INFP: The Idealist
The INFP is a dreamy, imaginitive, idealist, capable of finding the good in anything or anyone, even something as foul as Newark, New Jersey. INFPs are sometimes dangerous to the well-being of society as a whole, as they are prone to adopting subversive and destructive ideologies like "The world should be fair," "People should treat one another well," and "You know, 'Friends' is a really, really stupid television show."
These irrational thought patterns may sometimes cause INFPs to run off and join the circus, the Resistance, or the Rebellion, where they tend to do well in any position requiring excellent hand-eye coordination or mastery of the Force.
COMPATIBILITY: INFPs and ISTJs generally exhibit a natural predator/prey relationship, which, though it might appear harsh and cruel from the outside, is all part of the natural cycle of life. In fact, were it not for the predation of the ISTJ, the population of INFPs would soon grow to unsustainable levels, overwhelming the ability of their ecological niche to support them.
Famous idealists include that girl in your sixth-grade homeroom who got the teacher fired for saying that girls aren't good at math; that guy in the cubicle next to yours who got the manager fired for saying that women don't make good employees; and Anais Nin.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
My Personal Multiple Intelligence Profile
(On a personal note, I'm very pleased to note that I'm not "lacking" in any area. On this particular test, a score of 10% in some areas is not uncommon. To me, this means that I'm competent (while not necessarily excellent) in all areas of intelligence, my forte being music and self-knowledge.
Intrapersonal intelligence, (self smart) refers to having an understanding of yourself, of knowing who you are, what you can do, what you want to do, how you react to things, which things to avoid, and which things to gravitate toward. We are drawn to people who have a good understanding of themselves because those people tend not to screw up. They tend to know what they can do. They tend to know what they can’t do. And they tend to know where to go if they need help.
People with intrapersonal intelligence are adept at looking inward and figuring out their own feelings, motivations and goals. They are introspective and seek understanding. They are intuitive and typically introverted. They learn best independently.
Common Characteristics
Introverted
Prefers working alone
Philosophical
Self-aware
Perfectionistic
Often thinks of self-employment
Enjoys journaling
Intuitive
Independent
Spends time thinking and reflecting
Likes learning about self
Musical Rhythmic Intelligence, (music smart), is the capacity to think in music, to be able to hear patterns, recognize them, and perhaps manipulate them. People who have strong musical intelligence don't just remember music easily - they can't get it out of their minds, it's so omnipresent.
People with musical intelligence love music. They appreciate rhythm and composition. They are gifted with the ability to compose, sing and/or play instrument(s). Able to recognize sounds, tones and rhythm, they have a "good ear" for music. They learn best through lectures and often use rhythm and music as a way to memorize things.
Common Characteristics
Have good rythm
Can easily memorize songs
Notice and enjoy different sounds
Often singing, whisling or tapping a song
Talented with an instrument or singing
Can tell when a note is off-key
Often have a song running through their head
Have an unquenchable passion for music
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
What Is the INFP Personality?
From: http://www.delta-associates.com
INFPs most often seem calm and serene because they carry an inner sense of their values and beliefs, with which they are comfortable and confident. Their life's actions and interactions are guided by these values, which are very coherent and integrated. They guard these values carefully and they are known in their entirety only to themselves. They have a skilled ability to interpret many of the deep issues of people and life.
INFPs share their insights only with people they trust, and in situations where their truths will not be trampled—or on occasions where not to speak out would to them be morally wrong. Otherwise they go through life dispensing a calm and peace to those around them.
NFPs are generally accepting of the people who pass their way, even those whose beliefs, values, and actions are not their own. They have the gift to make people believe they understand where the other person has traveled. They understand what others have felt and give to others the gift of self-acceptance.
INFPs are themselves independent, an independence rooted in their comfort with themselves.
INFPs believe in individuality, growth, and that the mission of life is to find one’s own unique course. The INFP is deeply committed to their beliefs and values and to the circle of those around them—family, organizations, and those they feel need them, particularly those who cannot stand up for themselves. Most often if the thoughts, beliefs and actions of those around them conflict with their own, they do not feel the need to correct them or "straighten them out."
If the INFP does not agree with the opinions of organizations they are affiliated with, the organization can still serve as a framework for their lives.
They feel no need to speak out simply because they don't agree unless it violates their own vision. They proceed on, calmly and quietly, not fuming within themselves, as do some types. But if their values are violated, they will react fiercely. INFPs are one of the most curious of all types. They like to ask open-ended questions in non-threatening ways, because they truly want to know more about life. They like reading and discussion.
They highly value people’s ability to understand themselves and their own personal path. They can often express a unique and original point of view that is pleasing and surprising. They have a personal vision that they can express clearly and in a novel way.
INFPs are often drawn to causes, religious, political and social. For all their ability to relate compassionately and non-judgmentally with different people, once they are guided by their inner vision to make a stand, they will stand firm.
INFPs often prefer to work in organizations as individual contributors. They can be quite powerful in business, religious institutions, and health care, producing incisive data and analysis, as well as efficient administration. They are effective project managers, but themselves will not be micromanaged.
They work best in areas where they are given a challenging issue or problem and are left to work through it with their considerable ingenuity. They dislike rules and strictures and grow weary of repeating tasks and repetitious assignments. They will "come out swinging," if one of their core values is violated in the workplace, often to the surprise of those around them.
People may see the INFP as reserved and introspective, difficult to know. Those who do know INFPs quickly find them to be creative, unique, and original. They learn that they are complex and often delightfully unpredictable.
INFPs are deeply loyal friends, spouses, parents, and life partners. They can perplex even those closest to them because so much of them is "hidden from view." Material goods and possessions will always be secondary to the INFP, because people and values are always first. This will confuse and sometimes frustrate in relationships with those who value material goods highly. INFPs, nonetheless, have an inner sense of joy and contentment that is infectious to those around them.
INFPs most often seem calm and serene because they carry an inner sense of their values and beliefs, with which they are comfortable and confident. Their life's actions and interactions are guided by these values, which are very coherent and integrated. They guard these values carefully and they are known in their entirety only to themselves. They have a skilled ability to interpret many of the deep issues of people and life.
INFPs share their insights only with people they trust, and in situations where their truths will not be trampled—or on occasions where not to speak out would to them be morally wrong. Otherwise they go through life dispensing a calm and peace to those around them.
NFPs are generally accepting of the people who pass their way, even those whose beliefs, values, and actions are not their own. They have the gift to make people believe they understand where the other person has traveled. They understand what others have felt and give to others the gift of self-acceptance.
INFPs are themselves independent, an independence rooted in their comfort with themselves.
INFPs believe in individuality, growth, and that the mission of life is to find one’s own unique course. The INFP is deeply committed to their beliefs and values and to the circle of those around them—family, organizations, and those they feel need them, particularly those who cannot stand up for themselves. Most often if the thoughts, beliefs and actions of those around them conflict with their own, they do not feel the need to correct them or "straighten them out."
If the INFP does not agree with the opinions of organizations they are affiliated with, the organization can still serve as a framework for their lives.
They feel no need to speak out simply because they don't agree unless it violates their own vision. They proceed on, calmly and quietly, not fuming within themselves, as do some types. But if their values are violated, they will react fiercely. INFPs are one of the most curious of all types. They like to ask open-ended questions in non-threatening ways, because they truly want to know more about life. They like reading and discussion.
They highly value people’s ability to understand themselves and their own personal path. They can often express a unique and original point of view that is pleasing and surprising. They have a personal vision that they can express clearly and in a novel way.
INFPs are often drawn to causes, religious, political and social. For all their ability to relate compassionately and non-judgmentally with different people, once they are guided by their inner vision to make a stand, they will stand firm.
INFPs often prefer to work in organizations as individual contributors. They can be quite powerful in business, religious institutions, and health care, producing incisive data and analysis, as well as efficient administration. They are effective project managers, but themselves will not be micromanaged.
They work best in areas where they are given a challenging issue or problem and are left to work through it with their considerable ingenuity. They dislike rules and strictures and grow weary of repeating tasks and repetitious assignments. They will "come out swinging," if one of their core values is violated in the workplace, often to the surprise of those around them.
People may see the INFP as reserved and introspective, difficult to know. Those who do know INFPs quickly find them to be creative, unique, and original. They learn that they are complex and often delightfully unpredictable.
INFPs are deeply loyal friends, spouses, parents, and life partners. They can perplex even those closest to them because so much of them is "hidden from view." Material goods and possessions will always be secondary to the INFP, because people and values are always first. This will confuse and sometimes frustrate in relationships with those who value material goods highly. INFPs, nonetheless, have an inner sense of joy and contentment that is infectious to those around them.
How to Love an INFP
Appreciate my uniqueness and sensitivity.
Be a patient and supportive listener.
Respect my privacy and my need for emotional intimacy.
Be reassuring and gentle in your words and actions.
Try not to force decisions too quickly, or bug me about being messy.
Above all - respect my feelings and never demand that I compromise my values.
Be a patient and supportive listener.
Respect my privacy and my need for emotional intimacy.
Be reassuring and gentle in your words and actions.
Try not to force decisions too quickly, or bug me about being messy.
Above all - respect my feelings and never demand that I compromise my values.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Dominant Function ~ Introverted Feeling
Dominant Introverted Feeling
INFP & ISFPWhat is it like?
By Danielle Poirier www.RebelEagle.com
© copyright Rebel Eagle Productions
Usually gentle and kind, they are intense and passionate about their values and deeply held beliefs, which they share with trusted friends. Because of their discreet manner, their enthusiasm may not be apparent. They are sensitive to others' pain, restlessness or general discomfort and strive to find happiness, balance and wholeness for themselves in order to help others find joy, satisfaction and plenitude. They are deeply empathetic.
They live life in an intently personal fashion, acting on the belief that each person is unique and that social norms are to be respected only if they do not hinder personal development or expression. They strive to adhere to their own high personal moral standards and are particularly sensitive to inconsistencies in their environment between what is being said and what is being done. Empty promises of adhering to something they value – such as environmental causes or human rights - set off an inner alarm and they may transform themselves into modern day Joan of Arcs.
They are quietly persistent in raising awareness of cherished causes and often fight for the underdog in quiet or not-so-quiet ways. In a team, they will raise issues of integrity, authenticity, and good or bad, and may to opt out if the team refuses to address the questions raised.
They are usually tolerant and open-minded, insightful, flexible and understanding. They live for the understanding of others and feel deeply grateful when someone takes the time to get to know them personally. They have good listening skills, are genuinely concerned, insightful, and usually avid readers. At their best, they inspire others to be themselves.
INFP & ISFPWhat is it like?
By Danielle Poirier www.RebelEagle.com
© copyright Rebel Eagle Productions
Usually gentle and kind, they are intense and passionate about their values and deeply held beliefs, which they share with trusted friends. Because of their discreet manner, their enthusiasm may not be apparent. They are sensitive to others' pain, restlessness or general discomfort and strive to find happiness, balance and wholeness for themselves in order to help others find joy, satisfaction and plenitude. They are deeply empathetic.
They live life in an intently personal fashion, acting on the belief that each person is unique and that social norms are to be respected only if they do not hinder personal development or expression. They strive to adhere to their own high personal moral standards and are particularly sensitive to inconsistencies in their environment between what is being said and what is being done. Empty promises of adhering to something they value – such as environmental causes or human rights - set off an inner alarm and they may transform themselves into modern day Joan of Arcs.
They are quietly persistent in raising awareness of cherished causes and often fight for the underdog in quiet or not-so-quiet ways. In a team, they will raise issues of integrity, authenticity, and good or bad, and may to opt out if the team refuses to address the questions raised.
They are usually tolerant and open-minded, insightful, flexible and understanding. They live for the understanding of others and feel deeply grateful when someone takes the time to get to know them personally. They have good listening skills, are genuinely concerned, insightful, and usually avid readers. At their best, they inspire others to be themselves.
Friday, December 21, 2007
My Self-Improvement in a Nutshell
Using your strengths is easy.
The secret to success for an INFP is learning to:
DEVELOP REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS, VALUE COMPROMISE, AND NOT
TAKE THINGS QUITE SO PERSONALLY
http://www.iusb.edu/~sbcareer/infp.pdf.
The secret to success for an INFP is learning to:
DEVELOP REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS, VALUE COMPROMISE, AND NOT
TAKE THINGS QUITE SO PERSONALLY
http://www.iusb.edu/~sbcareer/infp.pdf.
More INFP Description
INFP
introverted-intuitive-feeling-perceptive
Quiet
Sensitive
Perceptive
Creative
Idealistic
Committed to people and causes
Spiritual or Philosophical
Capacity for deep caring
Likes harmony
Guided by strong inner sense of values
INFPs are the true idealists. Much of their lives can be said to be viewed through "rose-colored glasses".
"Hope springs eternal" is a good motto which describes their decided philosophy for the rugged places in relationships or the causes to which they commit themselves - for they can pity the most unpitiable and attempt to placate the most tyrannical.
INFPs are deeply caring and entrenched in striving for harmony in all situations, their deeply-held spiritual and core values giving them guidance and lending them sustenance in difficult situations.
INFPs are deeply involved in a rich, inner life which can be holy in content or escapist in reality. They are also deeply sensitive and - being quite tenderhearted - are quite easy to have their feelings hurt. They are apt to think whispering and jokes are at their expense, when none such is intended.
Mystical and creative, the INFP's life can also be nearly non-human - ethereal - no matter which side of it they are viewing. Even as children, they exhibit the ability to "lose themselves" in the fairy tales they read and project themselves into daydreams of lofty grandeur or to have imaginary playmates who are very real to them. Even their sharing of their experiences have an imaginary air about them. Unintentionally, they may add what they "felt" to the telling rather than what "really was".
INFPs are quiet, creative, idealistic - and are "true-blue" friends. Many times it is their unquestioning loyalty that leads relationships in which they are involved to continue - even with those who are not worthy of such freely given devotion.
Generous in spirit, they are able to sustain abuse beyond merit and to invite their generosities to be abused by others for their own advantage - until one day, without warning, they erupt with rage and candor which surprise not only the recipient but the INFPs themselves.
They have the ability to avoid situations that are imminently threatening to their inner peace by withdrawing from the "give-and-take" arena and escaping into an inner world of enjoyment, pleasure and insights. They are deeply wounded by "man's inhumanity to man" but their gentleness and sensitivities rarely enable them to publicly crusade as their INFJ brethren.
Like their INFJ brethren, the EST world of business is an energy-sapping enterprise for them and they, too, suffer various muscular and emotional maladies which require quiet times replete with inspirational music and meditation to heal their weary spirits.
The "drive to perfection" is a painful side of life for INFPs for whom the Ideal is always just beyond the reach. Even enjoyable moments are not always spontaneously entered into for fear of having to "lose" the joy or "pay for it" in some unknown, dark and painful way.
The deeply religious INFP has capacity for the mystical side of religion and gains insights not enjoyed by all types into "the deeper things of God". They can even long for "martyrdom" to "prove" their deep, hidden and rich love for God and the heavenlies.
Conscientious at times to a fault, INFPs are deserving of recognition for the generosity of their caring spirits. The world is a better place because of their gentle and unassuming natures.
Fannie R. Linder, Psy.D.
http://members.tripod.com/~PersonalityInstitute/INFPs.htm
introverted-intuitive-feeling-perceptive
Quiet
Sensitive
Perceptive
Creative
Idealistic
Committed to people and causes
Spiritual or Philosophical
Capacity for deep caring
Likes harmony
Guided by strong inner sense of values
INFPs are the true idealists. Much of their lives can be said to be viewed through "rose-colored glasses".
"Hope springs eternal" is a good motto which describes their decided philosophy for the rugged places in relationships or the causes to which they commit themselves - for they can pity the most unpitiable and attempt to placate the most tyrannical.
INFPs are deeply caring and entrenched in striving for harmony in all situations, their deeply-held spiritual and core values giving them guidance and lending them sustenance in difficult situations.
INFPs are deeply involved in a rich, inner life which can be holy in content or escapist in reality. They are also deeply sensitive and - being quite tenderhearted - are quite easy to have their feelings hurt. They are apt to think whispering and jokes are at their expense, when none such is intended.
Mystical and creative, the INFP's life can also be nearly non-human - ethereal - no matter which side of it they are viewing. Even as children, they exhibit the ability to "lose themselves" in the fairy tales they read and project themselves into daydreams of lofty grandeur or to have imaginary playmates who are very real to them. Even their sharing of their experiences have an imaginary air about them. Unintentionally, they may add what they "felt" to the telling rather than what "really was".
INFPs are quiet, creative, idealistic - and are "true-blue" friends. Many times it is their unquestioning loyalty that leads relationships in which they are involved to continue - even with those who are not worthy of such freely given devotion.
Generous in spirit, they are able to sustain abuse beyond merit and to invite their generosities to be abused by others for their own advantage - until one day, without warning, they erupt with rage and candor which surprise not only the recipient but the INFPs themselves.
They have the ability to avoid situations that are imminently threatening to their inner peace by withdrawing from the "give-and-take" arena and escaping into an inner world of enjoyment, pleasure and insights. They are deeply wounded by "man's inhumanity to man" but their gentleness and sensitivities rarely enable them to publicly crusade as their INFJ brethren.
Like their INFJ brethren, the EST world of business is an energy-sapping enterprise for them and they, too, suffer various muscular and emotional maladies which require quiet times replete with inspirational music and meditation to heal their weary spirits.
The "drive to perfection" is a painful side of life for INFPs for whom the Ideal is always just beyond the reach. Even enjoyable moments are not always spontaneously entered into for fear of having to "lose" the joy or "pay for it" in some unknown, dark and painful way.
The deeply religious INFP has capacity for the mystical side of religion and gains insights not enjoyed by all types into "the deeper things of God". They can even long for "martyrdom" to "prove" their deep, hidden and rich love for God and the heavenlies.
Conscientious at times to a fault, INFPs are deserving of recognition for the generosity of their caring spirits. The world is a better place because of their gentle and unassuming natures.
Fannie R. Linder, Psy.D.
http://members.tripod.com/~PersonalityInstitute/INFPs.htm
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Healing the Healer ~ Self-Help
Healers
Healing the Healer
INFPs benefit from thinking twice, taking deep breaths, whatever they need to do to calm themselves, before it gets to this extreme.
