I believe I've noticed this keen observancy in an ISFP in my life as well.

 

Hi bifurcations,

Interestingly, it seems to possibly be a dom Fi thing as INFPs have a similar but not exactly the same stare, and with presumably different, although possibly overlaping, motivations from the ISFPs.

 

Without access to facial expressions, especially micro expressions, and body language, that's an impossible question to answer.

 

Hi mia-me, thanks for taking the time to reply!

Yes, if regarding (a) specific situation, which my inquiry is not. The questions are more of a general nature; the specifics are only provided for examples to explain the concept I'm asking about.

 

I am also curious to hear more specifics. The OP's post sorta sounds like the ISFP is being creepy and inappropriate. Is this the intention?

I'm in a long term relationship with an ISFP and I love the way he watches me. There's no sense of judgement and it's not intrusive in any way. It's like he's just taking in all the data he can get. I find it really attractive. This kind of gaze is not creepy or inappropriate though.

 

The ISFPs in the examples I've given weren't being creepy at all (and I've been on the observee end of a convicted psychopath. That was creepy at the time. The vibe and his body language was very different from my subject matter.)

Your ISFP watching you sounds more along the line of what I'm inquiring about.

 

If this is a Fi related thing.
As an INFP I just find observing people interesting...

No bad thoughts or anything about people passing by.

Just, I don't know, observing human behaviour I guess. Subconsciously trying to understand people perhaps?

 

Hi Eren Jaegerbomb, thanks for your reply

It does seem to be a dom. Fi thing, yes. (ENFPs, with their aux. Fi, have said they do this as well. I haven’t seen this in the ENFPs I know, so I can’t compare how it manifests in them to the ISFPs. ESFPs also have aux. Fi, but I’ve never noticed those whom I know doing what I’m inquiring about.)

How it manifests in INFPs vs ISFPs is somewhat different, however. It’s also different from how others people-watch. At least in my observation over the years. ISFPs seem to be more engrossed when in the act, are more focused, ‘quietly intense’, they won’t look away when the person whom they’re observing meets their eyes (& will ignore or be oblivious to body language that communicates the other person is uncomfortable with being their centre of attention), generally speaking, whereas INFPs are more likely to look away.

There’s some cross-over in motivation between the two types, but I’d guess there would be some differences as well.

 

I think I have an idea that your curious about and I'll try to answer the question. Yes for me I'm talking about when it just beyond just observing but more in deeper state. Normally when I have that kind of look or stare I'm just in deep thought (gazed) or very interested about that person, thing or animals lol. I try very hard to not be noticable in public with observing humans.

1) What is it that makes you want to observe someone?
I notice a good quality about someone, there manners, and/or looks that got me curious to try figure them out if there actually pleasant as they appear. Another something unique about them but haven't figure it out. But yet I don't want to go bother (aka too shy) them to get to know them better so I just kinda day dream from a distance ha. Alot of times I like to day dream plays so I like to pick out someone that has the look I have in mind for a character and picture them in the play.

With objects just trying to figure out the odd look or something. With animals there usually being playful or just plain adorable. So I just enjoy watching the animals personality shine through that lol. I observe animals more cause I like to get to figure out there unique personalities.

2) Why do you continue to watch someone?

With humans if i already find them having an adorable look and if they appear to be content or genuine happy the expressions just awes me more lol. Another they could be just a mystery or something about them unique cause I have a desire to figure them out by wanting to get to know them to see if my guesses are right but I want to know first that they are actually nice and not a jerk lol. So lots of conflicts there. Sometimes this stage drives me nuts.

3) What is going through your thoughts at that time?
Prsvrnc pretty much spot on what she says about her mate. Observing more in deeply state is my way absorbing the data about someone or trying to put the pieces of the puzzles together. Taking notes what things make them click either good or bad. My favorite part with friends is taking notes what they enjoy talking about or what makes them happy and using that cause I enjoy getting them going.

For example I have a cousin and another friend that into computers and technology stuff. I pretty much suck at most of the technology and science subjects but I know it makes them happy and they don't feel as left out so I try to take notes what part specifically he talks the most when it comes to those topics and use that in similar conversations in the future. If I play it right it so fun to see them respond by getting excited or motivated lol.

4) What would be a good response from the person being observed?

Pretend they don't notice or flick something like a rock to make a noise to get me out of my gazing moment. Because usually I don't notice I'm being weird and I don't want them to notice. I'm not sure how I would feel if they approached me if I don't know them. With friends I could care less if they notice unless they let me know it really bothers them. It just my way of enjoying the moment seeing them being them and there happiness.

5) (And anything else that you think is important to understand this aspect of ISFPs.)
I forgot to add earlier. Most of the time with strangers what start is they did something nice for me or they greeted me with a genuine smile but we never talked after that ha. Or i see someone that look similar. But for sure they left an impression. I hope these answers help

 

Thanks for your reply, Tazzie

Yes, your thoroughness has helped very much! There seems to be a soulfully beautiful aspect in this behaviour, being genuinely interested in people, in understanding them without nefarious motives. I wish more people understood this and didn't take it (the observing / staring) the wrong way.

