Personality typology is an approach in modern psychology. Here, people are divided into different categories based on typical character traits. Critics say that it is hardly possible to categorize the diversity of human personality into a few types. In principle, this may be true. You should therefore not regard personality typology as dogma, but as orientation.
Properly interpreted, personality theory can help you discover new facets of yourself or understand recurring patterns of behavior. Only if you know why you always act in a certain way, you can change it. In the following article, we will look at the INFJ personality.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator distinguishes four dimensions, two of which can be combined with each other. Accordingly, there is a total of 16 types.
By far the rarest type is the INFJ personality. So the abbreviation INFJ stands for:
Introverts often appear closed and introverted to others. They are considered quiet and reserved. Introversion is often mistakenly equated with shyness. However, this is a mistake. Introverts are simply self-sufficient. They don't feel the need to be in company all the time. They enjoy sinking into their own world of thought.
Intuition is also known as gut feeling is the term used. Intuitive people have a kind of inner sensor. They often assess situations correctly, even though there is no rational reason for their assessment. In addition, they are very sensitive when it comes to bad moods in their environment. You can't fool them.
Feelers take care of their fellow human beings. They are empathetic and helpful. They also like to let their emotions lead. Feelings play a key role in all important decisions. If something doesn't feel right, feelers refrain from it.
Evaluators strive for consistency and order. They would prefer to plan every aspect of life down to the smallest detail. They do not like surprises at all. The need for control is very strong. They weigh up existing facts and then make a well thought out decision.
In the INFJ, all the character traits just described are united in one person. The INFJ personality type is considered to be the most important personality type due to its strong sense of justice, idealism and Empathy also referred to as "advocate".
Advocates appreciate leading a life without a façade. They stand up for themselves and want to be respected by those around them in the same way. They act quietly and deliberately, but quietly accomplish great deeds. They fight tirelessly for their idealistic convictions, without losing faith in the good.
"Help me help you." This could be the Life motto of the INFJ are.
The undeniable strengths of INFJ personalities include determination, idealism and empathy. They stick to their goals until they achieve them. In doing so, they are never reckless, but always give up the Needs of other people eight.
INFJs are considered to be particularly social and empathetic. They sense how their counterparts are feeling and are able to respond sensitively to their emotional state. Other people therefore feel safe with them. INFJ personalities feel the need to make the world a better and more lovable place. They have precise ideas about how this Achieve goal is.
Furthermore, their sharp judgment should be emphasized as a strength. Their intuition helps them to assess situations correctly. However, they do not rely exclusively on their gut feeling. The personality part of the assessor checks all the facts very carefully. The combination of fact-checking and intuition makes them confident in making decisions.
Besides all the positive characteristics However, there are also specific weaknesses. INFJs tend to neglect their own needs. As their focus is always on fighting for their beliefs and the well-being of others, they eventually reach a breaking point. If this is exceeded, symptoms of exhaustion can occur.
Chronic stress has been shown to promote a variety of physical and mental illnesses. INFJs are particularly prone to psychosomatic complaints and burnout. This is underlined by a study of the Max Planck Institute.
The Advocate's susceptibility to emotional discomfort is due in no small part to his sensitivity. If this personality type is criticized, they take it very much to heart. They lack the ability to separate themselves emotionally. They find it difficult to deal constructively with conflict.
INFJs do not like quarrels. If possible, they avoid criticism and personal conflicts. If the latter is not possible, they often react inappropriately and irrationally. This is true in both personal and professional life. Moreover, these personality types very reclusive. They define themselves mainly by their ideals. It is difficult for them to open up to others as human beings.
Climbing the career ladder is secondary for INFJ personalities. They often discover early on that typical career paths do not conform to their desires and beliefs. Young people of this personality type often have difficulty making decisions when it comes to choosing an education. They develop umpteen different perspectives on what they want to do with their lives.
The latter is both inspiring and sobering at the same time; after all, not every plan can be put into practice. The most important thing for advocates is to be able to see a deeper meaning in their work. If this is not the case, they will unhappy. They don't do much for personal gain. INFJ personalities are therefore often active in health care and social professions in general.
In addition to the meaningfulness of their work, what they need most is independence. It is difficult for them to adapt to the guidelines of others. That's why INFJs are well suited to management positions. Many of them also become self-employed after a while. The latter is usually even more satisfying for them.
