[Ichigo]

So I realize not being able to tell whether I'm an INFJ, INFP, or ISFJ means that I don't really have a single function figured out XD, but I've been reading about all of the functions and how different types act and think and I can't really figure out which type I am (I'm pretty sure I'm not an ISFP; since Se is their auxiliary function and I have trouble living in the moment and I also have a crappy visual memory. I usually feel like I live in my head instead of my body).

I'm pretty sure I'm an introvert; I spend most of my time in my head and I prefer one-on-one conversations over group conversations (I barely talk if I'm in a group). I'm also quite shy and don't really wear my emotions on my sleeve. I prefer writing over talking and usually have trouble putting my thoughts into words unless I write them out (I'm a terrible public speaker). I can't tell whether I use Ne, Ni, or Si as one of my top two functions. For example, I have a good memory when it comes to things I find important. I can usually remember conversations quite well (especially written conversations), and I spend a lot of time thinking about the past (analyzing things others have said or done). However, I find that I have a lot more in common with intutives than sensors. Most of my close friends are INXXs, and I feel disconnect when talking to sensors. I like talking about theories, and I really get into them (like MBTI). I spend a lot of time trying to figure out the motives of others. I'd rather come up with a plan than deal with its execution. Also, I spend a lot of time questioning traditional ways, and would rather come up with new ideas for solving problems. I do like routine though. I don't think I fully understand the difference between Ni and Ne, but I don't usually share my theories or ideas until they're fully developed, if that makes a difference. Also, I'm not really that good at predicting what will happen next, which leads me to believe that Ni isn't my top function. But one thing that leads me to believe I might be a sensor is that I pay attention to detail and I'm a perfectionist. I also like step-by-step instructions.

As for Fe vs Fi, I don't really wear my emotions on my sleeve. I usually keep my emotions to myself. However, I act differently depending on who I'm talking to and I'm quite agreeable. I dislike conflict (although, at the same time, I'm kind of drawn to the idea of it and don't want to be someone that shies away from it). I have trouble with being honest with people unless I'm close to them (even then, there are some things I'm never honest about). I'm quite a bit of a people pleaser and enjoy buying gifts for other people and helping others. I care a lot about what others think and need acceptance. When reading or writing a story, I usually focus on the characters instead of the plot. I tend to value the people I'm close to over anything else, and am affected deeply by what happens to them, but I'm not really like this when it comes to tragic events in the news. I also think I could be a thinker instead of feeler since I'm not very good at sympathizing with other people unless I'm close to them, but even then I'm kind of afraid to use Fe. I feel like I have avoidant personality disorder or something, since I constantly want to use Fe and be affectionate but I'm very afraid of rejection. I'm also not religious at all, and I'm not spiritual either.

I feel like my inferior function is most likely Se, since I admire ESXP lifestyles even though it's not in my nature to act like an ESXP. I'm drawn to things that are pretty, cute, soft, etc and definitely enjoy spending money on those things. At the same time, I feel like Te could also be my inferior function since I dislike authority but am drawn to being a leader (even though I'm not really good at that).

I feel like I might be a J since I'm organized and I'm constantly making to do lists; I also like routine and I don't like being spontaneous.

 

[amongfirstslugs]

I think you're an INFP with at least somewhat developed Si. INFPs can be organized and perfectionist, so that's not an argument against it. What you describe as Se-inferior is not how Se-inferior presents itself. However, you write like you use Te (not succinctly and realizing your own point as you speak/type) and your thoughts jump around, which is how I find Te-inferiors sound when trying to explain things (plus, you describe being bad at public speaking because of this - Te-inferior). Do you find that you learn as you speak? Ti users more commonly have everything thought out prior to speaking.

Also you have very heavy Ne and Fi in my opinion. No Ni or Fe whatsoever. You almost sound Ne-dom/Fi-sec, but...I don't know, that'd make you Si-inferior, which I don't see. You're not necessarily an introvert by what you describe, though (you sound sx-dom). Being an F doesn't make you emotionally savvy - anyone can have issues of emotional repression/suppression. So, that's no argument for being T.

I apologize that I can't provide further explanation in my response but...my vote is INFP.

You should research Enneagram; it might help you figure out some stuff about yourself that doesn't fit into your Myers type. Some of the stuff you talked about sounds more like defense mechanism than function.

By the way you sound adorable!

 

[Aelthwyn]

My vote is INFP too, I don't feel like I have it in me to do a detailed complete response to all your different examples at the moment, but reading what you said my impression feels most INFP, and I can relate to much of what you said myself.

for one thing, although INFPs are Ps, I think our introverted judging being the top function can make us less spontaneous than the P stereotype implies. I know I need time to mentally prepare myself for things and don't like sudden changes I wasn't expecting - but at the same time I also dislike feeling locked into a particular plan or schedule, I like things to remain tentative but I DO like to have an idea of what's on the horizon rather than being dragged out the door at a moment's notice. I kind of like anticipating things too, so when I'm looking forward to something I hate when suddenly it gets changed and my happy expectations die before they've happened. I think INFPs often like security, and when things are too spontaneous the unreliability can make us uncomfortable.

our idealism can also make us perfectionists, and we can pay attention to a lot of detail in things that we're actually focused on. I know I used to say that I'm detail oriented, but being around my ISFP husband it gave me some new perspective, in that he seems to naturally notice details Everywhere just in passing, while I tend to be oblivious to a lot of stuff unless it's something important to me or something I'm focusing on.

