INTP vs INFP: 7 Differences

INTPs and INFPs share a lot in common, so it’s no surprise that these two personality types are often confused for one another. However, from a cognitive function standpoint, there is a significant difference that separates INTPs from INFPs: namely their dominant and inferior functions. Of course, it’s important to understand that neither personality is better than the other; they just think about things in different ways. In this article, my aim is to explain some of these differences, based on their individual cognitive functions. If you or someone you know is struggling between INTP and INFP, hopefully this article will be helpful.

Beware of Bias

Unfortunately, bias is far too prevalent in personality theory, so I believe it’s important to call out the most common, false assumptions. For INTPs and INFPs specifically, the bias centers around thinking vs. feeling stereotypes. For instance, INTPs are typically seen as the intelligent ones, while INFPs are the cry babies. However, intelligence and emotional stability are separate factors, unrelated to personality type. Anyone can be dumb, and anyone can be smart. Analytical INFPs often mistype themselves as INTPs, because of this stereotype.

INTP vs INFP: Cognitive Functions

As mentioned, the INTP and the INFP have different dominant and inferior functions. INFPs have dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi) and inferior Extraverted Thinking (Te), whereas INTPs have dominant Introverted Thinking (Ti) and inferior Extraverted Feeling (Fe). However, both personality types share auxiliary Extraverted Intuition (Ne) and tertiary Introverted Sensing (Si).

In summary, their cognitive function stacks are as follows:

INTP = Ti-Ne-Si-Fe
INFP = Fi-Ne-Si-Te

INTP vs INFP: 7 Differences

Bear in mind, that in this article I’m discussing INTP vs INFP tendencies, not absolutes. Every individual is unique, and we all have learned behaviors gained from our personal life experiences. As a result, people rarely fit their personality type description 100%. Focus on natural, default leanings, and try to rationally determine which type fits best.

1. INTPs prioritize internal logical consistency while INFPs prioritize internal emotional consistency

INTPs, as Ti dominants, obsess over whether something makes sense. Although, I’m a bit wary about saying that because I don’t want anyone to think that INFPs (or any other type, for that matter) won’t care about things making logical sense. However, Ti will be much more obsessive about this, even when it doesn’t really matter. Whenever they try to absorb any new information, it has to sync up with what they already know. For instance, Ti dominants, like the INTP, will tend to instantly reject something that “doesn’t make sense”, even before realizing why it doesn’t make sense. It’ll be an intuitive sense of knowing that what they’re hearing doesn’t fit somehow, and then they’ll have to obsess over why that is. Because of this need for logical consistency, INTPs will also be prone to perfectionism in their projects, sacrificing efficiency and deadlines for the sake of ensuring complete logical cohesion.

INFPs, on the other hand, are more concerned with being fully in sync with their emotions. For the record, this does not mean that they will be irrational and emotionally unstable. Rather, they will look to their feelings for clues to determine what matters to them, what their values are, etc. They strive to ensure that their feelings, values, and identity are all fully in sync (which can mean adjusting the values to the feelings or the feelings to the values.) Because of this self-awareness and synchronization, they’re able to use their feelings to make instantaneous judgments, kind of like pattern recognition. Similar to the INTPs, they’ll instantly and instinctively reject anything that runs counter to their feelings, possibly even before fully realizing why they disagree with it.

Related Articles: Each Cognitive Function’s Priority

2. INTPs are detached from feelings, while INFPs understand personal feelings

In addition to prioritizing logical consistency, INTPs have an inferior feeling function, or more specifically, Extraverted Feeling (Fe). Inferior Fe users are known for experiencing emotional delays, especially in new situations. They may feel nothing in the moment, and then end up processing the emotion later, after the situation is long past. Similarly, when sharing observations or logic, they often fail to consider the emotional implications of their words. They may sound cynical towards others or self-deprecating towards themselves, even though they had no actual emotion attached to their words. They were merely making a rational observation about something negative. In these situations, INTPs often find themselves taken aback or confused when people take what they said personally, because their intent was not to offend.

