Introverted Feeling

Introverted Feeling is one of the eight function-attitudes defined by Carl Jung. Feeling (F) is an outlook that focuses on looking at the world in terms of people or humanity, and the elements that makes them “subjects”, which ultimately deals with the “soul”, with its emotions and values; usually with a focus on goals such as individual or group harmony. (People preferring it will often mirror the other person’s inner state and adjust their behavior accordingly). This leads them to “think” in terms of “good” or “bad”.
An "introverted" attitude (i) indicates that this outlook generally draws from the individual; or the inner world of the "subject" (individual ego), instead of directly from the outer world of the environment.

So introverted Feeling (Fi) can be described as an assessment of “like/dislike” or [soulish] “good” by an individual/natural standard, where one turns inward to an internal “blueprint” of proper relationship involving people. The individual’s assessment of good/bad (soul-affect of the situation) will be determined by individual reflection.

Every type does this, but for types who prefer Fi, it will be their main form of decision-making, rather than an environmental standard of interpersonal criteria (Fe), or an impersonal assessment of how things should work (T). These types will be denoted in the type code by an "F" and a "P"; i.e. "xxFP"; the "P" pointing to the Perception function (S or N) as being what is extraverted, or attuned to the environment, and so, for balance, Feeling, as the "Judgment" function, will be introverted.
The types holding the function as "dominant" are ISFP and INFP, while for ESFP and ENFP, it is "auxiliary". (For TJ types, it is tertiary or inferior, and may also develop at some point in life).

Characteristics of Introverted Feeling (Fi)

General comments

An Fi perspective often infers the feelings of others through the "projection" of "personal identification"; which will say "if that were me; I would feel this way", and then the person will respond in kind. So both Fi, as much as Fe, can "consider and respond to others".

• Fi and Fe may often result in the same behavioral pattern-for very different underlying motivations.
• Fi and Fe may often result in drastically different behavioral patterns-for very different underlying motivations.
• Fi and Fe may result in drastically different behavioral patterns-for very similar underlying motivations.

Interaction styles are important in understanding how Fe or Fi manifests itself: The higher in the function order is Fi, the less likely a person is to care about systematizing the outer human environment, and by default the less able they are to systematize that outer environment

Fi Characteristics

As compared to those that use Extraverted Feeling (Fe) , individuals that use the cognitive function of Introverted Feeling (Fi) tend towards the following:

• seek to understand their own behaviors, motivations, desires and beliefs
• are ruled by their own subjective and personal values
• express emotions they feel strongly about without as much intentionality and forethought about optimal effect
• project their experience with feelings onto the other person to understand them
• have an easier time confronting others; are more brash
• seek harmony with self
• are more idealistic; less willing to make compromises
• focus on understanding how they feel, decides what course of action is most amenable to the intended goal while maintaining their own sense of personal integrity
• assess incongruities of behavior of individuals with self (i.e. are they authentic)
• focus on how behaviors and motivations of others are the same or different than their own
• focus on being true to who they are
• focus on how decisions, actions or expressed opinions are going to be consistent with their own beliefs, values, and personal convictions