mentioning liking step by step instructions my question would be in what contexts? because personally when I'm doing something for someone else (like homework or a chore) I want to know exactly how they want it done so I can please them. Plus I also tend to get overhwelmed easily by large tasks and will feel imobilized unless someone can break it down for me into smaller steps so I'm not looking at the whole mountain and thinking I don't even know where to begin. But, I also like the flexibility of not having to follow specific steps in a specific order when I can think of a different way to do something, or when I feel like doing this step now and that step later instead. I like figuring stuff out if it's something I'm actually interested in to begin with, and feel more engaged when I'm coming up with my own tactic, but when it's something I'm not interested in enough to want to bother than I Do like to have steps laid out for me so I don't just end up feeling lost and confused as to what I should do.

I feel like I use Te in spurts and when procrastinating - that is I can 'waste' hours coming up with an oganizational system for my books or the kitchen or what-have-you when I'm avoiding doing other tasks i really don't want to do, or when I'm bored. This gives me a feeling of being productive, even if I'm not being productive at the most important things. I'll do a bunch of organizing and cleaning at once, or I'll make a long list of things I plan to do, but.... I'm not so good at actually following through and maintaining these organizational systems on a regular basis.

 

[The_Wanderer]

I feel like my inferior function is most likely Se, since I admire ESXP lifestyles even though it's not in my nature to act like an ESXP. I'm drawn to things that are pretty, cute, soft, etc and definitely enjoy spending money on those things.

If that's a sensing function described there, it's Si, not Se.

At the same time, I feel like Te could also be my inferior function since I dislike authority but am drawn to being a leader (even though I'm not really good at that).

That's not Te, either.

I feel like I might be a J since I'm organized and I'm constantly making to do lists; I also like routine and I don't like being spontaneous.

Irrelevant. As most INFPs are similar to that. And I lean towards you being one of those, too much Si to be INFJ, not enough to be ISFJ. :laughing:

 

[BlackFandango]

for one thing, although INFPs are Ps, I think our introverted judging being the top function can make us less spontaneous than the P stereotype implies. I know I need time to mentally prepare myself for things and don't like sudden changes I wasn't expecting - but at the same time I also dislike feeling locked into a particular plan or schedule, I like things to remain tentative but I DO like to have an idea of what's on the horizon rather than being dragged out the door at a moment's notice.

The flip side of that is with us INFJs, while we prefer planning everything out ahead of time, being cautious, and processing everything at our own pace, the occasional big sudden change is often a welcome change of pace. Sometimes you just have to take it apart, and put it back together again in a new way.

 

[OrangeAppled]

ISFJ e9 is very possible. Enneagram 9s often think they are Ps.
Read Van Der Hoop's Introverted Sensing, Introverted Intuitive and Introverted Feeling Types. The descriptions are easier to grasp than Jung's, but give a clear picture of each type's ego. Remember that a type is the ego, so don't get stuck on superficial details.

IMO, this self description suggests ISFJ to me. INFP speak far more in abstract and conceptual terms regarding what's important to them. They mostly describe their inner state. You are quite literal and reference specific behaviors and experiences. You describe feelings more in relation to others than a personal identity, which INFPs tend to focus on.

 

[Winegums]

You sound more like an INFP than an INFJ IMO, or you're splitting the line like I do. I can read descriptions of INFP and INFJ and they both fit me equally, even tests will pop me up as 50F:50J.

It looks to me like you've got elements of both INFP and INFJ but the perfectionist comment you made makes me think you're more INFP.

 

[The_Wanderer]

You sound more like an INFP than an INFJ IMO, or you're splitting the line like I do. I can read descriptions of INFP and INFJ and they both fit me equally, even tests will pop me up as 50F:50J.

That's because the descriptions are inaccurate and the tests even more so. The only way to understand this stuff is to book up and also gain a black-belt in introspection.

 

[Winegums]

That's because the descriptions are inaccurate and the tests even more so. The only way to understand this stuff is to book up and also gain a black-belt in introspection.

By your logic we can't be sure of anything we study, so how would you know if something was inaccurate or not? If a dozen tests from different sources spit out the same results are the test results all wrong? If the vast majority of descriptions say the same thing are they inaccurate?

I'm no scientist but the Law of large numbers says that, repeated results over a large sample size are an indicator that something is accurate.

 

[The_Wanderer]

By your logic we can't be sure of anything we study, so how would you know if something was inaccurate or not?

I am amused as to how "booking up" becomes "can't be sure of anything you study".

If a dozen tests from different sources spit out the same results are the test results all wrong? If the vast majority of descriptions say the same thing are they inaccurate?

Depends very heavily on the test, the vast majority of them rely solely on the dichotomies and very simple yes/no answers to give results. Measuring by dichotomy is a problem because you can't be 50% P and J; all the J and P tell you is the attitude of your two dominant functions. I+J = Introverted Perceiving with Extraverted Judging, for example.

I'll let this video explain it better than I can care to.

As to type descriptions, they're mostly copied off each other and they're generally broad enough to fit multiple types of people. The worst descriptions are of SP and SJ types, especially SJ types, who get the short end of the stick in the typology community.