MBTI Stuff #5: The J-P Confusion (INFP vs INFJ)

     Oh my, I'm actually an INFJ. I just didn't know the difference between INFP and INFJ...rather, I had it all mixed up.

     Recently, I've learnt something about the MBTI that overturned my previous connotations. I would blame those misguided theories on the highly simplistic ways that the Internet tends to classify different types. While information on E-I, S-N and T-F are mostly true, it's the complicated nature of J-P that tends to throw people off.

What the Internet Says
     Most simplistic readings on differentiating J-P tend to classify them as highly exclusive types. Js are known to be more orderly, decisive and are much calmer. Ps, on the other hand, are laid-back and absolutely hate having to schedule anything. Take, for example, ENFJ and ENFP. ENFJ is usually the charismatic leader who is good with people. On the other hand, ENFP is the hyperactive scatterbrain who is also good with people, but is much more haphazard in the way they deal with things. In other words, Js are the type that need to live with a schedule while Ps are the type that cannot deal with schedules. In general, there are more females that are Js than males.

The Truth

     While it is generally true that J-P follows such a trend, in INFP vs INFJ especially, you see quite the opposite. This has to do with the fact that J-P do not function as separate entities from the others. They are a combination of all other three functions. What do I mean? Let's take the functions of INFP and INFJ into account.

     

     As adapted from the Myers and Briggs website, this is the description of the J-P functions:

     "The J or P preference only tells which preference the person extraverts. One person may feel very orderly/structure (J) on the inside, yet their outer life looks spontaneous and adaptable (P). Another person may feel very curious and open-minded (P) in their inner world, yet their outer life looks more structured or decided (J)."

     But how can a person tell? Most people don't even know themselves that well. Fortunately, the website has that covered as well.

     "Judging (J)

     I use my decision-making (J) preference (whether it is T or F) in my outer life. To others, I seem to prefer a planned or orderly way of life, like to have things settled and organised, feel more comfortable when decisions are made and like to bring life under control as much as possible."

     "Perceiving (P)

     I use my perceiving function (whether it is S or N) in my outer life. To others, I seem to prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of life, and I like to understand and adapt to the world rather than organise it. Others see me staying open to new experiences and information."

      Well, this may blow your mind but...I DISAGREE. 

      Of course I have evidence for this and it's a glaring evidence. Taking the first line you see "I use my decision-making (J) preference (T/F) in my outer life". Then take a look at the INFJ and INFP table above. Instead of having T or F as the dominant function for INFJ, INFJ has N instead, which is a perceiving function. Then look at INFP, it has a decision-preference instead.

      Therefore, there is still an ounce of truth, though not much of it. To see whether a person is more inclined towards decision-making or leaving things open, you look at their dominant function. However, that does not define J or P. This is mostly true for most Introverts, but mostly for INFP and INFJ, which are very easily confused (I mean, I was confused, for a long time).

INFP vs INFJ: 5 Ways to Differentiate

       There may be no types mistaken for each other more than INFJs and INFPs. And while they may look similar from the outside, they are very different creatures inside. Add to that, INFJs and INFPs are two of the personality types most interested in personality psychology, so an incomplete understanding of how these two types are differentiated can cause a lot of personal frustration, like the one I was having before. This has led to many internet arguments, since their difference defy the general consensus.

1. Their Driver Processes, aka Dominant Functions

     The Driver process can also be called the "dominant cognitive function". It is the mind's first point of contact and the primary lens through which everything gets filtered.

     For an INFJ, this dominant process is technically called Introverted Intuition, nicknamed "Perspectives". Perspectives is a learning function (technically called a perceiving function) and works by watching one's own mind form patterns. After years of use, eventually Perspectives begins to see the "pattern of the patterns" and understands that what is happening inside of themselves cognitively is also happening for other people.

     INFPs, on the other hand, lead with a process called Introverted Feeling, which we call "Authenticity". Authenticity is a decision-making function (technically called a judging function), and works by being deeply in touch with how one is emotionally impacted by events. Decisions are made by "checking in" to ensure that they are in alignment with one's values and identity. There is a saying that the more personal something is the more universal it is. Over time, Authenticity understands that they aren't alone in their feelings. They are simply more aware of them than other types.

     Both already have very different world views. What's even more confusing, is that while they are both quite indecisive, the indecisiveness is derived from different reasons.

