Ultimate INFJ

Motor Jax · May 18, 2008

so, to quote a member from MBTIcentral:

BlueWing said:
INFJ PROFILE

“The peculiar nature of introverted intuition, if it gains the ascendancy, produces a peculiar type of man: the mystical dreamer and seer on one hand, the artist and the crank on the other.”

Definitions.

Introversion-The attitude of assessing the external world based on the internal standards. Takes the inner world for granted and not the outer.

Extroversion-The attitude of assessing the inner life by virtue of the external standard.

Perceiving-The function of collection of information.

Judgment-The faculty of decision making.

Intuition-A faculty of abstract collection of information.

Sensation-A faculty of Concrete collection of information.

Rational-A judgment oriented procedure in regards to acquisition of knowledge. Tantamount to judgment. Thinking and Feeling are considered Rational functions. One may think that only Thinking should be considered rational, and this is indeed the case from the colloquial linguistic perspective. Yet Jung considers Feeling to also be a rational function because Feeling is the conscious scrutiny of personal values and emotions. Essentially it is perfectly analogous to the kind of conscious scrutiny Thinking does to impersonal data.

Irrational-A perception oriented approach to knowledge, one that seeks to provide no rational. Irrational, in the Jungian sense of the word does not mean contrary to reason, but rather one that does not directly rely on 'judgment' for assessment of the situation. Thus hunches and impulses constitute such irrational faculties, despite that a rational explanation could be found for discoveries made by hunches and intuitions.

I.Introverted Intuition
“Introverted Intuition is directed to the inner object, a term that might justly be applied to the contents of the unconscious. The relation of inner objects to consciousness is entirely analogous to that of outer objects, though their reality is not physical, but psychic. They appear to intuitive perception as subjective images of things which, though not to be met with in the outside world, constitute the contents of the unconscious, and of the collective unconscious in particular.”

Introverted Intuition is an irrational function by the previously established definition. It does not rely on conscious scrutiny for assessment, but to something most closely in tune to the colloquial notion of 'hunches'. Since such Intuitive force is intuitively aimed, unlike the Extroverted Intuition, it requires very little external stimulus. We also know that Intuition is an information collecting faculty--as it is a perceiving function. Here we are struck by a paradox that Intuition is primarily concerned with collection of information, yet at the same time seems to rely little on the external stimulus. This leads us to question whether such an information collecting faculty truly does suffice to adequately collect information. Does it fall to the same malady Jung has evinced in Introverted Sensing?

"Even with only a slight increase in the power of the unconscious, the subjective component of sensation becomes so alive that it almost completely obscures the influence of the object. If the object is a person, he feels completely devalued, while the subject has an illusory conception of reality, which in pathological cases goes so far that he is no longer able to distinguish between the real object and the subjective perceptions....Actually he lives in a mythological world, where men, animals, locomotives, houses, rivers, and mountains appear either as benevolent deities or as malevolent demons. That they appear thus to him never enters his head, though that is just the effect they have on his judgments and actions. He judges and acts as though he had such powers to deal with; but this begins to strike him only when he discovers that his sensations are totally different from reality."

What, one may wonder, accounts for such a striking difference between the object itself and the IJ's perception thereof? Could it be due to the fact that this perception is Introverted? Namely that it defines the object by the internal agenda and the internal agenda itself is rarely clearly pronounced as it is an irrational function. Thus, if this were the case, the way the object is perceived is directly filtered through the scope of the introverted perception. For this reason, the objects are not assessed in terms of their own validity, but in terms of how they relate to the perceiver. Therefore, the perceiver tends to assume that the objects are much like himself, as he sees locomotives and animals as demons or benevolent deities.

The accentuation here was on the locomotives and animals because the Introverted Sensing type, the type that the previous quotation meant to depict is focused primarily on concrete things--or sensations. Hence, he anthropomorphizes concrete entities. Or assumes that the objects in themselves have much to do with his own personal qualities. This is precisely the reason why we often have seen eyes on the Moon, the nose on the sun, and the Sword in the hands of the cloud. So our mythologies have compelled us to see!

However, since Introverted Intuition, the function by which the INFJ is led is abstract, it tends not to see the external world in this fashion. However, the relationship it has to abstract perceptions is indeed much analogous to the relationship Introverted Sensing has to concrete data. Thus, Introverted Sensing anthropomorphizes the physical world, Introverted Intuition, almost wholly without a doubt, anthropomorphizes abstractions and ideas. For this reason it is not uncommon for INJ philosophers and scientists to be observed deeming some ideas as wicked and others as benevolent without having any reasonable explanations for such taxonomy. That is because there truly is not an explanation for such a thing, as judgments of the like reflect more about them personally rather than about the matter they have commented on and therefore often serves as evidence of their personal biases and prejudices.

