This article is about the Myers-Briggs personality type.
This article is about the Myers-Briggs personality type.

For the Socionics ISFj, see Ethical Sensory Introvert.
For the Socionics ISFj, see Ethical Sensory Introvert.

ISFJ is an abbreviation used in the publications of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to refer
ISFJ is an abbreviation used in the publications of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to refer

to one of sixteen personality types.
to one of sixteen personality types.

The MBTI assessment was developed from the work of prominent psychiatrist Carl G. Jung
The MBTI assessment was developed from the work of prominent psychiatrist Carl G. Jung

in his book Psychological Types.
in his book Psychological Types.

Jung proposed a psychological typology based on the theories of cognitive functions that
Jung proposed a psychological typology based on the theories of cognitive functions that

he developed through his clinical observations.
he developed through his clinical observations.

From Jung's work, others developed psychological typologies.
From Jung's work, others developed psychological typologies.

Jungian personality assessments include the MBTI assessment, developed by Isabel Briggs
Jungian personality assessments include the MBTI assessment, developed by Isabel Briggs

Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, developed by David Keirsey.
Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, developed by David Keirsey.

Keirsey referred to ISFJs as Protectors, one of the four types belonging to the temperament
Keirsey referred to ISFJs as Protectors, one of the four types belonging to the temperament

he called the Guardians.
he called the Guardians.

ISFJs account for about 9–14% of the population.
ISFJs account for about 9–14% of the population.

The MBTI instrument The MBTI preferences indicate the differences
The MBTI instrument The MBTI preferences indicate the differences

in people based on the following: How they focus their attention or get their
in people based on the following: How they focus their attention or get their

energy How they perceive or take in information
energy How they perceive or take in information

How they prefer to make decisions How they orient themselves to the external
How they prefer to make decisions How they orient themselves to the external

world By using their preference in each of these
world By using their preference in each of these

areas, people develop what Jung and Myers called psychological type.
areas, people develop what Jung and Myers called psychological type.

This underlying personality pattern results from the dynamic interaction of their four
This underlying personality pattern results from the dynamic interaction of their four

preferences, in conjunction with environmental influences and their own individual tendencies.
preferences, in conjunction with environmental influences and their own individual tendencies.

People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type.
People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type.

Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas that offer opportunities
Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas that offer opportunities

for growth.
for growth.

The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis
The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis

of the four "dichotomies".
of the four "dichotomies".

Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred
Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred

to by initial letters..
to by initial letters..

The MBTI is approximately 75% accurate according to its own manual.
The MBTI is approximately 75% accurate according to its own manual.

I – Introversion preferred to extraversion: ISFJs tend to be quiet and reserved.
I – Introversion preferred to extraversion: ISFJs tend to be quiet and reserved.

They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of
They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of

acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations.
acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations.

S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ISFJs tend to be more concrete than abstract.
S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ISFJs tend to be more concrete than abstract.

They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate
They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate

realities rather than future possibilities.
realities rather than future possibilities.

F – Feeling preferred to thinking: ISFJs tend to value personal considerations above
F – Feeling preferred to thinking: ISFJs tend to value personal considerations above

objective criteria.
objective criteria.

When making decisions, they often give more weight to social implications than to logic.
When making decisions, they often give more weight to social implications than to logic.

J – Judgment preferred to perception: ISFJs tend to plan their activities and make decisions
J – Judgment preferred to perception: ISFJs tend to plan their activities and make decisions

early.
early.

They derive a sense of control through predictability.
They derive a sense of control through predictability.

Characteristics Myers-Briggs description
Characteristics Myers-Briggs description

According to Myers-Briggs, ISFJs are interested in maintaining order and harmony in every
According to Myers-Briggs, ISFJs are interested in maintaining order and harmony in every

aspect of their lives.
aspect of their lives.

They are steadfast and meticulous in handling their responsibilities.
They are steadfast and meticulous in handling their responsibilities.

Although quiet, they are people-oriented and very observant.
Although quiet, they are people-oriented and very observant.

Not only do they remember details about others, but they observe and respect others’ feelings.
Not only do they remember details about others, but they observe and respect others’ feelings.

Friends and family are likely to describe them as thoughtful and trustworthy.
Friends and family are likely to describe them as thoughtful and trustworthy.

