Introduction

is a personality type with the Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging traits. They tend to approach life with deep thoughtfulness and imagination. Their inner vision, personal values, and a quiet, principled version of humanism guide them in all things.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Idealistic and principled, people with the INFJ personality type (Advocates) aren’t content to coast through life – they want to stand up and make a difference. For these compassionate personalities, success doesn’t come from money or status but from seeking fulfillment, helping others, and being a force for good in the world.

While they have lofty goals and ambitions, INFJs shouldn’t be mistaken for idle dreamers. People with this personality type care about integrity, and they’re rarely satisfied until they’ve done what they know to be right. Conscientious to the core, they move through life with a clear sense of their values, and they aim to never lose sight of what truly matters – not according to other people or society at large but according to their own wisdom and intuition.

INFJ personalities might come across as somewhat reserved, but they are fueled by a profound internal passion. Stimulated by deep, reflective thought and an enormous amount of empathy, they dedicate themselves to the pursuit of purpose.

Seeking Purpose

Perhaps because their personality type is so uncommon, INFJs tend to carry around a sense – whether conscious or not – of being different from most people. With their rich inner lives and their deep, abiding desire to find their life purpose, they don’t always fit in with those around them. This isn’t to say that INFJ personalities can’t enjoy social acceptance or close relationships – only that they sometimes feel misunderstood or at odds with the world.

Fortunately, this sense of being out of step doesn’t diminish INFJs’ commitment to making the world a better place. These personalities are troubled by injustice, and they typically care more about altruism than personal gain. They often feel called to use their strengths – including creativity, imagination, and sensitivity – to uplift others and spread compassion.

Many INFJs see helping others as their mission in life, and they’re always looking for ways to step in and speak up for what is right. People with this personality type also aspire to fix society’s deeper problems in the hopes that unfairness and hardship can become things of the past. At times, however, INFJs may focus so intently on their ideals that they don’t take adequate care of themselves – a pattern that can lead to stress and burnout.

Connecting with Others (and Themselves)

INFJs value deep, authentic relationships with others. Few things bring these personalities as much joy as truly knowing another person – and being known in return. INFJs enjoy meaningful conversations far more than small talk, and they tend to communicate in a way that is warm and sensitive. This emotional honesty and insight can make a powerful impression on the people around them.

Thoughtful and often selfless, INFJ personalities pour a great deal of energy and care into their relationships, but this doesn’t mean that they always feel appreciated in return. People with this personality type tend to slow down and really evaluate how what they do might impact others before they take action. Consequently, it can frustrate them when other people don’t recognize their good intentions. INFJs are very sensitive to criticism of any kind and can take things very personally.

A Personal Mission

Many INFJ personalities feel that their life has a unique purpose – a mission that they were put onto this earth to fulfill. For them, one of the most rewarding aspects of life is seeking out this purpose – and then, once they’ve found it, striving to do it justice.

When INFJs encounter inequity or unfairness, they rarely give up – instead, they consult their intuition and their compassion to find a solution. With their innate ability to balance the heart with the head, these dedicated types are hardwired to right the wrongs of the world, no matter how big or small. These personalities just need to remember that while they’re busy taking care of everyone else, they need to pause sometimes and take care of themselves as well.

INFJ: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging

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Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

INFJ is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Scoring as an INFJ means that your personality type is best described as Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. Sometimes referred to as the “Advocate” or the “Idealist,” people with this personality type often feel misunderstood.

Perhaps it’s because INFJ is the rarest MBTI personality type, making up only 1% to 3% of the U.S. population. Or maybe it’s because they’re walking, talking contradictions. INFJs are easy-going perfectionists. They’re both logical and emotional, creative and analytical.

Learn more about what it means to be an INFJ personality type below.

INFJ-A vs. INFJ-T

An INFJ-A is referred to as an “Assertive Advocate” and often displays confidence with a relaxed demeanor. An INFJ-T is known as a “Turbulent Advocate” and tends to be less confident and more easily stressed.

