal hippies (nothing agaisnt them) or babies. And I'm like, not really?, I'm constatly analizing things but always in contrast towards me, I'm often unaware of my sorroundings, I like order, but it has to be from my own perspective, I value individualism a whole lot, I'd like for people to just let myself be (because I let them be), but that doesn't mean I'm willing to try new things just because, I'm lowkey paranoid about things not working out and I value my confort zone so much that changes in it SCARES me; Yet talking about how much I understand my feelings, I do, I'm constantly introspecting, I'm constatly wandering on how I feel, I feel first then ask questions on the why until I know what's happening, I hold my values high.
I wish more videos were like yours, I'm throughly fascinated by INFJs either way! I love them. Sorry for the overly long text.
Thank you for the great comment! :)
When I think of the differences between INFPs and INFJs, I think of a hot air ballon lol. INFPs seem to embody the action of a hot air ballon floating through the sky. Like a hot air balloon’s movement, they appear light, bubbly, and untethered to any one structure or system around them. Meanwhile, the INFJ will embody the image of a hot air ballon and it’s mechanistic components. On the outside, like the basket tht holds the hot air ballon, the INFJ will seem put together and more grounded in reality. They will look like they belong, much like a hot air ballon seems to complement an open vast sky. However, internally, much like the inside of a hot air ballon, the INFJ will not feel as they look externally and in an ironic fashion, will be as internally open, free, and fluid as what the overall impression of the hot air ballon’s motion gives off (or, metaphorically, what the INFP appears to be externally). Conversely, the INFP will feel internally the more rigid and put together structure that the INFJ exudes outwardly.
Love this analogy man! I agree that the INFJ can often appear a lot more put to together then they actually are, and the Fe authority can lead to a front of certainty to avoid being seen as incompetent in the eyes of others.
Great analogy! Very fitting.
So we're not really all that different then? Because I am seriously confused. I've watched many videos and have read many articles, and I feel that I can relate to both equally. It's so confusing. Though in a strange way, can't quite put my finger on it, your response makes sense to me. Sorry, I'm a bit slow sometimes... My mercury is in pisces 😂
Beautiful analogy ❤
@Mira Aljarrah Thanks.
7 minutes in and already realise that I’ve been mistyped. Definitely INFJ, not INFP. Thank you for this.
Thank you for this comment!
INFJ makes sense to me when looking at cognitive functions. A lot of the generalizations built off of them are downright confusing.
I agree!!
wow! my english is getting actually better by trying to understand this video. thank you for the great job. I may be an INFJ.
Haha, that is awesome! My pleasure :)
I really like your explanation on how an INFJ "gazes intensely" into emotional substrate. Last month I had the first in person meeting with my new company's board of management. During the meeting I was mostly silent and observed people, when it suddenly stroke me that this one particular person was feeling out of place and discontent. Out of nowhere I concluded that he must have an intention of quitting. So I told my HR Director, and to my not-so-surprise, she confirmed yes he had submitted his resignation once, and was likely to do it again since he verbally stated it already. She never understands why I can pick that up through an 2-hour meeting but it's just "the gaze" working.
Great breakdown, very interesting to see such a detailed approach to the differences. Could be very helpful to many INFxs.
Thanks man - I really hope so!
I think njs are particularly good at evoking the nature of other types. You and Michael pierce use both ends of the language tools available to precisely lay out the facts without it being difficult to understand, or so it seems. Well done
This resonates with me on a level I've never felt before. I very much agree, infact I don't doubt that you are 99.999% correct that I am an INFP, @AsuraPsych. It's also amazing to me that by watching my body language, and the way I would answer questions, rather than my actual answer-at least that's what I gathered-you were able to see beneath the layers. That's so very interesting. I'm excited for the next session. Hope that's ok that I commented on here.
You're also spot on about INFPs and INFJs being a wonderful duo. ♡ Almost every INFJ I've met I've absolutely adored, and they usually feel the same towards me, too. You guys just get me in ways others don't. INFJs - must protecc ☆ You guys are the best.
I've yet to meet an INFP I don't think the world of!
INFJ interested in INFP (I'm pretty sure). Seems these two types have a lot of similarities and can be really complete one another in some of their weaker points.
My understanding based on the functions is that an INFJ can help an INFP feel understood and express their feelings so as not to overthink (or should I say overfeel ^^) and and INFP will help and INFJ understand what they even feel that they're not aware of from focusing on everything/ everyone else to a fault (or sometimes unhealthy point) and bring it up to them.
Does that sound right? (Speaking in a friendship or romantic context but seems like the dream team for business also. Love that part of the explanation)
@@mysterygirl30011 That's one way to put it, yeah. ♡ It's due to their kinda "dual" nature, and this shows in multiple ways. Our functions are opposite, yet complimentary. ☆ Fi to Fe, Ni to Ne, Ti to Te, Si to Se. I believe this can compliment but also contrast, making room for both growth and comfort. That's why INFJs and INFPs tend to mesh well. ♡
@@cylestine Thank you for replying 😊 Interesting perspective
@@mysterygirl30011 You're welcome! CPT would probably be able to provide a more informative and/or enlightening statement, but yeah. ♡ Best of luck with the possible INFP! ☆
Great video, and I really appreciate that INFPs are being recognized for their scientific contributions (though I'm an ENFJ myself, my gf is an INFP). I do like to recognize how skilled they can be as writers though (Tolkien, Shakespeare, George R. R. Martin, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Greene etc.).
Because of their emotional recall, I would say it can also be very effective when playing instruments too, which I don't think I've heard anyone talk about before. Deeply feeling the music and being aware of exactly which notes make you feel a certain way really helps to perfectly recall a song and play it very accurately according to how it was originally composed (as I've experienced anyway). Or, they look at things in ways they can "fix" them, or what's "wrong" with them as opposed to what's 'good' or 'bad'. When composing their own music, or writing their own stories, or pretty much everything in life, they can almost cherry pick the best parts of everything they've experienced, and like you said, take that and create an amalgamation of a work (be it a song, story, philosophical standpoint etc.), and then create their own, original work or concept. I've heard from writer friends of mine that writing for them is like "solving a puzzle".
I think it's important in the midst of all this "INFPs are illogical, touchy-feely types" descriptions on the Internet that INFPs (and INTPs) realise just how important they are. When they dedicate themselves and are well educated, they have an incredible mastery of morality and 'truth' and can inspire real world change in any field. They make the best writers and philosophers in my opinion, but no type should let their cognitive predisposition stop them from doing what they really want to do. The INFPs I personally know however lean a little bit more towards the arts (a couple of comedians too) and the humanities and soft sciences. If you're an INFP, you're set for everything you want to do basically (and annoyingly), so long as they really push themselves as they tend to need lots of motivation to really get things done.
Thank you! I do think Tolkien was an INFP for sure! As a musician myself I love working with INFPs :)
Agreed!
I resonate with the way you described INFPs as "emotional scientists". Me and the INFJ in my life both endured a very difficult person. While we both disliked being emotionally abused, I was able to "figure out" said person fairly quickly and fine tune that model over the years. This enabled me to develop several ways to neutralize this person's attacks. I was also acutely aware from a young age of the power hierarchy. These predictions helped me even extract some benefits. The INFJ couldn't, for the life of her, do the same. Only after years of explanations did she come around and accept my "model" but even now she can't really protect herself from said person, like you described, the emotional chaos really throws her off balance, but she can't really apply herself to really study this person, her triggers, as a cause and effect whole. I've found a similar problem with an ESFJ. Maybe the greater presence of Fe makes them dislike making this kind of analysis of people? They prefer to operate from that mirror empathy to the situations as they go, without a strategy? I'm sure they percieve me as selfish and lacking in compassion sometimes (with people who don't respect even the minimum of my core values). While I get mad at their apparent naïveté (inspite of both being highly intelligent) and lack of self protection... Amazing video, left me thinking a lot!
INFPs often have excellent deductive logic!
ESFJs tend to have hyper divergent thinking which can make them somewhat stubborn and unwilling to entertain more 'out-there' hypothesis :)
Cheers for the comment!
Us infps really do b writing essays
@@ericmauch3678 lmao I can't believe I wrote all that also it now sounds kinda smug??? what was I trying to prove?? 😂 what's your type?
