ISFJ or ISFP? Or something else?

I've had confusion about my type before and used the old form. Back then, it was debatable whether I was an ISFJ or ISFP. Based on functions, which I'm still sort of confused about, I felt like I sort of fit into the ISFJ group more. But lately I've been sort of doubting it, so I thought I would try again with the new questionnaire.

1. Click on this link: Flickr: Explore! Look at the random photo for about 30 seconds. Copy and paste it here, and write about your impression of it.
Click. There are a few interesting aspects in this photo, from the docked boats to the building in the background, as well as the wall with the message on it. The sky is beautiful as well, looks like sunset, and I love the way it's reflected in the water.

2. You are with a group of people in a car, heading to a different town to see your favourite band/artist/musician. Suddenly, the car breaks down for an unknown reason in the middle of nowhere. What are your initial thoughts? What are your outward reactions?
My initial thoughts are worry about what's wrong with the car, if it's something that can be fixed, and if we're going to make it to the concert. I would probably ask the driver (if it's not me) if they have AAA or anything that they could possibly call to help out.

3. You somehow make it to the concert. The driver wants to go to the afterparty that was announced (and assure you they won't drink so they can drive back later). How do you feel about this party? What do you do?
I won't really want to go to the party because parties are usually a bit too much for me, too many people, too much noise, too much going on at once. I might put up a bit of a grudge, but I'd probably go to the party with them, and I might have a bit of an attitude after. Or, if there are still other friends with us, I would see if there's anything they would want to do instead, so some can go to the party and others can do some other activity.



4. On the drive back, your friends are talking. A friend makes a claim that clashes with your current beliefs. What is your inward reaction? What do you outwardly say?
I would inwardly think "That's not what I believe!" but for the most part, if it's something small, I will understand that people hold different beliefs and just let it go. If it goes against something that I strongly believe in, however, and these are close friends of mine, I'll more than likely speak up.

5. What would you do if you actually saw/experienced something that clashes with your previous beliefs, experiences, and habits?
I might be a little bit amazed, but I would just say, "Ok, I was wrong. That's how it is," and stick to that belief from then on out.

6. What are some of your most important values? How did you come about determining them? How can they change?
I value honesty and loyalty a lot. Not really sure how I determined them to be high values of mine, just something that I feel a nice human being should have, something I've determined with experience I guess? And my values would change if experience proved them wrong, if I saw them fail before my eyes.

7. a) What about your personality most distinguishes you from everyone else? b) If you could change one thing about you personality, what would it be? Why?
a.) I'm usually pretty laid-back, much more accepting of situations than other people that I know. If something happens, I know I can't change the past, so I just sort of go with it. So, I'm more of a go-with-the-flow person.
b.) If I could change anything about myself, I would probably make myself more determined, more passionate in some areas of life. It would probably make me, and those around me, happier.

8. How do you treat hunches or gut feelings? In what situations are they most often triggered?
I sometimes listen to my gut feelings, but I really should try not to. They're usually feelings of dread or that something bad is going to happen in a situation. They're usually wrong though.

9. a) What activities energize you most? b) What activities drain you most? Why?
a.) Something that really energizes me is going for a walk in nature by myself. It's just really relaxing, and I can kind of be in my own world, pretend nobody else exists, and just think and enjoy the beauty of nature.
b.) Situations that drain me are being in a large crowd of people with a lot going on. Just kind of a sensory overload, too much at once.

10. What do you repress about your outward behavior or internal thought process when around others? Why?
Around others that I don't know well, I keep my opinions to myself, don't really talk much. I just figure if someone has said something that I agree with that there is no point in me restating it, and if I disagree with what's being said, if it's something small, there's no point in starting a debate over it. Plus I'm afraid of saying something and having the people look at me as if I'm stupid. I'm not quite as quirky around others, either, due to a fear of that I won't be accepted.

I'm getting an internalized judgement type (Fi/Ti) over an introverted perception type (Si/Ni). I would say ISFP over ISFJ. I am not detecting a lot of Fe from you, you mostly seem to withhold your judgments until you are pushed in some way to disclose them which is Fi. You have beliefs that you hold close to and believe in but other people may not know it because you don't feel the need to express them. They are yours before they are others. Fe types would feel a greater need to express them for a form of validation or concordance. They want a kind of connection or rule to their feelings so that they mean something externally. Fi doesn't care for that because it's more concerned with what their feelings mean to them then others. There are also a lot of inferior Te tendencies when you talk about wanting to accomplish more. I am not getting Si at all from you which is what ISFJ's lead with. You seem to see things as they are (Se), rather then what they mean to you (Si).

I would say ISFP as well. Three parts of your OP stands out to me.

Originally Posted by Arroe

I value honesty and loyalty a lot. Not really sure how I determined them to be high values of mine, just something that I feel a nice human being should have, something I've determined with experience I guess? And my values would change if experience proved them wrong, if I saw them fail before my eyes.

7. a) What about your personality most distinguishes you from everyone else? b) If you could change one thing about you personality, what would it be? Why?
a.) I'm usually pretty laid-back, much more accepting of situations than other people that I know. If something happens, I know I can't change the past, so I just sort of go with it. So, I'm more of a go-with-the-flow person.
b.) If I could change anything about myself, I would probably make myself more determined, more passionate in some areas of life. It would probably make me, and those around me, happier.

9. a) What activities energize you most? b) What activities drain you most? Why?
a.) Something that really energizes me is going for a walk in nature by myself. It's just really relaxing, and I can kind of be in my own world, pretend nobody else exists, and just think and enjoy the beauty of nature.
b.) Situations that drain me are being in a large crowd of people with a lot going on. Just kind of a sensory overload, too much at once.

Seems much more P than J.

The first because you're flexible and wouldn't hold onto a belief for the sake of maintaining structure (someone with a J preference may).

The second is quite obviously P rather than J. Essentially the textbook definition of Perceiving. "I'm more of a go-with-the-flow person." is the nearly the equivalent of saying "I prefer perceiving over judgement".

The last one is more of my opinion, but it seems someone with a judging preference would be less likely to frequently take casual walks, while it's the exact thing someone with a perceiving preference would tend to do.

Thanks guys! It's weird that I identified with ISFJ's for so long and now it seems that I use more of ISFP's functions. But I know the ISFJ descriptions have just felt really off lately, and this would explain why. Hopefully I can identify more with ISFPs, I still need to do more research about the type.