Which MBTI Types Are Most Affected by Others' Emotions?

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt the emotional weight of others—their sadness, excitement, or anxiety—as if it were your own?

Which personality types are most affected by others' emotions?

A survey by a psychology website reveals the emotional sensitivity of different MBTI types.

Emotional Absorbency of the 16 Personalities

According to a survey on an American psychology fan website (3,182 respondents), when asked, “Do you naturally absorb other people's emotions, to the point of confusing them with your own?”, the personality types most likely to agree were:

1. 82.14% of INFJ (Advocate)
2. 76.93% of ENFJ (Protagonist)
3. 70.37% of ISFJ (Defender)
4. 64.59% of INFP (Mediator)
5. 46.67% of ENFP (Campaigner)
6. 45.00% of ESFJ (Consul)

No. 1: INFJ (Advocate)

These numbers confirm the INFJ's role as an empath. Thanks to the combination of their Introverted Intuition (Ni) and Extraverted Feeling (Fe), INFJs can switch perspectives and think from another's point of view. You may find yourself deeply sensing the emotional undercurrents of others in any situation. You also have a gift for observing and adapting to the emotional world of others, perceiving their feelings with depth and intensity. But this is more than “catching emotions”—it's feeling them as if they were your own. This is both a gift and a challenge, as it allows you to form deep connections with others but also makes you prone to emotional burnout. You can read about how Advocates can avoid this inner turmoil in “The INFJ Guide to Deep Stress.”

No. 2: ENFJ (Protagonist)

With their dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe), ENFJs are on par with INFJs in absorbing emotions. You effortlessly sense and adapt to the emotions and moods of others, creating a harmonious and connected atmosphere. You are a natural empath and leader, always attuned to how others are feeling and often taking on the responsibility of managing the emotional atmosphere. This makes you incredibly persuasive and supportive, but it can also be exhausting. You may find yourself carrying the weight of others' emotions long after an interaction has ended.

No. 3: ISFJ (Defender)

As an ISFJ, you naturally notice the details that affect others on an emotional level. Your keen eye for detail means that any subtle change in body language, any inflection in tone, and any nuanced shift in mood do not go unnoticed. This, combined with your Extraverted Feeling side, allows you to easily adapt to and sense the emotions of those around you. While ISFJs may be quiet and reserved, your attentiveness extends far beyond what most people imagine. Your strong sense of responsibility and care for others make you more likely to bear the emotional burdens of your loved ones. While this makes you a compassionate and trustworthy friend, it's crucial to find ways to protect your own emotional well-being. You can learn about relationship compatibility and the types that attract Defenders in the “ISFJ Deep Relationship Report.”

No. 4: INFP (Mediator)

INFPs, your way of absorbing emotions is slightly different from the FJ types. The primary function of this personality is Introverted Feeling (Fi), which means that when you sense an emotion in others, you immediately put yourself in their shoes. INFPs can empathize in a profoundly personal way, which is why their internal database of emotional experiences is so rich and detailed—where others might experience an emotion and immediately forget it, INFPs tend to retain every emotional memory, drawing wisdom, knowledge, and growth from them. This gives you an incredible capacity for empathy, but it also means you need to be cautious about which “emotional energies” you allow into your inner world to avoid being overwhelmed.

No. 5: ENFP (Campaigner)

As an ENFP, you have a high degree of emotional perception, but you feel emotions more objectively compared to INFPs. Your Extraverted Intuition (Ne) allows you to explore and understand the emotional world without getting deeply immersed in it. This means you can be very empathetic and supportive, but you can also step back and see the bigger picture, which helps you avoid being completely swayed by others' emotions. For many ENFPs, empathy is an innate skill, but at the same time, you can distinguish between your own emotional world and that of others.

MBTI Types Least Affected by Emotions

According to the survey, the personality types with the lowest to highest agreement rates were:

1. 1.33% ESTJ (Executive)
2. 6.67% ESTP (Entrepreneur)
3. 9.74% ENTJ (Commander)
4. 16.57% INTJ (Architect)
5. 21.74% ISFP (Adventurer)
6. 21.74% ISTJ (Logistician)

Across all personality types, T-types are least likely to be swayed by the emotions of others. They may notice emotions, but these emotions typically do not affect their ability to focus on the task at hand.

ESTJ (Executive):

Overall, the least likely to be swayed by others' emotions. As an ST type, they are practical and realistic people. An ESTJ might notice emotions, but they usually don't affect their ability to focus on a task. For them, emotions are something to be managed, not absorbed, which allows them to stay grounded and in control.

ESTP (Entrepreneur):

ESTPs are often quick to notice emotional shifts in others. They frequently use charm, humor, and friendliness to help people through emotional lows. When people are feeling down, they often seek out ESTPs for a good laugh. But they are less likely to internalize others' emotions, and more likely to focus on problem-solving and moving on to the next adventure.

ENTJ (Commander):

They are typically focused on efficiency, results, and tasks, not on emotions. Their dominant Extraverted Thinking (Te) function drives them to take charge and make decisions, often leaving little room for emotional considerations.

INTJ (Architect):

They possess a complex set of strengths. They are more focused on concepts and systems than on feelings. While they might sense the emotional atmosphere around them, they are more likely to analyze it than to absorb it. This allows INTJs to maintain a clear boundary between their own emotions and those of others, helping them stay focused on their goals.

ISFP (Adventurer) and ISTJ (Logistician):

The dominant function for ISFPs is Introverted Feeling (Fi), which allows them to deeply experience their own emotions, but this can sometimes create a natural barrier to fully sensing the feelings of others. On the other hand, ISTJs are more focused on logic and practicality, using their dominant Introverted Sensing (Si) and auxiliary thinking functions to maintain stability and complete tasks. This pragmatic approach means they are less likely to be swayed by the emotions of others.