INFP

Profile

INFP - The Healer Personality Type
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INFPs are imaginative idealists, guided by their own core values and beliefs. To a Healer, possibilities are paramount; the realism of the moment is only of passing concern. They see potential for a better future, and pursue truth and meaning with their own individual flair.

Typically unconventional, Healers often develop an offbeat personal style and enjoy expressing themselves with creative pursuits like writing or art. They value originality and want to be authentic and individual in what they do. Following tradition holds little appeal for the INFP, who would prefer to invent something that feels unique to them.

INFPs are usually flexible and accommodating, and can often see many points of view. They usually try to support other people but will react strongly if they feel their values are being violated. They especially hate being steamrolled, and want an open, supportive exchange of ideas.

INFPs are sensitive, caring, and compassionate, and are deeply concerned with the personal growth of themselves and others. However, they also tend to be independent, soft-spoken, and reserved, and can sometimes seem aloof, especially to new acquaintances. They prefer to seek depth in relationships where they feel a real connection.

Recognizing an INFP

INFPs may initially seem cool, as they reserve their most authentic thoughts and feelings for people they know well. They are reflective and often spiritual, and often interested in having meaningful conversations about values, ethics, people, and personal growth. Typically curious and open-minded, the Healer continually seeks a deeper understanding of themselves and of the people around them. They are passionate about their ideals, but private as well; few people understand the depth of the INFP’s commitment to their beliefs.

INFPs are sensitive and empathetic, and engage themselves in a lifelong quest for meaning and authenticity. The mundane aspects of life are of less interest to this type, and they are more excited by interesting ideas than by practical facts. They typically accept others without question, and may take special interest in offbeat points of view or alternative lifestyles. They often have a special affection for the arts, especially the avant garde, as they love experiencing new concepts in self-expression.

For more information: The Art of SpeedReading People
INFPs in the Population

INFP is the ninth most common type in the population. They make up:

  • 4% of the general population
  • 5% of women
  • 4% of men
Popular Hobbies

Popular hobbies for INFPs include poetry, creative writing, music, photography, theater, and visual art.

Famous INFPs

Famous INFPs include Isabel Myers (creator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), St. John the disciple, Carl Rogers, Princess Diana, George Orwell, Audrey Hepburn, Fred Rogers, A.A. Milne, Helen Keller, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Julia Roberts, and William Shakespeare.

For more information: Famous INFPs
Research on INFP

Interesting facts about the INFP:

  • On personality trait measures, score as Artistic, Reflective, Careless, Sensitive, Flexible, and Appreciative
  • Among least likely of all types to suffer heart disease
  • In men, among least likely to report chronic pain
  • Second highest of all types to report marital dissatisfaction
  • Among most likely to have suicidal thoughts in college
  • Tend to be more successful than the average in learning a foreign language
  • Among types most likely to be dissatisfied with their work
  • Personal values include Autonomy and Creativity
  • Overrepresented in occupations in counseling, writing, and the arts

Work & Careers

INFP at Work

At work, the INFP is not particularly driven by money or status, preferring work that aligns with their personal values and allows them to help others. INFPs are typically motivated by vision and inspiration, and want to engage with projects and causes that feel important to them.

INFPs enjoy the process of creative problem-solving, and want to understand complex issues. They appreciate innovation, and want to come up with original ideas to improve circumstances for people. An ideal job for a Healer allows them to express their individuality in the way they work, and takes advantage of their ability to see unique solutions.

INFPs enjoy working autonomously and having control over how and when to complete a project. They often enjoy participating in teams, although they want to be free to put their own personal stamp on their work. When they do work with other people, it's important to the INFP that they be cooperative, supportive, and flexible, and that they have similar passion for their ideals.

INFPs as Leaders

In leadership positions, INFPs motivate others through encouragement and positive vision. They are deeply idealistic, and when working for a cause that is important to them, they bring a quiet determination to their leadership role. They often see the potential in other people, and are good at inspiring others to use their gifts.

INFPs are supportive, creative leaders who encourage their teams to think outside the box. Because of their flexible nature and strong desire for harmony, they may avoid conflict and delay making difficult decisions. They do best leading cooperative teams of like-minded people who are similarly committed to their vision.

INFPs on a Team

INFPs are supportive and imaginative team members who contribute by understanding the ideals of their teammates and working to bring unity to the group’s mission. They listen openly to many points of view, and are talented at coming up with creative solutions that incorporate the ideas and priorities of everyone involved. They are flexible and innovate thinkers, and are willing to consider almost any option, so long as it is congruent with their values.

INFPs do best on a team that is guided by vision, and want to have an authentic understanding of the team’s purpose. They want to have team members who are similarly committed to a cause, and who are willing to explore the possibilities for achieving their ideals. Teams which are highly oriented to action, without considering the deeper issues or the alternative options, may alienate the INFP. INFPs want an environment of mutual support and acceptance, and may have trouble on teams where there is much conflict or competition. Judgment and negativity tend to stifle their talent for creative problem-solving.

