INFJ - Common Mistypes

I discussed some of the issues with the MBTI test in here and some potential reasons for mistyping.

In the next series of posts, I’m going to go through a number of common mistypes that crop up fairly consistently for the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types.

It is commonly stated that the INFJ is the rarest of all types and whilst this is a possibility, it is not a fact given the reliability of the MBTI test

INFJ are probably the hardest of all types to read – like all personality types one label like “The Protectors” can not fit all of manifestations of a personality type and the different roles that they can take on - INFJ are often pioneers, leaders and revolutionaries (for better or worse) in a variety of fields to social chameleons, skilled charmers, actors/actresses and even dangerous criminal minds.

Here are some of the common mistypes and some potential reasons on why they may occur:

INTP/INTJ

Strong development of tertiary Ti and/or underdeveloped/less aware auxiliary Fe often yields this mistype for INFJ’s – you will often see this mistype in the INFJ that have strong academic orientation or background in their life.

INFP

The questions for J vs P are often poor determinants of whether you actually are J or P – perhaps an INFJ with normal development that isn’t particularly organised, punctual etc. could test as an INFP as the INFJ directive functions aren’t always (rarely?) concerned with organisation of concrete things.

ENFJ

An INFJ with well developed Fe and very good articulation and speaking skills may identify with a number of the extrovert vs introvert questions – this would probably be a common mistype with actors, comedians and skilled orators.

ISTP/ISTJ

Perhaps if they have worked in jobs that required great attention to detail or they have developed in a way (not a good way too) in which their Ni and Fe has got very little validation from their environment, but their Ti and Se has.

INFJ that are very good athletes or have mastered their inferior Se on numerous occassions may mistype this way too...

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Characters - Personality Types

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is a novel by Ken Kesey that was also adapted into a film directed by Miloš Forman.

The novel was published in 1962 and is rated an all-time classic, as is the film which won 5 Academy Awards in 1975.

The story is about the inhabitants at an Oregon mental asylum which is run by the cold, tyrannical Nurse Ratched and her staff and focuses on the character of R.P McMurphy, a criminal doing time for statutory rape, who faked insanity to serve out the rest of his sentence in a mental institution, who rebels against the system in place.

Here’s my Myers-Briggs analysis of the main characters:

R.P. or Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) – INFJ

A lot of people type him as ESTP which is a common misconception that I discussed in a previous blog post.

McMurphy definitely a directive (J) and with an Ni agenda and Fe persuasion/charm much higher up than tertiary and inferior – I think his Ni agenda is above Fe charm.

Anti-authoritarian’s and rebel’s are more often than not Ni-dom’s as they have an Ni worldview highest in their psyche of how things should be and take action to make that happen with their extroverted directive function in this case Fe.

Nicholson is also an INFJ which is why he plays the role so very well in the movie.

Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher) – INTJ

A cold, passive-agressive, strict disciplinarian that runs the show her way – comes across as an INTJ moreso than an ISTJ IMO.

Dale Harding (William Redfield) – INTJ

Previously leader amongst the patients- intellectual, highly strung, strongly opinionated and – INTJ seems most likely.

Billie Bibbit (Brad Dourif) – INFP

Comes across as an introverted, adaptive (P) and values orientated (F) – most likely either INFP or ISFP.

Martini (Danny DeVito) - INFP

See Billie (above).

Chief Bromden (Will Sampson) - INFJ

Very much a detached observer of all that is going on around him, which makes me think Ni dom is likely with the focus on collective values (Fe).

ESTP’s ARE NOT REBELS / REVOLUTIONARIES!

This is a very common misconception I've seen amongst a lot of Myers-Briggs typists and shows a lack of understanding of cognitive functions and how their psyche is structured.

The dominant function is a person's source of energy and sense of identity as it is highest ranked in the psyche's hierarchy.

Dominant Se does not make one a genuine rebel, conversely dominant Ni very often does.

Dominant Se and auxiliary Ti results in ESTP enjoying a rich sensory experience of the present in the external world and wanting to calibrate this to their subjective logical perfection.

Having dominant Se means there are literally infinite opportunities to be energised by the outer world, which often results in them being very high energy, alert, magnetic types that have a zest for life.

