"Composers are attuned to sensory variation, which gives them an extraordinary ability to work with the slightest nuances of color, tone, texture, aroma and flavor." David Keirsey.
Do you feel like your life is a canvas of self-expression? Then, you might be the ISFP personality of the Myers Briggs Type Indicators. ISFPs have earned the nicknames “Artist” and “Composer,” and this article will help you understand why. To avoid confusion, we’ll stick to calling them the Artist.
ISFPs are true artists, but not in the conventional sense. ISFPs tend to express themselves through action rather than words. From how they dress to how they spend their time, the MBTI Artist personality will act in ways that reflect why they are peculiar beings.
These individuals are driven by curiosity and have an array of passions and interests. With an eagerness to try new things, the Artist is among the most interesting people you'll ever meet. They have an innate sensibility for unraveling pleasing experiences.
Ironically, ISFPs only see themselves as "doing their own thing," so they'll not even notice how remarkable beings they are. They don't like to be at the center of attention, preferring to take the supporting role. Initially, they may appear reserved, even aloof, but if you watch them closely, you may see their caring and thoughtful nature displayed in what they do for others.
In this article, we explain the ISFP personality, unraveling their characteristics, strengths and weakness, career choice, and relationships with others. Without further ado, Let's delve right in!
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What is ISFP Personality Type? The Artist/Composer
Among the Myers Briggs personality types, ISFP is an acronym for Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving. These are people who are energized by time spent alone, are fact-oriented, and pay attention to details rather than concepts and ideas. They make decisions based on values and feelings and are flexible and spontaneous rather than organized.
ISFPs comprise about 8 to 9 % of the U.S. population, with women forming 10% and men 8%. It makes them the fourth most common MBTI personality type.
Other introverted personality types can be described as daydreamers, but ISFPs defy this stereotype. They're warm, down-to-earth, and grounded; their way of life shows how they lead a life of adventure and spontaneity.
Their array of interests is fascinating, and they command an exploratory spirit that enables them to be joyful in their day-to-day activities. ISFPs have plenty of room to accommodate unexpected occurrences in their lives. Leading a life of freedom without judgment for themselves and everyone else is the epitome of their livelihood.
Let’s look at some of your favorite ISFP personality type celebrities.
Famous People with ISFP Personality Type
ISFPs are action-oriented, adventurous individuals. Their artistic aspect of life comes out through their work which the entire world has seen at one point. Famous ISFPs include notables include:
- Bob Dylan
- Michael Jackson
- Rihanna
- Jimi Hendrix
- Marylin Monroe
- Britney Spears
- Frank Ocean
- Lady Gaga
- Christina Aguilera
- Kurt Cobain
- Lana Del Rey
- Jim Morrison
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Diana Princes of Wales
- Prince Harry
- David Beckham
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Justin Timberlake
- Avril Lavigne
The Artist Personality Type: What are their Cognitive Functions?
Each Myers-Briggs personality type has different cognitive functions according to its dominant trait. What are the cognitive functions of the ISFP personality type?
ISFP Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling
ISFP personalities have introverted feeling as their dominant function. They decide on different matters based on unique values they identify with. The introverted feeling makes these individuals seem more emotionally "mature." Their emotions don't readily exhibit as they often try to keep calm.
ISFP Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Sensing
ISFP Artists are more inclined to determine their feelings in the present moment, especially with their surroundings. This function enables them to emphasize more on solid and real stuff over hypothetical matters. Extraverted feeling enables them to seek constant playful experiences.
ISFP Tertiary Function: Introverted Intuition
Artists rely on observation first before interpreting what they feel in their gut. After they've developed the gut feeling from observing, they give their outward stance or decision about the situation or particular moment. Usually, they're inherently wired to find a solution, pushing them to think deeply and come up with a possible answer.
ISFP Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking
Organizing and long term-planning are rarely associated with ISFP personalities. If they have to, they can tap into planning to find the solution they need at the moment. They're logic-oriented when extraverted thinking comes into play. It makes them push for answers, improve how they work on various processes, and help refine what they already have in place.
Characteristics of ISFP Personalities
Now that we know what the cognitive functions are for the ISFP personality, let’s see how these play out in their character traits. If someone scores highly on an MBTI ISFP personality test, they will likely display most or all of these characteristics.