@@metanoiate It didn’t sound smug to me. When I read it, I was totally relating to a difficult thing/ situation with people I had to figure out, discern, leave, and then heal myself from, very strategically. You must have been in a very clear minded space when you wrote that, because it came out perfectly. I got it 😝 - INFP
@@metanoiate Something I’m trying to overcome is judging myself. Sometimes my brain is on fire and adept, sometimes it’s watery and fluid, even clumsy. I just accept all, and know it’s time to not be hard on myself anymore 💕
Edit: I find it’s natural for me to be capable of “switching states,” all authentic states, but different energies and mindsets for different times and situations. Learning to adapt is a great strength. You wrote very well.
This was a masterful take on the INFP/INFJ difference. This is why I love you/your channel so much.
Love, some INFP.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for recommending this video to me (despite it hurting my ego a little bit), now I'm sure I'm an INFJ.
It's interesting how people seem to view INFPs as more of the dreamer type while I know many seemingly chaotic and sentimental INFPs who have a surprisingly easier time to function in day to day life, whereas my focus on others' emotions and my stubbornness to accept information outside of the scope of my intuition can make it very hard for me to adopt to everyday situations.
Agreed :) Hah, glad it helped and, being an INFJ myself, the ego-bruising is mutual!
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory Haha, I didn't mean it that way!
Amazing breakdown. I'm an INFJ married to an INFP. I have more novel ideas, and he helps execute them. He's really good at a variety of things, and I'm exceptional at a few. He doesn't get nearly as bothered when work is chaotic as I do. I take more risks with big life decisions, and he takes more physical risks. I relax watching videos like these that are intellectually stimulating, and he likes to watch people camping on CZcams.
I am also an INFJ with an INFP husband. We are so different yet understand each other so well. This video is pretty spot on on our personality differences. He easily grasps things and executes them quickly. It takes me much longer to compute and accept new ideas and rules. But I am constantly trying to improve and make work or life more efficient and effective. I’m always thinking about the future and he’s much more in the present. He is amazing under pressure and I can’t take it and freak out lol. He is so authentic and doesn’t care what others think and I am very polite and try to not upset people and keep my environments peaceful.
Yes! I'm that INFJ that doesn't know where I'm going on in life. Always thought I was a P type. But I know for sure that I'm an INFJ just by the cognitive functions. I might not properly fit the popular INFJ descriptions but what matters is how your functions are stacked. And just by that I know I'm an INFJ becoz that's what really is required to be an INFJ:)
Yes! Always thought I was a theoretical philosophical type. And Ni really wants everything to come nicely packed into theories. Very hard to describe my Ni. But at best it's a reminder I get now and then that u've seen this somewhere before. Why am I seeing these patterns in a certain route? Why am I supposed to see only these patterns? Is it trying to show me something?
Sometimes Ni comes as a love for spirituality, archetypes, divination, trance states, coincidences, love for predictive sciences. It also comes as a love for trying to find meaning in whatever I am being shown.
Sometimes Ni comes as just knowing what the next thing will be.
:)
Thanks so much for this comment! There are so many INFJs in a similar positions, and many find great contentment in prioritising a constant state of learning and reflection over actively enacting change upon the world.
Thanks for sharing your experience of Ni, as an INFJ myself I can relate to much of these inclinations.
Many people struggle to allign cognitive functions with the four letter dichotomies and quite rightly so - these don't always match up with the functions.
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory u r wlcm :)
And thank you too for helping me be confident of my own typing :)
I don't really know where I'm going either and I'm in my later twenties. I joke with my friends that if I'm going to have a crisis, it might as well be an existential one. 😝
This is like a level 500 or 600 "MBTI" class! You down with CPT? Lol XD
Ahaha I definitely pushed the theory hard for this video!
You're videos are literally gold, very deep, logical and not stereotypical like a lot of others on this platform !
Thank you for existing! ❤
Great description! This could explain why (as a dominant Fi user) I had such difficulty with physics lab reports as an undergraduate...trying to put into "precise language" every detail of how and why the experiments worked. It was like writing with my non-dominant hand. Capturing specific feelings and experiences in words is like writing with my dominant hand!
Love the analogy!
Impeccable manner of explaining both types. I just realized that stereotyping is really a messy description of someone's type. I typed myself differently because of the stereotyping until I watched your video and Love Who. I hope I can get my type right someday.
Stereotyping can through things way off for sure! The only reliable route of understanding is through the functions, and while it can be a time investment the end result is worth it!
I'm just glad my IQ is high enough to even understand your videos, Harry! XD XD
As am I! I only hope this video isn't too much of a challenge for those unfamiliar with the subject matter :)
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory It's challenging...I love it! Learning something new, highly important for an INFJ indeed ;-)
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory no need for worry, it will only be a challenge to those unfamiliar with analytical and informative language. (the exact reason why I love your videos. They're no mundane, shallow MBTI playground!)
@@ArasheNorto Or those who simply do not subscribe to Jeff's preferred style of explanation. In fact, if your aim is to reach a wider audience you shouldn't be following the patterns that conveniently expemlify your way of analysis exclusively, but rather attempt to simplify the subject matter so that the general audience receives a chance to make sense of it on their own accord. If you dress up your explanations into fancy words, do not provide the potential listeners with a background information necessary to enable one to comprehend the basics, and then claim your own personal skills as somehow more developed than others, then the whole point of raising awareness and sharing your knowledge disappears and all that's left is a sense of elitism and self-established privilege even within something as wide-reaching as online video.
This need to claim intellectual superiority due to having a preferred method of teaching and comprehending new information feels rather...ego-driven.
@@micku2216 I totally understand where you're coming from my friend. But trust me, there have never been such intentions. For simplistic yet scientific views, I suggest you go watch ObjectivePersonality. They're also just as good. But personally, as a Ti user, I find the simplistic terminology too general and therefore, misleading! Especially since, I'm not too fluent in Te common sense-based language, nor do I find it enough definitive. Also, human psyche is not a simple phenomenon in the first place to be put into simple words. See, Ti works based on accuracy. It's a language Harry and I and many of his followers share, it's just the way our brains work. For us the the data has to be specific so it can fit well inside our sequential blocks of reason. Believe me there's no desire for any form of elitism achieved by using fancy words as being elite is not to say, but to do; whether or not the term itself is a correct one, or such a concept truly exists in practice.
The statement of both types being very attuned to their emotions but INFJs being unconsciously aware and acting in accordance with their emotions while unconsciously not really knowing is the best way I've heard it described before!! Great work!
I am more confused now. :-(
When you're stressed, hungry, sleepy, sensitive (in a weakened state), what behavior do you default to?
If you feel like everyone is against you, and you're feeling emotionally "attacked" or sensitive, and "crawling into your shell" you're probably an INFP
If you feel like the system/structure of things is falling apart on you, and you try to *control* things more, you're probably an INFJ
INFJ's are Ni Dominant, which leads to controlling, (but not necessarily emotional) behaviour
INFP's are Fi Dominant, which leads to emotional, (but not necessarily controlling) behaviour
@@JokerCrowe great explanation
@@JokerCrowe what if i act both ways when stressed :/
@@JokerCrowe controlling nature as in to other people?.. i remember scolding people around me when I am in a stressed state. And even made one of my friend cry ... I am still embarrassed and apologetic for making them cry ...🤦😵
What a great video! You are the only person who genuinely seems to know what they're talking about when it comes to cognitive functions. At least from what i've found on the internet as a whole! And i've been obsessing it for quite some time.
The level of detail you present is impressive as you flawlessly deconstruct all these stacks to their microscopic levels. Which is compulsory for actual understanding of these tricky types which may mask as each other for an untrained eye.
It would be my first recommendation to amateurs to check out this lecture, given they are intellectually and vocabularily prepared!
Thank you thank you
Thank you so much!! Truly, it means a lot :)
You're videos are literally gold, very deep, logical and not stereotypical like a lot of others on this platform !
Thank you for existing!
This is brilliant! Thank you Harry! Your videos have really enriched my understanding of my infj self. This video is illuminating and absolutely relatable to me esp. when it comes to condensing everything wherein the judging manifests. Emotional disharmony cripples me. I can handle numerous and various things all at once that are detached from emotions but if a situation gives rise to an emotional upheaval, it freaks me out.
