Jellyfish1234
New member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2016
- Messages
- 246
I'd like to develop my understanding of the 'general' picture of what an INFJ is typically like. I know obviously not all INFJ will be similar but I'd just like to see out of interest, whether this description of an INFJ relates to any on this forum? How far off is my very-generalised-and-probably-disgustingly-stereotypical-portrayal of INFJ to most here? What bits would you agree/disagree with? (Most of this portrayal is based on what I view myself to be like, and the example is pulled (and edited) from a real event in my life, so I suppose this may also help me see how far I am from other INFJ here to help me decide on if I think I am one or not). This portrayal is focused on a healthy INFJ, and focuses on strengths linked to people skills.
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INFJ - Observe, Analyse, Fix
Imagine a robot or android designed to observe and analyse human beings and to 'fix' them, emotionally. This is, in a sense, a generalised metaphor for the INFJ. The INFJ will use their ability to sense the underlying causes of events and behaviour coupled with their knack for observing behavioural patterns of others to gain analytical insights into people (Ni) - why they said what they said, what they are thinking, what they want, who they are, how they are feeling. Most of these insights are removed from judgement or emotion - it is a rather cold observational activity; "You are doing this because of this." rather than, "You are doing this because of this, and I dislike that." (Ni + Ti) The feeling/judgement side to the INFJ comes later, when the INFJ decides to use their information on somebody to DO something - usually, to care for them and to 'fix' them (Fe). If a person seems upset to the INFJ, who would sense this by understanding the usual behavioural patterns of the person or of people in the population in general, the INFJ may use the insights gained on that person to go about helping them to cheer up in a way that suits the individual in distress best. If two people are in conflict and the INFJ wishes to help resolve it, the INFJ may use their understanding of each person to manipulate the situation into being resolved, speaking their language, fixing things behind the scenes, knowing what to say to them to make them think about the other person in a different way. The INFJ is someone who knows your secrets - or at least thinks they do - , but can be trusted not to share them and to handle them with care, with your best interest in mind.
Example. John, 15, an INFJ, noticed some tension between his friends Ryan and Catrina. Catrina and Ryan were in different classes, and this week, the year group was divided into two - the lower ability classes, and the upper ability classes. They were then given two assembly meetings, where a visitor came in to give them advise on how to best prepare for their exams. Ryan and Catrina had been discussing what the assembly was about and it became clear that Ryan's group's assembly had been tailored to fit the average academic intelligence levels of the lower groups, as Catrina's assembly seemed to have been a lot more advanced. John could tell that Ryan was a bit upset with this - he was not engaging with the conversation as much as he normally would, and kept looking down at the ground, and kept mentioning his impressive A grade coursework he got last week (probably as a way to defend his intelligence). John thought that Catrina was oblivious as she was acting normally and continued to talk about the advanced lessons given in her assembly that weren't given in Ryan's. John decided he would help Ryan feel better. He knew Ryan was someone who was sensitive but didn't like people knowing, as he'd observed him for years and could tell he had a soft heart hid by a cold, uncaring persona, and so he knew that if he made it clear to Ryan that he knew he was upset, Ryan would be distressed and embarrassed. So John decided to slip in a joke about how the education system was stupid, and that people were treated as if they were stupid if they didn't excel, when usually it was the case that they were intelligent and just didn't put the effort in to do the work (something Ryan would openly admit himself and so wouldn't be offended). After he said this, Ryan seemed to perk up, and John felt he had helped his friend in a kind way.
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Thank you in advance for any responses! And apologies if my portrayal is terrible!
--
INFJ - Observe, Analyse, Fix
Imagine a robot or android designed to observe and analyse human beings and to 'fix' them, emotionally. This is, in a sense, a generalised metaphor for the INFJ. The INFJ will use their ability to sense the underlying causes of events and behaviour coupled with their knack for observing behavioural patterns of others to gain analytical insights into people (Ni) - why they said what they said, what they are thinking, what they want, who they are, how they are feeling. Most of these insights are removed from judgement or emotion - it is a rather cold observational activity; "You are doing this because of this." rather than, "You are doing this because of this, and I dislike that." (Ni + Ti) The feeling/judgement side to the INFJ comes later, when the INFJ decides to use their information on somebody to DO something - usually, to care for them and to 'fix' them (Fe). If a person seems upset to the INFJ, who would sense this by understanding the usual behavioural patterns of the person or of people in the population in general, the INFJ may use the insights gained on that person to go about helping them to cheer up in a way that suits the individual in distress best. If two people are in conflict and the INFJ wishes to help resolve it, the INFJ may use their understanding of each person to manipulate the situation into being resolved, speaking their language, fixing things behind the scenes, knowing what to say to them to make them think about the other person in a different way. The INFJ is someone who knows your secrets - or at least thinks they do - , but can be trusted not to share them and to handle them with care, with your best interest in mind.
Example. John, 15, an INFJ, noticed some tension between his friends Ryan and Catrina. Catrina and Ryan were in different classes, and this week, the year group was divided into two - the lower ability classes, and the upper ability classes. They were then given two assembly meetings, where a visitor came in to give them advise on how to best prepare for their exams. Ryan and Catrina had been discussing what the assembly was about and it became clear that Ryan's group's assembly had been tailored to fit the average academic intelligence levels of the lower groups, as Catrina's assembly seemed to have been a lot more advanced. John could tell that Ryan was a bit upset with this - he was not engaging with the conversation as much as he normally would, and kept looking down at the ground, and kept mentioning his impressive A grade coursework he got last week (probably as a way to defend his intelligence). John thought that Catrina was oblivious as she was acting normally and continued to talk about the advanced lessons given in her assembly that weren't given in Ryan's. John decided he would help Ryan feel better. He knew Ryan was someone who was sensitive but didn't like people knowing, as he'd observed him for years and could tell he had a soft heart hid by a cold, uncaring persona, and so he knew that if he made it clear to Ryan that he knew he was upset, Ryan would be distressed and embarrassed. So John decided to slip in a joke about how the education system was stupid, and that people were treated as if they were stupid if they didn't excel, when usually it was the case that they were intelligent and just didn't put the effort in to do the work (something Ryan would openly admit himself and so wouldn't be offended). After he said this, Ryan seemed to perk up, and John felt he had helped his friend in a kind way.
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Thank you in advance for any responses! And apologies if my portrayal is terrible!