In our society, 1-3% of the population have INF personality traits. There are two types of INFS, the INFJ and INFP. These are two of the 16-personality types described in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) tool. The MBTI is a 100-question instrument used to identify personality types.
Each personality type has four letters. For example, the I, in INF, stands for Introverted traits and indicates the individual is probably private, shy, and a deep thinker.
The N stands for iNtuition, instincts or a hunch an INF may feel about something or someone.
The F stands for feeling which translates into their preferred method of decision making.
The J and P are the final letters of these personality types and indicate whether the INF has more structured (J) or a more flexible (P) traits.
The following are some of the reasons why INFs are so rare.
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Leadership
Is an Extrovert or an Introvert the best leader? The current trend in the literature promotes Introverts as the best. Surprised?
These warm shy individuals are dubbed as being socially inept because they are quiet and rarely initiate conversation in social situations. That is not true.
If you want to talk to an introvert, talk about something substantial. They are not particularly interested or good at small talk. The loud more boisterous extroverts tend to outshine INFs not only in social situations but in the workplace as well. They tend to be automatically overlooked as potential leaders and this is unfortunate for both the workplace and co-workers.
INFs are deep abstract thinkers who weigh the pros and cons on both sides of a challenging situation. INFs make great leaders as their style is based on what is best for everyone concerned. This is a rare quality indeed.
INFJs are the rarest personality type.
Decision Making
INFs base decisions on feelings of what is best for humanity rather than logic. Needless to say, this approach is rare in our current world.
Decisions are still – for the most part – made by traditional-type personalities who value concrete specific facts. Unlike INFs who use their feeling (F) traits to explore options and make tentative decisions, the more traditional decision making approach is used to gather facts, follow previous precedents and incorporate the unwritten rules.
In a 2010 study conducted by Murie on the personality traits of INFs, findings supported the decision making process of INFs and described it as, “to understand others, value relationships and harmony, and assess a situation by its impact on people”.
The INF’s personality traits geared toward the greater good include reciprocal respect among co-workers and a more creative ‘what if’ work environment. This type of atmosphere is conducive to co-workers sharing ideas that can “lead to increased social and global coherence related to the shared intuitiveness of the group” (Murie, J. 2010).
The art of influencing others to contribute their personal ideas and thought in the workplace environment is another rare gift of the INFs.
Money
INFs do not crave wealth, also a rare trait in today’s world. Today’s society focuses on money.
We are bombarded with money noise. How to make more money, how to save and how to invest money, how to stretch your budget and how to save for retirement is all you hear.
INFs hear these messages as well but they are not interested in money for themselves. INFs view making money in the context of helping others. This is what INFs do.
INFs with unlimited funds make large donations of cash and time to their causes because it is part of their value system, not just a tax deduction. INFs with moderate incomes make donations of cash and time in accordance to what they can spare.
INFs with little money donate to causes with their time. The majority of people equate success with their earnings. INFs equate success with how much they help others. Sad but true, this is also why there are so few INFs.
Equality
INFs believe everyone is equal and do not believe in societal hierarchies. No person is better than any other person.
When working for their causes, they believe each person’s contribution is equally valued. A leader’s participation is no more important than that of a front line worker.
INFs are humble and feel just as comfortable doing work either at the top or the bottom. They do not look for praise, acknowledgement or any other type of accolade. Again, a rare quality!
Risky Behaviors
INFs feel so strongly about their causes that they often choose to help others ahead of themselves and sometimes their families placing personal relationships at risk.
Their dedication to their causes takes a huge amount of energy. INFs often become physically and emotionally depleted.
Another risky behavior of INFs is seeing a need, such as an epidemic, and jumping right in to help without regard for their own health.
While INFs’ emotions are their weakness, their convictions are their strength. INFs will not compromise their values under any circumstances. Although an INFs’ feelings are hurt easily, their dedication to their cause prevents others from discouraging, manipulating or breaking their spirit.
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I’m an INFP haha.But it sucks because my emotions rule over me.
I am also an infp. It’s extremely challenging at times.
Me too
I too am INFP and I am totally normal…..the rest of the world is slightly strange ! Best way to look at life and after more than half a century this is my outlook.
Same, this category should just be renamed “cryptic, emotional, undervalued and broke”, a CEUB. We belong to a different age, good luck non the less.
