Thanks to the growing popularity of MBTI (or rather, one particular personality test online), more and more people start typing themselves according to their test result and post it in their online profiles.
However, taking one (or several) conventional personality tests online easily leads to mistypes, typically caused by the increasing mix-up of MBTI and Big 5.
To the point where I advise my clients to ignore or avoid profiles that feature those types in them, because they are usually false and often lead to complications and awkward interactions down the line.
Also, I advise everyone to study the cognitive functions in order to type others or themselves correctly.
Below I compiled an overview of the most common MBTI mistypes and how to differentiate them in comparison.
List of Most Common Mistypes
In “brackets” you find the type that someone might display in their profile and that they mistyped themselves as. Or alternatively, the type you think someone or yourself might be.
Below that you find a list of the most common types that mistype themselves as that “type”, and a list of differentiating traits that showcase the true type.
Jump to the mistypes…
- “INFJ“
- “INTJ“
- “ESTP“
- “ESFP“
- “ENTJ“
- “ENTP“
- “ESFJ“
- “INTP“
- “INFP“
- “ENFP“
- “ENFJ“
- “ISFJ“
- “ISFP“
- “ISTJ“
- “ISTP“
- “ESTJ“
“INFJ”
- ISFP
- internal physical sensibility, often psychosomatic; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- struggles with generating innovative concepts or different/novel modes of interpretation
- prefers connecting on consistent personal preferences and subjective feelings/values, rather than sharing situational external moods
- values objective data/information and efficiency over logical principles
- ISTP
- tends to be slightly pushy and forceful; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- internal physical sensibility, attuned to the impressions through the environment
- rational, naturally proficient at discussing logical systems
- possesses a good deal of practical or encyclopedic knowledge
- INFP
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas, references, and concepts on a regular basis
- prefers connecting on static personal preferences and subjective feelings/values, rather than sharing situational external moods
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- values objective data/information and efficiency over logical principles
“INTJ”
- ISTP
- tends to be slightly pushy and forceful; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- struggles with different modes of interpretation
- prefers sharing situational emotional expression (e.g smile, laughter) over sharing personal value judgments
- prefers connecting on logical principles and theories rather than shared factual knowledge
- ISFP
- internal physical sensibility, often psychosomatic; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- struggles with generating innovative theoretical concepts or different modes of interpretation
- if needed, naturally reads other’s emotions well, can be well-aware of external conventions, be elegantly emotionally expressive (e.g smiles, laughter)
- strong personal preferences or value judgments of people (e.g likes/dislikes, friend vs foe)
- ENTJ
- higher energy, can be harsh/rough
- efficient, but prone to working insanely long hours
- prone to rash financial over-investment
- unclear/inconsistent moral values
“ESTP”
- ISTP(-Se)
- strongly attuned to their internal physical state
- more set in their ways
- lower energy, regular moments of being withdrawn
- more calculated risks
- ENTJ
- efficient, prone to overworking
- values objective data and efficiency
- values developing their personal preferences and subjective feelings/values
- natural foresight and insight into life developments and purpose
- ISFP(-Se)
- prefers connecting on consistent personal preferences and subjective feelings/values, rather than sharing situational external moods
- values objective data and efficiency, tends to dislike excessive logical categorization or a focus on logical principles (correct/incorrect)
- strongly attuned to their internal physical state
- more set in their ways
“ESFP”
- ISFP-Se
- strongly attuned to their internal physical state
- more set in their ways
- lower energy, moments of being withdrawn; less facial animation
- more calculated risks; can appear like a logical type
- ENFP-Fi
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas, references, and concepts on a regular basis
- disregards an emphasis on future aims or vision in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- values physical well-being and comfort before aesthetics
- physically less self-possessed, struggles with reading internal physical cues
“ENTJ”
- ESTP
- highly physical, tactile and/or pushy; strong physical/energetic presence, and in need of varied sensorial impressions on a regular basis
- attempts and enjoys shared situational emotional expression (e.g smile, laughter) rather than developing subjective values
- enjoys connecting on logical principles, rather than factual knowledge
- disregards or avoids matters of personal values or static morals
- ESFP
- highly physical, tactile and/or pushy; strong physical/energetic presence, and in need of varied sensorial impressions on a regular basis
- can be emotionally sensitive and affected, but also outwardly charming and naturally aware of others’ likes/dislikes
- strong personal preferences
- can struggle with logical systems and logical structuring
“ENTP“
- ISTP(-Ti)
- physical and/or tactile, can be in need of varied sensorial impressions
- can be attuned to their internal physical state
- enjoys developing their future aims, archetypes/symbolic meanings, and visions
- lower energy, withdrawn
- INTP(-Ne)
- strongly metaphysical insights
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- lower energy, regular moments of being withdrawn
- can discuss matters of personal feelings/values/preferences without too much discomfort
