INFJ vs INFP: Which Type Is More Savvy with People and Emotions

Welcome to another episode of “Which MBTI is More Better”! Our two most popular contestants, INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) and INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving), have returned to present their cases. Let’s see what they have to offer!

INFJ Strengths

Empathy Insight Creativity

INFJs are known for their deep understanding and empathy, often feeling the emotions of others as if they were their own. They can translate queues and signals from others to accurately gauge their feelings and respond appropriately. This trait makes them great counselors and orators, as they can build trust through close personal contact.

INFP Strengths

Empathy Insight Creativity

INFPs are also empathetic and insightful. They map their emotions onto the emotions of others, allowing them to respond to their feelings without needing to map them explicitly. This skill can make INFPs excellent actors and artists, as they can call upon a wide range of emotions on cue.

A Comparison of Emotional Intelligence

While both types are adept at understanding and responding to emotions, they approach it in different ways:

INFPs: Empathetic Mirroring

INFPs are adept at mapping their own emotions to understand and respond to the emotions of others. Known as empathetic mirroring, this ability allows them to pick up on subtle emotional cues and respond with depth and understanding. They can understand others' emotions even in written communication, such as emails, without direct contact. Their large emotional resource pool, built over time, makes them exceptionally skilled at picking up on others' feelings accurately.

INFJs: Empathetic Absorption

INFJs, on the other hand, absorb the emotions of others directly from their queues and signals, translating them into their own emotional experience. This process, known as empathetic absorption, requires closer proximity to the individual. They can experience any emotion, whether they recognize it or not, but need some form of physical contact to accurately gauge the emotions of others. This trait makes INFJs highly intuitive and empathetic in close personal situations.

Personal Insights and Comparisons

From my own experiences, I would lean towards INFJs for the following reasons:

1. Dream Chasers vs Visionaries

INFJs tend to dream up something and bring it to life,?making it happen. INFPs, on the other hand, tend to dream without always taking action.

INFJs are generally more grounded and decisive, while INFPs can be more idealistic and prone to seeing things through their own unique lens. While INFPs may be curious and restrained, INFJs tend to be more open and adaptable.

2. Competition and Loyalty

INFJs generally dislike competing, whereas INFPs, especially female ones I have known, tend to compete, even with me, and can be jealous. Losing card games or any competition is a big deal for INFPs, but not so much for INFJs, as they see it as just a game or a way to spend time.

3. Coping Mechanisms

INFJs are skilled at laughing things off to make the atmosphere lighter or better. INFPs, on the other hand, may become heavy and moody, disappearing to process their emotions.

4. Independence vs Connection

INFJs tend to value independence and enjoy going alone, while INFPs prioritize being attached to others and feeling settled.

While these insights come from personal experience, every individual is unique, and these traits may vary. The key is to recognize the strengths and challenges of each personality type and use them to your advantage in personal and professional interactions.

Which type resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!