As part of their professional independence, lawyers experience the freedom to add a personal touch to their work. As they usually put their heart and soul into their work, this is particularly fulfilling. The step into self-employment is accompanied by enormous personal growth goes hand in hand with this. The experience of being able to bring about change through one's own efforts corresponds to the Life goal of the INFJ.
A study of the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research has looked into the question of what kind of people become self-employed. Here it is noticeable that essential characteristics of the INFJ type are mentioned.
In addition to their frequent presence in health care, one can find many advocates in the field of expressive arts. They are, for example, writers or musicians. In this way, they manage to convey their messages to the world. With the help of their art they want to convey important values. Fame and profit are not important to them.
Advocates should refrain from all professions in which monotony and conflict determine the daily work routine. They need harmony, variety and freedom of expression. All professions in which there is a lot of criticism and pressure (sales, politics) do not suit them.
Hardly any other personality type is as conscientious in choosing a partner as the INFJ. Noncommittal flirtations and superficial relationships are abhorrent to him. He wants a deep, unshakeable basis of trust. Accordingly, he takes his time until he has found a person who is able to fulfill these requirements. Once advocates have found a partner, the Relationship of sincerity and loyalty coined.
The advocate's very precise demands make him picky. Especially in the introductory phase, it is easy to scare him off with seemingly minor details. You should never try to manipulate an INFJ in your favor. Because of his sensitive antennae, he will notice it immediately. The INFJ will not forgive attempts at manipulation and untruths. One Relationship is often finished after this.
Authenticity is the top priority for the INFJ in a partnership. He does not want to pretend and also wants a partner who is unaffected and genuine. This is the only way to build the deep emotional connection that the INFJ longs for.
INFJs invest a lot of time and emotion in their love relationship. They want to make their partner happy in every way. They are very passionate and are not afraid to express their affection in words and gestures. If you know an INFJ as a partner at your side, you can consider yourself truly lucky. He shows you unaffectedly how important you are to him.
The desire for Connectedness is also expressed in the sexuality of the INFJ personality. Purely physical passion is not enough for him. Rather, he wants to merge with his partner physically and emotionally. Sexuality without love is therefore out of the question for him.
Despite their introverted side, Advocates generally have no difficulty getting to know potential partners. In their circle of friends and acquaintances they are considered friendly, helpful and warm-hearted. They do not let themselves be influenced by prejudices, but make up their own minds. The fact that they are nevertheless sometimes single for a long time is due to their high standards.
INFJ personalities have rarity value. They make up only about 1 % of the population. The likelihood of you being an INFJ yourself is accordingly low - but by no means impossible. The reasons why INFJs are so rare have not yet been conclusively determined. There are several possible causes.
On the one hand, the personality traits are very complex. Some aspects even seem contradictory at first glance. A good example of this is the simultaneous presence of intuition and fact-based judgment. Most people are either intuitive or rational. The INFJ combines both abilities without them contradicting each other. On the contrary, they actually complement each other. This is quite rare.
Another factor for the rarity could of course be the test system as such. The Myers Briggs test is based on an extensive questionnaire that each participant has to complete. independent fills out. Of course, it can never be guaranteed that all answers are true.
For example, many people prefer to portray themselves as extroverted, even though this is not the case. However, the INFJ has a strong introverted personality trait. If the relevant questions are not honest the result may be falsified. The INFJ is not recognized.
Did you know that many important people in history can be clearly classified as INFJ personalities? Now that you are informed about the characteristics of the INFJ, you will surely recognize some typical characteristics of subsequent persons:
Fictional INFJ personalities from film and television:
Besides the Myers-Briggs Test exist numerous other models of personality. One of the best known and most popular models is the so-called DISC test. This is based on the latest scientific findings. Behind the four letters lies an easy-to-apply principle that allows you to analyze the properties of different Types of people and to deal with them in a goal-oriented manner.
The acronym DISG stands for the following:
Every person has all four personality traits, but in different weights.
The DISG model is uncomplicated yet insightful. By learning to understand the reasons for your own behavior and the behavior of others, you can Understanding peoplethe better the interpersonal communication. For this reason, many large companies like to use the DISG model.
The DISG test helps you to harmonize your outer and inner self-image. Only in this way can you discover your complete Potential unfold. If you are curious, then we recommend you our free personality test. This comprises 16 questions and takes about three minutes. Short and compact - but very accurate and reliable!
