PHQ | QUESTIONS: INTP vs INFP

42 comments

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  • Aish
  • October 16, 2018 at 4:29 am

  Just my two cents, if you’re the kind of person who has a sudden outburst social reaction or emotional (anger, happiness, sorrow, etc.), and contemplate about why or how could you’ve done that while you’re alone, you’re probably an INTP.

  If you’re the kind of person who’d uncomfortably place rigid structuring on your surroundings, and feel through it’s cause and consequences (how would you’ve made those who are involved feel because of this) while you’re alone, you’re probably an INFP.

  INTP’s inferior function is Extraverted Feeling (Fe), hence they KNOW they suck with proper emotional expression, hence they avoid emoting, but loses control under stress and ends up having an outburst.

  INFPs on the other hand, have Extraverted Thinking (Te) as their inferior function, hence they KNOW they suck with logical control, hence they deny any reality that conflicts their fantasy notions, but loses control under stress and ends up becoming rigid controllers.

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  • Nikhar Agrawal
  • November 27, 2017 at 4:45 am

  I wonder if you are an INTP

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  • Kate
  • March 31, 2017 at 7:52 pm

  Just to add to the confusion:

  “I am very conscious of other people’s feelings to the point that I will not point out their mistakes because I don’t want to hurt their feelings or appear pretentious even when I know that they are wrong about something.”

  I feel exactly the same way, and I’m definitely an INFP.

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  • Elysia
  • February 23, 2017 at 6:38 am

  I think I’m an INFP that keeps on typing out as INTP. When you type out as something and just reading the descriptors exhausts you, then it is a clear sign that something is wrong. I agree fully with being told that you should be a certain way as you grow up and that really does affect how you approach life.
  These tests normally assume that you do the things that you prefer to do and that you don’t have any deeper motives. Another lady made a good point, she was never late for meetings because she was conscious of how it would make the other people feel. This was despite the fact that she was a p. I also find that that is the case with me.
  I’m not artistic in the sense of drawing with a brush. I like to think that I am creative, and that I’m just out of practice from trying to be a INTP for too long. On the other hand, the only career advice I ever received when I was in school was to become a writer (from primary straight through to secondary school). I wrote a technical report for work once where the manager commented that it “read like a good story”. That was probably not a good thing, but it does indicate a trend.

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  • Boniface Muggli
  • November 30, 2016 at 3:53 am

  I have to say, I’m glad you addressed this question—and I finally got around to listening to it.

  As a (boy) child INFP—very Introverted and very Intuitive—I found protective coloration in acting as a more nerdy INTP, so I developed my Te (and even Ti) beyond most INFPs. I can still channel a good INTP, except for the intellectual arrogance of that type. (Although my silence can often be mistaken for arrogance . . .)

  But the breakthrough question for me came in College as: “Who do you want to become?” or “Who do you want to be?” (22:40—rather than “How do I want to think?” = INTP)

  I giggled (inside, at least) at Jason’s experience: when I (and other Ns) get on a roll of exploring possibilities and “what ifs,” amazing ideas can pour out. As he put it, “We will both sit silently at a party trying to avoid small talk, but if we get a quiet moment we’ll start spitballing ideas, and debating existential issues or abstract theories together until any SJ within earshot is running for cover. That never ending flood of weird ideas for which we need some outlet, and usually can’t find a listening ear is the thing he and I have most in common.” Yep!

  Like Wanderer, I have a strong background in philosophy, logic, math and science, which also helps me tend to act INTP. It helps compensate for my very undeveloped Si (Memory)—I only tend to remember what is relevant at the time.

  And I certainly resonate with VincientV’s confusion—but for me Fi is definitely presence, and my T function is more Te oriented than Ti. And I agree about the fantasy—even solo fantasy play.

  I do try to figure out how the world works and develop good systematic understanding and models—that Clarity Antonia speaks of at about 16:30 and later. For me that’s Te. But even more I find myself seeking alignment and authenticity: being true to my principles and values (Fi).

  Another way I look at it is that I used INTP manners to hide my feelings and values deep within and protect them from those who would ridicule them. But, when it counts, I do go by Fi values and Authenticity. I no longer fear standing up for what matters—although I do not force my values and choices on others; I invite them to join me. But in the end, I NEED meaning and value in my life, or what’s the point?

  I also chuckled about “wrapping this up, because it’s getting kind of long” (22:22)—NFs tend to get very wordy. . . .