Am I an INTJ or an INFJ?

Hi everyone! I thought I had my type pegged down, but lately a lot of doubts have been popping into my mind, so I'd appreciate your thoughts or your help :)

I discovered MBTI a couple years ago, and every test I've ever taken since then has said I'm an INTJ. I read the description to it, and thought, "Yeah, that's pretty much me." Some of the descriptions never quite fit me--like how INTJ's are supposed to have no qualms about saying blunt statements to people that may hurt their feelings, and they would only restrain themselves if it suits their purposes (or if they really, really like this person). That's not really me. Although I may be screaming a criticism in my head, it would take a whole lot for me to actually say it outloud. They'd have to say something that was extremely illogical or that went against my core values. But I worry about hurting their feelings. INTJ's are also supposed to have a big interest in science and math, and I couldn't care less about either (except for genetics, which I find fascinating). I'm much more English oriented. I tried to tell myself that not everyone follows everything in the descriptions, so that doesn't mean I'm not an INTJ.

But I kept looking around at similar types to see if I felt more of a connection there. I considered that I was an INTP for awhile, since they're like a laid back version of INTJ (and for OCD reasons as I discussed on a different thread). But I'm way too J to be a P.

I'm certain that I'm an IN_J. I used to be certain that I was a T, because I really value logic and try to evaluate things with a cold, analytical eye. I also don't feel natural empathy that I see in people around me.

But then something happened. I was bored, and so I started reading some stories that I had written when I was 10-15 (I'm 26 now). And to my shock, my stories and writings were definitely Feeler-oriented. All of them were shamelessly about relationships, and the characters demonstrated my core values about humanity. It really made me think. From age 15 until now, I've undergone extremely difficult circumstances and challenges in my life. Because of these prolonged extreme hardships, I went into survival mode, and I remember consciously telling myself, "You need to suppress your emotions; they will not get you out of this situation. You must learn to strategize without regarding emotions." And so I did.

So now I'm left wondering . . . am I truly an INFJ who has adopted an INTJ personality because it's a better 'survival mode' type? Did I used to be an INFJ but turned into an INTJ? Or am I really an INTJ and I'm just talking crap? lol.

Ever since this realization that I have been suppressing my emotions, I've been consciously trying to tap into my emotions again. I've also been doing an experiment--if I tell myself in my head that I'm a Feeler instead of a Thinker, will it feel right? And yes, it does. (I know this last bit has no logical bearing on my type, but I thought I'd include it anyway.)

What do you guys think?

It's possible that you're very balanced on the T/F...I would go more with INFJ though...
IDK somebody who knows more will answer xD

Since this has to do with possible suppression, I don't think it will be easy for any of the members here to type you - especially if you've favoured the 'T approach' in the past. I recommend really digging into yourself as well as perhaps asking questions of those who have had trouble determining between INFJ and INTJ (we don't get them often, but I've seen a few), but keep one thing in focus: even if you feel there's evidence for you being a Feeler before your circumstances (and you would still be, if it is your correct type), it's important to find out whether or not your writings and feelings of that age were moreso a phase rather than who you really are.

I can say that my sister is an INTJ and my mom is an INFJ...very different creatures...Yes! Very different creatures indeed 0.o

I'm not sure, but I would guess INTJ. I'm a pretty moderate T and I too worry about hurting people's feelings. I'm not all that critical most of the time.... Also I love genetics and english classes!

No natural empathy; that is very T

Originally Posted by alex8321

Hi everyone! I thought I had my type pegged down, but lately a lot of doubts have been popping into my mind, so I'd appreciate your thoughts or your help :)

I discovered MBTI a couple years ago, and every test I've ever taken since then has said I'm an INTJ. I read the description to it, and thought, "Yeah, that's pretty much me." Some of the descriptions never quite fit me--like how INTJ's are supposed to have no qualms about saying blunt statements to people that may hurt their feelings, and they would only restrain themselves if it suits their purposes (or if they really, really like this person). That's not really me. Although I may be screaming a criticism in my head, it would take a whole lot for me to actually say it outloud. They'd have to say something that was extremely illogical or that went against my core values. But I worry about hurting their feelings. INTJ's are also supposed to have a big interest in science and math, and I couldn't care less about either (except for genetics, which I find fascinating). I'm much more English oriented. I tried to tell myself that not everyone follows everything in the descriptions, so that doesn't mean I'm not an INTJ.

But I kept looking around at similar types to see if I felt more of a connection there. I considered that I was an INTP for awhile, since they're like a laid back version of INTJ (and for OCD reasons as I discussed on a different thread). But I'm way too J to be a P.

I'm certain that I'm an IN_J. I used to be certain that I was a T, because I really value logic and try to evaluate things with a cold, analytical eye. I also don't feel natural empathy that I see in people around me.

But then something happened. I was bored, and so I started reading some stories that I had written when I was 10-15 (I'm 26 now). And to my shock, my stories and writings were definitely Feeler-oriented. All of them were shamelessly about relationships, and the characters demonstrated my core values about humanity. It really made me think. From age 15 until now, I've undergone extremely difficult circumstances and challenges in my life. Because of these prolonged extreme hardships, I went into survival mode, and I remember consciously telling myself, "You need to suppress your emotions; they will not get you out of this situation. You must learn to strategize without regarding emotions." And so I did.

So now I'm left wondering . . . am I truly an INFJ who has adopted an INTJ personality because it's a better 'survival mode' type? Did I used to be an INFJ but turned into an INTJ? Or am I really an INTJ and I'm just talking crap? lol.

Ever since this realization that I have been suppressing my emotions, I've been consciously trying to tap into my emotions again. I've also been doing an experiment--if I tell myself in my head that I'm a Feeler instead of a Thinker, will it feel right? And yes, it does. (I know this last bit has no logical bearing on my type, but I thought I'd include it anyway.)

What do you guys think?

Sounds like you´re more an F than a T. Probably very balanced on the T/F. But then I don't really know what is typical behavior of an INTJ in years of hardship as you call it. Perhaps you should try to find out more about INTJ behavior under stress. And the same for INFJ behavior under stress.

infj... : D

INFJ-INTJ hybrid signing in. My take on the differences between the two types:

Originally Posted by Rouge

INTJ = World domination
INFJ = Saving the world

INTJ = Decisions via objective results
INFJ = Decisions via subjective feelings

INTJ = Providing people with solutions to their problems
INFJ = Empathising with people to help them feel better

INTJ = Interest in understanding how things work
INFJ = Interest in understanding how people work

INTJ = Values rationality and intellect
INFJ = Values instinct and psychological insight

I see you as an INFJ with a developed T like myself.

You sound infj to me. Your association of logic with cold, for instance (I mean, what??), and especially the mindset that would conceive of the last experiment.
Although an intj can be very English-oriented rather than science (I am, though I enjoy both), it doesn't sound like that is what you are. Also, many of us do not particularly want to offend people - we just do, naturally, all the time if we say anything that is honest or natural, so at a certain point we give up trying. Your portrayal of intj sounds to me like an outsider's perspective. I'm getting this mainly at an intuitive level so it is very hard to articulate, but for what it is worth, that is my impression.

Other clues you could be INFJ rather than INTJ:

You know it when someone is upset, even if he/she doesn't say it. You know it when someone is lying to you or trying to hide something.

You're a closet romantic. You've written poems and burned CDs for ex girlfriends.

You're often bothered how inconsiderate other people are being.