Are you curious about the INFJ Myers Briggs personality type?
Perhaps you’ve heard of it before, but you’re not quite sure what it means.
Well, you’re in luck!
In this article, we’ll explore what it means to be an INFJ, including their unique traits and characteristics.
INFJs are known for their deep thoughtfulness, imagination, and principled approach to life. They are often referred to as the “Advocate” or the “Idealist” and are considered to be one of the rarest personality types.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about this fascinating personality type, keep reading!
What Is INFJ Myers Briggs
INFJ Myers Briggs is a personality type identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. People with this personality type tend to be thoughtful, imaginative, and guided by personal values and principles.
INFJs are often described as idealistic and principled individuals who strive to make a difference in the world. They are not content with simply coasting through life, but instead seek fulfillment by helping others and being a force for good.
While they may have lofty goals and ambitions, INFJs are not idle dreamers. They care deeply about integrity and strive to do what they know is right. They move through life with a clear sense of their values and aim never to lose sight of what truly matters to them.
INFJs are also known for their compassion, creativity, and dedication to helping others. They have a unique ability to intuit others’ emotions and motivations, often knowing how someone else is feeling before that person knows it themselves. Although they are sensitive, they are also reserved and selective about sharing their intimate thoughts and feelings.
INFJs search for meaning and purpose in their lives and in the world around them. They have an immense interest in deeply understanding culture, society, and the universe as a whole. They tend to see how every thought or action could potentially have important consequences, either positive or negative.
Ultimately, INFJs seek to turn their abstract and intellectual musings into concrete actions that can make a transformative impact on others. Although it is common for INFJs to get stuck in their heads and struggle with taking action, when they are at their best, their actions are aligned with their authentic values.
What Is The Myers Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report inventory designed to identify a person’s personality type, strengths, and preferences. The questionnaire was developed by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs based on their work with Carl Jung’s theory of personality types. The MBTI is intended to give clarity and understanding of a person’s personality type in a practical way.
The test helps people assess their personality using four specific dichotomies, or scales: introversion-extraversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling and judging-perceiving. Each of the scales operates as a spectrum. 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. 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.
No personality type is superior to the others. Each one simply gives a clearer indication of a person’s likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of the test is to make the theory of psychological types described by C.G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. Since its development in the 1940s, the MBTI has been widely used to help people both in and outside the workplace learn more about their personality and the personalities of the people around them.
However, despite its popularity, the MBTI has been widely regarded as pseudoscience by the scientific community due to significant scientific (psychometric) deficiencies, including poor validity, poor reliability, measuring categories that are not independent, and not being comprehensive.
Understanding The INFJ Personality Type
To understand the INFJ personality type, it’s important to delve deeper into each of the four traits that make up this unique personality.
Firstly, INFJs are introverted individuals who tend to be reflective and introspective. They prefer to spend time alone or with a small group of close friends rather than in large social settings. This doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy socializing, but they may find it draining and need time alone to recharge.
Secondly, INFJs are intuitive individuals who are able to sense and understand things beyond what is immediately apparent. They have a deep understanding of people and situations, often knowing how events will unfold before they happen. This intuition allows them to have a unique perspective on the world around them.
Thirdly, INFJs are feeling individuals who are highly attuned to their emotions and the emotions of those around them. They have a strong sense of empathy and are able to connect with others on a deep emotional level. They care deeply about helping others and often put the needs of others before their own.
Finally, INFJs are judging individuals who value structure and organization. They like to plan ahead and have a clear idea of what they want to achieve. They are also highly principled and strive to do what is right, even if it is difficult or goes against the norm.
When these four traits are combined, they create a unique personality type that is both complex and fascinating. INFJs have a deep understanding of themselves and others, which allows them to be compassionate, creative, and dedicated individuals who strive to make a positive impact on the world.
INFJ Traits And Characteristics
INFJ personality types possess a unique set of traits and characteristics that set them apart from others. Here are some of the most common traits and characteristics associated with INFJs:
1. Deep Thinkers: INFJs are known for their introspective nature and their inclination towards deep thinking. They tend to spend a lot of time reflecting on their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
2. Idealistic: INFJs have a strong sense of idealism and strive to make the world a better place. They are motivated by a desire to help others and have a positive impact on society.
3. Empathetic: INFJs are highly empathetic and can easily pick up on the emotions of those around them. They are often able to sense how someone else is feeling before that person even realizes it themselves.