Because the way they interact with the world is necessarily influenced by their subjective perceptions, they are automatically drawn to focus most intensely on ideas that their unconscious minds tend to gravitate towards most. Such ideas soon flourish to be of solid and constant conscious interest in which their whole being shall be thoroughly imbued. This is an allusion to an earlier remark concerning how INJs tend to see abstract ideas as similar to themselves due to the anthropomorphic quality of introverted perception. This is more so for the INFJ than the INTJ as the former has a more personal and less logically rigorous approach to life. Conversely, ideas that are not in tune with their unconscious predilections, will be paid little heed to. This is where the INJ stands in sharp contrast with their Extroverted Intuitive counterparts who lack focus of perception because they are forced to confront all external phenomena at once. Introverted Intuition, however, has a distinct idea which entities are worthy of perception. To an outside observer, such judgments often appear arbitrary, yet this is more than likely the case because such Intuitive perceptions have a lot more to do with the inner life of the perceiver rather than the external world. The subject distinctly holds primacy over the object, and the Intuition itself has a clear notion of what is worthy of focus.

"Like sensation, intuition has its subjective factor, which is suppressed as much as possible in extraverted attitude but is the decisive factor in the intuition of the introvert. Although his intuition may be stimulated by external objects, it does not concern itself with external possibilities but with what the external object has released within him."

Thus, unlike the Extroverted Intuition that is concerned with collection of all ideas and assesses them based on how such ideas influence the external environment, the Introverted Intuition assesses such hunches based on its internal agenda and is interested strictly in ideas that befit the previously established agenda. Whilst Extroverted Intuition requires continuous stimulation, Introverted Intuition runs on itself. The Extrovert will be forced to engage himself in abstract external activities, such as writing or debating to maintain his world of ideas, yet the Introverted Intuition requires no more than a solitary retreat. The more peaceful the environment, the better, to a greater degree the vivid imagination shall flourish. Thus for an INJ, it would hardly be hyperbolic to claim that the creative energy derives literally from nowhere.

"The extravert would say: "Reality does not exist for him, he gives up to fruitless fantasies." The perception of the images of the unconscious, produced in such inexhaustible abundance by the creative energy of life, is of course fruitless from the standpoint of immediate utility. But may give life a new potential, this function, which to the outside world is the strangest of all, is as indispensable to the total psychic economy as is the corresponding human type to the psychic life of a people. Had this type not existed, there would have been no prophets in Israel."

Incidentally, here we touch basis upon the notion of the introverted perceiving faculty to anthropomorphize. For this reason ideas generated by these types appear flattering to men, as they seem to suggest to us that the greatest possible essences of the universe have much to do with our tastes and prejudices. No doubt, the greatest religions of the world are thoroughly imbued in personalities of their initial propounders. As the God of Christianity is much similar to Jesus, of Islam--Muhammad and respectively Moses for Judaism. There also could hardly be a doubt that many of the most influential prophets in those religions were INJs. More of them were more likely to be INFJs than INTJs because the Extroverted Feeling aspect strongly gravitates towards presenting their vision to the common folk and making it part of societal life in a very systematic fashion. But this is a note to be expounded on further in our next section on Extroverted Feeling.

Such ideas of the Introverted perception are highly abstract as this type is most intuitive of all--due to the intensification factor of introversion. As a matter of this discovery, the INFJ turns out to be the most intuitive of all types because Feeling imposes less limitations on the perception than Thinking. Feeling is not a tough-minded function and is therefore more easily diluted by foreign elements than Thinking. For this reason Extroverted Feeling contains less of the judging element than Extroverted Thinking and therefore countervails the perception of Introverted Intuition to a much lower degree. Incidentally the perceptions of the INJ are ineffable and cannot be properly transmuted into the realm of concrete phenomena. When they do attempt to, their initial hunches are either grotesquely distorted or lost altogether. However, the Intuitionist himself appears much content with merely having the hunches that he has as they adequately guide him, even if he cannot duly explain it to others. Once more this is even more fitting to the INFJ as he relies less on objective assessment of his ideas than the INTJ for the reason mentioned earlier.

Naturally, the INFJ converts these hunches into conventional symbolism by applying Extroverted Feeling to his perceptions. Yet, clearly the Introverted Intuition holds priority, the Intuition is the master and the Judgment is the serf. Unlike the INTJ who strives to convert his hunches into logically tenable symbolisms, the INFJ attempts to turn his visions into a public utility. Visions are often assessed in terms of how endearing they are to others and society by and large. However, as before mentioned, Intuition holds primacy over judgment for this type. Even if the visions are deemed inadequate by the Fe standard the INFJ utilizes, this will be no reason for him to stop having those visions and hunches.

Indeed, the perception needs to be shaped in order to be shown to others, as this is what the artist will be compelled to do. Otherwise his ideas are mythological and unintelligible to others. Mythological no doubt, as he himself holds the central role in his fantasies and unintelligible to others because they are incepted in the irrational guise, or one that is not depicted in a systematic fashion. The INFJ is even more susceptible to this than the INTJ because due to the tertiary nature of his Thinking, he is less in tune with objective judgment. Very often Extroverted Feeling, when overwhelmed by the imposing presence of the dominant Intuitive faculty will be forced into the slave position. Or it will be made to conform to whatever the hunches deem favorable. In such an event the INFJ will pass value judgments strictly to support his vision. Extroverted Feeling does this even more easily than Thinking because of a lower affinity with objective judgment and in this respect supports the mythological tendencies of Introverted Intuition.

