[INFJ] INFJs to the rescue!

[c-jade]

So it's pretty evident by now that I really have zero clue what my type is. This morning I decided to take a slew of tests to see what I got. And somehow, I got INFJ on all three of the random tests I took.

Humanmetrics said: Introvert(22%) iNtuitive(6%) Feeling(44%) Judging(6%)
Psychcentral said: Introversion - 48, Intuitive - 51, Feeling - 46, Judging - 40
And some place called Kisa said: Introverted (I) 68% Extraverted (E) 32%; Intuitive (N) 68% Sensing (S) 32%; Feeling (F) 75% Thinking (T) 25%; Judging (J) 55% Perceiving (P) 45%

Obviously I know that you can't take the test results that much to heart, but I thought it strange that I got the same result for all three, back to back. I was wondering if the INFJs here would mind analyzing me to determine if I seem like one of you, or if I should continue on my journey to another possible type.

I did want to say that this description from Humanmetrics: "INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers," made sense with why I am constantly feeling like I'm in a tug-of-war between being sensible and following my dreams.

But you all are the experts on your own type, so please, any knowledge or insight you can spare would be so, so appreciated. Feel free to ask me any question you'd like. And thank you in advance to anyone who gives more of their time to my endless cause.

 

[Forever]

INFJ is a common type result. Intuition on most tests test on a Ne/Si scale than an Ni/Se way.

Keep participating in the forum. I can't quite figure you yet.

 

[c-jade]

Yeah, I wish I understood the theory well enough to be able to tell what each test is really analyzing, but I'd have to devote a lot more time learning about it to be able to do that. Thanks for responding though! I am still interested in learning a little more about INFJs regardless of whether I might be one, because I believe my younger sister is either an INFJ or an INFP.

What aspects of your personality made you sure you're an INFJ? (if there's another thread where I can lurk around and find answers like these, just let me know)

 

[Forever]

Well I study more than MBTI descriptions because they were very insincere in understanding human nature.

The first that got me to understand if I had Ni or not was that if I had Se or Si. Intuition is harder to grasp conceptually than sensation. Once I figured I had Se, I needed to understand where it was in my Jungian cognitive stack. It was when I realized how inferior Se manifested, Ni would be almost certain for me. Since Si is fixed at the 8th position, INFJ's and INTJ's have a feel of not really existing or depersonalizing from their environment.

I think that is a key feature (not the only one of course) is to know how much you are in tune with your body. I can hold my pee for hours if I am captivated by the event or project I am working on sometimes not even noticing I actually have to go to the bathroom. (There's some where it's too serious so I do go use it.)

Another is do you eat to live or do you live to eat now or in the past very much? Si users enjoy food of course but it's not like it's their priority to get quality food, I know some who they say anywhere they go is good food which doesn't make sense to me. So pickiness in food is another indicator.

How much are you into theories? It's merely to be in favor of those you learn in college, but that doesn't make you an intuitive necessarily. If you take theories and create new ideas or produce some on your own, you're most likely to be an intuitive. So many ISFJ's think they're INFJ because of the introversion deep thinking aspect, which is false. They need to realize that making their own ideas about understanding the world is just as important as learning them.

How comfortable are you with society? Most INFJ's are 4's so they feel that they're different and want to state original and true to themselves.

INFJ's focus on originality a lot too. If you're always content with how society is just on a general basis and feel like everyone else, you're more likely to be an SJ who are primarily focused on keeping to themselves and support those who they love.

Do big picture questions haunt you frequently? It does for me on a day to day basis. I get stressed easily. SUPER easily.

Are you insights idiosyncratic? Do you feel like wanting to share it and not feel alone? What is something that society can improve on?

Do you like small talk or practical things or like to dig in to serious subjects with others head on and care not much for security? An enneagram 6 is common in INFJ's but for me I don't think most 6 INFJ's are INFJ's lol.

When you use Fe or interacting with others or are even asked how you're doing, do you take questions more seriously? Ni/Ti combined makes a VERY analytical type.

I think this is a good amount to chew on.

 

[geedoenfj]

Ok can I ask you some questions?

1. Do you have a value structure or morals that you get very defensive if it is criticized?
2. Do you often caught to be too critical about certain behaviors or people?
3. Are you a spiritual person?

 

[Z Buck McFate]

I personally find it difficult to have an opinion about someone's type before having a chance to observe a significant amount of interaction with them. So I have nothing to offer about you directly.

