ISFJs' modesty and trusting nature make them loyal, reliable teammates and friends.
Reading time: 16 minutes
The ISFJ is one of 16 types from the popular Myers-Briggs tradition. In this post, you’ll learn about how the ISFJ type is related to the modern, scientific personality system known as the Big Five. You’ll also see the interpersonal behaviors and career interests that many ISFJs have in common.
You can jump straight to any section by clicking the links below. Otherwise, we’ll start with the classic definition of the ISFJ personality type.
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In the popular Myers-Briggs or 16-personalities tradition, all personalities belong to one of 16 types. Each type is defined by preferences across four cognitive functions:
ISFJs are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging.
Introverted people are focused inwards. They prefer the inner world of ideas and reflection over the external world of people and actions.
People who prefer Sensing tend to gather information through direct observation. They use their five senses to uncover facts and are more skeptical of more intuitive, theoretical approaches to learning and understanding.
People who prefer Feeling use empathy, consensus, and harmony to guide their decisions. Unlike those who prefer Thinking, they are less constrained by logic, correctness, and consistency in their decision-making.
People who prefer Judging tend to relate to other people through their decision-making preference, which is Feeling for ISFJs. Other people will see FJ-types, like the ISFJ, as empathetic and concerned for others.
While the 16-personality framework and its complex cognitive functions are fun and intriguing, they are less useful for predicting important life outcomes, like relationships, health, happiness, hobbies, educational and career outcomes.
The reality of personality differences is much more complicated than 16 types. This complexity is why modern personality science uses dimensions or traits to describe personalities, rather than simple categories or types.
For example, labeling someone as “Extraverted” or “Introverted” is a vast oversimplification. Every individual falls somewhere on a broad spectrum between highly extraverted and highly introverted.
Moreover, a single dimension like Extraversion/Introversion is inadequate for fully describing someone’s personality. In general, several dimensions are necessary to create a complete picture of an individual’s unique character.
Below, I’ll describe how ISFJs fit into the modern world of personality dimensions.
In personality studies, scientific researchers often use a trait-based approach to describing the differences between people instead of using personality types. The most well-established method is the Big Five, which describes differences along five broad dimensions:
Your combined positions across all Big Five dimensions describe your personality.
How does this relate to the ISFJ? People with the same type tend to have similar (but not identical) Big Five dimensions.
The graph below shows how ISFJs score on the Big Five dimensions. Each blue dot is an ISFJ, and darker blue areas mean more ISFJs are in that area.
For example, on the Openness dimension, ISFJs tend to score lower than average, so the Low and Very Low areas are very dark blue. But, you might notice that there are a few blue dots in the High area of Openness. So, while most ISFJs tend to score lower on Openness, there are a few exceptions.
Below, you can see more detail on how ISFJs score on each Big Five dimension.
ISFJs tend to score lower on Openness to Experience, meaning they are often more conventional or traditional. About 80% of ISFJs score below average on Openness to Experience.
Openness to Experience describes your need for new information, feelings, and experiences.
Less open people prefer the familiar ways of doing things. They are less interested in trying new things or seeking out new experiences. They also tend to be less eccentric and have more conventional tastes in hobbies, music, and reading material.
Highly open people have diverse interests, and they may feel a constant need to learn and try new things.
Most ISFJs score near the average on Conscientiousness, although a few may score at the extremes.
Conscientiousness describes your tendency to plan, organize, and persistently focus on long-term goals.
Highly conscientious people are more likely to set goals far in the future, then come up with detailed plans on how to achieve these goals. They are also more likely to stick to the goals they set and more persistent in working through difficulty to reach them.
Less conscientious people tend to be more spontaneous or impulsive. They are more interested in the present or short-term future, and more likely to change their mind, or change direction when obstacles arise.
ISFJs usually score lower on Extraversion, with about 85% of ISFJs scoring below average or on the more introverted side of the scale.
Extraversion describes your assertiveness, enthusiasm, and experiences of positive emotions.
Highly introverted people, like many ISFJs, are more socially reserved and quiet. They have a lower tolerance for highly stimulating environments and often retreat to calm and quiet situations in solitude. They also experience positive emotions less intensely and less frequently. For example, others may notice that introverts tend to smile and laugh less often than most.
Highly extraverted people tend to be more socially outgoing and talkative, and they often seek out more stimulating environments (e.g., think loud, crowded, or risky and exciting situations). High extraverts also feel and express positive emotions (e.g., joy, laughter, excitement) more intensely and more frequently.
ISFJs typically score highly on Agreeableness, and about 90% of ISFJs score above average on this dimension.
Agreeableness describes your interpersonal warmth, politeness, and empathy.
Highly agreeable people, like most ISFJs, feel a more substantial need to keep warmer, friendlier relationships with others and are naturally more hesitant to impose their will on other people. They will be more considerate of how their actions impact other people, and they will try to reduce or resolve interpersonal conflicts when they arise.
Less agreeable (or more demanding) people are often less concerned with others when pursuing their own goals. They are more willing to create conflict or express disagreement across most situations, and they feel less discomfort during interpersonal disputes.
ISFJs vary widely in Neuroticism. While most fall slightly above average, you can find ISFJs across their entire spectrum of this dimension.
Neuroticism describes how frequently and how intensely you experience negative emotions, like anxiety, anger, and sadness.
Highly neurotic people tend to worry more, have more frequent mood swings, withdraw when feeling distressed, and feel more self-conscious.
Less neurotic people are more easy-going, have more predictable moods, and are more resilient under stress. They also experience less of the harmful types of self-consciousness, like rumination and self-doubt, reported by more neurotic people.
You are more complex than four letters
No two ISFJs are the same. Learn about your unique blend of personality dimensions.
