INFJ Vs INFP: 5 Ways To Distinguish Them

INFJ vs INFP: 5 Ways To Distinguish Them

So guys most of the people who are interested in MBTI and Types are often confused about the differences between INFJ and INFP. Those two are the most easy to be mistyped. Personally I’ve been mistyped as an INFJ but now it’s clear I’m an INFP.

In this post I’ll write some important differences to tell them apart.

1. Judging and Percieving

These types may seem to be the same, but that last letter changes everything. The INFJ uses Judging which means they are more methodical, they need some restrictions, orders, rules. They work with a plan and maybe they tend to make a to-do list.INFP however, uses Percieving which means they work in a more playful way. They don’t see the importance of so many rules and they want to express themselves, so orders and plans are not their thing. 

2. Cognitive Functions

INFJ = Ni > Fe > Ti > Se                                                                            

INFP = Fi > Ne > Si > Te

The INFJ might be a Judging type, but they are driven by a Perceiving function which is called Ni (Introverted iNtuition). Ni is their dominant function and it is about understanding the big picture, the why of everything. They take in information first and judge or form conclusions second. They perceive information from symbols, patterns, behavior etc. After that, they sum everything up and conclude to the one most suitable truth and stick to it. INFJ sees the world for what it means and they fill the gaps. On the other hand, the INFP uses Perceiving but they are driven by a Judging function, called Fi (Introverted Feeling). Fi is like a personal compass of right and wrong. It judges first and perceives ideas second. Fi wants to decide based on strong, personal values and it has a powerful ethical code to follow. INFP wants to decide first if something is right or wrong for them and take information later. That may sounds weird for INFPs because Fi is the slowest and for me one of the most complex judging functions compared with Fe or Ts but that’s okay. They see everything in a more of a personal way (Fi). 

What is more, INFJ’s auxiliary function is a judging fuction, called Fe (Extraverted Feeling). Fe wants to create harmony and maintain balance in social norms and relationships. It won’t be happy until everyone else is happy. However, INFP’s auxiliary function is Ne (Extraverted iNtuition), a percieving function. Ne wants to brainstorm. It sees all possible outcomes and all the options. It jumps from idea to idea, without considering if those ideas have something in common. 

As for the tertiary functions, INFJ uses Ti (Introverted Thinking) and INFP uses Si (Introverted Sensing). Ti is about understanding how and why the world works that way. It is very logical, systematic and seeks consistency and accuracy. Tert. Si is about recalling past experiences and comparing them with the present. It seeks nostalgia and comfort. 

Last but not least, the INFJ uses Se (Extraverted Sensing) as their inferior function which means that under stress the INFJ avoids external stimulation because they are in their heads and lose touch with the world around them. Also, INFJs might overdo sensory pleasures (food, alcohol, addictions, sex) when under stress and they hate intense things such us weird smells, tastes, many colours, noises etc. The INFP uses Te (Extraverted Thinking) as their inferior function. Inferior Te wants to think things through a lot, but without doing anything to make it happen. INFP under stress can also be extremely critical, harsh with self and others, overly directive, sarcastic and may be obsessed with fixing errors, correcting others, mispellings, giving orders, grammatical or vocabulary mistakes etc.

3. Absorbing and Mirroring emotions

The INFJ tends to absorb emotions. This means that when someone has a problem, the INFJ won’t just listen, but they will absorb other’s emotions into their heart… They focus on other peoples’ emotions. They actually feel (almost) exactly the way you feel. Like their mood depends on the group’s mood. You are sad, I’m sad. Due to their aux Fe, they know what you feel. They see your feelings more objectively. So they don’t need much time to reflect about how you may feel.

The INFP tends to mirror emotions. This means that when someone has a problem, the INFP won’t fully feel the way you do. They do imagine your pain though and they really understand your feelings, but due to their dom Fi, they feel things in a personal level only. They see your feelings more subjectively, and so they need more time to reflect about what did you exactly meant when you said x and y.

4. Social chameleon or different snowflake?

Yes, both INFJs and INFPs seek interpersonal harmony. Yes, they both avoid conflict. Yes, they both are complex and think in a different way. However…

INFJs are social chameleons. They keep everything balanced and they try to maintain harmony, even by sacrifing personal convenience. Moreover, INFJs seem a lot more like extraverts because they need a little socializing and people (Fe). Many times, when in a conversation, they prefer to change their bodies’ language, tone of voice etc., in order to feel more “bonded” and comfortable with others. They may also change the way they talk (but NOT what they believe in) and generally they look like people who modify their behaviour ONLY (and not their true self) depending on who they talk with.

INFPs are different snowflakes. They do care about harmony but they will never sacrifice their individuality and internal values just to fit in. They will not be as they must, just for the sake of the greater good. INFPs advocate for staying true to yourself, even if that means ruining the atmosphere. And it’s not about being selfish, but about being real and following your heart and your personal ethics only (Fi). When they love something, they’ll talk passionately about it, even if their opinions don’t suit with others’ and even if they feel awkward and insecure about themselves. They want to help people become their most authentic and true self, and even though they are really self conscious, they say that the only way they can help others, is to help themselves first (and no, no they are not egoistic). .

5. Desire to be Understood or Validated?

Although both types feel misunderstood, they feel it in a different way.

INFJs feel marginalized. They fear that they don’t fit in and that others don’t get them in a suitable way. This is happening because while they fully understand other people well, others rarely truly understand them, due to the complexity of their characters. INFJs do not want to change your opinion or to convince you for something. They just want you to understand what they say, what they think. They don’t ask you to adopt their beliefs, they just want to be understood. 

INFPs feel similar. They fear that no one could possibly ever get them, but what they fear even more, is that someone may fully understands them. They don’t really want to be understood, because if someone understands them, it means they lost some of their unique individuality and now they are the same with others. Please, don’t misunderstand me and say that they are stupid or anything. Personally I think it’s okay not wanting to be 100% understood. No one wants that. INFPs want to be validated from others that their motives and intentions are good when it comes to their actions and ideas.

To sum up, both types are highly emotionally intelligent, complex, sensitive, caring, true, altruistic and have a lot of things to offer to the world. Hope now you can type yourself better and understand the things that tell them apart, in order to be a better person. Much love ♡