5 Strengths of the INFJ

The INFJ is perhaps the most sensationalised out of all the 16 types, but generally not owing to perceptions of strength and competence. In fact, the INFJ type code is generally more associated with feelings of vulnerability and isolation than it is with actual cognitive capability.
This video explores the natural competence of this type, and presents how the INFJ is far better suited to the modern world than it is commonly portrayed to be.
Thanks to Kiara Kerrick for the subtitles!
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About me:
Hi, I'm Harry, and I'm intensely passionate about personality typing and self-development - so much so that I have created my own Jung-inspired system, taking a more high-resolution look at the factors making up personality.
Through Cognitive Personality Theory I examine the underlying mechanisms behind cognition, and the means through which a single type can have limitless individual variation - I believe type itself is just a set of cognitive predispositions that can according to the needs of the situation be overcome.
I don't believe any type is limited in what they can achieve, but have noticed sensationalist attitudes and internet trends propagating a culture in which type-development is actively discouraged in favour of conforming to simplistic archetypes. Through CPT I hope to dispel various myths and oversimplifications of what constitutes personality type, and along the way encourage a healthier attitude towards type that allows a person to become not who they are told they are, but rather who they want to be.
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00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Holistic Thought
04:01 - Introverted Intuition
07:09 - Extraverted Sensing - Extraverted Feeling Sensitivity
12:29 - Ni Vision
17:13 - Fe Authority
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KEY
Ni/Introverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of internal world.
Ne/Extraverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of external world.
Si/Introverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of internal world.
Se/Extraverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of external world.
Fi/Introverted Feeling - Subjective codec; internal emotional data & harmony.
Fe/Extraverted Feeling - Subjective codec; external emotional data & harmony.
Ti/Introverted Thinking - Objective codec; internal logical order.
Te/Extraverted Thinking - Objective codec; external logical order.
Lens - Perceives data.
Codec - Rationalises data.
Convergent - Positive, creative, enacting change and seeking novelty.
Divergent - Negative, authoritative, instilling consequence and driving utility.
For more clarification on terms see the CPT eBook!
#INFJ #16types

[@benbong4577]

I used to think i simply wasn't good in school. But i remember that once i understood the HOW and WHY of whatever i needed to figure out, i instantly understood. School doesn't give you that info, which i think is why it was hard for me. Great informative video!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cherylbecker3167]

Yes

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory My problem was often that my mind takes some kind of leap or shortcut to the answer? So although my answer was right, I couldn't explain how I got there and so it was considered incorrect :( For years I felt stupid...like really STUPID until my hubby started explaining stuff that were beyond university level but he really had to find a Way to explain things to me and deal with my impatience. It's like me speaking Chinese and him speaking Russian and then trying to find each other somewhere in the middle xD Thanks by the way for your solid explanations, you're doing great work ;)

[@elgranmambutu8266]

I had the same problem

[@hectorpikipiki]

Probably underdeveloped Ti

[@friendlybaby1]

I kept thinking “why am I perceiving this man as a goth?” and then realised that the object behind him on the wall makes it look like he’s wearing a Dracula cloak

[@Coneman3]

We are searching for objective truths.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

100%

[@silentecho4445]

My teacher tried to get my parents to put me in a slow learners class.... I'm a smart guy always been. School to me was boring, uninterested. I needed to analyze all questions to make sure i got it right, i usely do. Depending on the question I can't give a spontaneous answer.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I think a lot of Ni convergents will resonate with this!

[@888biblestudy]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory I repeat what people say to make sure I heard correctly. They think I don't understand, but I am just double checking. lol

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

Yes! So true...

[@kimquim2803]

I double think a lot and also can't answer to many questions spontaneously either... Tiresome 🤡

[@Tified967]

ENFJ who spent most of the time disagreeing with the question itself lol.

[@AshleyAye]

The way I explain the synergy of my thinking is that I have to have time to reconcile new information with what I already know and have already processed. I have to be given time because everything has to be in harmony and connected. I feel like harmony is such a constant theme for INFJs in so many ways.... thank you for making this video! So nice to hear you explain these strengths in such a detailed manner!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Yes, Ti-Ni in a nutshell! Cheers :)

[@su-enaahleebeautifulcontra3617]

3:25 seconds in and you just explained my point of view that people don't get. I intake information and somehow the information cross reference each other and I have an epiphany for days on a topic. I always say realization is as good as it gets. And yes I do feel like I'm a poser sometimes.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

For sure :)

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

I love my little "Eureka" moments. Those are my high's xD

[@anival9576]

I am way more combative than i wish I was. That's one of my core struggles... to stay silent when other people are spewing crap. I want to maintain harmony. I don't like making waves, but how can I stay silent? What they are saying is wrong! And it is hurting people. I"m not afraid... I just hate the strife.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

The Ti-Fe dilemma :)

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

I think many Ti users, especially those who use either dominant or tertiary, are way more combative of it. If an ENTP or ESFJ were to be argued with, they'd probably be more aware of the enviornment and rules and adapt their arguments to serve them. Whereas an IxTP or IxFJ would probably be more defensive of their subjectively objective truths because of how well thought out they are. Probably not true, especially in this theory, but that's my personal observations.