- ENFP(-Ne)
- can be strongly emotionally expressive (facial expressions, such as laughter, smiles) and good at “amping up” the mood
- strong personal likes/dislikes and preferences, but they can be initially ill-defined and then flexible/varied over time, often playing devil’s advocate
- shies away from organizing or structuring logical thought; tends to display intuitive insights that are logically contradictory but ethically consistent or insightful
- values objective data and efficiency
“ESFJ“
- ISFJ
- lower energy, regular moments of being withdrawn
- strongly in tune with their internal feelings, either emotionally or physically
- usually shies away from exerting force or pressure (even though they are capable of it)
- more soft-spoken
- ISFP
- annoyed by focusing on various concepts, references, or phenomena without a tangible effect/long-term goal
- enjoys developing future aims and visions
- values objective data and efficiency
- more soft-spoken
- ESFP
- disregards a focus on internal physical health and equilibrium, unless it supports their outwardly emphasized aesthetics; in need of varied sensorial impressions on a regular basis
- fascinated by the “deep” interpretational meanings of life/purpose, notions of foresight; seeks help in anticipating developments
- enjoys being tactile, physical, forceful with others, tends to push them to be more physical or to do more exhaustive activity on a regular basis
- less concerned about positive or appropriate emotional atmospheres, can be intentionally disruptive and focused on personal morals/preferences over those of others
“INTP”
- ISTP(-Ti)
- can be slightly pushy and forceful; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- internal physical sensibility, attuned to the impressions through the environment
- enjoys developing future aims and visions, discovering their purpose or the inner meaning of things
- “trial and error”-lifestyle
- ENTP(-Ti)
- regular moments of intense restlessness and odd physical activity
- knowledgable on a wide range of subjects, including trivia and factual data
- annoyed by discussions of subjective morality, personal likes/dislikes and interpretations
- disregards future visions in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- ISFP
- internal physical sensibility, often psychosomatic; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- if needed, naturally reads other’s emotions well, can be well-aware of external conventions, be elegantly emotionally expressive (e.g smiles, laughter)
- strong personal preferences or value judgments of people (e.g likes/dislikes, friend vs foe)
- values objective data and efficiency, tends to be stressed by excessive logical categorization
“INFP”
- ENFP(-Fi)
- regular moments of intense restlessness and odd physical activity
- can be strongly emotionally expressive (facial expressions, such as laughter, smiles) and good at “amping up” the mood
- strong personal likes/dislikes and preferences, but they can be initially ill-defined and then flexible/varied over time, often playing devil’s advocate
- shies away from organizing or structuring logical thought
- ISFP
- internal physical sensibility; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- struggles with generating innovative concepts/theories or different/novel modes of interpretation
- annoyed by focusing on various concepts, references, or phenomena without a tangible effect/long-term goal
- enjoys developing future aims and visions
- ISFJ
- strongly in tune with their internal physical feelings and impressions, psychosomatic
- displays with enjoyment clear external signifiers of emotions, such as hearty laughter and wide smiles
- annoyed by an overemphasis on objective and factually validated data
- enjoys structuring their logical thoughts and dealing with logical systems
“ENFP”
- INFP(-Ne)
- strongly metaphysical insights
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- lower energy, regular moments of being withdrawn
- consistent personal values and likes/dislikes
- ESFP(-Fi)
- disregards a focus on internal physical health and equilibrium, unless it supports their outwardly emphasized aesthetics; in need of varied sensorial impressions on a (somewhat) regular basis
- fascinated by the “deep” interpretational meanings of life/purpose, notions of foresight; seeks help in anticipating developments
- enjoys being tactile, physical with others; tends to push them to be more physical or realistic
- can struggle with connecting different varying concepts to a unified picture
- ESFJ
- in tune with their internal physical feelings and impressions
- displays with enjoyment clear external signifiers of emotions, such as hearty laughter and wide smiles, on a regular basis; instinctive need to regulate or navigate the emotional atmospheres in their environments
- values structured logical thoughts and consistent logical systems
- can be sufficiently forceful, pushy and tactile
“ENFJ“
- ENFP
- less concerned about appropriate emotional atmospheres, can be intentionally disruptive and focused on personal morals/preferences over those of others; also tends to be wary of strangers
- disregards an emphasis on future aims, visions, or universal meaning in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas and concepts on a regular basis
- values physical well-being and comfort before aesthetics
- INFJ(-Fe)
- lower energy, regular moments of being withdrawn
- more soft-spoken
- tends to be mentally removed from the external world, tends to struggle with basic tasks or be unaware of current life events
- lacks sufficient ability to push themselves, “shape” their environment, pressure/antagonize others or “fight back”
- INFP
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas, references, and concepts on a regular basis
- enjoys connecting on personal preferences and subjective feelings/values
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- values objective data and efficiency
- ISFP