     For an INFP, because their decision-making process can take time, it can feel grueling to be pressured to make a quick call. Each decision needs to be in alignment with the INFP's values, and even a decision as simple as what salad to order can be a frustration if, say, their relationship with food has become a part of how they define themselves. That to me is actually quite bizarre, pointing out to me that I'm actually not an INFP. I find decision-making processes like this to be a sign of fetishism or obsession.

      On the other hand, since INFJs are more removed from their decision-making process of Harmony, it's usually over time that they become frustrated with the inability to make a final call. Like in real life, I often want other people to make a decision on where to meet and what time, but if the decision isn't being made after a while, I get annoyed and decide upon it by myself. They are less likely to agonise over smaller decisions because not every decision is a reflection of their identity. In other words, if it doesn't involve me, I often don't care what decision is being made. Even if it involves me, decision is only made when people are starting to frustrate me.

     I think one important thing to realise is that INFPs go straight into a situation, trying to make a final decision. INFJs are often more laid-back, allowing their decisions to change again and again. It is only when the Harmony factor (Extroverted Feeling) is compromised, that they utilise that auxiliary function and move in to take action.

2. Evaluation of Emotional Significance

     The Harmony (Extroverted Feeling) person might ask themselves something like "What get's everyone needs met?" "How do I create harmony both within interpersonal relationships and the context/environment?" In order to know the "right" choice, other people's emotions become the most interesting piece of information. They're ultimately the feedback mechanism needed to determine a decision was the right one, because it's their emotions that tell you if their needs are getting met and/or if they're experiencing any form of conflict.

     On the other hand, Introverted Feeling is nicknamed "Authenticity" because it's about the individual's emotional experience. It's about checking in with one's own emotions to determine if an action is the "right" one.

     If offending others is more distressing than offending yourself, you are more likely using Harmony. And if you're willing to be a total pariah in behalf of your convictions, you're more likely using Authenticity. That is why I believe I'm an INFJ too. It's not that I'm super generous or anything, but I don't feel as in-tuned with my emotions as I'm supposed to be as an INFP. I don't possess the poetic abilities that INFPs possess and in fact, share a lot more in common with INFJ, since I often find myself feeling other people's projected emotions, but not really reflecting it back. I can feel their pain, but I can also feel distinctly that the pain is theirs and not mine.

Instead of seeing it as a variation of being true to oneself, it is more helpful to see it as "serving other's needs first in order to get your own needs met" (Harmony) versus "honouring one's own experience first in order to honour other's experience" (Authenticity).

3. "Absorbing" and "Mirroring" Emotions

    This may be the biggest confusion between the two types. It's definitely the source of endless internet battles for supremacy of "who's the most empathetic type". The truth is, thought, that both INFJs and INFPs have an almost magical ability to understand the emotional human experience. The way they go about is what differentiates them.

    I once heard a description for "empathy" as "Your pain my heart". For an INFJ, this couldn't be more true. INFJs absorb other people's emotional energy, whether they want to or not. If it's powerful and there -- friend or foe, intimate or stranger -- your pain is in their heart. I find this to be very true for me. One of the many occasions was a time when I was counselling my friend out of doing something absolutely stupid to herself. While she was crying to me, I could distinctly feel her pain, almost as if it were my own, because I felt the extent of the emotional pain physically -- you know, the sort where the emotional torment actually manifests as a pain in your body. However, the thing remained that I didn't cry at all, because somehow, I could still tell that the pain was hers and it was simply being shared with me. There was no reason for me to reflect her pain back. That's what makes me more INFJ, I suppose.

   The combination of Perspectives (getting into other's heads) and Harmony (having other people's emotions on their radar all the time) seems to converge into this superpower (absorbing emotions), a gift that most INFJs would trade away if they could. Seriously though, I cannot deny it. It makes me too damn emotional. When people need me to give solid and objective advice, I cannot afford to have their pain permeating into me every second. Still, I have expressed my love of Charles Xavier's version of Telepathy -- which is more telepathy with empathy - and I must say, it is an honour to be able to have a "superpower" like that...though not to his extent. On one hand, I want to get rid of this, but on the other, I treasure greatly my ability to feel other's pain.

    Since Authenticity is their Driver process, this ability becomes unconscious competence for INFPs and they may not even register when they're doing it. This is why Authenticity Drivers (INFPs and ISFPs) are easily the greatest actors and performers of all the types. Putting on a new emotion can be as easy as swapping jackets.