[@anival9576]

@@andyroobrick-a-brack9355 I think Ti IS more combative--less apologetic about it. I get uptight about not being peace-loving enough, but not enough to keep me quiet, apparently. Good observations.... although I'm not sure what "subjectively objective truths" are. 😉

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

@@anival9576 I guess "subjectively objective" are precieved truths that are a lot more impersonal than, say, Fi. It usually forms from a sense of personal reasoning, so while it's subjective in Jungian terms, it's stereotypically objective. Despite this, however, I do believe that if a truth is held for to long, it fails to adapt to any new information the auxilary extroverted functions provide, this, giving it a bit of an "Fi" vibe despite being founded on evaluation over feeling.

[@underwaterpanther]

Holy f I’m about ready to cry over here. I’m many years deep into this but am struggling with what my own darn strengths are. Learning new things is so frustrating when I don’t want to like at work at the moment. I’m still in this world writing my own books. 😂 I do know that it may take me longer to learn new systems but overtime I become one of the best at it.

[@metametodo]

You perform such use of words and construction of expressions that I do envy it considerably. Great job at that. In the latest years I have been struggling to express accurately and meaningfully what I want to get out of my head, I usually feel like I'm losing a significant amount of intricacy. Especially when I must respond immediately.

[@arlettasloan6453]

I am back. I realized I actually am INFJ. Not even going to try to explain it. I don't feel like I have to. But, I do have to say thank you for helping me sort it out.

[@stephenfegely]

It’s taken me years -for this time, era. ~infj

[@moon_was_hungry]

I really enjoyed this video, and I appreciate how in depth and specific you explain the different functions of INFJ. It’s refreshing to watch somebody who understands what they’re talking about, given the VAST amount of misinformation there is about the type. Specifically, the bit that you explained how we’re slow to take in NEW information and frameworks of learning. A lot of times, I’ve felt slow or dumb for failing to process things right away, and it’s because I have to figure out a way to integrate it with EVERYTHING else I understand about the world. I can’t simply memorize as much as seek to figure out the principles of how it works, WHY it works, and how I can use it. On the other hand, I’m also slow to figuring out the BEST course of action given a certain situation, to achieve my desired outcome, and this can take me so long, that it’s made me feel extremely incompetent at times. It really means a lot when these specific flaws are taken into account in your video, and viewed as a strength for my type. :^) thank you!

[@ashwinimadhusudan481]

Thank you so much Harry!, it's such an eye opener , made me realize that even I can be a doer rather than just being a thinker...

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thank you, this is awesome to hear :)

[@TyGee777]

Thanks man, glad I ran into your video.

[@natalieboraca4599]

Thank you for the material. I am an INFJ and this is the whole truth about me. Nobody has ever described me in a better way

[@xiii2048]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU!!! i was mistyped as an intj as a child, and this video absolutely explained every issue i had with the intj label. thank you so much for explaining all the types so carefully and deeply!

[@cinderling5472]

Thank you so much for filling out the gaps in my knowledge - I couldn't understand why I, as an 'intuitive empathetic" type could not predict emotional states. Tripped me up for the longest time and made me question my type

[@vierblith4150]

This was wonderfully put and quite relatable for me. Thank you.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Glad :)

[@Heather-vg1dh]

Well put Harry . Stay well my friend.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thanks Jasmine, same to you :)

[@thereaIitsybitsyspider]

I really resonated with this video. Thanks for making it.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

My pleasure, I'm glad to hear this!

[@TreasureSeasons]

Novelty and hidden connections, totally 💜

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Aye! :)

[@oberdelauney3340]

I requested a video of this nature and you delivered. Much appreciated.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Happy to have delivered :)

[@blankplanet]

Fantastic summary!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thank you!

[@tracyspall8480]

Happy Sunday, Harry. I'm INFJ. Thank you for helping me feel better about being me today. Hugs

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

My pleasure :) Happy Sunday to you too!

[@That_Awkward_Mum]

Lovely! I do think that some of this "hype" surrounding INFJs is actually quite well-deserved - there's much to admire about you people.🙂 Will you be doing a similar video for each type code, Harry?

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Oh yes, definitely want to do this for other types too :)

[@saras.5619]

Every single word you say is gold I'd love to write it down or at least take notes~

[@Heather-vg1dh]

I have definitely taken notes of his videos before lol

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I truly appreciate it and do hope it is worth the note-taking process :)

[@kimberlysoto3490]

This is so helpful, thank you! I wish I had this information a lot sooner in my life. It’s been a lot of running into walls but I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. I think one of my main struggles has been learning to ‘properly’ use FE and developing FI. I’ve had many of my good intentions go horribly wrong. Sometimes to the point of causing the complete opposite of the desired effect. I’m trying to learn to take care of my own boundaries and needs so that I don’t have to focus so much on trying to manage and maneuver those of others in order to find peace.

[@xDomino3x]

I feel the same exact way. This video helped me understand the way I think and act a lot better. God bless.

[@kimberlysoto3490]

@@xDomino3x Amen. God bless you too. Yes! Such a helpful tool.

[@mimcris8481]

I really enjoy being an INFJ.

[@markbrush8927]

Shift to our right -the accent commands, quite, more hypnotically demanded respect.🧛

[@creativeconcepts2424]

I feel so amazed there are the few infj men i have seen on this channel. It makes me feel that this small amount is enough for me.