As a last word on this contention one shall wonder if it is truly the case that Introverted Intuition, as contrasted from the Extroverted is unable to properly perceive the external environment because it anthropomorphizes it. It is indeed the case that Intuition is an irrational function and is therefore outside of the province of our conscious control, and hence many things are possible as a result of this. Especially if we take in consideration the extraordinary power of imagination entailed by such a faculty. The objects are indeed distorted, and the way they are represented is unintelligible to an outside observer, however perfectly discernable to the perceiver himself. For this reason the Introverted Sensor is well aware of the moon and the relation it has to himself, despite that he may see eyes on such a thing. The same should be said about the Introverted Intuitionist and his awareness of his abstract environment. Essentially, Intuition as perception allows for us to be most in tune with our external environment. Extroverted Intuition has a superficial awareness of all things that could be perceived, or as large of a network as possible. However, Introverted Intuition naturally focuses on the smaller pertinent zone and attains as profound of an understanding thereof as possible.

Unlike Extroverted Intuition, Introverted Intuition cannot adapt itself to the external perceptions and the external environment but instead has a tendency to create an environment of its own. Since we know it is not possible to wholly create a world of one’s own, this endeavor of the INJs does not appear particularly promising---as nonetheless they will require some external stimulation to propel their perceptions in motion. Accordingly, just like the Introverted Sensor grasps the image of the external environment and then explores it in depth, the Introverted Intuitionist does no different. As he grasps the external environment in the guise of abstract perceptions and seeks to solidify the image. He does so because as an introvert, he forces the external environment to adapt to his own agenda, as his inner perceptions, unlike that of the ENPs are not capable of doing so. For this reason, status-quo for such a type must be preserved under all circumstances. Any variation in perceptions is tantamount to variations in the external environment itself, this strikes the IJ as unfathomable horror, as this is nearly tantamount to having their whole world unsettled. For this reason the INJs tend not to handle change well, especially change in their intellectual climate. They are forced to stick to their one vision upon which their whole worldview has been established. For the INJ, this is analogous to the axiomatic, foundational principles that the worldviews of INPs hinge upon. However, the principles of the INPs can be slowly altered as they do not depend on the fixed perception of the environment and by nature of themselves require emendation, yet the vision of the Introverted Intuition must remain solid as it serves not only as principles and guidelines in the mind of the INJ, but as the view of the world itself. If the INP was forced to change his axioms, he would rely on the Extroverted Intuition to collect the necessary information about the external environment as well as the prospects of changing the inner maxims, yet if the INJ were to attempt to do the same, he would undermine the very foundation that he stands on. As to interact with the external environment is tantamount to losing grasp with all that has been taken for granted hitherto.

As mentioned in the ENTP profile, Extroverted Intuition works vertically, or in other words perceives all that could be perceived in the external world. However, Introverted Intuition works horizontally. Or perceives only what is relevant to the subject. Hence, it charts out one single path. Whilst the Extroverted Intuitionist often struggles to decide which path to take, the Introverted Intuitionist is never at a loss to do so as he always has his own perspective in mind, and has his aim set on the one path that comes naturally to his intuitions. This, however, leaves him very far from knowing where he stands or what he thinks, as such knowledge requires conscious awareness of his own perceptions. In order to achieve this, the INFJ will need to be able to use Extroverted Feeling soundly, and Introverted Thinking to attain knowledge of the impersonal world. Or he will need to be able to translate his amorphous hunches into symbols that are intelligible to a conscious mind. That is the topic we shall inquire into next.

In the end of our inquiry into the functioning of the Introverted Intuition, one is compelled to question whether or not the ostensible aversion to change precludes the Introverted Intuitionist from being open-minded as traditionally associated with intuition. Can the INFJ be open-minded in the same respect that the ENTP is often well renowned for? In fact, I would argue that the INFJ is even more open-minded, despite that it may appear to be so otherwise to outside observers who are only superficially acquainted with the type and individuals representing it. Essentially, because of the boost of the Introversion factor, the Intuition of the INFJ is supported further and this respect becomes superior to the Extroverted Intuition of the ENTP. Intensity and not extensity is the aim of the Introverted Intuition. The ENTP will wish to explore all new ideas that befall his lot, and as soon as he has become acquainted with them, he will abandon them to move on to something new. This is the case for him because his perception is in constant need of external stimulation and he cannot stimulate himself from within when associating with the external entity which has long been depleted. The INFJ by contrast is on the radically different side of the spectrum. Introverted Intuition has a surplus of inner energy and can stimulate itself from within whilst requiring very little external stimulation. Thus the INFJ will entertain a myriad of ideas, more than any other type as long as they are relevant to his vision and can be explored in depth. The INFJ often has most ideas of all types on the account of being most intuitive of all. Introverted Intuition is naturally at home in exploration of ideas because it is the very essence of pure imagination. It is most comfortable in contemplation and cognitive manipulation of images conjured by the imagination. Much analogously to how the Extroverted Intuition is at ease in manipulating external images and ideas of practical application, the Introverted Intuition is most comfortable at contemplating whatever images and ideas shall befall its mind.

