ISFPs are often introverts who don’t seem like introverts. They’re incredibly active people, which means they don’t like being inside all the time and may become restless and bored with academic pastimes. But this doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t enjoy academics, and like any other types ISFPs can do well in this field if that’s what they choose to do.
The ISFPs Learning Style
ISFPs are practical people who like to see how any new knowledge can be used, and to use it themselves when possible. This type has little interest in abstract ideas or knowledge, they’d much rather spend their time learning to do new things, taking part in sports or other activities, or helping other people. This is the ISFPs primary concern, the needs of others and how they can help, and they turn their tidy, practical minds to this challenge at every opportunity. This means that they’re far more likely to learn when they can see a need for that knowledge in the context of helping the world or the people around them. It also means that they may struggle when they’re trying to learn things that are purely theoretical or completely devoid of emotional content.
Learning Challenges for the ISFP
ISFPs value their independence above almost everything else. They need this independence, it’s how they learn and experience the world. ISFPs use extraverted sensing as their auxiliary and learning function. This is why ISFPs usually have so many hobbies, because these kinds of pastimes are an excellent way to use their senses and their interests to see all that the world has to offer. But it can be a problem in their school life. Schools are very strongly based on the past, on traditional structures and rules and a curriculum that’s based on the way subjects have always been taught. And ISFPs truly don’t understand holding onto traditional values in that way when their own experiences and instincts tell them that there’s a better way. Because of this reality, ISFPs may become bored and restless in school, or even check out almost completely, which usually results in them doing just enough to skate through and absolutely no more.
ISFPs are practical people who like to see how a new idea or procedure can be applied. In fact, they need to see this practical application to be interested in material, and have little interest in facts or ideas that are abstract or taught to them completely out of context. Unfortunately, this is the way most schools teach these days. Students are expected to sit in a desk and memorize facts and figures, but ISFPs have a lot of difficulty learning that way. They also struggle with material that’s out of context because there’s no emotional content to it. ISFPs are most interested in material that engages their emotions, and there’s a much higher chance of that happening if the new material is in context and presented in a practical way that gives real world applications and consequences for it.
ISFPs in High School
ISFPs are usually fairly popular in high school. They use introverted feeling as their dominant function, which gives them an amazing understanding of the emotions and motivations of the people around them. In fact, there is some evidence to say that ISFPs are one of the most emotionally intelligent personality types, and this makes them very attractive friends to other types. Their warmth and understanding is highly valued in the turmoil of high school relationships, and the ISFP is usually happy to help in any way they can. In addition, because they’re so active, other types tend to naturally gravitate to them in the hopes of being part of their interesting lifestyle.
ISFPs aren’t naturally focused on academics. Their primary interest is in other people and emotions, so they can become distracted in the classroom by all the emotions and needs flying around. That being said, this type is so practical that they often understand the importance of academic achievement and don’t mind putting the work in to get good marks. This doesn’t mean they’re particularly interested in the work, though they can be, just that their practical mindset understands enough to protect them from the problems associated with failure and bad marks.
Higher Education and the ISFP
As with most social situations, ISFPs will be popular in higher education. This is a quiet kind of popularity that isn’t based on the desire to go out and party, because ISFPs don’t usually see the point of doing that for very long. Instead, the ISFP will draw people to them who are interested in the same kind of active lifestyle, who want to explore and experience the world the way they do. And once these people have made friends with the ISFP, usually while doing some kind of sport or activity, they’ll stay friends with them because of the warmth and emotional support the ISFP can offer.
ISFPs can struggle in higher education. They’re usually focused on people rather than facts, and unless they choose their course very carefully, may find it difficult to see the purpose behind what they’re learning. Without a clear purpose for their learning, usually one that involves helping others, the ISFP will quickly lose interest and move onto something else. However, as they get older and their tertiary function becomes more developed this can change. ISFPs use introverted thinking as their tertiary function, which is able to handle large amounts of data and information. This will never be a strength of the ISFP, but it will grow a bit, and as it develops, it can improve their ability to handle and remember relevant facts and figures. This can and often does make higher education a bit easier for ISFPs who have come to this stage of their development.
Final Thoughts
This active, industrious personality type likes to get things done. They like projects and hobbies, and if they think of their academic life in these terms they can be veritable powerhouses in their school life. They may chafe a little at traditional learning institutions and structures, but if they can learn to get over this dislike or find a way around it, they can find a lot of personal satisfaction in academics.
References
- Dunning Donna. “Personality Type and Learning: ISFP“. Dec 15, 2011. (Retrieved Mar 2018).
- Storm Susan. “What Type of Feeler Are You? The Difference Between Extraverted and Introverted Feeling“. Aug 24, 2015. (Retrieved Mar 2018).
- “ISFP – The Artist“.