My upbringing I think also reinforced this when I felt that I wasn't allowed to feel nor express my emotions esp. vulnerability. Growing up with family members who weren't educated enough in emotional regulation and stress management traumatized and urged me to mostly overlook how I felt and behaved more in a way to appease the situation.
As a result, I tend to be detached and although I feel like I have so much compassion and empathy, it is not easy for me to manifest it and can appear cold.
Thank you so much for sharing all this.
More power!
This is the best description I’ve heard! You do a great job of thoroughly describing the aspects of each type. I’m that INFP who is drawn to a soft science (psychology), but in my studies, I was surprised to find that I can understand statistical and research concepts better I had expected.
Thanks for this comment!
Either type can totally do either, but I often find the INFP is innately gifted at the hard-science areas an INFJ may have more of a struggle with!
This made so much more sense than all of the other videos I’ve seen in comparing and contrasting the two types. Every single time I’ve taken an online test I’ve gotten INFJ as my result (I’ve taken way too many different tests lol) but I always felt like it didn’t really match my personality so I’ve been on a journey for a while trying to figure out what type I really am. I am almost convinced that I’m an INFP now. You explained that in a way that was very easy to understand, so thank you! I’m subscribed now! :)
Wow. Just saw this. I discovered a few years ago I was INFP but was not convinced because of the type descriptions out there. While I did enjoy writing poems and had an appreciation for creative pursuits it wasn’t a strength (maybe I didn’t put in the effort), instead I was drawn towards a more analytical job. This is the first thing (video or article) I’ve seen on the internet that helps explain this. Thanks.
i think i need to watch this video at least two times more to fully comprehend all the info. such a great work!
Thanks a lot! :)
Oh my goodness - I just want to thank you so much for this. I totally need to rewatch another time with greater focus to be absolutely sure, but you are the first person to make me feel with some degree of certainty that I am an INFP! So thank you so much for helping me (I think!) to understand myself!
I has always tested as INFP on random mbti tests I’d tried every so often in the past & never thought much about it.
Recently, though I did a few MBTI tests & still mainly tested as INFP, but got INFJ a few times. I read about INFJ’s for the first time & associated with a lot of the description, so I began to wonder…
And to be frank, the more I read online about cognitive functions, or the more I did cognitive function tests (which were even more divisive in typing me than the mbti & mainly always just said I had very high Feeling & Intuition - introverted & extroverted, moderate thinking (which it more often deemed Ti thinking) & very low sensing in all ways) the more confused I felt.
I began to perceive of INFPs as a kind of hippyish trope as they are often portrayed online & while feeling is important to me at the depths of me - how much of a feeler am I? How well do I really know myself? I hugely lack self confidence, so how can I be this self-aware person, assured of their own self-truth INFPs are described as? I know I am driven in huge part by logic & intuition so I was starting to think perhaps I must be an INFJ…
This is the first time I have heard anything about the logic of the INFP. I have always been a very creative person in many respects - I have a vast imaginary life & did since I was a tiny child. It’s honestly my happiest - when I’m fully separate from reality, in my imaginary life & I have little connection to reality beyond what I have to. But also I did a maths degree. I am naturally good at logic. I don’t love it. (I am now a music therapist as my job & have set aside much of that aspect of myself) but I can do it. I mean, I have a maths degree from Cambridge, so while I was rubbish in the scheme of Cambridge mathematicians, I guess I did get into Cambridge from a state school so my mind does work in that way! It’s just a fact. I have a maths mind. And I have a perfectionist side. I am absolutely never late for things as the standard INFP description types us. And I plan some things. Like trips. Although my physical world is messy & disorganised, in my work (though I don’t plan that) I am in some ways kind of meticulous. I’m not just totally airy fairy (& some folk perceive me as more organised than I truly am, others as a fae little fairy (I wish I was a fairy!!!) which is also not the full me!)
Also, while I know my beliefs & absolutely can argue them rationally with good friends (& enjoy doing that), I don’t always do that. I often bite my tongue for example I have a client who keeps me 3-4 hours in a place I’m supposed to be for 0.5 hours. I let her do that. If she talks beliefs to me I am utterly opposed to, I say nothing or even verbally agree. So I do dampen myself for others. Does that mean I must me an INFJ, I wondered… Even in art: I live theatre but I cannot bear even a play where everyone is shouting at each other. I feel it like terrifying butterflies inside & get a fight or flight (& I want flight!) reaction!!
And I sometimes feel like I just feel what others feel too…. And do I really know my own feelings? Well. Yes. I absolutely do! But I don’t always know why I feel how I feel. And I don’t often talk about how I feel to anyone. At least not verbally. I’m fine writing it online to total strangers!! 😅
At the same time, I absolutely don’t care about relationships beyond good friends who I love… and I do (weirdly) find people sometimes want to be my friend & I have no idea why! It happened as a child & I don’t encounter people much now as I’m not really interested in connecting with new people. But weirdly sometimes new people want to connect with me, it seems. Once they have connected, I am there for them forever. But while they’re trying to connect & I haven’t connected yet - sorry but I’ll be 100% polite & nice & (I hope) kind, but I feel nothing for them yet & wouldn’t do anything for them yet. Ooops! 🫣 Not great for someone who considers myself pretty empathetic to admit, eh?
But the longer this video went on, for the absolute first time I just kept thinking more & more - yes - I reckon I am an INFP - that is me! I can’t thank you enough. I’d actually got to a place where I was exploring avenues & each would suggest I was the opposite & I was starting to think I must be nothing & neither personality type as I am loath to type myself as something I might not be!!!
Anyway, yeah - I’ll listen again as for the first 3/4 mins I was like “Maybe I could be an INFJ….” & I’m worried that the scientific talk is what is skewing my first feeling of certainty of being an INFP… so I’ll listen in a quiet time to be sure.
Either way, this is uniquely helpful (as I have experienced thus far in my type-discovery journey.) So - huuuuge thanks! ✨🥰💜💫🌌
Idk... I'm just going to accept the fact that I may be both. I know that people say "you can't be both" and I get it, but it seems that the more videos I watch and the more that I read, the more that I become confused. The reason being that every time a characteristic is mentioned of either an infj or an infp I can relate to each one equally. I really want to know which one I am but I'm getting tired of these dead ends I keep running into. Someone help me! 😂
I'd recommend seeking out a type service or extensive study into cognitive functions!
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory thanks!
me too- I'm just so confused haha
I’ve run into this brick wall in my head too many times now. I gave up, and then this intelligent guy showed up on my CZcams and his information, clearly studied is giving me insight, far deeper than CS Joseph. Even though it feels I relate to everything both, still, he’s pointing out things that steer me towards what my intuition always had me at, INFP
Have you considered that perhaps you may have both Fi and Ni, making you an ISFP? I feel like an ISFP may be able to relate to both INFP and INFJ as they have Fi (INFP) and Ni (INFJ) first. This makes sense to me atleast.
Thank you! I have identified as a type 5w4 INFP on the spectrum to feel like I was able to fully categorize my personality, and quirks. You mention such specific instances that are traits of an INFJ that fill in the blanks, the ways that I was not quite relating to the INFP. I felt like a bit of an imposter, having to manipulate meanings a bit and bringing in new identifiers to encapsulate my experience. My partner tells me that "I have a unique way of doing everything" and I struggle immensely with intuitively knowing how to go about things mechanically. I felt like my brain must be a little broken. This video so far is the most detailed and valuable in differentiating these types on a microscopic level, and it genuinely helped me whereas so many videos added to the confusion and kept saying opposite things of another.
I really enjoyed your unique take on INFPs! I think our biggest advantage over INFJs is maybe that we can utterly detach from the real world, or at least from people, while INFJs seem more enmeshed in things. Does this seem accurate? I was discussing the same thing in regard to ISFPs with a friend recently.
Anyway love the depth of your discussions!
Thanks a lot!
Yes, I'd definitely agree that INFJs have difficulty detaching while enmeshed within the situation - the Fe authority generally doesn't permit it :)
Greatest description of the two types so far!!!
