Psychological Type Descriptions:
INFJ
Description:
INFJ's guiding principles are complexity and integrity. While they want to believe in others' good intentions, INFJs are sufficiently skeptical to recognize when others' motives are not good. INFJs often possess uncanny empathy and may at times appear almost psychic in their ability to read the intentions of others and the processes of groups. Driven to maintain congruence with their ideals and vision, INFJs are relentless in their self-questioning. Given the complexity of their personalities, it is no wonder that this type is prone to second guessing themselves. Being very internal in their focus, INFJs are often described as hard to get to know. For the few very close friends of an INFJ, he or she is often seen as loyal, intense, idealistic, and easily hurt by the implications of actions or words-even when the friend is unaware of the implications her or himself. INFJs tend to balance their tendency to second-guess with a strong pull to complete tasks, which keeps them from becoming immobilized by self-doubt for long. Although shying away from visible leadership roles, INFJs are quite commonly found influencing their colleagues and loved-ones behind the scene. INFJs are quite rare and make up 1-3% of the population.
Potential Blindspots:
As with any type, INFJs can encounter problems in certain areas. Their focus on their ideals can sometimes render them too focused-leading to a kind of tunnel vision in which obvious aspects of the situation that don't confirm their ideals are ignored. INFJs are prone to having their feelings hurt and tend to be somewhat perfectionistic-sometimes leading to disappointment and disillusionment in relationships. Despite their strong wills, most INFJs find conflict difficult to handle and may tend to avoid it, even when called for. This tendency coupled with their innate internal focus can lead the INFJ to allow their ideas to be overlooked or underestimated. Finally, the complex way in which INFJs see the world leads them to express ideas in ways that more concrete types find difficult to understand.
Possible Careers to Consider:
- Counselor
- Health Care Administrator
- Psychologist
- Job Analyst
- Librarian
- Social Service Director
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- Priest/Clergy/Monk/Nun
- Human Resource Manager
- Humanities Teacher
- Organizational Consultant
- Social Worker
- Novelist
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- Mediator
- Marketer of Ideas/Services
- EAP Coordinator
- Poet
- Artist
- Social Scientist
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Return to the Personality Type Descriptions list.
Last updated: 1 October 2002
Maintained by: John
W. Hall, PhD - john@drjohnhall.com
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