Daniel. CEUB, brilliant. Thinks fir the laugh. We belong to a diff time. Couldn’t be more true. Bravo. Thank you
For a great read, check out Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. It explores cultural biases against introversion, the ways in which we (i.e., introverts) adapt to extrovert-centric work environments, the benefits of introvert leaders, etc. The author does a nice job of presenting her research in an engaging way. I highly recommend it!
I think the hardest things about being an INFP is not having much of an interest in money or having a bunch of “stuff.” That, and the fact that finding a career without an education is super difficult. I think I have had about thirty jobs in my life time, because nothing has ever felt right. The only job I kept for 5 years was working for a friend of mine as a karaoke host. If it had not been for the fact that I loved and respected him as a friend, I probably would have quit six months into it. It’s just so frustrating.
Sometimes I wish I could be a part of some of the common personalities. But, then I remember that I may never have a lot of money, or be high up on the social ladder, but I am a good person, with a strong value system, and I am passionate about helping people, animals, and mother earth. So perhaps its not a bad thing to be INFP…. Plus if the apocalypse happens in my day, I am sure I will thrive in that kind of world.
I absolutely love what Christopher has said. It explains and answers so many questions that I have. It’s very reassuring to know that there isn’t actually anything wrong with me. It’s just that I am who I am.
Consider pioneering something. You may start to feel better.
wirul . me
i am an infj and now i understand my self so much clearer and to top it off im an ecintric person what a tremendous realization in such a short time thanks though
I am 54 years old and finally feel very comfortable in my skin. I can now embrace my idiocyncracies.. My husband recently said I am weird. I took it as a compliment. I like not being like every one else. I grew up painfully shy and always creative, sensitive, and empathic.. I am a fabulous INFJ, My personality is not a character flaw. It is now I realize a blessing. My intuition has saved me in many situations. I don’t make a lot of money but I want to save the world. This description of INFs is spot on and validates so much in my life. You know what it is like to meet someone and think this person is full of crap. Yet you are the only one who sees it. Seeing all the minute details in the world that others dont see. We truely march to a different drum.
Hello Sandra,
I am also an INFJ and 52 years of age. Just last week someone asked about my son’s results from the Myer’s Brigg’s test. While looking into his results I remembered my own and read about the INFJ. Much to my joy and excitement I realized that I can truly embrace my uniqueness instead of being confused as to why I do not value the same things as those around me. I always knew I was on a different path. I feel quite liberated! My husband also says I am weird and we laugh knowing that he values my uniqueness as much as I do.
Sara May, I like your reply. I have found working in the Holy Spirit is plenty rewarding, and allows me to suffer the slings and arrows, as long as I have that relationship backing me up. I have been up and down careerwise, but I don’t take it to heart too much if I feels I’d done my best, whether appreciated or not. Just when I think I’m washed up, a door opens, and I’m “just what they needed”.
I am an INFP and this really helped me understand not only life but also who I am as an individual. I love how rare we are and how so much of it is true.
I am an INFP and this really helped me understand not only life but also who I am as an individual. I love how rare we are and how so much of it is true.
For the first time I understand myself a little more. I feel better knowing my personality type I took multiple test to see if they varied. Infj. Once reading about my personality type I feel better.
I agree, knowing ourselves helps us improve our strengths and accept our weaknesses. We are what we are.
Hey Daniel- Could you post the journal source for the Murie, 2010 research quoted in this article, along with authors first name. Would love to read the entire project piece.
I am an INFP with bipolar disorder. My life has been crazy but I do not see these things as weaknesses but strengths because I have felt emotions and seen and done things other normal people will never do. And as I get older I see it as a personnel challenge to conquer these emotions and be better than them. Life is a video game you can either rage quit or win. And here’s my INFP coming out… I’m not a doctor but I deal with a lot of shit every day but try to be the best person I can be.
Well said! Sounds like you’re living my life.
I’m an INFP and I love spending money. On art and decorations, anyway.