There really is a lot of mistyping between the two! I'm an INFP, but was raised as though I was INFJ, so I almost always had INFJ results on the various MBTI tests, including the official one. In reality, my SN and JP are both close together, while being a feeler and introverted are completely easy to see by anyone paying attention. They're both over 95% no matter when or where I test, and no matter what circumstances. Haha
This is so often the case! Truly, tests should not be relied upon to determine type :)
I’ve struggled with expressing myself all my life. Thank you for helping with that dilemma!
My goodness, what a helpful video! It certainly helped me feel solidly in the INFP camp.
This is just beyond brilliant! Thank you endlessly! Adding this to my stack of info that will be forever updated 😂
I have just recently discovered your channel. This is a wonderful exegesis of INFJ - INFP differences! It just so happens that you perfectly describe the relationship between me (INFJ) and my brother (INFP) - who BTW introduced me to type theory. We get along really well, see the world very similarly, and are a very effective team when tackling a problem together.
As an INFJ I’ve become aware that my brain is a theoretical machine - it is constantly devising theories & collecting evidence either for or against (but not necessarily trying terribly hard either way), as if that is the only way it can understand objective reality. When I happen to share one of these theories - which I live among - with my brother the INFP he is immediately suspicious and straightaway goes about applying every bit of (to me) random bit of external data trying to poke holes in it. 😂 I’ve since learned to keep most of my theories to myself since they seem to upset him, and only pull them out occasionally, eg when they might help clarify a particularly knotty problem or situation.
The bit about INFJs noticing micro expressions is SO TRUE! I’ve seen the most shocking things fly across people’s faces that others seem to miss. One concrete example: a person in my employ was accused of sexually harassing another. We all worked together in a high pressure, open but confined area (restaurant kitchen) where seemingly nothing can be hidden. The person accused was a highly responsible, skilled, effective worker, a respectful good communicator. I was really taken aback by the accusation but I was responsible for the work environment, so I became more alert. One evening I was passing the station of the accuser, and happened to glance backwards in the general direction of the accused. I was shocked to intercept a look on the accused’s face - aimed directly at the accuser - of what could only be described as pure unbridled lust, a flagrant leer, passing across their face. It vanished as quickly as a vapor, but it was enough for me to grasp its intensity. From that moment on I scheduled them to work different shifts; thankfully the issue did not escalate.
Thank you for your excellent videos. They are quite validating.
This is the best break down I've seen so far, thank you for this very interesting analysis. I'm reassured that I am in fact INFP.
I've never heard a person talk in cursive until today! Pleasant!
You have the best breakdowns on mbti. As an infp I can conjure up very good plans to achieve large tasks. I have the master plan but I do lack the smaller details. Finding and asking for specific help with tasks is how I move forward effectively. Luckily my dad is ESTJ. Another thing is that since the Infp sees so many possibilities the only way I can understand a large system is by understanding the large framework components first. I simply cannot remember every detail because of information overload.
I really appreciate you saying that!
Indeed that's a very fortunate advantage - the ESTJ often sees multiple possibilities but excels at bringing them into allignment.
Conversely, it's the INFPs big-picture observational capacity that makes them so great with holistic systems!
Thanks so much! Your videos have really helped me solidify that INFP is my type, first vs. INTP and now vs INFJ. Also just genuinely fascinating to watch your deep dives.
Thanks for sharing in such great depth, Harry! Glad this is not a live webinar or sort so I can pause or replay parts of this Tutorial!
Personal experience with my boss (INFP suspect) -
Whilst I admire him for doing up systems that help me to analyse information faster and more fluid, and he just takes the analysis without questioning much, he totally meddles in how I work (or want to work) with my team.
Oftentimes I try to convince him of the possible outcome and I often bit my lip from saying "I told you so..." I didn't see that as arrogance - I saw that as conviction :)
I was grieving why he doesn't trust me in this aspect. Not anymore - now I understand how to communicate to him with what I see :))
This is great to hear! Cheers :)
Thank you so much for taking so much time and breaking all of this down. I had to pause this video every other minute to think though lol way too fast for my brain - INFP :). You're amazing though!
I do speak pretty fast to be honest!
My pleasure :)
Powerful man! What a FLOW :)
Thank you man!
Thank you for your videos, man. I'm so tired of the sensitive, crybaby , depressed stereotype of INFPs . Keep it up.
If one could give 10 likes to one video instead of 1, I would give this full 10 likes. This was well made, structured, and in-depth analyzed comparison, so good job! From INFP.
Thanks so much!!
I'm an Infj and my younger sister is an INFP(she recently discovered with my help).
I can confirm the information here, of course, with some differences here and there since everyone has their own indendity and preferences/traits.
But cognitively speaking, it's spot on! ;)
This has been clearest explanation of the differences I have come across. Thanks.
Great to hear!
I am an INFP and my adult daughter is an INFJ. Thank you for illuminating these differences! It goes a long way to help us understand each other!
This video actually shed light on interactions that I (an INFP) have had with an ENTJ. I am too wishy-washy in my opinions from their point of view, and they oversimplify important issues from my point of view.
I am so glad I watched this video. It is logically organized and presented and really helped me understand the two types. Thank you!
Spot on, of course! I am infj and my husband of 12 years, 17 years of being together, is infp. We make a fantastic pair. Our differences and similarities make us quite a force in life. He can pull me out of my Ni-ti loop. He is the one person in my life who understands me.
It really can be an unstoppable duo can't it!
Thanks for your comment :)
Yep, THE communication... I envy. i KNOW really everything i feel all the connections, causes and processes, but cannot express it 😢 ENVY!!!!
Aye!
Shrewd lucidity in the delivery of your content. Deft & dextrous. Muy astuto. Gracias.
Much obliged!
Amazing video! I finally understand why I was feeling so in between the two types..
This was an amazing video!! Infj here! Be very proud!
Thank you! Will do!
Spot On! Very good analysis of both types. I really couldn't care less which personality type I am. However in an attempt to better understand myself I have been on a pursuit to determine my actual personality type. I never have had the feeling of "fitting in" but that has never bothered me. I have always known I'm "different" from everyone else. The more I learn about my personality type the more I realize there is nothing "wrong" with me.
I must tell you I am most appreciative of your detailed explanations of the most confused personality types. Your videos are a breath of fresh air to me. I have had much difficulty with the logic of many of those other personality tests. They all just have such generic vibes to them. Not to worry now that I have found your videos that confirm my suspicions of those tests.
I am looking to live up to my best potential. I am considering a career change and want to make the best choice possible. Having an accurate idea of my true personality type is very beneficial for me right now.
Thank you for your brilliant explanations & clarifications on so many misconceptions out there.💙
This is an excellent and much-appreciated comment - I wish you the very best for your potential career change!
Thank you for making this contents. I am in journey to find myself and begin to learn this mbti type now. And it helps me a lot.
This contents is relate so much for me as a self-claimed INFJ.
And relate so much with my relationship to a new dearly INFP friend. I love INFPs! This is the first time I can speak my mind out without insecure of not being accepted. They appreciate my way of thinking very much, I love them.
I'm amazed by how specifically similar your conception of cognitive function dynamics is to mine 😆 It's like watching a rough draft being properly organized into a more objectively articulated product. I can relate to a few INFJ CZcamsrs but this can verge on an almost identical pattern of thought to my intellectual process. I like how you hit on the way INFJs can successfully express on behalf of INFPs. 2 of my closest peers (20+ years) are INFPs and my ability to pin down expression for them has been a major bonding point. they've been a great influence on me 🤗 and have "begrudgingly" acknowledged eachother 😉😆😆
It's a super cool dynamic!
This is a very well explained and concise video. You have hit the nail on the head with all the nuances of an INFP personality. Thank you for helping me to understand myself more as an INFP.💐💐
I'm new to CPT and it's kinda blowing my mind. A close friend is an INFJ and I'm an INFP. We get along so well, but now and then have some hiccups that now make so much sense. She often misperceives a comment I make as me judging her or looking down on her for being different from myself when it's nothing of the sort. She feels a slight where I meant none, which makes me feel like I've communicated my perspective poorly (which I probably have!). I think my 20-yr-old son may also be an INFJ, so this relates to him/us as well. Such a helpful video. Thank you! 😊
You did a really good job with this.
