INFP is one of the sixteen personality types created by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, creators of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four core personality traits based on the work of psychologist C.G. Jung.
Each of the four letters of the INFP code signifies a key personality trait of this type. INFPs are energized by time alone (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details (iNtuitive), make decisions based on feelings and values (Feeling), and prefer to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and organized (Perceiving).
The INFP personality type is also called the “Healer” because of their sympathetic idealism and gentle compassion for other people. Other nicknames for the INFP include:
The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
The Mediator (16Personalities)
I once read a book on the creation of Myers-Briggs. I forget the name and author. It is possible the book still exists with my stuff at my father’s house.
Anyway, the author argued that the test was invented by a housewife who found Jung fascinating and that it was all hokum. Her ideas were basically taken up by someone who saw marketing potential in pushing the test to companies as a way to screen employees and make a fast buck in pushing the idea that it would be a good basis for hiring and firing decisions.
There was a true story in the book that always stuck out to me. One of the big rental furniture/appliance centers fired a whole bunch of managers because they had the wrong personality. The company was bought out and new management insisted on testing all managers. Some were found not to be “sensitive” enough.
Instead of going off past performance data and how well the managers did based on retention of subordinates and how many subordinates they helped develop into managers themselves and rational stuff such as that, they decided only the results of Myers-Briggs mattered.
The company suffered a lot in terms of sales after the mass firing because the new people were incompetent and over sensitive to criticism.
Sixteen personality types, they say? That’s so incredibly boring. Those folks need to get out more. The last test I took was to renew my explosives license. Then I had to listen to the Rodeo Song to maintain my appropriate attitude. It’s all about maintaining a broad skill set.