5 Differences between an INTP and INFP Personality Types
What is the INFP personality type?
The Myers-Briggs personality type known as INFP, which is introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving, is denoted by the acronym. People with an INFP personality type are frequently referred to as mediators because they typically relate to others empathetically and actively seek to understand their perspectives. They may spend the majority of their time daydreaming, reflecting on the complexities of the world, and creating stories in their heads. INFPs are typically reserved and private people who have imaginative and rich inner lives. INFPs tend to be introverted and explorative, so rules can sometimes feel restrictive to them.
Being naturally sensitive and highly creative, INFPs are prone to feeling emotional reactions to stimuli such as nature, art, and music. Due to their high level of sensitivity, INFPs are able to form meaningful connections with others, even in their professional lives. INFPs may spend a lot of time fostering these connections, and some may even feel that this is their life’s work. With this, INFPs may find fulfillment in occupations that allow them to assist others, such as those in the fields of mental health, the arts, education, and more. Roles where they can support others’ empowerment can be very fulfilling for INFPs.
However, because of their idealistic tendencies, INFPs can occasionally run into difficulties because they tend to exert too much of their empathy and compassion. Even in emotionally taxing circumstances, INFPs may decide to maintain their openness and commitment to envisioning alternatives to the status quo. This is because INFPs live their lives with a purposeful intention to make the world a better place, express who they are, and connect with others. Most INFPs can overcome these obstacles and maintain their optimism, even in the most challenging situations, despite the fact that these tasks may be overwhelming for some, especially for mediators who can get bogged down in thought when tackling multilayered problems.
What is the INTP personality type?
The Myers-Briggs personality type known as INTP, which is introverted, intuitive, thinking, and prospecting, is denoted by the acronym. People with an INTP personality type are frequently referred to as logicians because they place a high value on seeking understanding, spotting patterns, and formulating logical explanations for various occurrences in the world. Typically, INTPs have complex inner lives and are intensely private; they frequently daydream or ruminate over lofty concepts. Many INTPs are imaginative, intelligent, and successful at coming up with original solutions, which inspires them to pursue careers in areas like philosophy, science, and technology.
INTPs may have an outward appearance of being reluctant to interact with others, earning them a reputation as being awkward socially, shy, or reserved. Contrary to popular belief, INTPs are typically introverted individuals who value social interaction but cannot partake in it extensively because it could deplete their energy. INTPs prefer to save their limited social energy for interacting with a select few people who share their interest in discussing theoretical concepts, debating ideas, and looking into rationalities. INTPs frequently thrive in solitary or small group environments. INTPs can become animated and occasionally tangential in these conversations, effortlessly switching between topics.
Due to their tendency to relate to others through logic and reason, INTPs occasionally struggle to understand human emotions. In such circumstances, INTPs may become stuck in an analysis impasse and decide not to reassure their friends out of a concern that their emotional support won’t be sufficient. This difficulty can persist for INTPs in other facets of their lives because they frequently overthink their choices, which makes them feel ineffective. Fortunately, INTPs typically figure out how to get out of this rut and develop a keen ability to analyze complex issues and uncover solutions to their questions.
INTP vs. INFP: key differences
Due to their introspective nature, capacity for complex thought, and challenges they encounter when overthinking things, INTPs and INFPs are frequently mistaken for one another. However, despite their superficial similarities, INTPs and INFPs have unique characteristics that set them apart from one another. Their cognitive functions are the primary feature that separates these two personality types. The psychological preferences that underlie these types can differ greatly because INTPs and INFJs only have one cognitive function in common: the introverted sensing (Si) function.
Because of this variation in cognitive function, INTPs and INFPs may approach various aspects of life differently. Here are eight areas of life that INTPs and INFPs may approach using different approaches to illustrate this:
Conflict
INTPs and INFPs typically approach situations of conflict differently. Despite their reluctance to express their emotions to others, INTPs are skilled debaters and may be eager to engage in conflict head-on. Because of this, INTPs are frequently very interested in hearing about other people’s ideas, opinions, and perspectives when a conflict isn’t related to their emotions. When confronted with a logical and compelling argument, INTPs become animated and may even be persuaded to reevaluate their own views. However, keeping this in mind, INTPs may analyze a less convincing argument and spark additional conflict.
INFPs, in contrast, might be more receptive to conflict, even when it has emotional overtones. This is due to INFPs’ empathy and compassion-driven nature. In general, INFPs are quite receptive to hearing others describe their feelings, thoughts, and opinions, and they frequently seek to validate others’ viewpoints. However, despite this, INFPs tend to be stubborn in their beliefs and aren’t easily persuaded by even the most compelling counterarguments. This means that even after spending hours listening to another person express themselves, INFPs can occasionally be stubborn in the face of conflict.