Much appreciate 👍
I played the Ni/Ti INFJ part at least three times because it gave me bubbles of happiness in my chest. That is exactly how I have always tried to describe myself and my motivations to others but I never could quite put the words to it... but yes.. novelty, the emphasis on new truth rather than just the truth, building up that internal mental landscape. My stepdad used to call me "Brat" as a nickname because I was always playing the devils advocate as a child and I enjoyed causing a bit of mischief socially. The word forward is spot on. There is no stopping my curiousity as I find new perspectives, new information, new truths that I can kind of toy with and constantly bend, twist, mold into different shapes and patterns so that I can better see. Its beautiful, like a work of art that is precious and important but seen only by me unless I seek to share it. And I do. Usually in a massive wall of text. I greatly enjoy lending others my ability to see things differently. Thank you for that description.
Edit:
I commented too soon before watching the rest of this. I cant explain how soothing this video has been. I mean, your description of being fearful and like our identity is under attack is spot on. It feels so nice to be seen and understood in a way I actually identify and dont feel threatened. Its like a balm to the soul.
In a group of people the INFJ will evade any kind of action which will result in a negative emotional outcome---- yes. I just think of it as keeping the vibe flowing so that everyone can continue to go forward.
Ok, I cannot comment on everything because thats obnoxious but the rest is just as accurate.
Okay, I lied. "Emotional disharmony is the ultimate pressure point." Very true. I grew up in a very emotionally turbulent household with a lot of violence. It drove me literally to the brink of my tolerance many, many times over the years. I am forever trying to soothe the emotional atmosphere just so I can think, breathe and let my muscles relax. The more I cannot predict, the higher my anxiety and the more rapidly my energy drains due to the immense amount of focus I spend juggling the needs of everyone in the present circumstance. It blocks me entirely from my creative equilibrium and distracts me from formulating my internal reality and vision.
This was extremely informative. When I took the 16 personalities test, I received the infp result. After watching this video I have come to the conclusion that I am an infj. Thank you for clearing things up!
Best one I have seen so far on this topic thank u
Oh good this explains why my mom (INFJ) is deep in a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. The purchasing of the food storage and buying silver and waiting for the end of the world. I’m over here as an INFP trying to understand her and that’s why I’m here. That’s why I had her take the test so that I can better understand my mom’s brain. Thank you!
Thank you for making such high-quality video's (both info-wise and video-wise)! You are doing a great job! You should really have more subscribers... And I am sure they will come:) Have an awesome day! Much love, from a thankful infp.
Thank you! Will do and same to you!
This is extremely dense and well organized. (Definitely IFNJ work lol) - I think this is not beginners understanding level, though. An fairly familiar with it but this took a lot of concentration.
I also think it's a very INFJ thing to explain abstract concepts and theories without giving specific examples which I personally like as I think of them as I go along and when they are given, the emphasis can be too much on the example (or become sidetracking / story telling) and sort of shadow the concept/ theory.
- I am really starting to think that only an INFJ can follow (or maybe even sit through) an entire presentation by another INFJ. - Do other types than these 2 even care about personality types? :)
Many thanks! Ahh yes you're right, while I'm working on it the content of this channel does tend to be more advanced theoretically.
Haha, been gradually working in examples but I can tell you it has not been natural!
I am pretty sure I’m an INFP because the INFJ’s function stacks have never really matched up for me, but one thing you covered that resonated with me is how for all the talk of both types being “philosophical”, from my limited experience it can be INFJs that, deep down, are more willing to innovate and come up with what I see as crazy / unworkable ideas lol. I’ve had moments with INFJs where I almost seemed like a realist in the face of their grander visions. A fundamental difference in my experience is that INFPs deep down can often have simpler and less ambitious goals than INFJs. If I had to sum up the difference, INFJ likes to come up with workable, tangible strategies to fulfill their very idealistic inner visions. INFP is the opposite and what I mean by that is at least for me, where I differ is the fact that I take a more idealized approach towards fulfilling more down-to-earth / simpler ends.
I’m definitely not much of a “hard” philosopher and have little interest in getting to the bottom of things for their own sake. I learn as much as I need to have a basic understanding that can let me use that knowledge should the situation arise. Long and winding theory and deep analyses bore the heck out of me, and as you pointed out, I’m more of an “if it works and lets me do what I want, why look for more” kind of individual than someone who likes to try out new things and innovate for its own sake. I also have little interest in refining / fine-tuning my logic and don’t care much about someone’s thought processes as long as we feel the same and agree on what I see as important stuff. I’m not one to scrutinize something logically as long as it resonates with feeling.
I also have little interest in “fulfilling potential” in myself or anyone else, for me the bottom line is preserving the subjective ideal and living it out in a way that gives me a sense of general stability and fulfillment, and I tend to not remember the process fondly if the results aren’t what I want.
Let’s also remember that INFPs, despite the P, are dominant Judging while INFJs despite the J are dominant Perceiving. I definitely notice greater interest in “high” intellectualism and more of an insatiable curiosity in different beliefs, philosophies, and systems in INFJs. INFJ wants to understand and piece these different systems together and use it to understand their significance for different facets of the human experience. I, on the other hand, am a lot more reluctant to take in or even moon into information that I see as contradicting my internal subjective ideal, my desire to understand is not nearly as strong as my desire to scrutinize.
Truth to me tends to be more externally derived, coherent. I feel more comfortable with fewer gaps that let me decide how I feel. INFJs, again in my experience, tend to see the essence of Truth as something more internally derived and not necessarily tied to an existing set of beliefs and practices. They tend to be more comfortable IME with more unknowns, so they can constantly refine their quest towards Truth.
INFP, despite the P, have a stronger need to define the meaning of something for themselves. INFJs, on the other hand, are more live and let live in their internal processes and aren’t as compelled to define, they just want to take it in and experience it in its rawest form.
And thus a potential point of conflict I’ve come across is that INFJs think INFPs rely too much on “hearsay” and “external sources” without a refined internal logical process. They think INFPs haven’t “thought things through” or “looked deeply enough.” In contrast, INFPs think INFJs spend so much time trying to come up with internal frameworks and deciding what makes sense to them more than they should (because INFPs want something to work with that leads to a concrete conclusion of some sort- accept / reject, true / false, A or B), and it’s not natural for INFPs to trust Ni and Ti when we don’t see enough external consensus and evidence that convinces us the INFJ’s conclusions reached via Ni and Ti are indeed worth considering.
INFP gets more upset when our feelings aren’t expressed in a way that’s authentic and applicable in the outside world (Fi-Te), whereas INFJs IME get more upset not necessarily because of the way they feel, but more so when their vision of how the world ought to be cannot materialize through concrete, physical expressions (Ni-Se).
The concrete vs. abstract memory difference is also quite noticeable. My recollection of information and the past is a string of specific events and facts that can be called up from a sort of mental “database.” When I look deeply into something, I go piece by piece, fact by fact. INFJs on the other hand have a more impressionistic and broad memory without necessarily remembering too many details. From what I’ve seen, INFJs do research on something by identifying the underlying fundamentals and principles that they can then use to assess the logical validity and objective emotional impact of.
INFP, at least myself, is basically someone who thinks about a lot while wanting to live a life away from it all lol. INFJ is someone who wants to make an impact and has a lot on their minds even though their life appears simple lol. So in this regard I believe INFJs can be a little harder to satisfy because they care so much about an impactful vision, whereas INFPs want our emotional authenticity and sovereignty to be respected above all while devoting time to the few things that matter to us. INFJ is more “out there” and is less afraid to engage with the world, because they can put their personal feelings aside when it comes to the nitty gritty of fulfilling their greater vision that they see as having broad appeal. INFP is more protective and idealistic in this regard and IME doesn’t think as big.
INFP to an INFJ can be very black and white in the way we feel about things while not having a greater perspective in mind, while INFJs to us can seem so black and white and overly single minded on what the INFJ sees as a unifying, all encompassing vision for how things ought to be while being overly flexible with some aspects of feeling. In this case, INFJ can see the INFP as being “selfish” and not concerned enough about wanting the “greater impact”, while INFP thinks the INFJ is being overly ignorant of what the INFP sees as outward signs that make the INFJ’s vision too radical / impossible to implement, or perhaps the INFP sees another alternative altogether (usually a more individualistic solution).
