How rare is the INFP T personality type? (5 reasons)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “How rare is the INFP T personality type?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP and its subtype named INFP-T that will help understand the answer. 

How rare is the INFP T personality type?

The INFP-T personality type is the 8th rarest personality type. INFP-Ts are so rare because of the following 5 reasons – 

• Leadership. 
• Decision Making.
• Money.
• Equality.
• Risky Behaviours.

These 5 reasons why the INFP-T personality type is so rare will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP and INFP-T mean. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

• The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
• The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.

• INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.

• INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.

• INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

Who is an INFP-T?

INFP-T personality types are Turbulent Mediators. Turbulent personality types are typically not comfortable with their current lives. They often use this dissatisfaction to try to become better people. 

However, when applied to Mediators, this Turbulent quality spins them in a distinct direction. They are likely to use a strongly idealistic filter to assess where and how they need to improve. This drive to correct what they decide are flaws often pushes them to work hard.

But idealism is a demanding standard. Turbulent Mediators are apt to ask too much of themselves and become overwhelmed. When they don’t meet their unyielding goals, they are likely to be hard on themselves. 

Self-criticism rings true for any Turbulent individual. But, for these personalities, their imaginations and sensitivity may magnify the damage caused by negative self-talk. 

Even the smallest flaw may seem more significant than it is. They are more likely to see a mistake as a reason to doubt themselves. For example, Turbulent Mediators are likely to describe themselves as “lazy”. But a neutral assessment may reveal this to be not entirely accurate. 

All other things being equal, Turbulent people generally work hard to compensate for what they see as a weakness. The “lazy” label doesn’t fit, typically. The poor self-evaluation of their work ethic is just as likely the result of their negative slant as it is a measurable reality.

INFP-T Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFP-Ts are a little pessimistic.
• At times, INFP-Ts act very immaturely.
• INFP-Ts have no hesitation in apologising.
• People’s perspectives are important to INFP-Ts.
• Failures are far more visible to INFP-Ts.

What are these 5 reasons why the INFP-T personality type is so rare?

Leadership. 

Because they are quiet and seldom initiate discussion in social circumstances, these warm shy people are labelled as socially incompetent. That is not correct.

Talk about something vital if you want to talk to an introvert. They aren’t interested in or skilled at small talk. Louder, more boisterous extroverts tend to outperform INFP-Ts not only in social circumstances but also in business.

They are frequently disregarded as prospective leaders, which is problematic for both the company and coworkers. INFP-Ts are sophisticated abstract thinkers who analyse the benefits and drawbacks of both sides of a difficult scenario.

INFP-Ts make excellent leaders because their approach is centred on what is best for everyone involved. This is a really unusual quality.

Decision Making.

INFP-Ts make judgments based on their gut sentiments about what is best for mankind rather than reasoning. 

Needless to say, this technique is uncommon in today’s environment. Traditional-type personalities that prioritise tangible particular facts continue to make the majority of decisions.

In contrast to INFP-Ts, who use their feeling (F) qualities to explore choices and make tentative conclusions, the more conventional decision-making technique is employed to gather data, follow prior precedents, and adopt unwritten norms.

In a 2010 research on the personality traits of INFP-Ts done by Murie, the findings validated the decision-making process of INFP-Ts, which was characterised as “to understand others, value connections and harmony, and analyse a situation by its influence on others.”

The INFP-T’s positive personality features include mutual respect among coworkers and a more creative ‘what if’ work atmosphere.

According to Murie (2010), this sort of environment encourages coworkers to exchange ideas, which might “lead to improved social and global coherence connected to the group’s shared intuitiveness.”

Another unusual skill of INFP-Ts is the ability to persuade people to share their particular ideas and thoughts in the workplace.

Money.

INFP-Ts are not greedy, which is a rare trait in today’s environment. Today’s society is preoccupied with money. INFP-Ts are uninterested in accumulating wealth. INFP-Ts see money as a means of assisting others.

INFP-Ts with unrestricted money make big monetary and time gifts to their causes because it is part of their value system, not merely a tax break. INFP-Ts with modest incomes make monetary and time contributions based on their ability.