    When in the presence of another person's strong emotion, it's not that the INFP is absorbing it, they're mirroring it. Since this is exceptionally easy for them to do, it's usually a surprise to discover that other people can't even come close to this ability. The nuance of their ability to mirror another person's emotional experience can feel like absorbing since it's so spot on. But, remember -- this isn't another person's emotion in the INFP's heart. This is years and years of the INFP mapping emotions within themselves and finding the closest proximity to what the other person is experiencing.

    If those aren't evidence enough that I'm an INFJ already, I have more information, answering my doubts all this time:

    

    To absorb another's emotion, both the INFJ and the other person have to be together in real time. This isn't post-processing emotional experience, it's an emotion hitting the INFJ due to energetic proximity. I know I can sense another person's tranquillity, their panic and their guilt, and it's not because I can read certain signs. It's an "aura", as I like to call it. Everyone has their own "aura" and I have assigned colours to all of them.

     For an INFP, it's about finding the emotion the other person is -- was -- or will be experiencing within themselves. The emotion can be bound through time via works of art, literature, journals and any/every other way we as people express our emotions. And this was what made me doubt my INFP analysis in the first place. I am, by no means, good at these things. I'm probably the biggest blockhead in class when it comes to understanding the emotions of the people in a text. I can't talk to them! I can't feel them! How am I suppose to know they are feeling frustrated? Literature is not my strong suit, neither do I particularly like it. Why waste time burying your face in books when you can be listening to someone else tell a better story?

4. Being Understood vs Being Validated

     Both the INFJ and INFP personality types run into the problem of feeling misunderstood. For INFJs, the Perspectives process gives them an insight to other people that is unmatched, and it can be disconcerting to realise other people don't have the same superpower. The result is a lot of one-sided relationships. Wow, that was a low-blow! But I suppose...that's what happened, isn't it?

     On top of that, the Perspectives process is itself quite mysterious to other people. Both INxJ types (INFJs and INTJs) learn to keep their speculations to themselves. "Just knowing" stuff feels like precognition to others and can make them uncomfortable.

     INFPs face feeling misunderstood because no one could possibly know them as well as they know themselves. The Authenticity process is a deep pool of nuanced self-awareness, and it's truly impossible to communicate all the variety within themselves to another person.

     If you peel back the layers, however, it's not that INFPs have a challenge in being fully misunderstood. If anyone else ever actually "fully" understood them that would actually be a bad sign -- it would mean that the INFP had lost some of their individuality or that they're dangerously close to being too similar to other people. This confuses me, really. While I do treasure my individuality as an INFP should, I don't think it bad if I become a little bit like the others. After all, aren't I part of this world too? If I become like them, I would understand them more, right?

     INFJs aren't nearly as invested in others believing they have good motive. They are far more likely to be tuned into the motives and motivations of others to give a lot of thought about whether the other person believes the INFJ has a positive intent. That's true. I don't need validation for my actions, I just need you to know that I'm not about to hurt you.

     Where an INFP can lose awareness of other people if they're really excited by a topic, INFJs never lose awareness of other people. Okay...wait. If you are excited but no one is there...then what are you being excited for exactly? In fact, that's why INFJs generally need more alone time than INFPs. The only real distance INFJs get from other people is when they're truly physically alone, and this is generally used to recharge their batteries for the next trip into the outer world. See, if I were an ENFJ instead of INFJ, I wouldn't need to recharge...

5. How Each Type Leads and Persuades

     INFJs - using the Perspectives process - often solve problems and persuade others by offering alternative perspectives. In fact, they generally solve problems by shifting perspectives until the solution becomes clear. They offer these shifts as "a-ha" moments. So I'm not being indecisive...I'm just giving you some choices.

     INFPs - using Authenticity process - are more masters of emotional Aikido. Since they understand how emotions flow within the self, they can use this to redirect the emotional energy in another person, getting them to feel what they want them to feel. Isn't this emotional manipulation?! Hello?! Isn't that a bad thing!

