[Heather]

Okay, help me out here. I want to figure out my functions and type once and for all. I pretty much always test as INFP or ENFP, but I feel much more like E/INTP. So I'd like to start from scratch, in a sense.

This is me, contradictions and all:
- I tend to prefer to keep to myself. In my free time I am mostly online, or reading, or watching something.
- I'm very analytical. I am constantly analyzing things. My co-worker says I "think too much about everything," and that I need to relax.
- I love people. I care about my family and friends and always want to be with them. I dream of having tons more friends, my only limiting factor being my lack of confidence and awkwardness in this area.
- I am adventurous. While I am a bookworm at home, when I go out I go all the way. I love horseback riding, snow boarding, hiking, camping, biking, long road trips, and what have you.
- I can be very nit-picky and critical of other people. I am extremely picky about the kind of people I chose to be my close friends, and have no problems with dropping a friend the moment they're not being a good friend anymore. (ie: When my friend Mallory decided she was moving back home, 2000 miles away, I stopped bothering to hang out with her even though she wasn't going to leave for another six months, because I saw it as a waste and possibly painful for me to keep that friendship)
- I am a dreamer. If I don't have some goal or date to look forward to in my life, I often feel depressed/despondent. I enjoy change and always have the desire to be on to the next thing.
- I understand people. I feel for them. If somebody falls over and scrapes their knee, I'm the first to run over and ask if they're okay or need help. If I can, I will always give someone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes I feel responsible for the happiness and feelings of others, but I try to snap myself out of that because it's hurt me a lot in the past to care.
- I'm very sensitive. If someone so much as makes a sideways comment about my hair, I worry about it and think how terrible my hair is and how dumb I am for having hair like this for the rest of the day. To protect myself from this, I try to distance myself and belittle other people's opinions (in my head).
- I often take responsibility for the situation. I have no problem being a leader and making decisions. If someone else is responsible, I still make sure they're doing things right and try to change things that are wrong.
- I'm not into big parties where I don't know people. In fact, I hate going somewhere and socializing with random people. I don't mind meeting new people (in fact, I really enjoy it), but at big gatherings I only have fun if I know most of the people previously.

Okay.. so that's me, as much as I can think of right now. Do I sound like an ENTP? Because according to pretty much every test I've taken, I'm not one.

 

[lylyness]

Well, everyone here will tell you the tests are not very reliable. So don't take a test's word for anything.

I would suggest checking out the unbelievably cool new Cognitive Functions forum and read up on the eight functions. From there you can figure out which most fit you and use that to find your type.

Do you sound like an ENTP? Eh... the sensitivity, the lack of confidence in social situations, and the natural inclination responsibility for the needs of others lead me to say no. But do realize ENTPs are probably the most introverted extroverts.

If I were to take a guess based on what you provided here, I would guess INFP. But you know yourself much better than I do. Read up about the types, hang out in different type forums, and see where you seem to fit in best.

 

[Heather]

INFP? Really? *falls into identity crisis*

Well, I guess there's got to be something about me that screams INFP, what with all the tests putting me as that... But I've always thought that I was ENTP but with a strong Fe function. I read through the functions and I definitely feel I have stronger Fe than Fi, because I do often feel this desire to please people. However, it's not always out of a desire to make someone happy... I mean, I'm not heartless, but most of the time I try to please someone as a means to an end. So I thought that was very ENTP - me using my feelings instead of them using me.

Actually, those functions were really interesting because I realized I'm not very sure whether I use Ne or Ni more... Reading up on it only seems to make it more confusing sometimes, too! XP I mean, could I be an INFJ? I was sure that I was Ne because I am so good at seeing all sides of something, but then I read somewhere that Ni makes it easy to change perspectives, which I do almost too well... So now I don't know.

 

[Hardkormysteria]

I've taken several of these tests and they usually say INTP but many times have said INFP... I don't feel like I'm INFP at all though. Iif you feel introverted, I would say you are. You know yourself better than these tests.

 

[OmarFW]

Here is an ENFP's function order

Ne,Fi,Te,Si

And here is an INFP's

Fi,Ne,Si,Te

So if you test as pretty much equal on both I and E, that most likely means you have sufficient usage of both Ne and Fi to the point where one does not predominantly play the dominant role over the other like with most people.

You are most likely an XNFP

 

[penchant]

Have you read through any type descriptions? If so, which ones do you relate to, and how? If there is a close fit, what is it that keeps you back?

