[RedForest]

Hey guys!
In another forum (a german one, btw) somenone came up with the statement that INFPs hate it to be categorized (to be put into a box), and that, thats the cause for the lack of INFPs on Forums/Communitys (he mentioned Facebook) compared to INFJs and INTJs.
I mean, it really sounds logical that Js like categories, but I dont think that INFPs have a problem with that thing. or, do you have?
So, for myself, thats not the case...



but my these is that especially INFPs enjoy that categorize, couse its just another way to learn something about themselves. And, at least myself is always thirsting for such possibilitys.. ;)
And, of course, a lot of INFPs mentioned that psychologist would be a interesting job... and MBTI is just a kind of psychology, isnt it? ;)

[εmptε]

ENTPs hate to be Categorized and you have 3 ENTPs (maybe 4) here.

[Happy]

I'm sure this refers to everybody because the majority of people like to think that they are "special" when in fact we all fit into a category. As for the lack of INFP's in the forum notion, INFP's are the majority in this forum.

[wisdom]

There are more INFPs than INFJs. That tells me that it's more about avoiding self-disclosure, with some dose of dislike of categorization. I prefer to keep personal details to myself. I want to be known for me, not for my type or something else, and I certainly don't want to be known at large for characteristics that might be judged negatively. Then there's the fact that many INFPs aren't often motivated to talk, making it disappointing and not surprising that the majority of members are INFP but the majority of posts might not be from INFPs. So I have less reason to talk :(

[Michael82]

To bump an old thread which I think is pretty good..

I hate to be categorised I think not as an INFP but as a P or Ni/Pe. I create my own perception by using my intuition and if people judge me on something they categorize me, I think it must be by using their judgment/sensing because that would be the only way you can categorize someone.

[Stolen]

I think labeling/categorizing is helpful. We use labels all day long in our language (even if it's just labeling trees or houses). They keep us from going into sensory overload. It's easier to remember someone as "the quiet, reserved one" than to memorize every aspect of their personality and then refuse to call them anything for fear of putting them in a box.

They are a useful organizational tool, so long as we remember people are more than their stereotypes. Unless the labels are pure slander (i.e., spreading rumors about someone being a slut, etc) I don't think it is anything to get upset over.

I appreciate the mental tidiness they provide me with. :)

[Michael82]

They are a useful organizational tool, so long as we remember people are more than their stereotypes.

Yeah I suppose that's the biggest problem I meet with some people.

[Stolen]

They're definitely constricting if taken too seriously, but on the flip side, there is often more than a grain of truth in stereotypes. The purpose of stereotypes isn't to say "these people are all exactly the same" but to say "there is something that all of these people have in common."

With almost 7 billion people in the world, I try not to feel like my individuality is threatened by the fact that I have something in common with some of them. :)

[Michael82]

They're definitely constricting if taken too seriously, but on the flip side, there is often more than a grain of truth in stereotypes. The purpose of stereotypes isn't to say "these people are all exactly the same" but to say "there is something that all of these people have in common."

With almost 7 billion people in the world, I try not to feel like my individuality is threatened by the fact that I have something in common with some of them. :)

Very good point...I am speechless . I do feel the same way about stereotyping, somewhere

[MatchaBlizzard]

I don't think INFPs are against categorization as much as they are against what they perceive as unfair stereotypes that lead to bias.