Rebels/revolutionaries typically do not share those qualities, in fact quite the opposite - they are often deeply dissatisfied/frustrated/angry with the way things currently are (hello dominant Ni which holds a worldview of how things should be and could be better* than they currently are and Te/Fe that wants to implement in externally through either social or systemic dynamics – large majority of rebels and revolutionaries are INFJ and INTJ), which drives them to rebel and instigate change.

ESTP have Ni in a inferior position – so it is their most draining cognitive process to use (highest energy cost) and polar from their dominant Se and sense of identity.

*better is a subjective term i.e. Adolph Hitler's dominant Ni's idea of a better world, is very different to say Tyler Durden's, Gandhi's or Jamie Oliver's etc.

The Introvert Myth

Common belief is that introverts are most drained by being around people and social interaction, however this is not the case with all introverts. In fact many introverts will not find interacting with other people that draining and be highly articulate, well skilled in conversation and public speaking (particularly IxxJ's as they have their external interaction function, Fe or Te, placed second on their functional hierarchy), which can result in them being misconceived or mistyped as extroverts, when they are actually drawing their energy from inside as introverts do.

The truth is that introverts are drained by different aspects of the external world depending on what their dominant (which is what we are most stimulated by) and hence inferior cogntive function (which is what we are most drained by) is:

Si dominants (ISTJ and ISFJ) are most drained by Ne i.e. the different patterns and possibilities of the external world

Ni dominants (INTJ and INFJ) are most drained by Se i.e. the literal physical details of the external world

Fi dominants (ISFP and INFP) are most drained by Te  i.e. the structural dynamics and protocols of the external world

Ti dominants (ISTP and INTP) are most drained by Fe i.e the social dynamics of the external world

Famous INFJ

Male

Muhammad Ali
Woody Allen
Criss Angel
Billy Joe Armstrong
Alec Baldwin
Justin Bieber
Orlando Bloom
Zach Braff
Alton Brown
Micheal Buble
Jeff Buckley
Nicolas Cage
Johnny Cash
Dave Chappelle
Winston Churchchill
Bill Clinton
Sasha Baron Cohen
Jimmy Connors
Russell Crowe
Ice Cube
Johnny Depp
Leonardo Di Caprio
Vin Diesel
Snoop Dogg
Bob Dylan
Albert Einstein
Jimmy Fallon
Roger Federer
Jamie Foxx
Liam Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Richard Gere
Mel Gibson
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Hugh Grant
Brian Austin Green
David Grohl
Eminem
Bob Harper
Ben Harper
Stephen Hawking
Jimmy Hendrix
Anthony Hopkins
Julio Iglesias
Yusuf Islam (FKA Cat Stevens)
Mick Jagger
Roy Jones Jr.
Michael Jordan
Lenny Kravitz
Ashton Kutcher
Shia LeBeouf
Bill Lawrence
Dalai Lama
Heath Ledger
Bruce Lee
John Lennon
Adam Levine
Lil Wayne
LL Cool J
George Lucas
Nelson Mandela
Marilyn Manson
Dave Matthews
John Mayer
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Paul McCartney
Freddie Mercury
Cesar Millan (AKA The Dog Whisperer)
Jason Mraz
Robert Mugabe
Eddie Murphy
Chad Michael Murray
Jack Nicholson
Jamie Oliver
Al Pacino
Robert Pattinson
Sean Penn
Brad Pitt
Robert Plant
Prince
Daniel Radcliffe
Gordon Ramsay
Keanu Reeves
Keith Richards
Flo Rida
Kid Rock
Dennis Rodman
Mickey Rourke
Pete Sampras
Adam Sandler
Seal
George St. Pierre
Tupac Shakur (2Pac)
William Shatner
Steven Speilberg
Timbaland
John Travolta
Rev. Desmond Tutu
Steven Tyler
Kanye West
Shaun White
Robbie Williams
Robin Williams
Elijah Wood

Female

Mary J Blige

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Ashley Greene

Janis Joplin

Diane Keaton

Alicia Keys

Nicole Kidman

Nigella Lawson

Lindsay Lohan

Demi Lovato

Michelle Obama

Natalie Portman

J.K. Rowling

Susan Sarandon

Talia Shire

Martha Stewart

Meryl Streep

Hilary Swank
Uma Thurman

Emma Watson

Rachel Weisz

Kate Winslet

How I Met Your Mother Characters Personality Types

How I Met Your Mother is one of the most popular TV sitcom series at the minute created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, it features the main character, Ted recounting the series of events that led to him meeting his wife, to his future children in the year 2030. The show also features Ted's group of closest friends Marshall, Lily, Robin and Barney. It is presently into it's 6th season.

