This blog post aims to answer the question, “What’s the difference between INFP A and INFP T?” and explore the various dimensions of these two subtypes namely INFP A and INFP T of the INFP Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type that will help understand the answer.
What’s the difference between INFP A and INFP T?
The differences between INFP A and INFP T lie in the following 9 areas –
- Assertive VS Turbulent.
- Optimism VS Pessimism.
- Laziness.
- Thought Patterns.
- Handling Stress.
- Crying.
- Regret.
- Work Personality.
- Relying on Others.
These 9 differences between INFP A and INFP T will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means.
Who is an INFP?
The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.
Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type.
INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).
Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:
- The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
- The Mediator (16Personalities)
An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.
INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.
INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path.
INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.
INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –
- INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.
- INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.
- INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.
- INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.
What are these 9 difference between INFP A and INFP T?
Assertive VS Turbulent.
The letter A stands for “Assertive” in INFP-A. The T variable in INFP-T stands for “turbulent,” and is more prevalent in INFPs.
INFP is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and it is further separated into INFP-A and INFP-T subtypes based on their reactions to events and confidence in their abilities.
While the INFP definition already represents separate personality features, there are differences in the qualities of the two subtypes in different settings.
Optimism VS Pessimism.
In comparison to 40% of INFP-Ts, 85% of INFP-As seem to be at ease with themselves.
Turbulent personality types are rarely satisfied with their existing circumstances. They frequently use their unhappiness to try to improve themselves.
They are inclined to appraise where and how they need to improve using a strongly idealistic filter. This desire to rectify what they perceive to be defects often motivates individuals to put in long hours.
Idealism, on the other hand, is a difficult standard to meet. Turbulent Mediators are prone to overextending themselves and becoming overwhelmed. They are likely to be harsh on themselves if they do not achieve their inflexible goals.
Any Turbulent individual is subject to self-criticism. However, the damage caused by negative self-talk may be amplified by these individuals’ imaginations and sensitivities.
Even the tiniest imperfection can appear to be more serious than it is. They are more likely to see a mistake as a cause for self-doubt. Compared to 44% of INFP-Ts, 82% of INFP-As are usually optimistic about the consequences of the risks they take.
INFPs use their Feeling personality attribute to make decisions. They choose a viewpoint that emphasises empathy and concern for others. There is a significant difference between how INFP-As and INFP-Ts deal with their emotions and interact with others.
Laziness.
In comparison to 66% of INFP-As, 85% of INFP-Ts believe themselves to be lethargic.
Turbulent Mediators, for example, are more prone than Assertive Mediators – and most other personality types – to describe themselves as “lazy” (all except two).
However, a neutral evaluation may demonstrate that this is not totally accurate. When all else is equal, Turbulent people labour extra hard to compensate for what they perceive to be a flaw.
Typically, the term “lazy” does not apply. Their negative slant is just as likely to blame for their bad self-evaluation of their work ethic as it is for a measured fact.
Thought Patterns.
In comparison to 24% of INFP-As, 68% of INFP-Ts consider many of their mistakes to be failures. INFP-As are more likely to see a mistake as a one-time occurrence or simple carelessness — something that everyone does now and again.
However, they are unlikely to let it take up too much mental space. These people usually deal with their flaws in the same way. They prefer to spend their time contemplating bright prospects.
INFP-As aren’t any less idealistic or sensitive than INFP-Bs. It’s merely a less contemplative version of these features.
They have a tendency to see the world through a rose-coloured lens when it comes to caring for others and other things. For example, a significant number of them regard themselves as “lazy” (as Prospecting personality types tend to do).
It’s far smaller than the number of Turbulent Mediators who self-identify as such. However, for INFP-As, the word “lazy” is probably not nearly as severe and judgmental as it is for their Turbulent counterparts.
Handling Stress.
In comparison to 48% of INFP-Ts, 87% of INFP-As believe they are confident in their ability to deal with day-to-day challenges.
INFP-As can devote a lot of energy to their humanistic aims since they are motivated by optimism and self-assurance. These people are usually adept at instilling optimism and encouragement.
However, a practice of blanketing everything with a positive assessment can obscure areas that require development. People rarely pay attention to the things they dismiss.
In the same way that INFP-Ts may ask too much of themselves, INFP-As may ask too little if there are issues lurking beneath the surface of everything being good.
Crying.
Compared to 28% of INFP-As, 63% of INFP-Ts cry “frequently to very often.”
In the lives of INFP-Ts, outwardly expressed emotions are more common than in the lives of their Assertive counterparts. Knowing how to express yourself emotionally might help you relate to the sentiments of others.
Understanding can be sped up with experience. Sharing similar experiences might boost the likelihood of compassionate listening.
Regret.
In comparison to 56% of INFP-As, 90% of INFP-Ts claim they regret things frequently. Many assertive people, even INFP-As, are mistakenly labelled arrogant. Self-importance isn’t necessarily a trait shared by all assertive people.
They may appear to be less invested at times than their more intense Turbulent counterparts. They have fewer regrets in their lives and are less prone to repent or feel sorry for their actions.
Due to their quieter behaviour, this impression of arrogance is certainly relative when discussing INFP-A. They may appear humble when compared to the rest of humanity, but when compared to INFP-T, they may appear arrogant.
Work Personality.
76% of INFP-Ts believe that their personality expression varies greatly at work, compared to 51% of INFP-As.
INFP-A people are more likely to portray themselves as they are. They have no qualms about simply being themselves. Their self-assurance makes other people’s opinions less important in their outlook and judgments.
Being less prone to give in to others’ opinions means that these people are more likely to act autonomously.
This independence may allow INFP-A to work without being hampered by the baggage that others may try to impose. Only if they go too far with their independence will it become an issue.
At critical times, they may neglect to ask for or accept input and counsel from others. INFP-As are above average in indicating they are hesitant to ask for help even when they need it, according to poll data that include all personality types.
Relying on Others.
In comparison to 36% of INFP-T, 61% of INFP-A feel it simple to make critical decisions without contacting anybody first.
INFP-T is the subject of significant debate. In most Turbulent personality types, being concerned about what others think is a common trait. INFP-T, on the other hand, may be more concerned.
When you combine their Turbulent temperament with their type’s sensitivity and their ever-changing interests, you get a person who is constantly checking in with others. They frequently seek the opinions of others to quell or confirm their nagging misgivings.
INFP-Ts, being people-oriented individuals with residual uncertainty, naturally seek out others for support and feedback. Because they value others’ opinions, these people are more likely to pay attention when others talk.
Both types of INFPs consider themselves good listeners, but INFP-T’s capacity to pay attention is likely enhanced by valuing others’ perspectives.
All aspects of one’s life are influenced by one’s identity. INFPs can better understand themselves, how they approach the world, and how they connect with others by applying the concepts outlined above.
INFPs of both types can benefit from such knowledge to help them manage their lives more effectively.
Conclusion
This blog post aimed to answer the question, “What’s the difference between INFP A and INFP T?” and reviewed the features and functions of these two subtypes namely INFP A and INFP T of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type, INFP, to help determine the differences between INFP A and INFP T. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.
References
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Assertive Mediator (INFP-A) vs. Turbulent Mediator (INFP-T). 16 Personalities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/articles/assertive-mediator-infp-a-vs-turbulent-mediator-infp-t
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INFP-A vs INFP-T (Assertive vs. Turbulent Mediator). PsychReel. (2022, January 7). Retrieved from https://psychreel.com/infp-a-vs-infp-t/
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