Keirsey description According to Keirsey, ISFJs, or "Protector
Keirsey description According to Keirsey, ISFJs, or "Protector

Guardians", are most concerned with taking care of people by keeping them safe and secure.
Guardians", are most concerned with taking care of people by keeping them safe and secure.

They are modest caretakers who do not demand credit or thanks for their efforts.
They are modest caretakers who do not demand credit or thanks for their efforts.

But while they are essentially compassionate—and in fact exercise more patience in dealing
But while they are essentially compassionate—and in fact exercise more patience in dealing

with people with disabilities than perhaps any other type—their reluctance to open
with people with disabilities than perhaps any other type—their reluctance to open

up to strangers can lead others to misread them as standoffish.
up to strangers can lead others to misread them as standoffish.

Only among friends and family may this quiet type feel comfortable speaking freely.
Only among friends and family may this quiet type feel comfortable speaking freely.

ISFJs are serious people with a strong work ethic, not inclined to self-indulgence.
ISFJs are serious people with a strong work ethic, not inclined to self-indulgence.

They believe in being meticulous and thrifty.
They believe in being meticulous and thrifty.

They work well alone.
They work well alone.

While they may enjoy taking care of others, they do not enjoy giving orders.
While they may enjoy taking care of others, they do not enjoy giving orders.

Cognitive functions
Cognitive functions

Drawing upon Jungian theory, Isabel Myers proposed that for each personality type, the
Drawing upon Jungian theory, Isabel Myers proposed that for each personality type, the

cognitive functions form a hierarchy.
cognitive functions form a hierarchy.

This hierarchy represents the person's default pattern of behavior.
This hierarchy represents the person's default pattern of behavior.

The Dominant function is the personality type's preferred role, the one they feel most comfortable
The Dominant function is the personality type's preferred role, the one they feel most comfortable

with.
with.

The secondary Auxiliary function serves to support and expand on the Dominant function.
The secondary Auxiliary function serves to support and expand on the Dominant function.

If the Dominant is an information gathering function, the Auxiliary is a decision making
If the Dominant is an information gathering function, the Auxiliary is a decision making

function, and vice versa.
function, and vice versa.

The Tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary, but it matures
The Tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary, but it matures

over time, rounding out the person's abilities.
over time, rounding out the person's abilities.

The Inferior function is the personality type's Achilles's heel.
The Inferior function is the personality type's Achilles's heel.

This is the function they are least comfortable with.
This is the function they are least comfortable with.

Like the Tertiary, the Inferior function strengthens with maturity.
Like the Tertiary, the Inferior function strengthens with maturity.

Jung and Myers considered the attitude of the Auxiliary, Tertiary, and Inferior functions
Jung and Myers considered the attitude of the Auxiliary, Tertiary, and Inferior functions

to be the opposite of the Dominant.
to be the opposite of the Dominant.

In this interpretation, if the Dominant function is extraverted, then the other three are introverted,
In this interpretation, if the Dominant function is extraverted, then the other three are introverted,

and vice versa.
and vice versa.

However, many modern practitioners hold that the attitude of the Tertiary function is the
However, many modern practitioners hold that the attitude of the Tertiary function is the

same as the Dominant.
same as the Dominant.

Using the more modern interpretation, the cognitive functions of the ISFJ are as follows:
Using the more modern interpretation, the cognitive functions of the ISFJ are as follows:

Dominant: Introverted sensing Si collects data in the present moment and
Dominant: Introverted sensing Si collects data in the present moment and

compares it with past experiences, a process that sometimes evokes the feelings associated
compares it with past experiences, a process that sometimes evokes the feelings associated

with memory, as if the subject were reliving it.
with memory, as if the subject were reliving it.

Seeking to protect what is familiar, Si draws upon history to form goals and expectations
Seeking to protect what is familiar, Si draws upon history to form goals and expectations

about what will happen in the future.
about what will happen in the future.

Auxiliary: Extraverted feeling Fe seeks social connections and creates harmonious
Auxiliary: Extraverted feeling Fe seeks social connections and creates harmonious

interactions through polite, considerate, and appropriate behavior.
interactions through polite, considerate, and appropriate behavior.

