Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test? If so, you may have been assigned a four-letter sequence that represents your personality type.
One of the rarest personality types is INFJ, which stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. Only 1-3% of the population falls into this category, making it a truly unique and fascinating personality type.
INFJs are often referred to as “The Counselor” or “The Advocate” due to their deep sense of integrity and natural intuition. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to be an INFJ personality type and why it’s so rare.
So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets of this intriguing personality type!
Is INFJ A Rare Personality Type
As mentioned earlier, INFJ is a rare personality type, making up only 1-3% of the population. This means that if you happen to be an INFJ, you are part of a very exclusive group.
One reason for this rarity is the unique combination of traits that make up the INFJ personality type. INFJs are both introverted and people-oriented, emotional and rational, creative and analytical. They have a deep sense of integrity and a natural intuition that allows them to interpret the emotions and motivations of others.
INFJs are also idealistic and seek out deep, meaningful connections with people. They are often quiet and gentle, which can make them difficult to get to know. However, once you earn their trust, they are fiercely loyal friends and empathetic leaders.
Another reason for the rarity of INFJs is their tendency to feel misunderstood. They are walking, talking contradictions, which can confuse even their own sharp intuition. This can make it difficult for them to understand themselves, let alone for others to understand them.
Despite these challenges, INFJs have a lot to offer the world. They are skilled at seeing behind the mask that people unconsciously wear and are persistent in their pursuit of what they know to be right. They care deeply about integrity and seek fulfillment by helping others and being a force for good in the world.
What Is The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test is a self-reported questionnaire that helps individuals assess their personality using four specific dichotomies or scales: introversion-extraversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceiving. Developed in the 1940s by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katharine Cook Briggs, the MBTI is based on psychologist Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. Its purpose is to make the theory of psychological types understandable and useful in people’s lives by providing clarity and understanding of a person’s personality type in a practical way.
The MBTI test is intended to provide insight into a person’s personality type by assigning a value to each of the four categories. One letter from each category is taken to produce a four-letter test result, such as “INTJ” or “ESFP.” The results help individuals gain a better understanding of their likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses.
There are 16 personality types in the MBTI, all of which include a letter for each side of the four scales the person aligns with most. Each scale operates as a spectrum, and although a personality may not fall perfectly into one type, the four-letter type code represents the side of each of the four scales a person most closely fits. No personality type is superior to the others; each one simply gives a clearer indication of a person’s unique traits.
The MBTI has become a popular tool for self-awareness and improvement in organizations worldwide. It provides positive language for understanding and valuing individual differences, with practical insight that’s easy to understand and implement. Despite its popularity, the MBTI has been criticized as pseudoscience by the scientific community due to significant scientific deficiencies such as poor validity, poor reliability, measuring categories that are not independent, and not being comprehensive.
What Is An INFJ Personality Type?
The INFJ personality type is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It is characterized by four core traits: Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging. INFJs are introverted, meaning they gain energy from spending time alone or in small groups. They are intuitive, meaning they rely on their gut feelings and inner vision to navigate the world. INFJs are also feeling-oriented, meaning they make decisions based on their emotions and values rather than logic. Finally, they are judging, meaning they prefer structure and organization and like to plan ahead.
INFJs are known for their deep sense of integrity and their natural intuition. They have a unique ability to interpret the emotions and motivations of others, making them skilled at understanding people’s needs and desires. They work hard to help those around them and seek out deep, meaningful connections with others.
INFJs can often come across as quiet and gentle, but they have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world. They are idealistic and persistent in their pursuit of what they believe is right. INFJs can be difficult to get to know due to their introverted nature, but once you earn their trust, they are fiercely loyal friends and empathetic leaders.
The Characteristics Of An INFJ Personality Type
INFJs possess a unique set of characteristics that make them stand out from other personality types. Firstly, they are known for their deep sense of compassion and empathy towards others. They have a strong intuition and emotional understanding that allows them to connect with people on a deeper level. However, this does not mean that they are pushovers, as INFJs have a strong sense of self and the ability to act decisively to achieve their goals.
Secondly, INFJs are helpers by nature. Despite being introverted, they form meaningful connections with others and enjoy helping them. However, they also need time alone to recharge their batteries.
Thirdly, INFJs are idealists who believe in making the world a better place. They have a unique ability to translate their ideals into action and strive to make a positive impact on society.
Fourthly, INFJs are organized individuals who like to plan and make decisions early on. They have a natural inclination towards control and prefer to exert it through planning and organizing.
Fifthly, INFJs are both emotional and logical when it comes to decision-making. They place a greater emphasis on their emotions than objective facts but still maintain a realistic perspective of the world.
Lastly, INFJs are sensitive to the needs of others and possess a unique ability to intuitively understand the emotions and motivations of those around them. They seek meaning and purpose in their lives and are deeply committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Why Is The INFJ Personality Type So Rare?
The INFJ personality type is considered rare for several reasons. One possible explanation is that INFJs simply may not be in situations where the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is offered, or they may choose not to take the test. Additionally, some people may not be honest when taking the assessment, especially if they believe being an extrovert is better than being an introvert.
Another reason for the rarity of INFJs may be due to the complexity and even contradiction of their traits. INFJs are both introverted and people-oriented, emotional and rational, creative and analytical. This unique combination of traits can make them difficult to understand, even for themselves.
Furthermore, society may make it challenging for INFJs to remain their true selves. They may feel pressure to conform to perceived expectations, which can make their genuine traits less visible. This can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments of their characteristics as flaws, rather than valuable personality components.
Despite these challenges, INFJs enrich society and the world with their keen insights, empathic natures, and deep souls. Their rarity only adds to their unique value and contribution to humanity.
Famous INFJs In History And Pop Culture
INFJs have made their mark in history and pop culture alike. Here are just a few examples of famous INFJs:
– Mohandas Gandhi: The lawyer and activist who led India to independence from British rule was an INFJ. His strong sense of morality and belief in nonviolent resistance were hallmarks of his personality type.
– Eleanor Roosevelt: The former First Lady of the United States was also an INFJ. She was known for her advocacy on behalf of civil rights and women’s rights, as well as her work with the United Nations.
– Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Russian author of classics like Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov was an INFJ. His introspective writing style and exploration of complex moral themes reflect the traits of this personality type.
– Shirley MacLaine: The Oscar-winning actress and author is also an INFJ. Her spiritual beliefs and interest in metaphysics are indicative of the deep thinking that INFJs are known for.
– Tori Amos: The American singer-songwriter has been described as a “famous INFJ.” Her bold and creative music, as well as her work as a spokesperson for anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, reflect the traits of this personality type.
These are just a few examples of the many INFJs who have left their mark on history and pop culture. Their unique combination of traits has allowed them to make a significant impact on the world around them.
How To Identify If You Are An INFJ Personality Type
If you’re wondering whether or not you have an INFJ personality type, there are a few key characteristics to look out for. Firstly, INFJs are known for their deep, complex inner thoughts and feelings. They often feel isolated from the rest of the world and may struggle to find people who truly understand them.
INFJs are also very empathetic and intuitive. They have a natural ability to interpret the emotions and motivations of others, which can make them great counselors or advisors. They are idealistic and seek out deep, meaningful connections with people.
INFJs tend to be reserved and introspective, preferring to spend time alone or with a select few close friends. They can be difficult to get to know at first, but once you earn their trust, they are fiercely loyal and supportive.
If you relate to these characteristics and find yourself drawn to helping others and making a positive impact in the world, you may have an INFJ personality type. Taking a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test can also help confirm your personality type and provide more insight into your unique strengths and challenges.
