Despite both being introverts and judgers, INTJs and INFJs aren’t very much alike. The list below explains their similarities and differences in more detail:
- Both INTJs and INFJs are future oriented. However, INFJs direct their insight towards themselves and other people while INTJs focus on ideas and concepts. Their main difference is that INFJs are more interested in people and their emotional world while INTJs would rather occupy their mind with something more practical.
- Both types enjoy solitude because this allows them to focus on what’s important to them, however INTJs are more independent than INFJs. In fact, the INTJ personality type is often regarded as the most independent of all of the sixteen types.
- INFJs, particularly when they are young, crave for a small group of friends who understand and appreciate them. Being introverts, they aren’t into large parties but still want to be a part of a group.
INTJs, on the other hand, appear serious and reserved since their young age. Generally, they are too busy for social life and engage social activities only if they can learn something new or achieve some other purpose.
- INFJs tend to idealize people they like while INTJs see others in a very realistic light and may even be too critical.
- Both types are intellectually inclined. The difference, however, is that INFJs are more likely to take their teachers seriously while INTJs tend to think they know better and take everything they learn from others with a grain of salt. INTJs want to follow their own theories and test things out to see for themselves.
- INFJs are very much concerned with other people’s needs while INTJs often see them as an impediment to attaining their goals.
- Despite being introverts, INFJs have better communication skills than INTJs. INTJs hate small talk and long for more meaningful discussions. Unfortunately for them, they often fail to nurture relationships with people with whom they could discuss their interests and ideas, ending up alone.
- INTJs are more logical and rational than INFJs who tend to worry a lot and take things personally.
- INFJs express their feelings more readily than INTJs who tend to keep their feelings to themselves.
- Generally, INFJs are people pleasers while INTJs aren’t ready to compromise what they think is right for the sake of peace or to please someone.
- INTJs have a tendency to become absorbed by their projects, ignoring the outside world and appearing selfish as a result. This doesn’t happen to INFJs who strive for harmony in their relationships and are acutely aware of others’ feelings.
- INTJs may appear harsh, particularly when they offer their constructive criticism or argue about something. This type of behavior is very embarrassing for sensitive INFJs.
As for cognitive functions, the two types share their dominant and inferior functions — introverted intuition and extraverted sensing respectively.
People whose dominant function is introverted intuition tend to focus inwards, on their own ideas and thoughts. They often experience sudden insights, aha moments and hunches. They aren’t good at living in the present moment and spend most of their time thinking about the future.
A lot of their differences are due to their different auxiliary functions: Extraverted feeling for INFJs and extraverted thinking for INTJs.
People with well developed extraverted feeling function seek harmonious interactions with other people. They may give up on their own interests and needs for the sake of their relationships with others — an INFJ characteristic.
People with well developed extraverted thinking (as in INTJs’ case) value being logical and analytical more than having good relationships. They make decisions based on facts and logic rather than emotions and feelings. Some other types may misunderstand them and perceive them as cold and unfriendly, which isn’t usually true.
It is difficult to mistake an INFJ for an INTJ, but if you aren’t sure about your type, you can take this scientifically validated test to find out your four letter type.
You can also read through detailed personality profiles: the INFJ personality type and the INTJ personality type.
For more updates on all personality types visit this page.