INFP vs INFJ (A 5 point guide)

In this article we will look at INFP vs. INFJ. This article makes a comparison between the two MBTI personality types which are often considered very much alike in more ways than one.

INFP vs. INFJ

Here is a breakdown of the functions of INFP vs. INFJ:

Function	INFP	INFJ
Dominant	Introverted Feeling	Introverted Intuition
Auxiliary	Extraverted Intuition	Extraverted Feeling
Tertiary	Introverted Sensing	Introverted Thinking
Inferior	Extraverted Thinking	Extraverted Sensing

The INFP Function Stack

To better understand INFP, let’s take a look at the INFP function stack:

• Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)
• Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
• Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)
• Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

INFPs are acutely conscious of and linked to their inner world. Their dominant Fi is inwardly centred and skilled at assessing and managing personal preferences, beliefs, and feelings. INFPs manage their thoughts and perceptions on a fairly autonomous basis because Fi is introverted in nature.

Given their progress toward greater self-awareness, INFPs often believe that their awareness of themselves is lacking. And they believe that only by gaining a more accurate or concrete awareness of themselves will they be able to function with complete honesty and commitment.

Fi may build strong connections and allegiances with certain externalities, in regard to its involvement in forming INFPs self-understanding and individuality. 

INFPs are especially likely to empathise with and form attachments with those who are unable to support or fend for themselves, such as animals, infants, the less privileged, victims of oppression, and so on.

Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)

Ne necessarily requires novelty. It is hungry for novel ideas, associations, and opportunities. It attempts to comprehend the universe (as well as oneself) through the prism of ideas. As a result, it’s no surprise that Ne is essential in INFPs’ search for self-awareness.

Ne has the ability to be articulate. Ne’s verbal language is comparable to “thinking out loud.” INFPs can find it difficult to make their points while talking because Ne jumps from one idea or reference to another. Also ideas that seem coherent to the INFP on the inside will scatter when articulated, like a light ray moving across a prism.

Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)

Introverted Sensing is a conservative function that instills a reverence for what is standard, common, or conventional throughout the tradition. INFPs tendencies toward money and materialistic things can also display Si’s effect. 

When it comes to materialistic things, INFPs are also minimalists. Many people choose simplistic living arrangements in order to dedicate more resources and time to their inner passions.

Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

The temptation of INFPs’ inferior function, Extraverted Thinking (Te), is exemplified by their proclivity for T-oriented professions like mathematics, sciences, economics, finance, computing, engineering, and so forth. 

Te has to be the most “left-brained” of all functions, with order, coordination, quantitative analysis, and the ability to handle T items like money and resources.

The INFJ Function Stack

To better understand INFJ, let’s take a look at the INFJ function stack:

• Dominant Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
• Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
• Tertiary Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
• Inferior Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

INFJ stands for Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging, and it is the most rare Myers Briggs personality type. 

If we dig a little deeper, we can use the cognitive functions to describe an INFJ as someone who prefers to use the cognitive functions in this sequence:

Dominant Function: Introverted Intuition

It’s their dominant first function, and it’s inward-looking. While this one is a little more difficult to describe, we might assume that it entails synthesising a large amount of data into a smaller amount of data, or even only one. It is mostly concerned with theories and ideas, and it is frequently concerned with futuristic planning.

Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Feeling

This is their secondary function and it is used when INFJ interacts with the outside world; it is associated with recognising other people’s feelings, rather than relating them to one’s own feelings; they actually experience it. It’s what they commonly refer to as empathy which the capacity to perceive another person’s perspective or feelings without having ever felt them.

Tertiary Function: Introverted Thinking

It is internally oriented and involved with the rational arrangement of ideas and theories. Although it is commonly said that Ti is effective, Ti users categorise the contents of their mind using their own logic.

Inferior Function: Extroverted Sensing

This is the least developed or inferior INFJ function. It is directed outwards, and is concerned with the sensory experience and how we communicate with our surroundings via our senses.

INFP Key Traits

Dreamers

INFPs are dreamers. You may be in the company of an INFP if you find someone who is spaced out or occupied elsewhere but who still seems to genuinely care to listen to what you have to say. 

INFPs sometimes find themselves lost in thought, constructing imaginary scenarios or contemplating existential questions. INFPs have a strong desire to daydream and are highly creative people. 

