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ISFP - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Sees Much But Shares Little
Though they struggle constantly to maintain visibility, there is in the
ISFP a love and sensitivity for others, as well as serenity and
appreciation for life. The combination of Introversion, Sensing,
Feeling, and Perceiving puts ISFPs more in touch with both themselves
and the world around them than any other type.
Don't need to lead
ISFPs have a very low need to lead and control others, and yet are
driven by a desire to see everything -- plants, animals, and people --
living harmoniously. ISFPs are not invaders of any living creature's
space but instead want to relate to and encourage all life to fulfill
its potential. As a result of being so much in tune with and respectful
of the natural boundaries of life around them, it can become difficult
for ISFPs to understand the need of some people to impose limits or
structure on others. Unfortunately, in their desire not in influence,
they often forgo expressing themselves and their wishes in favor of
blending in with others. This nonimposing nature and seeming lack of
direction is so much a part of ISFPs that they can easily be either
overlooked or overpowered by others. In a sense, they are the most
invisible of the sixteen types.
Talented, but shy
This type, often creative, artsy, and skilled in a variety of practical
disciplines where people and nature are served, tends to be shy about
offering his or her services -- depriving the world of their
contributions as a result. All too often, more aggressive, demanding
and less capable types fill the void.
Doing what makes sense
ISFPs may be unconventional in their approach to problem-solving, but
not because they value contrariness as such or because they relish
developing new ways of doing things. It happens because they see the
clearest way to do something and then simply do it -- often to the
consternation of others who prefer to follow the prescribed methods.
ISFPs are often oblivious to the "standard" way, indeed even
puzzled by why anyone would consider doing something in a way that is
obviously cumbersome and impractical.
Female ISFPs
Feeling (warm and nurturing) and Perceiving
(open and flexible) are more traditionally feminine characteristics; Introversion (reflective and reserved) and
Sensing (practical and grounded) are more traditionally
masculine traits. Put the four together and you have a type who has
little need to lead or influence, who relates to the world with little
desire to change or control it, or even to understand it, but simply to
take it all in. Thus, ISFPs of either gender do not project a strong
image, nor are they competive in nature.
Male ISFPs
Male ISFPs are successful and highly regarded in various roles, and if
someone is looking for a nurturing male, this type is a natural. Both
female and male ISFPs often sell themselves short. As a result,
most any compliment an ISFP receives can be dismissed as "not
really meant" or "just an accident."
Parenting
Parenting is an opportunity for an ISFP to relate to children, not to
control them. As a result, children who also have strong Perceiving
tendencies are probably allowed to wander too much; they may not be
given the basic sense of structure that may be helpful later on. Judging
children, by contrast, are often frustrated by the ISFP's lack of
direction and guidelines, which may set up the parents to feel like
failures. They are not failures -- they simply fail to offer much
direction. Different types find it difficult to understand the ISFP's
low need for control of influence. Clearly, it is intended to allow
others to grow more freely, although the ISFP's quiet, subtle style
may never receive full credit.
Their children
Children learn that the ISFP parent is always near, very much in touch
with the child's needs, and very supportive and loving of the child's
development, but in a quiet and unassuming way. "Love" is not
so much spoken of as displayed -- quietly, and in myriad ways.
"Nothin' says lovin' like something from the oven" could be an
ISFP motto. The cookies or dollhouse furniture or handmade sweaters are
symbols that say, "I love you." An ISFP's child knows he or
she is loved because in these kindly acts and gentle deeds, love is
conveyed.
The ISFPs' living style is generally relaxed but active. Hands-on
activities keep these Sensors busy. Interestingly, this does not always
involve "what needs to be done" so much as what they want to
be doing. As Sensing-Perceivers, they usually prefer doing something to
doing nothing, but the activity is often spontaneous and scattered
rather than goal-oriented. While this can be a source of fun, the result
may be a long list of unfinished activities that can be frustrating, not
only to others but to ISFPs themselves.
To relax ISFP-style is to do something "for the fun of it."
