INFP Personality Type [Healer, Idealist, Dreamer, Harmonizer, Seeker]

The INFP personality type belongs to the Idealists, according to David Keirsey, a well-known American psychologist and author of several books on personality types.

Otto Kroeger, another authority on the 16 personality types, came up with a descriptive slogan for INFPs: “Performing Noble Service to Aid Society.” There is a reason both Keirsey and Kroeger describe this type in such idealistic terms.

INFPs are intensely focused on their values and often devote their lives to pursuing their ideals. People with this personality type make up about 4 percent of the general population.

Are you a loyal and compassionate INFP? Take this test to find out.

Other Names for INFP

The INFP has several descriptive names given by different authors and experts. They include:

• Healer (David Keirsey)
• Harmonizer Clarifier (Linda Berens)
• Seeker and Keeper of Human Values (Alan Brownsword)
• Inspiring Idealist (Otto Kroeger)
• Sensitive Idealist (Jonathan Niednagel)
• Thoughtful Idealist (official MBTI test site)

Other online names include Mediator, Dreamer, and Questor.

All these names are meant to express one thing: INFPs have their own ideal vision of the world and their own sense of how things should work, and they quietly push for what they feel is right.

It does not come as a surprise that the INFP is equivalent to the pure Phlegmatic temperament in the four temperaments model.

INFP Meaning

The INFP four-letter combination means that:

• their focus is directed inward toward their own thoughts, feelings, and values (I for introversion);
• they think in abstract terms and like to work with concepts, meanings, and ideas (N for intuition);
• they prioritize relationships, values, and personal feelings when making decisions (F for feeling);
• they prefer flexibility and tend to do things spontaneously, without too much planning (P for perceiving).

INFPs are complex people and dislike anything petty. Whether it is career or marriage, they want things to feel meaningful and ideal. Reality, of course, does not always cooperate.

At their best, INFPs passionately work toward some higher goal. At their worst, they may become whiners and complainers who live in their fantasy world and never take action.

INFP Personality Overview

INFPs have an unconventional streak. Unlike ISTJs, they are not especially interested in following traditions. Instead, they prefer to explore things on their own and decide what is right without consulting anyone.

They are also the type to explore alternative lifestyles. They might volunteer for humanitarian missions in faraway countries or travel the world as backpackers, supporting themselves with odd jobs along the way.

INFPs want to feel that their life is meaningful. Even their job has to fit their value system; ideally, it should feel purposeful. If these conditions are not met, the INFP may burn out quickly and become depressed.

INFPs may seem distant and reserved at first, but once you become close to them, you will find that they can be very expressive. They enjoy talking about personal growth, ethics, people, values, and how things should be.

Some INFPs may appear messy and disorganized because they do not think worrying too much about their appearance or home organization is important. They may forget appointments and constantly lose things.

It does not help that INFPs tend to develop sentimental attachments to objects, which can result in a cluttered house. Some INFPs will “clean up” by simply hiding their clutter in a separate room or attic. Their home may appear clean and organized, but open the closet door and everything falls out.

Others may think INFPs have a passive approach to life. INFPs want to live according to their own rules and are happy to let others live as they please. It is partly true that they generally prefer to fit in, avoid making waves, and stay away from conflict as much as possible.

When their values are threatened, however, INFPs may surprise others with their ability to fight back.

INFPs have trouble completing their projects because they always feel that things can be improved. Being their own worst critics, INFPs strive for perfection. Because they are rarely satisfied with themselves or their work, their projects may sometimes remain unfinished.

INFP Learning Style

INFP students learn best in a flexible environment where they are allowed to freely explore subjects of interest and where creativity is appreciated and encouraged.

They rarely feel that their work is good enough and often postpone submitting it for evaluation. Setting deadlines is an excellent way to push them to complete their projects and help them beat procrastination.

Young INFPs are not very interested in following rules, but they are not openly rebellious either. Because of their creative inclination, they do not usually follow instructions precisely and may appear inattentive.

INFP Decision-Making Style

When forced to make a decision, the INFP will naturally avoid purely logical reasoning and evaluate their options based on their values instead.

INFPs may intentionally gather additional information and then use their creative thinking skills to produce more possible scenarios. Thinking outside the box and looking at the big picture are characteristic features of the INFP decision-making process.

INFP in Love, Dating, and Relationships

As mentioned above, the INFP has high standards for almost everything, and their love life is no exception. INFPs will typically wait for their ideal mate for a long time, and even then, they may have second thoughts about their partner’s suitability.

It is almost as if they have a mental checklist of physical and psychological traits they want to see in their partner. When that partner appears, INFPs observe them and take mental notes of anything that does not match their checklist.

Once the INFP is serious about you, expect romantic dates with all the little details carefully planned. They will give you gifts, but their gifts are likely to have a special touch or a special meaning.