I would say both types can be very intelligent, but when it comes down to Ne / Si vs Ni / Se, or maybe to a degree, Te / Ti, INFP has more categorical intelligence while INFJ has more analytical intelligence.
I just met a new co-worker/friend and we've been getting along spookily well. Cognitive Personality Theory came up and she said she was an INFP, and I'm an INFJ. I remembered your video and it helped explain why we were connecting so well. 😅 Thanks, it was really interesting.
Thank you! I often find the connection with INFPs spooky too - it's so interesting how different thinking patterns can arrive at oftentimes similar viewpoints and values!
waouh, very intense and theorically rich explanation ! Thank you very much, you made me realize important truths : contrary to what I imagined, Fi-dom is not an outer affirmation of one's values & feelings in the external world
First of these types of vids I've ever watched. You def seem an expert in the nuances' of personality types. I guess I need to figure out how I can use this info beneficially
I just listened to your "signs you're not an infp/not an infj" videos and I believe what has helped me understand the differences between these types for me, is what you say around 25:15: Infps use components, whereas infjs work on an atomic scale. This is helpful, thanks.
Really glad to hear!
When I first watched this video a long time ago, it was difficult to understand as I hadn’t met an INFP firsthand. But ever since I met her more than a year ago, at least 90% of what you said is now accurate based on the amount of time, observations and conversations I had with her.
Yay! I finally know that i'm an INFJ. I got INFP on the 16 personality test but I felt like even though some if it made sense, it didn't really resonate with me. Then i somehow stumbled upon an INFJ vlogger and got deeply immersed in his videos. After every single one I was left thinking, wow, he's just saying exactly what's in my head. I've never related to someone as much as with him. And then i took another online test - Psychology Junkie i think - and i really took time thinking about the answers and relating to my previous life experiences and i got INFJ. Then i came here to see if this confirmed it and it appears that it has! I'm definitely not reliable at completing tasks and understanding all the mechanics of things and I absolutely hate emotions flying around, or conflict and arguing. If it's bad I just leave, I take myself out of the situation. But if i see things are going in what could be a bad direction, I'll try to diffuse it or just change the subject.
I used to absolutely hate feeling like people were angry or upset or had any negative feelings towards me. So much so that I would end up getting really anxious and feeling physically sick sometimes. I've always struggled with anxiety (especially social and anticipatory) but in the last 2 years I've been seeing a therapist and doing meditation daily. I'm now very into the spiritual world - doing courses and reading different books about different practice, ideologies and believes, but I don't really subscribe to any one. Anyway, it's definitely helped me to get out of my head and not get so anxious about things.
What you said about the INFP not being connected to the concrete world much at all, really hit me as well because connecting to the here and now, being in nature etc, is one of my favourite things. If i'm not in my head ruminating then I love to feel connected to the world around me - walking on the beach, in the forest etc. Even just looking at flowers in the garden! And i also love to people watch, I love sitting in a cafe just observing people, or even just observing people on the street - I'm not sure if that's a particularly INFJ trait though. My therapist has told me that i "track" her.
Anyway, thanks so much for making this video & sharing your knowledge. I think I might fall down a cognitive function rabbit hole now!
I'm an infp and I relate to the anxiety, the people watching and the love for walking outside, being grounded in nature, looking at flowers etc. I know other infp's who feel similar so I wouldn't see those as infj traits. :)
@@claramercier7924 Yeah, I've since figured out i'm actually INFP! 😂 I think.... The more i look into functions i definitely use introverted sensing and extroverted intuition. I used to think that extroverted intuition would mean I'd be constantly coming up with amazing ideas and stuff. But now i realise that it's more the random little connections and jumps my mind makes - especially like when a person says a couple of words that remind me of a specific song lyric or movie quote etc.
How are you able to break this down all so perfectly? My God. Lol I'm an INFP & you're quite impressive to me.
I really enjoy your videos; you’re highly articulate and perceptive about the nuances between types. I also think this video is on point in most respects; your descriptions of the different types of empathy are perfectly on the mark, for instance!
However, there are a few places where I feel you’re just slightly off-base. I’m an INFP and have been certain of that for over fifteen years, but if I watched this video without understanding how you’re deconstructing the functions, I might be led to believe I’m an INFJ. Having previously spent almost a decade in a relationship with an INFJ, I feel that your points on the INFJ are more consistently accurate than those on the INFP (not surprising, given that you are one!), and I think you’re overstating the types’ differences a bit, perhaps to compensate for their tendency to mistype as one another. I think this is also because you’re over-theorising the differences between the cognitive functions rather than recognising that in actuality, these differing functions actually result in a plethora of similarities. Often, we come to the same place but get there by different routes.
A few points I noticed:
- I understand where you’re coming from, but you’re overstating the difference in disciplines that appeal to these types. INFPs are not more likely to go into the hard sciences or mathematics than they are to go into the arts or humanities. In fact, one way in which these two types are similar is that both are more drawn to and are usually stronger in the latter.
- INFPs do not like authority, nor following instructions. In fact, we readily detest these things and find ‘rules for the sake of rules’ abhorrent, just like INFJs. What you’re identifying is a stubbornness on the INFJ’s part to be told what is true - again, you’re right in your INFJ description here - and that INFPs are more likely to entertain the theories and concepts of others, patterns which they didn’t themselves identify. However, this does not translate to enjoying working in an environment where there are many rules and restrictions; INFPs far prefer professions where they can make their own schedule and where they don’t need to be told how to do things. They’re highly individualistic and need to follow a path that aligns with their value system (something which you’ve somewhat underemphasised here). I understand what you mean by it, but it’s more true to say that INFPs are ‘systematic and orderly’ when it serves something they’re passionate about, something they deeply value.
- Many INFPs are highly theoretical and enjoy developing new theories. I know you’ve acknowledged that one isn’t necessarily more philosophical than the other, but I think you’re overstating the INFP’s reliance on other people’s theories and unwillingness to develop their own theories. I’m an academic in the humanities and developing new theories is what I do for a living, and know several other INFPs who come up with brilliant new theories. I think the more important thing to note is that while both INFPs and INFJs are highly theoretical, they go about it in different ways. Like ENFPs, INFPs tend to have impressions of the ‘bigger picture’, of a pattern which they perceive to exist in the world, and then tend to work backward, filling in the details to prove their theory. INFJs work from the ground up, developing their theory in depth in all of its components. If the two types are well developed, they’ll meet each other on either end and, because they prioritise similar aspects of human experience, will often reach similar conclusions. However, INFPs can have the problem of having many theoretical impressions that they don’t follow through on enough, and which therefore remain quite generalised, while INFJs can have the problem of getting stuck on specific patterns and not going wide enough in their theorising. INFPs are not as flighty as ENFPs in this regard, due to their heightened Si, but it’s as much a mistake to understate the INFP’s love of theorising as it is to understate an INTP’s love of theorising. In fact, in comparison to the INFJ I dated, I found that I was often able to see and articulate an even bigger picture than he was; because Ni is resistant to contending with a multiplicity of ideas at once, it doesn’t always get as far as seeing the connections between all those ideas. However, you are absolutely right to highlight how an INFJ is better at being detached. He was better at maintaining distance in his theories; not all of them needed to fit into an internal value system as much as mine did, because my Ne is always brought inward and used to develop and bring further nuance to the internal values and principles I hold.
- I entirely disagree with your suggestion that INFPs are weaker in communicating concepts than INFJs; I understand how you’re theorising it, but if anything, the opposite is true. INFPs, like other NPs, are very good at generalised ‘gists’ that explain a complex idea in simple terms. INFJs, on the other hand, have a habit of dancing around the most crucial points in an effort to express the components of the pattern (in part because, as you quite rightly point out, INFJs are better at accessing those components off the top of their heads, but also because NPs are more prone to holistic thinking and NJs are more prone to pluralistic thinking). I often think, when listening to an INFJ explain a concept, that they ought to hurry up and just get to the salient point before they lose people!
Anyway, very long story short: the types really aren’t so radically different. In the grand scheme of things, they are deeply similar in that, despite very different internal wiring, that wiring achieves quite a similar outcome. I think it’s worth highlighting that.