I am an INFJ. For years I thought it was somehow my fault that I couldn’t get ahead even though I performed miracles for my bosses at a huge cost to my personal time and health. Bosses wanted the miracles to keep on coming even after I had exhausted myself on their behalf. If (in truth when) I got so tired that I couldn’t keep performing miracles for them at the same rate, bosses got impatient and critical. As an INFJ, I have trouble accepting criticism, especially when my past excellent contributions seem to have been forgotten. The result is inevitably hurt, anger and discouragement. This article was interesting, but the last sentence…”Although an INFs’ feelings are hurt easily, their dedication to their cause prevents others from discouraging, manipulating or breaking their spirit.”..doesn’t quite ring true for me. It is true that am very easily hurt, but I think being an INFJ who is dedicated to doing a good job and serving others well has made me a target for others who seem to enjoy manipulating me to get everything they can out of me. When I need to get something for myself (like adequate rest, some recognition, even a kind word) then others resent me and are all too eager to criticize me and discourage me from thinking I deserve to be treated with respect. They seem to enjoy the process of “breaking my spirit.” They sneer at the dedication I have shown them, writing me off as a sucker who is of no further use to them if I’m going to get tired or expect them to show me any empathy, consideration or financial rewards that take my contribution into account.
My goodness, ditto. What’s the next step, is it to try to manage their expectations and make sure your boundaries are respected? I dont know… I read a christian publication that once quoted a woman who said, “Go where you are appreciated rather than where you are tolerated?” I would say to myself in the hard times that the Lord sees all and I work unto Him. It made sense of the sacrifices that went unacknowledged by colleagues and bosses, and the Lord has never failed me in progressing my career -that I can say wholeheartedly. So be encouraged, you are doing great, God is good, He will open more doors.
I disagree with saying that introverts are shy. It’s only a matter of how you get your energy. I’m an INFJ and I would not describe myself as shy, especially if I trust the people I’m around and/or don’t feel threatened (so yes, also around strangers) but by the end of my interactions I do tend to feel drained and find it necessary to be on my own. It doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy being around others, because I very much did, but I just need time to myself at the end of it all to process everything. It’s a common misconception that introversion = shy.
I read a great definition the extrovert gain energy from social interactions whereas introverts expend energy. This has been the best way for me to understand being available introvert when I can love being around people in many different situations. I can’t do it day in day out, I need time away from people as well to recoup. INFP here ????
WOW…this was incredibly enlighting! Just nailed it! Combined with info shared by a friend of mine about being highly sensitive…chemicals, noises, smells, groups…temperature…holy cow..awesome.
Most of my life i felt i was dropped off on the wrong planet. I’m 64. Suddenly it seemed like my whole life was given perspective.
What “others”…(main population)…seemed to understand, think, do, go along with, not be bothered by…when i was going nuts….because i could see things more fully…(i guess) considered weird, poor, lazy, irresponsible…it all makes sense.
Now, just gotta figure out how to make it to the end…hah!
We should have a meeting, reunion, natinal gathering..something….to help support, encourage, grow, gain strength from!
I was told to take this a few years ago and when I did….it explained why I never fit in. Anywhere. Ever. Sometimes I feel like I”m broken and can’t be fixed….At other times I feel it’s really good to be me. Yet it also explains sooooo many things, Too bad I can bump into more INFJ’s….
I’m a INFP and I always felt like no one understands me but I never understood why, when I always try my best to support and help my friends, family and sometimes just random people but then get nothing in return and i still do it.Also not being able to express myself like everyone else does, But after taking some tests I finally understand and know myself better. Now I feel better knowing that I’m not the only one who is like this and feels this way and I finally understanding my life and my individual self a bit more. Lastly I hope everyone will soon understand or find themself sooner or later.
I’m an INFJ. This article is very accurate. So many people in my life have viewed me as broken and tried to ‘fix’ me that I started to believe it. I wish I’d had this information then. Probably could have saved a lot of heartache and disappointment for a lot of people. I’m grateful that understanding of rare personality types is so much more available now. In my opinion, the internet is an INF’s hope, most valuable tool, a priceless way to achieve what is otherwise annoyingly and illogically difficult.
I always wondered why I was bent on helping people, counseling and giving advice… It annoys so many people, but it just came natural to me. Later I took the MTBI test and found I was an INFP and one of their suggested occupations is a counselor or therapist. I never wanted a fancy degree or high-powered career; that just seemed too pretentious to me. But, for a long time I felt like a failure when people asked me what I did, and they were so much more accomplished. I learned that INFP’s love to facilitate and support other’s successes like school counselors do helping students plan their futures. I kind of fell into my own role in life when my fiancé broke his neck skiing. I realized as an INFP that I naturally supported him in his engineering career as I later became his wife. Years later we are living comfortably, and I realized that my personality type was perfect for being the wind beneath his wings as I also benefited from playing my part by supporting and encouraging him to succeed… This is one role I would recommend other INFP’s to pursue if stumped for a job or career because it fits our helping, caring nature and there are some wonderful disabled people out there looking for people just like us–not necessarily to marry if that wasn’t your thing. It’s just a suggestion that I wanted to pass along. My INFJ brother has gotten a job helping a handicapped man, and is a live-in situation, and he loves it.
