Type Comparison: IEI (INFp) and LIE (ENTj)

Socionics Characteristics

Observable Differences in Behavior

  1. IEI are relatively better at assessing the emotional atmosphere occurring in a group or during an activity than LIE.
  2. When meeting someone knew, IEI are not as likely as LIE to perceive "getting to know somebody" as a special kind of activity. IEI know very well whey they are getting acquainted (i.e., what the purpose of the relationship is, be it business, personal, travel, etc.). IEI, in contrast with LIE, do not divide the process of getting acquainted into consecutive stages; rather IEI immediately establish the necessary emotional distance in contact and can regulate it if needed. To bridge the gap between poorly acquainted people in a group IEI amp up the emotional tone; this can be mutually experienced happiness or misfortune. The name and title of the person are of secondary relevance to IEI and their relationship with the other person.
  3. LIE are more likely to believe in objective truths than IEI. That is, LIE are more likely to believe there is a correct or best way of doing something than IEI.
  4. IEI are more inclined to believe there are relative truths than LIE. That is, this relativity is perceived by IEI as an extenuation of the differing beliefs, opinions, intentions, etc. of each person.
  5. When something is perceived by LIE as being incorrect, they are more likely (than IEI) to tell the person who made the error what they did wrong and how to do it the right way. LIE are focused on who made the error and helping them to correct the mistake.
  6. When something is perceived by IEI as being incorrect, they are more likely (than LIE) to ask why it was done that way. Instead of necessarily trying to correct the person who made the error, IEI attempt to understand the person's reason for their decision/action.
  7. LIE tend to internally combine emotional exchanges with other activities rather than separating them out like IEI. E.g., LIE see having fun occurring simultaneously with other activities, such as work or even serious affairs. IEI are more likely to internally separate out having fun with other activities, although the two can be interchanged at a high frequency.
  8. The "comparison and verification of concepts" is a more common phenomenon among IEI than LIE. This comparison not only concerns IEI methods, but also their understanding, terminology, etc. IEI are attuned to the fact that different people might understand and interpret different concepts and terms differently. They perceive terminology as well as actions of other people as part of the subjective concept inseparable from personal opinion, position, intent, etc. In contrast to LIE who perceive terminology as "objective," IEI understand personal differences behind terminology (this applies even to well established terms) and they attempt to compare and verify them.
  9. LIE are not as inclined to compare and verify concepts as IEI. LIE assume that these can have only one unique interpretation (the "correct" interpretation), and LIE often do not think about the fact that the other person may be interpreting them differently. Much more than IEI, LIE apply concepts such as "objective reality," "unequivocal facts," and de-emphasize concepts; LIE consider that they know the "right" way of doing things, how something "truly is," etc.
  10. LIE are more likely (than IEI) to use special rituals or other culturally accepted formalities when forming relationships with others. What that means is that the emotional proximity and relationship status for LIE be more externally predetermined. Additionally, LIE generally progress in relationships through stages, and therefore are more familiar with these stages than IEI. LIE tend to be more linear in their relationship progression than IEI, and LIE assign importance to the formalities of recognizing the start and end to each of these stages.
  11. LIE' psychic energy more often flows outwards, whereas with IEI, their psychic energy more often flows inward.
  12. IEI' energy levels tend to improve when they're alone whereas LIE' energy levels increase when they're interacting with larger groups.
  13. LIE' energy levels tend to decrease when they're alone whereas IEI' energy levels will decrease when they're interacting with larger groups of people.
  14. With regards to energy levels, LIE tend to have higher energy levels than IEI.
  15. IEI are more often focused on their thoughts and feelings where as LIE are more often focused on their surroundings.
  16. LIE tend to be more active and initiating with others where as IEI tend to be more passive and less initiating.
  17. IEI often have a smaller, closer network of friends where as LIE often have a wider network of friends.
  18. LIE are often more cognizant of their outwards appearance and are thus better at presenting themselves than IEI.
  19. IEI are generally better at concentrating on specific tasks for longer periods of time than LIE.
  20. LIE often prefer to work with others in a team where as IEI often prefer working alone.