Fe responds to the explicit wants of others, and may even create an internal conflict between
Fe responds to the explicit wants of others, and may even create an internal conflict between

the subject’s own needs and the desire to meet the needs of others.
the subject’s own needs and the desire to meet the needs of others.

Tertiary: Introverted thinking Ti seeks precision, such as the exact word
Tertiary: Introverted thinking Ti seeks precision, such as the exact word

to express an idea.
to express an idea.

It notices the minute distinctions that define the essence of things, then analyzes and classifies
It notices the minute distinctions that define the essence of things, then analyzes and classifies

them.
them.

Ti examines all sides of an issue, looking to solve problems while minimizing effort
Ti examines all sides of an issue, looking to solve problems while minimizing effort

and risk.
and risk.

It uses models to root out logical inconsistency.
It uses models to root out logical inconsistency.

Inferior: Extraverted intuition Ne finds and interprets hidden meanings, using
Inferior: Extraverted intuition Ne finds and interprets hidden meanings, using

“what if” questions to explore alternatives, allowing multiple possibilities to coexist.
“what if” questions to explore alternatives, allowing multiple possibilities to coexist.

This imaginative play weaves together insights and experiences from various sources to form
This imaginative play weaves together insights and experiences from various sources to form

a new whole, which can then become a catalyst to action.
a new whole, which can then become a catalyst to action.

Shadow functions Later personality researchers added four additional
Shadow functions Later personality researchers added four additional

functions to the descending hierarchy, the so-called "shadow" functions to which the
functions to the descending hierarchy, the so-called "shadow" functions to which the

individual is not naturally inclined but which can emerge when the person is under stress.
individual is not naturally inclined but which can emerge when the person is under stress.

For ISFJ these shadow functions are: Extraverted sensing: Se focuses on the experiences
For ISFJ these shadow functions are: Extraverted sensing: Se focuses on the experiences

and sensations of the immediate, physical world.
and sensations of the immediate, physical world.

With an acute awareness of the present surroundings, it brings relevant facts and details to the
With an acute awareness of the present surroundings, it brings relevant facts and details to the

forefront and may lead to spontaneous action.
forefront and may lead to spontaneous action.

Introverted feeling: Fi filters information based on interpretations of worth, forming
Introverted feeling: Fi filters information based on interpretations of worth, forming

judgments according to criteria that are often intangible.
judgments according to criteria that are often intangible.

Fi constantly balances an internal set of values such as harmony and authenticity.
Fi constantly balances an internal set of values such as harmony and authenticity.

Attuned to subtle distinctions, Fi innately senses what is true and what is false in a
Attuned to subtle distinctions, Fi innately senses what is true and what is false in a

situation.
situation.

Extraverted thinking: Te organizes and schedules ideas and the environment to ensure the efficient,
Extraverted thinking: Te organizes and schedules ideas and the environment to ensure the efficient,

productive pursuit of objectives.
productive pursuit of objectives.

Te seeks logical explanations for actions, events, and conclusions, looking for faulty
Te seeks logical explanations for actions, events, and conclusions, looking for faulty

reasoning and lapses in sequence.
reasoning and lapses in sequence.

Introverted intuition: Attracted to symbolic actions or devices, Ni synthesizes seeming
Introverted intuition: Attracted to symbolic actions or devices, Ni synthesizes seeming

paradoxes to create the previously unimagined.
paradoxes to create the previously unimagined.

These realizations come with a certainty that demands action to fulfill a new vision of
These realizations come with a certainty that demands action to fulfill a new vision of

the future, solutions that may include complex systems or universal truths.
the future, solutions that may include complex systems or universal truths.

Correlation with Enneatype According to Baron and Wagele, the most common
Correlation with Enneatype According to Baron and Wagele, the most common

Enneatypes for ISFJs are Perfectionists, Helpers and Skeptics.
Enneatypes for ISFJs are Perfectionists, Helpers and Skeptics.

See also Keirsey Temperament Sorter
See also Keirsey Temperament Sorter

Guardian temperament Protector
Guardian temperament Protector

References
References

External links The Myers & Briggs Foundation: The 16 MBTI
External links The Myers & Briggs Foundation: The 16 MBTI