Ah yes, it does depend on what one means by 'communication' - INFPs can communicate in a more relatable manner, for example.
Yes I do think on the whole this video over-emphasised differences for ease of audience contrast :)
Cheers for the kind words!
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory You’re welcome - thank you for making such thoughtful videos! For the record, your comparison of INFPs and INTPs was perfectly on point. I shared it with my INTP friend because it essentially touched on everything we’ve already discussed regarding our similarities and differences - it was uncanny!
You know, after writing this response I thought a bit more about it, and I agree that it really does just depend on what’s being prioritised in communicating a concept. I think that INFPs are better at articulating, succinctly, the essence of a concept, but if you ask them why it’s true, they may struggle to elaborate. INFJs are much better at the elaborating.
Anyway, I see why you were emphasising differences. I just feel that in general, it tends to be a bit overstated. I relate to INFJs on a much deeper level than I do to most other people. :)
Agree
yeah, i also think that, but I didnt get the last point, maybe bc i amnot an englis speaker xD. btw, I think you cam compare the Ne-Te of the INFP to the Ni-Ti of the INFJ, in the sense that is trying to get something with logical by the subjective world, but asking always if it is right to the Fi having Ne as authority and then Si as auxiliary, how could you as an INFP put the work of the things higher tjat any other "principal" functions. idk how to explain it, ok? but for example, i dont have to let my cat go to certain place that he loves, bc my mother would yell at me if she see i let he goes (isa current place so he escapes easy, and formy i dont see how it could harm him) and i feel fricking bad by taking him from there, i can see that it doesnt have any sense and i am being alert because i know how important is for him to discover and howbad feels for baing locked without understanding, and since it is something that have no sense, you can see how INFP fumctions are comunicating. i had this types of problems with the exterior world and myself whenever it is about the pet or the child od someone, and yes i end to het stressed with myself and start to be mandatory about it, but just against my will, havimg ah break about it, and an identital crisis bc it shouldnt be the way act, and also have not logical sense, and is more logical be open, so i cant see how an INFP could act like a ESTJ, but i think may the INFP could feel responsible, and also see the faults.
so, I think ypu have to see the ENTP, the ENFP or the INTP with the Ne use, they are cuestioning outside, ofcourse, the ENTP is using Ti like mainly, but INFP is using Fi mainly, it is not way something as relative as the exterior logic could be "solid" bc there is not Se, i actually thougth Se is the last thing INFPs is using or at least is wanting to use xD i mean, INTPs are not acting as ESFJs for having Fe
sorry if i am redundant
well i am seeing ESTJs have Si, but i think the way he explain Te is not all right, but i also get the logic, and also thougth INFPs use it, jusr not in like ceetaing things
You talked about the two parts that confused me as well. INFPs hate too much structure or academic systems especially if they aren't bought into it and my INFP husband is much better at describing things then me because I get too far into the weeds and want to use 5 different analogies and he's like I get it!! You don't need to keep explaining.
Cs Joseph got nothing on you, you're the man. Amazing analysis as always!
Much appreciated!
Wow! Thankyou for this video! Eye opening! Helped solve a misunderstanding between me and a close friend (my infp)
Thanks for this comment! Really glad to hear :)
Thank you so much! You explained it very well. Now I know without a doubt that I am an INFP.
Your videos are very analytical. Thank you for going so in depth. Also, you’re definitely way smarter than me lol I had a hard time keeping up w the pace
It's a very niche area to be honest, took me a while to fully grasp the intricacies myself :)
I identified with a lot of what you said about the INFP here, but not all of it.
Yes, I have a firm grasp on my identity and no matter what I learn or investigate, I don't feel as if I'm always in question with it or shifting in it. What I gather more so feeds and expands my predetermined ethical frameworks.
What you said about external logic resonated a lot. I know I'm a feeling type and am very connected to my emotions at all times, and have the capacity to feel very very deeply. Often times I wish less deeply, but I cannot turn it off and I always know how I feel, but not necessarily why at first. I can spend a lot of time unpacking why until I often go...yes!! and get a big break through, however I do tend to be highly objectively logical at the same time. I say all the time, "but the doesn't make any sense, why would it be done this way?".
I'm glad you addressed this, because often not only can INFPs mistype as INFJs, I feel they can also mistype as INTJs on certain tests as well that are more black and white and force the INFP to "pick one or the other " instead of more of a sliding scale. When a sliding scale test is there (always, sometimes, never ect), I always type as a feeler, usually 60/40 or 55/45.
I am really good at recalling events, statistics, dates, times, ect to people, and seem to have a real head for that, so that is the part that I appeared more INFJ in your description. I also hate emotional disharmony and can't really turn that off or detach from it if I'm in the same house. I grew up with a mentally ill mom and often times I'd have to leave, sometimes for days, weeks or even months to maintain emotional order until she stabilized more. I am extremely empathetic and can feel alot of external emotion and read people's vibes very well despite always being in touch with how I personally feel.
I agree though that despite all these descriptions and stereotypes, the INFJs I know just seem to be more on this earth than INFPs, and its confusing because most descriptions will say the opposite. I've witnessed it though. They can be pretty intensely present while talking to you, while as an INFP I can struggle with that, then after the interaction is over I will then go back and almost be "retroactively present" analyzing the frig out of it if that makes sense.
I have a very sharp memory for details though, both in the physical and mental, and do seem to have a pretty developed Si. I was a commercial cleaner for years, and even if someone moved a chair a few feet, I'd be the one to notice. I seem to have a nearly mechanical memorization too, yet if I don't consciously say..."if you keep repeating this, you're going to get screwed over. Quit giving so and so 500 chances. Remember last time?" So I feel my Si is great and shotty simultaneously.
Nowadays I simply don't give myself the option of doing a certain action anymore. That is hard because my mind craves the new, and actually do consider myself pretty innovative.
Emotional scientist. I like that though! You put the song, She blinded me with science in my head.
SCIENCE! 😂
Is that my money maker? Should I design Emotional scientist shirts? Lol.
I'd totally buy one of those shirts!
Thank you so much for leaving this super in-depth comment - as you indicate there will always be a degree of interpersonal variation and experiences we accumulate will always have a huge impact on our Type Development.
Re: attunement to the here and now, yes indeed! It's often posited that Ni dominants are the most experientially abstract but this is so often not the case - neutral INFJs in particular can be highly sanguine.
Love your comments on recall - as long as this video was this was something I could have touched on in more depth!
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory Thanks, Harry. I like the way your vids get me thinking!
I'll have to get to work on some designs haha..but in all seriousness, have been thinking about starting this type of endeavor for a while now as a creative outlet.
@@melbeth79 I think there's a huge market - definitely a niche that has yet to be filled :)
Hi I'm am a male Infp. I can relate to a lot of what you said there, not all. In particular Si, detailed memory. I thought we were supposed to be reasonably good at that?? Also that part about being present when listening, at same time though I'm reaching for possibilities, and solutions. Though like you I then go through the whole conversation afterwards. Sifting through the short videos in my mind plucking out patterns, and digging in deeper to find the real meaning, or more nuanced understanding of what they were trying to say. Can I ask what enneagram you believe you are? I'm pretty sure I'm 5w4. Tri type possibly 548.
@@Burtifly Hi, I believe I'm a 4w3.
As far as memory goes, I'm an elephant, I rarely forget anything. I still remember the birthdays of kids I went to kindergarten with and I'm almost 41now. Also memorize very fast. Can hear a song twice on the radio and usually almost know it word for word. I guess that's what I meant by mechanical memory. I just meant that its then frustrating to have that good of a memory, yet repeat certain actions when I've logically known they'd bite me. Now when I truly know something is going to bring me down I simply don't give myself the option of being in it's sphere anymore. It's hard but its essential. I think it may be our raging idealism that keeps that going and overrides our good memory. Personal life history mixed with idealism. Having idealism is great, but it obviously needs to be balanced, which is what I strive for now.
