How to Tell if You’re an INFJ vs. INTP
If you’re reading this post, there’s a high chance that you’re trying to work out if you’re an INFJ vs. INTP personality type. These two types can be confused because they share many of the same characteristics. Both types are creative, analytical, and reserved. They are also deep thinkers who are exceptionally curious.
If you’re reading this post, there’s a high chance that you’re trying to work out if you’re an INFJ vs. INTP personality type. These two types can be confused because they share many of the same characteristics. Both types are creative, analytical, and reserved. They are also deep thinkers who are exceptionally curious.
But there are also some core differences between how these types think and experience the world. In this post, we explore these core differences. If you’re unclear about your type, we hope this helps you.
So here are five differences between the INFJ vs. INTP personality types:
1. Dealing with emotions.
INFJs and INTPs deal with feelings in very different ways. For starters, INFJs tend to be more comfortable dealing with the irrational nature of emotions than INTPs.
In addition, INFJs tend to focus on other people’s emotions. They innately absorb the emotions of others in real-time. This means that they are highly empathetic, and they truly feel other people’s emotions as if they are their own.
It can happen with anyone or anything—it could be a close family member, someone they are sitting next to on the train, or an animal in a book. When they are around happy people, they naturally take on similar emotions, and the same goes for other scenarios, such as when those around them are sad.
However, INFJs can struggle to understand their own emotions to the same degree. On the other hand, INTPs can find it harder to understand both other people’s emotions and their own because they are so logical.
While INTPs do feel things deeply, they often try to rationalize their emotions. This is because they can find it hard to accept anything that doesn’t have a logical explanation. As emotions often don’t have an entirely rational origin, INTPs can find them confusing or overwhelming.
INTPs are most comfortable when dealing with linear reasoning. For example, knowing that they will lose 1kg if they have a 7,700-calorie deficit is comforting to an INTP. In order to accept something, they like to have evidence, but this just isn’t possible when it comes to emotions. The same goes for INTPs dealing with other people’s emotions for similar reasons.
2. Making decisions.
INFJs and INTPs focus on different criteria when making decisions. When deciding on the right path, INFJs prioritize emotions, while INTPs place more emphasis on logic.
INFJs primarily base their decisions on how they will affect others. They want to create win-win scenarios and avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. Of course, this isn’t always possible, and when they do have to take action that involves hurting other people, it deeply affects them.
INFJs are often the peacemakers in their families or social groups. They will try to see both sides of every issue and find a resolution that works for everyone. When making decisions, INFJs ask: “How does this impact the group?” Ultimately, they are always looking to create harmony with the outer world.
INTPs use inductive logic to make decisions. This means they start at the theory, then go to the facts and then return to the theory. Essentially, INTPs tend to use facts to prove their theories. Over their lifetimes, they build an internal web of knowledge about how the world works.
In fact, they can find it hard to accept information that conflicts with their framework of knowledge. When making decisions, INTPs ask: “Does this make sense to me?” INTPs can take longer to make decisions because each choice must align with their internal web of knowledge.
3. Organization.
INTPs and INFJs have a similar approach to life in some ways. After all, they share preferences for introversion and intuition.
However, the way they organize their day-to-day lives can look quite different. INTPs prefer to keep their options open, while INFJs feel more comfortable when they have a clear plan.
INFJs are orderly and tend to feel at ease when they have a plan. They like to know what they’re doing and when they’re doing it. This is because they have a lot going on in their heads and feel more comfortable when they have some structure in their outer lives.
Being in an environment where there is structure enables INFJs to think clearly and explore concepts internally. Even though INFJs feel most comfortable with some kind of routine, they do like to allow periods of time to recharge in their introverted bubble and pursue their interests.
INTPs often appear relaxed and adaptable. In fact, they are in a lot of ways. They don’t like to plan too far in advance and are open to new experiences. This is because they love entertaining possibilities and can feel uncomfortable when they give up options.
Despite being flexible on the surface, they are less adaptable in terms of their inner world. INTPs feel very strongly when they think that someone is “wrong” or when someone is spreading inaccurate information. They will feel a deep need to correct this person, and they can do this in quite a blunt manner. As discussed, INTPs have very clear views on what makes sense.
4. Communication style.
INFJs and INTPs can both need time to collect their thoughts. However, INTPs are much more direct in the way they communicate, while INFJs consciously think about how their words will impact other people.
INFJs are warm in the way they communicate. It’s common for people of this type to ask a lot of questions because they are deeply curious about people, and they are incredible listeners.
INFJs are more likely to be expressive and emotional in their communication style. They may use anecdotes and personal stories to help explain their points, whereas INTPs tend to share their reasoning.
