Neurotypology by Raederle

  Why ESFPs Sometimes Mistype as INFPs ESFPs are more likely to test “as themselves” than some types – likely because Se-dominance is very honest about present-moment reality. Yet paradoxically, Se-dominants tend to shy away from prolonged introspection; sustained self-inquiry tends to be too exhausting to pursue unless there is a dire need for it (as intense grief may entail). Yet Se-dominants (ES*Ps) tend to think of themselves as introverted because their external focus is not on people – it’s sensory (what they can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste). Thus, ES*Ps are often happy to go skiing, swimming, or hiking by themselves, causing them to think of themselves as more solitary creatures (which they often are). Fi in the context of the ESFP personality (where Fi is subservient to Se) seems to operate largely as a “vibe detector” – especially a “ good vibe detector” for allowing the ESFP to know which environments they wish to be in. The ESFPs I’ve been close to have been very...

  ISFJs often mistype as INFJs Almost every type has another type (or two) which it will gravitate toward mistaking for itself. This is particularly common when the auxiliary or dominant function is shared. (To learn about functions, read: The Eight Cognitive Functions .) In the case of ISFJs and INFJs, the auxiliary (Fe) is shared – giving both types a strong humanistic interest. Both types can make excellent counselors, advisors, human resource personnel, and social activists. And both types approach these pursuits with a reflective, introspective angle – not simply imbuing a career or project with energy, but with wisdom too. As an INFJ myself, when I was new to typology, I mistook many ISFJs I encountered for being INFJs like myself because we got along so well and shared so much in common. When I sit down with an ISFJ one-on-one, I’m almost always guaranteed to have an enriching conversation full of fascinating gossip. Yes, gossip. This may sound like an odd, trivial tangent, ...

  Almost every type has another type (or two) which it will gravitate toward believing that it is. This mistyping is often more of a psychological defense rather than a cognitive error. For male INFPs (and possibly some female INFPs growing up in highly intellectual households), their common mistype is INTP.  (Male) INFPs often Mistype as INTPs All types tend to over-identify with their mix-max function (fourth position) on their stack. (To learn about functions and stack, read: The Eight Cognitive Functions .) For the INFP, their min-max function is Te. Thus, it is natural for INFPs to laud thought-based capabilities in themselves – and, perhaps because it is Te rather than Ti, INFPs sometimes highly laud the structural, mechanical, and systems thinking in others. INFPs, like all four IN** types, are deeply talented with introspective (I), abstract (N) thought. Thus, this quadrant of types has much in common. Your type, however, doesn’t dictate your IQ (although INTJs are the...