If you have taken the Meyers Briggs personality test and your result came out as one of the extroverted types, specifically the ENFJ, but you know you are an introvert or feel more inclined to the INFJ functions, you could be a mistype.
Here are the 9 reasons why INFJs are mistyped as extroverts:
- INFJs can be ambiverts
- INFJs are highly perceptive of others
- INFJs are emotional and rational individuals
- INFJs can build deep emotional intimacy
- INFJs have contradicting functions
- INFJs have the Fe (extraverted feeling) function
- INFJs are deeply empathetic
- INFJs could choose the wrong answers on the test
- The MBTI test results could be misleading
Many INFJs themselves think they are extroverts, and it can be very challenging to accept anything different in the extroverted-favored world we live in. There are functions in INFJs that can create this extroverted perspective and therefore result in them being mistyped, as explained in the following points.
1. INFJs Can Be Ambiverts
The primary reason INFJs are mistyped as extroverts is that they are often ambiverts. An ambivert is defined as someone who has both introvert and extrovert features in their personality. Many INFJs are true introverts and cannot handle the extrovert world. But the overall functions of INFJs allow them to balance both sides.
INFJs are deep introverts and thrive on spending time alone; however, they also require connections with people they can interact with. Being ambiverts, INFJs have a wonderful time with others as long as they love and trust those people. At some point, they need to be alone to recharge before they can socialize again.
2. INFJs Are Highly Perceptive Of Others
INFJs are the counselor archetype in the MBTI. The characteristic allows them to be highly perceptive of others. They are in tune with others’ moods, emotions, and needs – often more than their own. INFJs take a deep interest in caring for others and ensuring everyone around them is happy. They are empathetic individuals who work hard for the common good and follow through on their actions.
INFJs’ perceiving function can dominate their personality. Very few things will escape the attention of an INFJ, and it can be confusing to others for someone like that to be an introvert. People have a perception that introverts keep entirely to themselves and have no idea what’s happening around them, so INFJs being highly observant and perceptive, can create a belief that they are extroverts.
3. INFJs Are Emotional And Rational Individuals
Another perception that creates confusion about INFJs being extroverts is that they are emotional. Most extroverts are highly expressive and base their decisions and thoughts on feelings. INFJs can do that mainly because they are super sensitive to their environment and the people around them. They can adapt to the energy and mood in their surroundings.
When INFJs show up in that manner, it can look like they are extroverts because it seems they are acting on their feelings. But INFJs are also deep thinkers and have a clear sense of logic. Their thinking and logical features come from their intuitive introverted functions. They are capable of using logical reasoning together with emotion to understand situations and make decisions,
A true extrovert will use only their feeling function to perceive a situation and base their actions on their present emotions. Alternatively, a true introvert will use only their thinking function and act on pure logic. An INFJ uses both means.
An INFJ will see a situation for what it is, understand all the emotions around it, and find a rational situation through their focused internal thinking. They don’t allow emotion or logic to overpower them. The INFJ will find a balance between the two and use solutions according to their intuitive brain.
You cannot see the physical thinking in an INFJs mind, so it is easy to assume they are extroverts acting on emotions.
4. INFJs Can Build Deep Emotional Intimacy
INFJs are excellent at building deep emotional intimacy and making solid connections with others. Suppose an INFJ feels comfortable being around you. In that case, they will lead the conversation, show interest in you and your life, and portray exceptional listening skills through engaging responses, body language, and facial expressions. They will be happy to continue the interaction for a long time.
There is a perception that introverts don’t know how to talk, approach, or engage with people. People are under the impression that introverts can’t make or keep friends because they are quiet and never socialize. INFJs are very careful with who they interact with, but once they find their people, they build on a level of emotional intimacy that even extroverts struggle to do.
5. INFJs Have Contradicting Functions
INFJs are one of the most contradictory personality types in the MBTI. INFJs are quiet, sensitive, have a deep need for alone, quiet time, and are incredibly thoughtful and intuitive. INFJs are also very friendly, outgoing, caring, loving, and wise people who can easily make a soulful connection with others.
INFJs love and want their time alone to process information and emotions, but eventually, they also crave time with others to socialize and do fun activities. INFJs can have a good time alone, even out in public, but when they are with other people, they can enjoy interacting and engaging just as much.
It can be extremely confusing to calculate whether a person is an introvert or extrovert under these circumstances. If you don’t know a person’s personality type, you could look at an INFJ and conclude that they are extrovert. If you know someone is an INFJ, it can make you wonder how they are introverts but have many extroverted qualities.
6. INFJs Have The Fe (Extraverted Feeling) Function
The second core function or the auxiliary function in INFJs is the Fe (extraverted feeling). Having the Fe as an auxiliary function in their personality means that emotional connection and responses are essential to an INFJ. They require a positive emotional reaction from people around them, especially those they care about.
