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The INFP: Strengths

See how the INFP's personality dimensions combine to yield several remarkable patterns

Reading time: 5 minutes

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INFPs tend to have distinct patterns on the Big Five personality traits, and these patterns lead to at least four exceptional patterns commonly seen in the INFPs:

Quiet and unpredictable

INFPs are often more introverted and less conscientious
INFPs can be reserved and harder to read due to their lower Extraversion and lower Conscientiousness.

Others may have difficulty reading INFPs, who often have a quiet, reserved exterior but a spontaneous, impulsive mind. INFPs usually have a blend of lower Extraversion and lower Conscientiousness, leading them to be more reserved and withdrawn, holding their opinions and thoughts back in most social situations and avoiding the spotlight.

Despite their quiet exterior, they often impulsively make decisions with their gut, rather than careful planning. When possible, they will avoid sticking to a schedule and prefer the freedom to change their plans at the last minute.

Tolerant and peace-loving

INFPs are often empathetic, sensitive to others’ pain, and optimistic about peaceful solutions to conflict.

INFPs are often highly agreeable and less conscientious
INFPs are often compassionate and lenient due to their higher Agreeableness and lower Conscientiousness.

With INFPs’ high Agreeableness and lower Conscientiousness, they tend to trust other people’s inherent goodness. They have more faith in friendly, gentle methods of resolving differences, and often shun heavy-handed, strict, or combative approaches.

Enthusiastic about information

INFPs are often genuinely interested in the world around them. However, they are usually much more curious about the world of ideas and information than relationships and other people.

INFPs are often low on Big Five Extraversion but high on Big Five Openness
INFPs are often low on Big Five Extraversion but high on Big Five Openness

These preferences follow from INFPs’ blend of low Extraversion and high Openness, two dimensions that shape exploration styles. INFPs will happily immerse themselves in new ideas and become fully absorbed in learning everything about them. Yet, they might struggle to find a fraction of that same enthusiasm in most social engagements.

Empathetic but socially reserved

INFPs are often warm and empathetic due to their higher Agreeableness. However, they also tend to be more socially reserved and inhibited due to their lower Extraversion. While many INFPs are genuinely compassionate and friendly, only a few people may get to know them well enough to see this side.

INFPs are often low on Big Five Extraversion but high on Big Five Agreeableness
INFPs are often low on Big Five Extraversion but high on Big Five Agreeableness

INFPs may need much longer than others to open up and feel comfortable expressing their warmth and enthusiasm. They are also far less likely to be the one to spark up a conversation or initiate new relationships.

Individual strengths

Understanding an individual’s unique strengths requires more than just knowing a personality type or Big Five personality traits. Even among INFPs, every person has their own set of strengths that they use when they are at their best.

Discover your personal strengths and lean into what you do best.

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What are your true strengths?

Discover your personal strengths and lean into what you do best.

One easy way to learn about your own strengths is with the Strengths profile in TraitLab Plus.

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