ENFP vs INFP: (A Comparative Analysis)
By
PsychReel
In this article, we will compare ENFP vs INFP personalities from the MBTI types. We will do that by initially describing both personalities in-depth including their four cognitive functions. This will follow up by comparing and seeing how these personalities are similar and different from each other.
ENFP vs INFP
If we consider ENFP vs INFP and compare them, we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they see and understand the world in the same way and use the same cognitive functions. However, they have differences as well in their social needs & energy level. ENFPs are extroverts and INFPs are introverts. Furthermore, ENFPs are concerned about the approval of others, are action-oriented, more joyous, demanding, and spontaneous, unlike INFPs who lies on the other end of the spectrum in these areas.
MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions
Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types, approaches personality to be composed of four cognitive functions that govern how people think, process, and make decisions. The top two cognitive functions play a dominant role in guiding a person’s personality. Whereas, the latter two play less of a role. However, they still have some impact or influence on how a person behaves in certain situations. ENFP and INFP are two personality types out of the 16 types. Their cognitive functions are discussed in detail as follows.
ENFP: The Champion (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
The ENFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a unique personality. It generally describes people who are enthusiastic, imaginative, flexible, innovative, creative, empathic, and value their independence. Up to 5 to 7 percent of people are estimated to have the ENFP personality type.
Four Cognitive Functions of ENFP
Four cognitive functions that guide how ENFP personality type processes information includes:
- Extraverted Intuition
ENFPs are open to new challenges and possibilities. Their focus is more on abstract ideas rather than concrete ones. So, they mostly try to imagine what the future may hold. Their tendency to understand things in terms of possible ideas rather than how they actually might exist enables them to detect patterns or relationships among people, ideas, and the world.
- Introverted Feeling
ENFPs put a high value on their emotions and feelings whenever they make decisions. In other words, rationality/objectivity or logic is not their first go-to option when deciding any course of action. Consequently, they try to understand how they and other people feel. This makes them naturally empathic. Furthermore, they prioritize their values and try to make decisions that are in line with it.
- Extraverted Thinking
Apart from feelings, ENFPs do try to give due value to logic and thinking as part of their ‘self’. Their focus is on trying to organize, link, and spot connections among ideas. Thus, they may tend to lay out information, so that each of their thoughts is linked to each other.
- Introverted Sensing
Whenever they are interacting with people or new things, ENFPs may try to relate, connect, and compare present experiences with past experiences. Their focus is to find any commonalities or patterns between the two. This is because doing so can help them predict or expect what the future may bring. Thus, memories, feelings, and thoughts related to the past play an important role in their life.
INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
The INFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are idealistic, dreamers, or mediators. They are introverts with creative tendencies and hold strong values. They strive to make a difference by helping others. Furthermore, they spend a lot of time trying to reflect and understand their role in the world and how they can use their skills to serve other people. Only 4.4% of the INFP personality type exists in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of INFP
Four cognitive functions that guide how INFP personality type processes information includes:
- Introverted Feeling
INFPs feel emotions deeply and keep the process internal due to which others perceive them as cold and unemotional. However, they possess high empathy for other people and are very compassionate.
- Extroverted Intuition
INFPs are very imaginative and preoccupied with ‘What if’ scenarios. They spend most of their time in their internal world. Whereas while interacting with the outside world, they rely on their intuition, focus on the bigger picture, and try to make things happen that will shape up the future in a positive way. This makes them good leaders who can bring about revolutionary change.
- Introverted Sensing
INFPs visualize things while processing information. This helps them in revisiting their memories and reevaluating them from an analytical perspective in less stressful situations. They relive experiences along with the associated emotions when doing so.
- Extroverted Thinking
INFPs focus on details, logic, and organization but only in a stressful situation. Usually, they rely on their emotions and intuitions instead of logic. However, developing the thinking part of their personality can balance them out.
A Comparison of ENFP and INFP
Personality: ENFP vs INFP
ENFP is considered a very imaginative, innovative, energetic, and spontaneous personality. They are always in search of new ideas and are pretty accepting of multiple perspectives. They are considered risk-takers who make use of every opportunity life throws at them. Their approach is people-centered, caring, and empathetic. However, they dislike getting into detail and following through with commitments as they easily get distracted by the next exciting challenge.
