I understand that determining your MBTI type can be challenging, especially when you've analyzed it extensively and find yourself torn between two types. It's essential to remember that the MBTI is just a tool for self-awareness and understanding, and it may not perfectly capture all aspects of your personality.
That said, I can provide some guidance on understanding the cognitive functions associated with INFP and INFJ to help you gain clarity. Both types share some similarities, but they also have distinct cognitive function stacks. Let's break it down:
INFP (Introverted Feeling, Extraverted Intuition, Introverted Sensing, Extraverted Thinking):
- Dominant function: Fi (Introverted Feeling) - Values-driven, focuses on personal beliefs, and has a strong sense of individuality.
- Auxiliary function: Ne (Extraverted Intuition) - Exploring possibilities, seeing connections, and seeking patterns in the external world.
- Tertiary function: Si (Introverted Sensing) - Reflecting on past experiences, finding comfort in familiar things, and valuing memories.
- Inferior function: Te (Extraverted Thinking) - Exhibits more under stress, shows as a need for external organization and logic.
INFJ (Introverted Intuition, Extraverted Feeling, Introverted Thinking, Extraverted Sensing):
- Dominant function: Ni (Introverted Intuition) - Focused on insights, future possibilities, and internal patterns.
- Auxiliary function: Fe (Extraverted Feeling) - Concerned with others' feelings, maintaining harmony, and understanding collective emotions.
- Tertiary function: Ti (Introverted Thinking) - Analyzing information internally, seeking precision, and developing logical frameworks.
- Inferior function: Se (Extraverted Sensing) - May show up as a desire for external sensory experiences and living in the moment.
To differentiate between INFP and INFJ, you should observe how the dominant and auxiliary functions manifest in your daily life. Consider the following questions:
Dominant Function (Fi vs. Ni):
- Do you tend to make decisions based on your deeply held personal values and inner emotions (INFP's Fi)?
- Or do you often find yourself foreseeing future patterns, seeing connections between seemingly unrelated things, and operating on gut feelings (INFJ's Ni)?
Auxiliary Function (Ne vs. Fe):
- Are you naturally curious, seeking new possibilities, making connections in the external world, and exploring different perspectives (INFP's Ne)?
- Or do you prioritize understanding others' feelings, empathizing with their emotions, and maintaining harmonious relationships (INFJ's Fe)?
Tertiary and Inferior Functions:
- Observe how you handle logical analysis (INFP's Si and INFJ's Ti) and external sensory experiences (INFP's Te and INFJ's Se).
It's also important to remember that you may not perfectly fit into one type; personality is a spectrum, and individuals can exhibit traits from neighboring types as well.
If you're still