For more information: What's Your Type of Career?

Popular Careers for the INFP

Top careers for the INFP include:
For more information: Do What You Are

Least Popular Careers for INFPs

It is important to note that any personality type can be successful in any occupation. However, some occupations are well suited to the natural talents and preferred work style of the INFP, while other occupations demand modes of thinking and behavior that do not come as naturally to this type. Occupations that require the INFP to operate outside their natural preferences may prove stressful or draining, and often sound unappealing to INFPs who are choosing a career.

The following occupations have been found to be unpopular among INFPs, based on data gathered from surveys of the general population.

Relationships

INFP Communication Style

INFPs are gentle, encouraging communicators who enjoy exploring options and ideas. They envision possibilities for people and are often good at coming up with creative, flexible solutions to problems. They are typically attentive listeners who try to adapt their communication style to the people they are dealing with. Compassionate and cooperative, they tend to be appreciative of other people and their ideas, although they may be reserved about sharing their own closely held values and ideas with people they do not know well.

INFPs as Partners

In relationships, the INFP is nurturing, empathic, and loyal. Healers select their friends and partners carefully, looking for a strong bond and congruent values. They are self-aware and often spiritual.

INFPs tend to be open-minded and accepting of another's behavior and preferences, so long as their core values are not violated. They support their partners' individuality, and encourage them to explore their interests and ideas.

INFPs look for ways to compromise and accommodate other people, and often have creative solutions to interpersonal problems. They can be very sensitive, but often keep negative reactions to themselves because they are reluctant to engage in confrontation.

Close and harmonious relationships are important to INFPs, although they also need a lot of independent time to think and reflect. They often want plenty of freedom to express themselves and pursue greater self-awareness. They value a partner who is committed and loving, yet provides them with the support they need to independently explore the mysteries of life.

INFPs as Parents

As parents, INFPs are caring, supportive, and adaptable. They rarely establish a strict or structured household, preferring instead to address problems and situations as they arise. They often allow their children a lot of latitude and influence in making decisions, and may leave the creation and enforcement of household rules up to another parent.

Children of INFPs often find that they have the freedom to express themselves and make their own decisions until they violate their INFP parent's values. When values are in question, the Healer parent becomes firm and inflexible.

For more information: Please Understand Me II

Dynamics

INFP Type Dynamics

The core of the INFP personality type is Introverted Feeling. This dominant function guides the way INFPs make sense of things and process information in their own minds. Using Introverted Feeling, INFPs seek meaning and truth in their emotional experience. They reflect to create a deep sense of personal values and seek clarity based on their own internal values system.

The auxiliary function for INFPs is Extraverted Intuition. This mental function supports their dominant Introverted Feeling to help them take in information about the world around them. When using Extraverted Intuition, INFPs explore meaning and imagine possibilities for improving their environments. They are curious about others and pursue understanding of people and ideas.

The tertiary Sensing function is less developed for most INFPs, especially early in life. When this function is not well developed, INFPs may have trouble noticing present realities and facts about the physical world.

The inferior function for INFPs, or that function which is least likely to be conscious and well developed, is Extraverted Thinking. When this function is not developed, INFPs can have trouble evaluating options and making decisions based on objective logic.

INFP Under Stress

INFPs typically become stressed when an important value is violated. They are fundamentally guided by their own deeply held system of values; if those values are ignored or called into question, they typically find this very stressful. They may also become stressed in environments where people are not supported. They are characteristically accepting and caring, and if put in an environment where people are routinely criticized, they will often react with stress.

Stress reactions in INFPs often manifest as a tendency to be critical or judgmental of others. Because the INFP’s inferior function is Thinking, they are typically unused to delivering objective criticism, and may become unreasonably harsh when pointing out others’ mistakes. They can express themselves impulsively, jumping at any chance to loudly point out another person’s failings. Healers under stress often collect “facts” that point to their own and other’s incompetence, picking apart their own work and others’ and cataloguing the many mistakes that have been made.

For more information: Was That Really Me?
INFPs and Change

INFPs can be energetic participants in change, so long as the vision of the change is congruent with their values. They will tend to carefully consider a proposed change and all its implications, especially the effects on people. INFPs are typically independent thinkers in times of change, checking in with their own moral compass to evaluate ideas and proposals. They want to move toward an idealized vision where people can grow, learn, and develop, and can be very enthusiastic and creative when a change fits with their ideals.

INFPs will be most effective during a change when they are allowed to use their strong ideals to drive creative problem-solving. When they feel they are working toward a worthy goal, INFPs can be inspiring and persuasive agents of change. However, if the Healer does not buy into the vision, they can become critical, pointing out the flaws and shortcomings of the plan. INFPs do best if they have plenty of time to reflect on the change. If they are not allowed enough time to fully analyze the plan and its implications, they can become stuck, unwilling to move forward until they have thoroughly measured the plan against their own values.