The INFP personality type is often described as an “idealist” personality. People with this kind of personality are mediators. They tend to be introverted, open-minded, creative, and driven by strong values.

INFP is a four-letter abbreviation for one of the 16 personality types the Jung Personality Test identified. This test measures concepts similar to the MBTI test (Myers–Briggs Type Indicator model).

INFP Characteristics

The test indicates your personality preferences and tendencies in the following areas: 1) Extraversion vs. Introversion, 2) Sensing vs. Intuition, 3) Thinking vs. Feeling, and 4) Judging vs. Perceiving. As you might have already guessed, the four-letter code for this personality type stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving.

  • Introversion (I): How do you relate to the world and focus your energy?
  • Intuition (N): How do you perceive information?
  • Feeling (F): How do you make decisions?
  • Perceiving (P): How do you orient yourself to the outside world?

Some of the main characteristics of the INFP personality include:

  • Loyal and devoted
  • Sensitive to feelings
  • Warm, caring, and interested in other people

Other INFP personality traits:

  • Strong written communication skills
  • Creative nature
  • He prefers to work alone
  • Values close relationships
  • Focuses on the “big picture” rather than the details

INFPs tend to be introverted, quiet, and reserved. Social situations drain their energy, and they prefer interacting with a select group of close friends. While they like to be alone, this should not necessarily be confused with shyness. Instead, it simply means INFPs gain energy from spending time alone. On the other hand, they have to expend energy in social situations. This is why they’re considered one of the sensitive types and part of why INFPs can be hard to read.

INFP Feelings and Conflict

INFPS typically rely on intuition and focus more on the big picture than the nitty-gritty. They can be meticulous about things they care about or projects they are working on but tend to ignore mundane or boring details.INFPs emphasize personal feelings, and emotions more influence their decisions than objective information. When making decisions, INFPs like to keep their options open. They often delay making important decisions just in case something about the situation changes. Again, when decisions are made, they are usually based on personal values rather than logic.

They also dislike conflict and try to avoid it, especially with their partners. When disputes or arguments arise, they usually focus more on how the competition makes them feel rather than the details. As a result, during discussions, they might seem overly emotional or even irrational. However, they can also be good mediators by helping the people involved in a conflict identify and express their feelings.

INFP Personal Values

Because they are so reserved and private, other people can find it challenging to get to know INFPs. They tend to be entirely devoted to their circle of close friends and family and place high importance on the feelings and emotions of their loved ones. Much of their energy is focused inward and characterized by intense feelings and strong values. They tend to be very loyal to the people they love and to beliefs and causes that are important to them.

INFPs tend to be very creative, artistic, and spiritual. They are often skilled with language but may prefer to express their thoughts and feelings through writing. Because they have strong ethics and core values, they also become passionate about advocating or defending their beliefs. While they feel strongly about their values, INFPs are also interested in learning more about others and are willing to listen and consider many sides of an issue. They love meaningful connections and are usually drawn to nature.

INFPs also have vital interests in making the world a better place. In addition to wanting to understand themselves better and how they fit into the world, one of their other personality traits is being interested in how they can best help others. People with this personality type spend a lot of time exploring their purpose in life and thinking about how to use their skills and talents to serve humanity best. As a result, they are naturally inclined toward helping professions and careers in which they can use their creativity.

INFP Functions

The four primary functions of an INFP are Introverted Feeling, Extroverted Intuition, Introverted Sensing, and Extroverted Thinking. This functional stack determines all of the typically visible traits of INFPs. Knowing them can be a great benefit to INFPs as well as those around them.

Their dominant function, Introverted Feeling, determines the most notable characteristic of INFPs: that they experience things mainly within themselves. The auxiliary function, Extroverted Intuition, makes them look to the external world to form their sense of self. These two are responsible for the most prominent traits of INFP.

The INFP’s auxiliary function, Introverted Sensing, is less dominant, which gives INFPs their sentimental flavor and feeling for the past. Finally, the inferior part is Extroverted Thinking, which, though not operating on a conscious level, can cause INFPs to prefer objective analysis in some situations. This can cause them to end up unexpectedly in scientific or mathematical careers instead of the typical artsy route.

INFP Compatibility

INFPs generally do well with personalities that share their emotional understanding of the world. An ENFJ is the best match for an INFP because they share many core values. Because of complementary traits, many people see an ENFJ as the perfect partner for the INFP. For example, the extraverted ENFJ can reach out to an INFP and overcome their reluctance toward a more profound connection.

Although the ENFJ is the perfect partner for the INFP, other compatible types include the INFJ and the ESFJ. The joint feeling function pairs these sensitive types and allows these matches to have meaningful connections. They have a strong sense of closeness when paired. They can also build an emotional attachment and a deeper understanding of one another. Despite some differences, the three are kindred personality types.

The worst pairing for an INFP is with an ESTP. Despite some apparent similarities, these conflicting personality types are not likely to get along in a long-term relationship. ESTPs focus too much on action and sociability for an INFP’s introverted taste.

INFPs’ tendency toward idealization is particularly relevant in meaningful relationships. This means they tend to be hopeless romantics who put their partners on a pedestal and pay special attention to their needs. This can have both positive and negative results. It sometimes causes INFPs to work very hard to make a relationship fit their standards, but it may also make them view their situation in a rose-colored way, leading to disappointment.

INFP Women

In women with the INFP personality type, the INFP traits of empathy and compassion are accentuated. INFP women are also moral and creative. They are the Princess Dianas and Audrey Hepburns of the world. Rare and unique, INFP women are indeed one of a kind.

In general, INFP personalities do well in careers that allow them to express their compassion and pursue their vision for the world in a minimally stressful environment. They thrive as artists, teachers, and counselors.

While they have strong values, their empathy allows them to understand other people’s perspectives, making sharing deeply personal thoughts and feelings with an INFP woman seem natural and freeing.

 

Famous People with INFP Personalities

Based on their lives, behaviors, and works, Keirsey has suggested that the following famous people fit the characteristics of an INFP:

  • Aldous Huxley, author
  • Audrey Hepburn, actress
  • Helen Keller, activist and author
  • J. R. R. Tolkien, author

Other famous INFPs:

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder, author
  • Princess Diana, Princess of Wales
  • Peter Jackson, filmmaker
  • William Shakespeare, playwright

Some famous fictional characters with INFP personalities include:

  • Calvin, Calvin, and Hobbes
  • Anne, Anne of Green Gables
  • Fox Mulder, The X-Files
  • Wesley Crusher, Star Trek: The Next Generation

Best INFP Career Choices

Famous INFPs and regular people typically do well in careers where they can express INFP traits like creativity and vision. They are naturally inclined toward artsy things, so the humanities is usually an excellent field for INFP careers. While they work well with others, these introverted types prefer to work alone. Some possible INFP career path options that might be suitable career matches include the following:

  • Artist
  • Counselor
  • Graphic Designer
  • Photographer
  • Librarian
  • Psychologist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Social Worker

INFPs also do well in a career path that deals with communication, such as interpreting, copywriting, or UX designing. Although it is important to note that there isn’t just one ideal career path for INFPs wanting to climb a career ladder, some jobs aren’t a natural fit for the sensitive INFP. This includes positions in law enforcement, sales, law, or any field where their moral compass or true nature might feel out of place.

 

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