Both INFJs and INTPs are extremely private about their feelings, but INFJs are more likely to be open about their emotions. In addition, INFJs choose their words carefully and are often very persuasive. Not in a salesy way, but in a subtle manner because they know exactly what makes people tick.
INFJs are exceptionally thoughtful, and they tend to filter what they say through a lens of how their words will impact others. This means they might not always respond quickly because they want to take a second to consider their audience’s life experiences and perspectives.
INTPs communicate in a more direct manner than INFJs. Despite being reserved, INTPs love to debate topics because it helps them clarify their opinions and thoughts. In fact, they may even argue with themselves in their mind.
They communicate in a more open-ended way compared to INFJs and often actively seek out other people’s opinions. When they feel certain they are right, they can be blunt in how they tell people.
INTPs will often play devil’s advocate just for the fun of it, and they can take time to collect their thoughts. When they do speak, they are often extremely articulate and accurate with their words.
5. Exploring possibilities.
INTPs and INFJs both look for underlying meanings and naturally read between the lines. Plus, their brains are always connecting concepts. However, INTPs think more broadly, while INFJs tend to focus on fewer topics.
INTPs are drawn to imagining many different possibilities. They are always thinking about ideas and have the ability to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated topics.
Some people might describe INTPs as scatterbrained. It’s common for INTPs to jump from one idea to another in quick succession. As a result, they can find it hard to finish projects.
When another shiny new idea takes their fancy, they become excited about this instead. INTPs were one of the two types, along with INFPs, that were most likely to say they are easily distracted.
INFJs naturally delve deep into topics. They are constantly thinking about different scenarios, whether or not they want to. In fact, INFJs can often foresee how events will play out with great accuracy.
The thought process they go through (often unconsciously and at lightning speed) is if X happens, then Y happens, then Z happens, and so forth.
Similarly to INTPs, INFJs also make connections, but they tend to have a narrower focus.
INFJ vs. INTP frequently asked questions
So now we have explained the key differences between the INFJ vs. INTP personality types. Even for those who have explored personality types in depth, it can still be hard to tell the difference between these two types.
Let’s now look at some frequently asked questions about each personality to help make it clearer for you.
Are INFJs vs. INTPs more creative?
For starters, INFJs and INTPs are both highly imaginative. However, their creativity often manifests in slightly different ways.
INFJs are usually more in touch with their feelings and emotions, which can give them a greater understanding of the human condition. They are also often gifted with strong storytelling abilities and tend to have a greater need for self-expression.
INTPs often pair their creativity with their highly analytical and logical nature. This can help them see problems from innovative perspectives and come up with novel solutions. They are the kind of people who invent the next digital currency.
To summarize, both INFJs and INTPs have the potential to be highly creative individuals. It’s just that they show their creativity in different situations.
Are INFJs people-pleasers and INTPs robots?
There is a common misconception that INFJs are people-pleasers and INTPs are unemotional robots. Of course, as with any type, there are people out there of these types who display those characteristics. But healthy INFJs have strong boundaries, and healthy INTPs feel emotions.
Healthy INTPs are in touch with their feelings to an extent. People of this type don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have emotions. In fact, they do feel things deeply, but it takes them time to understand their emotions. This is very much an internal process. As a result, it will usually take them longer than some other personality types to express and articulate their feelings.
Healthy INFJs are able to find a balance between making sure people around them are happy and looking after their own needs. It’s true that they’re naturally more aware of other people. However, healthy INFJs are able to access different aspects of their personality to work out when it’s time to shift the focus to themselves.
Are INFJs vs. INTPs more introverted?
Both INFJs and INTPs are introverts, but they tend to be at different ends of the introversion spectrum. INTPs are considered to be one of the most ‘introverted introverts,’ while INFJs are one of the most ‘extroverted introverts.’ While these two types need a reasonable amount of alone time to feel their best, they also have the ability to spend time interacting with people and the outer world when necessary.
INFJs have more of an innate tendency to come out of their introverted bubble because they are more people-oriented. For INFJs, their loved ones play a significant role in their life, and they strive to make them happy. In addition, they are just innately interested in human psychology.
INTPs are driven by logic and are more likely to show extroverted tendencies when they want to discuss theories and ideas. They tend to be interested in other people’s perspectives, particularly those they view as intelligent, and they enjoy a healthy dose of intellectual conversations.
Even though they are at opposite ends of the introversion spectrum, INFJs and INTPs are similar in other ways. They are both highly analytical and love drilling down to understand how things work.
Final thought on INFJ vs. INTP differences
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our individual INFJ and INTP posts, which delve deeper into each personality type. Also, you can check out our post on INTJ vs. INTP differences.
