8 INFJ Stereotypes

INFJ stereotypes are prevalent, seeing that it is one of the most popular personality types within the Myers-Briggs theory. After all, stereotypes form based on the amount of attention a personality type gets, and the type of attention it gets. In the case of INFJ, the attention is largely positive, so the stereotypes are largely. However, the result is that this article may seem overall negative, since we’re “busting” positive stereotypes rather than negative ones. Although, the goal is not to be positive or negative, but rather to be realistic.

We’ve written a multitude of articles discussing stereotypes, because people often seem to use stereotypes as their basis for understanding the personality types. Unfortunately, this leads to misconceptions surrounding each of the Myers-Briggs personality types. Remember, at their best, stereotypes describe behavioral trends. At their worst, they fixate on an overly dramatized character trait that has been mistakenly limited to that specific personality type. In other words, you can be an INFJ and not relate to the INFJ stereotypes, just like you can relate to the INFJ stereotypes without actually being an INFJ. Personality type is determined by cognitive function preferences, which are determined by an individual’s default thought process. Typing purely by behaviors and skills frequently leads to mistyping.

With that all being said, let’s get into the INFJ stereotypes.

8 INFJ Stereotypes

1. INFJs are psychics

This INFJ stereotype goes all the way back to Carl Jung and how he originally described Ni. As a result, this is one of the areas where we at Practical Typing deviate from Jung’s original theory. Ni is essentially abstract pattern recognition, used to perceive future implications. Intelligent and experienced INFJs can become adept at recognizing the future implications of what’s going on around them, and thus, making predictions. However, it does take both experience and intelligence, as it does with any personality type. The more experience an INFJ has, the better their internal catalog of patterns will be. Although, bear in mind that NJs don’t often consciously access their storehouse of patterns, hence their reputation. They usually just have that “eureka” moment, or a flash of insight that spontaneously clicks into place for them without them realizing exactly where it came from.

2. INFJs know you better than you know yourself

INFJs are often described (or describe themselves) as being able to understand people better than people understand themselves, almost to the point of being mind readers. It is said that they feel what other people are feeling, and they have unique insight into the minds of others. You have to be careful with this one. Generally speaking, feelers tend to be better at understanding emotional implications, and intuitives will read between the lines, filling in the blanks where concrete evidence is lacking. INFJs specifically get his reputation because Ni gives the seemingly psychic flash of insight, and Fe focuses one’s emotional awareness on others. However, INFJs can fall prey to reading into something when there’s actually no deeper implication, effectively inventing a narrative where there is none. They can also overlay their own emotions or motivations onto someone else without realizing it, which will corrupt their understanding of what’s actually going on.

To be able to read others effectively, INFJs ultimately need to be both objective and reasonably emotionally secure/healthy. Otherwise, the INFJ may run around proclaiming that they have some deep insight whilst being the only one unable to recognize how far off their insight really is.

3. INFJs are empaths

As a high Fe user, it is true that INFJs are usually in tune with the emotions of the external environment. They will sometimes be so in tune that they lose touch with their own feelings when around others. This can make them highly sensitive, and make their wellbeing dependent on the wellbeing of those around them. Although, with that all being said, it’s not impossible for an INFJ to be narcissistic and uncaring. Any personality type can be evil or good, mean or kind, heartless or empathetic, etcetera.

4. INFJs are fake, people pleasers.

This INFJ stereotype is usually applied to all FJs, because it’s based in a misconception about Fe. For the record, unhealthy FJs can fall prey to this tendency. (Although, being fake is not exclusively an FJ problem). However, healthy FJs, including INFJs, will not be fake, people pleasers. Yes, INFJs will be sensitive to those around them, and may adjust themselves slightly to accommodate others, but this shouldn’t happen to an extreme degree, to the extent that they are acting hypocritical or fake. Being polite and accommodating is far different from being fake. In fact, since INFJs have a tertiary identity function (Ti), they should stubbornly hold to certain principles, making them unwilling to stray too far from a certain identity or persona. EXFJs tend to be more at risk of adapting too much for the sake of others.

5. INFJs are pushovers and doormats

INFJs are often willing to go to great lengths for those they care about. This can lead to a tendency to dismiss their own needs, for the sake of accommodating others. That’s where this stereotype comes from. (Of course, it’s also rooted in Fe.) However, being an FJ does not automatically make someone a pushover or a doormat. INFJs can absolutely learn to put their foot down, and tell others “no” if they feel that too much is being demanded of them.  When an INFJ is an extreme pushover, it is usually the result of other factors like low self-esteem or perhaps underdeveloped Introverted Thinking (Ti), which is the lower thinking function of all FJ types. (Ti is what allows an FJ to check in with themselves, recognize their limitations, and make judgement calls based purely on their own logic.)

6. INFJs are the most extraverted introverts

I have never been a fan of certain personality types being labelled as “the most extraverted introverts” or “the most introverted extraverts”, namely because of the misconceptions surrounding introversion and extraversion. Many extraverts, even ones that are blatantly extraverted, mistake themselves for introverts, so adding “the most extraverted introvert” label to the INFJ risks setting ENFJs up to mistype. That’s my opinion, anyway. When it comes right down to it, social extraversion is a skill (IE: social skills). An INFJ that is socially confident can absolutely seem extraverted, but that’s true of any personality type. Of course, Fe will make an INFJ strive to appear socially acceptable, but that’s not the same thing as appearing extraverted.

7. INFJs don’t have their own values

INFJs absolutely can and do have their own values. They just may not be vocal about the values they hold that go against the values of their community, for the sake of unity and peace. With that being said, they may get vocal about closely held values, if certain lines are crossed or if they feel that those they care about would really benefit from a change in perspective. (In other words, they’ll keep their differences to themselves, unless they feel compelled to do otherwise.)

8. INFJs are creative and imaginative

Creativity and imagination is very subjective. There are artists and authors of all personality types. Many INFJs claim to be creative and imaginative, but you can be an INFJ without excelling at the typical creative skills that most people think of, such as drawing, painting, writing, and story-telling. Creativity, imagination, and art manifests in many forms. It’s true that INFJs are intuitives, which makes them prone to being abstract, but for some INFJs, that may just mean taking an intense interest in philosophy or mysticism, rather than being “imaginative” in the fantastical sense.