INFP (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
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This guide will discuss the INFP type of personality, characteristics of INFP, strengths and weaknesses, career choices & famous personalities having INFP personality.
This guide will also discuss who should an INFP marry as well as the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) in detail.
INFP is the part of 16 personality types given by Myers Briggs in their personality test known as MBTI.
The MBTI test assesses the person on four dichotomous domains which have opposing types at each end of the continuum.
A person with INFP type remains to themselves, as well as are quite imaginative while considering the feelings of others and remaining flexible.
To go into details of the INFP personality type, first, we need to understand what is MBTI, what are the four domains and the 16 types of personality.
MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Link to personality test) Is based on the idea proposed and developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs around 1960.
They developed this 16 personality type indicator on the theory introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung. This test was originally published in 1962, and since then it is being used to identify the career preferences.
Initially, it was used to assess which career is best for women during WWII. MBTI is one of the most widely used personality tests to assess the tendencies of people to work and think in a particular way.
Assessment of personality types helps a great deal in differentiating people according to their aptitudes and assigning them particular domains according to their expertise.
Myers Briggs gives 16 different types of personality, such as intj, INFJ, INTP, ENFP, ENTJ, ENTP, ISTP, ESFJ, ESTJ, ENFJ, INFP, ESFP, ISFP, ISFJ, ISTJ, ESTP.
What is the MBTI Test?
MBTI is a personality test, in MBTI personality test (which is based on the psychological assessment), it helps the person to decide which career option is best for them.
The personality test is based on the four core ideas and the psychological dimensions introduced by Briggs.
You can also get to know which professions are best for you on the basis of the scores you got from here.
This consists of 16 personality types and four core domains of personality which lie on the continuum at one side of the continuum are the dimension opposite to the other side of the continuum.
Such as, if Extroversion, which means a person likes to be outgoing and enjoy social gatherings have Introversion at the other side of the continuum.
Either the person lies on one side or the other, which means that anyone domain will be dominant than the other.
According to these scores, the personality types will be extracted, which helps in understanding one’s own personality and preferences in personal and professional lives.
In the age of advancement, people are unable to decide which profession to choose, because there are a number of options available out there and deciding any one profession requires clear thinking.
People get confused when they try to subjectively assess themselves and get biased results.
MBTI personality test will solve the problem for you and it will only take a few minutes before you will get accurate results around your personality type.
The Core of MBTI (Myers Briggs Personality Theory)
The theory describes four core domains that lie on a continuum where one domain is opposing to the other side of the domain.
This is also known as dichotomous domains. The initial domains are based on the writings of Jung, while the last domain was added by Katherine Briggs.
- Extraversion vs Introversion
- Sensing vs Intuition
- Thinking vs Feeling
- Judging vs Perceiving
Let’s cover these four core domains in detail:
Extraversion vs Introversion
This says that the person high on extraversion likes to join people and participate in gatherings.
As well as he feels recharged in the presence of others around.
While the introvert tries to keep to himself and spend alone time, as well as they are quite reflective throughout the day.
Sensing vs Intuition
Some people collect the information from the environment directly by their enhanced use of sensation.
They use their five senses to make sense of the world.
While the intuitive is more imaginative, dreamy, and innovative about the surroundings and what they mean.
Thinking vs Feeling
If you consider yourself a thinker, then you must be considering the logic behind everything and go for the right solution.
While feelers use their hearts more than their heads.
The person high on feelings understands the situations on the basis of emotions, and consider others.
Judging vs Perceiving
If you have seen someone organized, structured, following schedules then you already have come across the person dominant on judging.
Whereas the person high on perceiving, they consider things as open, flexible and easy-going.
MBTI says that you are either on one side of the continuum or the other.
Once you will be tested on MBTI, your scores will give you your four preferences using four initial letters, such as “INFJ”, which shows Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging as dominant types.
16 Myers and Briggs Personality Types
As discussed before, the MBTI gives 16 personality domains, based on four domains of personality.
These four domains combine in 16 different ways and describe the type of personality according to their preference.
Someone more on judging is more organized, and plan ahead and maybe not comfortable with being spontaneous.
There is a good piece of writing which extends the learning.
MBTI talks about the interaction of four core domains between then, which gives an extended version of one’s personality.
This understanding regarding oneself is fruitful in a way of deciding the career, and right profession.
The person gets to know the flavours of his personality.
Whereas there are a lot of other tools available for the personality assessment, such as enneagram, and Big Five, but they just give a brief idea about personality.
