The Agony of the 'Am I This or That?' Identity Loop
You’ve taken the test. Maybe three times. Once on a Tuesday morning, where you came out as an INFJ. Again on a rainy Sunday, where the result shifted to INFP. Now you’re staring at two descriptions, two communities, two sets of memes, and feeling a strange kind of identity vertigo. Both feel a little bit right, but neither feels like home.
Let’s just pause here and take a breath. As your emotional anchor, Buddy, I want you to know this confusion isn't a sign of a faulty test or a flaw in you. It's a sign of your depth. The frustration you're feeling is valid. Spending hours wondering, 'Am I this or that?' is exhausting. It feels like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape.
This experience is incredibly widespread and is a primary driver of the most `common mbti mistypes`. Whether it's the classic `infj vs infp` debate, the `istj vs istp` head-scratcher, or the `enfp vs esfj confusion`, you are not alone in this limbo. It's a natural part of digging deeper than the surface-level labels.
What you're experiencing is the limitation of a simple quiz trying to measure the profound complexity of your inner world. That wasn't a failure to find your label; it was your brave desire to be truly understood. And that's exactly what we're going to do—move past the labels and into the heart of how you operate.
The Deciding Factor: How Their Core Functions Actually Work
Alright, let's look at the underlying pattern here. As Cory, my goal is to help you see the system behind the symptoms. The reason you're stuck between two types isn't random; it's because online tests often measure behavior, not cognitive wiring. To solve the `common mbti mistypes` puzzle, we need to ignore the four letters for a moment and look at the engine running underneath: the cognitive functions.
The INFJ/INFP confusion is the perfect case study. It hinges on the difference between two critical function pairs: how you process emotions (Feeling) and how you perceive information (Intuition). It's not about if you feel deeply, but how.
First, let's explore the `difference between Ni and Ne`. The INFJ leads with Introverted Intuition (Ni), which works like a funnel, gathering disparate data points and converging them into a single, profound insight about the future. It’s a deep, singular vision. The INFP, conversely, uses Extroverted Intuition (Ne), which works like a firework, starting from one point and exploding into a web of possibilities and connections. It sees many potential paths.
Even more decisive is learning `how to tell Fi vs Fe`. According to personality experts, this is often the clearest distinction. An INFP's inner world is guided by Introverted Feeling (Fi)—a deeply personal, internal moral compass. They ask, "How does this situation align with my values? What feels authentic to me?" An INFJ uses Extroverted Feeling (Fe), which acts like a social radar, tuning into the emotional harmony of the group. They ask, "What does the group need? How can I create harmony for us?" One prioritizes internal congruence, the other, interpersonal harmony. This is a fundamental difference in `judging vs perceiving cognitive functions` that goes beyond surface traits.
Often, `shadow functions causing confusion` make us act like our opposite type under stress, which further fuels these `common mbti mistypes`. But your core wiring remains the same. Understanding these functions is the only way to get a truly accurate read.
So here is my permission slip for you: You have permission to stop trying to fit into a four-letter box and start identifying with your authentic cognitive process.
Practical Scenarios to Reveal Your True Type
Emotion is data, but to be useful, it needs a strategy. As Pavo, I'm here to give you a clear action plan—a diagnostic test to reveal your default settings. Forget abstract theories; let's see how your wiring shows up in the real world. This is the move that will help you cut through the noise of `common mbti mistypes`.
Read the following scenarios and pay close attention to your gut reaction. Don't overthink it. Which response feels more instinctive, more you?
Scenario 1: A close friend comes to you, visibly distressed about a conflict at their job.
Response A (Fe-dominant): Your immediate instinct is to absorb their emotional state. You feel a shadow of their distress in your own body. Your first move is to soothe the situation and the person, asking, "What can we do to make this better? How are they feeling?" You focus on restoring harmony and offering communal support.
Response B (Fi-dominant): Your immediate instinct is to filter their experience through your own internal framework. You connect to a time you felt a similar injustice or pain. Your first move is to validate their feeling from an authentic place, saying, "That is completely unfair, and you have every right to be angry." You focus on aligning with their personal truth.
Scenario 2: You are tasked with planning a group vacation.
Response A (Ni-dominant): You retreat to think. You envision the ideal end-state of the trip—the specific feeling and key moments—and then work backward, meticulously planning the steps to make that single, cohesive vision a reality. You present a focused, well-researched plan.
Response B (Ne-dominant): You light up with excitement. You open ten browser tabs at once, exploring endless possibilities. "We could go hiking in the mountains! Or maybe a beach trip with surfing lessons! Or what about exploring a new city?" You present a brainstorm of exciting options for the group to consider.
Analyzing your reactions to these situations is a powerful strategy. It provides concrete evidence of your cognitive preferences, making it far more reliable than a simple quiz. This process is the most effective way to solve `common mbti mistypes` for yourself, once and for all.
FAQ
1. Why do I get different MBTI results every time I take a test?
Online tests often measure your current mood, behaviors, and learned habits rather than your core cognitive functions. Your answers can change based on stress, recent experiences, or even who you want to be. This is why understanding the underlying functions is more reliable for avoiding `common mbti mistypes`.
2. Can I be a mix of two MBTI types, like 50% INFJ and 50% INFP?
While you can relate to traits from both types, according to cognitive function theory, you can't be a hybrid. The core difference between INFJ (Fe/Ti) and INFP (Fi/Te) represents a fundamentally different internal 'operating system.' The confusion usually stems from well-developed secondary or shadow functions.
3. What's more important, the letters (I/E, N/S) or the cognitive functions?
The cognitive functions are far more important for accuracy. The four letters are just a code for a specific stack of functions. For example, the 'J' in INFJ refers to their first extraverted function being a judging one (Fe), not necessarily that they are 'judgemental' in the colloquial sense. Focusing on functions resolves most `common mbti mistypes`.
4. How do shadow functions contribute to common MBTI mistypes?
Shadow functions are the less-developed, often unconscious parts of your personality stack. Under extreme stress or during major life changes, you might access these functions more, leading you to behave like another type temporarily. This can cause significant confusion on tests and lead to `common mbti mistypes` if you're not aware of the dynamic.
References
psychologyjunkie.com — 10 Things That Will Help You Figure Out If You’re an INFJ or an INFP