I don't know if you have written this somewhere else, but how exactly do you see the difference between INFJ and INFP? The impression I get from the test is that INFP internally linger on there emotions (Si), do things and make descissions based on those emotions while INFJ's linger more on there intuition (Ni). They "feel" more in the sense of intuition while INFP "feel" in the sense of emotion. What I would call my INFP state is when have a problem in the outside world, a problem with connecting and working with people and than I internelise that and debate the problem using my emotions. While when I'm in INFJ mode I doesn't have to debate the problem, I just know who I am, what I want and what I have to do. And if I'm correct in this analysis than INFP is for me more a stress state and eventually a always turn back into the INFJ mode. But I must notice, the INFJ modes is one that I don't use very frequently. I will rather be INFP or ENFJ, only when I'm alone or when I'm overstressed I will turn back into INFJ and will be wondering why the hell I have ever left it!
Do you have some ideas or experience on this since you also seem to have INFP experiences?
The differences between INFJ and INFP are subtle, but fairly large.
INFPs start with Fi - which is how
they feel about things. When Fi is too strong, it can seem very self absorbed and tends to jump to emotionally self focused conclusions. When someone compliments a group of people, Fi asks "Why didn't
I get complimented too?" INFPs then move to Ne - which is possibilities. But, it is important to note that INFPs use Ne to support Fi. In the example above, an INFP would likely begin postulating a number of scenarios to support how they feel about not being complimented. If they feel exluded, Ne will create scenarios to explain why they were excluded. If they feel snubbed, forgotten, or whatever, Ne will likely create possible reasons why the people who did not compliment them did so intentionally to invoke those emotions. Ne validates Fi for INFPs, good, bad, or indifferent.
INFJs start with Ni - which is seeks the answer. I think the most interesting thing about having this function as our dominant is the fact that Ni seeks answers before we know the questions. However, when Ni is too strong, we get lost in our heads. To continue the example, if someone complemented a group of people, but did not compliment an INFJ, our dominant function is already seeing how we relate to the subject of compliment, and if there is any reason for us to be on that list. Next, we move to Fe which is relative philosophical reasoning to support what our Ni intuits. In this example, we would then look at how the people on the list relate to the subject of compliment, and how they relate to the person issuing the compliment. We quickly jump to the conclusion that the person was complimenting a group of friends that they spent the weekend with, because of the way the compliment was phrased and we know these people to be 'close', and remember two of the people on that list mentioning an upcoming weekend trip. Our Ni and Fe put all the pieces together, and now we see that obviously, we wouldn't be included in that list. We were not there.
And yes, there are a lot of threads on this forum on the subject of INFJ vs INFP. A quick search should uncover more information than you'll ever need.
I also like what this website had to say about the subject...
Differences between INFJ and INFP
It may help you work out your type if we compare the similarities and differences between INFJ and INFP.
One important thing to look at is which preferences 'dominate' the personality. Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers said there is a 'dominant function'. What this means, in simple terms, is that two of the letters in the type code are much more important than the others.
For people with INFJ preferences, the most important letters are I and N. For people with INFP preferences, the most important letters are I and F. This means that there is a very important difference between INFJ and INFP. The letters in the type code that are particularly important for them are different, or they have different 'dominant functions'.
The Dominant Function
For INFJ the most important preferences are Introverted Intuition. Your 'dominant function' is Intuition, oriented towards the inner world. You use your imagination to create new and different ideas and perspectives. You observe the world around you, and use your imagination to consider what you have observed from a number of different perspectives. You dream up new ideas and insights, often producing radical solutions to problems. You have a long term vision, and demonstrate an apparent understanding of what (as far as other people are concerned) cannot be clearly known.
For INFP, however, the most important preferences are Introverted Feeling. Your 'dominant function' is Feeling, oriented towards the inner world. This means you give importance to particular thoughts, ideas, or beliefs. You are value driven, and you often bring a sense of priority that is derived from your strong convictions. You seize upon and emphasise ideas or thoughts that have the greatest import, bringing them to the fore and stressing their significance. You assess the inherent value or importance of new ideas and beliefs, focusing on those about which you feel most strongly.
Preference Differences
INFJ and INFP differ in Judgement/Perception. This preference is about your lifestyle. If you prefer your life to be planned, stable and organised then your preference is for Judging (not to be confused with 'Judgemental', which is quite different). If you prefer to go with the flow, to maintain flexibility and respond to things as they arise, then your preference is for Perception.
