INFJ vs INFP: 5 Ways To Distinguish Them
So guys most of the people who are interested in MBTI and Types are often confused about the differences between INFJ and INFP. Those two are the most easy to be mistyped. Personaly I've been mistyped as an INFJ but now it's clear I'm an INFP.
In this post I'll write some important differences to tell them apart.
1. Judging and Percieving
These types may seem to be the same, but that last letter changes everythings. The INFJ uses Judging which means they are more methodical, they need some restrictions, orders, rules. They work with a plan and maybe they tend to make a to-do list. INFP however, uses Percieving which means they work in a more playful way. They don't see the importance of so many rules and they want to express themselves, so orders and plans are not their thing.
2. Cognitive Functions
INFJ = Ni > Fe > Ti > Se
INFP = Fi > Ne > Si > Te
The INFJ might be a Judging type, but they are driven by a Percieving function which is called Ni (Introverted iNtuition). Ni is their dominant function and it is about understanding the big picture of humanity. They take in information first and judge or form conclusions second. They percieve information from symbols, patterns etc. After that, they sum everything up and conclude. INFJ see the world for what it means and they fill the gaps.
On the other hand, the INFP uses Percieving but they are driven by a Judging function, called Fi (Introverted Feeling). Fi is like a personal compass of right and wrong. It judges first and percieves ideas second. Fi wants to decide based on strong, personal values and it has a powerful ethical code it should follow. INFP wants to decide first and take information later. They see everything in a personaly way (Fi).
What is more, INFJ's auxiliary function is a judging fuction, called Fe (Extraverted Feeling). Fe wants to create harmony and maintain balance in social norms and relationships. It won't be happy until everyone else is happy. However, INFP's auxiliary function is Ne (Extraverted iNtuition), a percieving function. Ne wants to brainstorm. It sees all possible outcomes and all the options. It jumps from idea to idea, without considering if those ideas have something in common.
As for the tertiary functions, INFJ uses Ti (Introverted Thinking) and INFP uses Si (Introverted Sensing). Ti is about understanding how and why the world works. It is very logical and seeks consistency. Si is about recalling past experiences and comparing them with the present. It seeks nostalgia and comfort.
Last but not least, the INFJ uses Se (Extraverted Sensing) as their inferior function which means that under stress the INFJ avoids external stimulation because it is so into its head and it loses touch with the world around it. Also, INFJs might enjoy sensory pleasures (food, alcohol, addictions, sex) when under stress and they hate intense things such us weird smells, tastes, many colours, noises etc. The INFP uses Te (Extraverted Thinking) as its inferior function and Te wants think things through a lot, but without doing anything to make it happen. INFP under stress can also be extremely critical, harsh, overly directive, sarcastic and may be obsessed with fixing errors, correcting others, mispellings, giving orders, grammatical or vocabulary mistakes etc.
3. Absorbing and Mirroring emotions
The INFJ tends to absorb emotions. This means that when someone has a problem, the INFJ won't just listen, but they will absorb other's emotions into their heart... They focus on other peoples' emotions. They actually feel exactly the way you feel. Due to their aux Fe, they know what you feel. They see your feelings more objectively.
The INFP tends to mirror emotions. This means that when someone has a problem, the INFP won't fully feel the way you do. They do imagine your pain though and they really understand your feelings, but due to their dom Fi, they feel things in a personal level only. They see your feelings more subjectively.
4. Social chameleon or different snowflake?
Yes, both INFJs and INFPs seek interpersonal harmony. Yes, they both avoid conflict. Yes, they both are complex and think in a different way. However...
INFJs are social chameleons. They keep everything balanced and they try to maintain harmony no matter what that means, even sacrifing personal convenience. Moreover, INFJs seem a lot more like extraverts because they need relationships and people (Fe). Many times, when in a conversation, they prefer to change their bodies' language, tone of voice etc., in order to feel more ''bonded'' and comfortable with others. They may also change the way they talk, the way they move and they look like people who modify their behaviour depending on who they talk with.
INFPs are different snowflakes. They do care about harmony but they will never sacrifice their individuality and internal values just to fit in. They will not be as they must, just for the sake of the greater good. INFPs advocate for staying true to yourself, even if that means ruining the atmosphere. And it's not about being selfish, but being real and following your heart and your personal ethics only (Fi). When they love something, they'll talk passionately about it, even if their opinions don't suit with others'. They want to help people become their most authentic and true self.
5. Desire to be Understood or Validated?
Although both types feel misunderstood, they feel it in a different way.
INFJs feel marginalized. They fear that they don't fit in and that others don't get them in a suitable way. This is happening because while they fully understand other people well, other people rarely truly understand them, due to the complexity of their characters. INFJs do not want to change your opinion or to convince you for something. They just want you to understand what they say, what they think. They don't ask you to adopt their beliefs, they just want to be understood.
INFPs feel similar. They fear that no one could possibly ever get them, but what they fear even more, is that someone may fully understands them. They don't really want to be understood, because if someone understands them, it means they lost some of their individuality and now they are the same with others. INFPs want to be validated from others that their motives and intentions are good when it comes to their actions and ideas.
To sum up, both types are highly emotional intelligent, complex, sensitive, altruistic and have a lot to offer to the world. Hope now you can type yourself better and understand the things that tell them apart, in order to be a better person..
Stay tuned ;)
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