Some of what you post smells INFJ to, me, but that's my own function, so I'm biased there. I think that your reasoning behind helping other people is significant. You say that most of the time it is "as a means to an end". Do you think you could elaborate on that?

As OmarFW posted, the difference between INFP and ENFP are only the order of the functions, so thery are quite similar. To figure out which is the best fit for you, I'd look at whether your an Introvert or Extravert, and also if Te or Si fits you tertiary/relief function and which is your inferior/aspirational.

So, does being around people energize you, or tire you? How much time would you like do spend alone each day?

On Ni vs. Ne, Ne often sees more possibilities than Ni, and Ni is often more certain about it's conclusion, but those are just tendencies, not dichotomies.

 

[Black Rabbit]

It's not impossible to be an NT and be sensitive. You might be a little more mature and maybe your enneagram might influence that as well. Although, ENTP, type 8 and sensitivity probably wouldn't jive well together. You might want to check your enneagram as well. From my limited understanding, you don't sound like an 8 to me.

 

[Heather]

Yeah, I took the enneagram a while ago and haven't thought much of it since.

As for types... I can see some similarities in me to INFP, but the main thing that makes me think I'm not one is that I don't have a problem with conflict. Yes, I do have feelings that can get hurt, but when I have a problem I face it head-on regardless of that. I pick arguments for fun and am often told to "stop being so mad" when really I'm just trying to make a point or explain something. This is much different than my friend who is an INFP who just says "okay" to everything and avoids bringing up any subject that might cause someone to get hurt/angry even in the slightest, whereas I have no problem bringing up my roommate's smelly socks over breakfast. So that made me think I was a different type.

When I am nice as a means to an end, I mean that I'll smile and be buddy-buddy with people without actually caring about them. I go through the motions because it's what's expected, or because it's what I need to do to provide customer service, and etc. If I don't feel the social obligation, I'm usually pretty matter-of-fact with people, in that my interactions are purely for information.

I am pretty flippy floppy on the I/E scale.. I'm introverted for an extrovert and I'm extroverted for an introvert. I do initiate lots of things in my life, but there are also lots of times I prefer just to be the one initiated with and react to that. So it's pretty in between.

Actually, the INFJ description seems more spot on than the INFP one, seeing as to how they're a bit more stubborn (like I am) but at the same time very sensitive to the world, in that they pick up on a lot of things. I certainly feel like I have this strong intuition. Today in class, thirty minutes before the end I knew my teacher was going to let us out early. I just knew, with 90% certainty, she wouldn't keep us the whole time. She actually let us out a couple minutes after that. I'm also pretty good at fixing things. When I worked as a stage manager for a play, I always ended up being the one to suggest the idea that would fix the scrim or organize the scene better or whatever. Again though, I feel like I can face conflict a lot better than is described for an INFJ. I have a very strong desire for things to be done the best way, conflict or not.

I also don't think I'm INFJ because of that J... I'm a messy person. I procrastinate. I'm lazy. XP I don't have problems making future plans and setting up a schedule, but I usually don't because I like the freedom to choose what I feel like doing on the day it comes around. I'm pretty good at making snap decisions, but I'll often put off making a commitment until I've had the time to think about it on my own. If we're going by functions though and not letters, I would say Ni might be more prevalent in me than Ne, assuming I'm understanding it correctly. I'm still unsure whether I'm F or T now that I'm looking at it, and whether that function is inward or outward focusing.

 

[scarygirl]

Maybe you're in a borderline. Many people is and at times I doubt much about INxPs. I am one of them; I've been both, and still...

 

[TeeKwug]

"I am a dreamer" Bzzzzz The INFP radar is going off.

 

[Heather]

"I am a dreamer" Bzzzzz The INFP radar is going off.

What, do only INFPs have dreams?

Also, best avatar ever!

 

[penchant]

The MBTI type is about cognitive functions, i.e. how our brains process information. This is not the same thing as behaviour, so not everything will be the same for people within the same type. Therefore any typing made based on behaviour is never 100% and some parts of a persons behaviour can be untypical for that person's type. Ok, end qualifications.

As for types... I can see some similarities in me to INFP, but the main thing that makes me think I'm not one is that I don't have a problem with conflict. Yes, I do have feelings that can get hurt, but when I have a problem I face it head-on regardless of that. I pick arguments for fun and am often told to "stop being so mad" when really I'm just trying to make a point or explain something. This is much different than my friend who is an INFP who just says "okay" to everything and avoids bringing up any subject that might cause someone to get hurt/angry even in the slightest, whereas I have no problem bringing up my roommate's smelly socks over breakfast. So that made me think I was a different type.