[@carol5606]

Enjoyed the video. Not going to take the time to be specific. I am still not that well acquainted with all the lingo. But just wanted to thank you for your very intellectual approach. You do make the INFJ sound like a potentially well put together type. Glad I am one - finally glad. Ha ha. Took awhile to get to that place though. Again - thanks.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Truly appreciated - thank you for this comment! I'm glad I'm an INFJ too :)

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

Hahaha! yep ;)

[@riyajacob2909]

Good work of explaining INFJ NiTi

[@brooklinnratto8315]

I appreciate how you encourage all types to continue to work on self growth.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Yes, that's something I'm passionate about!

[@brooklinnratto8315]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory More people should be passionate about loving each other and encouraging people to take courage and learn, sacrifice, and let go of fear to help others by helping themselves. I definitely respect this trait of your and hope that more will be influenced to do the same. Where I grew up people are pitted against each other that they forgey to be humble and change qualities that they know they lack. So many business minds lacking the gift of affection and the giving of affection. Everyone afraid of what they can gain and loose rather than the fact that they can change constantly. To miss something you don't know us an ideal to many. 😅 Isn't that odd.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

@@brooklinnratto8315 It is always a shame when such circumstances render a personality static!

[@brooklinnratto8315]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory Indeed indeed, a static that is more like blades grinding under the skin where people hide in their lungs and no words fall out of their mouths.

[@jaimeflor4181]

Great video Harry! This was very helpful in giving me hope in figuring out what I want to do with myself in the next few years. By the way, if you’re interested in doing an INTJ version of this video, I think my INTJ girlfriend would appreciate it.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Cheers Jaime - great to hear from you! An INTJ version is a must :)

[@stikkgreen5237]

Absolutely brilliant man, thank you. Even at 41, I have yet to link all my passions to be successful, yet I've damn sure spent well past overtime for 12+ years learning in order to be dynamic and versatile in my creative pursuits moving forward. I know that I'm approaching some form of harmony/re-evaluation/integration of all these skill sets and understanding, or rather bluntly & certainly humble; only limited by own mandala of stagnation at this point(if that makes any sense). Wish I could fully explain the affirmation your words have given me in my current state. In some ways, you have just removed the black sheep cloud that has manifested & lingered internally and externally alike. I don't feel as though I've derailed off track, and the self doubt weight is lifted a bit. Much appreciated! Can't believe I happened to stumble upon your content seemingly so randomly, as I wasn't truly seeking anything specific. More or less checking in with INFJ stuff as it has been several months since I've tuned in.. Anyhow...incredibly precise and insightful information. Kind regards from afar.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I truly appreciate this comment and am so glad this video has alleviated some of the doubt you were faced with :)

[@nataliaswietoniowska1165]

This need for integrating new learned things can be struggle when you are in university. I always needed more time than other. But once you take this time you have so deep understanding. Also i think sometimes during learning process it is common for infj to ask simple basic questions almost silly. But again i think it is nesesery and we need to accept this ☺️ it took me long time to see this and accept. Great work and detailed content. Thank you for your work 🙂

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Indeed this echoes my own experience! Cheers for the comment :)

[@isabelle1976]

"Almost silly" in nature or because people around have a different thought process that make them be surprised of you question, whicv seems offtopic and odd to their own mind ?

[@nataliaswietoniowska1165]

Isabelle yes, exacly - this is the one think. And the other is that often those questions are so basic and simple but for me they often are jest crusial for gaving complete picture. For example you are learning about motors. You know the rules you understand how it is possible that one energy (mechanical) turns info another (electrical). But you wanna know how EXACTLY (and Here comes those simple silly questions) Must say took me years to recognize this and accept my way od learning 😉 Now i kind of like it 😅 but it also helps having around people who understand you process longer 🧠

[@blankplanet]

I can relate to this precisely! Took me x2 the time to learn things in the university despite having high IQ and generally be very developed. Id spend hours in the library on highly theoretical concepts and try integrating them into what the university wanted me to eventually understand. And when id finally formulate an a picture through these intricacies, id struggle to view the most superficial image. Leading to almost "silly" questions in my head which i've always felt embarrassed to ask. All this took a huge toll on my self esteem.

[@isabelle1976]

@@blankplanet yes complex thinking needs understanding (not only memorisation) , takes more parameters and layers in consideration and connects each element to the global system or/and other elements /systems. It takes way longer to process then just eating up the subject just as it is explained.

[@dc4019]

Being an ITN-Sf user drawing parallels is just something that I do. Using one logical framework to explain another, what others would consider seemingly unrelated, logical framework is something that comes naturally to me. Edit: I am not an IN-Fs, so I changed up the type so I could be accurate, but the following still applies to ISTP/ITN-Sf's. How I describe it is similar to a chemical reaction. All those molecules (instead of segments of data) need time to bounce around in my head to collide and bond with other tidbits of information. And with so many different sources and subjects of data eventually creates a seemly endless variety of unique and original logical frameworks and patterns. and these will keep “reacting” until they become one, massive intellectual hyper-framework,. However, they need to spend time in the mind in order for those frameworks to form.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Yes! The atomic scale of Ni-Ti; nailed it!

