INTRODUCTION TO TYPE INFJ
INFJ (introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging) is a four-letter code used to represent one of the 16 personality types identified by the Jung Personality Test. Their mission in life is to make a positive impact on the world. INFJs are no strangers to deep connections or difficult situations.
INFJs are also known as “The Protector” personality type. This 16 Myers-Briggs personality type builds strong relationships, loves to counsel others, and truly wants to make this planet a better place.
The personality assessment that defines the INFJ was based on the theories of Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung. People with INFJ personalities are creative, gentle, and caring. According to David Keirsey, the INFJ is no common type. In fact, it is the rarest personality type with just one to three percent of the population exhibiting this personality type.
If you’ve arrived at this page without taking the “INFJ” personality test, you can take the test at this link.
INFJ Personality Traits
The test identifies your personality type by looking at four main areas:
- Extroversion vs Introversion
- Sensing vs Intuition
- Thinking vs Feeling
- Judging vs Perceiving
On each of these four areas, the test identifies which way your personality tends to lean for each dimension. As you can see, the INFJ personality leans toward Introversion, Intuiting, Feeling and Judging.
- Introversion (I): INFJs tend to be reserved, and quiet, and have a small circle of close friends.
- Intuition (N): INFJs prefer abstract concepts and tend to focus on the big picture rather than concrete details.
- Feeling (F): INFJs place a greater emphasis on personal concerns than objective facts when making decisions.
- Judging (J): INFJs like to exert control by planning, organizing, and making decisions as early as possible.
People with INFJ personalities tend to exhibit the following common traits:
- Idealistic
- Sensitive to the needs of others
- Highly creative and artistic
- Reserved
- Focused on the future
- Private
- Values close, deep relationships
- Enjoys thinking about the meaning of life
It’s important not to read the core strengths listed above and assume that INFJs are pushovers. Although some INFJs tend toward passiveness, there are many assertive INFJs. They are excellent communicators who use their outlook on life, creative thinking, authentic connections, and core values to improve the human condition.
INFJ Functions
An INFJ’s functions are Introverted Intuition, Extraverted Feeling, Introverted Thinking, and Extraverted Sensing. Their shadow functions, which are the exact opposite of these, come out in stressful situations and can make INFJs seem very different from their usual selves.
An INFJ’s dominant function is Introverted Intuition while their tertiary function is introverted thinking. Their Intuitive and Feeling functions place them among the “diplomat” personality types. This means that they relentlessly pursue their goals, but do so primarily through emotion and intuition rather than logic or absolute rules.
INFJs cognitive functions generally lead to humanistic values, so, although their introversion may hide it, they are likely to think mostly in terms of people rather than abstract ideas.
Their auxiliary function is Extroverted Feeling with means although they tend to easily read the emotions of others, they tend to have a difficult time understanding their own. This ability to feel out deeper connections makes them strong assertive advocates for others.
Common personal values held by INFJs include:
- Idealism
- Altruism
- Authenticity
- Perceptiveness
- Intimacy
INFJ Compatibility
INFJs are loyal and affectionate in romantic relationships, though it may take a long time for them to find the right person. They are fiercely devoted to their partner unless they suspect that their partner is not fiercely devoted to them, in which case they do not hesitate to leave. This is because of the deeply idealistic relationship ideals that INFJs hold. They want an authentic life.
INFJs are known as caring partners. They are always looking for ways to help their partner, physically and emotionally. While it may seem that they give away affection for free, they always expect the same from their significant other. One notable difference between INFJs and others is that they find meaning in both their work and relationships. They truly desire deep connections with people and a successful career over all else.
Because of these factors, INFJs are best paired with personality types that have a similar understanding of emotions. They need someone who understands their personal values. Ideally, they should be with someone who is extroverted in order to bridge the gap to an INFJ’s introversion. Therefore, personality types like ENFP and ENTP are the best matches while a relationship between an INFJ and an ISTP or an ESTP is not likely to succeed.
INFJ Women
Women with the INFJ personality type, like all INFJs, are devoted to their vision for the world. They are compassionate and artistic, though their introversion makes them reticent in many situations. They love emotional intimacy within their circle of acquaintances and close friends.
In women, the INFJ qualities of empathy and creativity can be emphasized because of societal perceptions and career choices. These women often work in healthcare or artistic professions.
Many people come to believe that INFJ women are simple or unemotional due to the peculiarities of their personality type. However, anyone to whom an INFJ woman is willing to open up knows otherwise.
How to Spot an INFJ
INFJs are driven by their strong values and seek out meaning in all areas of their lives including relationships and work. People with this type of personality are often described as deep and complex.
INFJs have an innate ability to understand other people’s feelings. While they are introverted, they sometimes seem extroverted at times due to their strong interest in people and society. INFJs are interested in helping others and making the world a better place. They tend to be excellent listeners and are good at interacting with people which whom they are emotionally close and connected. While they care deeply about others, INFJs tend to be very introverted and are only willing to share their “true selves” with a select few. After being in social situations, INFJs need time to themselves to “recharge.”
INFJs also have a talent for language and are usually quite good at expressing themselves on paper. They have a vivid inner life, but they are often hesitant to share this with others except for perhaps those closest to them. While they are quiet and sensitive, they can also be good leaders. Even when they don’t take on overt leadership roles, they often act as quiet influencers behind the scenes.
In school, INFJs are usually high achievers and get good grades. They can be perfectionists at times and tend to put a great deal of effort into their academic work. INFJs enjoy learning, particularly about people, society, literature and art. They tend to prefer studying subjects that involves abstract theories and ideas rather than concrete facts and information.
Because they are reserved and private, INFJs can be difficult to get to know. They place a high value on close, deep relationships and can be hurt easily, although they often hide these feelings from others.
Celebrities/Famous People Who are INFJs
By looking at their lives and works, researchers have suggested that a number of famous individuals exhibit personality traits consistent with the INFJ personality type. Some of these famed figures include:
- Billy Crystal, actor
- Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady
- Chaucer, poet
- Gillian Anderson, actress
- Fyodor Dostoevsky, novelist
- Nathaniel Hawthorne, author
- Robert Burns, poet
Other famous INFJs include:
- Nicole Kidman, actress
- Daniel Day-Lewis, actor
- Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, writer
- Robert Burns, poet
- Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader
Fictional Characters who are INFJs
Some fictional characters with INFJ personalities include:
- Luke Skywalker, Star Wars
- Amelie Poulain, Amelie
- The Tinman, The Wizard of Oz
Best Careers for INFJs
INFJs do well in careers where they can express their creativity. Because people with INFJ personalities have such deeply held convictions and values, they do particularly well in jobs that support these principles. INFJs tend to have successful careers when holding one of the following roles:
- Artist
- Actor
- Entrepreneur
- Religious worker
- Community service organizer
Other career paths INFJs do well in:
- Musician
- Librarian
- Counselor
- Psychologist
Examples of career paths that work especially well for INFJs include writing, teaching, and photography. INFJ science interest means they also do well in the field of human science and physical science.
