If your friends are anything like mine, then they are obsessed with Myers-Briggs personality types. You've probably even taken the quiz on multiple occasions to average out which personality type you really are. In my case, and in the case of a few of my friends, I am an INFP.
When taking the personality test (which you can find here!), the acronym you receive is the result of how you score among certain personality traits. These traits are: Extrovert (E) vs Introvert (I), Intuition (N) vs Sensing (S), Thinking (T) vs Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs Perceiving (P). Despite the fact that an individual can show signs of both opposing traits, it is the more dominant one that results in your personality type. For example, my results decided that I am 80% Introverted, 86% Intuitive, 78% Feeling, and 62% Prospecting.
Being an INFP means that my personality type favors Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Perceiving. According to 16 Personalities, INFP's are associated with the Mediator role. The website describes mediator personalities as "true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, Mediators have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the Mediator personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration". That being said, there are a few things that INFPs would like the rest of the world to know about them.
A general consensus from INFPs: A lot of empathy. INFPs have the ability to communicate deeply with others. As a result, they tend to take on the feelings and emotions of the people in their surrounding environment. Sometimes this may come off as not very genuine, because its so constant. Our mantra seems to be "I totally understand". However, most often times, we really do! Our interest in others is authentic, which leads me to my next point.
INFPs are interested in the Human Experience. How we see and experience life, and the results of this interaction, which covers everything from art, to poetry, to music. Essentially, INFPs tend to be extremely creative, in their own individual ways. 16 Personalities says: "Mediators combine their visionary nature with their open-mindedness to allow them to see things from unconventional perspectives". We have a "talent for self-expression", and language tends to be our strength.
Even though they have the creative abilities that are most often associated with loud extraverted people, INFPs tend to keep to themselves. They tend to be private and self-conscious. Sometimes this may come across as rude, and that INFPs are difficult to get close to, but that is not necessarily the case. Because of their reserved face to the world, they tend to open up to a select few. 16 Personalities continues to describe this as "Listen to many people, but talk to few". There is always room in our hearts to reach out to anyone who needs it but when it comes to establishing a relationship where that dynamic is mutual, it takes a little more before we are ready to open up to the world.
Many well known names are INFPs, and the list may surprise you. Writers like William Shakespeare and J.R.R. Tolkien lead the list, with other artist/creators such as Johnny Depp, Alicia Keys, and Julia Roberts.
If you want to learn more about INFPs or other personality types, 16personalities.com does a great job of breaking each one down. Also, take the quiz to find out what your personality type is!