INFPs on the other hand are focused on finding meaning and harmony in their life. They keep their values close to their heart and try to keep their actions in line with them. They are caring, deep, reserved, and empathic people who dislike being controlled or told what to think or do by others.
Workstyle: ENFP vs INFP
Both ENFP and INFP personalities have different working styles in their workplace.
Due to their good interpersonal skills, warm attitude towards others, and good people reading skills, ENFPs contribute a new perspective and creative problem-solving to the office team. If they are elected as leaders, they are caring and thoughtful but not good at devising work systems or dealing with bad news. They also don’t like rules and regulations or strict structures in work proceedings which explains why they dislike being controlled by the management. They prefer flexibility, innovation, stimulation, and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.
In the workplace, INFPs are focused on doing the right thing. They are gentle, quiet, and supportive in their approach, especially towards their team members. You will find an INFP working in the background rather than at the front as a leader. They dislike rules, routines, and being controlled by a harsh manager. Rather they prefer freedom, flexibility, and spontaneity while working and want to be driven by some higher meaning. Creativity, imagination, and ideas come easily to them due to their rich inner world.
Conflict: ENFP vs INFP
Attitude towards conflict and its management by both personalities can vary.
ENFPs usually avoid conflict and try to resolve the matter peacefully and warmly. They dislike injustice/ unfairness and strive for harmony. Their language during conflicts is emotionally loaded. Furthermore, they can easily open up about themselves in such situations.
INFPs prefer harmony, positivity, and seek good things in others instead of focusing on conflicts. However, if their values are challenged, they become outspoken and defend themselves. They are mostly the conflict diffusers who bring harmony by being empathic and seeing both perspectives of the parties in disagreement. After a heavy conflict like situation, INFPs need their space to recharge and reflect.
Interpersonal Skills: ENFP vs INFP
The interpersonal skills of both ENFP and INFP are similar in some respects and different in others. Particularly, the manner of relating to others, perceiving other people, and how others perceive them is distinct for both personalities.
ENFPs are usually outgoing, happy, positive, and hopeful in the presence of others. At times, they can be sensitive and take criticism seriously. They may have a need to be liked and approved by others. People perceive them as likable, genuine, and fun to be around. They are usually emotionally expressive and can be found at the center of dramatic situations. However, they try to keep the environment light for other people to feel comfortable. They can be future-oriented, open to possibilities, and driven to care about other people in many situations.
On the other hand, INFPs are curious about what’s happening around them but shy to actively seek information. They dislike the limelight but feel excluded if they are kept uninformed. They are emotional but not expressive which can lead to an overspill of emotions in unexpected situations. They are in tune with the feelings of others and are empathic.
FAQs: ENFP vs INFP
Are ENFP and INFP compatible?
Yes. ENFPs and INFPs are compatible and can have a healthy relationship. They share a similar understanding of the world, a love for helping others, same values, dislike for routine and intellectual curiosity Yet, their differences in the preference for socialization and conflict avoidance tendency may need to be worked upon for a smoother relationship.
Who Should an INFP marry?
INFP’s ideal partner is ENFJ or ESFJ. This is because their dominant introverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant extroverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.
Who should an ENFP marry?
ENFP should marry an INTJ or the INFJ. This is because their dominant function of extraverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant introverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.
What do INFPs want in a relationship?
INFPs want to know their partners inside out in a relationship. This is because for them love is defined by knowing their partners fully yet accepting them unconditionally.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENFP vs INFP personality types and found that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they see and understand the world in the same way and use the same cognitive functions. However, they have differences in their social needs & energy level. ENFPs are extroverts and INFPs are introverts. Furthermore, ENFPs are concerned about the approval of others, are action-oriented, more joyous, demanding, and spontaneous, unlike INFPs who lies on the other end of the spectrum in these areas.
I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊
Citations
https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987
https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/infp
https://personalitymax.com/personality-types/population-gender/
