INTJ vs INFJ (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will discuss INTJ vs INFJ 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. 

INTJ vs INFJ 

If we consider INTJ and INFJ personalities, we come to know they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are introverted and withdraw from huge crowds, noise, and social interaction. They are intuitive and try to find deeper meaning in different situations. They also share a judging function which means that they enjoy order and organization in life. At the same time, they are different as well, since INTJ is a thinking personality and is more logical/rational. Whereas, INFJ personality is a feeling personality and prioritizes feelings, subjectivity, and emotions in daily life.

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. INFJ and INTJ are two personality types out of the 16 types. Their cognitive functions are discussed in detail as follows.

INTJ: The Architect/Strategist (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)

The INTJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are creative, rational, and analytical. They like theoretical information and are confident in themselves. People find them to be good listeners, open to criticism, and perfectionistic in their approach. Furthermore, since they dislike talking about emotions, they are perceived as insensitive and cold by others. 1-4% of the INTJ personality type exists in the world.  

Four Cognitive Functions of INTJ

Four cognitive functions that guide how INTJ personality type processes information includes:·        

Introverted Intuition

INTJs are able to detect patterns & connections among interlinked ideas and enjoy exploring different possibilities and their meaning. They are focused on impressions rather than details. Furthermore, they can easily read between the lines to figure out the true meaning behind something.

Extroverted Thinking

INTJs are very systematic in their approach. They like order and structure as it helps them feel in control. Their decision making is based on logic and they like organizing their thoughts in the form of cause and effect relationships. 

·        

Introverted Feeling

INTJs do rely on their feelings but less frequently. If they develop this part of their personality, they can achieve balance, pay more attention to the values & feelings of others, and can also be drawn to other people who share their values. 

Extroverted Sensing

This is the weakest part of INTJ’s personality. Nonetheless, it helps them in processing information through their senses, live in the present, and feel in tune with their surroundings in certain situations.  

INFJ: The Advocate (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)

The INFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are caring, sensitive, idealistic, keeps to themselves, have a strong sense of right and wrong, and are future-oriented. They like contemplating life and the meaning of existence. Although they are idealistic they do not just fantasize about making a difference. They actually do it by taking action which makes them unique. These personalities are very rare and only 1-3% of them exist in the world.  

Four Cognitive Functions of INFJ

Four cognitive functions that guide how INFJ personality type processes information includes:        

Introverted Intuition

INFJs are internally oriented which means that they get really fixated on their intuition. This can make them seem very stubborn, rigid, and single-minded to others.

Extroverted Feeling 

INFJs are emotionally intelligent with more sensitive awareness for other people’s feelings compared to their own. It is difficult for them to refuse others or say no to them due to fear of hurting their feelings. As a result, they end up ignoring their own needs.

Introverted Thinking

INFJs base their decisions on their thoughts and their feelings.Which of the two depends on whether they are alone (rely on thoughts) or among other people (rely on emotions).  As a result, sometimes their decisions may be to please others or to seek their approval especially if the situation is stressful.·        

Extroverted Sensing

INFJs can live in the present moment, appreciate physical activities, and pay attention to their surroundings. However, this is not frequent as this part of their personality is weak.

A Comparison: INTJ vs INFJ

Personality: INTJ vs INFJ

INTJs are patient, quiet, logical, determined, and visualizers of the future. They like intellectual discussions, especially on abstract ideas. Additionally, they have an internal world of their own where they spend most of their time contemplating complex information. Socializing or being surrounded by a lot of people drains their energy. So, they prefer spending time in their own company. 

INFJs are patient, good listeners, empathic and caring personalities. It is important for them to maintain integrity. They are helpful and supportive of people in their surroundings and always try to make a difference in a positive way. They are hardworking, strive to maintain social harmony, and possess a vast thought process that is quite distinct from others. 

Workstyle: INTJ vs INFJ

In the workplace, INTJs like complex problems and figuring out their solutions. They get excited by such challenges and move on to the next when it becomes too boring for them. They work best on their own or in cooperation with like-minded individuals. Routines and monotony drain their energy. So they avoid it. Other people find them hardworking, creative, perfectionists, and open to possibilities and ideas. 

At the workplace, INFJs are concerned about the cause and strive to support it if it aligns with their values and beliefs. They contribute unique ideas and great solutions to their team and act as catalysts for change. They also hold strong views and don’t hesitate to express them to others. As leaders, they have a clear vision and can inspire others to support the cause which holds a deep meaning. In short, they are humanitarians, dreamers but also doers when it comes to taking care of responsibilities.

Conflict: INTJ vs INFJ

Attitude towards conflict and its management by both personalities can vary.

INTJs are private people who like to engage in intellectual debate. They don’t see them as conflicts rather as a chance to have a discussion.  They work more at a logical level than at an emotional level. For them, resolution of conflicts and concluding is part of the process which they ensure to reach so that they can move on to the next thing. 

INFJs prefer harmony but conflicts can take place if their values are threatened. They are reserved yet hold strong beliefs which they are willing to defend in any situation if required. In other words, they would be quiet and peaceful but shift to being rigid & assertive, for example, the INTJ-As, if something important to them is questioned. Once a conflict is over, they reflect and try to connect things in isolation.  

Interpersonal Skills: INTJ vs INFJ

The interpersonal skills of both INTJ and INFJ 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.

INTJs are serious, reserved, and scientific in their approach. They are unable to understand things at an emotional level which makes them seem cold and insensitive to others. They like analyzing complex problems based on conceptual and abstract data compared to trying to understand the emotions and feelings of people. 

On the other hand, INFJs shy away from the limelight. They can provide others emotional support but also need alone time to recharge as a result of emotional overload. They mostly keep their thoughts to themselves but open up at an emotional level to people close to them. At times, they can be outspoken if the situation calls for it. They also give priority to their relationships just like their causes and strive to maintain harmony.  

FAQs: INTJ vs INFJ

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed INTJ vs INFJ. We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are introverted and withdraw from huge crowds, noise, and social interaction. They are intuitive and try to find deeper meaning in different situations. Both of them have the judging function which refers to the idea that they enjoy order and organization in life. At the same time, they are different as well, since INTJ is a thinking personality and is more logical/rational. Whereas, INFJ personality is a feeling personality and prioritizes feelings, subjectivity, and emotions in daily life.

 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/infj-introverted-intuitive-feeling-judging-2795978

https://personalityatwork.co/types/intj/vs/infj

https://www.verywellmind.com/intj-introverted-intuitive-thinking-judging-2795988