ISFP Personality Type (Fi-Se)

What is an ISFP Personality Type?

ISFP stands for Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving. Originally, it was a term from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (or MBTI), which was developed by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs. The Myers-Briggs theory (which many incorrectly refer to as just “MBTI”) originally labelled 16 personality types. Myers and Briggs drew their inspiration from Carl Jung’s theory of the cognitive functions. The 4-letter acronyms have now become commonplace within various offshoots or interpretations of Carl Jung’s original work.

ISFP Meaning

The ISFP personality type is Introverted, which does not necessarily mean that they are socially introverted, although many are. They will, however, be cognitive introverts. In Carl Jung’s description of the cognitive functions, Introversion simply means a focus on the subjective, or their own internal world.

The ISFP personality type values Sensing, which means they prioritize concrete information over abstract information. Being a Sensor does not mean the ISFP is incapable of being abstract, but rather they will lean more heavily on concrete information, viewing it as more reliable.

The ISFP personality type values Feeling, which does not mean they are irrational, cry babies. Rather, they will have a natural focus on emotional data, or on how decisions impact themselves and others on an emotional level.

The ISFP personality type prioritizes Perceiving, which means they prefer a spontaneous and flexible lifestyle. Perceiver types are prone to feeling smothered by too much structure or organization.

ISFP at a Glance

ISFPs possess a unique blend of idealism and realism. They typically possess strong ideals and values, which take precedence over everything else. However, their dreams, while far-reaching, often stay closely connected to reality. In addition, their identity is extremely important to them, and thus they prioritize introspection as a means for self-discovery. After all, they can’t determine a life path until they have figured out what will bring them meaning and be perfectly in sync with their true self. Once that is established, they can be extremely dedicated and determined individuals. ISFPs value authenticity and individuality. They have a deep capacity for empathy, especially as they gain life experience.

Common Strengths (when healthy)

Authentic
Caring
Idealistic
Laid-back
Adaptable
Succinct
Straightforward

Common Weaknesses (when imbalanced)

Judgmental
Sensitive to criticism
Impulsive
Failure to think beyond the present
Struggle to form concrete, actionable plans
Needing an external source to provide structure

Cognitive Functions of an ISFP

The cognitive functions for the ISFP personality type, in order, are Fi-Se-Ni-Te. Below, we attempted to break down each cognitive function and practically explain how it will surface in an ISFP. Please realize however that everyone is unique, and the entire world cannot fit into 16 personality type boxes. Ergo, it’s unlikely that an ISFP will relate to or demonstrate every single quirk or trait mentioned below. However, an ISFP should relate to the underlying principle of each function, and most of what is described below. Exceptions may occur when the ISFP is stuck in a Fi-Ni loop or in the grip of Te. These scenarios may be briefly mentioned in the description below, but this page is not specifically written with those scenarios in mind. With all that said, we hope you find this description useful for self-analysis or understanding the minds of others.

Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

The ISFP personality type leads with Introverted Feeling (Fi). Dominant Fi users, like ISFPs, have a strong personal sense of what they believe to be right or wrong. (Click here for a more in-depth description of Fi.) ISFPs are very individualistic. Those with this personality type will wish to be recognized as unique, and may impress upon others the importance of being unique and staying true to one’s self. Since ISFPs are leading with a judging function, albeit introverted, they may appear more judgemental once they begin sharing their value system with you. If you cross one of those boundaries, there is a good chance they may uncomfortably but passionately voice their objection to it. Although, bolder ISFPs might be completely comfortable with stating an objection, depending on the circumstances or the gravity of the offense. Having a feeling function in either the dominant or auxiliary position will usually result in a desire for harmony, because feelings and values are considered first. However, those with the ISFP personality may quickly discard that need to uphold harmony in situations where their internal value system is threatened. At the very least, they will feel compelled to maintain their values with great conviction, and will struggle to fake an agreement or allow themselves to be associated with something they disagree strongly with. ISFPs in an argument will tend to appeal to someone’s emotions, values, or humanity, rather than relying on cold, hard facts.

Fi will lead ISFPs to constantly ask “Who am I?” as they analyze their feelings, reevaluate their stances, and continually seek to discover their true self. (Self-discovery is a never-ending journey for most high Fi users.) Fi dominants on average struggle to find their personality type because of this subjective, over-analysis. ISFPs may or may not be emotionally expressive in public. Many ISFPs are extremely private. Some can even come across as somewhat cold as a result, although others may be more expressive and warm. Those with this personality type feel very deeply, but will probably only share the full extent of these feeling with a few close friends or family members. When faced with a challenging situation, they’ll probably look inward first and cope in solitude, while they sort through their feelings or stance. This is in stark contrast to the high Fe user who may immediately seek the support of someone else, to externally sort through their feelings. ISFPs that are not extraverting with their Se will probably seem distant, rigid, uninviting, or perhaps emotionally cold. Fi may also lead those with ISFP personality to assume they understand what you’re feeling, even if they do not. After all, the ISFP would feel that way, so everyone else probably would, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Also, dominant Fi can cause self-consciousness since it may be very important to ISFPs to only portray their “true” idealized self to others. In addition, it will likely be important to ISFPs that their work or career have some kind of meaning or higher purpose in accordance with their value system.

General note: Morality is not synonymous with Fi. One can lack morals and still be an Fi user. Inversely, having morals does not automatically make someone an Fi user.

Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

The ISFP personality type has Extraverted Sensing (Se) as their second, or auxiliary, function. ISFPs will tend to appear casual and laid back, as most Extraverted Perceivers do. Se will drive an ISFP to desire physical sensory experiences. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll act on every desire, but the desire will be there and any daydreams they have will likely be based on these desires. ISFPs will be prone to hands-on activities, which may even demonstrate their Fi. This is why ISFP’s are stereotyped as drawers or painters. Their art style is often more literal, not metaphorical, which is why they’re not stereotyped as poets like the INFPs are. They’ll often want to create. Se might also drive them to action in support of a cause, but in a hands-on fashion (like soup kitchens). ISFPs may or may not have a thirst for adventure in the sense of traveling or the great outdoors. It’ll depend on how they learned to outlet their Se.

ISFPs will be more focused on the here and now and less concerned with their past or future, wanting to just enjoy life. They won’t be very concerned with the theoretical unless they find some practical value in it. ISFPs will prefer hands-on learning, which will be reflected in their teaching style. They won’t be interested in giving long-winded or theoretical lectures, but rather demonstrating a task or real life application of a subject. They’ll want to make their students learn by doing, if possible. It is important to note that even though ISFPs are sensors, they may not have incredibly detailed memories since that is more of an Si trait. Instead, those with this personality type will be scanning their environment and taking in the details real time for the purposing of responding to them and interacting with the present.

In social scenarios, those with personality type probably won’t be interested in just sitting around and talking when spending time with friends. Instead, they’ll want to do something, whether it be something physical, a game, or just going and seeing a movie. (Although, some activities involve sitting which is perfectly acceptable, as long as there is an activity.) They’ll prefer socializing through a shared activity, rather then just socializing for the sake of socializing. This is because conversations with ISFPs will be more sparked by observations of what they see around them or something they are doing. A shared activity will make socializing easier. Conversations with ISFPs will also be relatively linear and easy to follow. Their humor will probably be situational or physical, like a prank.

Tertiary Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)

The ISFP personality type has Introverted Intuition (Ni) as their third, or tertiary, function. This is the infamous hunch or gut instinct that descriptions like to attribute to all intuitives. In reality, this trait is more specific to Ni users, although everyone can get hunches to some degree. ISFPs, especially as they get older, will likely experience these, but may be uncertain as to whether or not to pay the instinct any mind. After all, Ni will be a relatively weak function for them. In addition to this, Ni (since it is abstract information) will often cause them to struggle with placing words to their thoughts, which will give them a preference for speaking through actions and keeping their statements brief.

Positive use of Ni will give ISFPs a glance into the future, allowing them to foresee how an event may play out or picture where they want to go in life and how to get there. It will also help them to be mindful of their future and not allow their focus on the here and now (Se) to destroy that future. However, negative or weak Ni will cause ISFPs to either ignore the future in favor of the present, or be overly concerned and afraid of the future, afraid that they’ll never achieve their dreams or that some event won’t end well. This can cause them to become overly pessimistic and possibly frozen in the present, afraid to act or move forward with their life. It could also result in them completely ignoring their Ni, and overindulging their Se.

Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

Lastly, the ISFP personality type has Extraverted Thinking (Te) as their fourth, or inferior, function. Inferior Te in the ISFP personality type can surface in a few different ways, a major one being a failure to form and act upon goals within the real world. They may struggle to see how to realistically pursue their lofty ideals, and be at a complete loss as to how to form an actionable plan or pave out a single life path. They may need the help of another person or external system/organization to order their life or enforce deadlines. Those with this personality might often feel as if everything is spinning out of their control, and fear that they will never accomplish anything in life. More developed inferior Te may result in a desire for order amongst their chaotic life, or allow them to concentrate somewhat on efficiency in their daily life. It may influence their hobbies or just generally cause the ISFP to feel the need to be more organized. Perhaps later in life, the ISFP will find enjoyment in organizing or cleaning as a weak, non-threatening use of Te.

ISFPs may also find themselves extremely bitter against external systems or hierarchies, feeling as if their individuality is being snuffed out. They may feel the need to fight against them for the sake of it. Inferior Te can cause ISFPs to get incredibly rigid and stubborn when they feel like their Fi (identity, value system or etc.) is being attacked. Te will cause them to lash out at the perceived attacker in an attempt to defend themselves and convince the other person that he/she is wrong. Te can be very black and white, as mentioned in the general function description. In the positive, inferior Te will allow them to view life in an objective way, and will cause them to seek external sources to support and explain their Fi stances, rather than basing their arguments entirely on feelings

ISFP Careers and Job Ideas

At Practical Typing, we hesitate to list specific careers, because each person is far more than their personality type. Cognitive functions do not determine skills, only cognitive preferences. However, there will be certain aspects within a given career field that play better to an ISFP’s strengths. For instance, ISFPs will be drawn to work they can personally identify with. They want to believe in the work they are doing, and want to find fulfillment in it. Positions in which they can personally contribute to the goals and mission of their employer will keep them encouraged and motivated. They may struggle in positions that feel disconnected from the greater objective. In addition, they prefer to interact with their environment physically, so a position in which they can be “on the front lines” may be more fulfilling than one that is too theoretical or detached from implementation. They will likely struggle with overly repetitive or tedious tasks. They will flourish in positions where their passion has the opportunity to infect others, and their input can be used to keep purpose from being lost in procedure.

ISFP Relationships and Compatibility

ISFPs desire a deep, intimate connection with their partners. They will want to understand them and to be understood by them better than anyone else ever could. They are devoted partners who want a long, rich relationship with their significant other. Likewise, they’ll enjoy bonding with their loved ones over shared interests and passions. Life is an adventure, and they’ll want to share that with others and enjoy experiences together. ISFPs highly value authenticity and honesty within a relationship. They will need the freedom to be themselves, and continue to pursue their passions.