There are at least three exceptional patterns commonly seen in the ISFJs:
Extraversion and Openness are both related to seeking out different types of stimulation (social engagement vs. new information). ISFJs tend to score low on both of these dimensions, and they will have a high tolerance for the routine and mundane. They can be steady and predictable, and rarely need to shake things up and try something new.
While ISFJs are typically warm and friendly, only a few people may get to know them well enough to see this side. They often have an unusual blend of high Agreeableness and low Extraversion. These dimensions describe distinct aspects of our social behavior.
Highly agreeable people, like most ISFJs, are sensitive to the emotions of others, and are relatively compassionate, trusting, and cooperative. At the same time, they are far less likely to seek out social engagement or initiate new relationships, as described by their higher introversion.
For most ISFJs, honesty is always the best policy.
With their blend of high Agreeableness and lower Openness to Experience, ISFJs tend to be highly trustworthy and highly trusting of others. They are more likely to take others at their word, and they often find it deeply uncomfortable to argue or take advantage of other people. Instead, ISFJs prefer to be themselves, openly and honestly, even if it sometimes puts them at a disadvantage.
How do other people see and describe ISFJs?
The wordcloud below shows the top 100 words used to describe people with similar Big Five personality dimensions as a typical ISFJ. Larger words describe the more prominent aspects of ISFJs.
Because no two ISFJs are the same, some of the words above may be better descriptors of a particular individual than others. You can see your personality’s own unique set of words with TraitLab’s free assessment.
Which words describe you?
Cautious or impulsive? Combative or compliant? Sentimental or cynical? Discover 100+ words that describe your unique personality.
You might have noticed that some individuals have a consistent effect on you every time you interact with them. For example, one particular friend might make you consistently laugh and smile more than usual. Or, one reliably passive coworker or classmate may tend to bring out your bossier, more demanding side.
Each of us has a typical interpersonal style. This style influences how others think and feel when they are around you, and in turn, it can affect how they interact back with you.
A classic method of visualizing interpersonal style is using the circular figure below. The vertical axis shows your style in terms of dominance, with a highly assertive style at the top (Assured-Dominant) and a highly passive style at the bottom (Unassured-Submissive). The horizontal axis shows your style in terms of warmth, with a cold and impersonal style on the left (Cold-Aggressive) and a friendly, empathetic manner on the right (Warm-Agreeable).
The shaded blue area shows the typical interpersonal style of ISFJs across eight dimensions. Notice the areas where the blue area extends closer to the outer edges of the circle. These are the aspects that most heavily influence ISFJs’ interactions.
To summarize the graph above, four aspects heavily influence ISFJs’ interpersonal style:
The chart below shows how the personality traits of ISFJs are related to the classic RIASEC career interests: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Your unique blend of these interests has a considerable influence on how well a career feels like a good fit.
On each dimension, you’ll see areas where ISFJs tend to crowd up (shown by the dark blue bars). These are the areas where ISFJs are most likely to fall.
But, you’ll also find ISFJs the entire range of each dimension. While most ISFJs tend to have relatively lower Realistic interests, there are still a few ISFJs who score very highly on them.
Most ISFJs tend to have the following pattern of interests:
High Social interests (Helpers): People with strong Social interests fit well with careers that involve helping, comforting, caring for, and teaching other people. Examples include physical therapists, counselors, clergy, social workers, doctors, and nurses.
Average Artistic interests (Creators): People with strong Artistic interests prefer jobs that require innovation through artistic and intuitive skills in less structured tasks and environments. Examples include artists, novelists, actors or actresses, musicians, curators, and designers.
Average Conventional interests (Organizers): People with strong Conventional interests excel in roles that require categorizing, planning, and systematizing information and processes. Examples include financial officers, budget analysts, office managers, database analysts, and systems administrators.
Low Realistic interests (Doers): People with high Realistic interests enjoy careers that allow them to work with their hands or tools to get a job done, rather than thinking or talking about it. They may also gravitate towards jobs with opportunities for working outdoors, competition, and risk-taking. Examples include police officers, military officers, professional athletes, farmers, builders, mechanics, forest rangers, and woodworkers.
Low Enterprising interests (Persuaders): People with strong Enterprising interests are often skilled communicators and enjoy influencing, persuading, and leading other people. They actively pursue leadership roles and opportunities to bolster their status and reputation. Examples include sales and marketing directors, politicians and political organizers, and executives.
Low Investigative interests (Thinkers): People with strong Investigative interests prefer roles that require observation, researching, and understanding ideas. They tend to prefer working with data and ideas rather than working closely with other people. Examples include medical researchers, chemists, software engineers, scientific reporters, and statisticians.
Remember that these rankings only describe the average ISFJ, and personality types can only offer very general descriptions of career interests. Even if you see yourself as an ISFJ, your unique set of career interests may vary from the above descriptions.
ISFJs’ most robust interest is Social, meaning they will fit well in jobs involving helping, teaching, and building relationships. Examples of careers with a Social focus include:
ISFJs with relatively more substantial Artistic interests (Creators) may consider roles like:
Those with stronger Conventional interests (Organizers) might prefer roles like:
ISFJs are less interested in jobs with heavy Enterprising and Investigative demands. These positions tend to focus more on data than on personal relationships. ISFJs may be highly competent in any of these roles, but their natural strengths may be underused. Examples of these roles include:
Your personality type only gives you a rough approximation of your underlying traits. As described in this post, ISFJs can vary widely in their Big Five dimensions, interpersonal style, and career interests. Just knowing that you are an ISFJ doesn’t tell you that much.
So what’s the next step? Skip the types entirely and learn about your unique blend of personality traits, interpersonal style, and career interests by measuring them directly here at TraitLab. Get started for free and see your Big Five dimensions with the Basic assessment.
Header photo by Anna Earl
