[Ice Ghost]

Whenever I'm talking or interacting with someone, I often unconsciously mimic their behavior. For example, when I'm at work and I'm speaking with a coworker while walking somewhere, sometimes I adopt their walking posture as well as their pace. Or I find myself repeating phrases that other coworkers use -- when I'm with them and also when I'm alone.

Does anyone else do this, especially other INFJs? Could it be an example of the empathy that INFJs are famous for

[John Athix]

I don't tend to just mimic anyone in my company, but I absorb traits I admire, like a sponge.

[Linus]

I find I'm pretty closed off in general.. but there are a few times when someone close to me will like something and mention it and I will start liking it too --but I tend to cut it off once I become aware of what's happening, as I feel that I'm treading on their 'space'. Sometimes it's nice, feeling like you are bonding together, depending what it is..

I don't think this is about empathy. I see a lot of people doing this and seems to be a normal thing humans (and some animals) do. Mirror neurons - Scholarpedia

[vel]

All people mimic each other but I think feelers NFs and SFs do so to a greater extent just because the feeling function makes you be more interested in people and their emotions and getting along. May be people who use extraverted feeling, function that attempts to read feelings off of others, do so to greater extent because of inner desire to belong, to be accepted by others. I know ENTPs and INTPs sometimes say that they mimic others to blend in. INFJs, ISFJs and ENFJs certainly do it, ENFJs can do it to a great extent. Fi types typically place more emphasis on their authenticity as far as emotions are concerned but they can also feel emotional state of others.

References:
The Many Faces of INFJ - INTP Forum
ENFJ The Chameleon
Mimic
Chameleon personality
INFPs Wearing Masks
INTP: the chameleon thing
INTP Mirroring
Reading the mannerisms of others...

[myjazz]

Is this thread about you trying to see if u are a INFJ or not?

[umbrellasky]

I do this all the time, sometimes I feel like I lose myself when I'm around others because I end up taking on their points of view.

When I go to different parts of the UK where there are strong accents I find myself copying these accents.

One of my friends is very forceful in the way she speaks and is very, "I don't take shit from anyone" attitude. I keep noticing myself taking on this attitude.

[Ice Ghost]

Is this thread about you trying to see if u are a INFJ or not?

No, at this point I'm pretty much positive I'm INFJ.

[Gaminegirlie]

Mimicking??? never crossed my mind to be honest.
I pick up phrases but not unconsciously.

[Xplosive]

Yeah, Fe does it - it helps you to connect better with people.

[yellowbritt]

I catch myself doing that sometimes, too.

A couple of years ago, I read an article in Time magazine about scientists studying the connection between emotions and facial expressions. Used to be it was assumed that facial expressions were a reaction to emotions, but what these scientists discovered is that the relationship works in reverse, too; if we mimic the expression of a person we're talking to, we're more likely to be empathetic toward him or her. Some professionals now suggest that people who have trouble empathizing try copying the posture, gestures, and expressions of people they are dealing with in order to pick up on what the other person might be feeling.

Perhaps this is somehow connected with the INFJ's ability to "read" feelings? Perhaps we're just really great at mimicry?