Here's my analysis of the main characters personality types:

Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) - INFJ

Has a strong Ni future focus and a preference for Fe's collective values orientated approach.

Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel) – ENFP

The character seems extroverted, pattern based, lives in the moment and is only unbending when something doesn’t match his inner principles (Fi) - very much laid back go with the flow P-style as opposed to the J-style directiveness of Ted and Barney. Has well developed lower functions considering he often uses facts and numbers in his arguments – Si-Te style.

Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan) – ENFP

Probably the same personality type as Marshall, although perhaps not as well developed use of lower function - the Alyson Hannigan is an ENFP which helps.

Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) – INTJ

Very classic Ni-Te with it's original, visionary, future focus and systemic logic planning to make it happen applied to all facets of life from business to womanising - Neil Patrick Harris is an INTJ which helps.


Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) – ISTP

Not sure she is a strong representation of any type, but to me seems most like a Ti dom that is typically neutral/indifferent and emotionally detached from the situation most of the time. Although she can be a bit impulsive, she is generally the most grounded, ordinary and realistic of the group.

INFJ Profile

Dominant Cognitive Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Auxiliary Cognitive Function: Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
Tertiary Cognitive Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
Inferior Cognitive Function: Extroverted Sensing (Se)


INFJ Celebrities

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) is an external “dynamics” judgment function that makes objective decisions based on the social dynamics of the external world.

Who uses it?

As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ESFJ, ENFJ
As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ISFJ, INFJ
As a tertiary function – ESTP, ENTP
As an inferior function (most drained by) – ISTP, INTP

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Caring
• Social Awareness
• Charisma
• Diplomatic
• Communal

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions

Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Introverted Thinking (Ti) is an internal “compass” judgment function that allows us to make decisions based upon internal, subjective logical deductions.

Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ISTP, INTP
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ESTP, ENTP
• As a tertiary function – INFJ, ISFJ
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – ESFJ, ENFJ

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Precision
• Clarity
• Dispassionate
• Analytic
• Diagnostic
• Calibration

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions 

Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Introverted intuition is an internal “worldview” perception function that gives us information based on future conceptual visions processed via patterns and impressions, that we can use to make decisions.


Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – INTJ, INFJ
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ENTJ, ENFJ
• As a tertiary function – ISTP, ISFP
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – ESTP, ESFP

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Imagination
• Visionary
• Global
• Insightful
• Speculation
• Detachment
• Independence

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions  

Extroverted Sensing (Se) – Cognitive Functions

What Is It?

Extroverted Sensing (Se) is an external “stimulus” perception function that gives us information based on the present physical environment using the 5 basic senses that we can use to make decisions.

Who uses it?

• As a dominant function (most stimulated by) – ESTP, ESFP
• As a auxiliary function (supporting the dominant function) – ISTP, ISFP
• As a tertiary function – ENTJ, ENFJ
• As an inferior function (most drained by) – INTJ, INFJ

What are it's characteristics and themes?

• Present orientation
• Sensual Experience
• Alertness
• Kinetic Energy
• Passion for life

For more about the cognitive functions and how to further develop their use check out Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions 

Scrubs Characters Personality Types

Scrubs is a medical comedy-drama TV series created by Bill Lawrence that combines slapstick humour, surreal fantasies and tear-jerking drama better than any other show I've seen (at least from seasons 1-5). Here is my analysis and typing of the main, supporting, recurring and minor/guest characters:

Main

Dr John Dorian AKA J.D. (Zach Braff) – INFJ
  
He spends a lot of time lost in his own head envisioning the future and always sums up the big picture lessons he learns from the events of the episode (synthesising/global focus) - he also demonstrates the characteristic eye roll to the upper left strong Ni users show (Ni is a rear left brain cognitive function).

His auxiliary Fe is shown in the charm and charisma he exudes in his interactions with patients.

Zach Braff being an INFJ himself helps.

Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) – ENFP

She is very smart, but often ditzy, scatterbrained, can be sensitive to criticism/easily hurt/overwhelmed and a bit socially awkward/unsure of herself, which tends to suggest the Ne-Fi combo.