[@kimquim2803]

When I talk about something, people often ask me what I'm trying to say, why it's related to a particular topic and what not... Because I see connections between seemingly different topics... Or maybe because the way I express ideas is confusing 😢😂

[@dc4019]

@@kimquim2803 This is an outdated comment, I'm actually an ITN-Sf

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

I don't know why all people are talking about the infj as a person that should work in human fields like sociology, education etc ! ? This is so limiting guys.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Agreed!

[@erik_1953]

Pffff, this was very, very deep into my soul. Great explanation. Using MBTI as a tool, not as a religion. As INFJ NOMAD said, being an lone wolf, helping others when necessary. Somehow we i have to be carefull, not to get to much attached to a group. I did help yesterday at the archery club. By doing some work, but also pointing at tensions inside the club. And after finishing the work, they asked, do you want on the picture, NO i said. Or you name mentioned???. I said, just call me nobody..

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

For sure :)

[@DH-tv8qy]

Thank you, a great video. I can’t seem to tap into my ability to foresee what I’d best do and to put a stake in the ground or decide on a direction. I agree with the majority of what you say in how I personally experience the world. INFJ male

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thank you :)

[@notthatvashti8127]

" Naturally Abstract individual, " indeed! True, they are very well suited for this virtual world now and in the future. Also true, authenticity is a must for most INFJs. Thanks Harry!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Exactly! Cheers :)

[@nicholsmerin]

Thank you!!!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

You're welcome!

[@369mw91]

Were really multifaceted 🧠

[@ChefMonkey]

Interesting. Almost everything fits perfectly as if I was an INFJ, but a few things always confirm that I’m an INTJ. If I think back to my earliest memory at 3, I was very sure of myself, who I am and what I want. Identity questions never happened at any age. Based on what I’m learning, seems to be quite key in an INFJ.

[@jaimiehorton9669]

I needed a boost today, thanks lol 😊 I'm definitely lost on what to do with my career so hearing the different ways to use my strengths generated some interesting thoughts. I tried the "jump into my field and work my way up" myth after college and fell flat on my face. Now that my sense of self is returning I feel ready to try again, in a way I choose to suit my strengths and meet my needs. I hope that's how it will go anyway 😅

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I'm confident you will ace it the second time round!

[@anival9576]

One thing that worked for me was to let go of "conventional wisdom" to some extent. Recognize what you're good at and get the credentials you need to succeed in that area. I really didn't want to believe that I needed credentials, but it turns out that they help a lot (other types being more conventional minded and closed to the underlying reality of things....) I agree with Harry. You'll get there.

[@jaimiehorton9669]

@@anival9576 You're so kind, thank you! 😊 I had to laugh because credentials play a strange role in my life. Applied with purpose they can open doors but choose badly and they can severely limit your options. I got a master's in social work as soon as my bachelor's was done, a totally useless move because in the US MSWs usually only do mental health or drug counseling, neither of which I'm suited to (and left me with ridiculous student loans). I started in a brutally emotional field overqualified with no sense of self, no awareness of my brewing genetic mental health issues, and no significant work experience. I was hired at one of the worst nursing homes in my city and was totally broken within a year. I've been doing mindless clerical jobs ever since. I want to go back into helping people somehow since I'm mentally so much stronger but I'm a funny mix of no social work experience and over-credentialed so it's tricky explaining myself, especially without getting into a mental health discussion in a job interview. Sorry for the life story 😅

[@anival9576]

@@jaimiehorton9669 I really know what you mean! I switched my major like six times as an undergraduate--and I tried to find work I was good at without finishing my degree because I was so disillusioned with my search for the "right credentials." Long story short, that didn't work. I got my bachelors in a really generic field (communications) and joined the Peace Corps because I wanted to travel. There are easier ways to travel, FYI. But I found out during that time that I really enjoy teaching. I went on to get a masters in teaching English as a second language. That degree meant a lot to me because I had already found out how much I enjoyed working with people from other cultures and the language/cross culture part was fascinating to me... Then I got a PhD in Higher Ed. The subject area is really interesting, but now that I've finished my dissertation, I have no idea what I'm going to do with it (I do not want to be an administrator in a college somewhere, and such positions are being cut left and right anyway.) However, I would say that getting degrees, even when I feel at a loss for what to do with them, has opened doors for me. There are lots of ways you can use a masters degree--any masters degree. Try teaching. I was pretty turned off to the idea at first because my dad was a high school science teacher, and it looked like a lot of thankless work. I didn't want to be a public speaker for a living, but once I tried it, I really found it rewarding. I feel your pain for being burned out on social work. I've been told I would make a great psychologist, but I always figured I wouldn't be able to take the emotional strain. So there's my life story for yours! 😉

[@jaimiehorton9669]

@@anival9576 I appreciate you sharing, I feel less silly lol Teaching is such an amazing calling, it takes mental strength and agility to not only present information to others, but also to rein in behavioral situations too in some cases. My clerical work is at a school for children with autism and my respect for our classroom staff is immense. The PhD in education is interesting, I work with more PhD psychologists at the moment but I can think of some positions in my realm that would be helpful for, depending on your interest and experience of course. You could look into school districts, special education chairs and principals tend to have/need a PhD in ed. Curriculum development is a huge area right now too (probably even more so with the pandemic). Educational evaluations might be something as well, in public school settings or in private evaluation development. All of that is probably common knowledge in your field, but my brain was shouting suggestions at me urgently lol 😂

[@rodrigoleonmadrazo4845]

I´m glad I found your channel, everyone seems to think that INFJ people are something utterly special, but I view this typology thing more as a tool for self-improvement, recognizing your strengths and flaws is key to work in a better version of yourself (whatever it means to someone in particular).

