Mark Hootsen Left Book Club: CELEBRITY MBTI: How to spot an ISFJ

I. Introduction

This is the second of a series in which, using Rod Novichkov's method, I am typing celebrities - mainly artistic people (actors, musicians, models, writers, artists) and some politicians and journalists. This post shall look at celebrity ISFJs.

Novichkov, in his How to Find Yourself and Your Best Match (2007), types a total of 33 celebrities as ESFJs. Putting all of Novichkov's celebrities on a spreadsheet, we find that what Keirsey calls the 'Guardians' - those with Si as a dominant secondary function, ESFJs, ISTJs, ISFJs and ESTJs - are the most numerous. The 'Artisans' - those with Se as a dominant or secondary, ESFPs, ESTPs, ISTPs, and ISFPs - come a close second. The 'Rationals' (xNTx types) and 'Idealists' (xNFx) come last: these types are thin on the ground in celebrity-land. My own typings - of real-life acquaintances - bear out Novichkov's findings; the majority of people I encounter in the street belong in the 'Guardian' group.

I have heard a statistic that says most in the female population are Feelers, not Thinkers. Again, my own experience largely confirms this, and I would go far as to say that a large proportion of women are not only Feelers, but are ISFJs.

II. Visually identifying the ISFJ

Let's run through, briefly, how an ISFJ looks according to Novichkov. Remember that ISFJs are Introverted Sensing-dominant, so are Perceivers, not Judgers: that is, their dominant function is Perceiving, not Judging.

The ISFJ as Perceiver: because the ISFJ is a Perceiver, he has a Perceiver’s neck. In the below diagram, Novichkov contrasts the 'Conceiving' (Judging) and Perceiving neck and head shapes:

Here we see the side view of two Chinese women: the one on the left is a Judger, the right, a Perceiver.

Here are a few more examples of the Perceiver’s neck:

The ISFJ as Feeler: Novichkov lists these attributes of the Feeling, as opposed to the Thinking, type:

1. Rounded forehead which is smaller and less expressive than the lower half of the face;

2. Superciliary arches (bones beneath eyebrows) are smoothed out and not pronounced;

3. Gently rounded bridge of nose dip;

4. Shallow eye sockets;

5. Rounded nose, usually pug shaped;

6. Wide lower face which is expressive.

Below we have two examples of Feelers, one male, one female – Elton John and Angelina Jolie respectively. (Novichkov types both as ISFJs).

Here is Elton John (a Feeler) with Michael Caine (a Thinker):

The ISFJ as Introverted Sensor: Sensors put on weight easily and tend to full and well-rounded; their mouths more often than not are full and sensual and their hands are smooth and stocky. They sit or stand in a rigid, conventional way. When sitting, they confine themselves to a small space. In the below pictures, the Sensors (Mitt Romney and Steve Jobs) sit in this way, whereas the Intuitives (Paul Ryan and Bill Gates) spread themselves all over the place:

Notice the difference in build, as well as posture, of John McCain (a Sensor) and John Kerry (an intuitive):

When looking at you, the Introverted Sensor tends to squint. While they give the impression that they are always looking at something, their eyes tend to lack focus and can seem bleary.

The ISFJ as Introvert: a person's facial expression tells if they are an Introvert or Extravert. An Extravert radiates energy, whereas an Introvert seems to suck it all in – they are not directing it to the outer world at all, and can look withdrawn and a little melancholy.