So I discovered the MBTI typology about two years ago and got consistently typed as an INFJ. I've never, however, been truly confident in my type. While it seemed to fit me very well in most regards (better than all other types), I there were things about the type that never seemed to fit me.
I tend to speak with eloquence and confidence, for instance, and generally don't pre-plan what I say or do. Another issue is that I really like Math, games, languages, and any system that I can learn to master. These are just a few things that seemed decidedly un-INFJ to me. Then, I read this article on an INTP forum:
http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=7016
This passage that particularly resonated with me:
"The Academic
This kind of INFJ is more often than not, confused for an INTJ, or even INTP. They still want to change the world and progress man kind in some way, but sometimes you got to play by science’s rules to cover any ground. While their focus in some way is usually still on people, they approach their research from a very academic and scientific stand point, without necessarily going out to personally teach the world in the INFJ mentor like way you would expect. Naturally these INFJs have a very well developed Ti, so well developed that they themselves would consider themselves thinkers before considering themselves feelers. But make no mistake; this is not Ni-Te they are using. Ni-Fe has a very distinct perception of worldview, and it can be maybe sense out of in a very logical manner using their Ti tertiary. But it is still just Ti’ed Ni-Fe. The Academics often do not use their Fe as warmly as the others might, this is for two reasons: Academia is srs bsns and when delivering facts and upholding an aura of authority, you don’t to look like a used car sales man. This is also because while they are talking, they are often running what they are going to say through Ti in real time, just to make sure everything is locally coherent. When you use Ti it withdrawals us from the world of personal connections, so it will actually deadpan and drop the emotion on your face (being an INTP myself, that is one I know all too well). If you grew up around a lot of Ti users, you are probably going to come out pretty similar to this, as an INFJ. Considering from day one, you really needed to have your theories tightened up in order for anyone to take you seriously. Sure it might have been brutal at first, but look at the bright side, now you have a really sweet Ti to help you take on the world with!"
I feel like it grew up with an INTJ mother and two older sisters, one INTJ and one INTP. As a small child I remember being something of a pushover. My sisters would dominate all activities and conversations, and I would accept it. Growing up with them forced me to develop a very sturdy backbone really early and to learn how to assert myself. I think that's part of the reason I've always felt a little bit more abrasive than the average INFJ.
Anyone else in a similar situation? The article (though potentially faulty in some spots) proposes a bunch of interesting ways to view the ways in which our functions interact at different levels of strength.
I tend to speak with eloquence and confidence, for instance, and generally don't pre-plan what I say or do. Another issue is that I really like Math, games, languages, and any system that I can learn to master. These are just a few things that seemed decidedly un-INFJ to me. Then, I read this article on an INTP forum:
http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=7016
This passage that particularly resonated with me:
"The Academic
This kind of INFJ is more often than not, confused for an INTJ, or even INTP. They still want to change the world and progress man kind in some way, but sometimes you got to play by science’s rules to cover any ground. While their focus in some way is usually still on people, they approach their research from a very academic and scientific stand point, without necessarily going out to personally teach the world in the INFJ mentor like way you would expect. Naturally these INFJs have a very well developed Ti, so well developed that they themselves would consider themselves thinkers before considering themselves feelers. But make no mistake; this is not Ni-Te they are using. Ni-Fe has a very distinct perception of worldview, and it can be maybe sense out of in a very logical manner using their Ti tertiary. But it is still just Ti’ed Ni-Fe. The Academics often do not use their Fe as warmly as the others might, this is for two reasons: Academia is srs bsns and when delivering facts and upholding an aura of authority, you don’t to look like a used car sales man. This is also because while they are talking, they are often running what they are going to say through Ti in real time, just to make sure everything is locally coherent. When you use Ti it withdrawals us from the world of personal connections, so it will actually deadpan and drop the emotion on your face (being an INTP myself, that is one I know all too well). If you grew up around a lot of Ti users, you are probably going to come out pretty similar to this, as an INFJ. Considering from day one, you really needed to have your theories tightened up in order for anyone to take you seriously. Sure it might have been brutal at first, but look at the bright side, now you have a really sweet Ti to help you take on the world with!"
I feel like it grew up with an INTJ mother and two older sisters, one INTJ and one INTP. As a small child I remember being something of a pushover. My sisters would dominate all activities and conversations, and I would accept it. Growing up with them forced me to develop a very sturdy backbone really early and to learn how to assert myself. I think that's part of the reason I've always felt a little bit more abrasive than the average INFJ.
Anyone else in a similar situation? The article (though potentially faulty in some spots) proposes a bunch of interesting ways to view the ways in which our functions interact at different levels of strength.
