The INFP Personality According to Carl Jung
People with INFP personality are introverted, intuitive, and perceptive. According to Carl Jung, they’re sensitive, creative, and independent. Additionally, they tend to be idealists, intimate, and compassionate. For this reason, they’re the mediators because they care about their own personal growth and favor others’ as well.
Carl Jung’s book, Psychological Types, and his theories about personality, represented a breakthrough. During an era when psychology was still new, the famous Swiss psychiatrist wanted to lay the foundations of a personality model based on a singular yet revolutionary approach.
He introduced the concepts of introversion and extraversion. However, he established these dimensions as the result of a continuum. In this continuum, other subjective and perceptive phenomena can intermingle. Based on this, we understand that no one is completely ‘introverted’ or ‘extroverted’. Rather, we’re all within a spectrum that is made up of other dynamics and entities.
Personality typologies
Carl Jung’s personality theory is made up of eight typologies. Decades later, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator that was made up of 16 subtypes of typologies emerged. These models aren’t as popular as others such as Raymond Cattell’s 16PF Questionnaire.
However, studies like this one carried out by David J. Pittinger from Marshall University show us that Jung’s theory is a very effective self-reflection tool. In this article, we talk about INFP personality.
“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
-Carl Jung-
What characteristics define INFP personality?
INFP personality, according to the Myers-Briggs model, is the result of the interaction between the four basic dimensions:
- Introversion: The way they use and channel their energy, attention, thoughts, and interaction.
- Intuition: The way they process their reality, from which they draw conclusions and appreciate small details.
- Feeling: People with INFP personality tend to make their decisions based on their feelings.
- Perception: When it comes to organizing and responding to their environment, they do so spontaneously and always relying on this basic dimension.
Therefore, this type of profile responds to the acronym INFP (I ntroversion, iNtuition, Feeling, Perception). Thus, the creators of this measuring tool, Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, defined it as the healing typology. This means that INFPs are idealistic people who want to generate happiness. Likewise, they favor their own and others’ personal growth.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the characteristics that define INFPs.
They’re idealists and see the good in the world
The authors of this questionnaire indicate that only 4% of the world’s population are INFPs.
- They’re people who live by their ideals and believe in the natural goodness of the world.
- Now, that idealism is not passive. This profile also consists of a firm but silent commitment.
- They’re introverted people. Therefore, not many know the depths of their ideals and personal commitments.
- They don’t hesitate to trace their personal path based on these principles. However, many don’t understand or truly know them.
Ethical and compassionate
What’s good and what isn’t is clear to them and they don’t hesitate to stick to their beliefs. They show respect, compassion, and attention for others through simple but profound acts. Furthermore, they’re calm and discrete.
Independent
We could say that INFPs are sensitive but sure of themselves. Additionally, they’re introverted and reserved, but never indecisive when it comes to making decisions. They do so through intuition because they trust their inner voice. Likewise, they do so because they’re idealists and because they believe that the world, in its purest sense, is noble and good.
Artistic, sensitive, and careless
The INFP personality is usually oriented towards art, writing, and photography through which the person can express their emotions, ideals, and their confident and optimistic inner world.
In turn, they’re very sensitive individuals. Consequently, they appreciate small details and sensations. Similarly, they know how to connect with people in a very simple but magical way. They’re not great conversationalists. However, they’re very good at listening, supporting others, and being there when they’re really needed.
On the other hand, we should note that they like to act instinctively. They don’t have to plan things in advance, carry agendas, organize things, or schedule tasks. Hence, their homes and cabinets are somewhat disorganized because they prioritize other things.
To conclude, as we’ve seen, the INFP personality consists of idealism, goodness, and artistic interests. These people are often disappointed because feeding and sustaining expectations about the world and those who inhabit leads to disappointment.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Gustav, Carl. Jung (2008). Tipos psicológicos. Edhasa