I'm really enjoying this thread! I appreciate the responses so far...especially the thought being put into them. Many of the characteristics and perceptions that have been expressed of INFPs thus far are pretty much descriptive of me.
I'm going to go ahead and answer the questions I've listed for INFPs.
How do you respond to authority figures in your life? Do you generally question authority or are you pretty submissive?
When I was a kid, I was extremely well-liked by my teachers because I was so polite and respectful. As I got into high school, that quickly went away. I was still quiet and respectful, but secretly I had very bad opinions of my teachers. Now I do well with authority figures who treat me as something of an equal. I have had a hard time with work since most of the jobs I've done are minimum wage. It's bottom-of-the-totem-pole work which usually involves being treated like crap by all the people you encounter (managers, customers, coworkers). I am pretty confident in my intelligence and waitressing or cashiering jobs can be very upsetting for me. I hate confrontation so I won't say anything to a manager who is intentionally demeaning. When I was working those kinds of jobs I typically felt as if my superiors were actually very inferior to me, and I hated biting my tongue and doing as I was told. Now I have a job where I LOOOOVE my boss, and it has been the best work experience I've had.
How do you respond to someone talking down to you?
It's not tolerable to me. I don't always react, but I will usually try to give off some indication that the person has offended me (usually by giving attitude). I think I generally get my point across without having to be straight-up confrontational. Sometimes, though, I'll end up analyzing the situation later on and wishing I had spoken up and told them not to treat me that way.
Are you very emotionally reactive? If so, are you emotionally reactive in public or just with those you are comfortable with?
My emotional reactiveness at work has settled. I got used to the whole customer service thing and quit caring so much when people got angry at me over nothing. Actually, I think in general my emotional reactiveness has settled. It was at its worst when I was 18 or 19. I was pretty emotionally reactive with my SO and parents. For some reason it has now become a more subdued part of my personality, although admittedly it is still there. My feathers can be easily ruffled.
Do you need a lot of attention in relationships?
Yes.
Are you really sarcastic?
Nearly everything that comes out of my mouth is sarcastic in the company of those I'm comfortable with.
Are you silly?
When I'm comfortable, absolutely.
Were you shy as a child?
Ridiculously shy.
Do people mistake your reservedness for aloofness?
I think they do and it drives me nuts. People tend to treat me like I don't know what they're talking about, or as if I don't understand some concept or instruction they're trying to give me. So I assume I must come off as aloof to them, when really I'm just reserved and somewhat nondescript.
Do you have a hard time expressing yourself verbally?
To the point where I get tongue-tied, yes. I hate it.
Have you always felt as though you were at the same mental age as your chronological peers?
No, I've always felt older. It was pretty bad in middle school and high school because I really cannot stand the way teenagers/tweens act. The lack of consideration they have for other people, their blatant lack of depth...
Likewise, my peers often don't understand some of my convictions (I don't drink or smoke, have little interest in partying, and prefer long-term, committed relationships to casual dating).
Are you a talented writer?
I think so, although college has temporarily drained my interest in writing. My creativity is all but gone. I was once interested in pursuing journalism in college and as a career, but instead chose social psychology as my major. Now I'm working in the realm of photography and graphic art.
What do you want to be when you grow up (career)?
Gosh, I don't know. Originally I wanted to be a journalist but after working for a newspaper found that it wasn't for me. Being forced to write with time restraints sucks all of the enjoyment out of it for me. I am fascinated by psychology but I'm not too thrilled with how much education it takes to work in the field. As I said, I'm working with photography and graphic art now. It's another field I've always been interested in, but have no educational or professional background in it. We'll see where it takes me. I just know I want work to be fun and creative, and free of harsh deadlines and time restraints. I honestly think I've found that type of job!
Another thing I'm noticing about myself, which may have something to do with type, is how I feel being an authority figure. I've never been in such a position until now. And really, I'm still not in a position of authority, but I do have the leverage to ask/tell others what to do. I find it difficult. And I'm realizing quickly that I have a hard time being stern. I have a hard time telling people no even though I should. I almost profusely thank people for doing what I ask of them, and try to make them feel good about the work they've done. I don't notice other people doing that as much as I do. I have a hard time seeing my military counterparts at work get in trouble for reasons I deem as petty or unnecessary, and I am very vocal about it to one of their superiors. Oftentimes I'll voice my disapproval of how they are treated both in front of them and their Sgt. I go back and forth with their Sgt a lot, and we get into very heated discussions over it (somehow we still really like each other and get along well, lol). I keep telling myself I need to learn to shut up about military dynamics since I'm just a civilian working with them. I can't help myself though, and I think that has to do with being an INFP.
Hmmm...so it's been very interesting to read what you guys have responded with, as I'm seeing a lot of myself in your descriptions.