Throughout the history of psychology, there have been several different ways to try and determine labels for the way people feel and think, and why. Today, the Myers-Briggs personality test is regarded as, generally, quite accurate and reliable. Contained within it are 16 different personality types, differentiated and explained by four-letter combinations. Mother and daughter Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers built on the idea of Carl Jung in that there are four psychological functions that help a person experience the world: sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking. The test itself determines if a person is more inclined to extroversion or introversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. The rarest of these types, consisting of about one percent of the world, is the INFJ personality type, known as the Advocate.

Often misunderstood, INFJs are regarded as different, overly emotional, and perfectionist. Naturally, not every INFJ is the same as another, as four little letters do not determine an entire person's existence, so I can only speak for myself when I say that the description on 16Personalities.com is accurate. When I learned about my own personality type, it seemed to click in my mind and made sense of how I act. For those of you who are or are not INFJs, perhaps the next several points will clear up just what those vague letters mean.

(These traits are as researched from my own personal experience, as well as reading from personalitypage.com, 16Personalities.com, and introvertdear.com)

INFJs are often mistaken for extroverts. Though true introverts, the INFJ personality type is like a chameleon, able to change shape depending on the group of people it is surrounded by. When comfortable, such as with friends or family, an INFJ can be loud and boisterous, just like an extrovert. However, this is not the case and they will need a cool-down period after tiring social interaction to recharge, in the same manner as another introvert. An INFJ can go out and have fun at a party, but they also enjoy books and a night in.

INFJs are seen as quiet and shy, if not standoffish and cold at times. This trait, when combined with the mistake of extroversion, tends to confuse others. As befitting an introvert, INFJs look inward and are often lost within their own thoughts. After an outgoing display, however, a tendency to stare into space or close up to think is a drastic change that many other personalities do not understand. They also have difficulty trying to express what they are thinking or feeling, which closes them off all the more, leading to what may be thought off as a cold exterior.

INFJs are usually creative people. As a creative writing major, I do not think that this could be more true. Moreover, there are many actors, singers, and writers that either identify or are categorized as INFJs. Geoffrey Chaucer, J.K. Rowling, Taylor Swift, Peter Gabriel, Billy Fisher, and Adam Sandler, to name a few.

INFJs give their all in relationships. In both friendly and romantic relationships, an INFJ is often picky and selective because they seek authenticity and something that they feel is worth forging. Indeed, they seek a committed relationship with a potential friend or partner, and will flee from something that appears meaningless or shallow.

INFJs are extremely empathetic and are people-pleasers. Like a sponge, an INFJ can pick up easily on what another person is feeling and it is common for their own emotions to change as well. Seen as moody or overly emotional, an INFJ is sensitive and can find their emotions running away from them without control. They want to help and make people feel happy while doing all possible to avoid confrontation. Even the thought of hurting someone else will hurt an INFJ.

INFJs are observant and great listeners. Often, INFJs confuse other personality types by staring off into space. However, the desire to help people as much as possible makes an INFJ a great listener and good at catching details. At a party, an INFJ might stick to the wall, but will also be constantly looking around at their surroundings. Furthermore, an INFJ is genuine and is not the type of person to speak just for the sake of saying something. Instead, they take in what is being said and is going on, and will say something when there is something worth their breath, not mere filler.

You can take the Myers-Briggs test for free here, as well as read further about the different personality types. While not all people fall easily into a box, perhaps it will help you understand a different aspect of yourself better.