Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality test that identifies sixteen personality factors and gives participants a four-letter combination of those sixteen. Developed by a mother-daughter duo, the test is intended to make C.G. Jung's psychological types easier to understand.
I am a huge fan of the test and still think it is remarkable how accurate it is, even after taking it for the first time many months ago. I received ISFJ for my personality type and became curious, so I looked at multiple websites to see how these traits affect and explain my personality. I can now see how being an ISFJ has greatly played into my choices and behaviors.
Those who have taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and received introverted, sensing, feeling, and judging, ISFJs make up 13% of the population. Though a popular personality type, ISFJs are unique in their characteristics.
ISFJ personalities are known as “The Defenders" because of their stance in relationships and ability to connect with others. They will do anything for others but do not enjoy taking credit for their accomplishments in relationships or other situations.
Being an introvert means that ISFJs get their energy from being in solitude as opposed to reenergizing by being around others, which is extroversion. Unlike some other introverted personality types, ISFJs are actually quite social.
I think one of the most remarkable aspects of the ISFJ personality is our sociability despite being introverted. Although there was a point in my life when I was considered an extrovert and am now dominantly introverted, this does not change the fact that I often enjoy being with others and am not always shy.
The second part of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is sensing vs. intuition. Sensors, like ISFJs, are the type of people to trust their experiences and knowledge rather than relying on a “feeling". They prefer concrete information and use that instead of interpreting their own meaning.
The F in ISFJ stands for feeling, which differs from Thinkers in the way they make decisions. Feelers make their decisions by taking people and external factors into consideration, whereas Thinkers make their decisions impersonally and with more logic. Feelers, like ISFJs, are focused on maintaining harmony within their relationships.
Judgers, which is what the J in ISFJ stands for, are the type of people to be organized and orderly in most aspects of their life. Perceivers are more apt to be known as spontaneous and flexible, something that is not common of the organized ISFJ personality type.
Another aspect of ISFJ personalities that is very true to me is our ability to remember minute details. I am the type of person who easily remembers names and stories or facts people have shared with me, and I enjoy having this ability.
Every personality type in the MBTI is unique and descriptive, and if you have any interest in the psychology of why you have a trait or behavior, I highly recommend taking the test and checking out your personality type!
