Have you ever wondered what personality type the infamous Marvel villain, known for his cunning and manipulative ways, might be?
Look no further than the INFJ type. With a combination of introverted intuition, extroverted feeling, introverted thinking, and extroverted sensing, Loki embodies the characteristics of this complex personality type.
In this article, we will explore how Loki’s cognitive functions align with those of an INFJ and how this impacts his behavior and motivations.
So, let’s dive into the mind of one of the most fascinating villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and discover why he is an INFJ.
Why Is Loki An INFJ
Loki’s dominant function is introverted intuition, which allows him to process information and recognize patterns that others may not see. He spends a lot of time alone, pondering and devising his “master plan” to take over the earth. He keeps his plan to himself until the right time when all the pieces are in place. This is a classic example of how introverted intuition works.
Loki’s decision-making function is extroverted feeling, which allows him to easily identify other people’s weak spots and emotional vulnerabilities and manipulate them to his will. He also makes broad statements about humanity, which is a feeling-driven purpose. Loki feels slighted by his family and wants revenge, which is a common trait among INFJs.
Loki’s tertiary function is introverted thinking, which provides a logical core that can make impersonal decisions. If Loki can explain his actions to himself, he doesn’t feel the need to explain them to anyone else. This is how INFJs think when they reach a point where they don’t care anymore.
Lastly, Loki’s inferior function is extroverted sensing, which is the one he uses least effectively but spends the most time in when he’s stressed. This is where Loki lives for most of the movies.
What Is An INFJ Personality Type?
The INFJ personality type is one of the sixteen personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The letters “INFJ” stand for Introvert, iNtuitive, Feeling, and Judging. INFJs lead with a function called Introverted Intuition, which is a perceiving function that takes in and processes information, particularly interested in things that can’t be directly experienced. Intuition is great at pattern recognition and extrapolating future possibilities.
In INFJs, Introverted Intuition is supported by the decision-making function Extroverted Feeling. Types that use Extroverted Feeling are extremely good at reading people, and many INFJs say they can literally feel other people’s emotions. Typically, this results in a type that will avoid conflict at any cost because they don’t want to hurt people and because interpersonal tension hurts them as much as it does anyone else.
INFJs who are stressed can effectively “turn-off” their compassion for a while and move to their inferior thinking function. Introverted Thinking provides a logical core that can make impersonal decisions. It’s still a subjective function and is concerned about what makes sense to the individual rather than with making sense to anyone else.
Lastly, an INFJ’s inferior function is Extroverted Sensing, which is the one they use least effectively but end up spending the most time in when they’re stressed. This function is where Loki lives for most of the movies.
Loki’s Cognitive Functions
Loki’s cognitive functions are a key aspect of his personality and behavior. As an INFJ, Loki’s dominant function is introverted intuition, which enables him to process information and recognize patterns that others may not see. This allows him to devise complex plans and solutions to problems, as well as wield magic.
Loki’s decision-making function is extroverted feeling, which allows him to easily identify other people’s emotional vulnerabilities and manipulate them to his will. He also makes broad statements about humanity, driven by his feelings of being slighted by his family and seeking revenge. This is a common trait among INFJs, who are deeply invested in their values and can be fiercely protective of their loved ones.
Loki’s tertiary function is introverted thinking, which provides a logical core that can make impersonal decisions. This enables him to organize and execute his plans with precision, keeping his strategies to himself and making him a dangerous enemy. He speaks precisely and thoughtfully, rarely saying something that he regrets.
Lastly, Loki’s inferior function is extroverted sensing, which is the one he uses least effectively but spends the most time in when he’s stressed. This can manifest in his colorful and decked-out appearance, as well as moments of physical grace or obliviousness to his surroundings. While this function may not be his strongest suit, it still plays a role in shaping his behavior and actions.
Introverted Intuition: Loki’s Primary Function
Loki’s primary function is introverted intuition, which is also known as “Perspectives” in the Personality Hacker system. This function allows him to take in and process information, particularly interested in things that can’t be directly experienced. Loki is a classic example of an intuitive person, as he spends a lot of time alone pondering and devising his “master plan” to take over the earth.
Introverted intuition is great at pattern recognition and extrapolating future possibilities, which is evident in Loki’s ability to easily foretell how certain events will unfold. He enjoys kicking back and watching everything fall into place that he’s envisioned so carefully. This function also allows him to combine his intuition with thinking to strategize the perfect plan and understand all the moving pieces at work.
Loki’s introverted intuition is supported by his decision-making function, extroverted feeling, which allows him to read people and manipulate them to his will. This combination of functions makes Loki a formidable opponent, as he can easily identify other people’s weak spots and emotional vulnerabilities.
Extroverted Feeling: Loki’s Auxiliary Function
Loki’s auxiliary function is extroverted feeling, which is responsible for his ability to express his emotions and connect with others on an emotional level. He constantly reiterates about how he feels about certain events, people, and situations. There is never a question if he is upset or gleeful (unless he is intentionally tricking someone). Loki reasons with his emotions, weighing options based on intangible ideals and feelings.
Loki is a great reader of emotions and can use that to manipulate people. He is tuned to what others think of him and honestly wants respect and adoration, particularly from his father. He tends to delegate things like the construction of the tesseract and even looks to Hawkeye for plans. He is more adept at flattery, manipulation, and charm than highly logical problem-solving.
Extroverted feeling also allows Loki to identify other people’s weak spots and emotional vulnerabilities, which he uses to his advantage. He knows how to manipulate others to get what he wants, making him a formidable enemy.
Introverted Thinking: Loki’s Tertiary Function
Loki’s tertiary function is introverted thinking, which is an important part of his personality as an INFJ. This function allows him to combine his introverted intuition and thinking to strategize the perfect plan and understand all the moving pieces at work. It provides him with a logical core that can make impersonal decisions, which is necessary for executing his plans.
In the movies, we see Loki using his introverted thinking when he explains his actions to himself. He doesn’t feel the need to explain them to anyone else unless it serves his purpose. This is a common trait among INFJs, who tend to be introspective and self-reflective. They often have a strong internal sense of what is right and wrong, and they use their introverted thinking to make decisions based on that sense.
Loki’s introverted thinking also allows him to detach himself emotionally from a situation and make decisions based on logic rather than feelings. This is particularly important for him as he navigates complex political situations and tries to outmaneuver his enemies. He can assess a situation objectively and make decisions that serve his goals without being swayed by emotions.
Extroverted Sensing: Loki’s Inferior Function
Extroverted sensing is the least developed function for INFJs, and it’s no different for Loki. He can be seen as completely oblivious to his surroundings at times, and this is where his inferior function shows itself. For example, in one scene, he is too busy telling the Hulk how great and God-like he is to realize the Hulk’s strength and power right in front of him.
Loki’s inferior function can also be seen in his colorful and decked-out appearance. He uses his appearance to make a statement and stand out from the crowd, which is a common trait among individuals who have underdeveloped extroverted sensing.
When INFJs are stressed, they can effectively “turn off” their compassion for a while and move to their inferior thinking function. In Loki’s case, this means that he spends most of his time in his inferior function when he’s stressed. This can lead him to make impulsive decisions that he may later regret.
Overall, Loki’s inferior function of extroverted sensing plays a significant role in his personality and behavior, especially when he’s stressed. It’s an area where he struggles but also provides an opportunity for growth and development as an INFJ.