Hello all my fellow INF’s!
We are a family of lost souls among a world of souls even more lost than us! True or false?
That comment is not meant to disparage other non-INF’s – my point is that no one in the world has ‘figured it all out’. Also, the most absolute worst thing an INF can do is to get advice from a non-INF!!!
A non-INF has absolutely no understanding of a true INF. Their advice, no matter how good it may sound, no matter how logical it may sound, no matter how reasonable it may appear to be, IS WRONG! It is wrong as far as INF’s go.
An INF will do almost anything to accommodate others right? Even when it means taking advice from the non-INF’s.
We are not truly trying to please others, we are trying to accommodate them – that’s not the same as a people pleaser.
When non-INF’s are unhappy and displeased, it makes our lives horrible, a living Hell. It causes us tremendous pain to be around others who are displeased with anything so we will do whatever we can to accommodate them. How has that been working out for you? What is it like to be a servant or a slave to them when no matter how much you do, they are not satisfied? You tell yourself that if only you worked harder and did more that maybe one day you may be satisfied.
Some of them are deliberately manipulating you because they know you up-and-down, most of them are oblivious.
An INF, a true INF with a pure heart of Gold would NEVER EVER TREAT YOU THE WAY SO MANY OTHERS HAVE TREATED YOU. They may as well be savages considering the way they treat you.
I just learned I am an INFP and it is nothing less than enlightening! Do you not agree that it is so tremendously liberating to know that NOTHING IS WRONG WITH YOU.
I see myself in most of your comments and it is so comforting and encouraging to know that, while I feel alone and mostly am alone, that I AM NOT ALONE!!
Rejoice!
We need to start an INF MOVEMENT – the problem is that we’d probably be infiltrated and sabotaged by malevolent non-INF’s and it would be ruined and too late before any of the true INF’s ever realized it… Sorry to sound critical but we are cherished by sociopaths and psychopaths – true? They are so empty inside and we are considered raw meat for them to fiendishly feed from.
I love being an INFP but the rest of the world is run by non-INF’s who lack morals and ethics. The rest of the world is anti-INFP and pro-SELFISH, with rare exceptions) and they ruin everything as all they know is to look out for themselves.
Can they be blamed? If they are doing harm to anyone else in the world, including YOU, you are darned right they can be blamed.
Trust yourself.
Trust your feelings.
Tryst your instincts.
YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANY OTHER NON-INF OUT THERE.
We can learn from other non-INF’s, however mostly what we can learn from them is how NOT to be (with many exceptions).
Non-INF’s still have families and therefore they still love and care for others, but they will most always put themselves and their selfish needs first at whatever cost it is to anyone else.
Please tell me if I am wrong as I would like to be further enlightened.
INF’s BE STRONG!
Love you all.
Last tip – you are so compassionate about the world around you so try loving your own self and being compassionate toward your own self. You might well discover that you would behave a whole lot different around other non-INF’s and that your life might just become a whole lot better. This of course is advice to my own self because I tend to assume that I am worthless, due to the abuse I’ve suffered from other selfish non-INF’s my entire life…
Take care, I am so happy I discovered this personality type thing.
I feel I have only just begun to taste freedom…
Wow, just wow. We have known who we are from a very young age. We know we can think rings around people, We know we can see people and the world for what it is. We know we can and do change our world, All we have to do is look deep within, that is where the wisdom and balance is. Only INF’s will do what needs to be done. Brothers and Sisters, for we are within each other, We are connected with the universe. Channel the inner psyche, We are LOVE. LOVE is the supreme emotion we pursue. We are ONE and only we have the ability to teach the Holy truth, INF’s must LOVE each other so much that we change the world or we shake it to it’s core, F the leaches, They steal our energy. Stop the juice,
I am an INFP – but a very strange one. I have read the breakdown and say “Yeah this is me!” It is great to have an understanding of who you are and why (I am also a HSP – which probably goes with the INF territory). But for me – the odd thing is I have worked as an intelligence analyst. I was trained in Sensing, Thinking and Judging – the opposites of my NFP – and I was very good at what I did. On top of that I have an HBDI of 84-57-71-87, a preference code of 1-2-1-1 and adjective pairs 7-2-10-5, which has shown up some interesting side traits. It has given me interesting insights and understanding of life, and it is good to understand who you are and why, but I am faced with the realization that I have not found my place in the world – and don’t know if I ever will. If you know you are where you should be – count your blessings.
