Who is more intuitive? ISTP vs. ISFP.
Are ISFPs really any less intuitive than ISTPs? Word goes around that ISTPs are deep insightful thinkers, occasionally inspired by abstract and instinctual ideas, but what about ISFPs, who share the introverted intuition function in the same tertiary position?
The following text aims to explore the reasons why ISTPs have acquired the reputation of being more insightful than ISFPs.
There are a plethora different cognitive function descriptions floating around the web. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, the descriptions below will be used:
Introverted Intuition (Ni) | To know from within what is yet to be.
Jung has once stated that, “intuition is a perception, by ways or means of the unconscious.” He had also noted intuition to be the, “intermediate links,” by which one obtains, “the result of the whole chain.” In other words, (Ni) observes the abstract and intangible intermediate links which leads to the most likely factual reality. It is the abstraction of the reality yet to be revealed.
Introverted Thinking (Ti) | To explain to oneself.
To use the thinking function is to know what is or was. The introverted thinking function aims to order and organize information — information gathered from what was perceived via other routes — and to explain it to oneself so that understanding occurs. The information can be tangible or intangible in nature, but the end result is the same; sequenced and ordered to be understood by oneself.
Extroverted Thinking (Te) | To explain to others.
Similarly, the extroverted function also takes the information perceived and rearranges it in such a way that it is to be understood. How it differs, is the extroverted route the explanation is sent to. What was made sense of is explained to the external surroundings, using the language and lingo easily accessible and comprehensible to others.
With these descriptions lined out, we can look at the most likely pathway a typical ISTP or ISFP’s thoughts would take.
Keep in mind that these explanations are the extremes of what occurs. People always fall on a spectrum, and their thoughts are more likely to bounce in different directions rather than traverse in strict and orderly fashion.
The ISTP thought pathway
When an ISTP’s (Ni) is stimulated, by default, it is taken to the (Ti) function to be made sense of. (Ti) generates an explanation of what the intuitive findings are.
After a meaningful explanation is generated by the (Ti) function, the ISTP’s attention is then turned outwardly to the external tangible present (Se). The activation of the (Se) function allows the ISTP to gather evidence to support and compare to their subjective and intuitive logic.
When the ISTP has enough endurance to carry on thinking, the (Ti) and (Se) byproduct is taken to revisit the (Ni) perception to which it goes through a process similar to the one before. This is because both (Se) and (Ni) are functions through which one perceives. The landing stop for the thoughts and judgements generated previously would be the (Fe) extraverted feeling system that filters out what is to be shared and how it would best be shared.
In such a fashion, the ISTP would verbalize their (Ni) findings in a way they find to be of value to others. Their proficiency in explaining things to themselves allows them to impart a more subjective and intuitive layer to their (Ni) findings.
The ISFP thought pathway in comparison
Although the default ISFP may not be any less intuitive, their expression via the (Te) route would lessen the intuitive impact when expressed.
In similar fashion to the ISTP, an (Ni) perception would be taken in to be judged by their (Fi) introverted feeling function. The difference between (Fi) and (Ti) is how introverted feeling produces a value system meaningful and important to oneself. The (Ni) perception(s) would go through a combing of (Fi) judgements to allow the ISFP make sense of how the perceptions fit into their existing value system. A byproduct of how the ISFP relates to their intuitive findings will be made.
Like in the previous case with the ISTP, the (Fi) and (Ni) byproduct will then be once again compared and validated or invalidated by the (Se) factual reality and (Ni) intangible perceptions.
The landing spot for all the previous thoughts will then make its way to the (Te) extroverted thinking function. It is here that the ISFP will look for words or concepts that are already in use or easily accessible to the people he or her wishes to communicate these ideas to.
(Te) wording and concepts carry the advantage of being easily understood by people, but the caveat is how it cuts out the layers and nuances that the original intuitive ideas may carry. The resulting thoughts and ideas shared would then be a best match to what is already in existence rather than as unique and in depth as (Ti) would allow for.
To sum up, no, ISFPs may not be any less intuitive in their way of being. However, their default route of thinking and expression poses a limitation to the the raw form of introverted intuition in its expression.
I hypothesize, however, that if the ISFP so choses to take a step back after (Te) is utilized, and return to their (Fi) function to express themselves through (Se) and (Ni) activities, their intuition will be more clearly expressed.
