INFP - Philosopher (Therapist) Personality
INFP (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perception) is known as a philosopher or healer type of personality. They are usually quiet observers, idealistic, and fiercely loyal to their values and important people. INFPs want to live in a way that is consistent with their inner values. They have strong curiosity, can quickly identify opportunities, and often serve as catalysts for creative ideas. Unless their values are violated, INFPs usually display high adaptability and tolerance. They are committed to understanding and developing the potential of others, and they are focused on doing things, but they pay little attention to their own situation and what they have.
Test your own MBTI personality type: Free MBTI Type 16 Personality Test
INFP Personality Overview
INFP personality is composed of introversion (I), intuition (N), emotion (F) and perception (P). INFPs work best when they are able to serve others and pursue their own ideals. However, if their work lacks meaning, their efficiency and effectiveness will be greatly reduced. INFPs are happiest doing things that are consistent with their own values.
Even in less interesting jobs, INFPs can devote themselves wholeheartedly as long as they can see it from a different perspective. For example, learning computers may be boring for an INFP, but if the task is to help others solve problems, the task becomes very attractive to them.
INFPs are considered philosophers or healers, who imagine an ideal world filled with flowers, trees, and gentle animals, living in love, creation, and devotion. According to U.S. statistics, INFP only accounts for about 2% of the world’s population. They have always strived to pursue a perfect world full of love and harmony.
INFP personality traits
INFPs tend to be quiet and introverted, and they expend energy in social interactions. Rather than focusing on concrete things, they are more concerned with abstract ideas and future possibilities. INFPs usually value personal preferences rather than objective criteria, and when making decisions, they pay more attention to worldliness than logic. INFPs like to reserve opinions or postpone important decisions, and they tend to ‘open their options’ and adapt to changes.
INFPs focus their energy on their inner world, a world filled with strong emotions and strong ethical and moral beliefs. They seek an external world that is consistent with these values. INFPs are loyal to the people and things that matter and are quick to identify opportunities to realize their ideals. They want to get to know those around them and generally appear agreeable and reasonable unless their values are threatened.
INFPs have an idealized view of the world, which makes them feel unsatisfied in reality. They have very high standards for relationships, society, and the world, and their pursuit of an ideal world seems to be endless. Their ideal standards may sometimes be vague, but they are always thinking about how to achieve a more perfect and noble world.
INFPs may have experienced mental or physical trauma during childhood, experiences that can have a profound impact on them. While outsiders may not think these traumas are serious, to INFPs the pain is indelible. Their sensitive minds are very sensitive to changes in the outside world, and this sensitivity may lead them to make unnecessary assumptions about others.
As they grow older, INFPs begin to explore themselves and think about ‘Who am I?’ ‘Why do I experience pain?’ ‘Why can’t I be happy?’ Their sense of lack of happiness will intensify, and the fun in real life seems to them. negligible. INFP will invest in their inner world and build an ideal and beautiful world. However, this tendency to escape reality causes them to miss the opportunity to experience and enjoy the real world.
INFPs often sympathize with people in difficult situations, and their kindness, compassion, and love are most evident in an idealized world. In their ideal world, human society is perfect, without exploitation and dark power organizations. INFPs hope to improve the world through their own efforts. Although they may not realize how much their work actually helps the world, these jobs can bring them inner satisfaction.
The INFP personality makes them frustrated in the real world, and they prefer to work in free and idealized environments, such as in fields such as psychology, art, philosophy, and social services. They hope to improve the world by spreading their ideas. Although INFPs may encounter challenges in practical work, their creativity and idealistic ideas can still bring them a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
INFP personality comprehensive description
INFP (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perception) is a personality type characterized by introversion, a focus on abstract thinking, values-driven decision-making, and flexibility in life. They guide decisions through their personal values rather than trying to control others. INFPs often appear traditional, but they are passionate and approachable, and they are usually comfortable to get along with. However, they can become very assertive when they feel their core values are threatened.
INFP’s work motivation mainly comes from finding personal meaning in work. INFPs may appear indifferent when their performance is poor. They often say, ‘Everyone does his or her own thing.’ But if they are your boss or your job is in their interests, they can become very controlling. Like other Perceiving (P) types, INFPs may not be aware of your impact until a problem actually occurs; combined with their introverted nature, they will often avoid direct conflict. In this situation, both parties may feel confused: you may feel blamed but not know why, and the INFP may feel that their reaction was too sudden and violent. Understanding the four preferences of INFPs can help explain this behavior because it fits their personality traits.
