[uncertain]

Hi all,I think I am an ISFP for a long time, but I also think myself as an ISTP sometimes. I took tests for 2 or 3 times and had something like 54% - 66% F and 46% - 33% T. I usually tested as an ISFP but sometimes an ISTP. I like logical thinking and analyzing, but I also care about my and others' feeling, and I am a sensitive person who takes a lot of things personally. I base my decision both on feeling and logic, about half and half of the time. I am an 5w4, sometimes tested as 5w6, in Enneagram, which is why I enjoy analyzing things and rational thinking, but I can't tell for sure if my thinking is all that strictly logical.

I like to learn new things and skills and gather knowledge and information about different things. I also enjoy troubleshooting and solving my friends' problem if I have the solution. My computer broke down earlier and I read some books on the related issue and fixed it on my own. I had an incredible sense of success. The whole instruction and repairing process is quite hard and boring but I managed to go through the whole thing without spending a penny.

I guess I was an ISTJ as a child, and I almost became a science major in college. I was good at math and chemistry, okay at physics, before college (I had only one math class in college and I was good at it as well). But I chose an art major because I'm interested in visual art for a very long time and I am glad that I'm in it.I've seen people on different forums saying that ISFP is incapable of thinking, which further confuses me. It's actually pretty sad and absurd, if I'm an ISFP.

Also, what are some fundamental differences between ISFP and ISTP? ISTP sounds like a very rational man who doesn't care much about feeling, while ISFP is not rational at all and seems to care more about people and put people and relationship at priority. I don't mean to offend either type. That's just my stupid general impression of the two types. I feel like being something in between. I think I'm neither that rational as an ISTP nor that kind and warm-hearted as an ISFP

[letsride]

I am a sensitive person who takes a lot of things personally.

Hi there, this part of your description stands out to me, because this is definately an ISFP trait. ISTPs have a thicker hide, so to speak. Your strong interest in troubleshooting and problem solving, however, is common among ISTPs. I think that taking things personally is a stronger deciding factor, though.

You sound like you're well-rounded, which is a positive thing. The type descriptions can sometimes be extreme, and there's variation even within the same type. You may want to spend more time observing how you make decisions, and spend time on both forums to see where you feel most at home.

Good luck!

[bananajuice]

Hello!

I had a similar problem. I was tested as an ISTP but when I read the ISFP description, I related to it more.

I think you have to look at how you react to things. If something 'bad' happens, what is your automatic reaction? Do you tend to focus on how that bad thing has affected you emotionally to make sense of it? Or do you usually look at the situation from an objective view, using reason and logic to make sense of the situation?

This may help you determine your type.

(first post from me by the way, woo)

[uncertain]

Hello!

I had a similar problem. I was tested as an ISTP but when I read the ISFP description, I related to it more.

I think you have to look at how you react to things. If something 'bad' happens, what is your automatic reaction? Do you tend to focus on how that bad thing has affected you emotionally to make sense of it? Or do you usually look at the situation from an objective view, using reason and logic to make sense of the situation?

This may help you determine your type.

(first post from me by the way, woo)

And you just received your first thank.

It depends on whether I take that particular bad thing personally, and the thing is that I always do.

So my immediate reaction would be more likely emotional. If things are really bad, I will be emotionally overwhelmed and probably not able to function very well. I might be emotionally disturbed by some bad things for several days and can't stop thinking about it. After I go back to my normal state of emotion I start to rethink about it objectively.

I rarely tell people about it when I take small things personally because it should not be that way and people might laugh at me about it or just look at me with a strange look on their face.

Is it ISFP trait?

[Antrist]

I contemplated this myself, being ISFP or ISTP.

I'm fond of producing artwork but I find it difficult to draw or paint abstractly. My works usually end up being solid objects, people or otherwise possibly occurrent focuses.

I attempt my own repairs on my motorbike before taking it anywhere else as I like to take it apart and have a look at it for myself. Recently this has landed me in trouble; I no longer have working rear brakes.

I find it hard to accept that I am feeling a certain way for no particular reason. I will always pin it down to chemistry or a possible sequence of events which could have affected me in some way. Having that logical reason helps me to ignore the feelings or verbalise them to close intimates in order to have them give me the space I need.

I absolutely love giving life to plants and watching them grow. This is easily mistaken for an ISFP trait, however plants are much more like pets to me than any pet could be. They need care and attention as much as pets do, but they don't interrupt me when I am working on something. Less can be said for my boyfriend who frequently interrupts me when I'm focusing! He is an ISTJ very much in tune with his NFP 'I'm going to come and tickle you while you're washing up' side.

I really don't understand when people stress at me when I do something which wasn't quite to plan. It's the quickest way to add to my problems, as an argument drags Fe up which distracts the problem solving Ti and Se - not helping to find a solution.

If you can cross-reference anything from here, then you're a step closer to finding out what type you are.

[Exarch]

See which fits best as an inferior function.

Recognizing the Inferior Function in ISFPs

Recognizing the Inferior Function in ISTP

They're long posts though, read at your own discretion.

[Antrist]

Recognizing the Inferior Function in ISTP

They're long posts though, read at your own discretion.

Thanks for that, it really helps me to notice that I'm fighting a winning battle.

[Inguz]

The inferior function articles already posted is very good to help differentate between the two, also regarding Enneagram, take a look at 6. I usually score 5 as well, the 6 seems to be a bit different in ISFPs compared to some description, but the core motivation is still the same but expressed a bit differently. I personally really like @timeless description of E6 in the 6 subforum.