We’d also like to inform you that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is not a strict set of rules but rather a general framework that can help guide you to understand your personality better. If you would like a proper MBTI evaluation, visit a licensed professional to help you understand yourself better. With that said, let’s begin.
Unpacking INTP and INFP
Have you ever stumbled across the acronym INTP on the internet? How about INFP? For those unfamiliar, these acronyms are two of the 16 MBTI types, also known as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators. Catherine Briggs and her daughter, Isabelle Briggs-Myers, built this on the psychiatrist Carl Jung’s cognitive process theory. Jung believed that all people have dominant functions that are based on four categories, and there the MBTI personality types came to life. These categories are:
- Introversion
- Extroversion
- Sensing
- Intuition
- Thinking
- Feeling
- Judging
- Perceiving
The combinations INTP and INFP are among the rarest out there, making up roughly around three and five percent of the population, respectively. They are idealistic, creative, and curious people with a knack for using their intelligence for things that interest them. They may also be private, rebellious, and can come across as distant. In this blog post, we will explore five key differences to help you distinguish between these two intriguing personality types.
1. Inquisitive vs. Artistic
One of the fundamental differences between INTPs and INFPs is how they spend their time. INTPs are analytical individuals who often find themselves involved in activities that are mentally stimulating. Books, strategic board games, and puzzles are some of the activities that excite an INTP, as they provide a challenge that is both safe and gratifying. They enjoy learning new and quirky things and can spend hours absorbed in random topics, such as philosophy or astronomy.
On the other hand, INFPs are creative souls who love adding their personalized flair to the things they do. They crave authenticity and sincerity and are drawn towards the arts, poetry, and music. These avenues allow them to express their unparalleled and abundant creativity. Many gifted musicians and authors are INFPs, including notable figures like William Shakespeare and Tom York.
2. Contemplated vs. Value-Driven
Another difference between the two personality types lies in how they make decisions. INTPs make decisions by looking at all angles, figuring out recurring patterns, or making predictions, and then choosing a final decision. It’s not that cut and dry, however; sometimes, INTPs become too indecisive and fall into analysis paralysis, causing them to withdraw from the real world to ponder things over. But for the most part, INTPs enjoy serious back-and-forth discussions with people who are as open and sharp-witted as they are. Sometimes, INTPs even engage in these discussions alone, taking on both perspectives and pitting different ideas against each other for fun.
On the other hand, INFPs make decisions that run on their deeply personal values. These values are uncompromising and act as the steering wheel on how the INFP mind operates. INFPs are more likely to ask the question, “What is the right thing to do?” as opposed to “How to do this the right way?” They consider the humanity of the experience as a whole, rather than the objectively ideal decision, making them very inviting and pleasant company.
3. Argumentative vs. Unity
Do you stay calm and collected in the face of a debate, or can you not help but feel emotionally perturbed with just the slightest disagreement? INTPs may not be the most tactful people around, and for many of them, tact is secondary to getting their point across during back-and-forth conversations. They are blunt with their words and also adept at separating the thought and the person when in discourse. Despite their cold demeanor, INTPs rarely ever mean to hurt the emotions of others. However, their bluntness can oftentimes be poorly perceived by feeling types as rudeness, leaving both sides feeling misunderstood.
INFPs, on the other hand, tend to be conflict-averse and find more enjoyment in sharing fun and lighthearted stories with friends rather than debating with them. If an INFP’s core value is questioned and criticized by someone, they tend to clam up or become upset by the altercation. However, if someone goes a bit too far, an INFP is more than capable of lashing out towards the aggressor, which could surprise even their closest friends.
4. Internal vs. External Control of Emotions
Do you ponder over your own emotions, or are you more like a sponge, taking in the emotions of the people around you? For some INTPs, they may approach emotions as a problem to fix rather than emotional support. Having a low emotional threshold is different from avoiding and rationalizing emotions altogether, which according to research at Boston University can cause many psychological problems. Healthy INTPs, on the other hand, are very much aware of the emotions of others. They’re like sponges, although they may not be the most charismatic types out there, like ESFJ or ENFJ. Their caring and sweet side come out when someone close to them feels down, as the harmony of everyone else is what brings inner harmony to the INTP.
For INFPs, rather than being a sponge for emotions, they’re more like a running sink. They’re highly reflective people with a sense of value that is directed from within, rather than shaped by their immediate environment. They always reevaluate their thoughts and feelings, thinking in terms of good and bad. Often, INFPs need to spend some time alone after social occasions to recharge and get in touch with their inner selves again, as they are incredibly independent when it comes to judging what’s right from wrong. This makes them ideal partners for empaths like the ENFJ or INFJ personality types.
5. Internal vs. External Control over Their Thoughts
The last thing that separates these two personality types is how they organize their thoughts. An INTP prefers independent and intuitive contemplation rather than relying on instruction manuals or charts. This makes them highly intuitive and independent thinkers who can recognize inconsistencies from a different angle. Inventors like Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin are popular INTPs who brought forth new inventions drawn from their own conclusions. An INTP is a natural when it comes to coming up with new and creative solutions, making them great people who can help brainstorm fresh perspectives.
On the other hand, when an INFP is in full focus mode or finds personal value in their task, they can be very organized and structured. Journaling, for example, is one way for INFPs to express themselves while maintaining a sense of order. A healthy INFP is more than capable of using a structured and predictable set of rules to
