Avoid Mistyping INFPs and ENFPs With My Cognitive Stack Rule – Feelings First or Action First…

Does experience shape feelings or feelings shape experience…

On the surface INFPs and ENFPs seem like just introverted and extroverted versions of the same type but when you look closer the difference is significant. When we look at the cognitive stacks below we see that all the functions are the same but the positions are just one off.

The INFP cognitive stack:

1. Fi — Introverted Feeling

2. Ne — Extroverted Intuition

3. Si — Introverted Sensing

4. Te — Extroverted Thinking

The ENFP cognitive stack:

1. Ne — Extroverted Intuition

2. Fi — Introverted Feeling

3. Te — Extroverted Thinking

4. Si — Introverted Sensing

What many people in the type community don’t realize is that moving a function up or down just one slot makes a huge difference.

Different Heroes

The lead function in the stack is often called the “Hero” function because to its user, it can do no wrong. This is the function we “swim in” and have a consistent positive view of. We don’t do any dirty work with this function because we like to keep its image clean in our mind because it’s an essential part of our ego and identity. Understanding this is key when comparing INFPs to ENFPs. An INFP who swims in their hero function of introverted feeling (Fi) is ultimately a feeler first, and an intuitive second, while for the ENFP who swims in extroverted intuition (Ne) is an intuitive first, and feeler second.

Different Parents

This leads us to the second function which is often called the “parent” because it has parental energy and is the nurturing function for the other functions in the stack as well as the function that often takes the lead when nurturing and helping others. This is a function that unlike the hero function can be turned on and off as needed. This gives an INFP an easier time switching Ne on or off as needed and an ENFP an easier time of switching Fi on or off as needed.

The Feeling vs. Action Test

The best question I’ve found for telling the difference between these two types is “Do you need to know how you feel about something before doing it or do you need to do it to know how you feel?”. An INFP with hero Fi prefers to choose an action based on how they feel about it while an ENFP with hero Ne prefers to experience the thing to determine how they feel about it.

INFPs Look Before They Leap

For the INFP it’s a complex process that uses their entire stack to cross reference how they felt in the past under similar circumstances while also imagining how events in the future will play out. INFPs feel things very deeply (although they may not show it) and trying something new is risky to Fi so it tries to screen out activities that will cause unpleasant feelings and trauma. Think of how a person with delicate soft feet would hike through the woods barefoot versus someone who has calloused hardened tough feet. INFPs tread carefully and choose paths thoughtfully because of their extra sensitivity. Inversely INFPs have a greater capacity to enjoy positive feelings as well and the anticipation of the coming good feeling enhances it, so good or bad, INFPs like to know what they’re getting into. Keep in mind though this process can be quite logical and is not necessarily giving into the whims of feeling. Frequently an INFP knows the responsible thing to do will be painful at first but will give them the better long-term feeling in the future. So don’t make the mistake of thinking INFPs are slaves to their emotions. It’s often the opposite, overtime INFPs can get very sophisticated and mature about emotions and can be masters of delayed gratification because they can envision the end feeling better than most. This look before you leap method of INFPs also helps protect the hero status of Fi because INFPs are careful not to let it get dirty in an unforeseen uncontrollable circumstance. All in all, INFPs are very methodical and careful about what actions they take, it’s hardly the behavior of someone ruled by emotions.

ENFPs go for it, no spoilers needed

For the ENFP it’s complex as well but Ne is steering the ship and Ne likes to explore and experience new ideas and Fi is along for the ride. Ne values novelty so sitting and trying to predict what will happen and how they will feel can spoil the fun. Instead ENFPs tend to prefer jumping in and see what feelings follow. Fi in the second slot and Si in the fourth inferior position for ENFPs doesn’t have as much of an all-encompassing filing system to reference like the INFP or that filing system is more like heaps of paper strewn around the house. For an ENFP the idea of sorting through their boring history of feelings and organizing them is not very appealing when they can just “do the thing” and get instant ping-back on how they feel. If it feels bad, then they can course correct and do something else. The feelings also aren’t quite as painful because they don’t swim in Fi. If the action turns out bad they can shut their Fi off and enjoy swimming in Ne positivity and opportunity. This jump in blind process helps preserve the Ne hero status as Ne thrives on improvisation and quick thinking so jumping in allows Ne to shine and flex its muscles. Extroverted functions thrive on action while introverted functions thrive on careful contemplation.

The Loops

This look or leap difference is also how you can spot the unhealthy loops of the two xNFPs. The looping ENFP stays out in an Ne/Te cycle of ideas and doing, always jumping to the next thing without stopping to organize their Fi/Si files that are piling up around their mental house. The looping INFP, however, keeps obsessing over the meticulously kept Fi/Si files and never leaves their mental house to get new experiences.

Looks can be deceiving

This difference between leading with Fi or Ne is quite profound and once understood makes it relatively easy for a person to know which xNFP they are. However, for an observer trying to type someone else, the difference may not be so easy. An INFP for example may on the surface look like the brave one easily jumping off the proverbial cliff in some circumstances because they’ve been exercising their Ne/Te and have “been there and done that” but you don’t know they’ve been in that situation before. Likewise the ENFP may be the indecisive scared one if they haven’t been stopping to organize at least some of the Fi/Si piles on the floor, so the blind jump turns into analysis paralysis because their Ne hero is tired and their Fi/Si filing system is a mess and they don’t know what they want. The key to all of this is the internal process and not necessarily the external action. The question must be, “What’s driving the underlying fear or confidence? So, are you a “look before you leap” INFP or a “blind cliff jumping” ENFP? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Please like, comment, follow, subscribe, and share this story. Your support is greatly appreciated!