Are you someone who enjoys spending time alone, has a strong appreciation for nature, and is driven by personal values?
If so, you may be an INFP personality type.
INFPs are known for their creativity, sensitivity, and strong sense of right and wrong. They tend to be introverted and prefer small groups of close friends.
But what exactly does it mean to be an INFP?
In this article, we’ll explore the characteristics of this personality type and help you determine if it describes you.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of INFPs.
What Personality Type Am I INFP
As mentioned earlier, INFP stands for introvert, intuitive, feeler, and perceiver. Let’s break down each of these traits to better understand what it means to be an INFP.
Introverted: INFPs direct their energy towards their inner world. They enjoy spending time alone and can become drained in social situations.
Intuitive: INFPs tend to look for underlying meanings and patterns in the world around them. They are imaginative and often have a strong sense of intuition.
Feeler: INFPs make decisions based on their emotions and personal values. They are empathetic and caring towards others.
Perceiver: INFPs like to keep their options open and delay making decisions until they have all the information they need. They are adaptable and flexible in their approach to life.
What Is The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular personality test that aims to identify an individual’s psychological preferences in how they perceive the world and make decisions. The test was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, who were inspired by the book Psychological Types by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. The MBTI attempts to assign a value to each of four categories: introversion or extraversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. One letter from each category is taken to produce a four-letter test result, such as “INTJ” or “ESFP”.
Despite its popularity, the MBTI has been widely regarded as pseudoscience by the scientific community. Most of the research supporting the MBTI’s validity has been produced by the Center for Applications of Psychological Type, an organization run by the Myers-Briggs Foundation, and published in the center’s own journal, the Journal of Psychological Type (JPT), raising questions of independence, bias, and conflict of interest. The MBTI has been criticized for exhibiting significant scientific (psychometric) deficiencies, including poor validity, poor reliability, measuring categories that are not independent, and not being comprehensive.
While the MBTI may not be scientifically proven, it can still provide individuals with insight into their personality traits and preferences. The test can help individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses and how they interact with others in different situations. It’s important to remember that no test can determine personality type correctly for everyone—it’s essential that individuals evaluate their results on their own to decide if they describe them well and research other possible types if necessary.
The Characteristics Of An INFP Personality Type
INFPs are known for their creativity and problem-solving skills. They have a deep curiosity and imagination that drives them to explore new ideas and concepts. They are motivated by their own core values and are equally interested in understanding the values of others. INFPs strive for personal growth and continuously work towards improving themselves.
One of the defining characteristics of an INFP is their introverted nature. They tend to be quiet, reserved, and prefer spending time alone. However, this should not be confused with shyness. INFPs gain energy from being alone and can become drained in social situations.
INFPs rely on intuition and are more focused on the big picture rather than the details. They can be meticulous about things they care about but tend to ignore mundane or boring details. INFPs place a strong emphasis on personal feelings, and their decisions are often influenced by these concerns rather than objective information.
When it comes to making decisions, INFPs like to keep their options open and delay making important decisions until they have all the information they need. Their decisions are usually based on personal values rather than logic.
INFPs value close relationships and are loyal and devoted to those they care about. They are sensitive to the feelings of others and genuinely care about their well-being. However, they can be difficult to get to know as they tend to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves.
INFPs have a tendency to overlook details and sometimes lose sight of the little things. They can also be overly idealistic, which can lead to disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
INFPs In Relationships And Friendships
INFPs are nurturing, empathic, and loyal in their relationships. They carefully choose their friends and partners based on shared values and a strong bond. They are self-aware and often spiritual, and tend to be open-minded and accepting of others’ behavior and preferences, as long as their core values are not violated. INFPs value their partners’ individuality and encourage them to explore their interests and ideas. They often have creative solutions to interpersonal problems and look for ways to compromise and accommodate others.
INFPs are sensitive individuals who may keep negative reactions to themselves because they are reluctant to engage in confrontation. However, they value close and harmonious relationships, while also needing independent time to think and reflect. They often want plenty of freedom to express themselves and pursue greater self-awareness. INFPs value a partner who is committed and loving, yet provides them with the support they need to independently explore the mysteries of life.
When it comes to finding a compatible romantic partner, the best matches for INFPs are likely to be ENFJs and ENTJs. These extroverted personalities share the intuitive preference with INFPs, making it easier for them to relate to each other. Other good matches for INFPs include the INTP, INFJ, INTJ, and other INFPs. These types are likely to be compatible with each other because they have a good understanding of the Idealist’s personality and mindset.
In friendships, Mediators (INFPs) may find themselves caught in a web of contradictions. They crave alone time but are also vulnerable to loneliness. They long to feel accepted but hate pretending to be anyone but their authentic selves. While they hesitate to draw attention to themselves, they don’t want to be invisible either. Mediators tend to feel most fulfilled by spending time with a small, intimate circle of friends who they can trust and rely on. Acquaintances may come and go, but this inner circle is likely to include Mediators’ friends for life.
