ISFJ is one of the 16 personality types identified on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. ISFJ stands for introverted, sensing, feeling, judging.
This personality type is not rare—it is actually one of the more common types. ISFJs make up about 9% to 14% of the population.
Key ISFJ Characteristics:
Caring
Compassionate
Dependable
Industrious
Kind-hearted
Loyal
Organized
Practical
Protective
Sensitive
Warm
Strengths:
Reliable
Practical
Sensitive
Eye for detail
Weaknesses:
Dislikes abstract concepts
Avoids confrontation
Dislikes change
Neglects own needs
Cognitive Functions:
Dominant: Introverted Sensing
This function leads the introverted sensing types to focus on details and facts.
ISFJs prefer concrete information rather than abstract theories.
They are highly attuned to the immediate environment and firmly grounded in reality.
Because of this tendency to focus on and protect what is familiar, ISFJs are often seen as highly traditional.
When making decisions, ISFJs compare their vivid recall of past experiences in order to predict the outcome of future choices and events.
Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling
ISFJs place a great emphasis on personal considerations.
Extraverted feelers are focused on developing social harmony and connection.
This is accomplished through behaviors that are viewed as socially appropriate or beneficial, such as being polite, kind, considerate, and helpful.
ISFJs try to fill the wants and needs of other people, sometimes even sacrificing their own desires in order to ensure that other people are happy.
Tertiary: Introverted Thinking:
ISFJs are planners and tend to be very well-organized.
They utilize logic in order to understand how the world works.
As ISFJs take in new information and experiences, look for connections and commonalities in order to find patterns.
Rather than simply trying to understand a small part of something, they want to see how things fit together and how it functions as a whole.
Inferior: Extraverted Intuition:
While ISFJs tend to be focused on the present and on concrete facts, this largely unconscious function can help balance the ISFJ personality by helping the individual focus on possibilities.
Taking in facts and then exploring the "what-ifs" can lead to new insights about problems.
ISFJs You Might Know:
Jimmy Carter
Kate Middleton
Rosa Parks
Mother Teresa
Tiger Woods
Selena Gomez
Pam Beesly (The Office)
Piglet (Winnie The Pooh)
Wendy Darling (Peter Pan)
Popular ISFJ Careers:
Accountant
Administrator
Banker
Bookkeeper
Child care provider
Nurse
Office Manager
Paralegal
Social worker
Teacher