[@j.jupiter6164]

Took me an hour to watch a 21min video.

[@TyGee777]

Yeah man. This is really something. I'm 3 mins. in and was like "what did he just say.... oh hold up, I have to replay that." I'm going to be up for at least an hour or so deciphering what he is saying with all of these added pauses and replays but really great stuff.

[@NusratJahan-kd6sm]

Please make a video the weaknesses of INFJs and how to deal with 'em

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

This is a very very good video. Thank you very much. If you could work on creating more contents about infj strenghts it will be very very helpful for us infjs to gain more stability and challenge our selves more and more. I work in information technology and I see how the Ni-Ti thing apply on it. It's tremendous. We can really be experts if we work hard to gain the informations/details needed through reading and experiencing and work hard to build that logic by contemplating and waiting.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Absolutely want to make some more self-growth oriented content :) I agree it's awesome!

[@nataliaswietoniowska1165]

Engineer here 🤓 now i work in online marketing but have strony analytical mind and lots of different interest. And despite my degrees considering starting another one - this time closer to people - psychology. I am curious what is your relation with IT - still feel complete in this field/role ?

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

@@nataliaswietoniowska1165 Hello Natalia and thank you very much for asking this question. I am quite sure that just an infj like me will feel that struggle with careers that is not focused on the well being of humans and ask me this question. Thank you very much another time. To answer this question which apparently a hard one I would need you to exchange with me and I hopr other infjs join the conversation also, because infjs are types also. In the fellow words I will speak about myself. I am not satisfied with my job and I am quite sure that any infj will not be satisfied with jobs not focusing on optimizing or changing the society for the individuals, jobs like working on fixing the system of education, or the system law, or revising the civil state in general, philosophies, religions. Infjs want to give that deep clear view about things in a the way that will benefit the human. Why I choosed IT is because it was the most thing that facinated me in my childhood. I was still young, uncouscious of my truth desires and I think it's also because of the Ti child that makes me constantly facinated/intrigued like by the intelligence and the beauty of the technology like a child. A function that I struggle with and cannot use it constantly like a Ti dominant person, but I didn't abondon my investment on it which makes me now better in analysis and logical raisoning than other infjs there. My interrest in thinking and logical raisoning is amplified also by my enneagram 5. I have an enneagram 5w4 which means a withdrown type, which justifies why I have Sx/Sp as the instinctual variants and I am highly sensitive to noise and social events in general, it takes my energy very quickly and makes me sick. This makes me not suited for social jobs like teaching, or public speaking etc, this will be more suited for an enfj. For jobs like psychology you will need to work with patience which is not a good thing to live with, especialy for infjs because they emulate the psyche of others and get affected by them. Find a big job that focuses on advancing and optimizing the educational system for exemple is not something that you can do directly without starting from a teaching position and advancing in positions and you may arrive to that big job. If you arrive and you start working on advancing the educational system you will find the problem is not in ideas (you will need the help of an intp and other personnality types in that part) but instead of state policies/teachers and people in general understanding, accepting and applying it. People are all different and not every body is good or willing to be healthier or open to change or just being able to understand, instead you will find very bad people that is blocking the right and justice that you want. What I wanna do is to master cloud computing technologies, services and practices, have a very good income and then start to see what can I make as applications to do big impacts on people first. I don't know what I want/can do, I will use this coming years to to work on having a good and clear understanding of how the world is working so I can see what to do.

[@nataliaswietoniowska1165]

@@elmehdisaniss2731 ok, now i can see where you are coming from. I can totally relate to the part in wich you describe why initially you were fascinated by IT. I guess it could be common things for lots of INFJ to look for their place in IT because our Ti child function. So did i get it right? You generaly are ok with all IT industry but your current job lack of some higher purpose ? You sad you want to have big impact on people and also learning about Cloud Computing. I think there would be a lot of jobs in the near future witch will need a IT knowledge but also an ability to have a bigger picture and maby some more compassion and ability to have lot of perspectives . Lot of things witch comes to my mind have to do witch the new technologies and the responsibility for our rapid growth in these areas. I am also curious what is your point of view about this: I was fascinated by IT and all the posibilites, all these algorithms and Virtual Reality and all sorts of coding but at the and of the day i knew that if i choose this path i will be probably responsible (even if i would be part of some amazing project) for one small piece of code /solution. And my work would be to do this as optimal and as good as it is possible. But all of those aspects would be only technical. there will be no human behind this. No human will directly feel the difrence if after few weeks i manage to shorten the execution time of my code. When it comes to eneegram - i know the basic principles and my number (6) but to be honest do not know the other types. But i guess due to your type you will not want to have one to one connections with people wich you want to help? regards, Natalia