“Just as the world of appearances can never become a moral problem for the man who merely senses it, the world of inner images is never a moral problem for the intuitive. For both of them it is an aesthetic problem, a matter of perception, a “sensation”.

Accordingly, because the Introverted Intuition is most at home in the realm of abstract perceptions, it is most open to the work of the imagination and for this reason most distinctly in the position to entertain ideas.

Before we are ready to move on to the secondary axis of the INFJ functioning–the Extroverted Feeling, there is one important point that we would be well advised to take note of. The INFJ stands in sharp contrast to the aforementioned ENFP in the regard of awareness of one’s own security. The ENFP is by nature adventurous because he perceives the external environment as an end in itself (as we have mentioned that extroversion is the attitude that perceives the external environment as foundationally existent–this not at all could be changed, thus because of the very weak perception of his inner climate, the ENFP pays little heed to his own security and unscrupulously dives forward into the external world. Introverted Intuition is quite the opposite in this respect. It does not take the external realm for granted. It takes the perception of itself, or an intuitive self-consciousness for granted and views the environment in terms of how it relates to the self.) Accordingly, the INFJ is remarkably unadventurous because he has difficulty interacting with the external world. And when he is forced to deal with novel environments, he inevitably imposes his vision of the previous environment that is still stored in his unconscious perceptions onto the new one. This is anathema to adaptability and therefore the INFJ struggles to properly adjust to change.

Extroverted Intuition, as mentioned in the ENTP profile, tends to take the external world lightly as it is not fundamental to the inner being of the individual representing such a function. In effect, often has a playful, if not banal, happy go lucky–pick the berries attitude. Yet the introverted intuition, does indeed take the environment for granted as that is fundamental to its inner being, and in effect takes the external world quite seriously. Thus, security, especially intellectual security is of foremost and personal concern for the INFJ. If the INFJ has not managed to move his vision outwards and become properly attuned with the external environment, likely will become very rigid and dogmatic. As then the preservation of his vision, for the sake of his own security, will become more important to the INFJ than an accurate understanding of the environment and relationships encircling him. This again is an inevitable result of the Introverted Intuition having equated the existence of their entire inner world with the existence of their inner vision. Thus in such a case, the INJ will find himself barricade in his fortress of for the sake of which he will go at whatever length necessary to preserve his current train of thought.

As this allusion could not have been carried out any more soundly than it has been here in Jung’s autobiography.

“I can still vividly recall how Freud said to me “My dear Jung, promise me never to abandon the sexual theory. That is the most essential thing of all. You see, we must make a dogma of it, an unshakable bulwark.” He said to me with great emotion, in the tone of a father saying, “And promise me this one thing, my dear son: that you will go to church every Sunday.” In astonishment I asked him, “A bulwark–against what?” To which he replied, “Against the black tide of mud”–and he hesitated for a moment, then added–“of occultism” was virtually everything that philosophy and religion, including the rising of contemporary science of parapsychology, had learned about the psyche.”
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BlueWing said:
Incidentally, Introverted Intuition without the due support of Extroverted Thinking will become very narrow and self-involved, focusing on nothing else but the quintessence of the internal vision. Whatever is not in tune with the internal vision will almost certainly be dubbed evil. Not because there is a reason to believe it undesirable, but simply because the INJ has deemed such idea evil, much like the ISJs often deem certain trains and dogs evil. Incidentally Freud’s expression of ‘occultism’ to depict ideas that disagree with his sexual theory was off-base. He was using this word emotionally, rather than in linguistically precise fashion as he seems to have been carried far away by his hunches. The term ‘bulwark’ that Freud has used in that fragment is strikingly indicative of the state of mind he has held–that he wished to fortify his vision from all ideas that are even slightly inconsistent with his, as they are simply ‘the black tide of occultism’. Freud of course did not give an argument for deeming the things he considered occultism as such, and this seems to evince the subjective bias of his own perceptions.

As a side-note on Introverted Intuition as a function in itself it should be noted that it does not perceive the world in the conventional fashion of Extroverted perception, or in terms of how the individual may contribute to his environment. But perceives the environment in terms of how it strikes its own apparatus of perception. In this respect, the external influx of ideas is imposing and invading to the INJ because his primary purpose is to preserve the vision that he has in mind, which by all rights to him is superior to that of the External vision. Had he had his way, he would freeze the scenario he has in mind and be content with that eternally. The following picture is often paradigmatic of the way the INFJ perceives the external world–he lives in the state of antithesis of his own will to promote his inner being through his inner vision and the external world which by virtue of itself thwarts the inner vision. Nietzsche, an INTJ , has argued that two drives inhere within human nature. That of the Will to Power and that of fear. Incidentally, the will to power is the vision the INTJ ought to impose on the external world, and the pursuit of power is necessary, because failure to attain power means succumbing to the terms of the external world and the renunciation of the inner vision, which in itself is unacceptable because the INJ equates this with a negation of existence itself. For this reason, INJs are often uncomfortable with the world itself, as external environment, by definition is cruel and imposing. Very often INJ philosophers asserted that we are at the very essence of our being, are driven by fear. As by Nietzsche’s theory, fear is indeed the main drive in human nature. This fear, doubtlessly, represents the INJ’s fear of the External environment, especially of the external, concrete world which is represented by their shadow side of Extroverted sensing.