Fun and Spontaneous
ISFPs crave new sensory experiences. From their actions, they like to fulfill themselves by actively involving themselves in new and different thrilling events.
Open-Minded
ISFPs don’t arbitrarily stick to rules or routines. They’re flexible and can change anytime to favor any situation.
Democratic
The Artist rarely forces their way onto others. It’s always democratic, and everyone is free of judgment and coercion.
Considerate
ISFPs care about other people. Besides looking out for their best interest, they also lift others along the way.
Easygoing
ISFPs are carefree. They take matters lightly without forcing their way.
Private
Public attention is not their thing. ISFPs enjoy keeping to themselves; the same applies to their matters. Very little do they crave attention from others.
Adaptable
With a flexible mindset and fortitude to try out new experiences, ISFPs are always up for a challenge. They’re not intimidated by changes that come along the way.
Supportive
As they shine along their line, they don’t mind uplifting their friends and family. They may even care for people they don’t know on a personal level.
ISFP Strengths
Here are some positive attributes that make the ISFP personality type stand out.
- Artistic
- Full of curiosity
- Passionate
- Sensitive to others
- Charming
- Imaginative
- Creative and innovative
ISFP Weakness
The Artist type may struggle with a few things. Let's look at some of their weaknesses.
- Unpredictable individuals
- Fiercely independent
- Overly competitive
- Get easily stressed
- May have a fluctuating self-esteem
Friendship and Romantic Relationships with an ISFP Personality Type
ISFP personalities crave private appreciation even from the closest people who know them. They like keeping matters as private as possible. ISFPs don't like being in the spotlight. It's not their thing, which makes them less outspoken, even on their outgoing escapades. With a strong sense of aesthetics, they'll be on the lookout for fulfilling experiences and beauty in their environment with cheerful, low-key enthusiasm.
They may seem reserved and calm, especially around people they don’t know. They often prefer hanging out with a close group of family and friends. While with loved ones, ISFPs tend to share new experiences and may go along with them even if they disagree on certain things.
When it comes to romantic relationships, ISFPs are patient and loyal partners. They’re easygoing and quick to meet the needs of their partners and families. Simple living is second nature, and they love showing practical gestures of love and affection to their loved ones. They try to give their partners a great sense of coziness and comfortability.
It's rare for ISFPs to engage in conflict with those around them. They tend to keep matters harmonious and avert any possible eruption of conflict from misunderstanding. Most are reserved even with their opinion lest they make others feel bad. For them, it's best for them to go with the flow.
What About the ISFP Leadership Style?
In her book Gifts Differing, Isabel Briggs Myers described ISFP personality as reserved and quiet. She said, "The work of their hands is usually more eloquent than anything they say." This also applies to their leadership styles. Given a choice, ISFPs would take the backseat and let other people take the lead.
They'll readily stand up and lead if it's a course they are passionate about. They can be humble and caring leaders but often reluctant. They're sensitive and quickly notice the feelings and needs of other people.
ISFPs prefer things to go smoothly with all the support they can accord. Mostly, they resent being tied down by certain obligations and commitments, preferring to do what they like at a particular moment. They encourage spontaneous interactions where matters are held without criticism so everyone is heard.
Artists are supportive leaders who want the best out of teamwork. Regardless of their position and role, they'll look out for others and use their practical ability to make things work out. They're the IT leaders who are patient with subordinates. Harmony and calmness are second nature to them.
ISFP Communication Style: How Do They Communicate with Others?
ISFP personalities stick to the appropriate etiquette. They flow with the conversation and wait for opportune moments to contribute practical help with facts. Since they don't want attention on themselves, they'll focus more on listening to others and grasping more conversation details.
They'll stick to concrete topics, logical conclusions, and facts only. People may perceive such conversations as dry or dull, but it's the best type suited to their mode of thinking. Moreover, abstract perceptions and theories form the basis of thinking for intuitive feeling personalities.
Now, let’s find out what careers can the ISFP personality type go for!
Career Paths that Match the Artist Personality Type
In Type Talk at Work, Otto Kroeger stressed how the 16 personality types determine your career success. On the subject of the ISFP personality type, he said, "It is the type more than any others whose style it is to stand by another person (plant or animal) with no intention to influence it, criticize it or change it — perhaps not even to interact with it — only to be in its presence."