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

@@nataliaswietoniowska1165 Ni is about ''holistic'', and the holistic is complex, Fe is about sacrificing the individualtity for the seek of the ''all'', the harmony, the love, the hapiness, the peace (the group positive emotions/values/feelings); combining Ni with Fe we get the desire to do things for the greater good which means not wanting to work in any partial or individualistic work like (all the corporate jobs). Education present a non individualist job but it work just with some individuals which it is partial not holystic. So what I see is that the NiFe combo is about wanting to do things for all the humanity, not just a single contry, things that will enhance the self in the tribe and makes very sychronious and harmonious world (what is happening in the world, what we see in the NiSe). This kind of work could be, working as an independent universal humanitarian, philosopher, sociologist, thinker activist who is working to fix the world problems/dyschronisations/inconsistencies, or lets drop this occupations that is more suitble for an intp and lets say an indipendent universal messenger, guider, illuminator, and this mostly describing an INFJ 5 with a wing 4 who tend more to go more to the the introversion, to the deep of the subjects and want to be contribute very independently and uniquely but in a 5 way and with a holistic Ni. What I enjoy in IT is that I work as a system administrator/developper which mean that I work with a big system in its whole and I see that the components are interdependent, sychronious, consistant, I live with that system as being a world in its own so I engage my functions on it in a way. Now I quite my job where I hadn't so much control over that system and I want to work in a system that I can continue optimizing it ethernally (to the point of making it perfect - high availability, high performance, effective utilization for the capacity, visionary proactive monitoring and remadiation, automated configurations (scripts, infrastructure as code, working with workflows and blueprints in deployements), automatic scalling depending on the workload, etc etc etc, and one crucial carateristic that this system must posses beside being holistic enough is the grow, a system that will grow and grow to be more complete and what I want in the future is something that involves data intelligence so systems gives you the right insights to know what to do to your applications architectures or higher like having the technology of dynamic change in application forms and architectures to respond quickly to the need of better performance and security, etc. This is to be considered as my job not my whole self, so I am taking it for now as just a cool thing that I do, like a child playing (Ti) and when the situation gets tought I just want to run away or quite. Shit !!

[@obscurellepriscillatopin7506]

INFJs be highly skilled folk, which is why I'm almost one! 😁 Glad to see you're doing well, Harry, keep up the awesome work

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Thanks Priscilla - hah, Ni-dominance has its advantages :)

[@shannon1242]

I have friends who blamed their parents for never giving them enough direction towards a career path and it confused me. I knew I wanted to do something artistic and on my own researched and talked to people about careers that looked interesting and choose my own education path and later self taught myself skills for careers that were newer (like UX) and then integrated research and more technical knowledge to do it better or maybe it was just interesting. Maybe our convergent nature caused me to self teach myself random technical skills that looked fun and I would immediately try to use them at work which gave me more and more skills. I couldnt imagine thinking my non technical parents would be any source of influence. I just followed my curiosity and it was profitable. Now dealing with difficult people at work is the hard part.

[@user-bu2mq3tw7w]

maybe it will help other INFJs. It is essential to understand that the visions are not the essential thing. It is essential to send the information into a second loop and ask how can I improve the path. Visions are often incomprehensible because they are in the future and all connections are missing. I have tested the visions a thousand times and it always comes true, unfortunately I cannot understand where this data is constructed from. I recommend that society give all INFJs free space to write down their visions and examine them. The result will surprise you. Likewise, the answers of intuition must be sent into a second loop to enable INTJ to develop logical maturity

[@traviso7195]

You mention INFJ's not being emotionally predictive, which is something I always assumed you guys did, though I can see now how that's not the case. Interesting. I think that in itself is probably a good differentiator between INFJs and ENTPs. Also, I think INFJ is rivaled perhaps only by the INTP as the type that every other person who takes an MBTI test scores as. "OMG! INFJ. That is soooo me!"

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Don't forget the INTJ 'mastermind' - yeah I can do EVERYTHING!

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

Pff! Finally some Real food for my brain....thanks for this ;)

[@late-nightlivestreams7105]