Introverted perception, by the nature of itself is intensely focused on the future. This is the case because its primary focus is the perception of the individual, or what the individual needs from the environment inhering within his perceptions. The INTJ for this reason, as an abstract introverted perceiver, is most concerned with the abstract problems of the future. This makes them avid students of human nature, as through their abstract perceptions they are able to discern ideas that come to great difficulty to those of us who rely primarily on systematic thought. Especially the case for the INFJ as his attunement with the human element reinforces the pre-existing interest in human nature. Incidentally, the fear complex and the greatest problem of all, our demise appears to be of much interest to many INJs. As Ernest Becker has argued the thesis that death is indeed the greatest anxiety of man which is not over the horizon for any of us. This is less of a claim about Becker’s work, but more about his INJ prejudices. As becomes obvious to any sober thinker, most of us do not see far-ahead enough to envisage such a problem, or even less be preoccupied with it. Yet, INJs very much do for the aforementioned reasons.

II.Interrelations of Introverted Intuition and Extroverted Thinking (Ni-Fe axis)

Introverted Intuition alone manifests to the psyche in the form of amorphous hunches. Such a vision by itself is a phantasmagoria. Without order or due sequence or a sense of self-consciousness, but it is simply no more than amorphous, hunches that not even the INJ himself knows what are about. Application of Extroverted Feeling, the rational or conscious function to such visions leads to the objectification of the Intuition. This however is a much lesser step towards such an accomplishment than application of Extroverted Thinking to the visions. In this respect, the INFJ is left with much more work to do than the INTJ. That is the case because Extroverted Feeling only gives meaning to the stored hunches to the extent that they relate to their personal world and the world of people. However, in regards to dealing with most of the world, this faculty remains inadequate as impersonal judgment will be necessary for that. In order to achieve this, the INFJ shall go to the next best thing, the tertiary Introverted Thinking faculty. This is where the vision becomes a notion that the INFJ becomes clearly aware of. Without the support of Introverted Thinking, the INFJ will have a very strong hunch and a feeling in favor of their perceptions, but will not be able to certify that their ideas are sound as they’d lack the objective means to prove that. Once Introverted Thinking has been properly applied, the vision of the INFJ will not be an unintelligible flow of perceptions, but is an entity shaped in coherent and intelligible units of ideas. Introverted Thinking by and large is first and foremost used to support the vision of the Introverted Intuition and the Feeling oriented goals of the INFJ. The INFJ differs from the INTJ in the primary regard that establishment of objectivity of views is seen as more of means to the end of establishing sound values and less as an end in itself. Whereas for the INTJ the auxiliary faculty may hold autonomy in its own right, as it suffices to accurately depict the external world, for the INFJ, the Fe and Ti must be used interchangeably. Extroverted Feeling, most of all ties the INFJ to the convention or the external protocol of thought and action. Since the INFJ is primarily concerned with their inner vision, yet rely on Extroverted Feeling to make conscious assessments of their ideas, they tend to be most concerned with emending the external code of behavior. Their approach to Extroverted Feeling is not at all like that of SFJs who strive to preserve status quo. INFJs tend to have a highly innovative approach to ethic and on this account are not afraid to question the current set of mores and societal ethics. By contrast they take for it to be their primary task to influence the ethical convention to become as humane as possible. The INFJ much differs from the ENFJ in the regard that the former is much more individualistic than the latter. The ENFJ sees himself as part of the external ethical convention, yet the INFJ sees the ethical convention as means to the end of concocting the best vision possible. On this account, the INFJ strives to meet the external standard of ethic to the end of furthering his vision and will not feel gratified after having met the standard alone. Behaving as dominant Fe types would, or seeing the external standard of ethic as an end in itself goes against the grain of the INFJ, in this regard the INFJ holds more in common with the INFP.
The central goal of Introverted Intuition is to concoct one’s personal vision out of which the inner life of the subject shall spring and guide the external behavior of the individual representing the type. As before we have noticed, the central focus is on the individual, yet the Extroverted Judgment aspect of the INFJ’s psyche is primarily focused on society and externalization of the vision. This appears to be an inconsistency. To resolve this, we should maintain that the INFJ seeks to pass down the vision to the individual, and the vision itself is about how one should deal with the external realm. Yet, despite the external focus, the external behavior for the INFJ, stems from the inner motives and hunches. Even though the External standard may be the only way for the INFJ to properly assess his actions, the decisions made by virtue of the external standard will not be acceptable to the INFJ unless they align with the voice of Introverted Intuition and hunches.
Clearly, the INFJ sees the satisfaction of the external standard as only means to the end and not an end in itself as it is for the typical Judging types. The true end for the INTJ is emendation of the vision to the point of a satisfactory hunch. Paradoxically, such an end is not possible. This, however, is indeed possible for the Extroverted perceivers who oriented around practical goals in the external world, as the famous ENTP Walt Disney once uttered–if you can imagine it you can do it, as indeed most of the visions of the ENTP do come true. Yet the INFJ would likely attribute such a possibility to the poverty of the imagination of the ENTP, as their visions are much more complex and more original than those of the Extroverted perceivers. As a faculty of introversion, Introverted Intuition needs much less external stimuli and the visions it conjures are much less relevant to the external world than those produced by the ENPs. Because of the extremely abstract nature of the Introverted Intuition, properly assessing such a vision as it is possible for the ENPs is out of the question for INJs. This leads to further internal conflict for the INFJ as their Judgment oriented mindset vehemently insists on meeting concrete external agenda which is ostensible to all–one that has a beginning and an end. This is manifestly impossible for the INFJ because the vision in itself takes on the other world, continuously flowing aura. It certainly does not appear to have a beginning nor an end and a sober thinker must deem the mere idea of pigeonholing such a grandiose vision into simplistic conventional moulds that the Extroverted Judgment insists on employing inadequate. Accomplishing this for the INFJ is even more difficult than for the INTJ as the INFJ is not exactly sure what the external standard must be like due to the lack of objectivity of their auxiliary faculty.
Incidentally, Introverted Intuition reaches for the heavens that not a word of ours could describe, yet Extroverted Judgment of the INJ refuses to recognize any notion that cannot be properly depicted in conventional terms as substantial. Thus, the Feeling of the INFJ promptly declines the vision, and to make matters worse, the negative Ti sends them down the loop of self-denigration and dismissal of their lofty visions. This is the nature of the INFJs, negative, self-critical Introverted Thinking faculty. Because this function is aimed inwards, it is particularly focused on dissecting the visions propounded by the Introverted Intuition. When not properly handled the Introverted Thinking could appear to be nearly an anathema to the primary faculty of the INFJ, the Introverted Intuition.