Key Characteristics of INFJ

If you are an INFJ, it means that you are likely to have certain characteristics. These characteristics include:

• Compassionate: With their strong sense of intuition and emotional understanding, INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathetic. This does not mean that they are pushovers, however. INFJs have deeply held beliefs and the ability to act decisively to get what they want.
• Helper: While they are introverted by nature, people with an INFJ personality type can form strong, meaningful connections with other people. They enjoy helping others, but they also need time and space to recharge.
• Idealist: What sets the INFJ apart is their ability to translate their idealism into action. They don’t just dream about changing the world—they make it happen.
• Organized: People with an INFJ personality type like to exert control by planning, organizing, and making decisions as early as possible.
• Both emotional and logical: When making decisions, INFJs place a greater emphasis on their emotions than objective facts. But this doesn’t mean they see the world through rose-colored glasses. INFJs understand the world, both the good and the bad, and hope to be able to make it better.

• Sensitive to the needs of others
• Reserved
• Highly creative and artistic
• Focused on the future
• Values close, deep relationships
• Enjoys thinking about the meaning of life
• Idealistic

• Can be overly sensitive
• Sometimes difficult to get to know
• Can have overly high expectations
• Stubborn
• Dislikes confrontation

Click Play to Learn More About the INFJ Personality Type

This video has been medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS.

Cognitive Functions of an INFJ

The MBTI was created in the 1940s by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs. It is based on the theories of Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung. Jung identified four key psychological functions: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. Each of these functions tends to be either outwardly focused (extraverted) or inwardly focused (introverted).

Think of the different cognitive functions as ingredients that go into making up a personality type. The specific recipe for each type is controlled by how these ingredients combine and interact. The MBTI relies on two key factors that combine in different ways, giving us 16 different types. First is the functions themselves, and second is the hierarchical order of those functions.

Each type possesses a dominant function that is the core characteristic of that type. This is then supported by an auxiliary function which is another well-developed aspect of personality. The tertiary and inferior functions are less conscious and not as well-formed. The dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, and inferior functions for INFJs are as follows.

While the MBTI is extremely popular, it has also been the source of considerable criticism due in part to its poor validity and reliability. If you do take the MBTI, use caution when considering the meaning of your results.

Dominant: Introverted Intuition

People with an INFJ personality type are dominant in introverted intuition. This means:

• INFJs tend to be highly focused on their internal insights.
• Once they have formed an intuition about something, INFJs tend to stick to it very tightly, often to the point of being single-minded in their focus.
• INFJs are sometimes viewed as stubborn and unyielding.

Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling

The auxiliary function for an INFJ is extraverted feeling. This means:

• INFJs are highly aware of what other people are feeling but are sometimes less aware of their own emotions.
• INFJs sometimes struggle to say no to other people’s requests. They are so attuned to what other people are feeling that they fear causing disappointment or hurt feelings.

Tertiary: Introverted Thinking

The tertiary function for INFJs is introverted thinking. This means:

• INFJs make decisions based on ideas and theories that they form based on their own insights.
• INFJs rely primarily on their introverted intuition and extroverted feeling when making decisions, particularly when they are around other people. When they are alone, however, people with this personality type may rely more on their introverted thinking.
• In stressful situations, an INFJ might try to rely on emotions when making decisions, especially if it means pleasing other people. Under less stressful conditions, an INFJ is more likely to rely more on their intuition.

Inferior: Extraverted Sensing

The inferior function for an INFJ is extraverted sensing. This means:

• While this is a less developed and largely unconscious aspect of the INFJ, it does have an impact on personality.
• This aspect of personality helps INFJs pay attention to the world around them and stay aware of their surroundings.
• Extroverted sensing also helps INFJs live in the present moment rather than simply worrying about the future.
• This aspect of personality also helps INFJs appreciate physical activities such as hiking and dancing.

