People of the ISFP personality type are considered to be the adventurers among the 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs system. They are passionate, unconventional and all too happy to challenge entrenched beliefs of society. However, they lack the ability to deal with criticism. In the following article, we will look in detail at the character traits of the ISFP.
Assigning people to different personality types has a long tradition in psychology. You've probably taken a personality test before - either for fun or because you have serious ambitions. While you shouldn't take the results as dogma, you can learn a lot about yourself. Perhaps you will recognize yourself in the ISFP personality.
The abbreviation ISFP stands for the following Character traits:
I: Introverts (= introversion)
Introverts like to keep to themselves. They don't need constant hustle and bustle around them. Sometimes they make a shy first impression on other people. However, this does not necessarily have to be true. Introverts draw their strength from within.
S: Sensors (= Receiver)
Sensitives focus on the present. They are practical and oriented towards facts. They appreciate it when facts can be proven and measured.
F: Feelers
Feelers care about other people. Their emotions occupy a large space in their personality.
P: Perceivers (= perceiving)
Perceptive people like to keep several doors open. They have the ability to recognize and take advantage of opportunities. They can even find their way through chaos.
ISFP personalities most likely do not like to be classified as such. They dislike being pigeonholed. They are at peace with themselves and enjoy trying new things in every area of life. This is why ISFP is also known as an adventurer. A backpacking trip through India or a complete makeover? The ISFP loves spontaneous and unconventional actions of this kind.
Even friends and family usually find it difficult to assess what the ISFP is planning next. With his thirst for adventure, he surprises those around him time and again. The introvert personality part forms a strong contrast to the exploratory urge. Sometimes ISFP personalities need to withdraw in order to gather new strength.
During such periods of seclusion, the ISFP reflects on himself, always remaining in the present. Ruminations on the past or intangible visions of the future are far from his mind. Instead, he reevaluates his current principles and adjusts them if necessary. When the ISFP then goes out among people again, he appears completely changed - usually in a positive way.
The ISFP personality is characterized by the following strengths:
Sensitivity
ISFP personalities can empathize well with others and respond appropriately to their sensitivities. They help others to find their inner harmony again and to avoid conflicts. In doing so, they are very understanding. Since they themselves do not like conflicts, they hardly ever cause a quarrel. Other people feel safe and understood with them.
Charm
ISFP personalities have a very engaging nature. They are immediately attractive and likeable to other people. They are relaxed and warm-hearted. Tolerance is their top priority. Live and let live - that is the motto of the ISFP personality. Their personal environment usually appreciates this trait very much.
Passion
The Life goal of the ISFP is to find a way to live for one's passions. If people of this personality type are enthusiastic about a certain idea, they will give everything imaginable to realize it. Behind the sometimes rather shy facade beats a heart full of enthusiasm and passion. This passion drives the ISFP to peak performance.
Curiosity
ISFP personalities do not like rigid concepts. Once they have developed an idea or solution strategy, they want to explore it down to the smallest detail to see if it can really work in practice. In doing so, they do not approach the task scientifically, but rather from an artistic and humanitarian perspective.
Ingenuity
ISFP personalities are always aware of the feelings of those around them. They are therefore able to come up with creative ideas that take the hearts of those around them by storm. They have a vivid imagination, which opens up perspectives and reveals possibilities that remain hidden to others. Their inquiring minds serve them well in this regard.
Artistic talent
Their ingenuity is usually accompanied by an impressive artistic talent. ISFP personalities can visualize their ideas tangibly and in an extremely appealing way - be it through drawings or music. They are able to turn even a dull diagram or a dry statistic into a work of art. They usually find a creative profession or at least a creative hobby.
People of the ISFP personality type struggle with the following weaknesses:
Lack Critical faculties
Most ISFP personalities have great difficulty in dealing with criticism. When someone criticizes them, they usually react harshly and indignantly. They withdraw in offense from the person who made the criticism. This is certainly true for reproachful or condescending criticism. However, many ISFP personalities can also respond with friendly and constructive criticism not bypass.
Fluctuating Self-esteem
The Self-esteem of ISFP personalities is strongly dependent on external confirmation. If they encounter rejection with their ideas and/or their nature, this can strongly shake their faith in their own abilities. This is even more true if the ISFP has negative experiences at a young age. Without the confirmation from the outside, the ISFP draws its Potential not out.
Excessive rebellion against rules
ISFP people quickly feel that their personal freedom is threatened by rules. This even applies to rules that other people take for granted or even consider necessary. The ISFP begins to rebel against rules of any kind, which often causes problems in professional life. He does not differentiate which rules might have their meaning after all.
Unpredictability
ISFP personalities don't like to plan ahead. They would much rather see what comes up spontaneously. They have difficulties with long-term, binding commitments. In professional life, this can lead in the worst case to dismissal and financial bottlenecks. The lack of willingness to plan also has a negative effect on relationships.
Low stress tolerance
ISFP personalities live in a world of emotions. Nevertheless, they do not want these to get out of control. If it nevertheless comes to that, the ISFP forfeits his characteristic Charm and his creativity. He avoids difficult situations. Overwhelmed and embittered, the ISFP retreats into his shell. In this way, the unsolved problems continue to grow.
Energy wasted on trivialities
ISFP personalities tend to get massively worked up over trivial matters. Small misunderstandings turn into bitter fights, costing everyone involved unnecessary energy. When they finally have to realize that they are in the wrong and can't do anything about it, they become profoundly unhappy.