4. Reserved: Although they are empathetic, INFJs are also reserved and selective about sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings. They tend to keep their emotions closely guarded and only share them with those they trust.
5. Creative: INFJs possess a strong creative streak and often have a talent for writing, music, or other artistic pursuits.
6. Perfectionistic: INFJs have high standards for themselves and others, and can be perfectionistic when it comes to achieving their goals.
7. Intuitive: INFJs rely heavily on their intuition when making decisions, often trusting their gut feelings more than logic or reason.
8. Principled: INFJs have a strong sense of personal values and principles that guide their actions and decisions. They are committed to doing what is right, even if it goes against popular opinion or societal norms.
9. Visionary: INFJs have a unique ability to see the big picture and envision a better future for themselves and others. They are often motivated by a desire to make this vision a reality.
10. Compassionate: Above all else, INFJs are known for their compassion and dedication to helping others. They are often drawn to careers in counseling, social work, or other helping professions where they can make a difference in people’s lives.
INFJ Strengths And Weaknesses
INFJs have many strengths that make them unique and valuable members of society. One of their greatest strengths is their ability to empathize deeply with others. They are highly intuitive and can often sense what others are feeling or thinking, even without being told. This makes them excellent counselors, therapists, and social workers.
Another strength of INFJs is their creativity. They tend to be imaginative and innovative, always looking for new ways to solve problems or approach challenges. They are also excellent at seeing the big picture, which allows them to anticipate potential roadblocks and find ways around them.
INFJs are also known for their strong sense of personal values and principles. They have a clear sense of right and wrong and strive to live their lives in accordance with those values. This makes them trustworthy and reliable, as they can be counted on to do what they say they will do.
However, INFJs also have some weaknesses that can hold them back if they are not careful. One weakness is their tendency to get caught up in the big picture and overlook important details. They may have a grand vision for the future but struggle with the day-to-day tasks required to make that vision a reality.
Another weakness of INFJs is their sensitivity to criticism. They take feedback very personally and may become defensive or upset if someone challenges their ideas or beliefs. This can make it difficult for them to collaborate effectively with others.
Finally, INFJs may struggle with taking care of themselves as well as they care for others. They can become so focused on helping others that they neglect their own needs, leading to burnout and exhaustion.
INFJ Relationships And Communication Style
INFJs are known for their quiet, supportive, and encouraging nature in their relationships. They seek harmony with others and are sensitive to people’s emotions and needs. They have a deep desire to bring out the best in others and help them fulfill their potential. They are insightful and consider long-term possibilities for developing human potential.
Communication with an INFJ is typically pleasant and easy. They are inherently well-disposed towards others and are attentive and empathetic to their feelings. INFJs find it easy to communicate with people of various types and on a variety of topics. However, they can occasionally come across as somewhat reserved in their communication. This is because they take time to sort out their feelings and thoughts before sharing them with others.
INFJs tend to have a small social circle consisting of close friends, colleagues, and family members. However, they have a large number of business contacts, and their communication routine can be rather intense. Those who work in the same field often rely on an INFJ’s expert opinion or counsel on professional subjects.
In relationships, INFJs value trust above all else. They may seem reserved at times, but once trust is established, they will feel more comfortable expressing themselves and presenting ideas in a personally meaningful context. INFJs apply their innate qualities to help their partners collaborate to develop action plans and strategies that will be mutually beneficial for both parties.
INFJs need quiet time to plan and process ideas before sharing them with others. This gives them time for introspection, grounding themselves before interacting with or directing larger teams. INFJs tend to value genuine, honest feedback, but it needs to be balanced with personal affirmations as well. If they are not supported, they may withdraw from contact with others.
Famous INFJs In History And Pop Culture
INFJs are a rare personality type, making up only 2% of the population. However, they have made a significant impact on history and pop culture. Here are some famous INFJs who have shaped the world we live in:
1. Carl Gustav Jung – A Swiss psychologist, psychiatrist, and author who founded the field of Analytical Psychology. Jung’s work has influenced multiple disciplines, including psychiatry, religion, and literature.
2. Mahatma Gandhi – An Indian independence activist who led India to independence from British rule. Gandhi is known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. – An American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement.
4. J.K. Rowling – A British author who is best known for writing the Harry Potter series. Rowling’s books have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide.
5. Mother Teresa – A Roman Catholic nun who devoted her life to serving the poor and sick. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that runs hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis.
These famous INFJs demonstrate the personality type’s insightful nature, compassion, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world around them.
