Are You An ISFJ Or an INFJ? Clarifying A Common Mistype
As an MBTI® practitioner I see a lot of mistyped people on a regular basis. Every day I talk to people who just couldn’t identify with their type because they had gotten the wrong result when taking a free online test. The INFJ type result is one of the most common mistypes I come across; I’ve found that usually, about 80% of the people who type as INFJs online are actually ISFJs, INFPs, or ISFPs. So in an effort to help you find your true type (because both types are AMAZING), I decided to write this article with some pointers and tips. I hope this helps!
Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.
ISFJ vs INFJ: Which One Are You?
First, let’s take a look at the obvious, glaring difference. The ‘S’ in ISFJ and the ‘N’ in INFJ. What do these letter differences entail?
ISFJs are Sensors. They trust what they know through their five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, texture. The world of experience is what they believe and trust, and they put a lot of stock into their lived experiences. They are less trusting of hunches, patterns, premonitions, or the abstract world. This doesn’t mean that ISFJs can’t have faith, be spiritual, or even imaginative. It simply means that the real world and tangible experiences are more immediately interesting than intangible things.
INFJs are Intuitives. They trust patterns, insights, and hunches. More than what they can see, smell, taste, or touch, they’re interested in what’s going on invisibly. Concepts, ideas, symbols, and insights carry the weight of real things for INFJs. Because of this, they tend to put a lot of stock into the world of dreams, spirituality, imagination, and pattern-seeing. This doesn’t mean they can’t be practical, realistic, or detail-oriented. It simply means that the world of the abstract and conceptual will be more immediately interesting than the world of the tangible.
Cognitive Differences
Next, let’s look at the differences between the ISFJ and INFJ’s cognitive functions. Cognitive functions are the mental processes we use to understand the world and guide our decisions.
ISFJs lead with a cognitive function called Introverted Sensing (Si) and INFJs lead with a cognitive function called Introverted Intuition (Ni). There are a lot of misconceptions about both of these cognitive functions so I’m going to start by going over some similarities between the two types.
- Both ISFJs and INFJs enjoy time alone to contemplate and go over ideas in their minds.
- They both enjoy peace and quiet and can get easily over-stimulated by sensory commotion and noise.
- As Introverted Judging types, they both like to focus on one thing at a time rather than jumping from one project to another. Multi-tasking tends to be a frustrating headache for both of these types.
- Because ISFJs and INFJs both lead with a perceiving function, they both like to analyze and ponder before expressing their opinions.
But how do I know whether I use Introverted Sensing or Introverted Intuition?
Let’s take a minute to think about how you approach life..
Do you trust age-old wisdom and lived experience?
Do you find yourself comparing and contrasting the present with the past?
Does it bring you joy to go over memories from the past in detail?
Do you trust “tried and true” methods and find yourself using repeated techniques and methods more frequently?
Are you nostalgic and sentimental about experiences from your past?
Do you trust what you know via your senses more than hunches or insights that appear out of the blue?
If you answered yes to the above questions, then Introverted Sensing, the ISFJ’s dominant function, is probably your preference. ISFJs like to analyze and retain what has been proven or affirmed by personal experience. Theoretical data can make them feel uncomfortable because it isn’t proven yet and it has no application in their day to day life. ISFJs are less likely to move forward on a decision based on a “hunch” or flash of insight.
How the ISFJ Plans For the Future:
- They take in past data and personal experience
- They compare current data to past data to see if events are likely to follow the same pattern
- They re-examine to see if any important details are missing
- They plan accordingly.
If what I just described doesn’t seem relatable to you, then let’s try another method.
Are you guided by an inner vision or “hunch” about how things will likely unfold?
Does the “tried and true” method seem unappealing to you?
Do you find yourself transfixed by dreams, symbols, and inner images?
Does the world of the unknown appeal to you more than the world of the known?
Is it hard for you to retain details from your past but easy for you to envision future possibilities?