     I think everything has been cleared up. I have another person I know who is an INFP, and all this time, he is the reason why I think I'm not one. I never felt any sense of similarity between us and in fact, I find him very emotionally selfish. The way he interacts with my other friend, the way he treats her, to me, feels extremely self-centred. Now that I realise I'm actually an INFJ, who thought she was an INFP. I really believed in the J-P thing before, but now I realise, INFJ is actually more flexible than INFP. Also, that means I'm not compatible with ENFJ, which is excellent. In fact, that explains why I think the scatterbrained ENFP is quite interesting. But, it also explains why I felt like I understood that ENFJ so much, because we share the same functions, just in different order (INFJ - Ni, Fe; ENFJ - Fe, Ni). I do understand him, I think.

INFP or INTP? Double MBTI Theory

     I was almost inclined to accept the fact that I am now officially an INTP, if not for the continuing INFP tendencies in my behaviour. I am still a highly emotional person and although I recognise that too deep of an emotional attachment can break a person, I still value emotions above logic in most situations. It was an official test, complete with both theory tests and practical, face-to-face tests involving scenarios, but as with all personality tests, there are faults.

     Personality tests require you to be perfectly honest with yourself. However, it is my theory and observation that the older a person gets and the more a person goes through, the deeper they bury their "true" selves. It's, more often than not, unintentional and it's more of a reaction than an action. It's not uncommon for people beyond a certain emotional maturity to completely lose a sense of what their "true" selves are, especially if that original self was not exactly very intuitive, thus making it difficult be surfaced under all that façade needed in life.

     Right now, I am entertaining the theory that, at the very core of my personality, I am still very much an INFP. I am highly idealistic and despite how much I think I've changed in the past four years (each year had it's own major incident) in regards to many things, my inner most desires and dreams have not changed. Even more, I think that, ironically, despite the fact that most of these incidents are supposed to drive me away from that idealism, they ended up strengthening it, to the point that values that were intangible before came to take the form of tangible goals. That INTP personality that has been surfaced is not negligible, however, and I believe that it is the usual façade I put on in situations that require emotional detachment (e.g. MUNs, arguments, studies).

The INFP Side

     It's quite difficult for me to confirm this theory with anyone, because INFP, being the hidden self, is often obscured from most. I have intentionally made it so, and whether I regret that decision is another story. It is within my intention that people who are acquaintances cannot pinpoint my personality. It is also within that intention that even friends can only see the INTP and very brief glimpses of INFP, only in times which I deem necessary (e.g. offering emotional support). There is only a handful of people, in my whole life, that can see the INFP. Perhaps, there are more, but those aren't people who I intentionally let that side of me be known.

     The reason isn't that I hate people. Quite the contrary. Firstly, INFPs are some of the most vulnerable people out there. We are too emotional, too idealistic, and therefore, we take things too personally. Anything that sounds remotely like an insult is, to us, an absolute insult. And we are the kind to take insults to heart, even if we don't show it. It's, therefore, for the need to feel secure and to maintain inner peace, that I choose to let so few people in. Secondly, INFPs' deeply emotional and perceptive nature allows us to feel hurt deeply, no matter whether it is our pain or other's. I don't show it, I rarely do. It's one of those pairs of contrasting talents I hold dear. The ability to sense what other people are feeling/thinking and the contrasting ability to pretend I don't notice it. Because of this perceptive nature, INFP's tend to be quite pessimistic on the inside, because as introverts, we tend to hold dark thoughts inside, instead of projecting them outwards. I truly believe that being able to feel others' sufferings is a blessing, but I also understand that other people might not feel the same way. It is not my place to burden another person with my dark thoughts and thus, the less a person knows me, the less obvious it is when my pessimism or depression is expressed outwardly.

     I would say that Charles Xavier from X-Men is probably an INFP, at least before all that shit happened to him. He holds great ideals that may seem impossible, wishing for harmony between humans and mutants. As a telepath, he has come to understand and care for people around him, no matter whether that care is projected outwardly or not. It can be argued that he is an ENFJ, because he has that sort of teacher-like personality, but that is more applicable to his older self. As the younger Professor X, in First Class and that timeline, Charles Xavier is very much an INFP. Perhaps all INFPs when nurtured properly become ENFJs in the end? Perhaps INFP is just a longer route to becoming an ENFJ? I don't know, but that's another theory. The point is, if you want to imagine an INFP, remember Charles Xavier before Erik Lehnsherr and Raven left him - the arrogant on the outside but kind and idealistic man on the inside.