- internal physical sensibility, often psychosomatic; can be combative or harsh if needed, otherwise a proactive or aesthetics-focused attitude
- tends to struggle with assessing their own strengths/weaknesses, potentialities, generating new concepts, and defining life’s meaning – more set in their ways
- enjoys connecting on consistent personal preferences and subjective feelings/values, rather than sharing situational external moods (e.g laughter)
- values objective data and efficiency, tends to be stressed by excessive logical categorization
“ISFJ“
- ISFP
- can be impatient, pushy or overly resistant (in their personal life) and can be in need of varied sensorial impressions on a regular basis; usually aesthetically aware or well-styled
- enjoys connecting on personal preferences and subjective feelings/values
- values objective data and efficiency, tends to be stressed by excessive logical categorization
- annoyed by focusing on various concepts or phenomena without a tangible effect or efficient goal
- INFP
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas and concepts on a regular basis
- enjoys connecting on personal preferences and subjective feelings/values
- disconnected from the physical and sensorial experience of the world
- values objective data and efficiency
- INFJ
- in tune with discovering and honing universal meanings, sense of purpose, archetypes
- disconnected from the physical and sensorial experience of the world
- annoyed by focusing on various concepts or phenomena without a tangible effect or goal
- experiences stress if they have to tune into their personal physical experience
“ISFP“
- ISFJ
- enjoys focusing on their internal physical equilibrium and consistent (often monotone or repetitive) pleasing of their senses
- annoyed by an overemphasis on objective and factually validated data
- disregards an emphasis on future aims or vision in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- enjoys structuring their logical thoughts and dealing with logical systems
- ESFP(-Fi)
- usually energetic with varied physical expression in movement
- can be strongly emotionally expressive (facial expressions, such as laughter, smiles) and good at “amping up” the mood; usually open and friendly towards strangers
- strong personal likes/dislikes and preferences, but they can be initially ill-defined and then flexible/varied over time
- shies away from organizing or structuring logical thought
- INFP
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas and concepts on a regular basis
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- disregards an emphasis on future aims or vision in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- annoyed by an overemphasis on physical exertion, activity, or pushing oneself/others
“ISTJ”
- ISTP
- slightly pushy and forceful, can be impatient and in need of varied sensorial impressions on a regular basis; can be focused on external aesthetics
- values clear emotional expression (e.g smiles, laughter)
- enjoys connecting on logical principles
- enjoys developing future aims and visions, universal meaning
- ISFP
- if needed, can be well-aware of external conventions and elegantly emotionally expressive (e.g smiles, laughter)
- strong personal and static preferences (likes/dislikes, friend vs foe)
- tends to struggle with retaining factual knowledge
- annoyed by focusing on various concepts or phenomena without a tangible effect, instead enjoys developing future aims and visions
“ISTP“
- ISTJ
- enjoys focusing on their internal physical equilibrium and consistent (often monotone or repetitive) pleasing of their senses
- disregards an emphasis on future aims, visions, or universal meaning in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- likes to employ and collect factual data and objective measurements, based on external source material
- annoyed by emotionally vibrant environments that facilitate displaying or experiencing strong moods; prefers environments to be emotionally steady or subdued
- INTP
- emphasizes and generates off-beat/”childlike” ideas and concepts on a regular basis
- attempts to increase physical well-being and comfort
- disregards an emphasis on future aims or vision in favor of ideas and conceptualizing
- annoyed by an overemphasis on physical exertion, activity, or pushing oneself/others
- ISFP(-Se)
- prefers connecting on personal preferences and subjective feelings/values over logical principles
- values objective data/information and efficiency, tends to be stressed by excessive logical categorization
- if needed, can be well-aware of external conventions and elegantly emotionally expressive (e.g smiles, laughter)
- strong personal and static preferences (likes/dislikes, friend vs foe)
“ESTJ”
- ENTJ
- disregards attaining internal physical equilibrium (and unaware of such) by chasing exhaustive goals and pushing themselves beyond their capacities
- natural foresight and insight into life developments and purpose
- can generate innovative ideas or thoughts for the sake of advancement on a regular basis
- well-able at synthesizing vast amounts of data to arrive at new and/or universal lines of thought
- ISTJ(-Te)
- more set in their ways, repetitive lines of thought or behavior
- lower energy, moments of being withdrawn
- can be highly precise and tuned into rational thought
- tends to struggle with clear and conventional emotional expression, often “stone-faced” or slightly awkward
- ISTP(-Se)
- enjoys connecting on logical principles
- enjoys developing future aims and visions, universal meaning
- disregards a focus on personal values
- less variance in voice tone
This overview will not only help you with unearthing the true type of others, but also aids you in understanding the differences between certain types and hopefully increases your typing abilities.
Let me know what you think in the comments and please share this article if you found this useful! 🙂
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