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What are the major differences between an INTJ and an INFJ? I first tested out as an INFJ but gave little thought to MBTI when I first heard about it (mainly because it was during a busy finals period). The next time I took it, I tested out as an INTJ (which was taken during a really busy school semester). I got really into it, and I could almost relate to everything and for a while I was convinced i was an INTJ.
However, once school ended, I tested out as an INFJ one summer - i was only taking one class (so less school-minded/thinking-oriented) and not working, so I had a lot more room to express myself (and not my thinking side) I guess. When I read about the INFJ, I related to everything on there and even now, it is amazing to see how well I relate to the other INFJs on here. Like dejavu said in one post, "In fact, it hits so close to home sometimes that it makes my head spin."
The thing is, sometimes I don't know if I really am a "F." I'm so aloof and I can sometimes be rigid when it comes to what is right and wrong. I know there's a lot of INFJ threads/post on us being the most aloof and coldest of the "F" types (or perceived as aloof/cold), but it bothers me sometimes when I feel aloof.. when I was younger, I would sometimes practice expressing my "happiness" or "surprise" for birthday gifts. This is because I rarely react emotionally and giddy and whatnot, but I was always very calm and collected. I got the sense that my mother/some relatives felt hurt, so I'd try my best to visually show my genuine happiness. Also, in my mind there are some things where right and wrong is so distinct (for example, teachers who give an F for any unexcused late paper; and they clearly state this in the syllabus and explains that there are no ways to get around this). I'd feel bad for someone whose computer crashed and couldn't finish, but in my mind it's what the teacher said and what the rules are. I have a hard time admitting this, but in my mind, if that person gets an F, then there's nothing that can be done to get around the rules. He could've turned in at least the most recent draft, or even turn in as much as he was able to write, but it wouldn't be fair to the other students. It's kind of his fault if he waited until the night before his paper was due and his computer crashed. If he started the paper 4 weeks ago when it was assigned, he'd still have old drafts and ideas in his mind, so that even if his computer crashed, he still had something to go off of.
I guess I prefer the consistency when it comes to right/wrong, and I hate it, but I am rigid when it comes to this. Even if I like the person this happened to, I would say the teacher was right in the case. I'd do everything to make that person feel better, like listening to them talk, hugging them if they're crying, buying them ice-creamm, planning an outing to make that person feel better, but I would say that the teacher was still right and the F is a legitimate grade. Even if it happened to me, I wouldn't hold a grudge on the teacher because she clearly stated at the beginning what's wrong/right, and I would agree with the grade because it's logically, reasonably arrived at (even though I'd be miserable since it affected my gpa). And that this experience can be a lesson that we apply to life. So I'm not sure if this rigidity is a T or J thing.
However, this is what makes me think I'm not INTJ -- I consider myself reasonable and rational, but not logical. In fact, I really dislike it when I see people doing irrational things. However, for me, sometimes I have a hard time thinking logically. I think in circles and it usually takes me a great deal of effort/down-time to sort my thoughts out. I can't see the logical explanation of a situation; instead I make assumptions and am usually influenced by my feelings about the situation. Sometimes, even when I know what is the "logical" explanation or method, I go with my gut feelings, ignoring logic. And my dad, who is an INTx, points this out to me... he always tries to show me the logical way of doing things, because I always make assumptions and go off of my feelings. Sometimes, I don't do things because I don't "feel" like it. For school/work/other responsibilities or promises, I always do things because I have to, but when it comes to myself, I'm always like "should i? eh, but i don't really feel like it though... i should... but..."
When I go into the INTJ forums, I relate to some of the things, but then I feel confined by the walls of logic. For example, a lot of their conclusions are reached in a very logical manner. I'd say that I'd reach the same conclusions myself but their explanation, but it frustrates me how there has to be a logical reason for everything.
So anyway, sorry for the long description, but does anyone relate? and can some of you wise fellow INFJs and INTJs provide me some help in figuring out the differences.
However, once school ended, I tested out as an INFJ one summer - i was only taking one class (so less school-minded/thinking-oriented) and not working, so I had a lot more room to express myself (and not my thinking side) I guess. When I read about the INFJ, I related to everything on there and even now, it is amazing to see how well I relate to the other INFJs on here. Like dejavu said in one post, "In fact, it hits so close to home sometimes that it makes my head spin."
The thing is, sometimes I don't know if I really am a "F." I'm so aloof and I can sometimes be rigid when it comes to what is right and wrong. I know there's a lot of INFJ threads/post on us being the most aloof and coldest of the "F" types (or perceived as aloof/cold), but it bothers me sometimes when I feel aloof.. when I was younger, I would sometimes practice expressing my "happiness" or "surprise" for birthday gifts. This is because I rarely react emotionally and giddy and whatnot, but I was always very calm and collected. I got the sense that my mother/some relatives felt hurt, so I'd try my best to visually show my genuine happiness. Also, in my mind there are some things where right and wrong is so distinct (for example, teachers who give an F for any unexcused late paper; and they clearly state this in the syllabus and explains that there are no ways to get around this). I'd feel bad for someone whose computer crashed and couldn't finish, but in my mind it's what the teacher said and what the rules are. I have a hard time admitting this, but in my mind, if that person gets an F, then there's nothing that can be done to get around the rules. He could've turned in at least the most recent draft, or even turn in as much as he was able to write, but it wouldn't be fair to the other students. It's kind of his fault if he waited until the night before his paper was due and his computer crashed. If he started the paper 4 weeks ago when it was assigned, he'd still have old drafts and ideas in his mind, so that even if his computer crashed, he still had something to go off of.
I guess I prefer the consistency when it comes to right/wrong, and I hate it, but I am rigid when it comes to this. Even if I like the person this happened to, I would say the teacher was right in the case. I'd do everything to make that person feel better, like listening to them talk, hugging them if they're crying, buying them ice-creamm, planning an outing to make that person feel better, but I would say that the teacher was still right and the F is a legitimate grade. Even if it happened to me, I wouldn't hold a grudge on the teacher because she clearly stated at the beginning what's wrong/right, and I would agree with the grade because it's logically, reasonably arrived at (even though I'd be miserable since it affected my gpa). And that this experience can be a lesson that we apply to life. So I'm not sure if this rigidity is a T or J thing.
However, this is what makes me think I'm not INTJ -- I consider myself reasonable and rational, but not logical. In fact, I really dislike it when I see people doing irrational things. However, for me, sometimes I have a hard time thinking logically. I think in circles and it usually takes me a great deal of effort/down-time to sort my thoughts out. I can't see the logical explanation of a situation; instead I make assumptions and am usually influenced by my feelings about the situation. Sometimes, even when I know what is the "logical" explanation or method, I go with my gut feelings, ignoring logic. And my dad, who is an INTx, points this out to me... he always tries to show me the logical way of doing things, because I always make assumptions and go off of my feelings. Sometimes, I don't do things because I don't "feel" like it. For school/work/other responsibilities or promises, I always do things because I have to, but when it comes to myself, I'm always like "should i? eh, but i don't really feel like it though... i should... but..."
When I go into the INTJ forums, I relate to some of the things, but then I feel confined by the walls of logic. For example, a lot of their conclusions are reached in a very logical manner. I'd say that I'd reach the same conclusions myself but their explanation, but it frustrates me how there has to be a logical reason for everything.
So anyway, sorry for the long description, but does anyone relate? and can some of you wise fellow INFJs and INTJs provide me some help in figuring out the differences.