I agree that this makes INFP less likely.

When I am nice as a means to an end, I mean that I'll smile and be buddy-buddy with people without actually caring about them. I go through the motions because it's what's expected, or because it's what I need to do to provide customer service, and etc. If I don't feel the social obligation, I'm usually pretty matter-of-fact with people, in that my interactions are purely for information.

I think an INFJ would actually care about people we interact with most of the time. At least for me, that's why it can take so much energy being around people. So this doesn't sound INFJ to me.

I am pretty flippy floppy on the I/E scale.. I'm introverted for an extrovert and I'm extroverted for an introvert. I do initiate lots of things in my life, but there are also lots of times I prefer just to be the one initiated with and react to that. So it's pretty in between.

Thanks, so your not the typical introvert of extravert... But you didn't answer my question :happy: Try again: "So, does being around people energize you, or tire you? How much time would you like do spend alone per day? And do you?"

Actually, the INFJ description seems more spot on than the INFP one, seeing as to how they're a bit more stubborn (like I am) but at the same time very sensitive to the world, in that they pick up on a lot of things. I certainly feel like I have this strong intuition. Today in class, thirty minutes before the end I knew my teacher was going to let us out early. I just knew, with 90% certainty, she wouldn't keep us the whole time. She actually let us out a couple minutes after that. I'm also pretty good at fixing things. When I worked as a stage manager for a play, I always ended up being the one to suggest the idea that would fix the scrim or organize the scene better or whatever. Again though, I feel like I can face conflict a lot better than is described for an INFJ. I have a very strong desire for things to be done the best way, conflict or not.

Yes, sounds Ni. Did you check out the ENFJ descriptions?

I also don't think I'm INFJ because of that J... I'm a messy person. I procrastinate. I'm lazy. XP I don't have problems making future plans and setting up a schedule, but I usually don't because I like the freedom to choose what I feel like doing on the day it comes around. I'm pretty good at making snap decisions, but I'll often put off making a commitment until I've had the time to think about it on my own.

This is a classic! No, INFJs are not necessarily very outwardly structured. You see, the J means that our Extraverted function is Judging, but our dominant is still Perceiving (Ni). INFJs are just as much prone to procrastination as some other type, if not more. And as and INFJ you might think of your self as lazy, or even come aross as one, but that is really just that you are very much an "all or nothing" person, so you only put the effort in when it is something you believe in. As for the rest of that passage, it might not be INFJ, but it sure resonates with me, and I'm an INFJ, so it's not an argument against either. The "until I've had time to think on my own", though, sounds very Introverted to me. And Extravert would rather commit after having talked about it with other people first.

If we're going by functions though and not letters, I would say Ni might be more prevalent in me than Ne, assuming I'm understanding it correctly. I'm still unsure whether I'm F or T now that I'm looking at it, and whether that function is inward or outward focusing.

If you haven't checked it already, there's some good information on the functions at ENFP Wiki
And, as always, the direction of the auxiliary is opposite to the dominant. So if you think you are an Introvert, the auxiliary would be the function you use more when your extraverting. And vice versa.

And dreams... any NF type will have them. Probably NTs as well, but of a different kind.

 

[Heather]

Thanks, so your not the typical introvert of extravert... But you didn't answer my question :happy: Try again: "So, does being around people energize you, or tire you? How much time would you like do spend alone per day? And do you?"

See, I feel sort of borderline on this too. Being around people does energize me, and if I'm having a stuck in the muck day, someone coming up and talking to me makes me forget about it and feel better. Though I don't initiate them often, random positive interactions with people make me feel good. On the other hand, I do spend a lot of time alone. I don't mind a whole day by myself. However, I don't need that time alone. I can spend (and have spent) days straight with nonstop company and function just fine and not feel overly tired or grumpy or anything.

Yes, sounds Ni. Did you check out the ENFJ descriptions?

Yes... That is just way too Fe for me. I am not that amazing, haha. I love people, but pleasing them and making their lives awesome is not something that's number one on my list of things to do in a day. It's there, but not my main point in life.

