9 Signs You’re Not An INFP

If you Google “signs that you’re an INFP”, you’ll find several articles dedicated to the subject. With that in mind, I decided to start writing a series that takes the opposite approach. So, today, I’ll discussing the signs that someone is NOT the INFP personality type. Of course, with every sign I’ll explain the cognitive function theory behind why it suggests that someone is not an INFP. When Ryan and I came up with each point, we tried to make them as succinct as possible, but it’s important to understand that there are exceptions to everything. You have to understand WHY or HOW someone is doing something to understand which personality type or cognitive function it lines up with. Cognitive function theory is not about specific actions, skill sets, or the surface level characteristics; it’s about the reasoning an individual uses for who they are and what they do. Therefore, be sure to read the explanations, and let me know if there are any signs that you look out for!

9 Signs You’re Not An INFP (Fi-Ne-Si-Te)

1. You devalue or disconnect from your own feelings

Selfishness gets often associated with Introverted Feeling (Fi), which isn’t fair. But the kernel of truth hidden with that misconception is that FPs are closely connected to their own feelings. They’re well aware of what they feel, and they don’t need a rational basis for their feelings. They’re also well aware that their individual feelings are different from those around It can make them feel distinct and set apart. Someone who easily loses sight of their actual feelings when around others is unlikely to be an FP. In addition, someone who dismisses their feelings as irrelevant is also unlikely to be an FP. (They typically start with the premise that their emotions are valid.) I’m not saying an FP can’t be mature, and look past inappropriate or irrational feelings in order to do what’s necessary. However, FPs do identify with their emotions, viewing those as a part of who they are, which can make ignoring their feelings difficult.

2. You can’t write a book about yourself when prompted

To be frank, INFPs tend to be navel-gazers, which essentially means that they’re prone to excessive introspection. (This has to do with dominant Fi’s identity focus, supported by auxiliary Ne curiosity, and Si’s concrete way of internalizing their perceptions.) Naturally, this means that when you ask them a question about themselves, they usually have a lot to say. Now, don’t get me wrong. INFPs can certainly be shy, so this particular tendency will be seen most prominently in online settings, where the communication is primarily via writing. In these settings, where writing is the primary form of relaying information, these types will not usually be brief. When I ask a self-proclaimed INFP a question about themselves, it’s extremely common for me to get back several long messages in a row, trying to thoroughly explain the way they are, the varying contexts, and etc. On the other hand, to give a contrast, ISFPs often give brief or succinct responses, and need a lot more prompting to elaborate in depth. More often then not, INFPs can take a conversational hook and just run with it. ISFPs will answer the very specific question that you asked and then be done (and they’ll struggle with answering questions that are overly general).

3. You don’t overthink how to authentically express yourself

INFPs are very identity-focused. It’s important to them to understand who they are and portray that accurately to the world. This is why they’re often known for valuing authenticity. So, this can lead INFPs to question what a lot of their decisions or choices mean within the greater context of who they are. This doesn’t just include heavy decisions such as career choices, but it’ll also include smaller decisions like the clothes they wear, accessories they choose, maybe even the activities the choose to participate. Everything they do sends a message about themselves, and they’re paying attention to what that message is. Someone who has never given this stuff much thought is unlikely to be an INFP.

4. You don’t spend much time in your head

I’m certainly not saying that INFPs will live entirely in their heads and not have actual lives. BUT, INFPs typically have rich, internal, emotional worlds. It’s common for them to not only be introspective, but also day dreamer. Of course, as introverts first, they orient themselves to the subjective first, meaning they have to check in with themselves often. Someone who is constantly on the go, always in action, doesn’t like to spend any time in their head, and etc. is unlikely to be an INFP.

5. You don’t enjoy considering absurd hypotheticals

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) is a cognitive function focused on possibilities. As auxiliary Ne users (or second-slot Ne users), INFPs typically enjoy considering hypothetical scenarios, especially when these scenarios are absurd. (For instance, what if the moon was made of cheese?) Thinkers are less likely to get caught up in theoretical absurdities than feelers, but the NFPs usually find them very entertaining. However, many sensor types, while they may enjoy observing discussions centering around hypotheticals, typically struggle to actually participate. (This is especially true of the SP types, some SJs can dip down into that lower Ne and play along). Someone who cannot engage with hypotheticals or struggles to engage with hypotheticals is unlikely to be an INFP.

6. You don’t have a love-hate relationship with external structure

As inferior Extraverted Thinkers, INFPs often have a love-hate relationship with structure, at least early on. The perceiver in them can feel stifled by structure. Ne lends itself to a certain amount of chaos and impulsivity, while Te can be limiting and overbearing. However, one’s relationship with their inferior function can be contradictory in a sense. INFPs may both hate Te, while having a need for it. Some personality types may actually find consistent structure to be counter-productive, but that will not typically be the case for an INFP. Many INFPs will find that structure, while potentially challenging in the beginning, will actually help them excel in the long term. INFPs that tap into their inferior Te may occasionally take on an ISTJ-like persona, going on spurts of organizing and structuring or becoming suddenly rigid and authoritative.

7. You focus primarily on the present

Most NPs consider themselves future-oriented, because they’re focused on future possibilities. Now, for the record, ENXPs are more present-oriented than they’re often described, because confident and strong Ne will excel at seizing current opportunities when they see the potential in it. However, internally, NPs are often playing out possibilities, pondering what could be, and etc. They do a lot of hypothetical exploration and scenario-running. As a result, an INFP’s head may often be in a future possible scenario, making it somewhat challenging for them to stay tuned into what’s going on around them. Or, on the other hand, they may tap into Si, and start fixating on the past. Someone who’s focus is primarily on the present, giving minimal thought to the future or the past, is unlikely to be an INFP. (Bear in mind, most people think about the future at least a little bit, so having some vague plans or goals doesn’t really count as being future-oriented.)

8. You’re not prone to nostalgia and sentimental tradition

INFPs have a bit of an overlap with ISFJs here, which makes it’s not unusual to mix these two personality types up. Namely, Fi’s memory for their subjective emotions coupled with Si’s desire for familiarity can make INFPs prone to bouts of nostalgia and sentimentality. Many INFPs enjoy feeding into their nostalgia, and sticking to certain traditions or patterns that recreate a certain emotional experience for them. As a whole, healthy INFPs will still enjoy trying new things and will be willing to mix things up, but they’ll usually have certain things that they cling to tightly, that hold personal meaning for them.

9. You don’t embed personal meaning into your creations

There’s a general stereotype that INFPs will all be artists, poets, or writers. This is definitely common, but not required. But with that being said, art comes in many forms. I’ve never considered myself creative, but I once had it pointed out to me that my creativity just surfaces in less standard ways. So, with that in mind, when INFPs create, whether that be traditional artwork, a piece of writing, or just a character in a game, they add personal touches that tie something about them to the work, whatever it may be. They may communicate messages, values or emotional truths through their work. Someone who can easily remain detached from their creations is unlikely to be an INFP.