Everyone has a unique personality that cannot be duplicated. However, many psychologists have dedicated their careers to understanding and explaining how personality can be grouped. As a result, many have designed personality tests to help identify who you are and how you experience the world around you. One of which is called the Myer’s Briggs test that divides personality into 16 groups. Today, we are going to be diving into the INFP personality, also known as the empath.
Overview of the INFP Personality Type
An acronym identifies each personality in the Myer’s Briggs test. For the empath, INFP stands for introversion, i(N)tuition, feeling, and perceiving. As an empath, these individuals are reserved, imaginative, and curious. While the INFP would rather spend time with themselves due to their introverted nature, they also enjoy being around small groups of close friends.
In addition, rather than focus on more minor details, this personality type focus on the larger picture. Furthermore, because these people are empaths, they prioritize their emotions and the emotions of others. They have strong intuitions about what is right and wrong and will use this when making decisions. Accordingly, this personality type is the 9th most common in their general population at approximately 4%.
Strengths
Regardless of your personality type, all of them have strengths. Let’s take a look at some strengths of the INFP down below.
Compassionate: INFP’s are individuals who have a passion for helping others. As they are able to connect and understand others, they are always willing to serve others when they are in need.
Compromise: The INFP personality type enjoys listening to the sentiments of other people and their perspectives. Therefore, they are natural mediators in their work and personal life. As a result, they are open to compromising and cooperating.
Dedication: These individuals are passionate about life. Because of this, they put their heart and soul into what they do and how they do it. They enjoy self-improvement and seek to shape the world around them for the better.
Independent: INFP’s are thoughtful and independent thinkers who need time to think through problems before making any decisions. They use their creative side and rational logic to come up with solutions that are innovative and imaginative.
Weaknesses
No one is perfect, no matter how hard we try. Let’s now take a look at some of the weaknesses of INPFs.
Sensitive: As these individuals are deeply in tune with their emotions and the emotions of others, they can become extremely sensitive and overwhelmed at times. This can often lead to depressive thought patterns.
Vulnerable: Because INPFs where their heart on their sleeve, they can fall victim to the manipulation of others. This can leave them hurt and feel like they are often the targets of other people’s ill intentions.
Neglectful: INPFs often take on the problems and negative emotions of others. As a result, they can become negligent to their own wants and needs.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy INFP
Although some INFPs a well-rounded lifestyle, others have trouble managing their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at the differences between a healthy INFP vs. an unhealthy INFP.
Healthy
- In tune with their values, ethics, and morals
- Compassionate towards others
- Enjoy living authentically
- Healthily sociable
- Creative and expressive
Unhealthy
- Overly controlling
- Unhealthy suppression of their emotions
- Use escapism as a coping mechanism
- Difficulty making decisions
- Trouble accepting criticism
- Will isolate from others
INFP-A vs. INFP-T
Furthermore, let’s compare what the INFP-A vs. the INFP-T is. The ENTP-A is also known as the Assertive Empath, while the ENTP-T is the Turbulent Empath. While both personalities are intuitive to other people’s emotions, the turbulent subtype is more likely to check on their friends than the assertive type.
Furthermore, the Assertive Empath works hard and enjoys their work, while the Turbulent Empath is more likely to be critical towards aspects of their Empath is work-life that cause them trouble. Lastly, in relationships, the Turbulent Empath is more likely to speak their minds and express themselves to their partner when things are wrong. However, the Assertive Empath is more likely to hide and suppress negative emotions to avoid conflict.
INFP’s in Relationships
Further, when it comes to relationships, the INFP personality is very optimistic and thoughtful towards their partners. They have a naturally warm aura that makes others feel comfortable and welcome. Furthermore, while they enjoy spending time with their partners, they also provide them with space when needed. The INFP is very trustworthy. And trusting of their partner. However, when put in a situation where a large group of people can become stressed and anxious.
Additionally, although they tend to their partner’s needs, they forget to take care of their own, which can lead to stress and burnout. Nonetheless, they remain open-minded and love to explore new opportunities and adventures with their partner when they can.
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Best Careers for INFP Personality Type
Moreover, when it comes to careers, INFPs thrive in places where they can work independently and be creative. These individuals are not generally motived by money. Thus, they would instead work a job that is meaningful to them.
- Artist
- Writer
- Graphic Designer
- Film Editor
- Director
- Photographer
- Anthropologist
- Psychologist
- Veterinarian
- Doctor
- Teacher
- Activist
- Social Worker
- Librarian
Famous INFP’s
Furthermore, as the INFP personality is in touch with their feelings, they often pursue careers where they can express themselves creatively. Below, you’ll see a list of famous INFPs who were writers, authors, musicians, and actors, which fits this personality type.
- Anne Franke
- Audrey Hepburn
- Alicia Keys
- John Lennon
- Helen Keller
- Princess Diana
- Emily Dickinson
- Julia Robert
- Emily Blunt
- Kurt Cobain
- Fred Rogers
- William Shakespeare
- Watterson