This is a classic! No, INFJs are not necessarily very outwardly structured. You see, the J means that our Extraverted function is Judging, but our dominant is still Perceiving (Ni). INFJs are just as much prone to procrastination as some other type, if not more. And as and INFJ you might think of your self as lazy, or even come aross as one, but that is really just that you are very much an "all or nothing" person, so you only put the effort in when it is something you believe in. As for the rest of that passage, it might not be INFJ, but it sure resonates with me, and I'm an INFJ, so it's not an argument against either. The "until I've had time to think on my own", though, sounds very Introverted to me. And Extravert would rather commit after having talked about it with other people first.

If you haven't checked it already, there's some good information on the functions at ENFP Wiki
And, as always, the direction of the auxiliary is opposite to the dominant. So if you think you are an Introvert, the auxiliary would be the function you use more when your extraverting. And vice versa.

And dreams... any NF type will have them. Probably NTs as well, but of a different kind.

Those functions are very well-written! Thanks for that.

I tried to focus on how I think today and see what functions I use, but I'm going through that whole "who am I" thing that young adults do, so it's somewhat difficult to pick and choose.. I feel like I use Ni a lot more, definitely. And Fe. Is it possible that a well-developed tertiary function for INFJ, Ti, could explain my ease for bringing up logical issues/arguments like I do?

 

[TeeKwug]

What, do only INFPs have dreams?

Also, best avatar ever!

I didnt intend to make that claim. INFPs are typically referred to as dreamers. Thus I made the connection. This is not to say that they are the only ones capable of dreaming

Oh and thanks. Locke is my homeboy.

 

[penchant]

See, I feel sort of borderline on this too. Being around people does energize me, and if I'm having a stuck in the muck day, someone coming up and talking to me makes me forget about it and feel better. Though I don't initiate them often, random positive interactions with people make me feel good. On the other hand, I do spend a lot of time alone. I don't mind a whole day by myself. However, I don't need that time alone. I can spend (and have spent) days straight with nonstop company and function just fine and not feel overly tired or grumpy or anything.

That's a good thing. Being comfortable both being alone and with other people means you're well balanced and generally happy with yourself. Nothing you write here, is really opposed to being an INFJ. Everyone needs meeting other people to function properly, and many INFJ can put on a very social persona. We'll have to think of other ways of getting at this then... :happy: Probably just looking at the funtions themselves instead, is more reliable...

I tried to focus on how I think today and see what functions I use, but I'm going through that whole "who am I" thing that young adults do, so it's somewhat difficult to pick and choose.. I feel like I use Ni a lot more, definitely. And Fe. Is it possible that a well-developed tertiary function for INFJ, Ti, could explain my ease for bringing up logical issues/arguments like I do?

If it helps, try thinking not so much of which functions you use most, but which ones you're prefer using, if that distinction makes sense. The MBTI type is really about preferred functions, not which functions you're best at using or most comfortable with - that depends so much on your environment, culture and upbringing.

An INFJ who has been encouraged to use his Ti during childhood, by parents, school, etc, would have a strong tertiary and would probably be very comfortable using it, due to all positive feedback. As an opposite example, many NFs have had bad experiences during childhood (bullying, abuse, or just simply being generally misunderstood by others, etc) that make them feel awkward in social situations and makes them less comfortable being around other people, and for an INFJ, that can make expressing Fe problematic.

To conclude, I wouldn't be surprised if you types yourself as an INFJ. I took the liberty of browsing though your other posts around here, and that seems to confirm your NF-ness in general and more specifically INFJ. (But again, I'm INFJ, so I'm biased)

 

[TeeKwug]

Your first post here seems very Ne-like where you present various theories as to why you could be this type or that. Of course, I may be mistaken in my understanding of Ne.

 

[Holunder]

You sound very much like an ENFP to me. Even if your extraversion is somewhat hampered by awkwardness, it's still very evident. You're also clearly a feeler. Feelers can be very logical too, and the emphasis you put on your relationships with people in describing yourself as well as your sensitivity to criticism are strongly suggestive of a feeling preference. In fact, much of you reminds me of my ENFP sister.

 

[Heather]

I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm an ENFP. I watched how I act and think for a couple of days, and I think that's me. As much as there are parts of me that definitely make me consider INFJ seriously, I think in the end I'm using more Ne than Ni. I tend to live on possibilities and not so much in the moment. Also, I read something about ENFPs getting muscle pains from being so alert... and I have to say, that's me. I'm always whirling my head around to look at whoever walked in or said something or whatever. I think I'm actually pretty extroverted.

Anyways, thanks for the help, all. :happy: