In this brief guide, we will look at the ISFJ function stack.
ISFJ function stack Definition
The IFJ function stack is a collection of 4 main cognitive functions that these people usually employ when trying to gather information (Perceiving) or make decisions (Judging), and they are, Sensing, Feeling, Thinking, and Intuition.
The ISFJ function stack with their orientation to the inside or outside world and their abbreviation are listed below:
- Dominant: Introverted Sensing (Si)
- Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
- Tertiary: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
- Inferior: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
According to these functions, it may be said that the ISFJ function stack can also be called by the symbols of the two main functions, which are SiFe.
The orientation to the inside or outside world that was mentioned above refers to the first letter in the Myers Briggs system of personality types, which mentions whether the person is an introvert or extrovert, that is, do they depend and interact more on themselves (introvert) or the world around them (extrovert).
Introversion and Extroversion in this theory do not necessarily just mean someone that is always talking and hanging out with people and someone who is holed up in their room, rather, where the person’s priorities lie, inside or outside.
ISFJ Personality Features
The ISFJ personality type is also known as the Defender, and the abbreviation stands for Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are the 4 main types of traits in the ISFJ individual.
The ISFJ is best known for its comforting, warm, and steady behavior, and they are often seen as helpful and sweet people to be around, and those who will always help someone in need as well.
The ISFJ is also seen as being efficient in everything they do, and in a group of people, they are likely to be the most responsible ones, and they may provide giving careful attention to practical details in their daily lives as well.
The ISFJ personality type is contradictory to itself fairly often, which may be seen in how their own characteristics go against each other all the time.
For instance, the ISFJ has great analytical abilities but they can also be very sensitive and delve into abstract just as easily, and even though they are typically shy and reserved, their people skills are very well-developed, which helps them look after people and help them out better.
The ISFJ also has great social relationships, but at the same time, due to their introverted nature, they are also quite the conservative type, but, in another contradiction, they are also quite receptive to change as well as new ideas.
This kind of contradiction proves, that despite type theories being so defining and comprehensive, at the end of the day people are more than just a sum of their parts, and even though it seems like some traits wouldn’t go together in on a person, in the ISFJ they do.
Perhaps what defines the ISFJs the most is their altruism, and they show a lot of kindness with everyone, and they may often be seen engaging in work that benefits people, and they believe in both work and people with enthusiasm and generosity.
The ISFJ may do a lot for those around them, and they may constantly help other people, but they may, at the same time, have trouble getting their efforts noticed because of their unassuming ways.
The ISFJ also tends to underplay their accomplishments, which may often lead to cynical and selfish people to take advantage of the ISFJ’s dedication and humbleness.
The ISFJ needs to learn to say no or to not do work that they don’t have the capacity to do in a given moment because otherwise, they run the risk of being trampled by more aggressive and malicious people constantly.
ISFJ Function Stack in Detail
Now that we have explored the ISFJ function stack briefly and looked at some of their features, let us explore this functional stack in a bit more detail.
Dominant Cognitive Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)
The first and dominant cognitive function in the ISFJ function stack is the introverted sensing function, which makes these individuals uniquely perceptive to themselves and the information they have in their minds.
Even though introverted sensing is based inwards, it is actually all about the real-world experiences, and through this function, the ISFJ becomes aware of how their sensory experiences relate to and affect them.
The introverted sensing dominant person like ISFJ, places a great deal of value in their own experiences, even above anything else, and may therefore display a good memory or catalog of details about them.
Due to the value, they place in tradition and their own experiences, which may be positive or negative, these individuals may have reinforced patterns of behavior which may sometimes make them seem somewhat ritualistic in their everyday life.
The reason for this is that the positive or negative feelings they may have had from their previous experiences reinforce the fact that those particular experiences will cause that particular sensation again, and they may therefore find it hard to break out of that pattern. because they find positive experiences that work for them and want to continue having those experiences.
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.
While the tradition that the ISFJ wants to follow may differ from person to person, the bottom line is that they seek to do similar things so they may be safe in the knowledge that they won’t have any sudden surprises to deal with because things are the same.
Due to their importance to tradition, the ISFJs can also be quite sentimental, and they may often feel hurt when their deep sentiments are not understood or respected, but they are not likely to say it, they might instead try to make rationalizations for why the person may have said or done what they did. are made more meaningful by the people they’re around.
Additionally, despite the fact that their sensory processes are so attuned to their internal world, the ISFJ can also be quite unique in touch with the world around them because of the high value they place on real-world, tangible experiences, given that one cannot be sentimental about experiences if they don’t have any.
They may also show a tendency to be attracted to the idea of an organized schedule or a to-do list as they have a propensity to feel like they have not accomplished enough unless they are able to see tangible results from their efforts.
Auxiliary Cognitive Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
The auxiliary cognitive function of Extraverted Feeling in the ISFJ function stack is the reason behind their altruistic and helpful nature, as this is the instinct that belies all externally focused, feeling-based decision-making processes.
People may often say that the ISFJ seems to have an almost “mothering” attitude, forever looking after people they know and trying to help out in a selfless manner, the way a mother would, and this is due to the extraverted feeling function.
The ISFJ has a strong instinct to take care of others’ needs, and they are somewhat driven to care, and they may do so even at the expense of their own needs at times.
The ISFJ may sometimes be what is known in the current pop culture as the “Mom Friend”, who is someone you might expect to say, “No, no, I’ll get it! You stay there. Also, would you like anything while I’m up?”, or the one you expect to be the most responsible or appropriate one that takes care of everyone around.
This makes the ISFJ lovely to be around because you can count on them, and there is not a selfish bone in their body, but for the ISFJ this may be trouble because they get taken advantage of very often due to their tendency to not say no.
The difference between introverted feeling and extroverted feeling is that while introverted feeling asks “How do I feel about this?”, while the extraverted feeling may ask “How does the group I’m in feel about this?”.
Because the extroverted feeling function is the secondary function in the ISFJ function stack, they may not be too bent on trying to deduce what everyone feels about something, and they may keep this restricted to just their immediate circle.
One needs to also remember that when talking about extroverted feelings we are talking more about the person’s values and what their conscience is like.
The extroverted feeling person’s decisions may often seem like they are based on “gut instinct” which is led by sympathy, and often they may feel that their moral code is influenced by what people close to them need and value.
Tertiary Cognitive Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
The tertiary function of the ISFJ personality is Introverted Thinking, which means they can be quite analytical, but since this is the third function, this tendency may be somewhat low compared to other functions.
This cognitive function is primarily concerned with finding the absolute truth, and since these people are high on values and tradition, it can matter highly to them to analyze and follow the logic.
The introverted thinking function is the reason why the ISFJ may follow logic and objectivity.
however, one needs to remember that even though the introverted thinking function makes the ISFJ very logical internally, the subject matter they analyze based on this logic is usually people-focused or people-related due to their auxiliary function of extraverted feeling.
At the same time, however, this subject matter may be very subjective and will almost always have a wide, multi-faceted scope but due to this function, the ISFJ is able to think clearly about complex analytical subject matter like people and what they want.
Inferior Cognitive Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
The last cognitive function in the ISFJ function stack is the extraverted intuition, which is all about the instinctual understanding of the world and information around the function, but because it is the last function in this function stack, it may be weak and somewhat less noticeable than the other functions.
The extraverted intuition may often try to seek out abstract ideas, endless possibilities and new experiences, and be interested in embarking on hypothetical exploration.
The ISFJ, however, is more focused on real-world, practical experiences, and therefore they may have trouble coming up with new ideas and concepts but this function helps them look naturally at the big picture.
Usually, people with this function high up in the stack may find it as being a thrill-chasing, idea-exploring, external stimulant-seeking function, but this behavior may seem draining for the ISFJbecause they may not much care for doing things outside of their comfort zone.
They may indulge the adventurous spirit of the Ne sometimes, but usually, in a somewhat familiar experience; for example, coming up with a new exercise routine at home where they can be in control of any and all differences that may arise during the process.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we looked at the ISFJ function stack. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ISFJ Function Stack
Who Should an ISFJ marry?
The ISFJ should marry someone with an extroverted sensing or introverted thinking function like the ESTP, or even someone like an ESTP
The ISFJ may not do well to marry someone too aggressive and driven, like the ESTJ or the ENTJ, as they may prove too demanding for these individuals and they may not be able to express themselves too well.
What are the good careers for ISFJ?
Some good careers for ISFJ are:
Librarian.
Healthcare worker.
Medical researcher.
School administrator.
Elementary teacher.
Radiation therapist.
Nurse
Are ISFJ rare?
No, ISFJs are not rare, as they make up about 13-14 percent of the population, at least in the US.
It is a good thing that the ISFJ is not rare, as these are incredibly supportive and warm people, who love to help out and make the community a better place.
Citations
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/13-signs-youre-the-mom-friend
https://www.16personalities.com/isfj-personality