Sometimes it can be tricky to identify your personality type, especially when you are torn between two types that share three of the four preferences. In this case, INFJs and INFPs are both introverted, intuitive, and feeling types. The INFJ has a Judging preference, while the INFP has a Perceiving preference. But how does this make them different?
Having a Judging preference means that you prefer structure and organization. People with this preference enjoy planning everything in advance.
Having a Perceiving preference means you like to keep things flexible. You want to feel free and keep your options open. You like to do things spontaneously, and planning isn’t your thing.
While both INFJs and INFPs are introverts, they deeply care about other people. As Feelers, they prioritize their feelings and values when making decisions, and they usually have a small circle of friends who share their views.
Both INFJs and INFPs love to learn, particularly through reading, which stimulates their imagination. It’s important to them that their teachers are warm and approachable and take a personal interest in their students. When it comes to learning, INFJs tend to prefer a more structured and organized environment, while INFPs are comfortable with a more flexible approach and loosely defined tasks.
Both INFJs and INFPs want to work on something they are passionate about and with people who share their views. Despite being introverts, they enjoy interacting with colleagues who are as dedicated as they are. Good relationships and workplace harmony are a must for these two types. Once again, INFJs need more structure than INFPs, while INFPs, who are more laid-back by nature, love to improvise.
When it comes to their decision-making style, both INFJs and INFPs behave very similarly:
- They need their time alone to consider different perspectives and options.
- They consider if their decisions are in line with their values.
- They consider the long-term consequences of their decisions.
- They both can struggle with indecision.
Both INFJs and INFPs can appear clumsy and messy, but INFJs may be slightly better at keeping things organized than INFPs. Both personality types may constantly misplace and lose things because they don’t have enough mental space to worry about such mundane tasks as sorting and organizing their belongings.
INFJs and INFPs are more attuned to their internal world than their external environment, and while their external environment doesn’t have to be perfectly organized, they take time to organize their thoughts and feelings. They may enjoy writing diaries, drawing charts and mind maps, and using visualization techniques.
When it comes to relationships, INFJs may be more reserved and private than INFPs. Introverted and sensitive INFJs are very selective about with whom they share their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, they are very protective of their personal space and may need more time alone than INFPs.
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