Such "fun" things might include gardening, painting,
needlework, or whittling. Some ISFP hobbies, such as creating
"miniatures," for example, often demand high dexterity.
ISFP children are often curious explorers who seem unhurried about
getting anywhere in particular. Content with their own company, they see
the entire world, as a place for discovery. Often unaware of rules,
time, and other family demands, they explore the world around them.
Plants, animals, brothers, sisters, and parents are all part of that
world.
As Perceivers, ISFP children march to a somewhat different drummer. They
are likely to be playing when they are expected to be at meals, watching
TV when everyone else is in the car ready to leave, or rearranging toys
when company is about to walk in the door. They want very much to please
but often go about it in such a way that the person to be pleased --
parent, teacher, sibling, and so on -- becomes impatient, even
exasperated. The message the sensitive ISFP gets from these individuals
is: "You never seem to do anything right!"
As Sensors, ISFPs are a very "now" type and so learning needs
to be tactile and immediately relevant. They have very little interest
in the conceptual and abstract and are most responsive to what is
pragmatic: "What does it look like?" "How does it
feel?" "What can I do with it?" "How does it
work?" Questions like these spark interest in a project; the
theoretical side of things is more difficult, less interesting, and
often produces very negative responses from ISFPs. Such responses often
lead to negative labels -- "slow learners" and
"daydreamers," to cite a few. The labels are inaccurate, but
they contribute to the ISFPs' tendency to avoid formal education,
especially higher education.
Family events for ISFPs are best when they just "happen." Too
much planning, work, and structure can block things from unfolding
freely. Family rituals indeed merit attention, but only once they are in
process. It is not uncommon for an ISFP to be doing something totally
unrelated to an event minutes before it is supposed to begin. Somehow,
ISFPs know that all will take care of itself if only they are
sensitive to others' needs, in touch with their own feelings, and open
to whatever happens. The occasion will be great -- or at least
long-remembered.
Bedtime for ISFPs is "when you're tired." If there are
projects, people, pets, or other forms of life that need attention, then
bedtime may take second place. Once these other things are tended to,
and if one is tired, it is time for sleep -- whenever and
wherever one happens to be. Again, others may find such behavior
difficult, even "flaky."
For ISFPs, work must be rewarding, and to be rewarding it must be
personally gratifying and of use to others. Money is secondary; the
primary concern is that service be rendered, to whomever requires it.
If a great deal of formal education or abstract theory is necessary for
a certain career choice, then ISFPs will likely seek fulfillment
elsewhere. Vocational education, however, is often appealing for ISFPs
who desire to work in the area of hands-on, practical trades and skills,
including everything from car mechanics and repair to cosmetology,
carpentry, and clerical tasks.
When they are enthusiastic about themselves and confident in their
abilities, ISFPs find that their four preferences give them a natural
edge to excel in a variety of vocations, including psychology,
veterinary medicine, botany, and theology. When they make it to
managerial levels, their styles tend to be nondirective. They create an
open and diverse environment, which can be fertile ground for those
subordinates capable of developing themselves.
ISFPs seem to carry this easygoing nature into maturity. Adapting to
each day as it comes, with little need to plan, they tend to "wait,
see, and hope for a surprise." Retirement allows some special time
for the kinds of hobbies that are open-ended and can result in high
levels of personal satisfaction related to the process, not necessarily
the product.
Famous ISFPs
Two famous likely ISFPs include Peanut's Charlie Brown (whose
Introversion demands that he constantly rehearse what he will say to
the little redheaded girl, but prevents him from actually delivering
the goods, whose Feeling often raises the question, after he's been
beaten badly in baseball, "How could we lose when we were so
sincere?" and whose need for action demands that he try to
kick a football, fully knowing Lucy will always foil him); and Saint
Francis of Assisi (whose quiet, reflective way of relating to animals
around him brought scorn and misunderstanding from his colleagues, but
whose need to serve inspired an entire new orders).
More info: PUM
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Morris Cox/morriscat@yahoo.com