Being the perfectionist creates a tendency to be his or her own worst critic. They may have problems working in a group because the other members may not be as committed and diligent as the INFP. In other situations, giving it more than their best shot is admirable, but here, they may appear to be control happy.
Combating these negatives is one of balancing their high ideals with the rigors of everyday living. It is important to resolve this dichotomy for their peace of mind and happiness. They’re bent on giving back in hands-on situations rather than in a more concrete logical way. This type of attribute also makes them more comfortable writing about their feelings than telling someone how much they care.
Because they write so well, they may be drawn to this creative outlet as a career, or consider counseling, teaching or social services as a fit.
“You didn’t hear a word I said,” that’s not something anyone will ever say to an INFP. They listen intently, believing it’s the thoughtful thing to do.
This act of caring puts people at ease and makes the INFP a trusted friend and confidante. Although it’s not always easy for them to express their feelings, they are genuinely concerned, warm and understanding. He or she tries to avoid conflicts but when it’s a necessity, they come from a feeling perspective, rather than placing blame. This is all well and good, but the INFP needs to be aware that sometimes this stance makes them appear to be too emotional and rather irrational.
They have everything it takes to accomplish great things and to become better and better with each passing day.
Healing the Healer
INFPs benefit from thinking twice, taking deep breaths, whatever they need to do to calm themselves, before it gets to this extreme.
Being the perfectionist creates a tendency to be his or her own worst critic. They may have problems working in a group because the other members may not be as committed and diligent as the INFP. In other situations, giving it more than their best shot is admirable, but here, they may appear to be control happy.
Combating these negatives is one of balancing their high ideals with the rigors of everyday living. It is important to resolve this dichotomy for their peace of mind and happiness. They’re bent on giving back in hands-on situations rather than in a more concrete logical way. This type of attribute also makes them more comfortable writing about their feelings than telling someone how much they care.
Because they write so well, they may be drawn to this creative outlet as a career, or consider counseling, teaching or social services as a fit.
“You didn’t hear a word I said,” that’s not something anyone will ever say to an INFP. They listen intently, believing it’s the thoughtful thing to do.
This act of caring puts people at ease and makes the INFP a trusted friend and confidante. Although it’s not always easy for them to express their feelings, they are genuinely concerned, warm and understanding. He or she tries to avoid conflicts but when it’s a necessity, they come from a feeling perspective, rather than placing blame. This is all well and good, but the INFP needs to be aware that sometimes this stance makes them appear to be too emotional and rather irrational.
They have everything it takes to accomplish great things and to become better and better with each passing day.
What is it Like to be an INFP?
~ taken from http://www.bestfittype.com/infp.html
What’s it like to be you?
I have a very internal focus. I think I look at myself through other people’s eyes, but sometimes I can lose touch with how things work for me. Then I can get introspective, going very deep and staying there, not coming out too quickly or easily. Somehow I find it very difficult to put into words and communicate the things that really matter to me. Most people don’t have the foggiest notion about what goes on with me.
I like harmony and seek consensus and do well with the deep issues. My values and the things that are important to me often feel outside the mainstream in the sense that I feel impinged upon and uncomfortable with so much of what goes on. I’m too private to push my values on to other people, but I am convinced that one ought to be congruent in their own life if they are going to expect congruence from others. In a sense I hold other people to that standard, and I worry about my own incongruities, inconsistencies, and contradictions. Groups can be hard. I can put myself in the group process so rapidly and so completely, and it’s important not to get sucked in. I need to be predictable about what I believe.
I am a global thinker and I like to learn interactively. My thoughts need to be connected with some person or value. On reflection, don’t all thoughts have to be connected to something? I feed new information into other things I’ve read and my thoughts, and I can have a marvelous time just sitting with ideas. And I like to discuss or write things because I seem to have a lot in my head and I’ve got to get it out. I love bringing together different eclectic ideas and seeing what’s similar. I like to have my own ideas, hear others ideas, and have ideas challenged, bantering back and forth. Chitchat has no interest for me. I tend to do a lot of mental rehearsal and play in problem solving, and the fun part is figuring out how to do something. Motivation comes when something has real meaning or value for me, and while I enjoy ideas I don’t like having my values challenged.
For me, asking questions is just a different form of being quiet, a way to explore an inner thought stream or check out of reality and back into my thoughts. Sometimes I chuckle at myself that there is really no sequential way that I work though tasks.
I have always trusted my intuition, even before I was aware of it. I enjoy talking to people. It’s interesting to learn about them, where they’re coming from and how they invent their reality. And I have an innate talent for reading between the lines—to hear what hasn’t been said—and a sense of what needs to be said and done. I tend to form impressions right away about people, and most of the time I feel pretty good about my impressions but sometimes I am way off. At least if the people have good intentions, I can relax.
I enjoy seeing people enjoy who they are, and I get a lot of joy helping others discover that they have value. Being able to help someone in their darkest hour, to communicate across differences and find common ways of working together, that is very satisfying because then there is a real sense of closeness and acceptance and a genuine pursuit of helping people heal and achieve their goals. I hold on to relationships even though we may go long periods without seeing each other, and I cherish those long associations.
I’m concerned about how others feel when they are around me. Lack of honesty or ethics or integrity in interactions—when someone is saying one thing but doing another—really puts me off. So does when someone doesn’t honor, or accept as valid, my communication or feeling as I try to talk to them about something that matters to me. And I don’t need to talk about myself. I don’t enjoy it. Sometimes I’m frustrated trying to communicate, and sometimes a metaphor or a joke or a story is a way to effectively express myself so what I’m saying can be heard by someone who hears or experiences things differently.
I don’t know what I am going to do next, but I trust in myself that something will come in as a new idea, with challenge and inner meaning. Whatever it is, it will be right. Although I would never actually say it, it feels as though I am grounded in the very being of who I am when I talk like this.
What’s it like to be you?
I have a very internal focus. I think I look at myself through other people’s eyes, but sometimes I can lose touch with how things work for me. Then I can get introspective, going very deep and staying there, not coming out too quickly or easily. Somehow I find it very difficult to put into words and communicate the things that really matter to me. Most people don’t have the foggiest notion about what goes on with me.
I like harmony and seek consensus and do well with the deep issues. My values and the things that are important to me often feel outside the mainstream in the sense that I feel impinged upon and uncomfortable with so much of what goes on. I’m too private to push my values on to other people, but I am convinced that one ought to be congruent in their own life if they are going to expect congruence from others. In a sense I hold other people to that standard, and I worry about my own incongruities, inconsistencies, and contradictions. Groups can be hard. I can put myself in the group process so rapidly and so completely, and it’s important not to get sucked in. I need to be predictable about what I believe.
I am a global thinker and I like to learn interactively. My thoughts need to be connected with some person or value. On reflection, don’t all thoughts have to be connected to something? I feed new information into other things I’ve read and my thoughts, and I can have a marvelous time just sitting with ideas. And I like to discuss or write things because I seem to have a lot in my head and I’ve got to get it out. I love bringing together different eclectic ideas and seeing what’s similar. I like to have my own ideas, hear others ideas, and have ideas challenged, bantering back and forth. Chitchat has no interest for me. I tend to do a lot of mental rehearsal and play in problem solving, and the fun part is figuring out how to do something. Motivation comes when something has real meaning or value for me, and while I enjoy ideas I don’t like having my values challenged.
For me, asking questions is just a different form of being quiet, a way to explore an inner thought stream or check out of reality and back into my thoughts. Sometimes I chuckle at myself that there is really no sequential way that I work though tasks.
I have always trusted my intuition, even before I was aware of it. I enjoy talking to people. It’s interesting to learn about them, where they’re coming from and how they invent their reality. And I have an innate talent for reading between the lines—to hear what hasn’t been said—and a sense of what needs to be said and done. I tend to form impressions right away about people, and most of the time I feel pretty good about my impressions but sometimes I am way off. At least if the people have good intentions, I can relax.
I enjoy seeing people enjoy who they are, and I get a lot of joy helping others discover that they have value. Being able to help someone in their darkest hour, to communicate across differences and find common ways of working together, that is very satisfying because then there is a real sense of closeness and acceptance and a genuine pursuit of helping people heal and achieve their goals. I hold on to relationships even though we may go long periods without seeing each other, and I cherish those long associations.
I’m concerned about how others feel when they are around me. Lack of honesty or ethics or integrity in interactions—when someone is saying one thing but doing another—really puts me off. So does when someone doesn’t honor, or accept as valid, my communication or feeling as I try to talk to them about something that matters to me. And I don’t need to talk about myself. I don’t enjoy it. Sometimes I’m frustrated trying to communicate, and sometimes a metaphor or a joke or a story is a way to effectively express myself so what I’m saying can be heard by someone who hears or experiences things differently.
I don’t know what I am going to do next, but I trust in myself that something will come in as a new idea, with challenge and inner meaning. Whatever it is, it will be right. Although I would never actually say it, it feels as though I am grounded in the very being of who I am when I talk like this.
Monday, December 17, 2007
An Interrupting Qualifyer
Hi all;
A lot of what's below so far is simply cut and pasted from various corners of the web. On the first few articles, I've had a chance to adapt them for personal needs, however am still working through the pile of information.
Just to be clear on something ... I want everyone to know that INFP is not a "disorder" or a diagnosed illness of any form, but rather a rare personality/behavioural type. (1 of 16 "archetypes") I'm quite sane thank you very much. ;p
With this type, comes a sense that isn't well understood. Everyone has it, we're (INFP/INFJ) just attuned to it. I see no mysticism, no conflict with science, and no conflict with religion. In fact, I know moreso the nature and essence of all of these things. The difficulty is in having it understood, and the frustration of dealing with a world who doesn't understand the "underlying reality" in the way that I understand it.
To be quite honest, this is the first time that I've even considered that I'm "special" or "unique" in a concrete and substantial way. I went through a little turmoil after finding this all out, as I wasn't sure that maybe I was crazy and the rest of the world was sane. In fact, it is merely that I have a "sense" which is as normal to me as smell or eyesight, which is not developed as well in others. The surprising thing to me was that not everyone can do whatever it is that I can do.
The movie "A Beautiful Mind" is very good analogy to what it's like. When I become overly absorbed in that direction, there can be negative consequences. Seems like balance is the key.
Essentially I am just tuned in to the unseen. I don't know everything, but I do get extra insight. (Relatively.) Conversely ... the cost of this sense is a lesser ability in other areas, which I'm now about to embark on improving. As I do so, my ability to explain myself will improve, and likely my ability to cultivate this "sense" in others will improve as well.
Looking freaking forward to it.
Love
Shane
A lot of what's below so far is simply cut and pasted from various corners of the web. On the first few articles, I've had a chance to adapt them for personal needs, however am still working through the pile of information.
Just to be clear on something ... I want everyone to know that INFP is not a "disorder" or a diagnosed illness of any form, but rather a rare personality/behavioural type. (1 of 16 "archetypes") I'm quite sane thank you very much. ;p
With this type, comes a sense that isn't well understood. Everyone has it, we're (INFP/INFJ) just attuned to it. I see no mysticism, no conflict with science, and no conflict with religion. In fact, I know moreso the nature and essence of all of these things. The difficulty is in having it understood, and the frustration of dealing with a world who doesn't understand the "underlying reality" in the way that I understand it.
To be quite honest, this is the first time that I've even considered that I'm "special" or "unique" in a concrete and substantial way. I went through a little turmoil after finding this all out, as I wasn't sure that maybe I was crazy and the rest of the world was sane. In fact, it is merely that I have a "sense" which is as normal to me as smell or eyesight, which is not developed as well in others. The surprising thing to me was that not everyone can do whatever it is that I can do.
The movie "A Beautiful Mind" is very good analogy to what it's like. When I become overly absorbed in that direction, there can be negative consequences. Seems like balance is the key.
Essentially I am just tuned in to the unseen. I don't know everything, but I do get extra insight. (Relatively.) Conversely ... the cost of this sense is a lesser ability in other areas, which I'm now about to embark on improving. As I do so, my ability to explain myself will improve, and likely my ability to cultivate this "sense" in others will improve as well.
Looking freaking forward to it.
Love
Shane
GOT MAGIC? IDEALIST INTROVERTS
COUNSELOR infjs are people like ...
Chaucer, Goethe, Carl Jung, Mohandas Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt
HEALER infps are people like ...
Homer, Virgin Mary, Shakespeare, Hans Christian Andersen, Princess Diana
Read about the 8 different types of introverts here:ISTJ 6% ISFJ 6% IDEALISTS
INFJ 1%
counselor INTJ 1%
ISTP 6% ISFP 6% INFP 1%
healer INTP 1%
ESTP 13% ESFP 13% ENFP 5% ENTP 5%
ESTJ 13% ESFJ 13% ENFJ 5% ENTJ 5%
Distribution of Introverts in the Population
The MBTI Personality Temperament theory and other temperament theories such as Keirsey, my favorite, divide introverts into four broad basic categories called Guardian, Artisan, Rational and Idealist. Introverts are people who are energized while alone and zapped of energy while being with others. Introversion is a legitimate personality type.
Let's look more closely at the four basic types. Guardian introverts are careful and cautious. They like to take care of people and things. They are practically oriented and protective, sensible and down-to-earth. Some examples of famous Guardian introverts are Warren Buffet and Mother Theresa.
Guardian introverts make up 12% of the population.
Artisan introverts are concrete and utilitarian in their approach to life. They love to work with their hands (i.e., "Man the Toolmaker"). They can be very entertaining and include people who play basketball, the piano and sew clothes. Some examples of Artisan introverts are Jackie Kennedy and Michael Jordan.
Artisan introverts make up 12% of the population.
Rational introverts deal with strategic analysis. They use their minds to organize space and solve problems. They are the "technology" temperament. Some examples of Rational introverts are Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton. I have written several articles about Sir Isaac Newton. [click here]
Rational introverts make up just 2% of the population.
The ones we are going to talk about today are the Idealist introverts because they are so magical.
Idealist introverts are abstract in thought and speech. They are aspirational, positive and oriented toward the future. They long to unite people in peace and love. There are two different types, the Counselor (infj) and the Healer (infp).
Idealist introverts make up just 2% of the population.
INFj AND INFp ... WHAT DO THE LETTERS MEAN?
"i"
Both types are "i" which means "introverted" or energized by being alone.
"n"
Both types are "n" which means their way of processing the world around them is "iNtuitive" rather than sensory. Their natural habitat, so to speak, is the world beyond the five senses ... things that can't be seen, heard, touched, smelled or tasted. Since this ability is beyond the comprehension of the other types, it is usually misunderstood and ill described as with Keirsey who says, "they prefer to leave the practical details of their lives to others and spend their time making inferences, imagining, daydreaming, musing or wondering about things that are not accessible to the five senses."
Hmmm. I think for the most part, it would be fair to say they think we make these things up :-)
"f"
Both types are "f" which means their basis for decision-making is "feeling" vs. "thinking".
"j" or "p"
The difference between the two types of idealists, then, is their need for closure. Infj's are "j" for "judging" and need closure in their life process. Infp's with "p" for perceptive need an open ended life process. Keirsey elaborates, "Myers [the originator of MBTI personality typing] claimed that she confined her usage of the word 'judgment' to mean 'coming to a conclusion' but again and again she used 'judgment' to describe people who make and keep schedules in their daily lives. Myers also used the word 'perception' to describe people who prefer to probe for options and thus not be tied to a schedule."
Both types focus intensely on human potential - that of a few people around them -- and are among the most "introverted" of all types, having exceptionally rich inner lives and little or no desire to be in positions of leadership. It is interesting to note, for example, that an idealist type has never been president of the United States.
Both types of introverted idealists are rare, making up only 1% of the population in each case. [No type makes up more than 13% of the population.] The other group that is this small is the Rational introverts (Masterminds and Architects) who also make up just 1% of the population each.
It is my personal belief that the lower percentages, Rationals and Idealists are on the evolutionary edge. For one thing, it is intuitively obvious (here we go again with the"inf" stuff!) the ability to deal with the world in abstract terms is the wave of the future. We've been moving in that direction since we were cavewomen. The advantage of the technologically gifted Rationals is clear. The advantage of the Idealist is less clear. That's what we're going to look at in this article.
I can make a helpful analogy here with recent findings regarding blood types.40-45% have type O; 35-40% have type A; 4-11% have type B and a very small 0-2% have type AB. [blood types] Under analysis these figures have revealed migration patterns and interactions of ancient hu/man with his/her environment. It is now scientifically clear (as if it weren't always intuitively clear) that O existed first, then A, then B and now AB is emerging, reflecting some kind of physical (blood type) evolution or Darwinism. Temperament theory statistics may reveal a nonphysical Darwinian evolution of the "more fit" in these statistics: Guardians and Artisans make up 38% of the population each while Rationals and Idealists make up 12% each.
We creatures on the Darwinian edge-- Rationals and Idealists -- have both an advantage and a disadvantage. In a certain sense we are adapted to the ways of the future, which is evolving, but on the other hand, the future is not yet here. And therein lies the rub. I have written some articles about this such as Nietzsche: Schizophrenic? Introvert? Or Super Survivor?
Suffice it to say, though we may be better adapted to the realities of the future, we are maladapted to the world defined by "s" types, the present world. I mean to say "maladapted" descriptively, not critically.
For example, in any group of 100 people, say at a tailgate party before the football game, we night meet not a single person who was "like" us. Then again, would we go to something like that? Probably not. If it was a Friday night lecture at Borders on Dream Interpretation, the whole group might be infp's and infj's "like us". The Party Animals would be elsewhere, that's for sure.
Fortunately, we introverts don't look outside ourselves for validation.
Now let's look at the word "idealist" for a minute. This word has several different meanings and connotations, many, it seems, concocted by They Who are Not Idealists and "They" are most certainly in the majority.
This is what dictionary.com says:
One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations.
One who is unrealistic and impractical; a visionary.
An artist or writer whose work is imbued with idealism.
An adherent of any system of philosophical idealism.
One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations.
someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations
Hmmm … "unrealistic", "impractical", "picturesque fancies", "romantic expectations" … this doesn't sound very flattering. Further down the list, a synonym suggested for idealist is "dreamer".