For example, instead of giving you something expensive or luxurious, they are more likely to give you something they made with their own hands or something that was passed down in their family.

The INFP does not always realize that not all types appreciate such things. While some types will be deeply moved by such a gesture, others may not get excited about the idea of wearing, let’s say, an antique ring that belonged to the INFP’s grandmother. But then again, maybe that type of person is not right for the INFP in the first place.

INFPs tend to keep their feelings to themselves and need to remember that their partners need reminders of their love for the relationship to thrive. Similarly, their partners need to remember that it is essential for INFPs to hear “I love you” in order to feel loved.

When problems arise, the INFP feels them deeply but still avoids talking about them. INFPs tend to hide their feelings and pretend to be okay, only to overreact to something small and insignificant later.

One of the biggest INFP problems is that they often withhold their real opinions. As a result, they may send the message that they agree with others when, in reality, they disagree very strongly.

The irony is that they do this to preserve good relationships with everyone, but it often becomes a source of distress. Occasionally, this INFP tendency becomes counterproductive by damaging the very relationships they tried so hard to preserve.

You may be interested in INFP Relationships and Compatibility With All Types.

How to Get an INFP to Like You

• Be authentic. There are few things the INFP dislikes more than insincerity and pretentiousness.
• Do not stress them with too many demands on their time. INFPs are introverted and need plenty of time alone.
• Do not criticize them. They are very sensitive to criticism and may keep ruminating about the issue for days.
• Do not play hard to get. The INFP might give up on you if you do.
• Do not play games in general. With the INFP, it is best to be yourself.
• Do not force them to be punctual or do things on time. Deadlines and rigid rules stress them out and may put a strain on your relationship.
• Read 36 Ways to Make Your INFP Happy.
• You may also want to read this post on ENFJ and INFP personality compatibility.
• And also this one on similarities and differences between the INFP and the ISFP.

INFP at Work

INFPs want a quiet work environment and a job that is in line with their personal values. In addition, they want to work alone or with people who share their principles.

When it comes to working toward a goal, the only acceptable driving force for them is sincere intention. For example, the INFP dislikes highly competitive people or those who seem more concerned about their paycheck than the work itself.

INFP Leadership Style

People with the INFP personality type are not naturally born leaders and usually assume leadership positions reluctantly.

There is nothing aggressive about the INFP, and the same is true of their leadership style. It is subtle and gentle, almost as if they are afraid to offend their subordinates.

Ideally, the INFP wants to be more of a facilitator than a real director. With their values in mind, they want their team to become intrinsically motivated and work independently.

Because INFPs are not confrontational and are usually unable to criticize others, they prefer to motivate people through appreciation and praise. They are also likely to neglect some issues, hoping they will eventually get resolved without their interference.

INFP Job List

• Actor
• Animator
• Archaeologist
• Architect
• Archivist
• Audiologist
• Career Counselor
• Chiropractor
• College Instructor
• Community Service Manager
• Curator
• Editor
• Educational Consultant
• Elementary School Teacher
• Employee Development Specialist
• Entertainer
• Fashion Designer
• Film Editor
• Fine Artist
• Fundraiser
• Genetic Counselor
• Geographer
• Graphic Designer
• Historian
• HR Development Worker
• Human Resources Specialist
• Interpreter
• Journalist
• Laboratory Technologist
• Librarian
• Massage Therapist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Midwife
• Multimedia Artist
• Musician
• Novelist
• Nutritionist
• Occupational Therapist
• Painter
• Photographer
• Physical Therapist
• Poet
• Preschool Teacher
• Professor
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Research Assistant
• Researcher
• School Counselor
• Social Scientist
• Social Worker
• Sociologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Specialist
• Speech Pathologist
• Translator
• Veterinarian
• Veterinary Technician
• Writer
• Zoologist

Random Facts About INFPs

• INFPs are great at reading people.
• The INFP can be overly shy.
• The INFP is likely to stay in a bad relationship.
• INFPs have a tendency to blame themselves for things that go wrong.
• Although INFPs are prone to self-blame, they are very concerned about other people’s self-esteem.
• INFPs frequently switch from one interest or passion to another.
• People with the INFP personality type do not care about forcing others to be like them. They know how to appreciate people for who they are.
• Many INFPs struggle with insecurity.
• Some INFPs do not know how to express their feelings.
• INFPs usually have a great sense of humor.
• Many INFPs are great writers.
• The INFP can be curious and shy at the same time.
• INFPs like to do things when they feel like doing them, not according to a plan or schedule.

Famous INFP People

• Audrey Hepburn
• Princess Diana
• J. K. Rowling
• J. R. R. Tolkien
• John Lennon
• Isabel Briggs Myers

INFP Characters

• Chicken Little
• Jane Eyre
• Romeo and Juliet from “Romeo and Juliet”
• Ashley Wilkes from “Gone With the Wind”