Mental strength always trumps sensitivity – or does it? Many cultures promote the idea of having a thick skin when facing life’s changes and challenges. This may, at times, require dialing down sensitivity as a form of self-protection in a competitive and chaotic world. People who struggle to tone down, or at least conceal, their sensitive side might not feel that they live up to society’s standards.
But people who are highly sensitive may find several benefits to their big feelings. Even though there may be negative connotations attached to sensitivity, it can make some people better at assessing risks and opportunities that others may miss. Sensitivity can also lead to a greater appreciation for small pleasures, increased empathy and social connection, and higher levels of creativity.
These highly sensitive people, or HSPs, may be found more often to have some personality types than others. Which personality traits are most related to HSPs, and what qualities set them apart? Here, we explore these questions and identify which personalities might have highly sensitive characteristics.
What Is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
If you think a highly sensitive person is someone who cries often or gets easily offended, you’re mostly wrong. HSPs do feel emotions deeply, and they might show visible discomfort in response to an offensive comment, for example. But there’s a lot more that makes them unique.
Psychologist and researcher Elaine Aron was the first to coin the term “HSP” and later wrote the book The Highly Sensitive Person on the subject. From her research, she found that HSPs share one key characteristic: they’re hyperaware of and emotionally reactive toward sensory subtleties. Whether a sensory stimulus is environmental (bright lights or loud sounds) or intangible (feeling stressed or having a stomachache), it can become overwhelming for those who are highly sensitive.
Though HSPs experience the world differently than most, being a highly sensitive person isn’t a diagnosable condition. Rather, high sensitivity is a trait that Aron estimates is found in 15%–20% of the population.
Facets and Features of HSPs
HSPs don’t all look the same, act the same, or feel the same. Still, there are some common features that many such people often share:
- emotionally reactive to both positive and negative sensations
- quick to find patterns and predict what will happen next
- highly intuitive and interested in exploring deeper meanings
- cautious and slow to make decisions
- introverted (an estimated 70% of HSPs are introverts, according to Aron)
- deeply compassionate and affected by others’ feelings
- easily moved by art
- perfectionistic
- likely to have a harder time functioning well when busy or under pressure
- imaginative and in possession of a rich inner life
HSP Personality Traits
HSPs aren’t a personality type in and of themselves, but their qualities do overlap with some of the traits that we use in our 16Personalities framework. With those traits, we can determine which personalities are most likely to belong to people who are highly sensitive.
Introverted (I)
It’s safe to say that Introversion is strongly associated with HSP qualities. Sensitive people can become overwhelmed when surrounded by a lot of people. And being the center of attention might lead to stage fright – even if the “stage” is only a dinner party or work presentation. They also tend to be sensitive to intense external sensory input.
It’s important to note, however, that while around 70% of HSPs are thought to be Introverts, a sizable chunk (30%) are Extraverts. Extraverted HSPs thrive in social settings, though they may need a quiet space to recharge from time to time.
Intuitive (N)
The Intuitive trait is also very similar to many typical HSP characteristics. HSPs don’t stop at the observable. From deciphering what a friend’s text really means to guessing what will happen in the future, they fill in the blanks to try to understand the world around them.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that HSPs don’t have any Observant tendencies. In fact, sensitive people can be keenly aware of what’s happening in the here and now. And if thinking outside the box burned them in the past, they might opt for more down-to-earth solutions, similar to many Observant types. Still, between Intuitive and Observant traits, the former is more similar to HSP characteristics.
Feeling (F)
A third trait that many HSPs possess is, unsurprisingly, the Feeling trait. HSPs are in touch with their emotions – and not always necessarily by choice. Riding the waves of their feelings is just a part of life for the highly sensitive. Like many Feeling personalities, they tend to care deeply for others and make decisions with their hearts.
Turbulent (T)
Turbulent types are no strangers to overwhelming emotions. Turbulence indicates that a person is easily moved both by their internal thoughts and the external world around them – very similar to high sensitivity.
Turbulent personalities can be just as affected by intrusive noises and smells as they are by beautiful sights. They’re also similar to HSPs in that they tend to take a cautious approach when facing new or risky situations. The thoughts and worries that Turbulent types carry with them overlap with those of many highly sensitive people.