To really get to know ISFP personalities is not easy. They often seem very mysterious and secretive to those around them, especially to potential partners. Of course, this can also be appealing. However, being too secretive has a negative effect on relationship life. In general, ISFPs prefer to listen rather than talk about themselves. This can be frustrating for the partner at times.
The importance of functioning communication in a partnership has been proven many times in numerous studies. The fact that communication deficits even represent a considerable risk factor for divorces is shown by the following scientific work out.
However, the unwillingness to talk about oneself and one's own feelings also has positive sides. Controlling the partner through emotional outbursts is far from the ISFP personalities. If you are able to accept them as they are, ISFPs turn out to be warm and committed partners.
The ISFP loves spontaneity. This also applies to his partnership relationships. You will never experience boredom with an ISFP partner. He or she will always find creative ways to surprise you and enliven your relationship. People who need a clear daily structure, however, are sometimes more difficult with adventurousness. overwhelmed.
If the ideas regarding life planning and daily structure are very far apart, the relationship is usually doomed to failure. As the partner of an ISFP you should be ready to enjoy the moment. For ISPFs, the present is the only reality that counts. What was yesterday or could be tomorrow is of no concern to people of this personality type.
ISFP personalities desire love in their relationships, Loyalty and emotional closeness. If they do not feel loved and valued, it makes them deeply unhappy. The emotional part of their personality structure comes out. It is not at all necessary to express verbal expressions of love on a daily basis. Actions count more than words for ISFP people in this respect.
The freedom-loving ISFP personalities do not strive for power, influence and money nearly as much as other personality types. The opportunity to develop freely professionally is their top priority. Financial aspects play a subordinate role in their choice of career path.
ISFP people love to experiment. Since they are not afraid to go against conventions, quite a few of them are real trendsetters. You can find them in the fashion and design industry, for example. However, many ISFPs also take up artistic professions. They are musicians or painters, for example, but also athletes. Anything that allows them to express their creativity and extravagance can be considered as a profession.
Professions in which adherence to rules and conventions is paramount are unsuitable for ISFP personalities. Processing tasks according to a pattern is not for them. Besides the NeedTo try out new ideas, the urge to compete must also be satisfied. If all these requirements are met, there is nothing standing in the way of a grandiose career in the above-mentioned industries.
The fact that a certain incentive to compete generally has a positive effect on job performance is clear from several scientific studies out.
The deficits in the area of planning and structure are particularly evident in ISFP's choice of occupation. He likes best activities in which no workday is like the other. Unfortunately, this means that some career paths remain closed to him, to which the ISFP is able to apply himself because of his intellect and Empathy would be quite suitable. These include, for example, careers in psychology and counseling.
ISFP personalities need tremendous discipline to work toward a particular goal (e.g., a psychology degree or counselor training) over the long term. Some succeed, others do not. However, once ISFPs have succeeded, it can enrich their daily lives.
In this way, numerous opportunities open up for them to make the world a little bit better for other people. They realize that it was worth enduring the boredom they felt in order to achieve a higher Achieve goal.
The ISFP is quite common in the population with 9 % total. The probability that you know an ISFP personality or are one yourself is accordingly high. About 10 % of all women and about 8 % of all men can be classified as an ISFP personality.
Below, let's look at some curiosities about the ISFP personality:
Source: MBTI Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 3rd Edition - Isabell Briggs Myers
The following famous people can be classified under the ISFP personality type:
Famous ISFP people from film and television:
The Myers-Briggs Test is only one of many personality concepts you can use for self-analysis. In fact, there are some models that are even more suitable, as they are less complicated to use and sometimes provide more meaningful results. At this point, we would like to introduce you to the scientifically based DISC personality test recommend
This one focuses on the four most common types of communication. You've probably noticed that you can communicate well with some people, while with others you feel like you're constantly talking past each other. By finding out which personality or communication type you are, you can use your insights to better relate to others.
So don't hesitate any longer and take our free DISG personality test.
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The ISFP personality is characterized by the following strengths:
Sensitivity
ISFP personalities can empathize well with others and respond appropriately to their sensitivities. They help others to find their inner harmony again and to avoid conflicts. In doing so, they are very understanding. Since they themselves do not like conflicts, they hardly ever cause a quarrel. Other people feel safe and understood with them.
Charm
ISFP personalities have a very engaging nature. They are immediately attractive and likeable to other people. They are relaxed and warm-hearted. Tolerance is their top priority. Live and let live - that is the motto of the ISFP personality. Their personal environment usually appreciates this trait very much.
Passion
The Life goal of the ISFP is to find a way to live for one's passions. If people of this personality type are enthusiastic about a certain idea, they will give everything imaginable to realize it. Behind the sometimes rather shy facade beats a heart full of enthusiasm and passion. This passion drives the ISFP to peak performance.
Curiosity
ISFP personalities do not like rigid concepts. Once they have developed an idea or solution strategy, they want to explore it down to the smallest detail to see if it can really work in practice. In doing so, they do not approach the task scientifically, but rather from an artistic and humanitarian perspective.
Ingenuity
ISFP personalities are always aware of the feelings of those around them. They are therefore able to come up with creative ideas that take the hearts of those around them by storm. They have a vivid imagination, which opens up perspectives and reveals possibilities that remain hidden to others. Their inquiring minds serve them well in this regard.
Artistic talent
Their ingenuity is usually accompanied by an impressive artistic talent. ISFP personalities can visualize their ideas tangibly and in an extremely appealing way - be it through drawings or music. They are able to turn even a dull diagram or a dry statistic into a work of art. They usually find a creative profession or at least a creative hobby.
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