Four of these definitions are, in fact, a real put down. Am I imagining a slight sneer on the lips of the lexicographer? Probably written by a Rational (someone who would be interested in compiling a dictionary), we are defined negatively by what we are not - we are not practical and we are not realistic.
To put this in perspective, why don't we write a dictionary and define realists as people who are "nonidealistic", "lacking in imagination", "bereft of meaning and romance in life", "stuck in the here and now" ?? …
Well, no, we're not practical. So you won't catch us writing any dictionaries. What we are is magical.
Let's look further now, among ourselves - or perhaps some of you are reading this because your child or loved one has been "diagnosed" as an infj or infp. Let's try to understand the real magic of the idealist introvert personality type. Take another look at the list at the top of the page. Think of the contributions of Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Goethe and Gandhi. Can you think of five people across time who had a more profound understanding of human nature?
Idealism is related to the Platonic ideals of ancient Greece-- as described by the philosopher Plato -- which are somewhat like archetypes in a way. One mathematician in a chat group recently said, "Plato thought what we see in the physical world is a dim reflection of the true ideal thing. For example circular objects are crude approximations to the ideal perfect circle. Platonic analysis aims to understand the physical world in terms of the ideals that capture the real essence that is dimly reflected in physical existence. Today the ideal world that captures the true circle is mathematics." Clearly this man is not an idealist personality type. As any intuitive will tell you, there is nothing "dim" about manifest reality reflecting Platonic ideals. Our ideals, our beliefs and their beyond-sensory forms are vivid and infused with life. (See Loved Real.]
Idealists warm to their ideals because they respond to them as potentials waiting to be filled. In our minds, we can draw a straight line from the thing we see in our Mind's Eye to the reality it can become in the future. We specialize in doing this with people. Time and space are not issues.
Kenneth Silber, in an article entitled Searching for Bobby Fischer's Platonic Form, published online at TechCentralStation had this to say about Platonic ideals. "No doubt, many college freshmen have rolled their eyes at the uselessness of Philosophy 101 when asked whether there exist perfect circles or other ideal entities. But a great deal rides on the longstanding philosophical debate about abstract objects. If, say, the number 12 has an existence independent of its particular manifestations in egg cartons and the like, then a view that the world consists solely of physical objects is inadequate."
"Indeed", says the idealist, who barely relates to the physical plane, rolling his or her eyes.
Silber, the realist, continues, "This has potential religious implications; in a recent TCS essay, Edward Feser identified Platonism, or belief in a realm of abstract entities, as a key assumption underlying Western religion." [emphasis mine]
An interest in the higher realms is, indeed, a characteristic of the idealists and a critical key to understanding their approach to "reality". The InfjInfp YahooGroup buzzes with talk about negative matter, extra dimensions, exotic energy sources, possible uses for becs, quantum computers, loopholes in relativity, space elevators, great unsolved math problems, consciousness, REIKI, Tarot cards and so much more!
Recently a new member Stela wrote, "I have never tried Reiki, but it is interesting to read about it. I am interested in healing and debate with myself about what type of healing I would like to do. Currently I am thinking about training as a nutritionist and using nutrition and herbs for healing. I also think that using prayer to diagnose and heal is interesting. Actually many kinds of alternative healing intrigue me. Has anyone ever thought of becoming a naturopath or naturopathic doctor?"
Another member Linda wrote, typically, and I don't "correct" email quotes because I think email is all about relaxed and casual, "I am into poetry (both reading and writing), music, reading, laughing whenever I can (Strangers w Candy, Mad TV, SCTV etc), and learning new things. I prefer the mystical poets like Rumi, Gibran, Hafiz along w some contemporary poets, McKuen, Bob Dylan. My musical tastes diverse and eclectic -no specific genre. My list of favorites is about 2 paragraphs long! I like to discuss current issues and mystical, philosophical issues too. I'm a Discovery Planet Specials junkie and realize that what we experience here is merely a blip in time." She signs her email, "In Light".
Certainly the group leans to discussing the "unseen". But here the age-old misunderstanding surfaces - there are those who think we prefer an "ideal" world because it is "unseen" and that we shrink with distaste from the "messy, familiar world" of blood, sweat, tears, mucus and semen. They think we would prefer to worship our beloved at a distance and without the "inconvenience" of a physical body as in Platonic love. Ha!
One of the most fascinating infps in my opinion is Hans Christian Andersen. His fairy tales, far from watered down Disney are the real thing, for those who have eyes to see and this may be only those with the subtle qualities on the inf's. "Fairy tales are not real, or even realistic," says Amanda Craig in The Uses of Enchantment at her BLOG, "[but they are not] as many people still believe, an escape from reality. They are another way of getting you to think about real difficulties.
Indeed. Craig reveals by her statement that she's no "inf" but June is.
June, a Slovakian currently living in Germany, learned to read just so she could feast for her self -- to her heart's content -- on Andersen's Rose Elf, which her mother felt was too dark to read to her. Somehow June knew this "fairy tale" would map her territory accurately. Idealist introvert personality types are uniquely concerned with problems of good and evil.
Another client, Rosemarie, says, "I was utterly fascinated by The Red Shoes from the moment I first saw the movie (based reliably on Andersen's fairy tale of the same name). "I was four years old when the movie came out. I can't imagine how I found it a few years later but I begged to watch it many times. I was actually embarrassed to reveal to my parents how much I wanted to see the movie again. It must have been my first experience of obsession. Today at 60 the story is still unfolding for me as it explains me to myself again and again through the years. It is a timeless story of the truth of my existence. I'm an infp and we are very intense people, easily obsessed. We have our dark passions and so forth. This is also one of our greatest strengths."
John, a 24 year old graduate student, chats up the Platonic ideals this way in his BLOG Discursive Parallax (I'm not sure you're ready for this -- I don't believe John is a Communications major): "Plato screwed the pooch when he came up with his essentialist philosophy. Platonic formalism holds that we experience a reality consisting of particular, imperfect reflections of universal, abstract ideals. Plato gave us an epistemological nightmare where we let distinctions between essentialist abstractions and experienced diversity blur, allowing dangerous conflations of Platonic ideals and inescapably imperfect particulars: the Platonic illusion.
"Personally, I'm convinced that the most debilitating of all Platonic illusions," John contnues, "can be described with three words - Perfect Girl Syndrome."
In simple English, Plato describes a world of "essentials", by which is really meant "essences" as in "I get the essence of what John is trying to say." These essentials are like patterns or blueprints of things that show up "later" in reality, though in the world of the idealist, time and space are often quite irrelevant. The infps I know have a horrible problem with time. Anyway, what I think John is trying to say is that his real pool of possible dates may differ significantly from Helen of Troy. Nonetheless, they are dates. Despite his protestations against idealism, by the way, John lists The Princess Bride as one of his favorite movies, so I guess we know who he is.
The kind of essentials we feel Plato was referring to are self evident to the idealist but let me try to put it into words for those of us who are groping for a concept of ourselves as idealists and how really different we are.
To the temperament type idealist, Plato's ideals are not "perfect" so much as they are blueprints and prototypes. I leave the philosophical idealists to their own devices from here on out. This issue of perfection is where the realists' choo choo really leaves the tracks. Idealists aren't interested in perfection. They are interested in potential, their own and someone else's.
Idealists value personal growth, authenticity and integrity. They yearn to develop themselves fully as individuals and facilitate growth in others. In this regard they refer to a not visible "pattern" of what they think a human being can and should be. They believe human beings can evolve into something "better than", "more than" but there is no end to this possiblity of evolution. In this sense, people will never be "perfect" because their potential, if realized, will promote further evolution. I believe that Carl Jung discusses this phenomenon in relation to God Him/Herself in his book Answer to Job.
click bookcover to order directly
Let's take a more concrete example. Let's take the example of a house. I want a house. I go looking. I don't find anything I like. Well, not in my price range. I'm realistic about this. So I think, maybe I'll build one myself. I go down to Home Depot or get on the internet and look for some house plans. Hmmm. Nothing there. Go looking for an architect. Find one with templates. That won't do. Wait. Listen to my intuition. Follow its clues. Mostly dead ends. Relax. Wait. Believe I can find what I want. It's out there somewhere. Someone tells me about an architect who specializes in small, unique, affordable housing. She's an independently wealthy visionary who adores doing these kinds of houses because they are her forté, something she believes in, and she gets international awards for them. This woman comes up with a plan that suits me to a "T", including the price. She gets so excited about it, she gives me a bridge loan to cover some of the costs until I can get the financing I want. This is a true story by the way. It happened to one of my idealist introvert clients and it could not happen to a realist, who would have stopped or compromised when s/he couldn't find an existing home that met the specs. Of course I am speaking symbolically as well. I am speaking about all the things that can't be seen, heard, touched, tasted and felt in a tactile sense.
As an idealist healer, this is a process I try to teach those who come to my classes.
Idealists seek higher and higher ground, more abstract sources for the things they want to manifest in their lives and if necessary, are not above changing the blueprint or seeking a "higher authority", even, as Jung implies, creating a better blueprint for a god. Thus Jahweh yields to a merciful Christ.
Perfection and escape are not the goal. Imagination and evolution are the goal.
Why are idealists so influential? Because everyone who drives by my new house may think a little more enthusiastically and imaginatively about what is possible in their own lives in the way of housing and eventually -- with a leap of intuition -- across the specturm of their life.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it so succinctly, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are only small matters compared to what lies within us." As idealists, we are about digging this out of ourselves and others. "Oh man, there is no planet, sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are," says Emerson, that great inhabitant of the world beyond the five senses.
It was reading Emerson's Essay on Friendship, by the way, that first opened up my intuition. It begins with these unforgettable words, "We have a great deal more kindness than is ever spoken. Maugre all the selfishness that chills like east winds the world, the whole human family is bathed with an element of love like a fine ether. How many persons we meet in houses, whom we scarcely speak to, whom yet we honor, and who honor us! How many we see in the street, or sit with in church, whom, though silently, we warmly rejoice to be with! Read the language of these wandering eye-beams. The heart knoweth." Emerson taught me to read the language of the wandering eye-beams.
To move our discussion to a more subtle and profound plane, I would like to tell you a very short story from Thomas Cleary's introduction to his translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War. According to this old story …
"… a lord of ancient China once asked his physician, a member of a family of healers, which of them was the most skilled in the art.
"The physician, whose reputation was such that his name became synonymous with medical science in China, replied, 'My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out of the house.
"'My elder brother cures sickness when it is still extremely minute, so his name does not get out of the neighbor hood.
"'As for me, I puncture veins, prescribe potions, and massage skin, so from time to time my name gets out and is heard among the lords.'"
In this story, you, the idealist, are the eldest brother, the one who sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, the one who sees war before it starts and stops it, the one who sees a way to get the "ideal"
house built within budget, the one who evokes a higher god ... the one who changes the blueprint.
Nelson Mandela describes it this way. "A leader … is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing all along they are being directed from behind." Or from jail. Or in a chance encounter at the grocery store that changes the way they think forever after. This is why your name also does not get out of the house.
This is the magic of the idealist. Is it any surprise there has never been an idealist president? Such work is better left to the Guardians and Artisans. Our names never get out of the house.
The influence of the idealists is more profound than ever a Guardian or Artisan could possibly imagine or hope for, for to change the blueprint is to change the future.
A list of healers who work at the blueprint level:
THE SUNHEALER - DNA healing
REBECCA BRENTS - Enchanted Spirit
PATRICIA DARROW - Diana's Den
SANDY AQUILA - The Om Center in Omaha
Added note: 11/18/2004
QUOTED and EXCERPTED from Tap3Times (no longer on the web) The less frequent types find their infrequency an obstacle to their development. In the general population, there may be three extraverts to every introvert and three sensing types to every intuitive...
Unless the introverts with intuition are stoutly skeptical of the mass assumption that a difference is an inferiority, their faith in their type will diminish. They will not trust and exercise their preferences, which, accordingly, will not be developed enough to be beneficial. These people are cheated out of the successful undertakings that would give them faith in their type.
Nancy's comment: This is a critical statement -- their preferences .... will not be developed enough to be beneficial. How does one develop intuition? I have an online course with this objective. Please email me for information. I can help you with this! I've been teaching people for 25 years how to develop their intuition.
The Tap3Times article continues:
Their usual way of adapting is this:
trying to change their type (resulting in a phenomenon Pederson (1993, p. 231) calls the 'turn-type)' -- also see www.benziger.org for her ongoing work with"falsifying type" and the tremendous toll it will take on your health
trying to "pass" as another socially valued type
simply leaving organizations or finding lifestyles that require minimal organizational involvement; or
accepting ill-suited roles in organizations and thereby risking a greater potential for failure than an individual might encounter in a role suited to his/her capacities and orientation.
Please contact me if you'd like to be added to this lis or would like to recommend someone.
What others have said about this article:
6.6.2004 Very inspiring! It's good to hear such an ego boost (my newly determined INFJness revels in it). I especially enjoyed the quotes. Will have to check out that Emerson essay! High school lit really ruined a great thinker for me. One more thing- do you really think that we're the next phase in evolution, like some kind of X-men made real? I'm not so sure. What kind of a society would need a profusion of introverted idealists? My sense is that we're rare for a reason, one unlikely to change given the fundamentals of civilization. Can't wait to explore the rest of your site. Feel free to contact me via the above email, too. -- Russ
[Nancy's note: The more important question is, "What kind of society would introverted idealists create?" ... if you can connect the dots here!]
9.26.2004 Nelson Mendela-what a man. Leading the flock as the shephard from the back letting the fearless leap while being the watchful eye of safety. Making the sacrifices and staying the course for freedom. Not made to be leaders? I know those fears. I am like Moses and wonder especially these days if anything I do as a leader makes any sense. But then I look at the eyes of my daughter with Down Syndrome and I know I need to stop whining and start leading from the back of the flock. Because she is the true leader and all I need to do is trust that somehow leading from the back means something. For truly we are the most powerful leaders. We have no other choice but to show the way. At least I feel I have no other choice. Yes that is who we are. The watchful eye shaping lives without even realizing because the WORLD of 5 senses tells us we are not made to be leaders. But who else can really raise the level of integrity in the room just by a raised eyebrow or a head nod or a shoulder shrug or a steady stare? Can you imagine a president who as an idealist would lead the group of Guardians and Artisans who would follow like disciples and really heal and build and what our world could be!!! (There goes that intensity again) Spirit help us all we so need an IDEALIST who has not forgotten the MAGIC -- Kati
Chaucer, Goethe, Carl Jung, Mohandas Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt
HEALER infps are people like ...
Homer, Virgin Mary, Shakespeare, Hans Christian Andersen, Princess Diana
Read about the 8 different types of introverts here:ISTJ 6% ISFJ 6% IDEALISTS
INFJ 1%
counselor INTJ 1%
ISTP 6% ISFP 6% INFP 1%
healer INTP 1%
ESTP 13% ESFP 13% ENFP 5% ENTP 5%
ESTJ 13% ESFJ 13% ENFJ 5% ENTJ 5%
Distribution of Introverts in the Population
The MBTI Personality Temperament theory and other temperament theories such as Keirsey, my favorite, divide introverts into four broad basic categories called Guardian, Artisan, Rational and Idealist. Introverts are people who are energized while alone and zapped of energy while being with others. Introversion is a legitimate personality type.
Let's look more closely at the four basic types. Guardian introverts are careful and cautious. They like to take care of people and things. They are practically oriented and protective, sensible and down-to-earth. Some examples of famous Guardian introverts are Warren Buffet and Mother Theresa.
Guardian introverts make up 12% of the population.
Artisan introverts are concrete and utilitarian in their approach to life. They love to work with their hands (i.e., "Man the Toolmaker"). They can be very entertaining and include people who play basketball, the piano and sew clothes. Some examples of Artisan introverts are Jackie Kennedy and Michael Jordan.
Artisan introverts make up 12% of the population.
Rational introverts deal with strategic analysis. They use their minds to organize space and solve problems. They are the "technology" temperament. Some examples of Rational introverts are Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton. I have written several articles about Sir Isaac Newton. [click here]
Rational introverts make up just 2% of the population.
The ones we are going to talk about today are the Idealist introverts because they are so magical.
Idealist introverts are abstract in thought and speech. They are aspirational, positive and oriented toward the future. They long to unite people in peace and love. There are two different types, the Counselor (infj) and the Healer (infp).
Idealist introverts make up just 2% of the population.
INFj AND INFp ... WHAT DO THE LETTERS MEAN?
"i"
Both types are "i" which means "introverted" or energized by being alone.
"n"
Both types are "n" which means their way of processing the world around them is "iNtuitive" rather than sensory. Their natural habitat, so to speak, is the world beyond the five senses ... things that can't be seen, heard, touched, smelled or tasted. Since this ability is beyond the comprehension of the other types, it is usually misunderstood and ill described as with Keirsey who says, "they prefer to leave the practical details of their lives to others and spend their time making inferences, imagining, daydreaming, musing or wondering about things that are not accessible to the five senses."
Hmmm. I think for the most part, it would be fair to say they think we make these things up :-)
"f"
Both types are "f" which means their basis for decision-making is "feeling" vs. "thinking".
"j" or "p"
The difference between the two types of idealists, then, is their need for closure. Infj's are "j" for "judging" and need closure in their life process. Infp's with "p" for perceptive need an open ended life process. Keirsey elaborates, "Myers [the originator of MBTI personality typing] claimed that she confined her usage of the word 'judgment' to mean 'coming to a conclusion' but again and again she used 'judgment' to describe people who make and keep schedules in their daily lives. Myers also used the word 'perception' to describe people who prefer to probe for options and thus not be tied to a schedule."
Both types focus intensely on human potential - that of a few people around them -- and are among the most "introverted" of all types, having exceptionally rich inner lives and little or no desire to be in positions of leadership. It is interesting to note, for example, that an idealist type has never been president of the United States.
Both types of introverted idealists are rare, making up only 1% of the population in each case. [No type makes up more than 13% of the population.] The other group that is this small is the Rational introverts (Masterminds and Architects) who also make up just 1% of the population each.
It is my personal belief that the lower percentages, Rationals and Idealists are on the evolutionary edge. For one thing, it is intuitively obvious (here we go again with the"inf" stuff!) the ability to deal with the world in abstract terms is the wave of the future. We've been moving in that direction since we were cavewomen. The advantage of the technologically gifted Rationals is clear. The advantage of the Idealist is less clear. That's what we're going to look at in this article.
