Doubting my type

Hi, so I've been thinking about my type lately and how I maybe don't fit into it as well as I first thought that I did. I've recently noticed that I fit the INFP description probably as well as I do with the ISFP description.

Anyway, I did the cognitive functions test earlier this month and got:

extraverted Sensing (Se) ****************************** (30.4)
good use
introverted Sensing (Si) ***************************** (29.3)
average use
extraverted Intuiting (Ne) *********************** (23.3)
limited use
introverted Intuiting (Ni) ********************************* (33.2)
good use
extraverted Thinking (Te) ***************************** (29)
average use
introverted Thinking (Ti) ************************* (25.2)
average use
extraverted Feeling (Fe) ******************************* (31.5)
good use
introverted Feeling (Fi) ************************************** (38.5)
excellent use

Since then I've been analysing myself more and so I decided to do the test again to see what they were. Here's what I got:



extraverted Sensing (Se) ********************** (22.9)
limited use
introverted Sensing (Si) ********************************** (34.9)
good use
extraverted Intuiting (Ne) ***************************** (29)
average use
introverted Intuiting (Ni) ******************************* (31.8)
good use
extraverted Thinking (Te) ******************* (19.6)
limited use
introverted Thinking (Ti) *********************** (23.8)
limited use
extraverted Feeling (Fe) ******************************* (31.1)
good use
introverted Feeling (Fi) *********************************************** (47.1)
excellent use

Now I don't really like to rely on things like test results, but I was trying to use it to see if there was a difference in what I though before, and there is.

So I was wondering, am I actually an INFP? I think the main part of the INFP description that doesn't fit me is that they are good at expressing themselves through writing, which I don't feel I am, all the other parts seem to fit though. I was thinking that the fact that I fit into so much of the INFP description is because of the Fi though, which is why I'm kind of confused about it all.

That cognitive functions test is completely useless.

I know an INFP and an ISFP irl who are best buds, both tested. They share many interests: video games, fantasy stuff like LOTR and Warhammer/Warhammer 40K, cartoons, etc. Hanging out with them always feels like I'm watching Dude, Where's My Car?

One main difference: why they experimented with drugs back in the day. For the INFP, it was a life changing experience, raising consciousness etc. while the ISFP just liked the pretty colors. While both are laid back, but the ISFP is even more laid back, more aesthetic, and likes outdoorsy vacations and fast cars, but never anything too strenuous. But the INFP needs to feel involved in the activities at hand, is more arty, likes to win competitions painting figurines, and used to be fanatic, though not anymore, about changing the world through vegetarianism. So I'd say ISFPs have more of a sporty vibe, while INFPs have more of a hippie vibe. This is a gross exaggeration, but it is an exaggeration that makes the point. Also, the ISFP tends to lock up and get quiet in confrontations; the INFP turns into Chewbacca.

You should also keep in mind, Kokoro, that as we develop, we learn to use our others functions.

Think about it, every type has a preference to sensing, intuition, thinking and feeling, and a person may be more comfortable within their dominant and auxiliary functions. But as they start to use the other preferences, they may not recognize themselves after being used to rely on a single worldview. It can lead to further doubt and probably some bias as well.

When you question your type, you should ask yourself if this preference is more natural to you or you're resorting to it because of some event of any kind. For instance, being an male INFJ, outwards display of affection and emotion weren't really appreciated. Because of this, I started to rely on a more brainiac view of myself and started to suppress my inclination to feelings.

I spent a couple of years doubting whether I was an INTP or not, because I was too feeley to be an INTP, but couldn't agree with INFPs and INFJs either. It was happening because I was suppressing my Fe with my Ti, so I thought to be a Ti-dominant. However, using my tertiary demanded a lot of energy, and soon, I saw myself slipping back to Fe. At those times, I started to doubt my type as a thinker. And when I agreed to be a feeler, I saw myself making an effort to hold the image of brainiac, and started doubting if I was a thinker.

(It's starting to look more like a rant, let's get back on topic)

So, the bottom line is that you should understand what are your natural inclinations. Read stuff on all perceiving functions, and don't judge it immediately. Keep that information with you and just let go for a while. Sooner or later, it will click and you'll recognize how you worked all the time.

I hope you can find yourself

Ok, so after having looked over the perceiving fuctions in more detail I think I am actually an INFP. The reason is that my understanding of Ne was completely wrong, well actually I don't think I really understood it and so I mistook Se for it. For example, I thought that I was using Se to see the problem, then using another function to see the possibilities and solutions for them, turns out that's what Ne does.

Another thing is that I never used to realise that I usually thought of past experiences when problem solving, so I was using Si without really thinking about it.

I think these are the ones that feel more natural as well, because I've noticed that I'm not very observant which is kind of what Se is all about.