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12 ISFJ Cognitive Functions Explained

Known as loyal, supportive, reliable, and caregivers, ISFJs are natural people-pleasers. Although introverted, they will go out of their way to ensure everyone’s well-being. We dive deep into all ISFJ Cognitive Functions in this post.

Organized and methodical, ISFJs are pure at heart and will do anything to put a smile on people’s faces. They are not difficult to spot among the crowd since almost 13% of the population is an ISFJ.

Although a huge portion of the population identifies themselves as ISFJs, it is completely normal not to know whether you are really an ISFJ or anything about the personality.

12 ISFJ Cognitive Functions

In this post, we have listed the 12 ISFJ cognitive functions and explained them one by one for you. Keep reading!

#1 Introverted Sensing

Introverted sensing is an information-gathering function that focuses on the subjective, internal world of personal experience and compares new experiences with past experiences and memories.

They tend to notice patterns and repetitions, as well as they, are quick to spot inconsistencies and deviations in them. They lean on their personal experiences and become subjectively aware of the impact of current events, choices, and consequences.

ISFJs are not fond of overly theoretical conversations. They are much more inclined to what is concrete, mainly focusing on details and facts. They are reality grounded and are quick to immerse in the environment they find themselves in at the moment.

#2 Introverted Thinking

Introverted thinkers are always trying to find a logical meaning in everything they do. They always strive for efficiency, and when things start to lose sense or fall apart, they become very frustrated. The introverted thinking type is constantly moved by ideas, curiosity, and the need to understand how things work.

ISFJ people don’t analyze or decide anything out loud (part of their introverted persona). They have a need to understand a rule or fact in their own way, an urge to experiment, research, and conclude whether a universal truth lines up with their principles and logic.

They just have to make determined rules and empirical evidence at fact-value, which can often irritate other people. ISFJs are very meticulous beings.

#3 Extraverted Feeling

To use extraverted feeling is to focus your decision-making in the outside world instead of in your personal world. You become aware of values, social norms, and beliefs from outside groups and try to deal with others’ feelings and emotions in the present moment. Other people’s feelings are real live information for extraverted feelers.

ISFJs, as extraverted feelers, tend to value others’ feelings and are constantly considering what others feel above how they personally feel.

They are quick to empathize with people whose experiences are different from theirs. This function allows them to establish social connections and stability. ISFJs are very dependent and value emotional support to its fullest. Still being introverts at heart, ISFJs are more likely to open up about their feelings and concerns with people closest to them.

#4 Extraverted Intuition

Extraverted intuition deals with experiencing the outer world, noticing and considering every possibility presented to them. To use extraverted intuition is to put yourself into external realities.

This function is an inferior function to ISFJs, which impacts them more than it should, and blind them to the point it influences their decisions, behavior, and consequently their personal growth.

ISFJ folks are driven by possibilities and theoretical outcomes, making them sometimes focus a lot more on the future than the present. ISFJs seek potential in everything and are confident enough to go with what they believe in.

#5 Shy and Humble

Sometimes, ISFJs can pass on as extroverted and bold. But in truth, they are actually shy. Although they enjoy building relationships with other people, they prefer bonding with one person at a time, shying away from large groups of people.

Possibly, their biggest life challenge is that they are unable to properly express their feelings, taking in other people’s feelings above their own.

ISFJs want to ensure that they can live up to others’ expectations and tend to their needs. They are naturally humble beings that do good without any intention of overshadowing others.

They also enjoy being naturally recognized for their efforts, without any spotlights around them. It is just who they are, and unfortunately, most people take them for granted.

#6 Overly Altruistic

ISFJ individuals get highly uncomfortable in situations of drastic changes and chaotic scenarios. And although they tend to enjoy low-stress, peaceful environments, their need to help and protect others can often lead them into slightly more stressful situations.

ISFJ personalities will always want to be there for everyone, even though they do not get the same attention in return.

They feel happy when realizing that others are struggling because it is in these situations that ISFJs feel more useful and ready to act. ISFJs will rarely say “no” when asked to do something and take every commitment seriously in order to really provide for the people in need.

This altruistic side, although genuine and generous, commonly leads them into situations in which they are taken for granted. ISFJs will subconsciously put others above themselves in almost every circumstance.

#7 Hardworking

As mentioned earlier, ISFJs tend to take their commitments very seriously and go about their business with a lot of dedication. Competent, go-getters, and hard-nosed, ISFJs will dedicate themselves to their work in ways that to others may sound excessive.

All of this dedication is fueled by their passion and belief that their hard work will improve somebody else’s life, making all of it worth the effort.

And when their tasks change abruptly, although they are not a fan of changes and are not that quick for them, they will adapt themselves to these changes and proceed to work hard.

In addition, whenever there is a meaning, a purpose behind an action, they will dive in with all they got.

#8 Reluctant to Change

ISFJs value traditions and the history of things, and they tend to input these in their decision-making. This may cause them to be more rejecting towards changes, especially abrupt ones.

Some situations need to come to a breaking point before they are persuaded by any chance; strong, persuasive personalities are necessary to make ISFJs agree with changes.

If they don’t see a reason for the change, it will take some extra convincing. Nevertheless, ISFJs will try to adapt themselves if they see some meaning in the changes proposed. ISFJs will sometimes want to see how their actions will play out before they understand why they are so detrimental.

#9 Self-Neglect

Their meticulosity can sometimes lead to means of perfectionism to ISFJs. Their strong sense of duty and organization intertwine with their aversion to emotional conflict, creating a situation in which it is either easier for ISFJs to overload themselves or to be overloaded by others.

Among many attempts to live up to others’ expectations, ISFJs will have moments in which they will fall flat on their own expectations. Despite being very practical in solving problems, they are not as practical when it comes to their own limits or emotional capacities. ISFJs are caring, loyal, and natural people-pleasers but take their own best interests for granted, easily getting hurt in the process.

#10 Sensitive

ISFJs have a weakness that involves taking almost everything way too personally. They often have trouble separating personal situations from external situations, and they are bad at being impartial. Any negativity or harsh criticism will make ISFJs self-doubt themselves, taking it to its deepest personal meaning, even if it has nothing to do with them as a person.

As they tend to observe their work as a reflection of their values, ISFJs usually don’t know how to differentiate what is personal and what is not. When they receive criticism, they are quick to get hurt.

#11 Analytical and Logical

The ISFJ personality is considered highly analytical, even though they tend to give more weight to personal questions.

As mentioned earlier in this ISFJ Cognitive Functions post, ISFJs prefer long-term planning; they will study all of their possibilities based on present facts, plan them out in their head, and then take action.

Being absolutely down-to-earth and organized, ISFJs can easily analyze situations methodically, sometimes taking their sweet time deciding what option is best for the occasion.

Despite being caught up in their own thoughts, their main focus is to make sure other people’s problems are solved and that everybody is happy. ISFJs are planners and make use of logic in order to understand how the world works.

#12 The Defender

Also known as “The Protector”, ISFJs always want to guarantee people are safe and sound. Whenever there is a situation of injustice, they are quick to aid the wronged. Summing up their altruist side, being people-pleasers and protectors can make people think they’re either too kind or too selfless.

Conclusion

ISFJs have this urge to protect others from hardships and struggles. Defenders are universal helpers and would do almost anything for their loved ones. Did you identify with the ISFJ personality type? Want to learn other types and see more characteristics explained? Keep following our blog for more interesting topics!

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