I will nitpick this though:

I did want to say that this description from Humanmetrics: "INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers," made sense with why I am constantly feeling like I'm in a tug-of-war between being sensible and following my dreams.

I wouldn't say it's about being a "doer" so much as needing reality to match an idyllic theory/value being dispatched. I don't consider myself a "doer", especially compared to just about any SJ, but I do need a sort of consistency between someone's words and actions to give their words much weight. I can see how (relatively speaking) that is what might give me a "doer" edge. Theory/idealism alone can quickly reach a point of diminishing returns for me if it doesn't feel strongly connected to reality. But I live for theory/idealism that feels strongly connected to reality/experience, it absolutely enthralls me- which is why I'd never really call myself a "doer".

 

[Duffy]

*Disclaimer* I'm no expert, just an enthusiast. Take everything with a grain of salt as everything is subject to change.

There is a tendency to conflate function attitudes with motivations. Cognitive functions is merely how you take in information (perceiving) and make decisions (judging). Motivation is the realm of enneagram. It can be difficult to separate the two. If it's between ISFJ & INFJ, then I'd look at Ni/Se versus Si/Ne.

A common misconception regarding Si users is attaching the attitude with memory. I grew up with an ISFJ and can say that memory was not a deciding factor in this person's type. Also, this person was not focused on the past in the literal sense, but I can see why one would attach that to the type. In fact, the past gave them anxiety, so dwelling in it would serve nothing productive. I'd say they were more future oriented in some ways. Everyone has intuition, and this person allowed theirs to manifest as potential pitfalls (Ne). Dominant Si was observable in an inclination for the "familiar," meant literally and figuratively. In this way, Si can be past oriented, because it seems they are channeling this undercurrent accumulation of data, sifting through info and feeling out what is "right." Very much similar to what is described with iNtuitives as being impression / gut based. Perhaps the difference is that Si types rely more on accumulative experiences to dictate the present and future. This page goes into depth what I'm talking about. That's not to say that Ni dominant are suppose to be this iconoclastic, do everything original, types of people. Not necessarily. As an Ni-dom, I feel like that would be too exhaustive. In the link I provided, I agree with the notion that Ni likes to use existing, learned "concepts" to shape what could be (twist it into their own). I think this quote by Annie Clark (celebritytypes has her as INTJ) is a pretty good representation of this idea:

Clark: "I find a lot of liberation [in] structure. ... If I know where I'm supposed to be, then I can deviate, and live in the moment."

As for the enneagram, if you're indeed a 6, then it's reasonable for you to struggle with ISFJ & INFJ. An INFJ 6 will seem SJ-ish in general. I type as INFJ 4, so I don't really relate much to the Ghandi INFJs of the world (enneagram 1). I'm closer to the Maleficent variety (hehe). You'll have to figure out how your particular enneagram type works within the framework of an Ni or Si dom. As a brief example, I can see why there are many 4, 5, and 1 INFJs. They can be type 1s in that these types like to set limitations for themselves in an effort to be a model citizen and have a vision for how the world should be (Ni-Fe), but struggles with inferior Se means there is guilt in experiencing physical pleasures or an attitude that those things are stupid. They can be 4s for similar reasons as stated for 1s, but flipped on the head a bit with more a focus on identity and identification with a negative self as opposed to a model self -- for how their image falls short, how they lack in comparison to what's universally worthy. And they can be 5s for similar reasons as stated for 1s and 4s, except with more focus on observation and finding a niche (being specialist) to combat & compensate for the chaos that is the physical world -- may even be scattered and overindulge when unhealthy (inferior Se / connection to type 7). I can see aspects of 1, 4, 5, and sometimes 6 for myself if I look at the big picture. So a person can share a similar struggle in how they take in and process information, but the differences in motivation (enneagram) can result in very different, but observable, behavioral patterns.

 

[the state i am in]

to me, j is about frequently consulting expectation and focusing on purpose first and foremost, rather than "happening."

 

[Evee]

to me, j is about frequently consulting expectation and focusing on purpose first and foremost, rather than "happening."

Care to provide an example of what you mean by that exactly?

