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INFPs mistaken for INFJ and vice versa

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jetser

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I notice this is one of the most, if not the most common mistake people make when trying to guess someone's type.

I mean it's understandable, both NFs, both idealistic and things..

But the basic differences are so obvious that it should be more defined which is what and not be mistaken for each other all the time.

For starters they have different functions but you probably know that.
But more importantly INFJs are set (destined if you like) to please people while this couldn't be any further from an INFP.
INFJs are meticulous people (https://www.google.com/search?q=hol...ms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSra7z0eflAhXvs4sKHacDAZAQ_AUIESgB&biw=1920&bih=902), they do everything in a specific order - especially that they have inferior Se so they try to avoid unknown situations. INFPs are often all over the place and often seem random.

But the most important thing about them may be their relations to their feelings.
An INFJ doesn't really know what he or she feels, but is very much in sync with other people's feelings around them. ("I know she hates me. Don't ask me how but I know that.")
An INFP knows perfectly what he or she feels but everyone else's feelings are secondary to that.

That means if you see someone who does everything the same way everytime and is very confused about his or her feelings it is very unlikely to be an INFP.
Case in point: Joker. He's someone who couldn't be more serving and confused about his own state yet I see him typed INFP all the time.

And if you see someone who is very random and flexible and is a bit selfish about his or her own needs that is very unlikely to be an INFJ.
Case in point: Rose from Titanic. I see her typed INFJ all the time when she's the most selfish (and flexible) person on the planet.

Tertiary is also a valid point to prove someone's type.
INFJs want to verify everything (Ti child). INFPs have nostalgic tendencies (Si child).

That is very hard to catch, but the basic points are different enough to not confuse them all the time.

I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes just my two cents here. :rolleyes:
 
#2 ·
The only reason people confuse INFJs and INFPs together is because they are the two most popular types. They're not any more difficult to understand than any other pair contrast. People who bring up this question up are usually noobs trying to determine which of the two they are (Spoiler alert: they're probably neither) or people who actually know everything about this stuff but just want to raise this discussion over and over again.

By the same logic ESFP vs. ESFJ should be just as confusing, but no one asks about the differences because no one cares.
 
#4 ·
I think these are two types that are often very similar from the outside. Back when I just started out there was one student that I had initially typed INFJ but after talking to her about it it was clear that she was an INFP.

One other complicating factor is that Fi can show itself in a few different ways. One way is that for some INFPs they have a core value of helping others and caring deeply about other people. These INFPs can be so focused on other people's values and emotions that they can convince themselves that they actually feel these emotions (of course it's a projection from their own experiences, although that's no less valuable).
A lot of INFJ descriptions can fit pretty well for these caring INFPs. On the surface, they can be very similar, even though their brains are set up completely differently.

So it's a combination of bad understanding of the theory, bad understanding of the INFJ/INFP, stereotyping and sometimes a bad image of the self.

To be honest, a lot of people are pretty bad at explaining things in a way that people can both understand and use. Most descriptions are either so general that they're basically a horoscope or so technical that people can't connect to it. There's a middle ground somewhere but it's hard to find.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Stevester said:
The only reason people confuse INFJs and INFPs together is because they are the two most popular types. They're not any more difficult to understand than any other pair contrast. People who bring up this question up are usually noobs trying to determine which of the two they are (Spoiler alert: they're probably neither) or people who actually know everything about this stuff but just want to raise this discussion over and over again.
Click to expand...
I want to raise the discussion because this is one of the common mistypes and there is - really - no reason for it.

So it only exists because of false imagery people have about these types.

For example: both types come off as self-sacrificing and people serving. While this can be true, this is not a reason to type anyone anything.

The psychological distance between them is simply too high to just confuse them all the time.
 
#10 ·
So I have simplified mbti theory. There are two extremes: Introversion and intuition VS extraversion and sensing. The first two are aligned with the cat carnivorous species while the second two are aligned with the dog carnivorous species. The cat species can survive on its own and sees a different reality than the dog species and therefore is always very relaxed whereas the dog species is always on edge and needs a pack to survive because it is not intelligent enough. Also, the cat species is more attractive. Kittens are just irresistable, it's just a fact.
 
#12 ·
Zidane said:
So I have simplified mbti theory. There are two extremes: Introversion and intuition VS extraversion and sensing. The first two are aligned with the cat carnivorous species while the second two are aligned with the dog carnivorous species. The cat species can survive on its own and sees a different reality than the dog species and therefore is always very relaxed whereas the dog species is always on edge and needs a pack to survive because it is not intelligent enough. Also, the cat species is more attractive. Kittens are just irresistable, it's just a fact.
Click to expand...
ISs must be thylacines then, looks like a dog, but hangs out by itself. ENs are Meerkats. They kind of look adorable, but are crafty and savage little buggers.
 
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#13 ·
I'm not an MBTI expert but I guess the point is all in reading what each function mean and think which one reflect you the most.

I find it pretty straightforward, I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but if you are xxxJ you will tend to be a more controlled and organized person, while if you are xxxP you are more open to possibilities and flexible.
Obviously reality is continuous and dynamic rather than discrete and fixed, so there is always a "margin of error" in things (and in this case, functions), but one of them should be easier to recognize.

