This video discusses five concrete signs to help viewers determine if they are INFJs (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging – a personality type). The speaker counters common, less specific indicators often found in online resources and focuses on deeper, more insightful characteristics unique to INFJs.
Understanding Hidden Agendas: INFJs possess the unique ability to discern people's underlying motives, insecurities, and hidden agendas beyond simply understanding their emotions or surface-level behavior. This stems from pattern recognition and their cognitive functions, allowing them to perceive deeper internal logic.
Absorbing Emotional States: INFJs can deeply immerse themselves in others' emotional worlds, almost becoming a supporting character in their lives. They understand others' joys and sorrows, a skill stemming from an ability to "hollow themselves out" and absorb others' emotions, but this should be done with intention and not at the expense of their own well-being.
Mental Resilience: INFJs demonstrate remarkable resilience despite societal pressures to conform. They are comfortable being different and maintain their integrity, even if it means facing exclusion or bullying. This stems from a strong sense of self and inner moral compass.
Inner Coldness: INFJs often exhibit exceptional kindness and generosity, often stemming from an underlying feeling of inner coldness or emotional detachment. This overcompensation is driven by a need to connect with others and may be a coping mechanism for their internal emotional state.
Taking Responsibility for Others' Feelings: INFJs might take responsibility for how others feel about themselves, not merely by helping them, but because they understand their internal struggles and feel obligated to alleviate their suffering, even if the other person does not explicitly ask for help.
Here are the answers based on the provided transcript:
Cognitive Functions and Hidden Agendas: The speaker mentions that INFJs' ability to understand hidden agendas is related to their intuition and their skill in understanding external feelings. The speaker states that they "understand, you know, what's going on through our intuition and then packed with the fact that we're so great at understanding external feelings and we're so great at making a whole system of that". No specific cognitive functions (like Ni, Fe, Ti, Se) are named.
Absorbing Emotional States and Drawbacks: The speaker describes INFJs' ability to absorb others' emotional states as "putting ourselves into their world," becoming a supporting role in their lives, understanding what makes them happy or sad. They achieve this by "hollowing themselves out," pushing down their own feelings to allow others' emotions in. The drawback highlighted is that this isn't always positive; it's described as potentially harmful if done without intention, leading INFJs to look for solutions outside themselves and potentially neglect their own needs and well-being.
Example of Mental Resilience: The speaker explains that many INFJs get bullied while growing up because they refuse to compromise their identity. They understand they're different and may face consequences, but they maintain their integrity, choosing not to give up who they are despite the pain. This illustrates their mental resilience in the face of adversity.
Inner Coldness and Kindness: The speaker suggests INFJs feel "cold inside" because they are often less affected by emotional experiences than others. They observe others' pain and suffering, understanding that they themselves wouldn't be as deeply affected by similar situations. This perceived coldness leads to overcompensation; they become overly kind and generous to make up for this perceived emotional detachment. The speaker emphasizes that this "cold" aspect isn't something to be ashamed of but rather a source of strength that enables their capacity for kindness.