IF you answered yes to the above questions, then Introverted Intuition, the INFJ’s dominant function, is more likely your go-to. INFJs take in a ton of information, some of it proven and some of it very abstract, and they tinker with it in their minds. Over time this “tinkering” results in an “aha!” moment where out of the blue a kind of plan or insight unveils itself. INFJs are more likely to be blurry on the details of personal experience and more drawn to new, theoretical avenues of thought and potential. They are dreamers more than grounded doers, like the ISFJ.
How the INFJ Plans For the Future:
- They take in unconscious and conscious data (unconscious meaning theoretical, symbolic, or archetypal information)
- Data simmers in their mind while they toy with possibilities and different perspectives
- The INFJ lives their life while information and data continues to build and simmer in the background
- “Aha!” moment of realization or insight comes to them, often out of the blue
NOTE: Not every single decision an INFJ makes results from a hunch or “aha!” moment. However, their process is generally much less sequential and straightforward than the introverted sensing process. It generally takes time for data to “simmer” and usually when the INFJ gets their plan or idea they can’t instantly relay exactly how they came to that conclusion.
““Introverted intuition perceives all the background processes of consciousness with almost the same distinctness as extraverted sensation registers external objects. For intuition, therefore, unconscious images acquire the dignity of things.”
– Carl Jung, Psychological Types
Do You Like Routine?
ISFJs feel more at peace when they have a routine and know what to expect from day to day. INFJs are more discontented with routine.
Isabel Briggs-Myers says of INFJs that they “are more interested in pioneering a new road than in anything to be found along the beaten path.” Familiar, repetitive routines tend to make INFJs feel uninspired, yet they comfort ISFJs who appreciate the consistency.
What Gets You In the “Zone”?
According to neuroscience expert Dario Nardi, ISFJs enter a “flow-like” mental state when they envision the past and remember details from an enjoyable past experience. A flow state occurs when all brain regions are synchronized and high amplitude. This means that all regions are engaged and working together in a consistent manner. For ISFJs, remembering details from the past or re-visiting favorite experiences from the past helps them enter this flow state. ISFJs are often nostalgic about favorite pastimes and traditions as a result. They may enjoy listening to songs they enjoyed as a child or teenager, or they may try to commemorate every moment with photos so they can look back and remember every detail explicitly. At the same time, ISFJs can become extremely embarrassed when they recall a shameful memory from their past. They may find themselves in bed at night suddenly remembering something they did ten years ago that they now realize was embarrassing and feel intense shame over it.
INFJs are quite different in what allows them to enter a “flow” state. They enter this state when they have to tackle an unfamiliar, novel problem or they are tasked to envision the future. Where the ISFJ enters flow when tasked to envision a favorable memory from the past in detail, the INFJ enters flow when tasked to envision life ten years from now in as much detail as possible. They like to close their eyes and simply imagine/envision/divine how events will unfold down to the tiniest detail. They are less likely to be nostalgic (although they can be from time-to-time) and are less likely to re-play past experiences with the same accuracy that ISFJs do.
Check out Dario Nardi’s book, Neuroscience of Personality: Brain Savvy Insights for All Types of People
Auxiliary and Tertiary Similarities
INFJs and ISFJs share the same auxiliary function; Extraverted Feeling. As a result, they both tend to be polite, compassionate, and focused on maintaining morale in their environment. Keeping everything harmonious and friendly is key. They also tend to be very empathetic individuals.
INFJs and ISFJs also have the same tertiary function; Introverted Thinking. This means that occasionally when they are relaxed they enjoy solving brain teasers, playing games like Sudoku, or analyzing and gathering information about their interests. They also tend to have a fairly strong grasp of logic, even if they give priority to their values and the needs of others.
INFJs and ISFJs both make decisions in much the same way. Internally they’ll gather as much information as possible (either through sensing or intuition) and they’ll also try to decide what makes the most logical sense (through introverted thinking). However, when they interact with others they will give precedence to what will maintain harmony and what will coincide with the group’s values For example, an IFJ supervisor might know that an employee isn’t pulling their weight, but they may opt to give the employee a second (or third, or fourth) chance to redeem themselves so that they can maintain harmony in their environment and meet that employees needs.
What Makes You Insecure?