I’m an INFJ No matter how much I try to be on the same grounds with other people it just doesn’t happen ever, my interests never align and I feel like I’m in solitary confinement with tape over my mouth with everybody. I try to act like I don’t feel anything for people when its usually the opposite, seeing everything malicious, indifferent, hostile mob mentality, coercively selfish and greedy makes me sick; okay it completely disgusts me. sad part is none of it is really necessary, I feel crappy all of the time. all anyone ever cares about themselves and what they own, people spend their whole lives worrying about things that don’t matter and it just passes them by. so many people struggle with things like not being able to function without some sort of social relevance which is usually petty and shallow, mind you I am aware of the human nature aspect. as well as drug problems, hatred, alcohol, greed selfishness, quarrel for power, any lack of self control with terrible things pretty much. that’s why there’s always so much opposition and cruelty in society instead of consideration and self control, we are all our own minds and whats ironic about that is many people claim self control but contradict what it really means. nobody’s perfect, but the best way to live not just yourself but for everyone is through balance, but most people shy away from it because its a narrow path ; clean narrow paths are hard, wider dirtier paths are easier…not for everyone I guess
Hi INFs! I see a lot of you write about how mean and horrible ‘the other non-inf*’s are. And, don’t worry, it’s okay (it’s good to be angry for a while). I think this is phase 2 of discovering who you are (if phase 1 is discovering you are INF). Before you discovered you were INF, all the frustration with not being the same as the majority turned inwards, you blamed yourself for not being enough. Now you know the truth, and therefore the old frustration comes out: I wasn’t wrong, THEY were wrong! My advice is to cry, shout, punch into a pillow, make art, walk in nature, cuddle animals, watch movies, anything cathartic. Treat yourself like you would treat yourself after a break-up or a period of grief. And then: time for phase 3: See the BEAUTY of human potential. There is beauty in every personality type; you only need to see it. You are capable of seeing beauty where others can’t. Work with that! We INF’s easily see the dark side of life, but we see the beauty of nature and human potential much more clear than others do. Use that to your advantage. And if someone doesn’t deserve your ‘light’, you are free to let it shine in a different direction. Be brave and have a lovely day!! xx
What was the answer to the question “Why, are infj so rare”? …. I was interested in the answer… nature vs nurture? Evolution of humans? INFJ was good in small tribes, not so good in modern day…. is it socialized out of us? Were there IS/ES types around in cave man days? Does dysfunctional family types increase chances of becoming INFJ?
I only read another explanation of INFJ, a very good explanation! Well written.
But this still doesn’t explain why they’re rare, just what makes them rare.
So, is it natural selection? Are they not really rare but don’t test as their true type because they’re pretending to be some other type and have become the mask so thoroughly that they’ve convinced themselves as well? Is there a hidden cult of other types who sacrifice INF infants to idol gods in hopes that they will be granted better ability to keep up with the Joneses?
Living in a society that places such importance on having a certain job, wealth, lifestyle that equates to “success” – albeit there’s nothing wrong with that, I always feel like I don’t fit in after I found out I am an INFP. I learnt more about myself and it’s so liberating to know that there’s nothing wrong with me as much as I want to change myself and fit in.
As I began to love myself, I realized that people are more drawn to me when I’m just being myself than being someone I’m not. I also had problems with being emotionally unavailable due to bitter past experiences as I wasn’t sure of myself. I know that INFPs tend to not want bother others and it’s so freeing to be vulnerable. I am also touched when people see me as a friend because due to my INFP tendencies and bitter past, I place such high expectations on friendships. I’m getting better now and am always growing. I also realized that as much as I think I am alone, I’m not alone. Though I need to be lonely at times to reflect and recharge :)
Success to many people doesn’t mean success to me. Everyone is different. I feel like true success is knowing yourself even though at times it may not be easy. It’s a process. All in all, life needs balance. We are all equal and we are all human.