Thank you for this video, i find this amazing description of both types! ^^ i agree with everything (as and Infp, in my assertion) except i'm not too sure what my pressure points are. I can see how mechanical disorder would affect me especially if i think i can't do anything about it. It would bring me a lot of distress. But on the other hand, i imagined a situation when in a social group there is a person who is mean, arrogant, narcissistic etc, who is ready to walk over other people's boundaries to gain something. I think those kind of situations would probably tick me off alot, esp because you know that you can't talk sense into that person. I always thought that Fi dom and Te oppositional can display itself in a person who really dislike those who do not abide by rules, norms, morals, etics, reasonable behaviour etc when doing sth in the external reality to get what they want... Maybe i'm not getting the exact context you're talking about, and idk if this is Te pressure point. XD
Hi, just wanted to thank you for making my inner world more....it iwas like you took me by the hand and showed me where I belong in my inner world...you put some light in my inner world. Hugs from France 😉
Awesome to hear and thanks for commenting :)
I found this video very thorough, it runs into every nuance of cognitive balance. Your level of precision is incredible. I have wondered if I am introverted intuition or introverted feeling through observing Jung's theory. I look at what I am not great at, and I find that extroverted sensation is weaker in me and extroverted thinking stronger, so I would assume that I would be introverted intuitive dominant rather than introverted feeling. However, I feel confused now as your description of INFP fits me well. I am very good at sorting out how I feel, and can easily disconnect from people, the extroverted feeling world. I spend time analyzing how I feel about things, what my values are, sorting out my emotions. If people piss me off I am Ok at stopping the contact and just being alone. I am very educated and thorough with learning and being correct in details -a skill I worked hard at because of concern for being too subjective and misunderstood or just appearing dumb. I am a writer of fiction, and specialised in the humanities. I have emotional memories and sensory associations attached to them. It seems like the opposite function of introverted feeling, extroverted thinking, is a balancing function rather than completely hidden. Extroverted sensation seems more hidden, blind spot, but more clear as a balancing function to introverted intuitive dominant. It seems different to Jung's theory of the shadow, where the opposite is more unconscious. In Carl Jung's theory I would appear as introverted intuitive, feeling. Could I be both introverted intuitive and INFP? My personality type manifesting differently within each module? What you said about extroverted sensation being weak really resonated with me.
INFPs experience Ni both as a target and an unconscious pool of limitless ideas (operating as it does under Ne). Se is by far the larger blindspot of the type, as it opposes both Ne authority and Si auxiliary (an egoistic function); for as long as Te is observed more than acted upon, it tends to be a very strong function within the INFP.
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory thanks for your reply. Will ponder.
Excellent video. It would be better for someone visual like me, if you can add some slideshow to your narration. Great points. Thanks a lot. 🙏
You look like the introverted version of jacksepteceye. Ironically he is considered to be an ENFJ by most.
Haha interesting - I see what you mean!
He took the test and the result was enfp. He posted a CZcams video about it. I can see him as an ENFJ. I love how he delves into serious and emotional topics. He can be both playful and serious.
I've been watching plenty of videos to clear the air on the topic. And this one is the most structured and comprehensible: stack angles, time-log. Appreciate it a lot.
Subscribed.
Thank you!
6:50 *THIS!* Yup, I DEFINITELY am INFP. I actually originally glommed onto INTP first, because, analysis. (And, frankly, I'm a woman who's always been the weird girl. There are so few women as nerdy as me that the tiny percentage of the population that are INTP women began to feel very much like home). But over time, it became more apparent that INFP is more finely-tuned to me. Cuz also, feelings. And I've really settled in there. Found my people. But the lingering need to be SURE has also led me to relate with INFJ.
Thank you so much for clearing this up.
24:32 That being said, if my Se is one of my weaker functions, and I am a classically messy and sometimes even ditzy INFP, why do I feel so little resonance with not being in tune with the details outside me? I'm constantly taking everything in, to a fault. I'll notice the matching-color lint on your jacket, while also simultaneously taking in the same level of detail about nearly eveyone else on the public bus with me. I'll hear little bits of eight different conversations at once. My theory thus far is the reflexive and lingering hypervigilant tendencies I acquired growing up in a really crap situation. Cuz there is stuff I miss, especially just depending on the day. But I feel much more externally (sensing) aware, overall, than self-absorbed INFPs are usually given credit for.
Deep dive, damn! Ten minutes in and my head hurts, even though I put the speed on 0.75. I need to find information on the general structure of the MBTI types first. Then, I have a feeling this could really benefit me, clearing up my ongoing total and utter confusion about my type.
Most others appear to the INFJ as if their swimming in a sea of competing perspectives. But the INFJ has one perspective and makes it wide, very wide.
Hey, love your videos, this was the second comparison i watched and as im slowly getting into the mbti theory of personalities ive come across many sources of information and find your channel to be one of the most informative specific and interesting, despite struggling to keep pace at times i love watching your explanations, and it strengthens my understanding of myself and others. one thing i disagree on is the unoriginality of infp perhaps in comparison it pales to infjs creativity though i feel im being radically different than most people choosing to do the opposite sometimes for exploration and experimental. that point is also commonly said about infps as some of the most creative minds are associated with the infp personality type, such as J.K Rolling Vincent Vangogh and J.R.R Tolkien
I truly appreciate that!
Ahh I did not intend to portray the INFP as less original per se, but the INFJ tends to place a higher conscious emphasis on finding that originality - this does not mean the INFP would achieve a less original result. I'd posit Tolkein as an INFJ but can definitely see the others as INFP!
I had to stop the video and take notes it's processing...I like how INFP and INFJ's can work together. It's so balanced like a complete unit.
I agree!
@@CognitivePersonalityTheory Now all I have to, is get an INFJ friend in real life. Lol on the outside.
This is so helpful! Thank you. :)
Glad it was helpful!
Man ...I just thought I was nosy by watching the world around me and trying to process everything at once with one unifying theory ...who knew I was just seeking novelty. .thats definitely the most polite way I've ever heard it described...lol 👍
Haha
Your presentation was absolutely Amazing! Thank you for your time and energy spent here!
Subscribed!
Is it possible to do a video on how an infp' s functional develpoment (possibly would relate to functional confidence/expression?) taking into account childhood bullying, always being on the outside, plus choosing a career not recommended for infp's such as electrician? Would certain functions that would be normally strong become stunted/inhibited while others normally weaker be better developed? How would this express itself? Can this also cause misstyping?
Thanks so much for the comment and subscription!
I love this idea - the INFP is actually first in line for this type of video.
Extended/chronic durations of axial rotation (Te-Ne lead in this instance) can potentially cause mistyping, but on the whole developing this axis can lead to a much more secure cognitive stack.
I tested INFJ and INFP in different tests. I have always been lost in the mind. When I was a child I was a thinker type, very shy and a loner, and not emotional at all. And I had predictive abilities at times.Later at age 18 became more emotive as I became socially engaged.
I always been extremely focused in certain topics of interest in the search to understand the world. Things like science or psychology. Also always have been an humanitarian and an idealist. And I have also a contemplative nature, able to have insight from reality. Never been practical or authoritarian, so this makes me difficult to discern whether I have Te or Se as inferior function. And I am a very sensitive person, easily overwhelmed (is this Fe or Ne?), sensitive to criticism I guess, and at times also hypochondriac. I can also heal myself given time.
I struggle knowing if my dominant function is Ni or Fi.
I can identify with both but I know that's not possible and thus is bugging me.
In intimate relationships I react to what the other person is feeling, even if my partner does not express their emotion. I can always guess it. I wouldn't say I am a great listener. I am strongly intuitive.
I have strong ethics. One last thing I am often undecided and confused. I can also be a worrier. At times I can also be decisive and forceful. I shine when I can inspire and support others. But I can be often self centered. I like to talk and share what I found out. But I am certainly an introvert too.
Which type do you think I am?
There sounds like a decent amount of convergent Fi and divergent Ne :)
I talk as fast as you do on occasion when I really feel confident I know something and it all clicks together. My ENTJ friend says I talk very slowly lol. (But not when I am socially engaging with the emotional climate in a group)
- INFJ
So much can depend upon said emotional climate! I've noticed I talk more slowly among Ti-Si users, for example, but comparably faster among Intuitive Thinkers such as INFPs and ISTPs.
Hah, I definitely tend to talk faster when I'm engaged in an Ni-flow!
You got it spot on! 👌🏼
Thanks!