The Sensitive Diplomats
Two of the traits that align with high sensitivity – Intuitive and Feeling – are indicative of the Diplomat Role. Of the four Diplomat personality types, Introverted Advocates (INFJs) and Mediators (INFPs) may be among the most likely to have HSP qualities.
This is reflected in some of our research findings. For example, Advocates and Mediators are among the most likely personality types (and more likely than other Diplomats) to say they’re easily overwhelmed when faced with a long to-do list, preferring a calm schedule – similar to HSPs. They’re also the most likely types to say they’re very emotionally sensitive to physical touch.
But much of our research shows that all four Diplomat personalities, including Protagonists (ENFJs) and Campaigners (ENFPs), share HSP-like qualities, proving that you don’t have to be an Introvert (nor do you need to have all four traits discussed above) to share similarities with highly sensitive people.
Take these survey responses:
Given their Intuitive and Feeling traits, Diplomat personalities were more likely than any other Role to say they sense the energy of a room. This is in line with HSPs’ penchant for scanning their surroundings and picking up on others’ moods.
Diplomats are also known for their humanitarian approach, possibly driven by their empathetic natures – similar to many HSPs. This is reflected in the following survey responses:
HSPs’ tendency to be highly reactive to sensations, including pain, combined with their emotional empathy make it probable that they would say they can “feel” someone else’s pain, just as Diplomats did here.
The Careful and Cautious Constant Improvers (Introverted, Turbulent Types)
With their Introverted and Turbulent traits, Constant Improvers share many of HSPs’ sensitivities. And while Constant Improvers with the Intuitive or Feeling traits may most embody the HSP experience, any Introverted and Turbulent personality type likely shares some characteristics with highly sensitive people.
Consider Constant Improvers’ responses in our survey on risk:
These personalities resist regular risk-taking compared to others, preferring to err on the side of caution. HSPs, who process an abundance of information before making decisions, often have a similar response to risk-taking.
Constant Improvers also pay careful attention to details, as reflected in these survey responses:
They’re the most likely Strategy to check their work repeatedly, with the majority saying they proofread their writing at least two or three times. Unsurprisingly, Constant Improvers also say they get annoyed by others’ lack of attention to detail. This overlaps with HSPs, who strive for perfection and are usually quick to notice even the smallest mistakes.
Other Highly Sensitive Personalities
Some personalities share several personality facets with HSPs – namely, Turbulent Advocates and Turbulent Mediators, who are both Diplomats and Constant Improvers. But people with other traits can also be highly similar to HSPs.
Take Defenders (ISFJs) and Consuls (ESFJs), both Sentinels, as an example. These Feeling types commit themselves to serving others, using a warm sensitivity to care for their loved ones. They embrace their emotions, yet they may be more grounded in practical strategies than the average HSP due to their Observant trait.
Two other Feeling personalities that could be HSPs are Adventurers (ISFPs) and Entertainers (ESFPs). Like many HSPs, these Explorers are creative and deeply moved by the arts. They also tend to have a sensitive streak, with Adventurers being prone to stress (common for overstimulated HSPs) and Entertainers being sensitive to criticism and conflict.
Introverted and Intuitive Architects (INTJs) and Logicians (INTPs) may also have some overlapping qualities with highly sensitive people, especially if they possess the Turbulent trait. Though these types may not share the same emotionality as many HSPs, they do have perfectionistic tendencies and deep processing abilities in common with them.
Conclusion: Sensitivity Is a Strength
When determining whether you might be similar to highly sensitive people, it’s important to keep in mind that not all HSPs are the same. They may share some of the same characteristics, but they don’t all have a singular personality type. Similarly, having some of the traits associated with sensitivity doesn’t automatically guarantee that you’re an HSP.
If you do identify as a highly sensitive person, recognize the treasures that sensitivity offers. Rather than downplaying sensitivity, embrace it and unlock the power to become more self-aware, connected to others, and appreciative of the little joys in life. Though there’s often the idea that sensitivity and strength are contradictory, HSPs are proof that sensitivity is a strength.
Do any of the tendencies of HSPs seem to fit with your personality type? Share your experience in the comments below.
Further Reading
- How good are you at understanding emotions? Find out with our Emotional Intelligence Test. (Premium resource.)
- Introvert Health Check: Are You Getting the Downtime You Need?
- “I Don’t Want to Hear It”: Compassion Fatigue and Feeling Personality Types
- Easily Overwhelmed Personality Types
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