 

[c-jade]

1. Do you have a value structure or morals that you get very defensive if it is criticized?

I guess so. Yes? If by that you mean certain things that I expect from people or think are right and wrong that not everyone may agree with. For example, I get livid if I make plans with someone and they change them at the last minute or are incredibly late. I don't know, though, I don't think I'd get defensive if someone criticized my morals or value structure, like because they didn't agree with it. If they criticized if I'M moral then I'd definitely get defensive, but if they just don't agree with my opinions on certain things then I'm actually fairly understanding of other people's views and am open to discussing why I feel a certain way versus how another person feels.
Hopefully I answered that question correctly.

2. Do you often caught to be too critical about certain behaviors or people?

Yes. It's something I'm very bad about and need to work on.

3. Are you a spiritual person?

Yes, and getting more so the older I get.

 

[geedoenfj]

I guess so. Yes? If by that you mean certain things that I expect from people or think are right and wrong that not everyone may agree with. For example, I get livid if I make plans with someone and they change them at the last minute or are incredibly late. I don't know, though, I don't think I'd get defensive if someone criticized my morals or value structure, like because they didn't agree with it. If they criticized if I'M moral then I'd definitely get defensive, but if they just don't agree with my opinions on certain things then I'm actually fairly understanding of other people's views and am open to discussing why I feel a certain way versus how another person feels.
Hopefully I answered that question correctly.


Yes. It's something I'm very bad about and need to work on.


Yes, and getting more so the older I get.

I can see an INFJ so far..
Here are some more questions I just had in my mind and I'm sorry for bothering you already[emoji16] it's all in seek of help you know it's my mission [emoji56]
1. Are you creative or/and artistic?
2. Do you sometimes have like a unique sense of humor that you feel not many people can get it?

 

[c-jade]

I personally find it difficult to have an opinion about someone's type before having a chance to observe a significant amount of interaction with them.

I agree. That's why it's unfortunate that no one in my life studies this enough to give me their objective opinion. And thus I come here...

I wouldn't say it's about being a "doer" so much as needing reality to match an idyllic theory/value being dispatched. I don't consider myself a "doer", especially compared to just about any SJ, but I do need a sort of consistency between someone's words and actions to give their words much weight. I can see how (relatively speaking) that is what might give me a "doer" edge. Theory/idealism alone can quickly reach a point of diminishing returns for me if it doesn't feel strongly connected to reality. But I live for theory/idealism that feels strongly connected to reality/experience, it absolutely enthralls me- which is why I'd never really call myself a "doer".

I really appreciate you dissecting that for me. The comment you made that I put in bold is a good elaboration on what I connected with in the original quote. I love ideas and possibilities, especially for the future, but I need them to be realistic enough that they're actually attainable if I'm going to keep feeding into them. For instance when I was in college I really enjoyed learning about the different theories about child development or parenting (I was a social work major), but I usually wanted examples for how they connected to real-world situations so I knew how to use the theories. Is that similar to what you were describing?

 

[c-jade]

Cognitive functions is merely how you take in information (perceiving) and make decisions (judging). Motivation is the realm of enneagram. It can be difficult to separate the two. If it's between ISFJ & INFJ, then I'd look at Ni/Se versus Si/Ne.

I really like the way that you explain things and I felt your reply made more sense to me than many descriptions I've read. Would you mind explaining what Ni/Se and Si/Ne look like in your own terms?

A common misconception regarding Si users is attaching the attitude with memory. I grew up with an ISFJ and can say that memory was not a deciding factor in this person's type. Also, this person was not focused on the past in the literal sense, but I can see why one would attach that to the type. In fact, the past gave them anxiety, so dwelling in it would serve nothing productive. I'd say they were more future oriented in some ways. Everyone has intuition, and this person allowed theirs to manifest as potential pitfalls (Ne). Dominant Si was observable in an inclination for the "familiar," meant literally and figuratively. In this way, Si can be past oriented, because it seems they are channeling this undercurrent accumulation of data, sifting through info and feeling out what is "right." Very much similar to what is described with iNtuitives as being impression / gut based. Perhaps the difference is that Si types rely more on accumulative experiences to dictate the present and future. This page goes into depth what I'm talking about. That's not to say that Ni dominant are suppose to be this iconoclastic, do everything original, types of people. Not necessarily. As an Ni-dom, I feel like that would be too exhaustive. In the link I provided, I agree with the notion that Ni likes to use existing, learned "concepts" to shape what could be (twist it into their own).