INFJs You Might Know

Some famous people who are INFJs include:

• Oprah Winfrey, television personality
• Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader
• Atticus Finch, character in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
• Carl Jung, psychoanalyst
• Taylor Swift, musician

Personal Relationships With INFJs

INFJs also have a talent for language and are usually quite good at expressing themselves. They have a vivid inner life but are often hesitant to share this with others, except for those closest to them. While they are quiet and sensitive, INFJs can also be good leaders. Even when they don’t take on overt leadership roles, they often act as quiet influencers behind the scenes.

INFJs are driven by their strong values and seek out meaning in all areas of their lives including relationships and work. People with this type of personality are often described as deep and complex. INFJs may not have a huge circle of acquaintances, but their close friendships tend to be remarkably close and long-lasting.

INFJs are interested in helping others and making the world a better place. They tend to be excellent listeners and are good at interacting with people which whom they are emotionally close and connected. While they care deeply about others, INFJs tend to be introverted and only willing to share their “true selves” with a select few. After being in social situations, INFJs need time to themselves to “recharge.”

INFJ Compatibility

MTBI personality types most compatible with INFJ are ENTP and ENFP. Personality types least compatible with an INFJ are ISTP and ESTP.

Career Paths for INFJs

INFJs do well in careers where they can express their creativity. Because people with INFJ personalities have such deeply held convictions and values, they do particularly well in jobs that support these principles. INFJs often do best in careers that mix their need for creativity with their desire to make meaningful changes in the world.

INFJs are usually high achievers and excel in academics and the workplace. They can be perfectionists at times and put a great deal of effort into their work. Co-workers tend to feel that INFJs are hardworking, positive, and easy to get along with. Because they are introverted, however, they may find that they need to retreat at times to recharge.

In managerial roles, INFJs can sometimes struggle to exert authority. They tend to lead with sensitivity and are good at helping subordinates feel appreciated in the workplace. Jobs that require a great deal of routine or adherence to strict rules can be difficult for INFJs.

Popular INFJ Careers

• Artist
• Actor
• Entrepreneur
• Religious worker
• Musician
• Librarian
• Counselor
• Psychologist
• Writer
• Teacher
• Photographer

Tips for Interacting With INFJs

If someone in your life is an INFJ, here are some tips for interacting with them based on the relationship you have.

Friendships

Because they are reserved and private, INFJs can be difficult to get to know. They place a high value on close, deep relationships and can be hurt easily—although they often hide these feelings from others. Interacting with an INFJ friend involves understanding and supporting their need to retreat and recharge.

People with this personality type sometimes feel misunderstood. You can be a good friend to an INFJ by taking the time to understand their perspective and appreciating their strengths.

Parenting

Because INFJs are so skilled at understanding feelings, they tend to be very close and connected to their children. They have high standards and can have very high behavioral expectations.

INFJs are concerned with raising children that are kind, caring, and compassionate. They encourage their children to pursue their interests and talents so they can fully realize their individual potential.

Relationships

INFJs have an innate ability to understand other people’s feelings and enjoy being in close, intimate relationships. They tend to flourish best in romantic relationships with people who share their core values.

As a partner, it is important to provide the support and emotional intimacy that an INFJ craves. Sincerity, honesty, and authenticity are all traits that the INFJ appreciates in their partner.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Center for Applications of Psychological Type. Estimated frequencies of the types in the United States population.
2. Capraro RM, Capraro MM. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator score reliability across studies: A meta-analytic reliability generalization study. Educ Psychol Meas. 2002;62(4):590-602. doi:10.1177/0013164402062004004

• Reynierse, JH. The case against type dynamics. Journal of Psychological Type. 2009;69(1):1-20.
• The Myers & Briggs Foundation. The 16 MBTI Types.
• Myers, I. B. (1998). Introduction to Type: A Guide to Understanding Your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.”