This blog post aims to answer the question, “How are INFJs perceived?” and explore the various characteristics, functions and behavioural tendencies of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFJ to find 7 ways in which INFJs are perceived.
How are INFJs perceived?
INFJs are perceived in the following 7 ways –
- INFJs are good partners.
- INFJs are reserved.
- INFJs are idealistic.
- INFJs are sensitive.
- INFJs are good listeners and deep conversationalists.
- INFJs are intelligent.
- INFJs are compassionate.
These 7 ways INFJs are perceived will be discussed further in-depth below after understanding the various characteristics and behavioural tendencies of INFJs.
Who is an INFJ?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) inventors Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers established sixteen personality types. INFJ is one of them. Introversion, intuition, feeling, and judgement (INFJ) are four key personality traits based on psychologist C.G. Jung’s work.
Each of the four letters in the INFJ code represents a significant personality feature associated with the INFJ personality type.
INFJs prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible because they are energised by time alone (introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details (intuitive), make decisions based on feelings and values (feeling), and prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging).
Because of their inclination to be idealistic, sympathetic, and sensitive, the INFJ personality type is also known as the “Counselor.” The INFJ is also known by the following nicknames:
- The Insightful Visionary (MBTI)
- The Advocate (16Personalities)
INFJs are nurturers who are creative and nurturing, with a strong sense of personal integrity and a desire to help others reach their full potential. INFJs have a knack for coming up with unique answers to people’s problems, and they are both creative and dedicated.
The Counselor (INFJ) has a unique ability to sense other people’s emotions and intentions, and will frequently know how they are feeling before they do. INFJs have faith in their capacity to read others and trust their perceptions of others.
The INFJ is a secretive type who is choosy about communicating inner thoughts and feelings. INFJs are sensitive, yet they are also guarded.
INFJ Personality Type Characteristics.
- INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathic due to their high sense of intuition and emotional understanding. This does not, however, imply that they are cowards. INFJs have strong convictions and the capacity to act aggressively to achieve their goals.
- Despite their introversion, persons with the INFJ personality type may develop deep, lasting relationships with others. INFJs appreciate assisting others, but they also require rest and relaxation.
- The INFJ is distinguished by their ability to put their ideals into action. INFJs don’t merely want a better world; they make it happen.
- People with the INFJ personality type enjoy taking charge by planning, organising, and making choices as soon as feasible.
- INFJs prioritise their emotions above objective facts when making judgments. This does not, however, imply that they view the world through rose-coloured glasses. INFJs have an excellent understanding of the world, including the good and the terrible, and aim to improve it.
What are these 7 ways INFJs are perceived?
INFJs are good partners.
INFJs can be caring, supportive partners who understand how to make others feel better. INFJs are enthusiastic about good change and can assist their partners in achieving their objectives.
INFJs are emotionally committed to their partners and are typically prepared to make significant sacrifices in order to strengthen their bonds. INFJs are known for being entirely devoted to their partners.
INFJs are more inclined to prioritise the other person and seek to improve their relationships on a regular basis. INFJs are upbeat, motivated spouses who are open to various points of view and, for the most part, empathic.
INFJs are more likely to succeed in relationships when their spouse is equally invested. INFJs want companions who are motivated, dependable, and encouraging. As long as they are in a relationship, they want to feel completely loved and accepted, and they are reluctant to abandon their spouse.
INFJs are reserved.
INFJs are known for being reserved, but also sympathetic and kind. Unless they are among somebody they trust completely, their intuitions are frequently kept to themselves. INFJs prefer to hide parts of themselves and may appear “tough to understand.”
Unless the topic is really exciting or stimulating to them, in which case they might speak passionately for lengthy lengths of time, making them appear more like extroverts than introverts.
INFJs might appear distracted if they are engaging in a conversation that is largely focused on day-to-day issues since they have a strong desire to keep focused on the future and global perspectives.
INFJs prefer metaphor and analogy over actual information in their discourse, which might make them appear unclear to other kinds.
INFJs are idealistic.
INFJs are guided by a set of personal ideals that have been carefully researched. INFJs are incredibly idealistic, and they can vividly see a better and more perfect future.
