INFJ

:"This article is about the Myers-Briggs personality type. For the Socionics INFj, see Ethical Intuitive Introvert".

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. [ [http://www.hompath.net/psychology/temperament.php Temperament] ]

The MBTI instrument

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

Characteristics of INFJs

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. [ [http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp#INFJ MBTI INFJ] ]

INFJs are quiet, private individuals who prefer to exercise their influence behind the scenes. Although very independent, INFJs are intensely interested in the well-being of others. INFJs 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. [ [http://keirsey.com/personality/nfij.html Keirsey INFJ] ]

Accounting for 1–3% of the population, [cite web | title = Estimated Frequencies of Types | url = http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/estimated-frequencies.htm | publisher = Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Inc. | accessdate = 2008-04-24] INFJs have a rich, vivid inner life, which they may be reluctant to share with those around them. Nevertheless, they are congenial in their interactions with others. Generally well-liked by their peers, they may often be considered close friends and confidants by most other types. They are perceptive of the emotions of others and themselves easily hurt, though they may not reveal this except to their closest companions. Guarded in expressing their own feelings, especially to new people, they tend to establish close relationships slowly.

INFJs tend to be sensitive, quiet leaders with a great depth of personality. They are intricately and deeply woven, mysterious, and highly complex, sometimes puzzling even to themselves. They have an orderly view toward the world, but are internally arranged in a complex way that only they could understand. Abstract in communicating, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. With a natural affinity for art, INFJs tend to be creative and easily inspired. [http://www.infj.org/public/infjcharacter.html Dolphin Cove] ] Yet they may also do well in the sciences, aided by their intuition. [ [http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html Personality Page INFJ] ]

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.cite book |author=Barron-Tieger, Barbara; Tieger, Paul D. |title=Do what you are: discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type |publisher=Little, Brown |location=Boston |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0-316-84522-1 |oclc= |doi=]

*Dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni)
*Auxiliary Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
*Tertiary Introverted Thinking (Ti)
*Inferior Extraverted Sensing (Se)

Correlation with Enneatype

According to Baron and Wagele, the most common Enneatype for INFJs is the Romantic. [* cite book
title= The Enneagram Made Easy
last= Wagele
first= Elizabeth
authorlink=Elizabeth Wagele
coauthors= and Renee Baron
year= 1994
publisher= HarperOne
isbn= 0-06-251026-6]

ee also

* Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
* Keirsey Temperament Sorter
* Idealist temperament
* Counselor (Role Variant)

References

External links

* [http://www.personalityzone.com/view/temperament/counselor.html Keirsey: Idealist-Counselor (INFJ)]
* [http://typelogic.com/infj.html TypeLogic INFJ]
* [http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ_per.html Personality Page: Protector]
* [http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp The Myers & Briggs Foundation: The 16 MBTI Types]
* [http://www.personalitydesk.com/infj-type-description.php PersonalityDesk: INFJ Profile]