I can make a helpful analogy here with recent findings regarding blood types.40-45% have type O; 35-40% have type A; 4-11% have type B and a very small 0-2% have type AB. [blood types] Under analysis these figures have revealed migration patterns and interactions of ancient hu/man with his/her environment. It is now scientifically clear (as if it weren't always intuitively clear) that O existed first, then A, then B and now AB is emerging, reflecting some kind of physical (blood type) evolution or Darwinism. Temperament theory statistics may reveal a nonphysical Darwinian evolution of the "more fit" in these statistics: Guardians and Artisans make up 38% of the population each while Rationals and Idealists make up 12% each.
We creatures on the Darwinian edge-- Rationals and Idealists -- have both an advantage and a disadvantage. In a certain sense we are adapted to the ways of the future, which is evolving, but on the other hand, the future is not yet here. And therein lies the rub. I have written some articles about this such as Nietzsche: Schizophrenic? Introvert? Or Super Survivor?
Suffice it to say, though we may be better adapted to the realities of the future, we are maladapted to the world defined by "s" types, the present world. I mean to say "maladapted" descriptively, not critically.
For example, in any group of 100 people, say at a tailgate party before the football game, we night meet not a single person who was "like" us. Then again, would we go to something like that? Probably not. If it was a Friday night lecture at Borders on Dream Interpretation, the whole group might be infp's and infj's "like us". The Party Animals would be elsewhere, that's for sure.
Fortunately, we introverts don't look outside ourselves for validation.
Now let's look at the word "idealist" for a minute. This word has several different meanings and connotations, many, it seems, concocted by They Who are Not Idealists and "They" are most certainly in the majority.
This is what dictionary.com says:
One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations.
One who is unrealistic and impractical; a visionary.
An artist or writer whose work is imbued with idealism.
An adherent of any system of philosophical idealism.
One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations.
someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations
Hmmm … "unrealistic", "impractical", "picturesque fancies", "romantic expectations" … this doesn't sound very flattering. Further down the list, a synonym suggested for idealist is "dreamer".
Four of these definitions are, in fact, a real put down. Am I imagining a slight sneer on the lips of the lexicographer? Probably written by a Rational (someone who would be interested in compiling a dictionary), we are defined negatively by what we are not - we are not practical and we are not realistic.
To put this in perspective, why don't we write a dictionary and define realists as people who are "nonidealistic", "lacking in imagination", "bereft of meaning and romance in life", "stuck in the here and now" ?? …
Well, no, we're not practical. So you won't catch us writing any dictionaries. What we are is magical.
Let's look further now, among ourselves - or perhaps some of you are reading this because your child or loved one has been "diagnosed" as an infj or infp. Let's try to understand the real magic of the idealist introvert personality type. Take another look at the list at the top of the page. Think of the contributions of Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Goethe and Gandhi. Can you think of five people across time who had a more profound understanding of human nature?
Idealism is related to the Platonic ideals of ancient Greece-- as described by the philosopher Plato -- which are somewhat like archetypes in a way. One mathematician in a chat group recently said, "Plato thought what we see in the physical world is a dim reflection of the true ideal thing. For example circular objects are crude approximations to the ideal perfect circle. Platonic analysis aims to understand the physical world in terms of the ideals that capture the real essence that is dimly reflected in physical existence. Today the ideal world that captures the true circle is mathematics." Clearly this man is not an idealist personality type. As any intuitive will tell you, there is nothing "dim" about manifest reality reflecting Platonic ideals. Our ideals, our beliefs and their beyond-sensory forms are vivid and infused with life. (See Loved Real.]
Idealists warm to their ideals because they respond to them as potentials waiting to be filled. In our minds, we can draw a straight line from the thing we see in our Mind's Eye to the reality it can become in the future. We specialize in doing this with people. Time and space are not issues.
Kenneth Silber, in an article entitled Searching for Bobby Fischer's Platonic Form, published online at TechCentralStation had this to say about Platonic ideals. "No doubt, many college freshmen have rolled their eyes at the uselessness of Philosophy 101 when asked whether there exist perfect circles or other ideal entities. But a great deal rides on the longstanding philosophical debate about abstract objects. If, say, the number 12 has an existence independent of its particular manifestations in egg cartons and the like, then a view that the world consists solely of physical objects is inadequate."
"Indeed", says the idealist, who barely relates to the physical plane, rolling his or her eyes.
Silber, the realist, continues, "This has potential religious implications; in a recent TCS essay, Edward Feser identified Platonism, or belief in a realm of abstract entities, as a key assumption underlying Western religion." [emphasis mine]
An interest in the higher realms is, indeed, a characteristic of the idealists and a critical key to understanding their approach to "reality". The InfjInfp YahooGroup buzzes with talk about negative matter, extra dimensions, exotic energy sources, possible uses for becs, quantum computers, loopholes in relativity, space elevators, great unsolved math problems, consciousness, REIKI, Tarot cards and so much more!
Recently a new member Stela wrote, "I have never tried Reiki, but it is interesting to read about it. I am interested in healing and debate with myself about what type of healing I would like to do. Currently I am thinking about training as a nutritionist and using nutrition and herbs for healing. I also think that using prayer to diagnose and heal is interesting. Actually many kinds of alternative healing intrigue me. Has anyone ever thought of becoming a naturopath or naturopathic doctor?"
Another member Linda wrote, typically, and I don't "correct" email quotes because I think email is all about relaxed and casual, "I am into poetry (both reading and writing), music, reading, laughing whenever I can (Strangers w Candy, Mad TV, SCTV etc), and learning new things. I prefer the mystical poets like Rumi, Gibran, Hafiz along w some contemporary poets, McKuen, Bob Dylan. My musical tastes diverse and eclectic -no specific genre. My list of favorites is about 2 paragraphs long! I like to discuss current issues and mystical, philosophical issues too. I'm a Discovery Planet Specials junkie and realize that what we experience here is merely a blip in time." She signs her email, "In Light".
Certainly the group leans to discussing the "unseen". But here the age-old misunderstanding surfaces - there are those who think we prefer an "ideal" world because it is "unseen" and that we shrink with distaste from the "messy, familiar world" of blood, sweat, tears, mucus and semen. They think we would prefer to worship our beloved at a distance and without the "inconvenience" of a physical body as in Platonic love. Ha!
One of the most fascinating infps in my opinion is Hans Christian Andersen. His fairy tales, far from watered down Disney are the real thing, for those who have eyes to see and this may be only those with the subtle qualities on the inf's. "Fairy tales are not real, or even realistic," says Amanda Craig in The Uses of Enchantment at her BLOG, "[but they are not] as many people still believe, an escape from reality. They are another way of getting you to think about real difficulties.
Indeed. Craig reveals by her statement that she's no "inf" but June is.
June, a Slovakian currently living in Germany, learned to read just so she could feast for her self -- to her heart's content -- on Andersen's Rose Elf, which her mother felt was too dark to read to her. Somehow June knew this "fairy tale" would map her territory accurately. Idealist introvert personality types are uniquely concerned with problems of good and evil.
Another client, Rosemarie, says, "I was utterly fascinated by The Red Shoes from the moment I first saw the movie (based reliably on Andersen's fairy tale of the same name). "I was four years old when the movie came out. I can't imagine how I found it a few years later but I begged to watch it many times. I was actually embarrassed to reveal to my parents how much I wanted to see the movie again. It must have been my first experience of obsession. Today at 60 the story is still unfolding for me as it explains me to myself again and again through the years. It is a timeless story of the truth of my existence. I'm an infp and we are very intense people, easily obsessed. We have our dark passions and so forth. This is also one of our greatest strengths."
John, a 24 year old graduate student, chats up the Platonic ideals this way in his BLOG Discursive Parallax (I'm not sure you're ready for this -- I don't believe John is a Communications major): "Plato screwed the pooch when he came up with his essentialist philosophy. Platonic formalism holds that we experience a reality consisting of particular, imperfect reflections of universal, abstract ideals. Plato gave us an epistemological nightmare where we let distinctions between essentialist abstractions and experienced diversity blur, allowing dangerous conflations of Platonic ideals and inescapably imperfect particulars: the Platonic illusion.
"Personally, I'm convinced that the most debilitating of all Platonic illusions," John contnues, "can be described with three words - Perfect Girl Syndrome."
In simple English, Plato describes a world of "essentials", by which is really meant "essences" as in "I get the essence of what John is trying to say." These essentials are like patterns or blueprints of things that show up "later" in reality, though in the world of the idealist, time and space are often quite irrelevant. The infps I know have a horrible problem with time. Anyway, what I think John is trying to say is that his real pool of possible dates may differ significantly from Helen of Troy. Nonetheless, they are dates. Despite his protestations against idealism, by the way, John lists The Princess Bride as one of his favorite movies, so I guess we know who he is.
The kind of essentials we feel Plato was referring to are self evident to the idealist but let me try to put it into words for those of us who are groping for a concept of ourselves as idealists and how really different we are.
To the temperament type idealist, Plato's ideals are not "perfect" so much as they are blueprints and prototypes. I leave the philosophical idealists to their own devices from here on out. This issue of perfection is where the realists' choo choo really leaves the tracks. Idealists aren't interested in perfection. They are interested in potential, their own and someone else's.
Idealists value personal growth, authenticity and integrity. They yearn to develop themselves fully as individuals and facilitate growth in others. In this regard they refer to a not visible "pattern" of what they think a human being can and should be. They believe human beings can evolve into something "better than", "more than" but there is no end to this possiblity of evolution. In this sense, people will never be "perfect" because their potential, if realized, will promote further evolution. I believe that Carl Jung discusses this phenomenon in relation to God Him/Herself in his book Answer to Job.
click bookcover to order directly
Let's take a more concrete example. Let's take the example of a house. I want a house. I go looking. I don't find anything I like. Well, not in my price range. I'm realistic about this. So I think, maybe I'll build one myself. I go down to Home Depot or get on the internet and look for some house plans. Hmmm. Nothing there. Go looking for an architect. Find one with templates. That won't do. Wait. Listen to my intuition. Follow its clues. Mostly dead ends. Relax. Wait. Believe I can find what I want. It's out there somewhere. Someone tells me about an architect who specializes in small, unique, affordable housing. She's an independently wealthy visionary who adores doing these kinds of houses because they are her forté, something she believes in, and she gets international awards for them. This woman comes up with a plan that suits me to a "T", including the price. She gets so excited about it, she gives me a bridge loan to cover some of the costs until I can get the financing I want. This is a true story by the way. It happened to one of my idealist introvert clients and it could not happen to a realist, who would have stopped or compromised when s/he couldn't find an existing home that met the specs. Of course I am speaking symbolically as well. I am speaking about all the things that can't be seen, heard, touched, tasted and felt in a tactile sense.
As an idealist healer, this is a process I try to teach those who come to my classes.
Idealists seek higher and higher ground, more abstract sources for the things they want to manifest in their lives and if necessary, are not above changing the blueprint or seeking a "higher authority", even, as Jung implies, creating a better blueprint for a god. Thus Jahweh yields to a merciful Christ.
Perfection and escape are not the goal. Imagination and evolution are the goal.
Why are idealists so influential? Because everyone who drives by my new house may think a little more enthusiastically and imaginatively about what is possible in their own lives in the way of housing and eventually -- with a leap of intuition -- across the specturm of their life.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it so succinctly, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are only small matters compared to what lies within us." As idealists, we are about digging this out of ourselves and others. "Oh man, there is no planet, sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are," says Emerson, that great inhabitant of the world beyond the five senses.
It was reading Emerson's Essay on Friendship, by the way, that first opened up my intuition. It begins with these unforgettable words, "We have a great deal more kindness than is ever spoken. Maugre all the selfishness that chills like east winds the world, the whole human family is bathed with an element of love like a fine ether. How many persons we meet in houses, whom we scarcely speak to, whom yet we honor, and who honor us! How many we see in the street, or sit with in church, whom, though silently, we warmly rejoice to be with! Read the language of these wandering eye-beams. The heart knoweth." Emerson taught me to read the language of the wandering eye-beams.
To move our discussion to a more subtle and profound plane, I would like to tell you a very short story from Thomas Cleary's introduction to his translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War. According to this old story …
"… a lord of ancient China once asked his physician, a member of a family of healers, which of them was the most skilled in the art.
"The physician, whose reputation was such that his name became synonymous with medical science in China, replied, 'My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out of the house.
"'My elder brother cures sickness when it is still extremely minute, so his name does not get out of the neighbor hood.
"'As for me, I puncture veins, prescribe potions, and massage skin, so from time to time my name gets out and is heard among the lords.'"
In this story, you, the idealist, are the eldest brother, the one who sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, the one who sees war before it starts and stops it, the one who sees a way to get the "ideal"
house built within budget, the one who evokes a higher god ... the one who changes the blueprint.
Nelson Mandela describes it this way. "A leader … is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing all along they are being directed from behind." Or from jail. Or in a chance encounter at the grocery store that changes the way they think forever after. This is why your name also does not get out of the house.
This is the magic of the idealist. Is it any surprise there has never been an idealist president? Such work is better left to the Guardians and Artisans. Our names never get out of the house.
The influence of the idealists is more profound than ever a Guardian or Artisan could possibly imagine or hope for, for to change the blueprint is to change the future.
A list of healers who work at the blueprint level:
THE SUNHEALER - DNA healing
REBECCA BRENTS - Enchanted Spirit
PATRICIA DARROW - Diana's Den
SANDY AQUILA - The Om Center in Omaha
Added note: 11/18/2004
QUOTED and EXCERPTED from Tap3Times (no longer on the web) The less frequent types find their infrequency an obstacle to their development. In the general population, there may be three extraverts to every introvert and three sensing types to every intuitive...
Unless the introverts with intuition are stoutly skeptical of the mass assumption that a difference is an inferiority, their faith in their type will diminish. They will not trust and exercise their preferences, which, accordingly, will not be developed enough to be beneficial. These people are cheated out of the successful undertakings that would give them faith in their type.
Nancy's comment: This is a critical statement -- their preferences .... will not be developed enough to be beneficial. How does one develop intuition? I have an online course with this objective. Please email me for information. I can help you with this! I've been teaching people for 25 years how to develop their intuition.
The Tap3Times article continues:
Their usual way of adapting is this:
trying to change their type (resulting in a phenomenon Pederson (1993, p. 231) calls the 'turn-type)' -- also see www.benziger.org for her ongoing work with"falsifying type" and the tremendous toll it will take on your health
trying to "pass" as another socially valued type
simply leaving organizations or finding lifestyles that require minimal organizational involvement; or
accepting ill-suited roles in organizations and thereby risking a greater potential for failure than an individual might encounter in a role suited to his/her capacities and orientation.
Please contact me if you'd like to be added to this lis or would like to recommend someone.
What others have said about this article:
6.6.2004 Very inspiring! It's good to hear such an ego boost (my newly determined INFJness revels in it). I especially enjoyed the quotes. Will have to check out that Emerson essay! High school lit really ruined a great thinker for me. One more thing- do you really think that we're the next phase in evolution, like some kind of X-men made real? I'm not so sure. What kind of a society would need a profusion of introverted idealists? My sense is that we're rare for a reason, one unlikely to change given the fundamentals of civilization. Can't wait to explore the rest of your site. Feel free to contact me via the above email, too. -- Russ
[Nancy's note: The more important question is, "What kind of society would introverted idealists create?" ... if you can connect the dots here!]
9.26.2004 Nelson Mendela-what a man. Leading the flock as the shephard from the back letting the fearless leap while being the watchful eye of safety. Making the sacrifices and staying the course for freedom. Not made to be leaders? I know those fears. I am like Moses and wonder especially these days if anything I do as a leader makes any sense. But then I look at the eyes of my daughter with Down Syndrome and I know I need to stop whining and start leading from the back of the flock. Because she is the true leader and all I need to do is trust that somehow leading from the back means something. For truly we are the most powerful leaders. We have no other choice but to show the way. At least I feel I have no other choice. Yes that is who we are. The watchful eye shaping lives without even realizing because the WORLD of 5 senses tells us we are not made to be leaders. But who else can really raise the level of integrity in the room just by a raised eyebrow or a head nod or a shoulder shrug or a steady stare? Can you imagine a president who as an idealist would lead the group of Guardians and Artisans who would follow like disciples and really heal and build and what our world could be!!! (There goes that intensity again) Spirit help us all we so need an IDEALIST who has not forgotten the MAGIC -- Kati
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Here Comes The Science
Function Theme Remedy MBTI Types
N Introverted Intuition Archetypical origination Luxi-C. Blue/Red shift © INTP / INFP
The personality type with introverted intuition as primary function has the clearest view, comparable with inner light, on archetypes originating from his inner nature, the person perceives these as abstract images and is able to know the meaning of them; this is a matter of recognizing this inner quality. The human psyche contains all the archetypes, or abstract images, which are found in the universe; it is a matter of space (extraverted thinking, 2nd function) or time (extraverted feeling, 2nd function) to take advantage of them. Archetypes are his subjects. They are often playful because of the mostly immature developed instincts.
In practice this means that such a person is often misunderstood (if he would even understand himself) because people (mostly sensing types) don't understand what he says or does. The ways he or she thinks or feels are quite original and seem sometimes far from the real world but maybe very close to the real meaning underlying it.
Structure: shadow Close to shadow, but further from his superego. Knows imperfections well but needs time to develop conscience.
Basic value: Situation, instinct He understands the cause of his constitution well with insight in his or her instincts.
N Introverted Intuition Archetypical origination Luxi-C. Blue/Red shift © INTP / INFP
The personality type with introverted intuition as primary function has the clearest view, comparable with inner light, on archetypes originating from his inner nature, the person perceives these as abstract images and is able to know the meaning of them; this is a matter of recognizing this inner quality. The human psyche contains all the archetypes, or abstract images, which are found in the universe; it is a matter of space (extraverted thinking, 2nd function) or time (extraverted feeling, 2nd function) to take advantage of them. Archetypes are his subjects. They are often playful because of the mostly immature developed instincts.
In practice this means that such a person is often misunderstood (if he would even understand himself) because people (mostly sensing types) don't understand what he says or does. The ways he or she thinks or feels are quite original and seem sometimes far from the real world but maybe very close to the real meaning underlying it.