The Extroverted Judgment would insist on repudiation of such ideas, yet the Introverted Intuition is far from complying and as a rule demonstrates its preponderous superiority over its Externally judicious proponent. Even though Extroverted Feeling of the INFJ would have long asserted the vision should be dismissed because it is not relevant to a clear-cut external agenda, the vision continues to be the primary driving force of the INJ, and rarely hesitates to do different or the opposite from what the Extroverted Judgment prescribes. The INTJ may maintain a cool and unperturbed demeanor despite the inner chaos, yet all the INFJ has for consolations is their orderly and systematic approach to the external world offered by their Extroverted Judgment. However, this does not provide the INFJ with the consolation of objective and rational thought that the INTJ relies on heavily. This only exacerbates many problems the INFJ is forced to deal with as a result of their chaotic inner vision. Clearly, the INFJ is in need of a savior, there needs to be a higher purpose, yet even this is not accessible to this type because of the negative and self-critical nature of Introverted Thinking. The vision of the INFJ insists on depth and authenticity, yet the standard of Extroverted Judgment is inadequate for this as it is much too rigid and superficial. Introverted Judgment is necessary in order for the INFJ to find the inner peace and stability introverted Intuition longs for. Moreover, since Extroverted Feeling could also go corrupt very easily if the INFJ is to be unbalanced, in such a case this type will be almost wholly without judgment and rely on extremely abstract, amorphous hunches that are nearly impossible for one to make sense of. Introverted Perception is primarily concerned with how the environment relates to the self as before mentioned, yet unlike Extroverted perception confronts immense difficulty in interacting with the world. Extroverted Feeling does well to interact with the personal and interpersonal in the world, yet unlike Extroverted Thinking
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BlueWing said:
comes up less than adequate when dealing with impersonal matters. When the INFJ is out of tune with the auxiliary faculty, he may be stuck deeply within his head with no sound way of engaging the external world. Moreover, the nature of Introverted Intuition tends to have a hostile approach to the external world, in a fashion much similar to how Introverted attitudes tend to see the external world in a negative light. Incidentally, the INFJ applies such an attitude to external perception, this often leads to conspiracy theories as such an attitude prompts one to believe that the external environment antagonizes the subject. The fearful and negative attitude stemming from the under-developed Thinking also contributes to this stern outlook on life. Such a perspective was best embodied in Arthur Schopenhauer’s misanthropic worldview where the Will to live is deemed to be the root of all evil. What other problems befall our protagonist here? Cultivation of Extroverted Feeling is necessary for the INFJ to be balanced and sound. However, in order to engage Extroverted Feeling the INFJ must engage the external world. This is anathema to such a type as interacting with the external environment tends to be difficult and painful due to lack of attunement with the inferior Extroverted Perception. Because the INFJ is unable to interact with the external environment, he is not able to properly access Extroverted Feeling and receive the much needed emotional support and ingredients for balance. The more cut off the INFJ becomes from the External world and Extroverted Feeling, the more he looses touch with conscious judgment and is swept away by the amorphous perceptions that overwhelm him. He lives in reality of his own, almost wholly bereft of that outside of him. The anthropomorphic and mythological tendencies here are reinforced by the malfunctioning Extroverted Feeling which now merely caters to the whims of the INFJ’S Introverted Intuition.
“His language is not the one currently spoken---it has become too subjective. His arguments lack the convincing power of reason. He can only profess of proclaim His is “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.”

