What makes an INFP tick?
The Dominant function is the judging one of Feeling. Characteristics associated with this function include:
- Makes decisions on the basis of personal values
- Is appreciative and accepting of people - enjoying company and seeking harmony
- Assesses the impact of decisions on others, being sympathetic or compassionate
- Takes a personal approach
The judging Feeling function is introverted. That is, Feeling is used primarily to govern the inner world of thoughts and emotions. The INFP will therefore:
- develop an inner emotional life that is often unseen to others, but is experienced as intense
- retain a strong sense of values, which are often not expressed
- emotionally accept or reject various aspects of life - for example, deciding whether praise or criticism received is valid and, at extreme, ignoring whatever is unacceptable
- feel appreciation towards others, but not express it
The Feeling function is primarily supported by extraverted iNtuitive perception, That is, iNtuitive perception is used primarily to manage the outer world of actions and spoken words. This will modify the way that the Feeling is directed, by:
- focusing the (inner world) Feeling on ideas and possibilities for people
- looking for meaningful relationships
- deciding on friendships through insight into their personality and motivation
The classic temperament of an INFP is Apollonian, or Choleric, for whom a basic driving force is the search for meaning or purpose.
Contributions to the team of an INFP
In a team environment, the INFP can contribute by:
- promoting insight and common understanding amongst the team
- contributing well thought out and innovative ideas
- generating team spirit though sensitive listening and a quiet enthusiasm
- focusing on areas of agreement and building on others' proposals
- where there are areas of disagreement, exploring a wide range of options to see if a point of agreement can be found
The potential ways in which an INFP can irritate others include:
- being idealistic
- appearing out of touch, perhaps not fully recognising current realities, and disregarding those they find unacceptable
- being stubborn over issues the group did not anticipate being a problem
- spending too much time thinking
- avoiding conflict and not giving forthright criticism when it is needed
- focusing so much on interpersonal issues that cost and other impersonal considerations are not adequately discussed
Personal Growth
As with all types, the INFP can achieve personal growth by developing all functions that are not fully developed, through actions such as:
- being prepared to declare the INFP's personal values
- investigating and recognising the facts before interpreting what they mean
- listing options and undertaking a formal process of evaluation against criteria, including a cost benefit analysis
- undertaking a critical appraisal of a situation or person, and expressing disagreement or criticism when it could be of value to the recipient
- focusing on impersonal details during discussions and when making decisions
- listing options and undertaking a formal process of evaluation against criteria, including a cost benefit analysis
- establishing a long term goal, preparing a detailed implementation plan, and sticking to it
Recognising Stress
As stress increases, 'learned behaviour' tends to give way to the natural style, so the INFP will behave more according to type when under greater stress. For example, in a crisis, the INFP might:
- concentrate only on what the INFP sees as important
- work alone if possible
- contribute creative ideas, but overlook current realities
- fail to consider the cost implications
Under extreme stress, fatigue or illness, the INFP's shadow may appear - a negative form of ESTJ. Example characteristics are:
- being very critical and find fault with almost everything
- doing things to excess - e.g.: eating, drinking or exercising
- becoming bossy or domineering and ignoring others' feelings
- being pedantic about unimportant details
The shadow is part of the unconscious that is often visible to others, onto whom the shadow is projected. The INFP may therefore readily see these faults in others without recognising it in him/her self.