Career Paths For INFPs
INFPs are known for their creativity, empathy, and desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world. They thrive in careers that align with their values and provide opportunities for personal growth. Here are some career paths that may be well-suited to INFPs:
1. Social Sciences: INFPs are naturally curious about people and their behavior. Pursuing a career in social sciences such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, geography, or history can allow them to explore these interests.
2. Librarian or Library Sciences: INFPs enjoy working independently and have a love of learning. A career as a librarian or in library sciences can provide them with the opportunity to work with books and information while still having time for introspection.
3. Physician: Psychiatry: INFPs are compassionate and empathetic towards others, making them well-suited for roles in the medical field that require these traits. Psychiatry is a field that allows them to help people on a deeper level and better understand their patients.
4. Philosopher, Theologian, Linguist: INFPs have a natural inclination towards abstract thinking and exploring deeper meanings. Pursuing a career in philosophy, theology, or linguistics can allow them to delve into these interests.
5. Scholar: Humanities/Liberal Arts: INFPs enjoy learning and discovering truths about people at a deeper level to better understand and help them. A career as a scholar in the humanities or liberal arts can provide opportunities for research and personal growth.
6. Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapist: INFPs thrive in helping and service professions due to their naturally empathetic and compassionate nature. Careers as physical, occupational or speech therapists allow them to walk side by side with their clients while helping them recover from injuries or disabilities.
7. Social Worker/Home Health Social Worker: INFPs’ desire to discover patterns and help people, along with their good listening skills, make them very well-suited to careers related to therapy, psychology, and counseling. Social work positions can allow them to help individuals or families in need.
8. Coach/Minister/Priest/Missionary/Religious Worker: INFPs are often drawn to careers that involve helping others on a spiritual level. These roles allow them to connect with people on a deep emotional level while providing guidance and support.
9. Creative Arts: INFPs have a natural talent for creative problem solving and artistic expression. Pursuing a career in the creative arts such as fashion design, creative directing or video game designing can provide them with opportunities for self-expression while still making a meaningful contribution.
10. Medical Roles: Medical roles where empathy and compassion is an inherent part of the work would be most suited to an INFP such as mental health professionals like psychologists or clinical social workers.
How To Develop Your INFP Strengths And Overcome Weaknesses
INFPs have many strengths, including their empathy, creativity, and ability to see the big picture. However, they also have some weaknesses that can hold them back from reaching their full potential. Here are some tips for developing your INFP strengths and overcoming your weaknesses:
1. Accept criticism and feedback: INFPs tend to take criticism personally, but it’s important to see feedback as a means to improve yourself. View criticism as a gift and try to reframe it objectively.
2. Set realistic goals: Instead of imagining the end result, break down your journey into small partitions and learn to love bite-sized successes. Set realistic goals like finishing a chapter a day instead of finishing the whole novel in a month.
3. Keep track of details: INFPs tend to overlook small details, which can cause problems in planning or remembering important information. Use a day planner or notebook to keep track of important details.
4. Establish boundaries: INFPs are emotionally attuned and can be vulnerable to absorbing negative moods or attitudes from others. It’s important to establish boundaries and protect your emotional well-being.
5. Focus on your strengths: Remember your strengths as an INFP, such as your creativity and empathy. Use these strengths to your advantage in personal and professional situations.
6. Be kind to yourself: INFPs can be self-critical and have unrealistic expectations for themselves. Remember that nobody is perfect, and it’s important to be kind to yourself and celebrate your successes.
By implementing these tips, INFPs can develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, leading to a more fulfilling and successful life.
Famous INFPs In History And Pop Culture
INFPs are known for their creativity, empathy, and strong sense of values. It’s no surprise that many famous people throughout history and pop culture have been classified as INFPs. Here are just a few examples:
Vincent Van Gogh: The famous painter is believed to have been an INFP. He was known for his emotional and expressive paintings, which often reflected his inner turmoil.
Princess Diana: The late Princess of Wales was a philanthropist who used her platform to advocate for causes such as HIV/AIDS awareness and landmine removal. Her empathy and caring nature are indicative of an INFP.
J.R.R. Tolkien: The author of The Lord of the Rings was an INFP himself, which may explain why his characters, such as Frodo Baggins, are so relatable and emotionally rich.
John Lennon: The iconic musician and peace activist was known for his idealistic views and passion for making the world a better place. These traits align with those of an INFP.
William Shakespeare: Although we can’t know for sure, many literary scholars believe that the famous playwright was an INFP. His plays often explore complex emotions and themes, such as love and betrayal.
These are just a few examples of the many famous people who have been classified as INFPs. From artists to activists to writers, INFPs have made significant contributions to the world throughout history and continue to do so today.
