ISFP

[Quinlan]

Hi there I'm Quinlan, I usually post on the INFJs forum where I'm the coolest ISFP there, wicked! Anyway at least I think I'm ISFP, for a while there I thought I was an INTJ or INFJ, is this possible?

So how can you tell if you're ISFP, what are their defining characteristics?

How do you spot one?

Cheers.

[Jeffster]

ISFP (http://www.bestfittype.com/isfp.html)

That's the best description I've come across yet. If it doesn't fit, there's links to all the others to see if they are more you. :)

[Quinlan]

Thanks for that, fits me very well. Any other insights just to be sure?

[Mo_(operalover)]

Thanks for that, fits me very well. Any other insights just to be sure?

Perhaps you could try taking this test - Personality test based on Jung - Myers-Briggs typology (http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm)

[Jeffster]

Perhaps you could try taking this test - Personality test based on Jung - Myers-Briggs typology (http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm)

Personally, I hate that test. It has ridiculous questions about stuff like feeling involved with tv soap operas. :doh:

[Mo_(operalover)]

Personally, I hate that test. It has ridiculous questions about stuff like feeling involved with tv soap operas. :doh:

Perhaps you have a preferred one of your own that you could also recommend?

[Jeffster]

Perhaps you have a preferred one of your own that you could also recommend?

Myers Briggs Personality Type - Denver, Colorado - The 4 Four Temperaments (http://www.sharedpaths.com/myers-briggs/myers-briggs-personality-type-2.html)

I think that's probly my favorite, because it doesn't just ask you a long list of questions, it explains stuff as you go.

[Trinity]

*Jumps on Quinlan and typewriters his chest*

Hi :D

[Quinlan]

Oh I've taken plenty of tests, the results change depending on my mood and how I've interpreted the questions, I also know enough about MBTI to know which questions apply to which preference.

For a long time I thought I was an N, so I still have occasional doubts about my type. I only recently considered ISFP and it fits well.

[Quinlan]

*Jumps on Quinlan and typewriters his chest*

Hi :D

Haha you found me! I'm laying low at the moment... :D

[Trinity]

:huh: Do I know you? I try to punch all the n00bs, it's just what I do.



:D Can't hide from me!

[Quinlan]

Might as well get it over and done with then...

Of course you know me didn't you read I'm the coolest ISFP on the INFJ forum.

Don't tell anyone I'm the only one k?

[Mo_(operalover)]

Myers Briggs Personality Type - Denver, Colorado - The 4 Four Temperaments (http://www.sharedpaths.com/myers-briggs/myers-briggs-personality-type-2.html)

I think that's probly my favorite, because it doesn't just ask you a long list of questions, it explains stuff as you go.

Haven't seen that one yet. Will take it too.


Welcome to the forum, Quinlan!

[sarah]

Hi there I'm Quinlan, I usually post on the INFJs forum where I'm the coolest ISFP there, wicked! Anyway at least I think I'm ISFP, for a while there I thought I was an INTJ or INFJ, is this possible?

So how can you tell if you're ISFP, what are their defining characteristics?

How do you spot one?

Cheers.

You can't just spot one. We're so versatile we can look like anything we feel like at any given moment. ;)

Actually, I think the link Jeffster posted was the best I've ever run across too. They are exerpts from a book by Dr. Linda Berens, who is a highly respected type theorist (and former student of temperament theorist David Keirsey). If you haven't read any of the Berens/Nardi books on psychological type, I highly recommend them. Amazon.com sells them, and they're inexpensive.

I know how it is to not be certain for a long time what your bet type fit really is. I thought I was an NF for several years, because that is the most common result I got when I took type tests, but it was finally reading the Berens books that made me able to see the SP (Artisan/Improvisor) temperament pattern in me.

Sarah
ps: Welcome! :)

[Quinlan]

Thanks guys, I'm glad to come across some fellow ISFPs.

I wonder why we are prone to type as NFs? I've read that a lot of the stereotypical SP traits are tempered in the ISFP, which might be a reason.

[Jeffster]

Thanks guys, I'm glad to come across some fellow ISFPs.

I wonder why we are prone to type as NFs? I've read that a lot of the stereotypical SP traits are tempered in the ISFP, which might be a reason.

Probably because of that "Introverted Feeling" thing. It causes us to do more of that "identity seeking" than any of the other SPs so we can appear NF to people who don't get to know us well. The truth is we are "sensation seeking" but we sorta check the sensation impulses against our internal values and who we are as people. At least that's the way I've interpreted the stuff I've read. We're like the SPs with morals. ;)

[sarah]

Probably because of that "Introverted Feeling" thing. It causes us to do more of that "identity seeking" than any of the other SPs so we can appear NF to people who don't get to know us well. The truth is we are "sensation seeking" but we sorta check the sensation impulses against our internal values and who we are as people. At least that's the way I've interpreted the stuff I've read. We're like the SPs with morals. ;)


I know I've said this a million times before, but it's so refreshing to actually hear someone articulate what I've been thinking all along! I've never gotten to actually talk with a bunch of articulate ISFPs before, and you guys have no idea how affirming this is!

Thanks, that was beautifully said. Having strong internal values that we won't compromise on is an introverted feeling thing, and ISFPs are dom-Fi.

By the way, have you guys seen the links to temperament and different life situations in this website (such as how SPs respond to stress, change, etc...) It's a companion site to the website type descriptions that was posted earlier. On this website, "Improviser" is the new name for the SP temperament...

4temperaments.com -- Understanding Temperament Theory (http://www.4temperaments.com/)

Sarah
ISFP

[Quinlan]

I believe my brother is an I/ESTP and we are very similar in some ways, however we end up having some amusing conversations where I have to act as his moral guide, it is the biggest difference between us.

As ISFPs do you ever worry about "not wanting to cause a fuss" or being overly concerned about whether you're bothering someone else or not? I'm always trying to make sure that I'm not a burden, a bother or a nuisance to other people, often at my own expense. Is this common in ISFPs (if you don't mind me asking;))?

[Jeffster]

By the way, have you guys seen the links to temperament and different life situations in this website (such as how SPs respond to stress, change, etc...) It's a companion site to the website type descriptions that was posted earlier. On this website, "Improviser" is the new name for the SP temperament...

4temperaments.com -- Understanding Temperament Theory (http://www.4temperaments.com/)


I'll have to check that out, thanks for the link.


As ISFPs do you ever worry about "not wanting to cause a fuss" or being overly concerned about whether you're bothering someone else or not? I'm always trying to make sure that I'm not a burden, a bother or a nuisance to other people, often at my own expense. Is this common in ISFPs (if you don't mind me asking;))?

I dunno how common it is in ISFPs, but I do that sometimes for sure. Often I'll do or say something and worry that it didn't come out right or I've bothered somebody with it or something. I usually get over it pretty fast, but I have that initial feeling quite a bit. I always tell people to let me know straightforwardly what they think or feel about something I say or do, because I'm terrible at reading minds or getting hidden meanings, and if someone doesn't tell me what they think I can sometimes start to think they must dislike me. I used to be real bad about that, but as I've gotten older, I think I've matured some in that and it doesn't bother me as much anymore.

I hope that helps, it was a pretty rambling answer! :doh: :blush:

[Quinlan]

No that makes a lot of sense to me. I can relate to all of it, hopefully I can mature in a similar way.