I’ve known for awhile that I could supercharge my Se and become hyper aware of my surroundings long enough to get through work gracefully and NOT CLUMSY 😂 Like I naturally tend to be, but… I didn’t realize you had to supercharge Ni to get that future forecasting down. Cuz I make plans and when shit blown up in my face it’s created the most frustrating… and financially consequential decisions I’ve ever tried to push through. So turns out you don’t supercharge Ni by looping with Ti REALLY FAST like a hamster wheel generating electricity? Doesn’t work that way? Guess not. One thing I wanted to say, cuz the way you explain the functions so direct yet detailed, gave me a better ability to put words to something I’ve noticed occur throughout my life, in terms of weaknesses and struggling. So as far as superficial opinions are concerned, or what I think of something that’s contextually simple, or if the pattern of ‘whatever thing my thought/opinion is regarding’ is obvious, well then yeah I’ll have an obvious superficial answer or feeling on these kinds of things. But when it comes to, you know, actual deep shit that can be interpreted in many viable ways, I’ve never been able to identify those feelings or get behind my own opinion, it’s always a JUST DEPENDS. This leads into how INFJs can have a poor sense of self, and thus can rabbit hole into people pleasing, not knowing what you want in life (we obviously know what we want superficially, again to distinguish the difference and in fact we are naturally geared towards getting what we want lmao) 🎉 I’m talking like who we want to be or what we want out of our lives, right? Maybe it’s just me, maybe it’s NiTi looping logic, or maybe it’s a universal INFJ struggle but I feel like (*not actually a feeling but whatever lmao 😂words lmao) um I feel as though, I’m out of touch with my sense of self, because I understand that everyone else is just gonna see me the way they are gonna interpret me anyways. So whatever idea of my identity I wanna tack onto myself is basically not very practical, useful, accurate, or like. Idk you know it’s like (metaphor and symbolic speech incoming)… you see the Big Dipper constellation of stars and we call it the Big Dipper cuz it looks like a spoon but, if we looked at that constellation of stars from anywhere else like NOT EARTH then it wouldn’t look like a spoon so… what is the true placement of that constellation of stars? A rhetorical question obviously, but the point is, it’s gonna be different depending on, stuff. Make sense? Our sense of self, our egos are really just social conventions so we can do people stuff. You know, like have a recognizable pattern of behavior so when you’re sad people can notice and be like, *human stuff* or whatever. Like literally though, people who inflate their egos to feel good it’s like… I mean I get it, but to truly step into the projection you send out of yourself as like a core identity just seems… just plain likely to be inaccurate. So… is it actually a problem to like feel disconnected from yourself in this sort of, self identity type of way? Cuz I hear it’s a problem all the time and like… if so please help bruh lmao you don’t have to answer don’t feel obligated but anyways Good video buddy

[@LittleMew133]

*Set up for success in modern world* Me: feels like alone potato 🥔😭

[@Robert_11911]

I even see metaphorically connected messages.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Cool cool.

[@kaorimiyazono4337]

Checking if I got it right. So the second point means that introverted intuition makes the INFJs seek novelty in perception and this makes them see everything from many different perspectives and thus form objective opinions? Another question. Whenever someone explains something to me, I like to sit back and rephrase what they said in my mind much like I'm doing in this comment. 🤣 Does this have to do with introverted thinking having to internalize information in order to understand it or is it irrelevant? Another question that's unrelated to the video. I've read many times that inferior Se makes the individual naturally unskilled at things that require working with hands like crafts and sewing, in general it makes them sloppy with their movement. Does this hold any truth? I mean I know everyone can be good at anything, but what if there is some sort of general rule 🤣 I'm just curious because all the INFJs I know including me (as long as we're not mistyped) have this trait.

[@gehdochnicht]

Hi Harry, it's me, the permanently confused INFx. I've noticed that whenever I am discussing something or trying to explain my point I tend to make analogies all the time (sometimes even really far-fetched ones), it's something that comes really natural to me and also something which makes me different from most people around me, so I bet it must have something to do with personality types and ways of thinking. I noticed I have this tendency after realizing how some people hate them. But I think they help to have a more holistic view of topics and also help to have consistency and coherence across the board. Do you think that a penchant for always making analogies is something more likely to be a characteristic of INFJs or INFPs? The internet often mentions INFJs and metaphors together, but I can't really say I have a particular penchant for metaphors, in my case it's definitely analogies.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I think this really depends upon the individual. INFJs tend to favour abstract explanations so would not necessarily find analogies 'natural', but they can acquire the habit for sure. That being said, the INFP's thought process is so multi-faceted they may struggle forming an analogy more absent Fi-Si symbolism (use of similes etc.).

[@gehdochnicht]

​@@CognitivePersonalityTheory thanks so much Harry! This gives me more material to research and think about :)

[@shannon1242]

I quizzed my INFP and ENFJ friends and they tend to use analogies and metaphors as a last resort. INFJ is comfortable using them at will.

[@user-uh5fi8jy5h]

any infjs out there willing to therapize me im nearing the end of my life and i just want a meaningful conversation with someone

[@hajerahumar2750]

Oh I want that too!!!!

[@almam.6880]

Passion, meaning, success words that represent worthless junk, depleted by overuse, misuse and abuse.

[@isabelle1976]

As a non native english speaker, I have to humbly admit that viewing your videos in 0,75 speed helps me to deal with your speedy talk and with content depth. 😆 Would be great to add some kind of conclusion "for the dummies", quickly revisiting each chapter in one key idea sentence / takeaway. Please... 🙄😬 To end with a silly SE comment : Is the small light behind your right shoulder in the shelf automaticly dimmed with ambiant luminosity ? Is it possible to switch to fixed light intensity (to prevent some brains to jump to unfocused mode due to the distraction from light intensity jumps due to editing 🤪) ? Thanks for this interesting and dense video Harry. Have a nice week.

[@anival9576]

Native speakers struggle too! 😅 Harry is just too smart for a lot of us.

[@aniokay]

You address all the feedback I have to the videos in general. Well done. :-)

[@isabelle1976]

@@anival9576 Thanks. Good to know I am not the only dummy struggling 😁😏 Well I recommend intensive use of video spead functionality and pause button, to let time to thoughts to sink in.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Hey Isabella - you're absolutely right, I should add summary-conclusions to my videos in future :) Honestly the dimming light boggles my mind - if I was to hazard a guess, I would say it's the auto-ISO of my camera adjusting to said ambient luminosity!