I read the article in the link you provided and really appreciated the way it explained Si. I do feel like I have a much better grasp on what Si actually does. Unfortunately, it still wasn't able to help me very much in figuring out whether I use Ni or Si more. They're both very similar and I think most descriptions I've read where I'm meant to choose which one I use more, the function itself isn't being explained correctly. I may need to understand them further and then just observe myself in different situations to figure that one out.

As for the enneagram, if you're indeed a 6, then it's reasonable for you to struggle with ISFJ & INFJ. An INFJ 6 will seem SJ-ish in general. I type as INFJ 4, so I don't really relate much to the Ghandi INFJs of the world (enneagram 1). I'm closer to the Maleficent variety (hehe). You'll have to figure out how your particular enneagram type works within the framework of an Ni or Si dom. As a brief example, I can see why there are many 4, 5, and 1 INFJs. They can be type 1s in that these types like to set limitations for themselves in an effort to be a model citizen and have a vision for how the world should be (Ni-Fe), but struggles with inferior Se means there is guilt in experiencing physical pleasures or an attitude that those things are stupid. They can be 4s for similar reasons as stated for 1s, but flipped on the head a bit with more a focus on identity and identification with a negative self as opposed to a model self -- for how their image falls short, how they lack in comparison to what's universally worthy. And they can be 5s for similar reasons as stated for 1s and 4s, except with more focus on observation and finding a niche (being specialist) to combat & compensate for the chaos that is the physical world -- may even be scattered and overindulge when unhealthy (inferior Se / connection to type 7). I can see aspects of 1, 4, 5, and sometimes 6 for myself if I look at the big picture. So a person can share a similar struggle in how they take in and process information, but the differences in motivation (enneagram) can result in very different, but observable, behavioral patterns.

Do you have any links to threads or other articles that describe what each cognitive function looks like for the different enneagram types? I feel like that would make such a difference and help a lot with my exploration.

Again, thank you so much for your response. Everything you said was very eye-opening for me and I'm excited to start looking at my enneagram in relation to finding my type.

 

[c-jade]

I can see an INFJ so far..
Here are some more questions I just had in my mind and I'm sorry for bothering you already[emoji16] it's all in seek of help you know it's my mission [emoji56]
1. Are you creative or/and artistic?
2. Do you sometimes have like a unique sense of humor that you feel not many people can get it?

Haha I know, and I appreciate it!

1. Yes. I'm not that visually creative, but I love to write. I'm very good at putting how I feel into words and inspiring others through my words. I'm also good at making connections between two different mediums (like a TV show and a concept I learned in school) and mashing them together to create an article or blog post that can inspire others.

2. Um, maybe? I can be very corny and I'll think it's hilarious when no one else is laughing. But I'm not the kind of person that tells dark or messed up jokes and thinks they're funny--I'm the person looking really appalled at those jokes and telling the person that told it how horrible they are.

 

[geedoenfj]

Haha I know, and I appreciate it!

1. Yes. I'm not that visually creative, but I love to write. I'm very good at putting how I feel into words and inspiring others through my words. I'm also good at making connections between two different mediums (like a TV show and a concept I learned in school) and mashing them together to create an article or blog post that can inspire others.

2. Um, maybe? I can be very corny and I'll think it's hilarious when no one else is laughing. But I'm not the kind of person that tells dark or messed up jokes and thinks they're funny--I'm the person looking really appalled at those jokes and telling the person that told it how horrible they are.

I've noticed that many male INFJs have a creepy sense of humor that makes me feel it's more like a threatening than it is a joke hahaha[emoji28]I'm glad you don't do that, hopefully [emoji12]
Well from your answers I can see an INFJ
Youu're creative in words, you know exactly how you feel about certain people or/and incidents but it's easier for you to write them down than to talk to people about it, and have a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong because you're a kind of person who stands up for her values and principles, moreover, you often find yourself categorizing people into good or bad..
You have certain ideals of how the life and people should be to achieve prosperity and justice in this world..
How was that? [emoji851]

 

[Duffy]

I really like the way that you explain things and I felt your reply made more sense to me than many descriptions I've read. Would you mind explaining what Ni/Se and Si/Ne look like in your own terms?

I read the article in the link you provided and really appreciated the way it explained Si. I do feel like I have a much better grasp on what Si actually does. Unfortunately, it still wasn't able to help me very much in figuring out whether I use Ni or Si more. They're both very similar and I think most descriptions I've read where I'm meant to choose which one I use more, the function itself isn't being explained correctly. I may need to understand them further and then just observe myself in different situations to figure that one out.

