SolitaryWalker
Tenured roisterer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2007
- Messages
- 3,504
- MBTI Type
- INTP
- Enneagram
- 5w6
- Instinctual Variant
- so/sx
Yes, Solitary, we understand that you feel these threads have gotten ridiculous. I can agree with you on some of them. On the other hand, in this particular thread, I think it is helpful for the people dealing with INFJs that they don't understand to have a chance to ask some questions (just as I've found the Ask An ESTJ thread invaluable). There are enough people who have expressed similar experiences that while it may not describe every INFJ ever, it is a common enough thought pattern that it is of some value to those who don't instantly recognize and understand it. I think the more appropriate place for your response is in a place like, "INFJs, do you love cats?".
I am skeptical. I don't know how common enough the pattern is that can truly be attributed to type. Yes, I do see that you're onto something as people who type themselves as INFJs seem to be able to identify with one another on a lot of things, but I doubt that this is because of their type. It seems to me that the pattern should be attributed to how reserved and emotionally sensitive people behave. I don't think someone needs to be an INFJ to be able to identify with that, a lot of people who call themselves INFPs, ISFJs and even ENFPs may identify. Possibly even genuine Ts who had an upbringing that emphasized artistic pursuits and taking care of others could also identify with the traits that we equate with INFJs.
Anyhow, most people who think they are INFJs think so because they took a test which asked them if they are sensitive, perfectionistic and reserved. Since they answered yes to most of those, they figured they are INFJs. Yet if the truth be told, an ENTJ who was raised by artists and a church community could easily see himself as a sensitive, reserved and a perfectionist person in his early to mid 20s. It is not natural for him to develop those qualities, but nonetheless he could identify with them not because of his type or temperament but because of his extra-typological personal experiences.