Although INFPs rarely hold senior leadership positions, when they do, they can often win the loyalty of their subordinates. They are good at balancing task completion with the feelings of team members. As a subordinate of an INFP, you can develop freely and be affirmed, and your opinions will be valued. As long as your work does not touch the INFP’s personal values, your efforts will be encouraged and recognized even if they fail. INFPs often come across as genuinely respectful, so there is less open conflict in the team.
If you offend an INFP’s values (often you may not know it), getting their forgiveness can be very difficult, assuming they are willing to forgive you. INFPs may present a ‘it’s okay’ or ‘it doesn’t matter’ attitude, but in reality, gaining their forgiveness may not be as simple as it seems. INFPs may use typical responses to hide their true feelings, or even show an imperceptible indifference when faced with mistakes.
In the United States, the proportion of INFP people is not high, and the proportion of women is higher than that of men. This is because women generally display stronger emotional preferences. INFP people are committed to improving the lives of others, such as opposing drunk driving and advocating women’s liberation. To find INFPs who hold powerful positions, you usually need to look within social movements and social organizations.
INFP people are idealistic, loyal to their own values, and committed to integrating their outer life with their inner values. They are curious, quick to see possibilities, and work hard to put ideas into practice. INFPs are adaptable and tolerant of others, as long as their values are not threatened.
INFPs view inner harmony as their most important goal. They are sensitive, idealistic, loyal, and have a strong sense of honor for their personal worth. They are interested in possibilities beyond what is known and focus on dreams and imagination. INFP people are open-minded, curious and insightful. They usually show flexibility, tolerance and adaptability in daily affairs, but their inner loyalty is very firm. They have many ideals and loyalties, and often take on too much responsibility, but get the job done no matter what. Although they appear cold to the outside world, INFP people care about the inner world and are sensitive to the emotions of others. They tend to express their feelings through writing and may be most persuasive when persuading others. They rarely show strong emotions but become warm and friendly once they get to know you, although superficial interactions may be avoided. They value people who take the time to think about their goals and values.
INFP personality work traits
For INFP people, career satisfaction usually comes from the following aspects:
- Work is consistent with personal values and beliefs and allows for the expression of imagination through work.
- Have time to develop ideas in depth and have control over the thought process and outcomes.
- Work independently, with a personal workspace and lots of uninterrupted time, but also opportunities to interact with people you respect.
- The work environment is flexible, minimizes rules and regulations, and allows working when inspiration strikes.
- Work with creative, likeable people in a collaborative environment without tense relationships.
- Able to express unique viewpoints and be encouraged and affirmed at work.
- Don’t ask to present work in front of large groups or share work before it’s completed.
- Help others grow, develop and realize their potential.
- Develop deep relationships by understanding others and discovering the motivations for their actions.
- The pursuit of ideals is allowed at work without political or economic obstacles.
INFP personality’s contribution to the organization
INFPs strive to find a place for everyone in the organization. Their ideals are persuasive and bring people together under a common goal. They are able to identify new opportunities and growth potential for the organization.
INFP Leadership Style
INFPs typically adopt a driving and facilitative leadership style. They prefer to take on unique, unconventional leadership roles that emphasize the possibility of work advancement and can work independently toward long-term goals. They prefer to praise others rather than blame or criticize, and encourage others to act in accordance with their ideals.
Potential Pitfalls in INFP Work
INFPs may procrastinate on work tasks due to their perfectionism. They may be trying to please too many people, stubbornly refusing to adjust their opinions based on logic and facts, and spending too much time dwelling on things rather than taking action.
Development Advice for INFPs
INFP people need to learn to work more realistically and not just pursue perfection. They should develop tenacity, pragmatism and the ability to consciously say “no”, place greater emphasis on facts and logic, and develop practical action plans. Set realistic expectations, value concessions, and avoid taking things too subjectively.
Careers suitable for INFP
Creative Careers/Arts
INFPs often have a deep passion for the arts, and they enjoy expressing themselves and their ideas in creative ways. Here are creative careers suitable for INFPs:
- Artist
- Poet/Novel Writer
- reporter
- Entertainers
- Architect
- actor
- edit
- musician
- Information graphics designer
- Editor/Art Director (magazine)
- Illustrator/Cartoonist
A career in the arts gives INFPs the freedom and flexibility they desire, which is the lifestyle they long for. Whether writing, painting, or other forms of artistic creation, INFPs strive to create unique results that express their true voice. Many INFPs see themselves as ‘deep’ artists, even though they may not make a living from their art. Some INFPs even believe that becoming an artist is a mission they have to undertake.