Idealistic minds

INFPs are true blue idealists. INFPs are genuinely concerned about others and feel it is their responsibility to make a meaningful difference in their life in whatever way possible. INFPs are capable of this because they possess unshakeable devotion, and they will not violate their ethical values for personal gain.

Artsy and creative

Most INFPs have an artistic streak in them and many INFPs have made their mark on the world with their art. INFPs are dreams so art comes as second nature to them.

The INFP personality would be depressed and hopeless if they would not have a creative outlet of any kind. Art is one thing that helps keep the melancholy (which they are very much prone to) at bay for the INFPs.

Compromising nature

INFPs being empaths and sensitive by nature are also very compromising. Peaceful and prosperous bonds are like a balm to the spirit for INFPs as empathic idealists. 

INFPs are also prone to attracting energy vampires because of their gentle and peaceful aura that most people seek out.

INFPs are excellent mediators in family situations or while engaging in groups because they are genuinely concerned about all standpoints and can go out of their way to ensure that everybody is seen.

Hopeless romantics

INFPs are hopeless romanticsINFPs are ardent lovers and hopeless romantics who fantasise about the ultimate relationship making it a role that can be difficult to fill for someone. 

INFPs fantasise about falling in love and believe that love has fairy-tale aspects. They may sincerely believe in love at first sight, and that there is one dream partner for them out there awaiting them, and they might one day make a magical appearance in their lives.

INFJ Key Traits

Mysterious

If you are an INFJ or have ever come across one, you may not be able to deny that they have an air of mystery around them. This very mysterious aura, also gives them a remarkable presence and magnetism, making them hard to ignore. However, this aura that they have, is sometimes confused by people as smug superiority, which is obviously not the case

Powerful

INFJs are very ambitious, and never back down from a challenge. They may even take on opponents larger, and more daunting than themselves and not cower from a fight. The INFJs’ formidable side surfaces, when their beloved is threatened. Whether it be a person or their ideals, these individuals believe in fighting for what matters and sticking out to the end no matter how ugly it gets.

Empathetic

Since INFJs are N=Intuitive as well as F=Feeling types, this combination gives them an elevated level of empathy. They are intuitively able to gauge what a person is feeling, just by being in the same room, or in the case of a loved one, they can even know if they’re miles apart, it’s just how they are built! 

They are not the kind to be scared of emotional displays. In fact they are very apt at handling and helping people process their feelings which comes from their innate sense of empathy. Their own emotions are deep and may even be described as abysmal. They are compassionate individuals who uplift people and their (hidden) sensitivity is a gift to the world.

Aloof

INFJs seem distant and aloof most of the time. They are hard to read, and sometimes even the people closest to them feel distant from them. This aloofness is the very reason behind their mysterious aura. Being the Feeling type, they need to preserve their emotional wellbeing otherwise they risk a burnout, which is every empathetic INFJs nightmare.

INFJs are shy and guarded, yet they are brimming with confidence and self assuredness at the same time. What a curious contradiction!

INFJs do not tend to reveal much about themselves until they trust someone completely, and even if they do open up to someone, they keep a certain side of themselves hidden.

Untameable

INFJs cannot be clubbed into dank submission; they are free spirited individuals. INFJs are untameable and secretly have a wild side. Wolves like the INFJs, do not follow the herd mentality and are highly sentient beings. INFJs do not let other people control them and are untameable just the same.

INFP with INFJ 

You’re going to find each other fascinating and inspiring to engage in conversation with. Since neither of them is specifically interested in recounting events in boring detail or exchanging dull facts lacking context, but also because you’ve probably both been stuck in such tedious conversations with others, interacting with one another should be a pleasant change.

Confrontation between these two is especially difficult to happen  because they both cherish harmonious relationships, so any rift will be nightmarish for them. Fortunately, they both have compassion that many people only dream of, and both have a knack for coming up with creative remedies to personal struggles. They yearn for intimacy and connectedness deep down which they might even be able to give each other.

Conclusion

In this article we looked at INFP vs. INFJ. This article made a comparison between the two MBTI personality types which are often considered very much alike in more ways than one.

Frequently Asked Questions: INFP vs. INFJ