Emotions
INTPs and INFPs usually process emotions in different ways. The introverted thinking (Ti) function that drives INTPs can occasionally cause them to feel cut off from their own emotions. Being highly rational beings, INTPs may not understand the apparent irrationality or unpredictability of human emotions and may attempt to deliberately distance themselves from them in order to avoid having to analyze them. Instead, INTPs look for the logic in everything, a trait that prevents them from overly analyzing their emotions. However, if they do emotional analysis, INTPs might begin to feel nihilism or futility.
Compared to INTPs, INFPs are much more emotionally inclined. Their motivation comes from the introverted feeling (Fi) function, which enables them to have a strong emotional connection with themselves. Due to their high levels of empathy and emotional motivation, INFPs may consciously engage in the analysis of feelings. INFPs may overextend their emotional capabilities in their daily lives by giving meaning to almost everything they come across. A keen sense for understanding human emotion and navigating heavy or complex feelings can be easily developed by INFPs because they find deeply profound relationships with others to be very fulfilling.
Worldviews
INTPs and INFPs may view the world through different lenses. INTPs are extremely adaptable in terms of their worldview because they are logic-driven beings. These types of people typically only have strong opinions when they believe them to be the most reasonable Although INTPs may not fully comprehend emotionally-driven viewpoints on matters such as religion and love, when confronted with an opposing and rational point of view, INTPs are able to quickly and easily change their minds and adapt their worldview to accommodate the viewpoint. This may cause INTPs to adopt a distinctive worldview in general because their opinions may combine different theories or philosophies.
In contrast, INFPs frequently have a strong moral compass and a commitment to the truth. When presented with opposing viewpoints, they typically stick to their preformed opinions because they value honesty and integrity so highly. While INFPs may be receptive to hearing others’ viewpoints described, these personality types aren’t typically inclined to change their own worldviews in order to conform to those of others. It’s possible that INFPs are more open to changing their own views through internal processes. This trait can give INFPs a reputation for being stubborn, but it also enables them to live their lives with conviction and assurance.
In the workplace
At work, INTPs and INFPs may serve in different capacities. Strong leaders who can analyze processes and maximize them using logical methodologies are typically INTPs. They are typically highly independent individuals who need solitude to exercise their exceptional focus and come up with original solutions to significant, complex problems. Though they may have trouble at work with collaboration or interpersonal communication, INTPs are often very innovative people. When acting as a leader, INTPs look for a group of subordinates who are committed and diligent because they frequently serve as decision-makers and arbitrators.
INFPs make excellent collaborators who may play supportive roles, but they are less likely than INTPs to assume leadership roles. INFPs are typically dependable and effective workers who are quite skilled at idea generation, problem-solving, and developing fresh approaches to tried-and-true issues. These personality types also frequently flourish when given enough room and freedom to develop meaning in their work. However, keeping this in mind, INFPs may encounter difficulties if they feel constrained by routine and restrictions at work. INFPs may begin to lose interest in their careers if they are constrained by tradition.
Inner life
Both INTPs and INFPs have intensely involved inner lives and a propensity for daydreaming and using their imaginations. However, with this, INTPs and INFPs typically navigate their inner lives in various ways. INTPs tend to favor non-fictional media such as history books, documentaries, science magazines, and other texts that focus on in-depth research. This is because INTPs place a high value on reason and analysis, and this kind of activity can help them think through concrete but complex concepts. INTPs have very analytical inner lives, and they may use these pursuits to find personal fulfillment.
This means that INTPs are frequently only interested in fictional works if they closely resemble useful real-life experiences. They aren’t typically interested in stories that exist outside the realm of reality. In contrast, INFPs find stories that push the envelope compelling, and their inner lives are filled with lofty aspirations, elaborate fantasies, and practical impossibilities. They might prefer to watch movies, play video games, or read books that feature rounded characters with emotional facades so that they can empathize with them. INFPs strive to emotionally identify with others in their inner lives in order to satiate their own needs.
FAQ
Is INFP better than INTP?
Compared to INTPs, INFPs are much more emotionally inclined. Their motivation comes from the introverted feeling (Fi) function, which enables them to have a strong emotional connection with themselves. Due to their high levels of empathy and emotional motivation, INFPs may consciously engage in the analysis of feelings.
Can I be both INTP and INFP?
No, because the two dominant INTP and INFP characteristics are not the same. INTP’s dominant function is Introverted Thinking. INFP’s dominant function is Introverted Feeling. This means that while INTPs base their decisions primarily on logic and reasoning, INFPs base their decisions primarily on their values.