Has an Si-Te fetish/polar side to her personality too which shows up in her obsessiveness over certain details in her life.

Again, Sarah Chalke being an ENFP herself helps.

Perry Cox, M.D (John McGinley) – INTJ

He has dominant Ni which holds a 'better' view of how things should be and is excellent at shifting perspectives and gaining insight that others miss, with auxiliary Te that is efficient, results orientated and competitive.

He also has a bit of Se fetish shown up in his love of sports (basketball and hockey) and physical training (a lot of INTJ totally dig fitness training).

Christopher Turk (Donald Faison) – ENFP


He is fun loving, buoyant, optimistic and enjoys goofing of with abstract trains of thought with his BFF JD - I suppose ESFP is a possibility as his character isn't as concrete or clear cut as some of the others, but I think ENFP fits WAY better in terms of the dynamic of his relationship with JD.

Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) - ESFJ

She's a warm, caring, compassionate nurse that is the resident den mother at Sacred Heart and by far the most grounded with her traditional and conservative views.

Janitor (Neil Flynn) – INTJ

He has a rich introverted imagination, ingenious, enjoys role playing (e.g. being a doctor, ghost and Chief of Medicine etc.), has numerous aliases, is a budding inventor (knife wrench, pen-straw, drill fork, business card printer/paint gun combo) - all characteristics of an Ni dominant individual.

Like Cox, his approach to implementing the Ni is Te-style systemic and results orientated.

Dr Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins) – ISTJ

A clear introverted thinking directive type (IxTJ) that seems more focused on maintaining and preserving (Si) rather than growing, progressing and improving the hospital which would more likely suggest Ni.

Supporting

Todd Quinlan (Robert Maschio) – ESTP
Theodore ‘Ted’ Buckland (Sam Lloyd) – INFP
Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller) – INTJ
Doug Murphy (Johnny Kastl) – INFP
Keith Dudemeister (Travis Schludt) – ISFJ
Laverne Roberts (Aloma Wright) - ISTJ

Main (Season 8/9)

Lucy Bennett (Kerry Bishe) – ENFP
Denise (Eliza Coupe) – INTJ
Drew Suffin (Michael Mosley) – INTJ
Cole Aaronson (Dave Franco) - ENFJ
Sonja ‘Sunny’ Dey (Sonal Shah) – ENFP

Recurring

Phillip Wen (Charles Chun) – ISTJ
Lloyd (Michael Schwarz) - ESTP
Lonnie (Michael Hobert) - ISTP

Guest/Minor

Patricia Wilk (Michael Learned) – ESFJ
Private Brian Dancer (Michael Weston) - ISTP
Sam Dorian (John Ritter) – ENFJ
Dan Dorian (Tom Cavanagh) - ENTP
Ben (Brendan Fraser) – ENFJ
Dr Kevin Casey (Michael J Fox) - INFJ
Jill Tracy (Nicole Sullivan) - ENFP
Franklyn (Masi Oka) – ISTJ
Harvey Corman (Richard Kind) – ISFJ
Stephanie Gooch (Kate Micucci) – ENFP
Ladinia “Lady” Williams (Kit Pongetti) – ESFJ
Julie Keaton (Heather Locklear) – ENFJ
Hooch (Phill Lewis) – INFJ
Troy (Joe Rose) – ESFP
Billy Calahan (Colin Farrell) - ENFJ
Doug Townshend (Dick Van Dyke) – ESFJ
Marco Espinosa (Freddy Rodríguez) – INTJ
Josh the medical student (DJ Qualls) - INFP
Paige Cox (Cheryl Hines) – INFJ
Peter Fisher (Jay Mohr) - ENFJ
Jason “Cabbage” Cabbagio (Shaughn Buchholz) - ISFP

Kylie (Chrystee Pharris) – ISFJ
Danni Sullivan (Tara Reid) - ESFP
Dr Kim Briggs (Elizabeth Banks) - ENFP
Dr Molly Clock (Heather Graham) – ENFP
Jaime ‘Tasty Coma Wife’ Moyer (Amy Smart) - ISFP
Julie Quinn (Mandy Moore) – ENFP

Sean Kelly (Scott Foley) – INFP
Jake (Josh Randall) – ISTJ
Nurse Paul Flowers (Rick Schroder) - ESFJ