Structure: shadow Close to shadow, but further from his superego. Knows imperfections well but needs time to develop conscience.
Basic value: Situation, instinct He understands the cause of his constitution well with insight in his or her instincts.
A Study of Gifted INFPs
IINFP Personality Type in Gifted People
On the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, INFP is rare personality type, found in only about
4 % of the general population. Yet, of the possible 16 types, it is the one most frequently found for gifted people. This scarcity, coupled with their extreme intelligence, renders them seldom understood, and thus, rarely validated in relationships.
The following material is based on qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with eight highly gifted INFP adults and my clinical experience consulting with families of gifted people for 25 years including administering and interpreting personality type indicators with families of approximately 400 gifted children.
Representative abbreviated responses to their preferences and life experiences show:
This personality type affects their learning styles by: liking to concentrate on projects, and learn with a long range vision in mind; and disliking details. They are especially interested in possibilities for people. They need teachers to be flexible and love to explore ideas, things or places. They also need to have the personal feeling of being appreciated understand concepts or situations before experiencing them. They tend not to like competition and are bored with routine. They may be slow in answering because they need to consider the many possibilities.
School experiences were greatly about their relationship with their teachers, respect and encouragement. In school, lack of confidence and social isolation was evidenced in several recollections: °I felt like an outsider. I was respected, but I wasn't popular. °I was really fearful; terrified of school. I cried most days up through third grade. Nothing could have externally been scaring me. It was more internal disposition that I was bringing. ...I was really self conscious. °I had a lot of difficult experiences. (Difficulty) forming a sense of identity for myself. °I didn't feel there were enough people like me. °I didn't feel popular."
These INFPs are striving for self identity. Inquiry showed that they are high in feeling like they are impostors. Taking the MBTI gave them relief and legitimacy. Interpretation validated their right to be who they are and soothed their self concept. Subjects also had great enthusiasm for the interview process.
These INFPs described themselves as: a survivor, I believe in beauty; thoughtful, creative, SENSITIVE, loving, helpful, reflective, warm hearted, smart, a perfectionist, good friend, generous, caring, compassionate, reflective, warm hearted, loyal, kind, responsible, nice.
In response to: What are some of your personal qualities that you would like to be different? : ° I wish I were more confident; weren't so sensitive; not be as hard on myself; not so insecure; not take things personally all the time; less sensitive; a little more organized; being a procrastinator.
In interpersonal relationships, INFPs tend to make deep commitments and are concerned about relationships and harmony. The people they prize most are those who take the time to understand their values and the goals they are working toward. They had the least confidence that they are actually being helpful to other people. Males can be seen by others as too gentle, passive and may lack the qualities associated with traditional maleness.
For ways you sometimes feel misunderstood by other people, responses included: °I feel misunderstood a lot! °I could do a dissertation on that! In one way, it's when people don't know who I am. I guess they take me for something I'm not. °When I say what I want and people don't hear it. °People think I'm more confident than I am. °I'm more sensitive than other people think I am. °I'm more hurt. °Why do I Always Need to Explain?' is my theme song. °A lot of people are driven by things. I'm coming from a different perspective. It's like the whole base there is not understood.
What are some of your recurrent difficulties in your interpersonal relationships?: Several said that they tend to be more unmerciful and severe on themselves than they are on others. °Too busy, Can't give enough time to others. °I get really hurt; I'm sensitive. °People think I can handle it. °I don't have as much confidence as people think I have. °I'm impatient when working with other people because I work by myself a lot. °Going off on tangents; being different; non specific; I change my mind. °I like working by myself.
In response to, "What would you secretly like to tell people about how to relate well to you," qualities of self concepts and interpersonal relationships were illustrated: °Be patient, allow craziness; I'll come around. I'm processing inward. °Be honest. Do not make me a victim. °Be gentler with me. Understand me, accept me the way I am, and help me to accept myself. °Just be themselves, honest. °Listen and not prejudge things; really listen.
Responses to, How would you like people to remember you? summarize the composite of these people. Their legacies are portrayed by: °How much I loved. °As a nice person and someone who had good ideas. °That I tried. °I want people to be better because they met me, not worse. °As somebody who cared, and as somebody who people thought loved them. °As having made a difference in their life...that I've made a difference in the world. °Caring, empathetic, trustworthy, insightful, always seeking the truth.
In conclusion, these are deep, complex, somewhat melancholy people who are hard to understand.
©2004 Elizabeth A. Meckstroth
On the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, INFP is rare personality type, found in only about
4 % of the general population. Yet, of the possible 16 types, it is the one most frequently found for gifted people. This scarcity, coupled with their extreme intelligence, renders them seldom understood, and thus, rarely validated in relationships.
The following material is based on qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with eight highly gifted INFP adults and my clinical experience consulting with families of gifted people for 25 years including administering and interpreting personality type indicators with families of approximately 400 gifted children.
Representative abbreviated responses to their preferences and life experiences show:
This personality type affects their learning styles by: liking to concentrate on projects, and learn with a long range vision in mind; and disliking details. They are especially interested in possibilities for people. They need teachers to be flexible and love to explore ideas, things or places. They also need to have the personal feeling of being appreciated understand concepts or situations before experiencing them. They tend not to like competition and are bored with routine. They may be slow in answering because they need to consider the many possibilities.
School experiences were greatly about their relationship with their teachers, respect and encouragement. In school, lack of confidence and social isolation was evidenced in several recollections: °I felt like an outsider. I was respected, but I wasn't popular. °I was really fearful; terrified of school. I cried most days up through third grade. Nothing could have externally been scaring me. It was more internal disposition that I was bringing. ...I was really self conscious. °I had a lot of difficult experiences. (Difficulty) forming a sense of identity for myself. °I didn't feel there were enough people like me. °I didn't feel popular."
These INFPs are striving for self identity. Inquiry showed that they are high in feeling like they are impostors. Taking the MBTI gave them relief and legitimacy. Interpretation validated their right to be who they are and soothed their self concept. Subjects also had great enthusiasm for the interview process.
These INFPs described themselves as: a survivor, I believe in beauty; thoughtful, creative, SENSITIVE, loving, helpful, reflective, warm hearted, smart, a perfectionist, good friend, generous, caring, compassionate, reflective, warm hearted, loyal, kind, responsible, nice.
In response to: What are some of your personal qualities that you would like to be different? : ° I wish I were more confident; weren't so sensitive; not be as hard on myself; not so insecure; not take things personally all the time; less sensitive; a little more organized; being a procrastinator.
In interpersonal relationships, INFPs tend to make deep commitments and are concerned about relationships and harmony. The people they prize most are those who take the time to understand their values and the goals they are working toward. They had the least confidence that they are actually being helpful to other people. Males can be seen by others as too gentle, passive and may lack the qualities associated with traditional maleness.
For ways you sometimes feel misunderstood by other people, responses included: °I feel misunderstood a lot! °I could do a dissertation on that! In one way, it's when people don't know who I am. I guess they take me for something I'm not. °When I say what I want and people don't hear it. °People think I'm more confident than I am. °I'm more sensitive than other people think I am. °I'm more hurt. °Why do I Always Need to Explain?' is my theme song. °A lot of people are driven by things. I'm coming from a different perspective. It's like the whole base there is not understood.
What are some of your recurrent difficulties in your interpersonal relationships?: Several said that they tend to be more unmerciful and severe on themselves than they are on others. °Too busy, Can't give enough time to others. °I get really hurt; I'm sensitive. °People think I can handle it. °I don't have as much confidence as people think I have. °I'm impatient when working with other people because I work by myself a lot. °Going off on tangents; being different; non specific; I change my mind. °I like working by myself.
In response to, "What would you secretly like to tell people about how to relate well to you," qualities of self concepts and interpersonal relationships were illustrated: °Be patient, allow craziness; I'll come around. I'm processing inward. °Be honest. Do not make me a victim. °Be gentler with me. Understand me, accept me the way I am, and help me to accept myself. °Just be themselves, honest. °Listen and not prejudge things; really listen.
Responses to, How would you like people to remember you? summarize the composite of these people. Their legacies are portrayed by: °How much I loved. °As a nice person and someone who had good ideas. °That I tried. °I want people to be better because they met me, not worse. °As somebody who cared, and as somebody who people thought loved them. °As having made a difference in their life...that I've made a difference in the world. °Caring, empathetic, trustworthy, insightful, always seeking the truth.
In conclusion, these are deep, complex, somewhat melancholy people who are hard to understand.
©2004 Elizabeth A. Meckstroth
INFP ~ Love
If You Are the INFP: Idealistic Philosopher
"Love is the perfect place: quiet, peaceful, and kind."
You Are Someone Who:
Enjoys the arts, philosophy, and psychology
Needs to have a crusade (or mission) in life.
Is sensitive.
Is idealistic.
Is generally easy-going until your values are violated.
Tends to have high expectations regarding your loved one.
If You Are Female, Your Best Matches Are:
INFPs: Idealistic Philosophers
ENJFs: Growth Teachers (Page 13)
ENFPs: Social Philosophers (Page 11)
INFJs: Mystic Writers (Page 9)
If You are Male, Your Best Matches Are:
INFJs
"Love is the perfect place: quiet, peaceful, and kind."
You Are Someone Who:
Enjoys the arts, philosophy, and psychology
Needs to have a crusade (or mission) in life.
Is sensitive.
Is idealistic.
Is generally easy-going until your values are violated.
Tends to have high expectations regarding your loved one.
If You Are Female, Your Best Matches Are:
INFPs: Idealistic Philosophers
ENJFs: Growth Teachers (Page 13)
ENFPs: Social Philosophers (Page 11)
INFJs: Mystic Writers (Page 9)
If You are Male, Your Best Matches Are:
INFJs
The INFP in a Nutshell
BASICS
I’m going to present INFP qualities in a list format because I have found reading a paragraph when you are digging for some important, quick information, can be difficult, well it can be irritating! So let us take a look at a list of personality traits for INFPs. This type:
Is naturally empathetic and compassionate
Is quietly and very idealistically watching everything
Is naturally skilled communicators drawn to new ideas
Is future oriented may struggle with in-the-moment practical thinking
Is looking for meaning in absolutely everything and everyone
Needs to believe they have contributed something to life
Is deeply concerned with harmony and maintaining harmony is critical
May appear at times to be aloof and cool, but still water run deep
Does not have great respect for rules and regulations per se
Is typically attracted to the abstract and symbolic
Usually very open minded with a classless approach to people/society
Now do you see yourself/someone else in the above basic list of personality traits??
What we really begin to see with personality type is emerging patterns of behaving and using our brains. The INFP way is natural, instinctive, beautiful, created to be this way. Let us continue.
Mottos Are Fun
For the INFP these mottos or things to put on their battle flag might be: “Still Waters Do Run Deep”, “Meaning In Life”, “Symbols Are Real”, to name a few.
Let us make another list of personality traits, INFPs:
Are reasoning and making decisions with feeling and compassion focused on maintaining harmony
Will follow-through and fulfill commitments
Will have difficulty (sometimes great difficulty) facing repeated strife and disharmony
Usually are very cooperative people unless strife is constant and extreme
Will more easily see human potential and can quietly work to bring that about
Creativity is not foreign to them and they express it in various ways
Typically appreciate freedom in their lives to “live” their “ideals”
Now, my friend, the INFP not only behaves in the above manner…THEY NATURALLY EXPECT EVERYONE ELSE TO DO THE SAME!!
So, what happens when they see that many others do not behave that way?? (only 4-5% of America’s population is this type) Answer: Different levels of stress, confusion, irritation, etc.; typically nothing this type can’t handle. So, this is a NATURAL reaction on the part of this type, they are not doing anything wrong.
More Stuff The INFP:
In relationships, are usually compassionate, adaptable and sensitive
In relationships, are very warm and deeply value friendship once a relationship is established
In relationships, they value family, children, commitment, loyalty and love
In relationships, they can become in love with the “idea” of love
In relationships, they have a strong idea of right and wrong; but, that may be difficult at first to see in them
In relationships, they are flexible and can become irritated with too much routine, rules, and structure
Has a natural awareness of the joys and sufferings of others
Under Stress The INFP:
May become even less Introverted and more Extraverted, and verbally “attack”
May bit off more than they can chew when under stress
Will become rigid and perfectionist, feel very inadequate and self-critical
May become explosively critical of others under extreme stress
May begin to take everything very personally and feel hurt
If this type is you, wonderful, perhaps you now have a better understanding of yourself, and perhaps you can use that increased understanding in many positive ways.
If you see someone else as this type but not you, please pay attention to the differences between your personality and the INFP. Try to see that your way and the INFPway are natural and just fine! Look for the positive differences, the strengthsthis type brings to your type. Celebrate that because it cannot be changed and can add wonderful diversity and truth to your life!!
I’m going to present INFP qualities in a list format because I have found reading a paragraph when you are digging for some important, quick information, can be difficult, well it can be irritating! So let us take a look at a list of personality traits for INFPs. This type:
Is naturally empathetic and compassionate
Is quietly and very idealistically watching everything
Is naturally skilled communicators drawn to new ideas
Is future oriented may struggle with in-the-moment practical thinking
Is looking for meaning in absolutely everything and everyone
Needs to believe they have contributed something to life
Is deeply concerned with harmony and maintaining harmony is critical
May appear at times to be aloof and cool, but still water run deep
Does not have great respect for rules and regulations per se
Is typically attracted to the abstract and symbolic
Usually very open minded with a classless approach to people/society
Now do you see yourself/someone else in the above basic list of personality traits??
What we really begin to see with personality type is emerging patterns of behaving and using our brains. The INFP way is natural, instinctive, beautiful, created to be this way. Let us continue.
Mottos Are Fun
For the INFP these mottos or things to put on their battle flag might be: “Still Waters Do Run Deep”, “Meaning In Life”, “Symbols Are Real”, to name a few.
Let us make another list of personality traits, INFPs:
Are reasoning and making decisions with feeling and compassion focused on maintaining harmony
Will follow-through and fulfill commitments
Will have difficulty (sometimes great difficulty) facing repeated strife and disharmony
Usually are very cooperative people unless strife is constant and extreme
Will more easily see human potential and can quietly work to bring that about
Creativity is not foreign to them and they express it in various ways
Typically appreciate freedom in their lives to “live” their “ideals”
Now, my friend, the INFP not only behaves in the above manner…THEY NATURALLY EXPECT EVERYONE ELSE TO DO THE SAME!!
So, what happens when they see that many others do not behave that way?? (only 4-5% of America’s population is this type) Answer: Different levels of stress, confusion, irritation, etc.; typically nothing this type can’t handle. So, this is a NATURAL reaction on the part of this type, they are not doing anything wrong.
More Stuff The INFP:
In relationships, are usually compassionate, adaptable and sensitive
In relationships, are very warm and deeply value friendship once a relationship is established
In relationships, they value family, children, commitment, loyalty and love
In relationships, they can become in love with the “idea” of love
In relationships, they have a strong idea of right and wrong; but, that may be difficult at first to see in them
In relationships, they are flexible and can become irritated with too much routine, rules, and structure
Has a natural awareness of the joys and sufferings of others
Under Stress The INFP:
May become even less Introverted and more Extraverted, and verbally “attack”
May bit off more than they can chew when under stress
Will become rigid and perfectionist, feel very inadequate and self-critical
May become explosively critical of others under extreme stress
May begin to take everything very personally and feel hurt
If this type is you, wonderful, perhaps you now have a better understanding of yourself, and perhaps you can use that increased understanding in many positive ways.
If you see someone else as this type but not you, please pay attention to the differences between your personality and the INFP. Try to see that your way and the INFPway are natural and just fine! Look for the positive differences, the strengthsthis type brings to your type. Celebrate that because it cannot be changed and can add wonderful diversity and truth to your life!!
How To Deal With an INFP
Because the INFP tends to extrovert their iNtuition (they can reveal out loud the possibilities that they are imagining when they imagine them) to the world yet at the same time introvert their Feeling decision-making (not reveal the values and processes they really hold), they can seem to others that the possibilities they suggest are really decisions. Because they say things (possibilities) they don't necessarily believe, it is crucial to verify with them if some of their statements are truly decisions or judgements.
In order to help the INFP feel good about themselves, it is necessary to tell them verbally that you care about them. They need a great deal of positive affirmation and can become very self-conscious and insecure and lost without it. Some say that they 'can't do anything right' and feel very depressed amd lonely.
In conflict, keep in mind that, if pressured, the INFP may try to change the subject and escape. It is best to treat them very gently and lightly discuss the subject at hand without seeming angry or upset with them. When they feel very cornered, their usually sweet exterior rapidly changes and they begin to lash out. Do not take this behaviour harshly, for this happens only under very rare circumstances and when the INFP feels they have no other choice. If they feel they have shared their feelings in a kind and loving environment without being criticized for them, they often feel quite content and calm.
In order to help the INFP feel good about themselves, it is necessary to tell them verbally that you care about them. They need a great deal of positive affirmation and can become very self-conscious and insecure and lost without it. Some say that they 'can't do anything right' and feel very depressed amd lonely.
In conflict, keep in mind that, if pressured, the INFP may try to change the subject and escape. It is best to treat them very gently and lightly discuss the subject at hand without seeming angry or upset with them. When they feel very cornered, their usually sweet exterior rapidly changes and they begin to lash out. Do not take this behaviour harshly, for this happens only under very rare circumstances and when the INFP feels they have no other choice. If they feel they have shared their feelings in a kind and loving environment without being criticized for them, they often feel quite content and calm.
INFP Occupationally
OCCUPATIONAL CHOICES
Actor
Artist
Architect
Church Worker
College Professor: Humanities/Art
Counselor
Editor
Educational Consultant
Employment Development Specialist
English Teacher
Fine Arts Teacher
Human Resources Development Specialist
Journalist
Librarian
Minister/Priest
Missionary
Musician
Psychiatry
Psychologist
Religious Educator
Researcher
Social Scientist
Social Worker
Speech Pathologist
Writer: poet/Novelist
STRENGTHS:
They can do a good job of blending production with compassion for the work force. They enjoy giving freedom for each to develop according to their own personality and are willing to give commendation and have a listening ear for new ideas. They are able to communicate well with others on a one to one basis.