  21. When solving a problem, IEI rely more heavily on their generalized past experiences than LIE. IEI are inclined to use already prepared, preformulated methods and processes to solve a problem.
  22. When solving a problem, LIE are more inclined (than IEI) to solve it by relying predominantly on only the presently available information. Essentially, LIE will develop a process or method uniquely fitted towards the present problem, and this method is designed using the present conditions and information.
  23. When conversing, LIE types are inclined to communicate in the form of monologues, where each party has "its turn." Because of that they subconsciously attempt to transform a dialogue into a series of monologues. Conversely, IEI tend to prefer more of a question and answer style format.
  24. IEI are more likely than LIE to perceive and distinguish themselves primarily through personal qualities. IEI focus on individualism more than LIE.
  25. IEI attitude towards a specific person (more so than LIE) is based on their personal characteristics (authority, intellect, personal achievements, etc.) IEI recognize superiority of certain individuals drawing from their personal qualities
  26. LIE, more than IEI, frequently perceives and defines themselves and other people through group associations. LIE focus on collectivism over individualism.
  27. When LIE form opinions of others, these opinions are formed under the influence of their attitude towards the group to which the person belongs. To LIE, it is incomprehensible how it is possible to belong to two opposing groups at the same time:, i.e., "you're either with us, or with them and against us."
  28. LIE are often able to form quicker opinions of others they have just met than IEI. This is based on the ability of LIE to draw conclusions about the person based on the groups the person belongs to; IEI are more reluctant to make these inferences.
  29. IEI tend to plan ahead, making decisions early. On the other hand, LIE tend to prefer a wait and see, more spontaneous approach.
  30. LIE are relatively more flexible and tolerant than IEI.
  31. IEI are relatively more rigid and stubborn than LIE.
  32. LIE are comfortable making changes and adjustments to their decisions quite frequently. IEI, on the other hand, prefer to not make changes to their decisions.
  33. IEI tend to put more effort than LIE into finishing any new project they start.
  34. LIE tend to start more tasks and other projects than IEI, but the LIE are less likely to complete all of them.
  35. IEI tend to have stiffer more angular movements. LIE tend to have more relaxed fluid movements.
  36. LIE tend to have a more democratic leadership style than IEI.
  37. IEI tend to have a more authoritarian, hierarchical leadership style than LIE.
  38. LIE have a relatively higher stress tolerance than IEI. IEI often struggle with continually changing situations more than LIE do.
  39. IEI are more likely to make decisions based on logical reasons than LIE, who are more likely to make decisions based on their own feelings.
  40. LIE are often better at solving and minimizing interpersonal problems, where as IEI often struggle understanding them.
  41. IEI are often more interested in studying systems, structures, and functionality than LIE.
  42. LIE tend to prefer using persuasion as a means of convincing others to do something, where as IEI prefer to use argumentation as a means of convincing others.
  43. LIE are more vulnerable to logical manipulation than IEI. However IEI in contrast, are often more vulnerable to emotional or ethical manipulations than LIE.
  44. IEI place greater value on their interests than LIE. For example, IEI will maintain high levels of energy and focus on an interest they value, even deprioritizing their other resources to maintain the interest. For example, IEI may spend a large amount of energy on an interest they value, often to the detriment of their time, sleep, relationships, money, etc.
  45. LIE place greater value on their resources than IEI. For LIE, resources like their money, time, sleep, etc., fall into their "inner personal space," and the LIE will be more likely to deprioritize an interest if it starts to drain these resources too much.
  46. When planning to complete something, IEI are more likely to focus their attention on the goal itself, overlooking and deprioritizing the individual actions needed to reach that goal. On the other hand, LIE tend to focus their attention on the each action; i.e., they're focused on how each decision and choice is being made (towards reaching the goal), in a step by step process.
  47. LIE are able to change and make adjustments to their goals more easily than IEI (depending on how progress is being made, etc.). IEI on the other hand, prefer to stick with their original goals.
  48. IEI tend to judge their available options by how likely the option will help them reach their goal. If a choice no longer helps IEI reach their goals, it will be dismissed and discontinued. On the other hand, LIE prefer to continue pursuing their current option, opting to adjust their ultimate goal in order to fit the current choice.

Compare/Contrast Sociotypes