Education/Consulting Careers
Education and consulting fields allow INFPs to use their compassion and insight to help others grow and realize their potential. Careers suitable for INFPs include:
- University Professor in Humanities/Arts
- Researcher
- Psychologist
- Consultant
- social worker
- Librarian
- Education consultant
- Special education teacher
- Bilingual education teacher
- Early childhood education teacher
- Employee Help Advisor
- Child welfare consultant
- Alcohol and drug abstinence counselor
- Translation/Interpretation
- Legal mediator
INFP people like the university environment because university students are more motivated. They are passionate about exploring deep and meaningful understanding and enjoy functioning as investigators or librarians. As counselors or social workers, INFPs help clients understand themselves and their lives, gradually achieving self-knowledge and harmony.
Religious Professions
Many INFPs are willing to devote themselves to religious causes because they can help others develop their spiritual world and pursue their own dreams. Religious careers suitable for INFPs include:
- Pastor
- Religious educator
- Missionary
- Church staff
INFP people tend to communicate one-on-one, but as their experience increases, they will gradually accept preaching and making reports. Careers in religious fields often align with their inner values and beliefs.
Healthcare
The health care field allows INFPs to work in a friendly and intimate manner, which is in line with their need for professional autonomy. Medical careers suitable for INFPs include:
- Dietitian/Nutritionist
- Physiotherapist
- Family Health Social Worker
- Occupational therapy doctor
- Massage expert
- Holistic Health Doctor
- Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiopathologist
- Optometrist/optician
These careers are not only creative, but also spiritual, allowing INFPs to use their intuitive and emotional tendencies.
INFP love
INFP people treat others with calmness and kindness in love. Their inner world is complex and rich, and they show more love and care in interpersonal interactions. INFP people are relatively conservative in expressing their feelings and only show true emotions to a few close people. They typically appear supportive and helpful in close relationships, perceive others’ feelings sensitively and accurately, and show genuine concern.
INFP people are cautious in the process of building trust, but once they enter a relationship, they will show absolute loyalty. They value emotional depth and sincerity and are willing to work hard for those who understand and accept their perspective. Although INFPs generally display great adaptability and homogeneity in love, they can become harsh and demanding when faced with situations that conflict with their core values.
Advantages of INFP people include:
- Warm care
- Be sensitive to the feelings of others
- Loyal and dedicated
- Strive to seek a win-win situation
- Respect the space needs of others
- Ability to express oneself well
However, they also tend to be introverted and conservative, do not want others to invade their personal space, and have an extreme aversion to conflict and criticism. They have a strong need for praise and positive evaluation and are prone to acting emotionally in stressful situations. After a relationship fails, they may find it difficult to get out of the shadows, demand perfection from themselves, and easily blame themselves.
INFP people have a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility for their partners. They value feelings of harmony and warmth and will actively seek out such feelings or use fantasy to satisfy their inner needs. Their idealism and romantic feelings may lead to unrealistic expectations of reality, but their true love for their romantic partners and their distaste for conflict motivate them to be loyal.
INFP Love Type
Research has found that INFP men are most likely to marry female Philosopher types (INFPs). This paired Philosopher type tends to show minimal conflict. Female Philosophers are usually very happy with their significant other, and they also get along well with Writers (INFJ), Educators (ENFJ), or Journalists (ENFP). Educators and journalists have extroverted traits that can guide the socialization of INFPs and balance their introverted traits.
For a male philosopher type, the ideal partner is a female philosopher type or a female writer type (INFJ). Female Writers are often intelligent and reflective, providing support for future success. However, make sure she’s not too strong on the assertiveness (J) side, or she may become critical of your spontaneous style.
Interesting details about INFP
INFP personality traits include:
- artistic sense
- deep
- Careless
- sensitive
- Flexible
- good at appreciating
INFP types usually have the least heart disease, and men have the least chronic pain. They have the second highest rate of marital dissatisfaction among all personality types and are most likely to experience suicidal thoughts while in college. INFP people are usually more successful when learning foreign languages and are most likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs. Personal values include autonomy and creativity, often with outstanding abilities in areas such as writing, consulting, and the arts.
INFP Advanced Personality Profile
For the INFP personality, we have specially launched the ‘INFP Advanced Personality Profile’ on the WeChat public account (psyctest). Please note that this is a paid reading version. The content of the advanced personality profile is more detailed than the free interpretation and is designed to meet your individual needs. needs and expectations. By paying to read, you can not only get more exciting content and services, but also support us in continuing to provide high-quality psychological testing services.
Link to this article: https://psyctest.cn/article/l8xOJ5wa/
If the original article is reprinted, please indicate the author and the source in the form of this link.