What ought to be done about this dilemma? Clearly, emendation of Extroversion and most notably Extroverted Judgment is necessary. We know that in order for the INFJ to properly reach Introverted Thinking, Extroverted Feeling must be accessed.
In order to find contentment with his inner life, the INFJ must learn to let go off the External world and the External benchmarks that he is tied down to. Yet this he cannot do because in order to do any kind of conscious Thinking, he must rely on the Extroverted Judgment which insists on doing just the opposite of this. Or adapting the external standard as the primary method of self-assessment. In order for the INFJ to master Introverted Judgment or learn to be devoid of external standard, paradoxically, he must first master Extroverted Judgment.
The Introverted nature of perception of the INFJ insists on the fundamentality of the environment to the inner being of the INFJ. Hence, the INFJ is unlikely to be able to imagine his inner life without any relation to the external environment. There must be an environment for the INFJ to envision and very often it is one of make belief, where the INFJ has conjured a world of its own. Such an egocentric attitude is often implicit in the mindsets of unhealthy and unbalanced INFJs–this, without a doubt, in combination with Extroverted Judgment that is notorious for such behavior–compels them to control the external world by all means necessary. Yet, unlike their ENFJ cousins, the INFJs often lack the external resources to be successful at such an endeavor and resign themselves to the mercy of their blind and restless internal vision. In this position they likely have convinced themselves that the world is as chaotic as their inner life because of their inability to control it. Moreover, the projective nature of Extroverted Feeling easily leads the INFJ to succumb to such tendencies of thought. Yet, they must learn that in order to overcome their problem of dissatisfaction with their inner life, they must stop seeking for external accomplishments that shall satisfy them, but instead aim for the inner, perennial pursuits that could go side by side with their vision that requires no beginning and no end. If the INFJ does not accomplish this, the only consolation he will have is simply being understood and approved of by others. Yet he cannot be fulfilled in this regard as the vision is much too lofty to befit the Fe standards imposed upon him. There needs to be an unended quest to remedy this dilemma!
This noble truth was fully realized in Camus’ Myth of Sisyphus where the protagonist, much antagonistically to the INFJ over-achieving spirit, finds satisfaction not in rolling the boulder up the hill and ensuring that it stays there, but in the activity itself of rolling the boulder up and down the hill. Hence, he has found meaning in life because he has elected a perennial task, one that could truly satisfy the agenda of the vision of his inner intuition. This process once again is rendered difficult to achieve due to the concrete and externally focused of their primary conscious function–the Extroverted Feeling. The INFJ for this reason, despite his radically individualistic mindset, unlike the INP does not subscribe to the attitude of concocting his worldview strictly for himself with no wish to impose it on any other individual. Instead, he deems for his radically subjective and individualistic vision to be one that others should embrace, and often deems for the vision to be a failure because it has not succeeded by the external standards. Despite how much the hunches of the Introverted Intuition may remonstrate, this is indeed the case with the Extroverted Feeling. Unlike the Extroverted Thinking and the INTJ, the INFJ will be disinclined to impose the vision by brute force, yet very much will wish for others to embrace their ideas. The INFJ will try to coax others into embracing their vision instead. The INFJ would render himself a service by reminding himself that the acquisition of success by external standards is never an end in itself but means to the end. Essentially, this is only part and parcel of coming to terms with the vision of the Introverted Intuition which insists on concrete, external manifestations. However, in the beginning of his quest, the INFJ will be forced to pursue success by external standards in order to make his introverted judgment accessible. But after he has accomplished this, he will be on his way to attunement with his inner interests and will see them as an end in themselves. At that point he will have a coherent sense of self which is founded not upon mystical and amorphous hunches, but on a clearly outlined perspective. How this shall happen and what the INFJ must accomplish in order to make this happen shall be the subject matter for our next discussion in the next section.

III.Ni-Ti axis

Introverted Thinking provides the solid core for the INFJ upon which they could rely on to make sound and objective assessments of themselves which the Ni-Fe faculties tend to lack.
Introverted Thinking is the only true path to bringing about order to the inner life of the INFJ, and is the primary source of confidence for this type. This will allow the INFJ to freely pursue his vision whilst relying less on the approval of the public. The tough-minded nature of Introverted Thinking will support the vision of the INFJ without a doubt. Developing this function will also help the INFJ overcome the negative and self-sabboutaging tendencies we typically observe in types with a malfunctioning Thinking. At this point, when the visions of the INFJ are rejected, instead of taking it personally and stabbing the challenger with the most vitriolic of personal attacks (nature of negative feeling) and whatever critical and negative thoughts there may be, the INFJ will be able to calmly reason throughout the problem, and find the necessary solutions and ways of dealing with the external world to promote the agenda of Introverted Intuition and Feeling. At this point the INFJ will truly become content with merely having a sound vision, he will know whether his vision is sound or not through the impersonal critical analysis of Ti. If it is unsound, will simply take that as an indication that improvement is necessary and will attempt to do this with no significant damage to self-image and self-esteem, and if it is sound, whilst others may be displeased, he will not go far out of his way to appease them. At this point the INFJ will not be guided by merely the non-rational impulses and hunches and will have more than a mere voice in the sky to justify his teaching.