They are intellectually astute, competent, and enriched with idealism.
They have a high need to be of service to others. They enjoy working toward causes they believe in.
They work well alone, and are faithful to their duties and obligations.
WEAKNESSES:
When the workplace becomes negative, they may become restless. They can have mood swings between stubbornness and criticism. This is uncharacteristic of their nature and is an indicator of stress.
They are perfectionists. They may be self-critical. They feel there is never enough time to do the job right. They must recognize when to quit, and live with a less than perfect product. They also must realize that others will never fully meet up to their expectations.
They may become discouraged if their work is not geared toward something they believe in. They want control of their projects, and if they lose control they can lose interest.
They may have trouble working in a competitive environment.
They may become unrealistic when planning a project. They may become inflexible when requested to change some of their ideas.
CAREER NEEDS
They need work that allows them to express their vision, and lets them work within their own set of values and beliefs.
They need work that gives them control over the product and the process of creating it, allowing them time to fully develop their ideas
They need work that gives them a private space and uninterrupted time, but allows them from time to time to meet with ones they respect, and bounce their ideas off them.
They need work that gives them a flexible schedule, with no restraint to rules and regulations, and allows them to work as they feel inspired.
They need work that is done in a tension free environment, with other creative caring individuals.
They need work that let them be original, and that encourages personal growth and rewards it.
They need work that gives them time to do the best possible job, and that doesn't call for them to do presentations of their ideas before large crowds.
They need work that lets them help others to learn how to grow and develop their full potential.
They need work that allows them to develop deep one to one relationships with people, letting them understand others and discover what makes them tick.
They need work that allows them to fulfill their ideas, without being limited by money, time, or other obstacles.
IN THE WORKPLACE
INFPs enjoy working alone, treasuring the opportunity for contemplation. They enjoy variety in whatever they do. They enjoy taking on new projects and activities, but have a tendency to take on too many things at once. They get a sense of satisfaction from the fact that nothing is constant, which means they can positively influence a cause in a positive or constructive way.
INFPs are loyal and industrious team players. They work hard to achieve team harmony and make their work meaningful. They are encouraged from approval from others, but when criticized they may be deeply hurt, taking such criticism personally.
INFPs can be powerful leaders when dealing with people and drawing people together to achieve their purpose.
INFPs lead with people in mind. They look to the individual growth and development and will look for a way to encourage and support such growth. They may tend to relate with a few special people, being drawn to their causes and goals. They quietly encourage these individuals to achieve whatever they set out to do.
INFPs manage in a very quiet unassuming way, getting personally involved with individuals within the organization. They are at their best dealing with people, drawing out their outstanding qualities. They are naturally tuned into the motivations and emotions of others, having a gift at understanding individual differences.
Because INFPs are focused in on people's emotions and motivations, they become aware of and get involved in their co-workers personal problems. They may feel obligated at resolving disagreements and conflicts among employees, trying to create an atmosphere of harmony. INFPs listen carefully and intently to others, giving them individual attentions and responding with the proper feedback for the needed situation. They masterfully show appreciation and give praise when they find the appropriate opportunity. they direct their praise toward human accomplishment. They are alert to individual potential and look for ways to help individuals meet that potential.
Actor
Artist
Architect
Church Worker
College Professor: Humanities/Art
Counselor
Editor
Educational Consultant
Employment Development Specialist
English Teacher
Fine Arts Teacher
Human Resources Development Specialist
Journalist
Librarian
Minister/Priest
Missionary
Musician
Psychiatry
Psychologist
Religious Educator
Researcher
Social Scientist
Social Worker
Speech Pathologist
Writer: poet/Novelist
STRENGTHS:
They can do a good job of blending production with compassion for the work force. They enjoy giving freedom for each to develop according to their own personality and are willing to give commendation and have a listening ear for new ideas. They are able to communicate well with others on a one to one basis.
They are intellectually astute, competent, and enriched with idealism.
They have a high need to be of service to others. They enjoy working toward causes they believe in.
They work well alone, and are faithful to their duties and obligations.
WEAKNESSES:
When the workplace becomes negative, they may become restless. They can have mood swings between stubbornness and criticism. This is uncharacteristic of their nature and is an indicator of stress.
They are perfectionists. They may be self-critical. They feel there is never enough time to do the job right. They must recognize when to quit, and live with a less than perfect product. They also must realize that others will never fully meet up to their expectations.
They may become discouraged if their work is not geared toward something they believe in. They want control of their projects, and if they lose control they can lose interest.
They may have trouble working in a competitive environment.
They may become unrealistic when planning a project. They may become inflexible when requested to change some of their ideas.
CAREER NEEDS
They need work that allows them to express their vision, and lets them work within their own set of values and beliefs.
They need work that gives them control over the product and the process of creating it, allowing them time to fully develop their ideas
They need work that gives them a private space and uninterrupted time, but allows them from time to time to meet with ones they respect, and bounce their ideas off them.
They need work that gives them a flexible schedule, with no restraint to rules and regulations, and allows them to work as they feel inspired.
They need work that is done in a tension free environment, with other creative caring individuals.
They need work that let them be original, and that encourages personal growth and rewards it.
They need work that gives them time to do the best possible job, and that doesn't call for them to do presentations of their ideas before large crowds.
They need work that lets them help others to learn how to grow and develop their full potential.
They need work that allows them to develop deep one to one relationships with people, letting them understand others and discover what makes them tick.
They need work that allows them to fulfill their ideas, without being limited by money, time, or other obstacles.
IN THE WORKPLACE
INFPs enjoy working alone, treasuring the opportunity for contemplation. They enjoy variety in whatever they do. They enjoy taking on new projects and activities, but have a tendency to take on too many things at once. They get a sense of satisfaction from the fact that nothing is constant, which means they can positively influence a cause in a positive or constructive way.
INFPs are loyal and industrious team players. They work hard to achieve team harmony and make their work meaningful. They are encouraged from approval from others, but when criticized they may be deeply hurt, taking such criticism personally.
INFPs can be powerful leaders when dealing with people and drawing people together to achieve their purpose.
INFPs lead with people in mind. They look to the individual growth and development and will look for a way to encourage and support such growth. They may tend to relate with a few special people, being drawn to their causes and goals. They quietly encourage these individuals to achieve whatever they set out to do.
INFPs manage in a very quiet unassuming way, getting personally involved with individuals within the organization. They are at their best dealing with people, drawing out their outstanding qualities. They are naturally tuned into the motivations and emotions of others, having a gift at understanding individual differences.
Because INFPs are focused in on people's emotions and motivations, they become aware of and get involved in their co-workers personal problems. They may feel obligated at resolving disagreements and conflicts among employees, trying to create an atmosphere of harmony. INFPs listen carefully and intently to others, giving them individual attentions and responding with the proper feedback for the needed situation. They masterfully show appreciation and give praise when they find the appropriate opportunity. they direct their praise toward human accomplishment. They are alert to individual potential and look for ways to help individuals meet that potential.
INFP Personality Profile
INFPs-live their lives focusing on their values. They know what is important to them and protect this at all cost. Their values focus on the optimistic verses the pessimistic, although they are often conscience of the negative. To understand the INFP is to understand their cause. They can work tirelessly toward a cause that deems worthy. They will quietly let others know what is important to them, and rarely will they give up on their purpose. They will go along with the crowd, sometimes even letting decisions be made for them, until someone violates their value system. Then they will dig their heels into the ground and will speak up for their feelings, insisting their values be followed.
INFPs are withdrawn and are sometimes hard to get to know. Some may view them as shy. But those that take the time to get to know them will find them warm and gentle, with a surprising sense of humor. They care deeply for those they consider special friends. Putting forth-unusual sacrifices to help such individuals. They often have a subtle, tragic motif running through their lives -- inner pain and unease which others seldom detect.
INFPs are creative and are constantly seeking out new possibilities. They have a gift with language and usually will express this by means of writing. Their intuitive preference supplies the imagination and their feeling preference giving them the need to communicate. They are gifted at interpreting symbols - being drawn to metaphors and similes. Because of these gifts they often write in lyric fashion
INFPs work must be more than just a paycheck, it must be fun and must contribute to something that is important to their values. To be the most productive they need a sense of purpose behind their job. They often have to look at the large picture in order to see how specific programs fit in. They are adaptable to changes and to new ideas. They work well with others being conscience of others feelings and relating with most, though not always vocally. They like to work with others who are cooperative and who share their same set of values. They strive for harmony and dislike conflict.
INFPs treasure their privacy and may keep a lot to themselves. They need time and space for reflection. Others usually get along well with them, although they may not know them intimately. INFPs may not always be organized. They may tend to lose things or to forget appointments. Only when they see the importance of organization in a task will they strive to work at it in an organized way to get it done. They can be extremely patient with complicated issues, but may become impatient with routine and details.
INFPs strive for perfection, and this is especially the case when using their feeling preference. They may have trouble finishing a project, because they never find it is good enough. Even when the project must be finished, they may feel the need to go back and improve on it later.
Reluctantly INFPs may accept leadership roles. They lead with their values being their guide. They do not aggressively lead people, but rather work with people to develop their talents and to independently achieve their goals. They have a hard time criticizing others, but will try to motivate them by their appreciation and praise. When conflicts arise, they avoid directly approaching the situation, but would rather wait for the others to work out the situation themselves.
INFPs view leisure activity as very important. However they may have a difficulty separating it from work. If they have a special skill they use at work, they may use this skill in their leisure time to help friends, family or those in need. When they are interested in pursuing a new leisure activity, they may spend a great deal of time researching this activity. Many INFPs enjoy activities that are done alone such as reading, listening to music, or gardening. This gives them the opportunity for reflection and meditation. They may also enjoy social activities with those they feel close to. When they want to be social they can be outgoing, charming and quiet funny, making them a pleasure to have around.
INFPs present a calm and pleasant face to the world around them. Because they are reserved, they may be over looked. But to those that know them they have a view into their warmth and concern and their deep commitments to their values.
INFPs are withdrawn and are sometimes hard to get to know. Some may view them as shy. But those that take the time to get to know them will find them warm and gentle, with a surprising sense of humor. They care deeply for those they consider special friends. Putting forth-unusual sacrifices to help such individuals. They often have a subtle, tragic motif running through their lives -- inner pain and unease which others seldom detect.
INFPs are creative and are constantly seeking out new possibilities. They have a gift with language and usually will express this by means of writing. Their intuitive preference supplies the imagination and their feeling preference giving them the need to communicate. They are gifted at interpreting symbols - being drawn to metaphors and similes. Because of these gifts they often write in lyric fashion
INFPs work must be more than just a paycheck, it must be fun and must contribute to something that is important to their values. To be the most productive they need a sense of purpose behind their job. They often have to look at the large picture in order to see how specific programs fit in. They are adaptable to changes and to new ideas. They work well with others being conscience of others feelings and relating with most, though not always vocally. They like to work with others who are cooperative and who share their same set of values. They strive for harmony and dislike conflict.
INFPs treasure their privacy and may keep a lot to themselves. They need time and space for reflection. Others usually get along well with them, although they may not know them intimately. INFPs may not always be organized. They may tend to lose things or to forget appointments. Only when they see the importance of organization in a task will they strive to work at it in an organized way to get it done. They can be extremely patient with complicated issues, but may become impatient with routine and details.
INFPs strive for perfection, and this is especially the case when using their feeling preference. They may have trouble finishing a project, because they never find it is good enough. Even when the project must be finished, they may feel the need to go back and improve on it later.
Reluctantly INFPs may accept leadership roles. They lead with their values being their guide. They do not aggressively lead people, but rather work with people to develop their talents and to independently achieve their goals. They have a hard time criticizing others, but will try to motivate them by their appreciation and praise. When conflicts arise, they avoid directly approaching the situation, but would rather wait for the others to work out the situation themselves.
INFPs view leisure activity as very important. However they may have a difficulty separating it from work. If they have a special skill they use at work, they may use this skill in their leisure time to help friends, family or those in need. When they are interested in pursuing a new leisure activity, they may spend a great deal of time researching this activity. Many INFPs enjoy activities that are done alone such as reading, listening to music, or gardening. This gives them the opportunity for reflection and meditation. They may also enjoy social activities with those they feel close to. When they want to be social they can be outgoing, charming and quiet funny, making them a pleasure to have around.
INFPs present a calm and pleasant face to the world around them. Because they are reserved, they may be over looked. But to those that know them they have a view into their warmth and concern and their deep commitments to their values.
INFPs and Stress
INFPs feel internal turmoil when they find themselves in situations in which there is conflict between their inner code of ethics and their relationships with others. They feel caught between pleasing others and maintaining their own integrity. Their natural tendency to identify with others, compounded with their self-sacrificial dispositions, tends to leave them confused as to who they really are. Their quiet personalities further feeds their feelings of depersonalization. The INFP's quest for self-identity then seems even more alluring � but increasingly impossible to attain.
As with all NFs, the INFP will feel lost and perplexed at stressful times. As stress builds, INFPs become disconnected from their own personality and perceived place in life. They will lose sight of who they are in relation to time and place. They may not make basic observations, while instead they will focus on the more abstract and symbolic meanings of a particular interaction. This can sometimes baffle those who expect more direct communication and a fairly concrete relationship.
Thanks to Doug Dean
As with all NFs, the INFP will feel lost and perplexed at stressful times. As stress builds, INFPs become disconnected from their own personality and perceived place in life. They will lose sight of who they are in relation to time and place. They may not make basic observations, while instead they will focus on the more abstract and symbolic meanings of a particular interaction. This can sometimes baffle those who expect more direct communication and a fairly concrete relationship.
Thanks to Doug Dean
INFP Personality
Your Type - INFP
Introverted
Feeling with
Extraverted Intuiting
STRENGTHS
Thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are quietly perceptive, emotionally deep, individuals. However, being inclined to focus on the Introverted world of abstract thoughts and ideas, they may keep their great interpersonal warmth hidden from those they do not know well. Flexible and free-thinking, they will examine new situations from novel, theoretical perspectives. Quietly curious and introspective, they focus on the deeper hidden patterns and meanings behind surface forms and structures. Using their Intuition to look beyond the obvious known facts in a given situation, they will be motivated to get to the heart of theoretical issues. Thus, they often prefer to work either on their own, or with a small group of supportive, like-minded colleagues. Open and accepting of others' idiosyncrasies, and valuing autonomy, they are inclined to feel stifled by rigid systems and procedures. They will have a tight circle of close friends, who will value their authenticity and genuine concern for others' welfare.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Being orientated towards the Introverted domain of subjective mental events and feelings, INFPs may sometimes need to be drawn out when in the company of others. Perceptive, thoughtful and considerate, they may resist being the first to express their own deeply held personal views and opinions. Sensitive to others¹ feelings, they will not needlessly criticise colleagues in meetings and discussions. Averse to conflict and discord, they will work to resolve disagreements by actively seeking compromise and consensus. They are likely to resist organising colleagues, preferring instead to work alongside people in an egalitarian manner. Flexible and free-thinking, they will be open to others¹ points of view. Tending only to express their deeply held values and ideals to close friends, others may not always be aware of the true depth of their feelings. Thus, they are likely to be at their best when communicating on a one-to-one basis, with colleagues who value their theoretical, open-minded approach to problems.
THINKING STYLE
INFPs are known for their creative, abstract, theory-driven approach to problem solving. More interested in understanding why things work, rather than simply perceiving how they work, they will look beyond the superficial facts and data in search of deeper hidden truths. However, this does not mean that they will lack interest in solving practical, real-world problems. Rather, it means that they approach such problems by focusing on the theoretical concepts that underpin the problem at hand. Inclined to focus on the broader picture, attending to the detailed requirements of a task may not come naturally to them. They will be committed to completing tasks that catch their imagination; working in bursts of great enthusiasm and energy. With their preference for Feeling, they will be attuned to the impact their actions will have upon those around them. Quite able to function effectively in groups and committees, they may feel most at home brainstorming ideas with one or two like minded friends and colleagues.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Colleagues will value their quietly supportive, co-operative, egalitarian interpersonal style. However, their egalitarian style, and desire to manage by consensus, may be misinterpreted by some as indicating an inability to take difficult, unpopular decisions. Perceptive and sensitive to others¹ needs, they will be viewed as thoughtful, considerate, understanding and helpful. However, if others try to take unfair advantage of their goodwill, and genuine offers of help, this may generate feelings of resentment. They are likely to be viewed as Œdeep thinkers¹ who may sometimes be prone to flights of fantasy. More down-to-earth colleagues, who are less interested than them in the subtle nuances of a problem, may sometimes fear that they lose sight of practical, day-to-day realities. Avoiding dogmatism, they will be seen as free-thinking, open-minded individuals. Inclined to become engrossed in their own thoughts, some may view them as being a little disorganised or absentminded at times.
Introverted
Feeling with
Extraverted Intuiting
STRENGTHS
Thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are quietly perceptive, emotionally deep, individuals. However, being inclined to focus on the Introverted world of abstract thoughts and ideas, they may keep their great interpersonal warmth hidden from those they do not know well. Flexible and free-thinking, they will examine new situations from novel, theoretical perspectives. Quietly curious and introspective, they focus on the deeper hidden patterns and meanings behind surface forms and structures. Using their Intuition to look beyond the obvious known facts in a given situation, they will be motivated to get to the heart of theoretical issues. Thus, they often prefer to work either on their own, or with a small group of supportive, like-minded colleagues. Open and accepting of others' idiosyncrasies, and valuing autonomy, they are inclined to feel stifled by rigid systems and procedures. They will have a tight circle of close friends, who will value their authenticity and genuine concern for others' welfare.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Being orientated towards the Introverted domain of subjective mental events and feelings, INFPs may sometimes need to be drawn out when in the company of others. Perceptive, thoughtful and considerate, they may resist being the first to express their own deeply held personal views and opinions. Sensitive to others¹ feelings, they will not needlessly criticise colleagues in meetings and discussions. Averse to conflict and discord, they will work to resolve disagreements by actively seeking compromise and consensus. They are likely to resist organising colleagues, preferring instead to work alongside people in an egalitarian manner. Flexible and free-thinking, they will be open to others¹ points of view. Tending only to express their deeply held values and ideals to close friends, others may not always be aware of the true depth of their feelings. Thus, they are likely to be at their best when communicating on a one-to-one basis, with colleagues who value their theoretical, open-minded approach to problems.