The INTP Side

     Remaining a pure INFP in a world like this is painful. I know it myself because as much as I wish there were no suffering in this world and everyone can exist in harmony, it's a very far-fetched ideal. Like Charles Xavier, I want to become the force of change that brings the world closer to harmony and peace, yet like him, there are obstacles I have come across that makes me doubt myself. Of course, the obstacles I face are more personal and selfish than his (although Erik and Raven leaving is a deeply personal failure for him).

     So basically, whenever my INFP tendencies lead me into trouble, the kind of trouble that causes emotional scarring, it's like my T/F function takes a complete flip and becomes INTP. The INTP is coldly logical and when the INTP side of my personality is on the surface, I become quite obsessed with forming theories. Though forming theories is still a habit of mine even when I'm complying more to INFP tendencies, theory-forming becomes a method of self-protection when the INTP takes over.

     To make it less confusing, basically, whenever I take an action based on ideals or emotions and the action backfires, the INTP rises to the surface. I then take the basis of that ideal and try to apply logic to it. A very basic example would be...infatuation. If I am infatuated with someone, the INFP side idealises it to the point I take action and when it backfires, I end up taking the whole idea of "infatuation" and try to form theories around it. This way, I manage to distance and detach myself from an otherwise overwhelming emotion and at the same time, gaining a better logical understanding of it, since those theories are, more often than not, quite legitimate.

     The INTP wasn't always there and I suspect that it has been incidents over the past few years that has developed such a natural defence system. Whenever I feel the threat of becoming too emotionally involved with some situation or someone, I take a step back and try to rationalise the situation. 

So, INFP or INTP?

      One can easily argue that since INTP has become an instinctive reflex of mine towards threatening situations, I am more of an INTP than an INFP. However, like I've mentioned before, I still believe that INFP is the core of my personality, while INTP is simply a mask that I wear.

     INTP is the mask of superiority. People think I'm egoistic and I also exemplify egoistic tendencies. I brag, I show-off and I tend to mock people of lower intelligence. The INTP is also what makes people believe that my interest in Business and Finance is solely because I am materialistic and I like money. However, people who know me as an INFP would understand that money is just a means to a greater end, because I understand that many of my goals cannot be reached without financial backing. What I wish to achieve is to gain enough money from doing business and to set-up a non-profit organisation to help people in poverty areas. Perhaps, if possible, I would like to personally travel to such areas to help out. 

      Whatever my goal is in the end, it remains that it is extremely idealistic. For the good of humankind? It sounds like something out of a movie, but being an INFP at the core, it seems impossible for me to let go of such ideals. INTP is a mask I have constructed, after having that naturally naive INFP side of me hurt, so that I can deal with the realities of the world while preserving my INFP dreams.

      So, the conclusion is that, while the test revealed me to be an INTP, I still believe strongly that I am an INFP, with the mask of an INTP. Perhaps it is for the best? I like it this way, because I don't think that I am a person who can settle for anything less idealistic than my currently dreams. 

So Apparently Your MBTI Can Change...

     I signed up for an MBTI testing (those paid ones from legitimate organisations) about two months ago and today, I finally received my results through email.

     And...my MBTI changed? I'm no longer an INFP apparently. It doesn't surprise me at all, though. I have constructed some theories on why I have changed, but since they are not a concrete theory yet, I'll wait until I give it more thought. Of course, it's without a doubt that a person can't just get up and decide to change their MBTI one bright morning. Despite the various faults the MBTI system possesses, it is still a relatively accurate analysis of a person's personality. While a person may seem two-faced, everyone's core personalities should remain relatively stagnant.

      Still, it's not quite as shocking as one may think and I think that's partly attributed to how INFP is, in the first place, an extremely unstable MBTI. An absolute idealist who is an introvert - that seems like the formula for failure in life. INFPs are the types to suffer a lot, mostly because they tend to idealise everything in the world and that's attributed to their Dominant Feeling function. When this function betrays a person and causes him/her great pain and regret, it is quite natural that the person would deliberately distort their world-view to avoid the same mistakes.

     Only 1 of the 3 letters changed, but from the MBTI functions post I've made previously, the change actually happened in 2 out of the 4 functions - in the Dominant and Inferior functions. I think I have given enough hints, so let's just move into the revelation...which isn't a big deal anyway.

    So what's my MBTI now?

     I went from being an INFP to an INTP. No big deal right? Except, the reversal of the Dominant Function and the Inferior Function is actually a pretty big deal. It's not an exact reversal, mind you, since the direction (extroversion/introversion) of the functions actually do change. My Dominant Function went from being Introverted Feeling to Introverted Thinking and my Inferior Function went from Extroverted Thinking to Extroverted Feeling. Everything else is still the same.