IV. Extroverted Sensation

Extroverted Sensation is the weakest aspect of the INFJ’s psyche and represents most of his fears. As mentioned in the first section, the fear of being invaded and having one’s inner vision crushed by the external material world. INFJs, as introverted perceivers, take their external environment very seriously, and the playful attitude of Extroverted perception is anathema to them. Extroverted Sensation, for aforementioned reasons is the most negative of all functions for the INTJ. For this reason, externally oriented memories remembered are often of despondent mood, and due to the apparent instability of this function within the INTJ psyche, impulses and memories are distorted to better befit hunches. INTJs tend not to be adapt at memorizing facts or applying them to their concrete environment, as well as tend to struggle with SP-oriented tasks that require hands on interaction with the external world. The bright side of this, however, is that INFJs are unlikely to fall victim to overindulgence in sensual pleasures as this tends not to be a significant part of their lifestyles. Mostly they abhor the sensualist approach to life and without much hesitation favor the intellectual/imaginative path over that of the sensuality, and mostly fall victim to overindulgence in sensual pleasures in extreme cases of neurosis where Extroverted Sensation spirals outside of their conscious control and begins flooding them with strange impulses they neither wish to face or understand. This may manifest in strange fleeting attachments to material things and vanity. Such INFJs tend to be haunted by the idea of becoming physically attractive, whilst having their vision put a very low premium on the superficial and the physical. This notion hangs over their head without them properly understanding what it is or where it comes from until they have come to terms with the shadow aspect of their psyche.
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i think guy wrote the book on us... are we being watched..?

Silently Honest · May 25, 2008

When I read the thread title I automatically thought of the most powerful INFJ who there never was.
Gohan.

But about bluewing, he creates profiles for all the types, which leads me to wonder if he has anything better to do.

By the way I'm shrinking that image and making it my new avatar.

sriv · May 25, 2008

Silently Honest said:
But about bluewing, he creates profiles for all the types, which leads me to wonder if he has anything better to do.
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I haven't seen a profile by him for any of the S types.
They really deserve some attention, but I guess he didn't think he would get enough attention since there are so few S types on MBTIc.

Now that you mention it, I'm wondering the same thing.

Shai Gar · May 26, 2008

I guess that would make Goku an ENFP
Piccolo - INTJ
Vegeta - INTJ
Bulma - ENTP

Silently Honest · May 26, 2008

ShaiGar said:
I guess that would make Goku an ENFP
Piccolo - INTJ
Vegeta - INTJ
Bulma - ENTP
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I think Vegeta was ISTJ. He wasn't nearly bright enough, but just as persistant as an INTJ, in fact even more so then one. He was so grounded in Saiyan pride, unwilling to move away from his old ways.

Uberfuhrer · Jun 8, 2008

Wow! You were able to fit all those quotes into one post!

gloomy-optimist · Jul 9, 2008

Silently Honest said:

ShaiGar said:
I guess that would make Goku an ENFP
Piccolo - INTJ
Vegeta - INTJ
Bulma - ENTP
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I think Vegeta was ISTJ. He wasn't nearly bright enough, but just as persistant as an INTJ, in fact even more so then one. He was so grounded in Saiyan pride, unwilling to move away from his old ways.
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Dude, did someone really assign personality profiles to all the Dragonball Z characters? That is both really cool and kind of sad at the same time.

TheLastMohican · Jul 9, 2008

gloomy-optimist said:
Dude, did someone really assign personality profiles to all the Dragonball Z characters? That is both really cool and kind of sad at the same time.
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You'd be surprised. No anime is safe from the labels of the MBTI.

Silently Honest · Jul 9, 2008

gloomy-optimist said:
Dude, did someone really assign personality profiles to all the Dragonball Z characters? That is both really cool and kind of sad at the same time.
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If they're were only five characters in Dragonball Z then yes, yes they did.

gloomy-optimist · Jul 9, 2008

Silently Honest said:
If they're were only five characters in Dragonball Z then yes, yes they did.
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I'd be really impressed if someone did all the characters; that would definitely require a sacrifice of time.

Satya · Jul 9, 2008

gloomy-optimist said:
[quote="Silently Honest":1aao9er3]

If they're were only five characters in Dragonball Z then yes, yes they did.
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I'd be really impressed if someone did all the characters; that would definitely require a sacrifice of time.[/quote:1aao9er3]

There is no formal process for typing fictional characters. It is often a game on these MBTI themed forums to type characters. There is even a thread in the Entertainment section of this forum called Animation Zone, where I suggested a few possible INFJs.

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