 

I don't have an answer for you, but since you mentioned Fi (and INFPs), the only connection I could make is that Fi is more people-oriented than MBTI stereotypes (in communities like this and others) like to acknowledge.

It's not really just about one's own self and values, but feelers in general probably tend to care about people, to be people oriented etc...at least by some typology theories? Both Fe and Fi.

But perhaps Fi has to do with observing people too...Dario Nardi said INFPs had brain activity in the "listening" areas or whatever, again--suggesting some kind of observation of people.

So...that's just a guess I'll hazard.

So there is my guess I pulled out of the air: Fi as a feeling function is people oriented...it's about humanity, attachments, and it has something to do with observing others for that feeling purpose. Perhaps even to read or understand others better or try to gain some deeper insight.

But IDK as I've never really noticed that ISFPs stare at people, though I usually test as INFP and people have commented that I stare sometimes more than I should (and it's often not clear why, so can even look aggressive when I'm not trying to be). Usually I observe people because I'm wondering about them or wondering what they are thinking/experiencing, or else I'm just randomly staring at a spot and zoning out.

But I really do think people sometimes gloss over that feeling functions probably have something to do with humanity and people, and that Fi doms are feeling doms. Perhaps it makes sense that a feeling dominant type would be attentive to people (even if Fi is associated with self-absorption and often depicted as being the opposite of Fe (absorption into others?)).

(Also sorry if I sound salty--it isn't directed at you or anyone here--I've just heard so many stereotypes about Fi being self-absorbed, selfish, not caring about others, etc....too many projections to count, that sometimes it leaks out and might sound a bit sarcastic. But I really do feel like there is this missing connection when talking about Fi dom children and Fi dom adults.)

 

Thanks for your input!

I don't have an answer for you, but since you mentioned Fi (and INFPs), the only connection I could make is that Fi is more people-oriented than MBTI stereotypes (in communities like this and others) like to acknowledge.

It's not really just about one's own self and values, but feelers in general probably tend to care about people, to be people oriented etc...at least by some typology theories? Both Fe and Fi.

But perhaps Fi has to do with observing people too...Dario Nardi said INFPs had brain activity in the "listening" areas or whatever, again--suggesting some kind of observation of people.

So there is my guess I pulled out of the air: Fi as a feeling function is people oriented...it's about humanity, attachments, and it has something to do with observing others for that feeling purpose. Perhaps even to read or understand others better or try to gain some deeper insight.

Yes, you seem to be on to something there. I've looked into it a bit more and have found that, due to Fi being a judging function and a people-oriented / values function, one of the things it does is take in information through Se / Si (by observing) then judges / analyzes what has been observed. It would seem that in ISFPs and INFPs this process, though having some overlap, also has some differences due to their other functions.

(Also sorry if I sound salty--it isn't directed at you or anyone here--I've just heard so many stereotypes about Fi being self-absorbed, selfish, not caring about others, etc....too many projections to count, that sometimes it leaks out and might sound a bit sarcastic.

It can be quite frustrating when one is constantly not only misunderstood, but also in a negative way, can't it!

I wouldn't take it as being salty, (and I'm not easily offended, contrary to INFJ type descriptions, lol), but I'd take it as wanting to clarify an important part of who you are and that of your type, to make right an injustice repeatedly made against you and others like yourself. That's not something anyone should be offended about, in my opinion.

But I really do feel like there is this missing connection when talking about Fi dom children and Fi dom adults.)

I agree. Though the type descriptions are meant to be a general amalgamation, people don't often pause to tease out how a type differs as we mature and between the sexes.

 

I never stare or observe anyone cause as soon as we meet eyes I get really embarrased & stuff

 

For me, many times that happens when I try to hack into another person’s mind to “try to feel what they feel”. Fi is interested in other people’s (or animals etc.) first person emotional experience. Ni produces imagination based on knowledge of that person or experience with that person to feed that interest. So I think the act of staring at another person is a manifestation of the Fi-Ni function pair.

 

It’s a combination of my Se and Ni working together whereby i stare to concentrate because using my Ni is hard and I can determine a lot about a person. It’s kinda similar to INFJs seeing your soul with their Ni and making people uncomfortable by getting past their walls. But I use it in conjunction with my Se because you can determine even a MBTI type by facial features etc…

 

https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/typewatching-by-face.1364314/?post_id=44298707#post-44298707

 

So my questions for you ISFPs are:

1) What is it that makes you want to observe someone?

Curiosity about their emotional state or inner workings and personality. To determine if they are nice and safe.

2) Why do you continue to watch someone?

Maybe I want to comment but I’m shy. Maybe it’s their beauty. Maybe I can’t figure them out.

3) What is going through your thoughts at that time?

It’s more of an empty mind and just a full heart and getting in tune with my tertiary Ni.


4) What would be a good response from the person being observed?

Either pretend you don’t notice if you want it to continue, smile and compliment us on something we are wearing if you want it to stop, or return the stare if you want to connect

5) (And anything else that you think is important to understand this aspect of ISFPs.)

I put the answer to this on the posts I made above this.

I've been pondering this for a while and appreciate any insight you could provide.