Whereas, INFPs are dominant feelers. They’re intimately aware of their feelings, and thus, in tune with how things affect them emotionally. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they don’t require the introspection process. While they’ll usually recognize their feelings in the moment, they may need to time to sort through them, and fully explore what’s going on inside of them. This is in stark contrast to the INTPs, who often avoid their emotions and rationalize them way as irrelevant. INFPs feel things intensely, and are often very passionate about the things that matter to them. They won’t view this as a weakness, because their passion is what motivates them and fuels their actions. Subsequently, since they are paying attention to feeling data, they’ll usually have an easier time understanding the emotional reactions of others, accounting for them, and empathizing.

3. INTPs struggle to share their ideas in a socially acceptable way, while INFPs struggle to find concrete ways to realize their dreams

This is inferior Fe versus inferior Te. Basically, INTPs believe that logic and truth should reign supreme. It shouldn’t have to be watered down so that others will accept it. In addition, they shouldn’t need to market any of their ideas, or earn anyone’s favor in order to be successful. If it’s good, it should succeed. Ultimately, these types hate the idea of adjusting any of their products, ideas, or logic for the sake of making it more acceptable to others.

On the other hand, INFPs have a strong sense of identity centered around their values. They desire to remain true to themselves and true to their values. As such, they seek out ways to fully realize their dreams and ideals. It can be very difficult for them to find concrete, or pragmatic, ways to do this, without feeling like they’re sacrificing a part of themselves in some way. Ultimately, INFPs hate the idea of sacrificing dreams for the sake of being successful.

Related Article: INFP/ISFP/INTP/ISTP: Inferior Te vs Inferior Fe

4. INTPs approach social interactions impersonally, while INFPs personalize their interactions

When in touch with their Fe, INTPs will strive to be socially acceptable and to connect with others. In other words, to do this, they approach people in a somewhat analytical way. Many INTPs will focus on general trends for human behavior and societal norms, using these as a template for their interactions. While many types hate small talk, INTPs may rely on it, to some degree, even if they’re not good at it. Small talk will be the socially acceptable gateway to deeper discussions.

On the other hand, INFPs focus on what makes people distinct and unique. While INFPs may not open up easily, they usually desire deep, intimate connections with others. Therefore, INFPs will strive to relate to each person on an individual level. They typically have a distaste for small talk, because it’s too shallow and impersonal. Instead, INFPs will look for shortcuts to more interesting subjects or things that will allow them to connect with the person they’re speaking to.

5. INTPs care little for identity, while INFPs define themselves

INTPs typically don’t care much about the concept of identity, just like they don’t care much about defining themselves. Ergo, many don’t view themselves as having a strong sense of identity, although they will usually have a strong sense of self. They may adopt an “I am what I do” or “I am how others see me.” As a result of inferior Fe, they may allow other people to label them, choosing to adopt these labels once they’ve determined their accuracy.

However, INFPs prefer to define themselves, who they are and who they want to be. These types are very consciously introspective about this subject. While these types are okay with labels, this is only usually the case when they chose the label. Their natural instinct will be to reject any labels or descriptions that run contrary to their personal view of themselves. After all, who can know them better than themselves?

Related Article: Do Ti Users Lack Identity?

6. INTPs prefer to remain nondescript, while INFPs prefer to express themselves

Due to their lack of focus on identity, INTPs don’t often feel a strong compulsion to express themselves through physical or aesthetic means such as dress or perhaps decorating their desk.

Being much more focused on identity, INFPs usually value self-expression, which can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on how they individually decide to personalize their life.

7. INTPs don’t mind being fake, while INFPs strive to remain true to themselves

Since INTPs don’t care much about putting forward a specific identity to the world, they usually don’t mind acting in ways that is not entirely authentic. For instance, these types may argue perspectives or stances that they don’t actually agree with, for the sake of testing out the logic. It also doesn’t usually bother them very much when people see them in a way that is not entirely accurate. In fact, they may dip into Fe’s chameleon tendencies a bit in order to fly under the radar, or keep out of the spotlight.

INFPs struggle to put on a facade or act in any way that isn’t in line with how they feel. This is what people refer to as Fi authenticity. However, for the record, it isn’t impossible for them to be fake. For instance, in their desire to achieve the most ideal version of themselves, they may accidentally become inauthentic, because the ideal is too hard to live up to. Essentially, they may end up two-sided, presenting a perfect image in public but unable to maintain it in private.