Some Thoughts on INFJ vs. INTJ

David addesses a friend's questions by discussing some differences between INFJs and INTJs, as well as the differences that life paths can have on functional development. In a nutshell: INFJs bend logic to fit their moods, and INTJs bend themselves to fit their reasoning.

[c.s.]

Feeler does NOT mean emotionally driven or biased or absence of logic when making decisions/perceptions. Feeler esp. NFs is more indicative of strong even idealitic (high standard) moral values/principles in decision making. They are perfectly capable of making logical decisions and take emotional bias out of the equation when pursuing objective knowledge. But in situations where it might be logically more expedient to decide one way at the expense of another person or violation of moral principles, Feelers are often compelled to choose the other way.
As a side note, INTJs I've met could be quite emotional even irrationally in their decision process at times, it's just that they are sometimes less conscious about it. They are often unaware of the underlying emotions driving some of their 'logical' decisions. INTJs have tertiary Fi and can be quite sensitive. Oddly enough INFJs despite being feelers, while very aware and often dead on about the core of other people's emotions/intentions, are often quite unware of their own emotions (shadow Fi) instead identifying with their tertiary Ti logic.

[tofusamurai]

I think the "lower level" Fe for a male INFJ is fairly common-- I feel this way. But, more accurately, I think that the Fe for many male INFJ's just has a different quality to it than "typical" Fe.

[julieg-k]

as an INFJ female, I have honed my Fe over the entirety of my 41 years... Recently, I went back to college... And I was so focused on my academics I couldn't focus on anything else, I think at this time ... My Ti was dominant.. As is was a cause I verily believed in.. Strangely, for myself. Once I finished, my Fe came back on full force. So perhaps there are times when one is more dominant than the other, pursuant to the goal.

[MrStevieJoeRob]

INFJ here. I majored in (theoretical) math when I was an undergrad. Only recently found out I'm an INFJ and thought I was an INTJ for a while (at least I had the Ni function correct). I'm one of those who has a strong Ti and I'm working on strengthening my Fe since its overshadowed by my Ti. I have used Te in contexts like science labs, work, marching band etc. but it's not as strong as my Fe, and I find really have to filter Te stuff through Fe first thinking of how someone will benefit in the future, or how it will meet someone's needs. If you were to talk to me about Fi stuff, I will most likely look at you like a deer in the headlights. It's pretty weak since I naturally focus on other people's emotional state more than my own (unbalanced emotions suggests unmet needs).

[kerryloftus]

I'm an INFJ and went the technical route, computer engineering, no regrets, still love it after all these years.

[Jetblastjoe]

I will break things down by cognitive function. The INFJ and INTJ can appear similar when you don't interact with them. Both are future oriented with an emphasis on navigating through time to the best possible future(Ni 1st function). Both have Se as function 4 for uncontrolled input of outside data. They differ greatly in their communication styles. I have a hunch that in intraverts function 2 is a communication function. With Fe, the INFJ communicates in terms of interpersonal harmony. With Te, the INTJ communicates in terms of impersonal facts. If they are not mindful of this they may talk past each other, as each's 2nd function is the other's 7th. The 7th function is usually the least developed and least valued(when I MBTI tested the people at work) The INTJ has no desire for the type of interpersonal harmony that the INFJ communicates, and the INFJ has no use for facts without humanity. I must be mindful of this when I talk to the INFJ that I supervise to make sure he gets a warm fuzzy so that he can operate at proper performance levels. I think that the reason people question whether they are INTJ or INFJ comes from an incomplete understanding of Fe and Fi. Both the INTJ and INFJ are capable of developing strong Fi. The INFJ has Fi as function 6, which is a hidden strength that may develop into the strongest function they have, but only available when under stress. The INTJ can have a strong Fi, but it may not develop until the INTJ has matured. Fi is concerned with what the individual believes is true, not emotion. Intrapersonal harmony. Fi is a private thing. Fe on the other hand is concerned with interpersonal harmony, and communicating emotional states is part of it. For the standard INTJ, Fe is a soggy bag of pheromones.

[kpvdnber]

As an INTJ, I'd like to make two points here. First, your need to avoid looking judgmental disturbs me slightly. Just pose your theory, no matter what the normative or evaluative implications of it. Second, I love you. Fuck. x

[michaelhenault]

Am an INTJ poet. So was Lewis Carroll.

[colljohn]

Hi David. I'm an INFJ 5w4. I took the MBTI Step II assessment. I only had a 1% preference for F over T. I was solid I, N, and J. Also, Step II breaks down each letter into 5 facets. In T/F it had me favoring logic which is a T preference. My Step II type was therefore "Logical INFJ." You and your friend may be similar, having only a very slight preference for F over T. Also it is quite possible to have more developed Ti than Fe, although your preference in decision making favors Fe. I would say that I encapsulate most of my Ti process with Fe. I strive to be logical, yet I cannot divorce how it affects others in the process.

