ISFP vs ESFP: The Differences

Personality type dilemmas involving two types who only differ in the realm of introversion and extraversion can be tricky to distinguish. ISFP vs ESFP is one of these dilemmas. Both types share all the same cognitive functions, just in slightly different orders. So, the type of information they value and even their approach to life can be remarkably similar. However, there are some distinct differences between these two personality types, due to ultimately having different priorities. If you’re caught up in the ISFP vs ESFP dilemma, hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have a much clearer idea of how to differentiate these two personality types.

Why the Mistype?

Some people may find the confusion between these two personality types odd. After all, many sources describe ESFPs as loud and adventurous party animals, while describing ISFPs is calm and quiet artists. However, the socially confident ISFP can mistake themselves for an ESFP, just like a more mellow or socially anxious ESFP can mistake themselves for an ISFP. Not all ESFPs will be as bold or as socially extraverted as many of the stereotypes suggest. Social extraversion is not the same as cognitive extraversion.

Related Article: Introversion vs Extraversion

Cognitive Functions

Before we get into this, I’m going to list the cognitive function stacks for the two personality types below, for your reference.

ISFP = Fi-Se-Ni-Te
ESFP = Se-Fi-Te-Ni

As mentioned earlier, ISFPs and ESFPs have the exact same cognitive functions, just in slightly different orders. Exact function placement within one’s cognitive function stack makes a difference in how that function will manifest. (See Attributes of the Top 4 Functions.) The key to distinguishing these two personality types lies in recognizing which cognitive functions are taking priority.

The Differences

ISFP vs ESFP: Their Top Priority

Each type prioritizes their dominant function first and foremost. So, the ISFP, as a dominant Fi user, is first and foremost an introverted judging type. A major role of the introverted judging function is to create rules by which one’s identity is judged. ISFPs prioritize their Fi, which means that everything they do must first be checked against their feelings and personal values. Essentially, ISFPs see their actions and decisions as expressions of who they are. As a result, they value understanding who they are. They may not consciously think about it or be able to put it into concrete words, but ISFPs will have an instinctual awareness of their feelings and their values that will take precedence over anything else. This may lead them to be image conscious, because they’re striving to put forth an image that is authentic to their internal self.

Therefore, in spite of being perceivers, ISFPs will need to check in with themselves before acting. In other words, they may resist being thrust into brand-new situations with absolutely no mental or physical preparation.

The ESFPs prioritize Se, which is an extraverted perceiving function. Se focuses on perceiving and responding to sensory data in the external world. They don’t prioritize filtering the real-time data through a judging function, which makes them very adaptable and present-oriented. They typically have a talent for noticing opportunities in their surroundings, and immediately taking advantage of said opportunities. In addition, they usually approach experiences in an open-minded way, without feeling the need to pre-judge them. These types often possess a deep desire to gain a variety of experiences, which can make them prone to feeling restless or bored. They’re less inclined to get emotionally attached to specific experiences, instead preferring to seek out novelty or excitement. However, an experience is better than no experience, so they will revert to whatever is available to them.

Bear in mind, though, that (1) ESFPs will not all be daredevils or adrenaline junkies, and (2) the experiences they seek out may not directly include people. The stakes don’t have to be high for it to count as a new experience, and social extraversion is not the same thing as cognitive extraversion. There are plenty of solo activities that ESFPs might enjoy, like hiking, shopping, gaming, etc.

ISFP vs ESFP: Role of the Auxiliary

ISFPs are action-oriented as well, but only once their Fi has formed a judgement. This means that they can be very quick to act if they instantly know how they feel about a situation, but they also may hesitate if Fi hasn’t had enough time to process. It also means that they’ll be eager to act upon their ideas or values, once they have been determined. As any SP type, they won’t want to leave things in the theoretical realm for long. Like ESFPs, they will desire a wide range of experiences, but they’re more likely to get attached to certain ones, due to the sentimental nature of Fi. In addition, while they will be adaptable, they will be less inclined to plan completely as they go. Instead, they’ll typically want somewhat of a plan, more akin to an outline or a general idea of what to expect.

ESFPs, with auxiliary Fi, won’t feel compelled to figure out who they are before acting. Rather, by acting, they will figure out who they are. With each experience, they will learn a little more about themselves, and hopefully, in the process, discover what gives them meaning and purpose. They expect experience to bring them this knowledge, rather than self-reflection. As dominant extraverts, ESFPs are, on average, more expressive or openly passionate than ISFPs, because their Fi is channeled through that dominant extraverted function, and for them, it never turns off.

ISFP vs ESFP: Tertiary Troubles

As dominant Fi users, ISFPs focus on their ideals and their dreams. However, many struggle to figure out how to make their ideal a reality. Their impulse is to rely on self-reflection, which can make it easy for them to fall into a Fi-Ni loop. As a result, they will be prone to inaction, while they figure out the personal implications to various possibilities. If they’re not careful, this can lead to a failure to do anything at all. In addition, when things go wrong in the external world, they may be too quick to retreat into their internal world, where they’ll brood, over-analyze, and question themselves. Their tertiary Ni may project failure on every possible path, causing them to avoid taking any more substantial steps forward in life.

ESFPs, with tertiary Te, are typically more active and decisive. They’re more likely to jump from one activity to another, because they no longer find it fulfilling. These types may struggle to slow down, and check in with themselves before making an external decision. They may lose connection with their deeper feelings and values, which will lead to a failure to lock onto a path that will provide them long term meaning. Instead, they’ll keep jumping from one thing to another. Or, they may lock onto a path, but something significant may go wrong (through no fault of their own). However, their failure to slow down and stop for long enough will make them unable to troubleshoot what’s going wrong with themselves internally, resulting in futile attempts at progress.

Character examples: Adonis Creed vs Rocky Balboa

4. ISFP vs ESFP: Inferior Weakness

ISFPs have inferior Extraverted Thinking, or Te. Te helps with forming concrete, actionable plans because it’s good at recognizing real world cause and effect. As inferior Te users, ISFPs (especially young ISFPs) often feel insecure about their real world capabilities. They may feel incapable of dealing with day-to-day responsibilities, and fear that they will never accomplish anything in life. This will especially be the case if they’re struggling to find a way to translate their ideal into something that can support them financially. As a result, they may fail to take decisive action, and form actionable plans.

On the other hand, ESFPs have Ni, or Introverted Intuition, as their inferior function. Ni is concerned with future projection. With inferior Ni as their weakness, ESFPs may feel insecure about their future and avoid thinking about it altogether. They may lean into their dominant Se impulse to only focus on the here and now, making all decisions as the moment arrives. ESFPs prefer to keep their options open, so that they have freedom to act as the moment prompts them to. They may struggle to commit to a single path, or produce a clear, long term vision. In addition, they may fear an inescapable fate, or the possibility that there’s a predetermined, inevitable outcome, because that means that their choices (and, as a result, their actions) don’t matter.

In Conclusion…

Of course, there are exceptions to everything. While ESFPs are usually active or spontaneous individuals, I’ve seen ESXP types who were unable to be that way, due to a lack of freedom (like parenthood), or maybe anxiety. However, the impulse is usually still there, even if they’re unable to act on it. It’s important to take these types of factors into account, and pay attention to how you (or the person in question) has been across their entire lifespan.

Do you have specific ways you tell these two types apart? I’d love to hear about your experiences!