Now, let’s break this down!
INTJ ( Ni Te Fi Se)
INFP (Ti Ne Si Fe)
Let’s start with iNtuitive type differences.
INTJs utilize Introverted iNtuition, Ni. This is what makes the INTJ have it’s J-ness. Likewise, Ne gives the INTP it’s P-ness (herp a derp, I said P-ness).
iNtuition is idea processing. Ne is an idea generator, it’s a creative exploratory type of idea processing. While both types of iNtuition can lead to tangentials, Ne is far more prone to the quick generation of multiple possibilities and often times seemingly random possibilities. Ni is likely to come up with one or two very likely possibilities.
So as an example, if both types are given two seemingly disparate words and told to make as many sentences with them as they can - like “underwear computer” (this is something that Dario Nardi, a Neuroscientist studying MBTI Best Fit Types/ Cognitive Processes and Brain Function did), someone who has Ne is going to generate a lot more sentences than someone with Ni (or Se or Si).
To a certain degree, I think Ne doesn’t necessarily require connections it makes to be likely or entirely consistent with reality. Ni wants results.
In addition a lot of what Ni does is subconscious, so a person with really well developed Ni is sometimes going to come up with “the right” answers really quickly, without necessarily knowing how it got those answers. The person is also going to more stolidly believe that their answer is indeed “right.” Whereas, someone with Ne, is generally going to be able to give you a little trail of how all those things connected to eventually give a “probable” answer. Ne users rarely deal in absolutes.
Now let’s take a look at Thinking Processes.
INTJs have Te, while INTPs have Ti. Now this is pretty interesting in that, you could describe both Ni and Te as system building processes. Ni finds solid workable results, Te thinks those through out loud to find an efficient system of making that result a reality. Te builds a schematic, a framework. Te engineers. Ti reverse engineers. Ti breaks things down into their most fundamental elements, examines, references, archives.
Ti digs deep and knows a few things thoroughly, because most of the time it’s not aiming to do anything with that knowledge. While Te considers a lot of things and just enough, because it wants to actually get to do something with that knowledge.
Behavioral hallmarks of Ti - someone who pauses a lot while they speak, often looking up or to the side recalling information before speaking again, rinse repeat. Someone with Te is going to just think out loud, they’re not going to make a lot of pauses, they might talk on top of someone they’re having a conversation with.
Let’s talk about Feels
This is where I start thinking that, damn, it must be bad ass feeling to be an INTJ (or ENTJ). Because INTJs have Introverted Feeling. Introverted Feelers have a strong sense of identity. They know what’s good and bad, in their opinions - and indeed they’re usually quite opinionated. They’re aware of how they’re feeling, not always what’s going on with other people. They won’t be very expressive, because their emotional stuff is going on internally just as it’s focused internally. Especially with Fi being tertiary, so lesser developed then their N and T functions, these guys are known for being stoic. Placid facial expressions, limited body language, just not expressive. And pretty often are oblivious in a “honey badger don’t a give a shit” kind of way.
INTPs on the other hand have Fe. And starting from my last point about INTJs there, you’ll see a lot more INTPs going “how do I socially awkward? what are these feels, what am I supposed to do?” … because Fe gives a shit. These guys are going to get very animated when they talk about stuff they like. They’re gonna get noticeably grumpy when there’s stuff they don’t like. They’re going to struggle with fulfilling social obligations, but try to push through them anyway, and be simultaneously annoyed and guilty. Their not sticking to a particular prescription on behaviors and moral issues a la Fe will be enhanced by their Ne. They’re more likely to rely on Ti for this, and it’ll be “best guesses.” Unhealthy and/or severely frustrated/stressed INTPs (which I imagine happens a lot in our E and SJ preferred English speaking cultures), might exhibit a tendency to lash out and appear opinionated, displaying shadow functions.
Another anecdote I have - There are a surprising number of religious (or staunch atheists) within INTJs. I’ve actually known a large number of Catholic or other exacting religious affiliates who are INTJs. (Sometimes this Fi tendency may exhibit itself within a Political affiliation instead). INTPs tend to gravitate toward more open ended spirituality like agnostic atheism, the kind of Buddhism practiced in the Americas, or more inclusive denominations or non-denominational identities among Judeo Christian groups.
And finally, let’s talk about the Sensing preferences.
INTJs use Se, while INTPs use Si. Now, I’ll just get straight to the behavioral aspects. INTPs tend to be kind of sentimental about their stuff, the things they’re used to and have liked. INTJs, less so. Many INTJs I’ve met express their Se through physical activity. Be it getting into a solo sport, going running with their pets, getting into an activity like pottery making or sculpting. They also tend to be fastidious, which is partly also a J feature, but more pronounced by their inferior Se environmental awareness.
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Going over some other surface things.
Some good exercises to distinguish between J and P.
- Communication Style (are you directing or informative), as an example taken from Dolphincove. There’s a wine glass on the floor about to be knocked over by someone’s little tyke.
P: “There’s a wineglass in the path of the oncoming child!”
J: “Move your glass!!!”
A second example, you want someone to make some food.
P: “I’m hungry”
J: “Would you make me a sandwich?”
Another exercise is physical expression (might not be valid depending on things like if you’ve been trained physically for dance or theatre or even sport)
Chop Chop - make a chopping motion, starting close to your body then moving outward three times.
Scooping - make smooth fluid scooping motions rotating between arms, like you’re giving someone half hugs, over and over.
What’s easier? Is your chop chop staccato and feels comfortable? Or does the fluid rolling style of motion feel more comfortable? Chop Chop is indicative of J, Rolling of P.
Again you can take a look at Dolphincove for some video and more information about J vs P distinction in physical behavioral display.
I hope this has helped someone, if not the original poster.