THINKING STYLE
INFPs are known for their creative, abstract, theory-driven approach to problem solving. More interested in understanding why things work, rather than simply perceiving how they work, they will look beyond the superficial facts and data in search of deeper hidden truths. However, this does not mean that they will lack interest in solving practical, real-world problems. Rather, it means that they approach such problems by focusing on the theoretical concepts that underpin the problem at hand. Inclined to focus on the broader picture, attending to the detailed requirements of a task may not come naturally to them. They will be committed to completing tasks that catch their imagination; working in bursts of great enthusiasm and energy. With their preference for Feeling, they will be attuned to the impact their actions will have upon those around them. Quite able to function effectively in groups and committees, they may feel most at home brainstorming ideas with one or two like minded friends and colleagues.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Colleagues will value their quietly supportive, co-operative, egalitarian interpersonal style. However, their egalitarian style, and desire to manage by consensus, may be misinterpreted by some as indicating an inability to take difficult, unpopular decisions. Perceptive and sensitive to others¹ needs, they will be viewed as thoughtful, considerate, understanding and helpful. However, if others try to take unfair advantage of their goodwill, and genuine offers of help, this may generate feelings of resentment. They are likely to be viewed as Œdeep thinkers¹ who may sometimes be prone to flights of fantasy. More down-to-earth colleagues, who are less interested than them in the subtle nuances of a problem, may sometimes fear that they lose sight of practical, day-to-day realities. Avoiding dogmatism, they will be seen as free-thinking, open-minded individuals. Inclined to become engrossed in their own thoughts, some may view them as being a little disorganised or absentminded at times.
INFP In a Conflict
INFP Conflict Reactions Personality Traits:
INFP may flee the conflict, they will be upset by it
INFP will likely not understand the reason(s) for the conflict
INFP will desire to find a harmonious solution to the problem
INFP will not take the most logical approach to finding the solution
INFP will view “conflict” as a distasteful, uncomfortable part of life
INFP will quickly become depressed by the conflict
INFP will prefer to accommodate at first
INFP Conflict Resolution Activity Personality Traits
INFP will naturally consider the feelings of others in conflict resolution activity until the INFP feels personal (likely idealistic) values are being ignored
INFP will typically show great respect, kindness as they work toward resolution
INFP will try to satisfy all parties in their conflict resolution activity
INFP will look for “personal” solutions to the conflict first
INFP will be creative in their conflict resolution activity
INFP will encourage input from others
INFP Likely Positive Solutions Will Be ul>
Idealistic and future oriented
Harmonious to all involved
Insightful, astute, shrewd, discerning above all
Feasible
Decided upon through consensus
Win-win when at all possible
INFP Conflict Resolution Activity-Improvement Opportunities (weaknesses)
INFP will probably quickly affirm someone else’s feelings and emotions in a conflict sometime to the ignoring of their own
INFP may overstate the effect of any hurt feelings they may have
INFP will many times make statements by asking questions instead
INFP will have difficulty seeing in the moment, specific solutions
INFPs may put it off if it feels too bad
INFP will probably take it way too personally
INFPs may fail to logic things through enough
INFPs may frustrate others by appearing too indirect as they work toward conflict resolution
INFP may fear the conflict and talk to everyone except those who can solve it
INFP may flee the conflict, they will be upset by it
INFP will likely not understand the reason(s) for the conflict
INFP will desire to find a harmonious solution to the problem
INFP will not take the most logical approach to finding the solution
INFP will view “conflict” as a distasteful, uncomfortable part of life
INFP will quickly become depressed by the conflict
INFP will prefer to accommodate at first
INFP Conflict Resolution Activity Personality Traits
INFP will naturally consider the feelings of others in conflict resolution activity until the INFP feels personal (likely idealistic) values are being ignored
INFP will typically show great respect, kindness as they work toward resolution
INFP will try to satisfy all parties in their conflict resolution activity
INFP will look for “personal” solutions to the conflict first
INFP will be creative in their conflict resolution activity
INFP will encourage input from others
INFP Likely Positive Solutions Will Be ul>
Idealistic and future oriented
Harmonious to all involved
Insightful, astute, shrewd, discerning above all
Feasible
Decided upon through consensus
Win-win when at all possible
INFP Conflict Resolution Activity-Improvement Opportunities (weaknesses)
INFP will probably quickly affirm someone else’s feelings and emotions in a conflict sometime to the ignoring of their own
INFP may overstate the effect of any hurt feelings they may have
INFP will many times make statements by asking questions instead
INFP will have difficulty seeing in the moment, specific solutions
INFPs may put it off if it feels too bad
INFP will probably take it way too personally
INFPs may fail to logic things through enough
INFPs may frustrate others by appearing too indirect as they work toward conflict resolution
INFP may fear the conflict and talk to everyone except those who can solve it
More INFP Traits
Myers-Briggs “Compatibility Test” Results-INFP Personality Traits
The INFP is likely the MOST ROMANTIC of all 16 types
The INFP has extremely high expectations of intimacy in marriage and relationship
The INFP is usually very articulate and will NEED to talk about how they fell
INFPs find sex and romance very, very important
The INFP will typically strongly dislike conflict, especially if repeated
The INFP is normally very kind, liberal, bighearted with their mate and children
The INFPs tend to live in the world of their imagination rather than the real world
INFPs can be extremely sympathetic for others
INFPs will be very private and personal
The INFP under stress can be quite critical and cynical
The INFP will take great delight in pleasing mate and family
The INFP may search all their lives for “meaning”
The INFP can keep a mate pursuing them all their lives.
The INFP under great stress will verbally get loud, angry and critical
The INFP is likely the MOST ROMANTIC of all 16 types
The INFP has extremely high expectations of intimacy in marriage and relationship
The INFP is usually very articulate and will NEED to talk about how they fell
INFPs find sex and romance very, very important
The INFP will typically strongly dislike conflict, especially if repeated
The INFP is normally very kind, liberal, bighearted with their mate and children
The INFPs tend to live in the world of their imagination rather than the real world
INFPs can be extremely sympathetic for others
INFPs will be very private and personal
The INFP under stress can be quite critical and cynical
The INFP will take great delight in pleasing mate and family
The INFP may search all their lives for “meaning”
The INFP can keep a mate pursuing them all their lives.
The INFP under great stress will verbally get loud, angry and critical
Famous INFPs
Famous INFPs
Real INFP People
A. A. Milne - author (Winnie the Pooh)
Albert Schweitzer - theologian, musician, physician
Aldous Huxley - English author
Amy Tan - author (The Joy-Luck Club)
Annie Dillard - author (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek)
Audrey Hepburn - actress (Breakfast at Tiffany's)
Dick Clark - television personality
Donna Reed - acress
Fred Rogers - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Fred Savage - actor (The Wonder Years)
George Orwell - author, journalist
Helen Keller - deaf/blind author, activist, lecturer
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - American poet
Isabel Myers - psychological theorist
J. R. R. Tolkien - writer (Lord of the Rings)
James Herriot - veterinary surgeon, writer James Taylor - singer-songwriter, guitarist
John - Disciple of Jesus
John F. Kennedy, Jr. - lawyer, journalist, publisher
Laura Ingalls Wilder - author (Little House on the Prairie)
Lisa Kudrow - actress ("Phoebe" on Friends)
Luke - physician, author
Mary - Mother of Jesus
Mia Farrow - actress
Neil Diamond - musician
Peter Jackson - filmmaker (Lord of the Rings
Princess Diana - Princess of Wales
Scott Bakula - actor (Start Trek Enterprise)
Tom Brokaw - television journalist
Virgil - ancient Roman poet
William Shakespeare - English poet and playwright
Fictional INFPs (Characters)
Anne - Anne of Green Gables
Bastian Balthazar Bux - The Neverending Story
Calvin - Calvin and Hobbes
Deanna Troi - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Doctor Julian Bashir - Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Doug Funnie - Doug cartoon E.T. - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Fox Mulder - X-Files
Rocko - Rocko's Modern Life
Tommy Pickles - Rugrats
Wesley Crusher - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Real INFP People
A. A. Milne - author (Winnie the Pooh)
Albert Schweitzer - theologian, musician, physician
Aldous Huxley - English author
Amy Tan - author (The Joy-Luck Club)
Annie Dillard - author (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek)
Audrey Hepburn - actress (Breakfast at Tiffany's)
Dick Clark - television personality
Donna Reed - acress
Fred Rogers - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Fred Savage - actor (The Wonder Years)
George Orwell - author, journalist
Helen Keller - deaf/blind author, activist, lecturer
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - American poet
Isabel Myers - psychological theorist
J. R. R. Tolkien - writer (Lord of the Rings)
James Herriot - veterinary surgeon, writer James Taylor - singer-songwriter, guitarist
John - Disciple of Jesus
John F. Kennedy, Jr. - lawyer, journalist, publisher
Laura Ingalls Wilder - author (Little House on the Prairie)
Lisa Kudrow - actress ("Phoebe" on Friends)
Luke - physician, author
Mary - Mother of Jesus
Mia Farrow - actress
Neil Diamond - musician
Peter Jackson - filmmaker (Lord of the Rings
Princess Diana - Princess of Wales
Scott Bakula - actor (Start Trek Enterprise)
Tom Brokaw - television journalist
Virgil - ancient Roman poet
William Shakespeare - English poet and playwright
Fictional INFPs (Characters)
Anne - Anne of Green Gables
Bastian Balthazar Bux - The Neverending Story
Calvin - Calvin and Hobbes
Deanna Troi - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Doctor Julian Bashir - Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Doug Funnie - Doug cartoon E.T. - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Fox Mulder - X-Files
Rocko - Rocko's Modern Life
Tommy Pickles - Rugrats
Wesley Crusher - Star Trek: The Next Generation
HEALER IDEALISTS (INFP's)
Healer Idealists are abstract in thought and speech, cooperative in striving for their ends, and informative and introverted in their interpersonal relations. Healers present a seemingly tranquil, and noticeably pleasant face to the world, and though to all appearances they might seem reserved, and even shy, on the inside they are anything but reserved, having a capacity for caring not always found in other types. They care deeply — indeed, passionately — about a few special persons or a favorite cause, and their fervent aim is to bring peace and integrity to their loved ones and the world.
Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place. Indeed, to understand INFP's, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in. The INFP is the Prince or Princess of fairy tale, the King's Champion or Defender of the Faith, like Sir Galahad or Joan of Arc. Healers are found in only 1% of the general population, although, at times, their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity.
Healers seek unity in their lives, unity of body and mind, emotions and intellect, perhaps because they are likely to have a sense of inner division threaded through their lives, which comes from their often unhappy childhood. Healers live a fantasy-filled childhood, which, unfortunately, is discouraged or even punished by many parents. In a practical-minded family, required by their parents to be sociable and industrious in concrete ways, and also given down-to-earth siblings who conform to these parental expectations, INFP's come to see themselves as ugly ducklings. Other types usually shrug off parental expectations that do not fit them, but not the INFP's. Wishing to please their parents and siblings, but not knowing quite how to do it, they try to hide their differences, believing they are bad to be so fanciful, so unlike their more solid brothers and sisters. They wonder, some of them for the rest of their lives, whether they are OK. They are quite OK, just different from the rest of their family — swans reared in a family of ducks. Even so, to realize and really believe this is not easy for them. Deeply committed to the positive and the good, yet taught to believe there is evil in them, INFP's can come to develop a certain fascination with the problem of good and evil, sacred and profane. Tutors are drawn toward purity, but can become engrossed with the profane, continuously on the lookout for the wickedness that lurks within them. Then, when INFP's believe they have yielded to an impure temptation, they may be given to acts of self-sacrifice in atonement. Others seldom detect this inner turmoil, however, for the struggle between good and evil is within the INFP, who does not feel compelled to make the issue public.
Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place. Indeed, to understand INFP's, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in. The INFP is the Prince or Princess of fairy tale, the King's Champion or Defender of the Faith, like Sir Galahad or Joan of Arc. Healers are found in only 1% of the general population, although, at times, their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity.
Healers seek unity in their lives, unity of body and mind, emotions and intellect, perhaps because they are likely to have a sense of inner division threaded through their lives, which comes from their often unhappy childhood. Healers live a fantasy-filled childhood, which, unfortunately, is discouraged or even punished by many parents. In a practical-minded family, required by their parents to be sociable and industrious in concrete ways, and also given down-to-earth siblings who conform to these parental expectations, INFP's come to see themselves as ugly ducklings. Other types usually shrug off parental expectations that do not fit them, but not the INFP's. Wishing to please their parents and siblings, but not knowing quite how to do it, they try to hide their differences, believing they are bad to be so fanciful, so unlike their more solid brothers and sisters. They wonder, some of them for the rest of their lives, whether they are OK. They are quite OK, just different from the rest of their family — swans reared in a family of ducks. Even so, to realize and really believe this is not easy for them. Deeply committed to the positive and the good, yet taught to believe there is evil in them, INFP's can come to develop a certain fascination with the problem of good and evil, sacred and profane. Tutors are drawn toward purity, but can become engrossed with the profane, continuously on the lookout for the wickedness that lurks within them. Then, when INFP's believe they have yielded to an impure temptation, they may be given to acts of self-sacrifice in atonement. Others seldom detect this inner turmoil, however, for the struggle between good and evil is within the INFP, who does not feel compelled to make the issue public.
INFP Introverted Intuition with Feeling
INFP Introverted Intuition with Feeling
People with INFJ preferences have a great deal of warmth, but may not show it until they know a person well. They keep their warm side inside, like a fur-lined coat. They are very faithful to duties and obligations related to ideas or people they care about. They take a very personal approach to life, judging everything by their inner ideals and personal values.
They stick to their ideals with passionate conviction. Although their inner loyalties and ideals govern their lives, they find these hard to talk about. Although their inner loyalties and ideals govern their lives, they find these hard to talk about. Their deepest feelings are seldom expressed; their inner tenderness is masked by a quiet reserve.
In everyday matters they are tolerant, open-minded, understanding, flexible, and adaptable. But if their inner loyalties are threatened, they will not give an inch. Except for their work's sake, INFP have little wish to impress or dominate. The people they prize the most are those who take the time to understand their values and the goals they are working toward.
Their main interest lies in seeing the possibilities beyond what is present, obvious, or known. They are twice as good when working at a job they believe in, since their feeling puts added energy behind their efforts. They want their work to contribute to something that matters to them--human understanding, happiness, or health. They want to have a purpose beyond their paycheck, no matter how big the check. They are perfectionists whenever they care deeply about something.
INFPs are curious about new ideas and tend to have insight and long-range vision. Many are interested in books and language and are likely to have a gift of expression; with talent they may be excellent writers. They can be ingenious and persuasive on the subject of their enthusiasms, which are quiet but deep-rooted. They are often attracted to counseling, teaching, literature, art, science, or psychology.
The problem for some INFPs is that they may feel such a contrast between their ideals and their actual accomplishments that they burden themselves with a sense of inadequacy. This can happen even when, objectively, they are being as effective as others. It is important for them to use their intuition to find ways to express their ideals; otherwise they will keep dreaming of the impossible and accomplish very little. If they find no channel for expressing their ideals, INFPs may become overly sensitive and vulnerable, with dwindling confidence in life and themselves.
INFP
Performing Noble Service to Aid Society
If there is a single word that defines this type, it is idealist. As Introverted Feelers, they discover their ideals through a subjective interpretation of the world, and put those ideals to use to help others in a variety of ways. They are often the "Joans (or Johns) of Arc" who seek fulfillment through performing noble service to aid society.
INFPs have their own self-imposed "codes" for life, and while they have little need to share or impose them on others, they can be very strict with themselves about following these regimens. But in general, INFPs tend to be easygoing and congenial. They would prefer to "fit in" harmoniously rather than to create waves--as long as they can do so without violating their ideals. Yet when others do trample on INFPs' codes, INFPs can become very demanding and extremely aggressive, often to the surprise of both themselves and others. This tendency may be best illustrated by the mother who feels her child has been treated unjustly by his or her school. The normally quiet INFP mother leaves no stone unturned in full pursuit of rectifying the injustice and creating a better environment--not only for her child but for others, who will also benefit from the change.
Male INFPs can be seen by others, particularly macho traditionalists, as too gentle, even wimpy. The INFPs' generally passive, live-and-let-live exterior, however admirable, may lack the take-charge quality often associated with maleness--until they feel that their value system is threatened, that is. Then, the easygoing ways (of male and female INFPs alike can give way to harsh rigidity. For staff, friends, and mates who don't understand this characteristic, the INFP can seem, at best, a souce of mixed signals--pliant one moment, rigid the next--and, at worst, a deep, complex, even somewhat melancholy person who is hard to understand. WHen a male INFP marries an Extravert, society may view his mate as domineering and demanding. In actuality, for the marriage to succeed, the mate must quickly learn the limits of her mandate to take charge.
These very same qualities in an INFP female are more socially acceptable, even admired. While the INFP male's quiet stubbornness can make him seem simultaneously unforceful yet rigid, the INFP female may be respected for her inner strength. Her determination conveys power and makes others feel secure.
INFPs resist being labeled and are often driven to do things shake the way others view them. This can on occasion lead INFPs to be unpredictable, even outrageous. A docile INFP we know was invited to a staff costume party where guests were instructed to dress as "who you really are." She came as Madonna, the eccentric eighties rock singer, bedecked in jewelry and silky clothing. Her colleagues were shocked by her display--but she wasn't.
Like all Intuitive-Feelers, the INFP strives for self-identity, self-knowledge, and self-definition. "Who am I?" is an all-important question. More so than all other NFs, however, the INFPs find in their preferences further material and inspiration for this never-ending quest. Their Introversion fosters inward reflection, their Intuition ensures an endlessly ramifying sense of the possibilities inherent in the self, their Feeling guides them to reflect on how such potential could benefit both themselves and their relations with others, and their Perceiving keeps them open to a constant flow of new data. It's not unusual for an INFP to get out of bed reflecting (Introversion), "Who am I and where's my life going today?" There may be a number of possible answers (Intuition)--"I'm a father," "I'm a mate," "I'm a teacher," and the like--as well as a consideration of how those attributes might be deployed in the service of self and others (Feeling). Deciding these are all interesting issues to contemplate, the INFP may then, in the search for more information (Perceiving), set off for school or work, there to start the process again. Even if these questions are not consciously raised, the identity issues are always percolating. The INFP's reflective, open-ended approach to life produces far more questions than answers.
