INFP vs INFJ: Difference and Comparison

Every person has a different personality. In the simplest of terms, every person has different thought processes, innate responses, feelings, moods, behaviour, and actions that are unique only to that person himself.

This constitutes his personality, in short. Personalities can be of various types. According to the Myers- Briggs type personality indicator developed by Carl Jung, personality can be divided into various types based on four categories thinking, feeling, sensation and intuition.

INFP and INFJ are two rare types of personalities.

Key Takeaways

1. INFPs and INFJs are both introverted personality types, but INFPs are more focused on personal values and emotions, while INFJs are more focused on intuition and empathizing with others.
2. INFPs tend to be more creative and imaginative than INFJs, who are more practical and strategic.
3. INFPs may struggle with indecision and self-doubt, while INFJs may struggle with setting boundaries and assertiveness.

INFP vs INFJ

The difference between INFP and INFJ is that an INFP personality is an introverted, intuitive, feeling and prospective person while an INFP is an introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging person. Although both might seem to be similar on the surface, they are, in reality, exactly what we call the opposite of each other.

INFP personalities are also called mediators as they show extreme care and imagination in what they do. They might seem to be introverted people but in reality, they are very creative and imaginative and have a very colourful mind and inner life. They are also very emotional beings.

INFJ personalities are also called advocates as they are very judging, structured and opinionated. They are introverted but are very determined and thoughtful. They are also imaginative and also work in ideals. They like to stand up for what’s right, giving them the name of Advocates.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	INFP	INFJ
Thinking	They have extroverted thinking.	They have introverted thinking.
Feeling	They have introverted feelings.	They have extroverted feeling.
Sensation	They have introverted sensing	They have extroverted sensing.
Intuition	They have extroverted intuition.	They have introverted intuition.
Characteristics trait	They are introverts that can see the bigger picture and understand the human mind better than most.	They are introverts that can feel what others feel also they can turn their ideas into actions.
Emotions	They understand the human mind and the emotions of others very well.	They empathize with a second person and might also tune in to their emotion and overrun their own.
Need for Validation	Validation of their thoughts is not important for them as long they are understood.	Validation of their thinking is very important for their mental satisfaction
Need for Order	They are more carefree than the others.	Being determined and intuitive they like being on time and having a plan for everything.

What is INFP?

INFP are a type of personality found in humans. They refer to introverted people who have highly developed senses and feelings within their minds. Their intuition and thoughts are expressed creatively and thoughtfully, reflecting their perspective of life.

They tend to lead a life with a perspective. They are open-minded people ready to learn from the environment. They are good listeners and understand human minds very well.

They are very curious and want to know about the human condition and like spending time with a person to know them inside out.

Their thoughts are very artistic and not analytical, and they appear to be carefree and non-judgmental outwardly, but inside, they are the opposite. INFP people are great at career counselling and creative writing, like book authors, fiction writers, etc.

William Shakespeare, Audrey Hepburn, and JR Tolkien are some of the famous INFPs that you might have heard of.

 Thus these people are effective in reflecting others’ feelings, and they are very thoughtful and creative, they are also random and do not make strict plans.

Outwardly they may appear to be in control of their emotions, but on the inside, their introverted feeling and sensing make their mind run about in circles.

What is INFJ?

INFJ is a type of personality found in humans. They refer to introverted individuals whose intuition and thinking are introverted, making them weird in expressing what they think, while their sensing and feelings are extroverted, making them a very caring, empathizing personality.

These are highly creative and thoughtful people who have a plan in their minds. They are very organized and like having a plan for everything. These people also need validation for what they feel.

They tend to believe what they think is right and must be accepted by others that might be thought to be a judging personality.

INFJs, in contrast to INFPs, are not individualistic. They are more compassionate towards others’ feelings, they tune in to other emotions and might sometimes be overly sensitive.

Being a little stubborn, they can also be difficult to know properly however, they are very warm on the inside and are excellent friends and have long, meaningful relationships.

Some of the famous I did that you might know are Oprah Winfrey, Atticus Finch (a fictional character from the book “To Kill a Mockingbird “) etc. INFJs can be good in professions like teaching, non-fictional writers, Psychologists etc.

Main Differences Between INFP and INFJ

1. INFPs have different cognitive functions (feeling, thinking, sensing, intuition) than that of INFJs, which makes them exactly opposites.
2. INFPs are individualistic people and tend to understand their advantage before others, while INFJs take care of others’ needs first.
3. INFPs are caring, yet they just reflect what you feel they do not empathize, while INFJs completely tune in to your emotion. Your heartbreak is their heartbreak.
4. INFPs are not doers. They do not have plans. They are more laid back and go with the flow, while INFJs are idealistic. They have the special power to turn all their ideas into reality through well-calculated actions.
5. INFPs are to be open-minded on the outside, while INFJs are opinionated and hence seem to be judging on the outside.
6. INFPs are better listeners than INFJs, who are better talkers. They need to speak about what they think and need to be validated.

References

1. https://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2013-29682-000/
2. https://personalityjunkie.com/04/cognitive-styles-thinkers-feelers-visual-spatial-verbal/