INFJs and ISFJs tend to get very insecure about different things. Because the ISFJ has inferior Extraverted Intuition (Ne), they are often insecure about “unknowns” and uncertainties. They may worry about safety concerns, the future, changes, and unpredictable situations. When they are extremely stressed they may fall into the grip of their inferior function and catastrophize about endless negative possibilities. They may feel vulnerable when asked to make theoretical projections into the future or to think “outside the box.” This doesn’t mean they are incapable of thinking outside the box; in fact, occasionally (especially as they get older and mature) they may enjoy innovating, but especially early in life they feel better knowing what is expected of them and following a pre-ordained, trusted set of rules in sequential order.
INFJs have inferior Extraverted Sensing (Se). Because of this, they are often insecure about taking concrete action and responding to sudden changes in their environment. They may feel concerned about driving in an unfamiliar neighborhood, participating in sports, or making an improvisational speech at the last minute. They may feel somewhat unsteady when having to focus entirely on the environment and reacting quickly. When INFJs are extremely stressed they may fall into the grip of their inferior function. When this happens, they can become suddenly impulsive, reckless, and/or obsessed with their outer environment. They may drink too much, eat too much, over-clean, over-exercise, or take impulsive physical risks (like bungee jumping or speed racing).
So what areas are you more insecure about? The unknown theoretical future, or responding in-the-moment to environmental changes? When you’re extremely stressed are you more of a “catastrophizer” or a “reckless indulger”?
Want a comprehensive guide to the INFJ personality type? Check out my eBook, The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic.
What Do You Think?
Discovering your true type can be confusing and overwhelming sometimes! There are so many tests out there that are worded in such a way as to “coerce” a certain type out of people. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments! I’d love to talk with you, and other readers may have suggestions as well!
Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type, The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!
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Are You An INFP Or An INFJ? Clarifying A Common Mistype
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What if both types apply in the same areas and not like, I am more this type in this area and the other type in another area? Hope that makes sense
Makes total sense to me. I feel the same way…
This was so helpful!!! Thank you ????
I’m so glad! Thanks for reading and for sharing your input 🙂
That makes so much more sense, now!
Helpful, thanks!
As you said, 80% of so told INFJ are actually not.
Did a test a while ago and got about 50%-50% (twice) which got me confused.
I am definitely an INFJ. I like to imagine the future quite often, and I am often disappointing that others cannot imagine the future with such detail as I can. Often these predictions are very accurate if I have thought about a topic extensively. I also hate the idea of working for a company, and mowing my lawn, and taking my kids to school and falling into that same-old-same-old routine. I want to try something different, like live in another country, experience other cultures and lifestyles. I definitely do not want to do anything too risky (like a hippy lifestyle), but I do want to have a unique path in life.
I relate to the INFJ example here. Though I can’t say I’ve been reckless, I have done the “over cleaning” objects. Buy more art supplies, and crave sweets. I’ve done some of the “catastrophizing” but that may have been more Ni-Ti or just Ni type thinking. Watch youtube of Yellowstone’s volcano and potential to erupt and what if…then go into imaging what would happen and how that would affect everyone.
See, now I’m even more confused. I am definitely INFJ in two of those areas, and definitely not in the other two. My brother thinks I’m more ISFJ but I feel like I identify more with INFJ except that I hate philosophy with a passion and like routine.
What if your both and it changes depending on how you feel? Is it possible to be both?
Well, according to personality theory you can’t be both types, BUT I believe that you can have elements of both. After all, you use all eight functions, the INFP functions would just be in your “shadow functions” so they’d be a little less conscious. Also there are certain qualities that both Fe/Fi, Ne/Ni, Te/Ti, Se/Si share. All feeling types value harmony, all intuitives are future-focused and look at the big picture, etc,.
A well written article. Thanks you!
Yet, I still feel like I fall into both categories without a clear line putting myself in just one. :/
Is it possible that over time and with age a person can change somewhat from an INFJ to an ISFJ? I feel like in the past I have had a lot more of the INFJ traits, but these days I’m more of the ISFJ. I’ve just turned 40 and things like daily routine are more of a comfort to me than in the past. I’m also a lot less likely to think of the future and a little less likely to rely on hunches.