The INFP's home and work areas may be rife with little piles of "to-do's"--reading, ironing, artwork, writing. These things will always be there. In fact, they will increase as the INFP's interests and concerns grow throughout life. It's helpful for INFPs to learn to live with this rather than punish themselves for seeming "failures." In general, home and family relationships are more relaxed than rigid; schedules are always subject to change because of others' immediate needs. Neatness often takes a backseat to interpersonal warmth and affirmation, except when company is expected in which case perfection is the name of the game in the desire to serve others. INFPs prefer to give in to others rather than to argue points that may lead to disharmony. Still, all of this may fly out the window if an INFP's "codes" are "violated," and then a relaxed home gives way to strict rules and schedules.
The same dynamic applies to parenting. An INFP parent may focus on a few carefully cultivated values. If these are respected, the INFP parent is typically easygoing and quick to meet a child's needs. In general, the INFP parent is positive and affirming and a child will find in that parenting a friend in whom they can confide. If there are parenting weaknesses, they are probably related to INFP's first preference, Introversion: INFPs may be slow to give overt, positive strokes, not because they don't feel approval, but because they find it difficult to express; and to their last preference, Perceiving, which may cause them to avoid providing the structure and organization that a child may need.
Introversion may also plague INFP's relationships: they may feel far more love and warmth than they are able to express. In any relationship involving INFPs, there will be growth, affirmation, and self-fulfillment for both of the parties involved, but sometimes the combination of the Introversion and Feeling preferences causes them to avoid discussing issues that they fear may cause disagreement. For example, an INFP may, after much inner debate, conclude that some kind of change is necessary, and may then spring this conclusion on an unprepared partner. Thus, the INFP's decision to quit a job and go to graduate school (or convince the mate to do so) may be presented as a fait accompli, not a subject open for discussion, and the unsuspecting mate may be shocked into a new view of their relationship when a formerly pliant INFP shows new drive, determination, and rigidity, far out of proportion to the issue involved.
This INFP complexity--an easygoing exterior masking a compulsive interior--may make for inner stress. The result can be a variety of serious health problems; ileitis, colitis, and other stomach or intestinal problems. They may be particularly prone to such ailments when the needs of others prevent them from being able to relax and enjoy themselves. INFPs can easily make martyrs of themselves.
As children, INFPs' deceptively easygoing natures may cause others to take them for granted. INFP children have a high need to please parents--and be stroked for it. Generally, they are tender and sensitive to the world around them, and like their INFP elders, often give in to others at the expense of their own needs. If such self-sacrifice is not appreciated or, even worse, is criticized, the child can become sullen, self-critical, often overpersonalizing each remark. The potential for martyrdom begins early; INFP children can spend a disproportionate amount of time daydreaming and preoccupied with inner thoughts. They are often good students and expend a lot of energy pleasing their teachers. They tend to do well in high school, and often excel in college. To please others, they may take courses they do not like--and even succeed in them. The potential for self-doubt and self-criticism, however, is always close to the surface. Even when told they have done a "good job," INFPs know the only true judge is themselves, and may punish themselves for work they consider less than perfect.
In general, while INFPs love to learn, grow, excel, and please others, they are always their own worst critics; they often remind themselves that they could have done better. It is a life-long struggle between self-approbation and self-depreciation. In the end, INFPs almost always tend to sell themselves short.
Family events for an INFP are expressions of the essentials of life, and a lot of energy can be directed to celebrating such family rituals as birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations. Loyalty and service to the family can keep an INFP a "child" at any age and always close--psychologically, if not physically--to parents and family.
The values that shape INFPs' family life and personal growth patterns highlight their career choices: integrity, hard work, idealism, sensitivity, and concern for other people. INFPs also bring their self-criticism and perfectionism to the workplace, which can sometimes hamper their personal skills. An INFP may be an excellent musician or a superb teacher, but even if showered with accolades, INFPs may never quite be satisfied. Their high learning abilities may lead them to careers in which they succeed academically but which they are typologically somewhat miscast. The daughter of an engineer may pursue that career to please her father--and find it academically very attainable and challenging--although as an NFP, she may find the work of engineering foreign, even hostile, turf.
Those careers that involve human service are the ultimate home of the INFP: psychology, teaching, family medicine, and church work, for example. In the long haul, what INFPs choose as a career must serve their own idealism. If it doesn't, they can become restless and stressed and their work can become sloppy and counterproductive.
Retirement tends to be relished by INFPs because the little piles of to-dos they have been amassing for years can be rearranged, pondered, and finally tackled. They tend not to "slow down" in later life, approaching their postcareer hobbies with the same intensity they once reserved for children and careers. They may approach retirement with a particular joy if it allows them to leave a traditional career or job that imposed the kind of structure and rigidity that INFPs resist. Still appearing externally relaxed, they tend to continue to be internally driven by a call to serve humanity--in the form of children, grandchildren, organizations, causes, or any other local or world issues.
Abraham Lincoln quite possibly personifies the INFP. As a young man, seeing slaves loaded into a boat, he took the cause of freedom into his heart, ultimately imposing his crusade on the entire nation. Isabel Briggs Myers, another INFP, carried on her mission--that people learn how to use their personality differences more constructively and creatively--throughout her entire life. From age twenty to eighty, she endlessly created, researched, and refined the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Carl Rogers, one of the pillars of American modern psychology, saw the need for a therapeutic model that enhanced individual self-development--itself, an INFP cause--and spent his life developing nondirective counseling.
Summary - INFP
Contributions to the Organization
Work to find a place for each person in the organization
Are persuasive about their ideals
Draw people together around a common purpose
Seek new ideas and possibilities for the organization
Quietly push for organizational values
Leadership Style
Take a facilitative approach
Prefer unique leadership roles rather than conventional ones
Work independently toward their visions
Are more likely to praise than to critique others
Encourage others to act on their ideals
Preferred Work Environment
Contains pleasant and committed people focused on values of importance to others
Cooperative atmosphere
Allows privacy
Flexible
Unbureaucratic
Calm and quiet
Allows time and space for reflection
Potential Pitfalls
May delay completion of tasks because of perfectionism
May try to please too many people at the same time
May not adjust their vision to the facts and logic of the situation
May spend more time in reflection than in action
Suggestions for Development
May need to learn to work with reality rather than seeking the perfect response
May need to develop more tough-mindedness and a willingness to say "no"
May need to factor in facts and logic along with their personal values
May need to develop and implement action plans
Order of Mental Preferences
Feeling
Intuition
Sensing
Thinking
~ Original Link: http://www.murraystate.edu/secsv/fye/INFP.htm
People with INFJ preferences have a great deal of warmth, but may not show it until they know a person well. They keep their warm side inside, like a fur-lined coat. They are very faithful to duties and obligations related to ideas or people they care about. They take a very personal approach to life, judging everything by their inner ideals and personal values.
They stick to their ideals with passionate conviction. Although their inner loyalties and ideals govern their lives, they find these hard to talk about. Although their inner loyalties and ideals govern their lives, they find these hard to talk about. Their deepest feelings are seldom expressed; their inner tenderness is masked by a quiet reserve.
In everyday matters they are tolerant, open-minded, understanding, flexible, and adaptable. But if their inner loyalties are threatened, they will not give an inch. Except for their work's sake, INFP have little wish to impress or dominate. The people they prize the most are those who take the time to understand their values and the goals they are working toward.
Their main interest lies in seeing the possibilities beyond what is present, obvious, or known. They are twice as good when working at a job they believe in, since their feeling puts added energy behind their efforts. They want their work to contribute to something that matters to them--human understanding, happiness, or health. They want to have a purpose beyond their paycheck, no matter how big the check. They are perfectionists whenever they care deeply about something.
INFPs are curious about new ideas and tend to have insight and long-range vision. Many are interested in books and language and are likely to have a gift of expression; with talent they may be excellent writers. They can be ingenious and persuasive on the subject of their enthusiasms, which are quiet but deep-rooted. They are often attracted to counseling, teaching, literature, art, science, or psychology.
The problem for some INFPs is that they may feel such a contrast between their ideals and their actual accomplishments that they burden themselves with a sense of inadequacy. This can happen even when, objectively, they are being as effective as others. It is important for them to use their intuition to find ways to express their ideals; otherwise they will keep dreaming of the impossible and accomplish very little. If they find no channel for expressing their ideals, INFPs may become overly sensitive and vulnerable, with dwindling confidence in life and themselves.
INFP
Performing Noble Service to Aid Society
If there is a single word that defines this type, it is idealist. As Introverted Feelers, they discover their ideals through a subjective interpretation of the world, and put those ideals to use to help others in a variety of ways. They are often the "Joans (or Johns) of Arc" who seek fulfillment through performing noble service to aid society.
INFPs have their own self-imposed "codes" for life, and while they have little need to share or impose them on others, they can be very strict with themselves about following these regimens. But in general, INFPs tend to be easygoing and congenial. They would prefer to "fit in" harmoniously rather than to create waves--as long as they can do so without violating their ideals. Yet when others do trample on INFPs' codes, INFPs can become very demanding and extremely aggressive, often to the surprise of both themselves and others. This tendency may be best illustrated by the mother who feels her child has been treated unjustly by his or her school. The normally quiet INFP mother leaves no stone unturned in full pursuit of rectifying the injustice and creating a better environment--not only for her child but for others, who will also benefit from the change.
Male INFPs can be seen by others, particularly macho traditionalists, as too gentle, even wimpy. The INFPs' generally passive, live-and-let-live exterior, however admirable, may lack the take-charge quality often associated with maleness--until they feel that their value system is threatened, that is. Then, the easygoing ways (of male and female INFPs alike can give way to harsh rigidity. For staff, friends, and mates who don't understand this characteristic, the INFP can seem, at best, a souce of mixed signals--pliant one moment, rigid the next--and, at worst, a deep, complex, even somewhat melancholy person who is hard to understand. WHen a male INFP marries an Extravert, society may view his mate as domineering and demanding. In actuality, for the marriage to succeed, the mate must quickly learn the limits of her mandate to take charge.
These very same qualities in an INFP female are more socially acceptable, even admired. While the INFP male's quiet stubbornness can make him seem simultaneously unforceful yet rigid, the INFP female may be respected for her inner strength. Her determination conveys power and makes others feel secure.
INFPs resist being labeled and are often driven to do things shake the way others view them. This can on occasion lead INFPs to be unpredictable, even outrageous. A docile INFP we know was invited to a staff costume party where guests were instructed to dress as "who you really are." She came as Madonna, the eccentric eighties rock singer, bedecked in jewelry and silky clothing. Her colleagues were shocked by her display--but she wasn't.
Like all Intuitive-Feelers, the INFP strives for self-identity, self-knowledge, and self-definition. "Who am I?" is an all-important question. More so than all other NFs, however, the INFPs find in their preferences further material and inspiration for this never-ending quest. Their Introversion fosters inward reflection, their Intuition ensures an endlessly ramifying sense of the possibilities inherent in the self, their Feeling guides them to reflect on how such potential could benefit both themselves and their relations with others, and their Perceiving keeps them open to a constant flow of new data. It's not unusual for an INFP to get out of bed reflecting (Introversion), "Who am I and where's my life going today?" There may be a number of possible answers (Intuition)--"I'm a father," "I'm a mate," "I'm a teacher," and the like--as well as a consideration of how those attributes might be deployed in the service of self and others (Feeling). Deciding these are all interesting issues to contemplate, the INFP may then, in the search for more information (Perceiving), set off for school or work, there to start the process again. Even if these questions are not consciously raised, the identity issues are always percolating. The INFP's reflective, open-ended approach to life produces far more questions than answers.
The INFP's home and work areas may be rife with little piles of "to-do's"--reading, ironing, artwork, writing. These things will always be there. In fact, they will increase as the INFP's interests and concerns grow throughout life. It's helpful for INFPs to learn to live with this rather than punish themselves for seeming "failures." In general, home and family relationships are more relaxed than rigid; schedules are always subject to change because of others' immediate needs. Neatness often takes a backseat to interpersonal warmth and affirmation, except when company is expected in which case perfection is the name of the game in the desire to serve others. INFPs prefer to give in to others rather than to argue points that may lead to disharmony. Still, all of this may fly out the window if an INFP's "codes" are "violated," and then a relaxed home gives way to strict rules and schedules.
The same dynamic applies to parenting. An INFP parent may focus on a few carefully cultivated values. If these are respected, the INFP parent is typically easygoing and quick to meet a child's needs. In general, the INFP parent is positive and affirming and a child will find in that parenting a friend in whom they can confide. If there are parenting weaknesses, they are probably related to INFP's first preference, Introversion: INFPs may be slow to give overt, positive strokes, not because they don't feel approval, but because they find it difficult to express; and to their last preference, Perceiving, which may cause them to avoid providing the structure and organization that a child may need.
Introversion may also plague INFP's relationships: they may feel far more love and warmth than they are able to express. In any relationship involving INFPs, there will be growth, affirmation, and self-fulfillment for both of the parties involved, but sometimes the combination of the Introversion and Feeling preferences causes them to avoid discussing issues that they fear may cause disagreement. For example, an INFP may, after much inner debate, conclude that some kind of change is necessary, and may then spring this conclusion on an unprepared partner. Thus, the INFP's decision to quit a job and go to graduate school (or convince the mate to do so) may be presented as a fait accompli, not a subject open for discussion, and the unsuspecting mate may be shocked into a new view of their relationship when a formerly pliant INFP shows new drive, determination, and rigidity, far out of proportion to the issue involved.
This INFP complexity--an easygoing exterior masking a compulsive interior--may make for inner stress. The result can be a variety of serious health problems; ileitis, colitis, and other stomach or intestinal problems. They may be particularly prone to such ailments when the needs of others prevent them from being able to relax and enjoy themselves. INFPs can easily make martyrs of themselves.
As children, INFPs' deceptively easygoing natures may cause others to take them for granted. INFP children have a high need to please parents--and be stroked for it. Generally, they are tender and sensitive to the world around them, and like their INFP elders, often give in to others at the expense of their own needs. If such self-sacrifice is not appreciated or, even worse, is criticized, the child can become sullen, self-critical, often overpersonalizing each remark. The potential for martyrdom begins early; INFP children can spend a disproportionate amount of time daydreaming and preoccupied with inner thoughts. They are often good students and expend a lot of energy pleasing their teachers. They tend to do well in high school, and often excel in college. To please others, they may take courses they do not like--and even succeed in them. The potential for self-doubt and self-criticism, however, is always close to the surface. Even when told they have done a "good job," INFPs know the only true judge is themselves, and may punish themselves for work they consider less than perfect.
In general, while INFPs love to learn, grow, excel, and please others, they are always their own worst critics; they often remind themselves that they could have done better. It is a life-long struggle between self-approbation and self-depreciation. In the end, INFPs almost always tend to sell themselves short.
Family events for an INFP are expressions of the essentials of life, and a lot of energy can be directed to celebrating such family rituals as birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations. Loyalty and service to the family can keep an INFP a "child" at any age and always close--psychologically, if not physically--to parents and family.
The values that shape INFPs' family life and personal growth patterns highlight their career choices: integrity, hard work, idealism, sensitivity, and concern for other people. INFPs also bring their self-criticism and perfectionism to the workplace, which can sometimes hamper their personal skills. An INFP may be an excellent musician or a superb teacher, but even if showered with accolades, INFPs may never quite be satisfied. Their high learning abilities may lead them to careers in which they succeed academically but which they are typologically somewhat miscast. The daughter of an engineer may pursue that career to please her father--and find it academically very attainable and challenging--although as an NFP, she may find the work of engineering foreign, even hostile, turf.
Those careers that involve human service are the ultimate home of the INFP: psychology, teaching, family medicine, and church work, for example. In the long haul, what INFPs choose as a career must serve their own idealism. If it doesn't, they can become restless and stressed and their work can become sloppy and counterproductive.
Retirement tends to be relished by INFPs because the little piles of to-dos they have been amassing for years can be rearranged, pondered, and finally tackled. They tend not to "slow down" in later life, approaching their postcareer hobbies with the same intensity they once reserved for children and careers. They may approach retirement with a particular joy if it allows them to leave a traditional career or job that imposed the kind of structure and rigidity that INFPs resist. Still appearing externally relaxed, they tend to continue to be internally driven by a call to serve humanity--in the form of children, grandchildren, organizations, causes, or any other local or world issues.
Abraham Lincoln quite possibly personifies the INFP. As a young man, seeing slaves loaded into a boat, he took the cause of freedom into his heart, ultimately imposing his crusade on the entire nation. Isabel Briggs Myers, another INFP, carried on her mission--that people learn how to use their personality differences more constructively and creatively--throughout her entire life. From age twenty to eighty, she endlessly created, researched, and refined the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Carl Rogers, one of the pillars of American modern psychology, saw the need for a therapeutic model that enhanced individual self-development--itself, an INFP cause--and spent his life developing nondirective counseling.
Summary - INFP
Contributions to the Organization
Work to find a place for each person in the organization
Are persuasive about their ideals
Draw people together around a common purpose
Seek new ideas and possibilities for the organization
Quietly push for organizational values
Leadership Style
Take a facilitative approach
Prefer unique leadership roles rather than conventional ones
Work independently toward their visions
Are more likely to praise than to critique others
Encourage others to act on their ideals
Preferred Work Environment
Contains pleasant and committed people focused on values of importance to others
Cooperative atmosphere
Allows privacy
Flexible
Unbureaucratic
Calm and quiet
Allows time and space for reflection
Potential Pitfalls
May delay completion of tasks because of perfectionism
May try to please too many people at the same time
May not adjust their vision to the facts and logic of the situation
May spend more time in reflection than in action
Suggestions for Development
May need to learn to work with reality rather than seeking the perfect response
May need to develop more tough-mindedness and a willingness to say "no"
May need to factor in facts and logic along with their personal values
May need to develop and implement action plans
Order of Mental Preferences
Feeling
Intuition
Sensing
Thinking
~ Original Link: http://www.murraystate.edu/secsv/fye/INFP.htm
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