Although the hard realities of the present often depress them, they are usually driven and tenacious in taking constructive action. The INFJ has an innate desire to do whatever they can to improve the world.
INFJs desire a meaningful existence and strong interpersonal bonds. INFJs prefer emotional closeness with a chosen, dedicated few rather than openly sharing themselves.
Despite the fact that their complex inner lives might make them appear mysterious or private to others, they place a high emphasis on genuine interactions with those they trust.
INFJs want to get along with others and help them achieve their goals, but they are fiercely loyal to their own set of values and will not follow others down a path that does not feel genuine to them.
INFJs are likely to withdraw when their values are not respected, or when their intuition tells them that someone’s intentions are not pure. INFJs are socially awkward, kind, helpful, and safe, as well as excessively indirect, intelligent, and intense.
INFJs are sensitive.
INFJs are calm, kind, and sensitive people who pay close attention to other people’s views and concerns. INFJs have a keen sense of people and wish to aid others in their quest for knowledge.
INFJs aren’t frightened of complicated personal issues; in fact, they’ve pretty complicated themselves, with a deep inner existence that only a few others know about. INFJs think extensively about ethical issues and have strong feelings about them.
INFJs may also have difficulty receiving criticism. Even if the input was offered in a kind manner, they may perceive it as being too critical, leading to frustration or unhappiness. INFJs, on the other hand, may learn to value constructive comments with a little effort.
INFJs are complicated individuals who may be hesitant to interact with others who may not understand or appreciate them, making them difficult to come to know.
INFJs are good listeners and deep conversationalists.
INFJs are frequently perceived as nice, kind, and easy to talk to. INFJs are a safe place to share from the other person’s viewpoint since they come across as caring, nonjudgmental, and willing to truly listen.
Some individuals think INFJs are so evasive that they don’t want to bother finding out what the “deeper meaning” underneath their words is.
Others view INFJs’ decision to suppress their genuine sentiments in order to avoid conflict with others differently. INFJs induce confusion instead of preventing harm.
Others can’t tell if an INFJ likes them or are perplexed by an INFJ who appears pleasant but then departs. An INFJ who is overly indirect might come out as passive-aggressive and/or take delight in how difficult they are to grasp.
INFJs are intelligent.
INFJs have a tendency to make people believe they are intelligent. The INFJ personality has strong emotional intelligence and, because they enjoy studying and figuring things out, they also have a lot of head knowledge.
An INFJ’s ability to talk intelligently about a wide range of issues, some of which are fairly in-depth, is not uncommon. Others consider INFJs to be wise beyond their years.
Some may regard their intuition as a “superpower” since their pattern-recognition abilities allow them to make educated guesses about the bigger picture.
In addition, combining their pattern-recognizing Intuition with their interpersonal Feeling side allows them to rapidly understand what others are attempting to say. Other types recognise and appreciate this quality.
INFJs are compassionate.
On the one hand, some individuals respect INFJs’ fiery personalities. INFJs are seen as generous, compassionate, and honest by them. INFJs like how animated they appear while discussing a topic they care about or fighting for a cause they support.
INFJs might be considered effective leaders when they put their intensity and enthusiasm into something that others can relate to.
How differently are healthy and unhealthy INFJs perceived?
Healthy INFJs are perceived to be –
- Intense, genuine, and perceptive.
- Compassionate and empathic.
- Deep, idealistic, and creative.
Unhealthy INFJs are perceived to be –
- Unrealistic. Unhealthy INFJs might become so engrossed in their thoughts that they lose sight of what is actually going on.
- Impractical and lacking in understanding of what is truly achievable.
- Overly sensitive and pretentious.
Conclusion –
This blog post attempted to answer the question, “How are INFJs perceived?” and reviewed the characteristics, functions and behavioural tendencies of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFJ to help determine 7 ways in which INFJs are perceived. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.
References –
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How to Spot an INFJ. Personality Cafe. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://personalitymax.com/personality/infj/key-differences/
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What do other REALLY think of INFJs? Personalit Cafe. (2013, December 14). Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/what-do-other-really-think-of-infjs.171725/
How do other people perceive Infjs in real life? Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infj/comments/5tiycc/how_do_other_people_perceive_infjs_in_real_life/
