INFJ

The type INFJ is the rarest of the 16 varients in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality theory, making up perhaps 1% of the general population. Sadly, this has led to a lot of misunderstanding by many people, often mistaking the INFJ for other types, though also because of the very positive sounding summary of the INFJ "type portrait", and because of the fallibility of various online tests, there are many who either claim or have come out to be INFJ, who are not. This is something, among many other things, that has been noticed by another INFJ on her site. If you would like to read more of what she has to say on her incredible site, click here.

The MBTI is loosely based on Carl Jung's research on type in his Functional Analysis. According to the theories that hedeveloped in this work, the INFJ is has the primary function as Introverted Intuition, with the primary auxillery being Extraverted Feeling (which may confuse some people who think that we INFJ's are actually extraverted... not in a million years! 8P ). This means that the tertiary function of this type is Introverted Thinking and as the inferior function, Extraverted Sensing (which might explain why I am always forgetting my keys!!!)

As well as containing these functions, the INFJ is a member of the "type family" that has come to be known as the Idealists, which are made up of anyone with NF in their type code. (The other 3 "type families are Guardian SJ, Rational NT, and Artisan SP, respectfully). These "type families" was an idea that was originally taken from Plato's Republic, where he describes the various classes of people who would make up the ideal republic. Of course, of these four classes, the idealist (also known as the poets), because of their passion and zealous intensity, were to be kicked out of the republic and have their writings burned... (I, of course, do not think that entirely necessary...)

Like all Idealists, the INFJ is a natural communicator, and is drawn toward causes and seek for "the greater good", along with harmony and greater understanding of who they are. Also, among all Idealists, there is a tendancy toward melodramaticism (being overly emotional, expressive, or dramatic), especially when discussing a matter of interest or a cause of extra concern for them. Although, if there is one thing that can be said about INFJ's, it's that we are a very difficult lot to understand a lot of the time, and with good reason. (Heck, half the time I have a hard time understanding myself, let alone having others try to understand me!!)

Fond of ideas and possibilities, INFJs are willing to discuss them to no ends, these conversations sometimes getting super deep and serious, or rather funny...

Here are some other fun facts about INFJ's:

• Natural communicators, though they prefer to write rather than speak.
• Kind and gentle, even to the point of empathic relations with others
• Hopeless romantics (which, for many of us, the accent is on the "Hopeless")
• Messiah Complex: The desire to hold up everybody else's burdens and to be the "rock" of any given group, all for the sake of harmony and good relations
• They are beings of intense extremes... often called "high strung"
• Often prefer to take a mentoring or supporting role, rather than that of direct and visible leader... (More ability to influence that way)
• The most poetic of the types (though I have met a few poetic ENFP's in my day...)
• Complex personalities, which are often difficult to understand, even for the person themself!!!
• Most likely of all types to be "spiritually in tune", and is most gifted in intuitive abilities... both in projection and introjection (though this is debated by some, who claim that it is the Introverted Feeling function that is in this case, though I still say that the Intuition has a lot to do with it.)
• Can determine another's motives or emotions easily, even before the other person is aware of them
• rather philosophical in nature
• Most, not all, INFJs that I know are perfectionists, and are stubborn to no end if they are determined and driven toward a specific goal...

• VERY active imaginations
  1. Preference towards creative play as opposed to physical games
  2. Will make up stories using their toys, and play as if the toy is in their world
  3. A high tendancy to have at least one imaginary friend
  4. If there are others around who are playing also, and the child can project with enough proficiency, they will then draw others into their imaginary world
• Shy factor? I think that depends on the individual...
• Among other children, they often become either outcasts or act as the "moral compass" of their group of friends. Sometimes, though, because of their friendly nature, the INFJ is able to develop friendships with various groups and they often play the role of peace maker.
• Intelligent and elloquant of speech, even from an early age, so they could continue a conversation with ease.
• A tendancy toward giftedness in academic spheres, thus they are able to shine brilliantly if given a chance, especially in later education.

• "You think too much!"
• "You are funny!" (even though at the time, often I am not trying to be funny)
• "You're weird!" (or variations on this one)
• "You're too nice!"
• "Where do you go?" (referring to my various thought trains that leaves the "here and now")
• "Quit looking at me like that! Okay, I will/won't do it!" (hehehe...)
• "Most Uniquely Dressed" - A label gained in Highschool
• "You know, for a smart guy, you do some pretty stupid things." - My Dad...
• "You'll have to quit being so hard on yourself and enjoy life! Lighten up!" (A certain ESFP friend of mine...)
• "Don't scare me like that!" or "AAAAHHHHH!!" (Usually when I'd decide to speak up or make my presence known where it isn't known before... see "invisibility mode" below)

• considered "flakey", definitely a unique individual... (and, if I may add... between us "flakes" and everyone else in the world, the "nuts" and "fruit", we make a pretty interesting looking granola bar! LOL!)
• eccentric senses of humour, often misunderstood by (and misunderstanding of) the more "earthy" kinds of humour enjoyed by some others...
• Rather thoughtful
• Loving of children and animals
• "organized" clutter spots located around living areas... (mine's my desk.)
• Little patience for small talk, but a tendancy to be drawn into deep conversations
• Have great interest in personality tests, and could even be called "personality test junkies"
• The best of People-watchers... (part of the writer's trade!)
• An ability to go invisible... (Not quite actual "invisibility"... more a blending into the background and seeming to not be present at any given time, usually because the others in question forget that I am there...)
• Emotionally intense, even though it is not always shown... (actually, it's rarely shown. Very few people have seen me seriously angry.)
• A tendancy to take "the whole world in His hands" a tad bit too literally... Many attempt to change the world or to carry the burdens of others on their shoulders... (it certainly gets heavy after a while!!!)