INFP-Ts with little financial resources contribute their time to charitable organisations. The majority of individuals associate success with their income. INFP-Ts measure their success by how much they serve others.

Equality.

INFP-Ts think that everyone is equal and that societal hierarchies do not exist. When it comes to their causes, they feel that everyone’s input is equally valuable. The participation of a leader is no more crucial than that of a front-line worker.

INFP-Ts are modest and are equally at ease working at the top or the bottom of a hierarchy. They do not seek praise, appreciation, or any other form of recognition, which is an unusual trait.

Risky Behaviours.

INFP-Ts are so passionate about their causes that they frequently prioritise helping others over themselves and, at times, their families, putting personal relationships in danger.

Their passion for their causes necessitates a tremendous amount of energy. INFP-Ts frequently experience physical and emotional exhaustion. Another harmful INFP-T behaviour is seeing a need, such as an epidemic, and rushing in to aid without concern for their own health.

While INFP-Ts’ emotions are their downfall, their convictions are their saving grace. INFP-Ts will not, under any circumstances, sacrifice their principles.  

Despite the fact that INFP-Ts’ feelings are readily hurt, their devotion to their goal precludes others from discouraging, manipulating, or destroying their spirit.

Conclusion – 

This blog post answered the question, “How rare is the INFP T personality type?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP and its subtype named INFP-T to help determine how rare the INFP-T personality type is. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How rare is the INFP T personality type?

What is INFP T personality?

Quiet, discreet, free-spirited mediators who see life as an infinite sequence of utopian possibilities waiting to be fulfilled. They usually attempt to get along with people and spread peace everywhere they go.

Is INFP T Smart?

They are analytical and calculated, despite their emotional nature. INFP-Ts are astute. They may be highly smart and calculated in some situations, utilising their ingenuity and inventiveness to think two steps ahead of everyone else in order to obtain what they desire.

What is bad about INFP T?

INFP-Ts who are very sick or immature might have a distorted introverted feeling process. They might be extremely sensitive, quick to take offence, and certain that only their perspectives and ideals are genuine.

What is INFP T like?

Extremely idealistic. While idealism is one of the key characteristics of INFPs, Turbulent types are more likely than Assertive types to feel burdened by their ideals and values. INFP-Ts are self-conscious and driven by achievement, and they are perfectionists to the point of being too critical of themselves.

Are INFPs lazy?

The personality struggles with knowing when to make a commitment—and they’re eager to please and will bite off more than they can chew. They might be quite sluggish. They will never tidy their rooms, pile up dishes to the moon, or have their spouse or roommate handle all financial worries if they are not developed.

Why INFPs are the best?

INFPs sense and feel things that other personality types do not. For starters, it produces some pretty fantastic art, because much unique work is formed of genuine sentiments. Second, it provides an INFP with the unique capacity to experience what others are feeling. They may truly relate with others in sincere ways.

References –

INFP, The Healer. Truity. (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.truity.com/personality-type/INFP#:~:text=How%20rare%20is%20the%20INFP,4%25%20of%20the%20general%20population

Granneman, J. 12 Secrets of the INFP Personality Type. Introvert, Dear. (2018, January 14). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/10-type-secrets-of-the-infp/

Robinson, M. T. How Rare Is Your Personality Type? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.careerplanner.com/MB2/TypeInPopulation.cfm

Is INFP personality type really rare? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Is-INFP-personality-type-really-rare

Mediator Personality INFP-A / INFP-T (WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?). 16 Personalities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality

Distribution of Personality Types in Percentages. Personality Max. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://personalitymax.com/personality-types/population-gender/

Daniel. Why Are INFs So Rare? Personality Club. (2016, February 6). Retrieved from https://www.personalityclub.com/blog/why-are-infs-so-rare/

Drenth, A. J. INFP-T vs. INFP-A Personality Type. Personality Junkie. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://personalityjunkie.com/05/infp-t-vs-infp-a-personality-type/

Cherry, K. INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). (2021,  July 23). Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987

Storm, S. The Rare INFP Male. Psychology Junkie. (2017, July 22). Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/07/22/rare-infp-male/