Thank you for this article! This actually helped me to understand more accurately on how I feel insecure and how I react when experiencing extreme levels of stress. For the past years, I have always gotten the result of being an INFJ. However, the results began changing between INFJ and ISFJ. I do not know if lessons in life just affected how my personality might have changed, but I am more convinced that I really am an ISFJ now.
I’m 39 and sometime in the last 5 years I’ve flipped from INFJ to ISFJ. I think life experiences and environment in the last 10 years have a lot to do with it, for me.
To be honest even after reading this, I’m still not sure whether I’m ISFJ or INFJ. Over the years I feel that I have wavered between the two due to my environment and life experiences. I feel because I’m still developing, I’m both.
I’ve often tested as an INFJ , and even the lists regarding what INFJ’s like and don’t like are very accurate for me. I was hoping for some clarity here, but unfortunately, I am even more confused. I tend to be nostalgic, but I also don’t like sudden changes in my environment. I tend to catastrophize, but I also binge eat when stressed. I think I’ll just stick with my INFJ type, but thank you so much for this comparison, just the same.
Same!
We have to find out what we do more.
There are so many accurate articles out there about INFJs that if you’re one, you will recognise yourself really easy..
And try reading also about their dark sides.
I as an INFJ, if I don’t get too much sleep, I drink too much coffee and someone pushes my buttons way too many times, I will transform into an ESTJ (shadow function). I will become their worst fucking enemy that they wish they never met. EVER. Our door slams are legendary.
When I was younger, I made my ex Operations Manager cry on her birthday while I was still one of her team leaders.
I don’t like manipulators! Period.
Thank you for this article. I read it because i feel like i am both ISFJ and INFJ. Very confusing for me, i wonder whether this is a common phenomonon, having both types
It is very common for people to relate to more than one type 🙂 The goal is to figure out which one is MORE you and more natural. Were you able to decide on one yet? Thanks for the comment!
Im trying to figure me out- and sometimes i can be one and then the next time the other, i listen to my gut but then get confused. I like rules and plans but hate black and white… And often push for the grey area… Im confused and when im stressed im more confused and try to do both. How do i get rid of this anxiety – the fear of making the wrong choice.
I feel exactly the same way. I’ll read one section and be like well that clear some it up, and the next thing I read make sure me think I’m the other type.
I’ve crossed INFJ more, but also ISFJ and INFP , I feel when I am highly stressed those past experience hit back in me , but in people perspective, I am more the type of “a new book, a new read, maybe based on some theoretical things. The P, sometimes I can, but feel more like the type, what I see and hear and how the one act. Also, I don’t know how it is with the others, but I am less in verbal contact but can explain me more in written text, and have a slow information processing.
I was first typed as an ISFJ when I took the official MBTI at the beginning of my Master’s program (this was several years ago). While there are things I definitely relate to within that type, I never really got much out of it and dismissed MBTI as not very insightful. I recently took the Personality Hacker test and got INFJ, and really felt a more natural connection to that type. I actually felt like MBTI could be a tool to better understanding how I “tick”, and it has already been really helpful. I think the Personality Hacker test was the first time I had answered the questions honestly, not according to what I thought I “should” answer.
Anyways, I’ve been getting your emails and they’re been so insightful. Thank you!
After reading this I reaffirmed that I am an INFJ. I do have some ISFJ in me at times but INFJ is pronounced in me. Great article to distinguish between the two.
Thank you!! I’m glad the article provided you with some clarity! 🙂
I also feel a bit like both. I’ve taken the paid for paper test and got INFJ but the scale or percentage was just a bit higher for N than S. I haven’t seen this percentage mentioned anywhere online. I also got INFJ taking the online test. I do feel more naturally an INFJ as I see the big picture and make predictions that come true (gut feelings) but definitely feel uncomfortable with insecurity about the future at times and I’m nostalgic. I think that two people with the same type will still have differences.
I think an INFJ with moderate to extreme anxiety and a lot of self doubt can come across like an unhealthy ISFJ in a sense. When I’m in the best frame of mind, I see the logic in forgoing nostalgia, I let go of what has passed and become more invested in my future. But in times of melancholy, I try to recall them in my search for comfort. When I do look into my past, I do not see trust but on occasion I find solace.