[@isabelle1976]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory great ! Thanks Harry. Light stuff ... well then, the easy solution is to ask if it is necessary to switch it on at all (no problem with the other one it seams) ? 😬

[@sinidom2113]

INFJ: The qintessential healer type, and potentially the best type to build character in people. Technically speaking, the masters of extraverted feeling, because they can use Fe+Se, Fe+Ne very well given by their cognitive makeup. Very good djs, music producers and performance artists. Quite good with the opposite sex, if they are healthy and they put their mind to it. At least, this is how i see them. And, of course, there are much more capabilities in them!

[@LadySelene100]

Have you noticed that you blink two or three times after finishing a point? Thanks for all your content.

[@TyGee777]

😂 great observation.

[@kimquim2803]

I don't know if that's an INFJ thing, but the subject and the lingo are challenging because it sinks in very slowly in my case, with a lot of mind resistance and laziness... 😬

[@markandoyo2204]

Insights; To polarising a shift from a dom Ti or Te through a completing with abstract or concrete INFJ personality traits were sometimes it is difficult to default from the persons with dom Ti or Te as which those congnitive intellectual blueprint are among the contained faculty regarding to speak dom Ti or Te as yet those personality accounted with Dom Ti or Te were the INTP, ENTP, ENTJ and INTJ as which they have known predominantly rational group organically, However; INFJ have a strongest dom N or sometimes can be dom J to navigate the inf Ti or Te as based from their character observations by each persons they were subjective to learn their clues, or as yet they wishes to knows whilst they willing to configure the other's ideas that how they work their own functionally. best regards to the INFJ traits as among the accounted to be respective their effort towards the Dom Ti or Te. 👍☺️🇵🇭✌️💝💗💖💐🌺🌷🌼🌸❤️🌹

[@brooklinnratto8315]

Harry may you go in further deph and tell me how fe parent differs from fi inferior reputation? ( using jung terms, sorry dont know how you specifically label the functions yet)

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I consider Fe here antagonistic to the ego, thus pulling attention away from the internal world, but also something informing it - Ni-Ti at the behest of Se-Fe :) Fi is very much the 'target' function, with a great pull towards its satiation, but little control over its needs.

[@serveyou2454]

Hey men what’s up with the phasing light?

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Heh, camera settings didn't match the bulb frequency :)

[@Coneman3]

I am currently writing a book to solve a deep problem in bodybuilding theory, am also working on a political book to resolve the left-right divide and also about clarifying Brexit, have a project to optimise my hifi system via active speakers and have a project to make new synthesiser patches, and an abstract art project to yet start. Probably more I can’t think of presently. I need help!

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

One project at a time can help!

[@Coneman3]

Of course. What I tend to do is focus mainly on one for a while, then switch to another. It’s hard as I have a boring job and I have to help my aged mother, but at least I have no kids and am self employed. My house is one big man-cave. My projects are my escape. Most people underestimate me. I hope to prove them wrong one day, big time. Sweet! ;-)

[@branver1172]

How does an INFJ “dip” into their Si? Never knew this was a thing.

[@Tified967]

From the dominant Ni. Si and Ni exist on a continuum; if an INFJ didn't they'd be making all sorts of vague erroneous overgeneralisations

[@branver1172]

@@Tified967 got it. I guess I always thought of that as tying my Se to my Ni and “faking “Si”. But maybe that two ways of saying the same thing. I wonder how shadow functions would fit into this view.

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

What books can I read to have very good understanding of mbti/yung functions and how it affect the individual depending on their place in the function stack of its personality ?

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I recommend checking out the CPT eBook (shameless self-promotion but people really have found it helpful!), and going back to the source & reading Psychological Types by Carl Jung never hurts :)

[@elmehdisaniss2731]

@@CognitivePersonalityTheory hh Okey thank you very much.

[@infj-tguy6275]

I'm an infj with Ni Fi Ti Se

[@moon_was_hungry]

I don’t think that’s entirely possible, but it is possible that you can have some underdeveloped functions in your stack :^)

[@infj-tguy6275]

@@moon_was_hungry that's very logical, I still need to understand my functions better

[@cynthiajohnson9412]

One of my favorite phrases that I never hear anymore in political commentary is "I have no basis for an opinion on that subject." Is it just me or do other INFJs think most of what passes for commentary is neither principled nor informed opinion? I had a friend once who gave me a three tape series on extraterrestrials, I listened to the whole three hours, some of it very disturbing and when I gave him back the tapes he asked me what I thought and all I could say was I have no basis for an opinion on this subject. I don't think there is any value to what I'd like to believe.

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

I certainly resonate with this!

[@candacecasey5634]

I usually say something more like " I do not have enough information to form an opinion on this subject yet."🤷‍♀️

[@uni-ve7622]

Do infj feel frustrated when they are focusing so intensely on something and disturbed by someone that it actually hurts physically?....

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

More likely ISFPs and INFPs here

[@candacecasey5634]

I just get Annoyed because I can lose focus if being interrupted while trying to figure something out.

[@yeaahright3895]

If I understand well, INFJs strength is understanding and foreseeing things. We also feel things deeply. We have refined tastes and can enjoy situations intensely. This is intensity and understanding is what drains us. We can build good relationships with others based on trust and integrity.

[@serveyou2454]

Please stop over editing it’s to mechanical

[@CognitivePersonalityTheory]

Working on it!