Highly Sensitive Individuals and MBTI Types

An illustration of four different MBTI personality types: ENFJ, ISFJ, INFJ, and INFP, with a title "The most sensitive personality type in MBTI".

In her book The Highly Sensitive Person, psychologist and researcher Elaine Aron writes that highly sensitive people (HSPs) share one key characteristic: they are highly sensitive to subtle sensory stimuli and react emotionally.

Any of the 16 personality types can be sensitive—but each type's sensitivity is slightly different.

Characteristics of a highly sensitive personality (HSP):

  • Emotional reactions to both positive and negative feelings
  • Quick to judge and predict what will happen next
  • Keen intuition and an interest in exploring deeper meanings
  • Cautious and slow to make decisions
  • You tend to avoid conflict and may even feel very uncomfortable in it
  • Like an "emotional sponge," you tend to "absorb and empathize" with the feelings of others
  • Introverted (according to Aron's estimates, 70% of highly sensitive people are introverted)
  • Empathetic and can be affected by the feelings of others
  • Easily moved by art
  • Perfectionist
  • May find it hard to function normally when busy or under stress
  • Imaginative, with a rich inner world

"Sensitivity" Ranking of the 16 Personalities

According to the official 16Personalities website, the types most likely to say "yes" when asked, "Do you also feel pain when you see others get hurt?" are:

  • 1st Place: 85.6% of ENFJ (Protagonist)
  • 2nd Place: 81.5% of INFJ (Advocate)
  • 3rd Place: 77.8% of INFP (Mediator)
  • 4th Place: 77.5% of ENFP (Campaigner)
  • 5th Place: 73.5% of ESFP (Entertainer)
  • 6th Place: 70.1% of ISFJ (Defender)
Bar chart showing high empathy levels for MBTI feeler types like INFJ and INFP. The chart title is "Do you seem to feel pain just by seeing someone else get hurt?".

Intuitive and feeling are the two traits associated with high sensitivity. They also foreshadow the roles of the NF types, a group of personalities known for their humanitarian spirit.

INFJ (Advocate) and INFP (Mediator) are perhaps the most likely to possess highly sensitive personality traits.

These two types are also among the most likely to report feeling overwhelmed by a long list of to-do's. They prefer calm schedules—similar to highly sensitive personalities.

INFJ and INFP personalities are also most likely to report being very sensitive to physical touch.

1. INFJ (Advocate) Personality

INFJs often exhibit a high degree of sensitivity and possess a deep understanding of others' feelings.

They have a strong emotional connection to their own and others' feelings. They are extremely sensitive to suffering and cannot ignore people who are in pain.

It is this strong empathy that makes INFJs stand out among sensitive people—they are often as thoughtful as INFPs and are very good at understanding the needs of those around them.

An illustration of a person sitting by a window at night, wearing headphones and using a laptop, with a green cat and a cactus next to them. String lights are hung above the window, and a moon is visible in the night sky with city buildings.

Some estimates suggest that 80-90% of INFJ test results also indicate they are highly sensitive people, as the traits of both overlap significantly.

An INFJ's sensitivity is a gift; this vigilance means they are constantly looking for ways to improve themselves and for novel suggestions—they are the ones who "identify risks before a problem gets bigger." 

2. INFP (Mediator) Personality

The INFP personality is also a dreamer and a visionary, a prime example of a thoughtful, sensitive person.

INFPs tend to be hard on themselves, holding themselves to extremely high standards (especially for the turbulent INFP-T type). If their talents are not accepted by the world around them, their perfectionism is exacerbated.

An illustration of a woman sitting on a balcony, drinking from a teacup. She is seated at a small table with a teapot and potted plants around her, enjoying a peaceful moment outdoors.

3. ENFJ (Protagonist) Personality

ENFJs are also empathetic, open-minded, and, not surprisingly, very sensitive.

They are often affected by the words of those close to them and can be hurt by harsh treatment. Similarly, much of what they do in life is to help others—including strangers, whom ENFJs will fearlessly talk to and befriend.

ENFJs are also often very strong people, which proves that sensitive people can be both strong and resilient.

4. ENFP (Campaigner) Personality

Due to their enthusiastic and empathetic nature, ENFPs happen to be another relatively sensitive type.

Although they are tough, a wide range of emotions lies beneath the surface. ENFPs can be easily hurt by those they love, and their words can easily anger them.

However, ENFPs are also good at letting go of this hurt and often forget things quickly. Because of their enthusiasm, they are more sensitive than other types, but this is also what makes them unique.

An illustration of a woman emerging from a large green location pin, with a house and trees in the background, symbolizing location-based services or finding a home.

5. ISFJ (Defender) Personality

ISFJs are often defined as HSPs (Highly Sensitive Personalities)—their minds and bodies are sensitive to their surroundings, able to notice the subtle details around them.

This personality type is often everyone's most trusted source of comfort. They love tradition and are good at making everyone feel safe and cared for.

They may be good at decorating and making practical items, such as furniture or knitted goods. They fully utilize their talents during their much-needed alone time.

6. ISFP (Adventurer) and ESFP (Entertainer)

The two other types that may be highly sensitive are ISFP and ESFP. Like many HSPs, these adventurers are creative and deeply moved by art.

They also tend to have sensitive traits, with the ISFP personality being prone to stress (which is common in overstimulated HSPs) and the ESFP personality being sensitive to criticism and conflict.

An illustration of a diverse group of people in a park setting, with an elderly woman sitting on a bench, a young person walking and talking on the phone, and a child playing with a dog.

ISFPs often have a special love for art and are typical "sensitive artists."

They are naturally emotionally sensitive and responsive to their surroundings. They have rich imaginations and a strong sense of morality, full of compassion for others.

ESFPs, on the other hand, are extremely sensitive to the suffering around them; they are likely the type of people who would cry and want to quickly change the channel when they see a TV image of an injured animal.

Finally, while sensitivity may carry negative connotations, it can allow some people to better assess risks and opportunities that others might miss.

Sensitivity also allows people to appreciate small moments of happiness, enhances empathy and social connections, and boosts creativity.

An avatar-style illustration of an ENFJ personality type, a person with dark skin and long gray hair. The image is a simple, low-poly style character portrait.

Confident Protagonist: Tunde (ENFJ-A)

It feels strange to be an extrovert and perhaps a highly sensitive person. I love to have fun and enjoy being with people. Yet, I also long for deep relationships. I want to be with people who seem deep and introverted, but they act as if I'm too much for them. It's extremely difficult to have both a love for socializing and deep connections.

An avatar-style illustration of an INFJ personality type, a person with light skin and light green hair. The image is a simple, low-poly style character portrait.

Confident Advocate: Mason (INFJ-A)

That makes a lot of sense. I feel like this combination of being an INFJ and highly sensitive feels like a superpower, but it also makes me feel burdened. I feel like I can't enjoy a lot of things that people usually like—driving, nights out in big cities, chatting in crowds, bars—they're all too loud, too busy, too rushed to concentrate and relax. Luckily, I can find comfort in a lot of small things, like taking the bus.

What do the 16 MBTI Personality Types Stand For? Have you ever wondered which MBTI types seek symbolism the most, or if certain types are Truth Tellers vs. Truth Seekers?

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