The extraverted feeling function helps INFJs be genuinely in tune with other people’s emotions, moods, and needs. This is not often something that introverts focus on. They are generally hyper-observant, but not many feed off others’ feelings. INFJs, on the other hand, are similar to extroverts who need to have an external sense of validation and understanding.
The Fe is one of the most prominent functions of INFJs that is apparent to people around them, creating the confusion of being mistyped as an extrovert.
7. INFJs Are Deeply Empathetic
INFJs are deeply empathetic, which they get from their intuitive function. INFJs experience empathy in two ways. In the first sense, INFJs feel others’ emotions as if they were their own. It makes them feel overwhelmed because it is like they have directly connected with someone’s heart. The boundaries line becomes blurred, and they cannot differentiate their emotions from others.
The way INFJs experience empathy towards others, as explained above, makes them seem like extroverts and causes them to mistype. They can become so indulged in that state that even the INFJ themselves will be unable to distinguish their actual state and personality functions as an INFJ introvert.
The other way INFJs experience empathy is through a bird’s-eye view. They can understand and imagine a person’s situation or predicament without getting emotionally involved and taking on the pain. They can be perceptive but stay within observation and use rationality and logic to work through that state or help with solutions.
The second way is the introverted manner of having empathy. Most emotionally healthy INFJs will experience compassion without taking on other people’s problems as if they were their own. An INFJ is a true introvert with some extroverted qualities, but before the INFJ truly understands themselves, they could be confused as being or acting with extraverted qualities.
8. INFJ Could Choose The Wrong Answers On The Test
An INFJ could mistype from the Meyers Briggs test for several reasons such as:
- The questions are unclear: If the questions are vague or not phrased correctly, an INFJ could choose the wrong answer. It could be unclear if the test is not taken through an authentic forum or online site.
- The INFJ doesn’t know the answer: An INFJ who doesn’t know themselves well enough or has not been through enough life experiences might not know the answer to specific questions and choose through an assumption that could be inaccurate later.
- The INFJ is being untrue to themselves: Sometimes, people don’t want to accept certain personality traits or characteristics and will choose a different answer than the truth to get their desired result instead of an accurate one.
- The INFJ is emotionally unhealthy: An emotionally unhealthy person could answer the test correctly, but it is not the core of who they are as an INFJ because they have unhealthy and immature habits due to trauma or lack of emotional intelligence. At a later stage in life, after more experience and possible healing, their answers would be more authentic to their personality type.
9. The MBTI Test Results Could Be Misleading
Sometimes people have personality mistypes because the MBTI test results are not accurate. It could be due to the above point of people answering the questions incorrectly, but also, sometimes, the site you used for the test (this often happens on free sites) could be unauthentic. The results could also be miscalculated due to a glitch or fraudulent website trying to gain traction.
Can INFJs Be Extroverted?
INFJs can be extroverted. They are intuitive introverts and need a lot of time alone, in the privacy of their own quiet space, to recharge, process emotions, and understand their inner thoughts. But INFJs also need to be around people they are comfortable with to make and build connections and engage and talk to occasionally.
Why Do INFJs Get Mistaken For Extroverts?
The most apparent reason INFJs get mistaken for being extroverts is their incredible ability to connect with others on a soul level. They are fantastic to talk to, super interesting once you get to know them, and are usually game for fun activities. INFJs can be the life of the party around people they are comfortable around.
When people see these features in an INFJ, they tend to think INFJs are outgoing and love being around others. While some level of that is accurate, INFJs can only do that if they have had sufficient time to be alone and enjoy their own company. Once they feel recharged from having downtime, they will often show up as extroverts in their interactions with others.
Can INFJs Be Social And Outgoing?
When people think of INFJs as extroverts, they believe they are shy and cannot be in social settings. That is so far from the truth. INFJs can be super outgoing and love to be social, but their mental and emotional capacity to do so is limited. If they are overstimulated, in an environment that is uncomfortable for them, or around people they don’t trust or feel safe with, they will withdraw.
If they have had time to enjoy their introverted characteristics, INFJs will show up as the best people to have at your social event or do fun and outgoing activities with. They are super interesting to talk to and always have fantastic insight. They can also be funny and keep things light-hearted.
If an INFJ is doing something they genuinely enjoy, like a hobby they love, or a job they are passionate about, you will not be able to distinguish if they are introverts or extroverts. They show up full force for things and people they love with bursting energy and a happy-go-lucky attitude.
Conclusion
If you ever come across an INFJ and wonder why their personality is so confusing, you can now understand from the above points. Sometimes they show up as introverts and in other moments as extroverts due to their contradictory personality functions.