Following are 16 MBTI domains, for details please follow the links below:
- ENTJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
- INTJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
- ENTP (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)
- INTP (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ENFJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
- INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
- ENFP (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
- INFP (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ESTJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
- ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
- ESFJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
- ISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
- ESTP (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ISTP (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ESFP (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ISFP (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ENTJ: This type shows the capabilities of being a passionate, energetic, logical commander
- INTJ: This type shows the innovation, and logical thinking to keep things in structure while keeping the focus to oneself.
- ENTP: They are innovators and come up with unique solutions to the hurdles.
- INTP: This type of personality can be more logical and innovative and creative in their solutions.
- ENFJ: More inclined towards humanity and keeps up the value system, while keeping themselves organized.
- INFJ: They are more organized in their thinking patterns as well as creative and achieve well when being alone.
- ENFP: They feel more energized when surrounded by others, stay in in touch with the feelings of others around, and are flexible in their planning.
- INFP: These personalities are driven by values and beliefs.
- ESTJ: They are passionate and hardworking; they make sure to get the results.
- ISTJ: They are organized, responsible and are the fixer of catastrophes.
- ESFJ: They consider the feelings of others and try to fulfil their responsibilities.
- ISFJ: These are the ones, consider taking care of others around and follow the tradition and prove loyalties.
- ESTP: They are energetic and make sure to get the results they desire.
- ISTP: They are good at solving the problems and practical in their approach.
- ESFP: They are good to have in the surroundings to keep people energetic and entertained, they love life.
- ISFP: They are the ones who enjoy being in the moment with them and are passionate.
MBTI clearly shows that there is no one type that is better than the other, but all these types are equally beneficial in one situation or the other.
These are the ways of responding people use automatically in their environments.
More specifically these are the preferences of responding.
The 16 types discussed above can be assessed using the self-assessment questionnaire available here.
Characteristics of INFP
INFP tries to keep everyone happy and play the role of a mediator. They try to find positivity and happiness in everything.
They are the healers, sensitive, compassionate, and concerned for others wellbeing.
INFP are non-judgemental, and individualists. They rely on themselves more than other people, they have a strong inclination for ideas and uniqueness.
They are easygoing and keep their focus on the surroundings and manage to handle the adversities in the situations.
Strength and Weaknesses
Every type of personality has a few pros and cons and no one personality type is perfect.
Here are a few strengths and weaknesses of INFP.
Strengths of INFP personalities
They are faithful, and anyone can rely on them.
They are concerned about how anyone around them is feeling while trying to fix the shortcomings of the environment for the betterment of others.
They want to work alone, and this gives a boost to their energy, they give value to close relationships and are able to see all the aspects of the situation.
Weaknesses of INFP personalities
INFP is overly imaginative and looking for idealism, they are quite sensitive and things hurt them easily.
Other people keep on struggling to know their real selves as they do not interact and open-up easily.
They are too flexible in the situation may look at the situations too subjectively that they miss the important details.
Careers for INFP Personality
There are few career choices most likely for INFP personality type, for example, INFP can be great actors or musicians because of their increased intuitiveness as well as sensitivity to the feelings and emotions.
They can be good graphic designers, psychologists, counsellor, writer, and social workers.
Famous INFP Personalities
Some of the INFP famous personalities identified are:
Princess Diana,
Isabel Briggs
Shakespear
Audrey Hepburn
In this brief guide, we discussed the 16 types of personality given in MBTI.
The main characteristics of INFP, such as being highly intuitive and creative which helps them in finding the solution to most problems in their situations, with an enhanced understanding of others due to their sensitivity.
Their strengths and weaknesses have been discussed, while finally, the most preferable career choices for INFP will be which involves high levels of creativity and sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions for INFP Personality
Who Should an Infp marry?
INFP should marry the personality type ENFJ or ESFJ, as these will complement each other by overcoming the weaknesses of each personality type.
Is Infp the rarest personality type?
INFP is not the rarest type of personality but constitutes only about 4% – 5% of the population.
What personality is INFP?
INFPs are having dominant personality domains of Introversion, Intuitive, Feelings and perceiving. INFP are sensitive, caring, flexible and prefer to be alone.
Please feel free to ask questions and give your comments and suggestions in the comments section below.
References
Recommended Readings
The INFP Book: The Perks, Challenges, and Self-Discovery of an INFP
The Comprehensive INFP Survival Guide
INFP: Understand And Master Your Own Powers
Type Talk: The 16 Personality Types That Determine How We Live, Love, and Work