Here you go. It takes more effort than I'm willing to commit to give a personal take, but I can point in the direction that makes sense to me. The author of that article is a self typed INFJ, I believe. His thought process is similar to my own (I'm biased). He makes videos as well. Here are two videos, for INFJ & ISFJ, respectively:

INFJ

ISFJ

The common INFJ problems thread is also pretty useful. I don't know if there's a common ISFJ problems thread though...

Do you have any links to threads or other articles that describe what each cognitive function looks like for the different enneagram types? I feel like that would make such a difference and help a lot with my exploration.

This is as close to a formal write up as you're gonna get online. Claudio Naranjo also did brief correlations in Character and Neurosis, if I recall. I reconciled the two systems based on the information I gained from scanning various sources. So it's something you'll likely have to figure out on your own if you choose to go any further.

 

[Z Buck McFate]

Apologies for taking so long to respond.

The comment you made that I put in bold is a good elaboration on what I connected with in the original quote. I love ideas and possibilities, especially for the future, but I need them to be realistic enough that they're actually attainable if I'm going to keep feeding into them. For instance when I was in college I really enjoyed learning about the different theories about child development or parenting (I was a social work major), but I usually wanted examples for how they connected to real-world situations so I knew how to use the theories. Is that similar to what you were describing?

I'm not sure. I don't think I need a real-world example presented to me (to illustrate what the theory looks like in practice in order to fully grasp it) so much as I need my own experience/senses to match up with the theory that's being presented.

Jean Piaget as an example- I can remember getting really aggravated while reading one of his books on child development. Because it seemed to me like he interpreted children's words in a bizarre way- like he chose a very concrete interpretation for when children did their best to express abstract thoughts- and he then got all "Look how strange a child's logic is!" It sorta gave me flashbacks of the way my older sister bullied me growing up (willfully twisting my words to make the things I said look stupid). He actually did give real-world examples of his theories- I believe he was a practicing child psychologist, and he included examples of how he 'helped' patients putting his theories into practice- but I can remember thinking he used some seriously shape-shifty logic to pair his theories to reality. It felt forced. <- That's the kind of thing I'm sensitive to, whether theories about human nature are really as universal as the author thinks they are.

It's like Ni instantly compares incoming information to my own actual past experience and plants red flags on all the spots that don't match up. It's not something that can be turned off, it's like a program constantly running in the background planting red flags in every single piece of incoming information. I don't get to decide which parts of incoming information make it 'through the gates' so to speak- which parts get weighed down by too many 'red flags'- the only thing I get to decide is whether or not it's worth trying to figure out what all the red flags are about. Sometimes when I'm listening to someone or reading something, all the 'red flags' can accumulate to an absolutely unbearable level, without me having much of any idea why they're there. I'll only know 'something' is off, in varying degrees. And it can take an infuriatingly long time to figure out what's causing it.

I'm personally inclined to think that anyone who can't relate to that^ horrible feeling of being stuck between Scylla and Charybdis- knowing something is off, being unable to shake the gravitas of it whilst simultaneously being unable to immediately know what 'it' is- probably isn't really INFJ. I don't mean that to sound in any way elitist- I wish INFJ descriptions weren't so trumped up, there's too much "INFJ hubris" out there (by people who may or may not be INFJ). And it's entirely possible I'm wrong, that what I think is "Ni dominance" is actually just a specific subset of Ni dominance. But Ni can be like an insufferable Rube Goldberg contraption- and even INFJs themselves often feels like "OH COME ON, MARBLE! JUST GET TO THE END ALREADY! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THESE RED FLAGS ARE ALL ABOUT!!"

[Incidentally, this is precisely one of the reasons INFJs drive people crazy sometimes. When an INFJ doesn't take into account these 'red flags' are essentially subjective- that the connections firing off internally are because of subjective experience- they can tend to think they're seeing some objective truth instead of realizing they seeing something 'extra'/reading something 'between the lines'. It is really annoying, and teeters on batshit crazy sometimes. But on the other end of that, INFJs who are already painfully aware that their 'red flags' are subjective- and so, they feel like they need to wait until the reason(s) for those red flags about someone/something to slide into focus before articulating the problem they have with someone, which is a process that takes longer than most people begin to have the patience to wait for- seem to infuriate people too. Ni: it's the gift that keeps on giving.]