But again, I'm a noob, so why is there so much debate around this?
 
#14 · (Edited)
Interpretation through cognitive functions is one way to look at it; another is the simple strength of P and J (which inform the functions). An INF of either type who is weak on the J-P preference scale will inherently seem (and, more importantly, cognitively process) more like their sister type.

 
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Google Mail said:
I find it pretty straightforward, I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but if you are xxxJ you will tend to be a more controlled and organized person, while if you are xxxP you are more open to possibilities and flexible.
Obviously reality is continuous and dynamic rather than discrete and fixed, so there is always a "margin of error" in things (and in this case, functions), but one of them should be easier to recognize.
Click to expand...
Exactly that's my point, yes.
 
#17 ·
Google Mail said:
I'm not an MBTI expert but I guess the point is all in reading what each function mean and think which one reflect you the most.

I find it pretty straightforward, I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but if you are xxxJ you will tend to be a more controlled and organized person, while if you are xxxP you are more open to possibilities and flexible.
Obviously reality is continuous and dynamic rather than discrete and fixed, so there is always a "margin of error" in things (and in this case, functions), but one of them should be easier to recognize.

But again, I'm a noob, so why is there so much debate around this?
Click to expand...
Pretty much similar to how I view the distinction. Yes they’re both INF but one is a J, the other a P and those are huge differences. Very noticeable behavior wise as well. Of course, people are complicated and their preference for J or P might be so close in the middle that it’s hard to tell. Alright. Then, what about Fe vs Fi? That’s not as noticeable of a difference from the outsiders point of view but still quite different. One is more adaptable to the external environment and the other more rigid and focused on the inner workings. Then it circles back to how P can balance out the rigid Fi and J can balance out the adaptable Fe. It goes around in circles again and again. Well, that is if somebody is a very balanced person.
 
#18 ·
I don't understand how anyone can mistake J and P pairs. If you hesitate between them then this is the ultimate cue that you need to start from square 1 and learn about functions.

Just by appearance alone, Js tend to dress more conservatively because they feel to some extent bound to societal rules. P types tend to look more eclectic and rebellious.

Sharing the first 3 letters DOES mean their will be some core, encompassing similarities though, there's no denying that. STs will always be the ultimate realists and NFs will always be the ultimate idealists. But that's as far as it usually goes as they deal with the world around them in very different ways, if not, opposing ways.

In the case of INFJ vs. INFP for instance; One thinks that ideals need to be filtered through one single lens and the social climate, fitting in, receiving validation and being attuned to others' needs is of utmost importance. While the other one thinks that outside validation is meaningless, personal authenticity and being different from the crowd is top priority and sees ideals as a multi-faceted compenent that each need to be explored and entertained however shortly.
 
#19 · (Edited)
INFJs are most similar to their Ni-dom sibling INTJ, as well as ENFJ and ISFJ.

INFPs are most similar to their Fi-dom sibling ISFP, as well as ENFP and INTP.


INFPs and INFJs don't even share a single one of the other's function preferences.
However, in Socionics theory at least, they do share the same degrees of strength and weakness in eachother's functions as they're both proficient in Feeling and Intuition areas + weaker in Thinking and Sensing. And each's Demonstrative (6th) function is the other's Dominant. (In Socionics, the Demonstrative is the 2nd strongest function as opposed to the Auxiliary - I know, confusing).
Meaning, INFJs are also strong at Fi + Ne, and INFPs are also strong at Ni + Fe.
But it's just not going to be their proclivity to focus on these because they're still shadow functions. Strength is not the same as preference.


I suppose depending on what one's enneagram is though, it can color things and trip you up. An INFJ enneagram 4 will probably share quite a bit more in common with an INFP than a 2 or 5.
 
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Discussion starter · #20 · (Edited)
Hexigoon said:
INFJs are most similar to their Ni-dom sibling INTJ, as well as ENFJ and ISFJ.

INFPs are most similar to their Fi-dom sibling ISFP, as well as ENFP and INTP.


INFPs and INFJs don't even share a single one of the other's function preferences.
However, in Socionics theory at least, they do share the same degrees of strength and weakness in eachother's functions as they're both proficient in Feeling and Intuition areas + weaker in Thinking and Sensing. And each's Demonstrative (6th) function is the other's Dominant. (In Socionics, the Demonstrative is the 2nd strongest function as opposed to the Auxiliary - I know, confusing).
Meaning, INFJs are also strong at Fi + Ne, and INFPs are also strong at Ni + Fe.
But it's just not going to be their proclivity to focus on these because they're still shadow functions. Strength is not the same as preference.


I suppose depending on what one's enneagram is though, it can color things and trip you up. An INFJ enneagram 4 will probably share quite a bit more in common with an INFP than a 2 or 5.
Click to expand...
My opinion is that introversted function are always MUCH stronger than their extraverted counterparts.
To the point where INFJs can't even be called "Feelers" earnestly as they rely on their Ti understanding much more. Fe is simply for holding up the social norms, as a parental function.

Similarly, INFPs are much more Si than Ne. Ne is holding it together but the core parts are Fi and Si.

So my point is that you should easily identify if someone uses Ni+Ti or Fi+Si.
Both them being feelers shouldn't count as much.
 
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