I agree with the above. This is not really all about N and F types. It applies to the S types and the T types too.
Still, the question remains: Does it occur to the people who apologize excessively, that their frequent apology would make them appear less sincere and trustworthy in the social circle?
To these people, giving an apology is pretty much like telling a joke. It costs nothing, and it probably doesn't mean much to them. An apology just comes out of their mouth when the right button is pushed, like a bullet bursting out of an automatic rifle when you pull the trigger.
So, the question is, when they apologize, do they actually, really, honestly mean it? If they are "serial apologizers", people would have some lingering doubts. Because it could well be just a "casual, anything-can-do apology".
I agree with the points that you and s0532 are raising. I think it's generally understood, though, that a certain minimum level of politeness just makes communication easier even when it's tactical and insincere.
At my job I have to do a lot of work with individual contractors, and many of them are pretty touchy. Some require a lot of hand-holding. When I first took over the job, a couple of them effectively accused me of being a bully when I didn't do a lot of the "pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top" stuff to make it easier for them to swallow a tough order. So now I routinely put in a lot of gestures of apology and politeness to head off any potential ill-will and show them that I'm aware of their situation and trying to consider their interests as well.
Not too long ago, an ENTP contractor responded to one of my messages and asked, "Why are you so polite? You could have cut the length of that email substantially by cutting out all the empty gestures." But I responded that some other contractors need that stuff, and it's easiest to just take the same approach with everyone.
I would happily cut out the polite stuff if I really thought I could get away with it. But being impolite can have negative repercussions and cost money, especially in a people-handling position in the workplace. Meantime, there aren't any particular negative consequences for being at least minimally polite. So I play it safe and err on the side of being polite.
It's not a big deal to me either way. It's mainly just a tactical consideration: It's what works best when handling people.
Meantime I agree that pathologically polite people can be a little scary. I don't like the timid-rabbit type of self-effacement. You wonder what's going on in their heads when their response is so excessive as to be grossly inappropriate.
FL