INFP VS INTP (3 situations)
This blog will attempt to answer the question “ What is the difference between an INFP vs INTP”. It will begin with definitions of both INFP and INTP according to the Myers Briggs personality traits and compare how both personalities react in different situations in contrast to one another.
What is the difference between an INFP and INTP?
Meaning, harmony and personal values are at the heart of the INFP. It is essential to the INFP that their beliefs and actions are totally in sync. An INFP is unlikely to take any action which they don’t believe in their heart is right.
Sensitive, caring, and empathetic INFPs are excellent in supporting roles. Deep and private, they do not like being boxed in or constrained by rules. The INTP is deep, private, difficult to know and extremely independent.
They focus on things that interest them most, putting off completing tasks until the last minute as the routine bores them. INTPs love logic and an indicator of being an INTP is obsessed with logical correctness. An INTP will struggle with emotion, great at reading situations but less good at reading people.
What are INFP and INTP personality traits?
The INTP and INFP can be regarded as similar but also profoundly different. If we take a surface-level view, we quickly see that these two types share three preferences in common—introversion (I), intuition (N), and perceiving (P) and differ only in their Thinking and Feeling preference.
An INFP sometimes referred to as a Mediator is someone who possesses the Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving personality traits. These rare personality types tend to be quiet, open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do.
On the outside, INFPs may seem quiet or even shy. But they often have vibrant, passionate inner lives. Because they make up such a small portion of the population, people with this personality type may sometimes feel misunderstood or out of step with the world. Fortunately, their caring nature can help them create and sustain deep relationships with their loved ones.
To the INFP personality types, life is a long quest for meaning and harmony and their values are so important to them. This means that it is essential to the INFP that their beliefs and their actions are totally in sync at all times.
Some famous people in history with the INFP personality type include Helen Keller, Princess Diana and William Shakespeare.
An INTP sometimes referred to as a Logician is someone with introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving personality traits. These flexible thinkers enjoy taking an unconventional approach to many aspects of life.
They often seek out unlikely paths, mixing willingness to experiment with personal creativity.People with the INTP personality type view the world as a big, complex machine, and recognize that as with any machine, all parts are interrelated.
The INTP personality type is intellectually curious and enjoys the more complex and theoretical problems, often for their own sake. Practical application has little interest for them, preferring to identify the solutions and then leave someone else to plan the work.
Some famous people in history with the INTP personality type include Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Darwin, and Abraham Lincoln.
How do INFP and INTP vary in the workspace?
We all bring something different to the team and we all agree that diversity and balance are good things.
However, when someone is different from us we might not understand them so well so in this section we allow you to compare the differences at work, how these might manifest themselves and how best to manage them.
Contribution to the team
The INFP will tend to prefer a less visible role as their strengths are working from the back and supporting others, using their insight and wisdom, and lack of ego rather than being the leader.
The INTP will not fit snugly into a typical structure. They value independence of thought, and action and they need their space: to think, to be free from other people to work in short bursts of energy.
Being managed
The INFP does not want to be constrained by rules, and they dislike the routine. Others will see the INFP as flexible, gentle, and difficult to understand. They do not appreciate criticism or a hard taskmaster.
The INTP will not fit snugly into a typical structure. They value independence of thought and action and they need their space: to think, to be free from other people to work in short bursts of energy.
Leading
The INFP will tend to prefer a less visible role as their strengths are working from the back and supporting others, using their insight and wisdom, and lack of ego rather than being the leader.
INTPs need those around them to be proactive and not keep coming to them with questions. They like arguments and actions to be well thought through and will excel at ensuring this is the case.
Attention to detail / focus
Flexible and spontaneous INFPs will need their space and freedom to work their way. They dislike routine and need meaning to be part of something special, and they will be loyal and diligent and productive.
The INTP does not like too much detail, preferring a broad-brush stroke approach. The simple, the obvious bores them and anything they see as trivial or unimportant will be pushed away.
How do INTP and INFP behave in Interpersonal relationships?
We all have different motivators, values and views on the world, in part driven by our personalities. The section below describes how each person is likely to engage with others, and how others may see them.
Being around them
The INFP has two contrary characteristics, curiosity and shyness. They love to know what’s going on, feel excluded if not kept informed but do not like to be the center of attention, shunning the limelight.
The INTP is very independent, deep and private yet can at times seem outspoken because of their directness of communication and economy of words speaking only when there is something to say.
Dealing with emotions
INFPs are incredibly emotional, indeed they can actually feel what others are feeling and this can even stay with them. They are tuned in and insightful and they are happy to deal with the emotions of others.
INTPs find emotion difficult as they are at heart logical, analytical, and objective with no time for anything they see as ‘fanciful.’ They will not be motivated by someone saying, ‘please,’ or by emotional pleading.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Openness and sharing feelings
The INFP will often display their reactions to their feelings, rather than their feelings, and may bottle things up which then leak out at strange moments thus adding to the ‘difficult to understand’ image.
The INTP will find it difficult to share their feelings, although they will be blunt and outspoken regarding their thoughts. In moments of single-minded concentration, the INTP will appear aloof and detached.
Drivers and values
It is essential for the INFP that their beliefs and their actions are totally in sync at all times. An INFP is unlikely to take any action which they don’t believe in their heart is right.
Skeptical and difficult to know the INTP is wary of close emotional involvement as emotions tend to be slightly outside their life-space and if someone gets too close too soon they close down.
How do the INFP and INTP react in conflict resolution?
Initial response to conflict situations
INFPs have a deep desire for harmony and balance and will prefer to see the good in people, focusing on the positive issues and the interconnections between people rather than with the negatives.
Rational argument, logic and intellectual theory are the routes to the ‘heart’ of the INTP who will have no problem taking the hard decision, as long as it is the ‘right’ decision, one based on logic and evidence.
Issues they’ll fight on
For a type so caring and gentle there is a surprisingly crusading side to the INFP. When a personal value is trodden on, the INFP can become uncharacteristically outspoken and champion of the cause.
INTPs are relatively easy-going until something violates a principle. Then they can become outspoken, inflexible and unreasonable, switching from reserved to enjoying the heated drama.
Conflict style / communication
The INFP does not like conflict and will seek to be the one who brings harmony, diffusing tension and seeing things from the other person’s perspective, excellent supporters and empathetic friends.
Blunt and to the point, the INTP will rarely let emotions get in the way and will use logic and data to make their point. Those who are more emotional may find them at such times a little cold and harsh.
Conclusion
This blog answered the question “INFP vs INTP”. It defined the INFP and INTP and gave descriptive information on their personalities. It compared INFP and INTP in various situations to show their differences.
INFs are Sensitive, caring and empathetic INFPs are excellent in supporting roles. They are deep and private, they do not like being boxed in or constrained by rules.
The INTP is deep, private, difficult to know and extremely independent. They focus on things that interest them most, putting off completing tasks until the last minute as the routine bores them.
INTPs love logic and an indicator of being an INTP is an obsession with logical correctness. Their differences in personality traits make an interesting comparison in different situations.
REFERENCES
Drenth, A. (2021) INTP vs. INFP: Similarities, Differences, & Paths to Growth. Retrieved from https://personalityjunkie.com/05/intp-vs-infp-similarities-differences-personal-growth/
Personality at work (2021), INFP vs INFT. Retrieved from https://personalityatwork.co/types/intp/vs/infp#:~:text=INTP%20The%20INTP%20is%20deep,to%20know%20and%20extremely%20independent.&text=An%20INTP%20will%20struggle%20with,the%20heart%20of%20the%20INFP.