With this in mind, ISFP's greatest need is creative freedom. They need careers that foster a tangible outlet for their extraordinary imagination and an opportunity to express themselves artistically. Here are some career paths they'd thrive so well in.
- Artist
- Chef
- Graphic Designer
- Mechanic
- Forester
- Florist
- Gardener
- Surveyor
- Landscape architect
- Carpenter
- Tailor
- Jeweler
- Fashion designer
- Cosmetologist
Interaction and Growth Tips for ISFP Personalities
ISFP personalities often struggle to fit into society. They're unaware of proper social behavior, how others perceive them, and meeting unrealistic societal expectations. Their use of extraverted thinking is limited, challenging their growth in various social aspects. However, Artists can use these tips for their growth and development.
Feeding Their Thoughts
It's imperative to encourage the development of their artistic abilities and natural creativity. They'll nourish their spirituality even more with opportunities to help the underprivileged and the needy.
Express Their Feelings
ISFP personalities don't like expressing how they feel. Such unexpressed emotions can pile up to unmanageable levels. Therefore, they may need to learn to sort and express issues rather than hold onto them. They can learn to avoid this trend by gradually expressing what they feel.
Working on Their Weak Areas
Facing and unraveling your weaknesses means you want to improve and grow. ISFPs are likely to advance themselves when they acknowledge areas that need improvement around their relationships and relating with their surroundings.
Smile at Criticism
Disagreements and criticisms should be perceived as opportunities for growth. This is a great tip to boost the confidence of ISFP personalities and improve their interaction skills.
Now that you know a thing or two about the ISFP personality type let's look at how similar they are to other personality tests that also try to determine why people behave the way they do.
What Enneagram is the ISFP Personality?
Both the MBTI and Enneagram are models used to explain human behavior, but they differ in their approach. In simplest terms, the MBTI looks at specific behavioral dimensions in how people relate to the world, while the Enneagram looks at a person’s underlying fears and intrinsic motivations.
If we were to make a comparison, the ISFP personality type is most similar to Enneagram 9. They both have a compelling desire for peaceful interpersonal interactions. Both types of individuals are highly sensitive and are likely to pick up the energies of those around them.
You can take the Enneagram test and find out what it says about you! It’ll enable you to better understand who you are and gain more power over yourself.
How Does the ISFP Personality Score on Big Five Traits?
Both the Big Five model and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator look at human behavior across specific traits. The Big Five describes differences in human personalities along five broad dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. A person who takes a Big Five assessment is given five different scores for each of these traits. This is different from the MBTI, which uses four dimensions to describe 16 personality types.
So, how does the ISFP Artist personality score along the Big Five dimensions?
The Big Five Model explores personalities along a spectrum of low to high for each dimension.
- ISFPs score below average on the agreeableness dimension since they're slow to take risks. As much as they enjoy adventure, they may still be hesitant to jump into new experiences that are unfamiliar to them.
- ISFPs usually score lower on the dimensions of openness as they aren't receptive to new feelings and information.
- Additionally, the Artist scores lower on the scale of Extraversion. They're highly introverted, which explains their reserved, quiet nature.
- In general, ISFPs will score below average on the conscientiousness scale as they are known to change their mind in the spur of the moment and may not maintain the same line of thought in the future.
- Lastly, there is variation in how ISFPs score on the Neuroticism dimension. You can find ISFPs across the entire range of the spectrum, but the majority of Artists score slightly above average in Neuroticism.
Are You an ISFP?
The ISFP personality type has a down-to-earth attitude and loves experiencing new things. Their exploratory nature makes them invaluable in many aspects of life, including personal growth. However, their hyperfocus on practical matters can become a liability that may cause the Artist to fail to actualize their creative skills. This failure to live up to potential happens frequently when an ISFP doesn’t choose a career that they find fulfilling.
This is just an overview of the complex ISFP personality type concepts — highlighting some of their characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven’t taken an assessment yet, but the things described in this article sound like you, taking an ISFP personality test would let you know for sure.
If you already know you are an ISFP Artist, the free BrainManager members area has a wealth of information to help you explore, understand, and grow!