I have never been typed an ISFJ. I am only frantically trying to figure it out now after reading something that set me off after years of believing I was one thing, an INFJ. Only to make me question my entire existence…
This sudden realisation has proven increasingly taxing on my mind. Selfishly I enjoy the sense of mystery that shrouds INFJs. For a while, I felt as if it gave me some sense of self worth… now I ponder whether this sense of uniqueness is only fragments of my own internalised narcissism. I find myself searching aimlessly for affirmation because I do not want to be an ISFJ; despite their many positive attributes. I feel attached and connected to my identity as an INFJ.
Being forced to think about the details of my decisions made, and how I came to make them or recall how I have acted in the past is almost impossible for me. My brain just times out. But it is very easy for me to remember actions of regret and I often long to go back and change the choices I made. I only do this however, when my past is impeding my future.
I expend much of my energy trying to plan and predict what lies ahead. When I think of the future I find it very easy to imagine what will come to be in 10 years from now but thinking about tomorrow’s events, or where I will be a week from now, proves a difficult task.
I think it’s easy for an INFJ to tap into their inferior function, Se, from time to time when they are stressed. Sometimes Se and Si overlap in understanding when you don’t particularly have a great sense of what it means to exhibit those functions. Surely by this virtue, they can be mistaken for one another but in both instances, it feels uncomfortable, unnatural and overwhelming. I don’t feel that ISFJs would have the same adversity, confusion or discomfit to these functions.
I feel like I could be on this quest indefinitely. I see myself questioning my type for the rest of my life and I am overwhelmed with impending doom. Please send help, lol.
It’s really hard to know which one I am more than the other. I have equal traits from both. I know we are supposed to say which one we are more than the other but I really can’t tell.
In fact, when MBTI practioners say the differences, I can’t tell which one I am and when I study Carl Jung’s functions, I tend to understand myself better. It’s really more Si – Ne or Ni – Se? When studying those functions, we see more clearly which one we use more as a dominant function and which one makes us stress in the 4 th slot. I guess it’s the only right way to truly know your type on how you perceive the world around you.
enfp here, trying to figure out my friends type~ its been helpful! thank you!
I am an INFJ, however, I do have some traits in which I can relate with ISFJ…like decision-making and insecurities. I often wondered why I am an INFJ that leans towards ISFJ. Now I see (needs time to settle the things I learned). When I first started taking MBTI back when I was 19, my result was an INFJ. Then a year after, I tested as ISFJ… However, later on and till recently (I retested), I am an INFJ. Anyways, glad to actually see the difference so I no longer need to feel weird for myself. Thanks!!!! 😘
We both have sensing and intuition. While our intuition is stronger but without sensing, we wouldn’t survive this world because most of the places are sensors.
I have some overlap as well. My Mom and many other women in the family are ISFJs though. I’m sure it’s a learned language.
omg thanks alottttt!!! finally im sure about my mbti
Definitely ISFJ. I tested INFJ multiple times on 16personalities, but I took many cognitive function tests and got ISFJ as most likely, then ESFJ, then INFP. INFJ was somewhere in the middle, haha.
I always have trouble telling whether I am INFJ or ISFJ. My S and N are always extremely close in the mbti test. I also do not mind routine in a job like an ISFJ and would thoroughly enjoy it, even if it was doing some repetitive task like say work in a factory. But when I was going through difficult time, I just played video games all day and dated random people, and when i was in a lot of anxiety, i would go on roller coaster rides which i would be scared of if i was not dealing with anxiety. I find the most obvious sign for me to tell whether I was an INFJ or ISFJ was how I acted when under extreme stress, depression or anxiety. Otherwise I wouldnt be able to type myself either as those two types are very similar and I resonate with both depending on my mood.
So far, enfj and infj are the results whenever i took mbti test .. But then before my recent result, it was the first time i got isfj .. Then i took the test now and it was infj again 😅 but after reading this. I’m kinda more like what an ISFJ is.
This one says I am an IFSP. Never has a test said that, sounds strange if you ask me.