I'm not an academic. I'm in sales where I get a lot of Fe use. Also being a 5w4 I spend a LOT of time reading and processing. I have lots of wild, speculative ideas that just might be true. Ha ha!

[jennysmith]

This is one of the saner MBTI videos I've seen. Nice job.

[kra]

My Fe screws me up constantly. I tend to be more Ti driven. It's quite a roller coaster ride at times.

[playboyjla]

It kind of interesting how many people think they are INTJ or INFJ, when they don't even know what introverted intuition is, but if you know that you're an Ni dom, then the hard part is over. All you have to do at this this point, is determine whether you make decisions and communicate with Te or Fe. These two functions are very different, so it shouldn't be too difficult to determine which one comes more naturally. Go to any one of the several websites that specifically discuss cognitive functions, and study both Te and Fe. Anyone who does this should know very quickly which one they naturally prefer to use.

Also, just because you think your Ti is stronger, doesn't mean it is. If that were the case, then you would be a TP type, where your Ti would come before your Fe. I'm an ENTJ, and I overuse my tertiary function (Se), which is not necessarily good. I have to remind myself that I'm not an SP, and I can't just improvise in the moment like a dominant or auxiliary Se user can. I grew up playing sports, so this is the reason for my overuse of Se. I sometimes neglect to use Ni before Se, which is a big mistake.

[kmadrid]

You posted this on my birthday, how fitting ;)
I would say my Fe is definitely domineering over my Ti. So much so, in fact, that I've internally felt it as a problem at work, whether or not is shows externally I don't know as my boss hasn't said anything. My work is heavy on programming and basically non-existent in the human interaction category which has left me been feeling its insidious effects. More and more these days I feel drawn to more artistic cravings like painting, gardening, crafting, human behaviour analysis, etc. and less on the systematic thinking patterns. It is so hard for me to engage with my work because my thinking pattern can't latch on to the logic on my screen in front of me because I can't 'feel' it. I even try to force myself to use my Ti but that just feels like trying to speak a language that I don't even know. So, I think my path is trying to change.

I will say though, I notice my Ti is dominate when I'm in a system I am comfortable with or one that I have already felt and judged. The best example is where I keep things at home or my own personal agenda I have set for myself. It is usually very rigid and things are kept in strict order, but I cannot apply the same patterns to my work projects perhaps because I don't see or feel them as my own. Also because it's been incredibly difficult penetrating these projects to understand its guts and inner mechanics. Does that make sense?

Love you guys and miss you so much! xoxo <3 K

[CrimsonHazmat]

2:30 INFJs: however they bloody well feel at the time, hahaha I love it!

[carolinazanquettin]

I'm an INFJ and I've decided to go to med school since my 12yo. For a time I've thought that I was an INTJ, because sometimes I feel that I'm much more a thinker than a "feeler", but on the other hand, I find myself better in INFJs characteristics in general, even if I still have some specific INTJ characteritics.I still have some doubts about it, but I don't know, probably I have some strong Ti, well, I don't think I know enough about the cognitive functions, I still have a lot to learn.

[tbagwellpianist]

So you asked what path did other infjs take, academic or otherwise. I'm a musician primarily, but I spent about twenty years teaching musical subjects in academia. Got out of it recently and I'm much happier. I'm concentrating more on MY projects, not just giving everything out all the time.

[SirenoftheVoid]

That tertiary development is something i think i share.Namely, in my case, Si.I constantly look back to my past and stick to what i've done before to justify or explain things.One of those things being studies and whether or not it's a good idea to go back now.

[sookierory]

i'm an INFJ and I studied audiovisual production, more on the creative side, but now i'm studyng history xD. But I have to say that science facinates me.

[winniewinkles]

Hi there, I know exactly what you mean. I got fed through an educational system which fostered my ability to be logical and encouraged me to go the scientific route though I was also artistic and privately enjoyed this dreamy explorative environment far more. Over the years I have come to realise that my true desire is to go down the artistic route and have never been happier than since I gave myself permission to go after this and apply myself this way. I think just because we 'can' go the scientific route, it doesn't necessarily follow that this will bring us the most satisfaction or personal fulfillment. It is probably a reflection of which traits tend to be valued more in society and school thinking they are preparing you for the available jobs etc. Also, because we absorb others feelings, expectations and beliefs so readily, it's difficult to sift out what our real desires are versus the desire to please or create harmony. Thanks for video.

[hannahdarnell]

I am an INFJ and consider myself quite academic, fascinated by the sciences and the arts. I study English in university, which actually nurtures my INFJ-ness really well because English is the study of literary ART, but in studying I get to apply rigorous, logic-driven academic analysis. I understand INFJs as having the capacity and feeling the necessity to entertain both sides. When I write music and poetry I'm like an INFP, when I study at school I'm like an INTJ.