INFP: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Seeks harmony of action and thoughts with personal values. May not always articulate those values.

INTP: Introverted Thinking (Ti)

Seeks internal consistency and logic of ideas. Trusts his or her internal framework, which may be difficult to explain to others.

     Before anyone's brains move to argue against the legitimacy of this test and the change it indicated. Let me just explain why I think this shift is absolutely normal. There's a personal reason, which isn't really that important, and a more theoretical one. It's a theory I have quite a bit of confidence in.

The Personal Reason: It took me quite a while...a very long while, in fact...to fish myself out of an emotional shit-hole that I dug for myself. As the extremely proud individual I am, on the inside at least, I am adamant to not commit the same mistake again. I have come to the conclusion that before I decide to make any emotional commitment about anything, I need to weigh carefully the costs of that commitment and the possible benefits I can reap. Basically, a cost-benefit analysis. Applying that to the situation I got myself in previously, I realised how insanely rash my actions were and thus, the determination to change and an extreme abhorrence of any situation like the previous one. In short, avoiding emotional commitment like the plague, because it's more often than not not worth it.

The General Reason: The Feeling and Thinking function basically describes a person's preference in decision-making. Preference meaning what you would choose if you had any control over the situation. A person who prefers Feeling rely more on emotions and a person who prefers Thinking rely more on logical analysis. My theory is that as a person grows older, it is very common that they become more inclined towards Thinking. While emotions remain important in some ways, people begin to realise that without logical analysis and thinking before making a decision, the decision is often rash and is something that would be heavily regretted. The only professions that would go against this theory would be nurturing careers, like being a Kindergarten teacher, where the process of nurturing strengthens a person's preference for Feeling. Most professions push individuals to think more.

      So being an INFP was a stage in maturing, I should say. The idealism isn't exactly childish, because it does help me build values and discover myself. The INTP was established when I became obsessed with making theories about random things, which is actually an extension of my previous obsession with discussing values. The intangibility of values made the topic stale and uninteresting after a while, so I turned to theory-forming and debating on those. I have many theories I wish to share, but alas, I am still a P, not a J, so plans will have to wait.

     I'll probably post more about the INTP when I have time...let's say Wednesday. I may change my mind, but that's the set date for now. A few extracts below from 16 personalities, which is a good website for people just starting to get to know their MBTIs.

     "The INTP personality type is fairly rare, making up only 3 precent of the population, which is definitely a good thing for them, as there's nothing they'd be more unhappy about than being "common". INTPs pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. Usually known as the philosopher, the architect, or the dreamy professor, the INTPs have been responsible for many scientific discoveries throughout history."

     "They love patterns, and spotting discrepancies between statements could almost be described as a hobby, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP. This makes it ironic that INTP's word should always be taken with a grain of salt - it's not that they are dishonest, but people with the INTP personality type tend to share thoughts that are not fully developed, using others as a sounding board for ideas an theories in a debate against themselves rather than as actual conversation partners.

      This may make them appear unreliable, but in reality, no one is more enthusiastic and capable of spotting a problem, drilling through the endless factors and details that encompass the issue and developing a unique and viable solution than INTPs - just don't expect punctual progress reports. People who share the INTP personality type aren't interested in practical, day-to-day activities and maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution."

     "They may appear to drift about in an unending daydream, but INTPs' thought process is unceasing and their minds buzz with ideas from the moment they wake up. This constant thinking can have the effect of making them look pensive and detached, as they are often conducting full-fledged debates in their own heads, but really INTPs are quite relaxed and friendly when they are with people they know, or who share their interests. However, this can be replaced by overwhelming shyness when INTP personalities are among unfamiliar faces and friendly banter can quickly become combative if they believe their logical conclusions or theories are being criticised."

     It seems to me like an INTP is an INFP who found her place in the world and finally decided that idealism isn't going to get her anywhere. I'm speaking personally, of course, but I think that's quite true for most INFPs. It's quite painful to live in such blinding idealism. Might as well settle down and learn to focus your extremely active mind on theories rather than fantasies, eh?

"It's obviously wrong! I mean, you can't just assume that ___! Do you feel me? No? Really? Let me explain...please...LET ME EXPLAIN!"