INFJ

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INFJ (Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, Judging) is an acronym used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) publications to refer to one of the sixteen personality types.[1][2] The MBTI assessment was developed from the work of prominent psychiatrist Carl G. Jung in his book Psychological Types, which proposed a psychological typology based on his theories of cognitive functions.

From Jung's work, others developed psychological typologies. Well-known personality tests are the MBTI assessment, developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, developed by David Keirsey. Keirsey referred to the INFJs as Counselors, one of the four types belonging to the temperament he called the Idealists.[3]

Contents

[edit] The MBTI instrument

The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following:[4]

By using their preference in each of these areas, people develop what Jung and Myers called psychological type. This underlying personality pattern results from the dynamic interaction of their four preferences, in conjunction with environmental influences and their own individual tendencies. People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type. Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas that offer opportunities for growth.

The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis of the four "dichotomies" (pairs of psychological opposites). Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred to by initial letters. (N is used for iNtuition, to differentiate it from Introversion). The MBTI is approximately 75% accurate according to its own manual.[5]

  • I - Introversion preferred to Extraversion
  • N - iNtuition preferred to Sensing
  • F - Feeling preferred to Thinking
  • J - Judging preferred to Perceiving

[edit] Characteristics of INFJs

[edit] Myers-Briggs description

According to Myers-Briggs,[6] INFJs are conscientious and value-driven. They seek meaning in relationships, ideas, and events, with an eye toward better understanding themselves and others. Using their intuitive skills, they develop a clear vision, which they then execute decisively to better the lives of others. Like their INTJ counterparts, INFJs regard problems as opportunities to design and implement creative solutions.

[edit] Keirsey description

According to Keirsey,[7] INFJ Counselors are quiet, private individuals who prefer to exercise their influence behind the scenes. Intensely interested in the well-being of others, Counselors prefer one-on-one relationships to large groups. Sensitive and complex, they are adept at understanding complicated issues and driven to resolve differences in a cooperative and creative manner.

Accounting for 1–3% of the population,[8] Counselors have a vivid inner life that they may be reluctant to share with those around them. Perceptive of the emotions of others, Counselors are themselves easily hurt, though they may not reveal this except to their closest companions.

INFJs are affable people. They are generally well-liked by their peers and are thought of as close friends and confidants by most other types. Nevertheless, it is difficult for INFJs to let their guard down, which in turn makes it difficult for them to establish close relationships with strangers and new people.

[edit] Descriptions from other sources

Below is a list of basic characteristics:[9]

  • sensitive
  • quiet leaders
  • great depth of personality - intricately and deeply woven, mysterious, and highly complex, sometimes puzzling even to themselves
  • introverted
  • abstract in communicating
  • live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities - part of an unusually rich inner life
  • artistic (having a natural affinity for art), creative, and easily inspired
  • very independent
  • orderly view toward the world but within themselves arranged in a complex way only they could understand

[edit] Cognitive functions

For each personality type, the cognitive functions—sensing, intuition, thinking, and feeling—form a hierarchy. This represents the person's "default" pattern of behavior in their day to day life. The Dominant is the personality type's preferred role, the one they feel most comfortable with. The secondary function, the Auxiliary, serves to support and expand on the dominant function. If the Dominant is an information gathering function (sensing or intuition), the Auxiliary is a decision making function (thinking or feeling), and vice versa. The tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary, but it develops as the person matures, providing roundness of ability. The inferior function is the personality type's Achilles' heel. This is the function they are least comfortable with. Like the tertiary function, the inferior function strengthens with maturity.[10]

  • Dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni)
  • Auxiliary Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
  • Tertiary Introverted Thinking (Ti)
  • Inferior Extraverted Sensing (Se)[10]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Type
  2. ^ Preference
  3. ^ Temperament
  4. ^ Myers, Isabel Briggs (1998). Introduction to Type: A Guide to Understanding your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc.. 
  5. ^ Myers, Isabel Briggs; Mary H. McCaulley (1985). Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 2nd edition (in English), Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press, 52. ISBN 0-89106-027-8. 
  6. ^ Myers's INFJ
  7. ^ Keirsey's INFJ
  8. ^ Estimated Frequencies of Types. Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  9. ^ Dolphin Cove
  10. ^ a b Barron-Tieger, Barbara; Tieger, Paul D. (1995). Do what you are: discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-84522-1. 

[edit] External links

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