Personality types not only define our strengths and weaknesses, but also hide the unknown side - the shadow function personality. It rarely appears on weekdays, but it will suddenly appear in a specific situation, which may bring surprises or cause trouble. So, what exactly is your shadow functional personality? How will it affect you? How to use it?
This article will start from the perspective of Jung 8D and MBTI, and deeply analyze the shadow functional personality of INFJ, one of the extremely rare personality types, to help you understand your own and others’ psychological characteristics and behavior patterns more thoroughly, and explore how to use the advantages of shadow functional personality to achieve self-growth and development. Read this article, you will learn about the shadow characteristics of INFJ personality, the uniqueness of MBTI rare type INFJ, and the relationship between INFJ shadow function personality and growth.
PS This article is for readers who have a basic understanding of the concept of Jung 8D (MBTI cognitive function). If you have not yet understood the relevant concepts, you can read this article or find relevant information by yourself.
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What is Shadow Function Personality?
Shadow Function Personality refers to the personality formed by replacing the first and last letters of a personality type with opposite letters. For example, the shadow function of INFJ is ENFP, the personality of INTJ is ENTP, and so on. Shadow Function Personality is a side that we rarely show in daily life. It belongs to the subconscious category and may usually surface in stress or crisis situations. It is not entirely negative. If it can be correctly understood and used, it can also become our potential and resource. Want to know what the shadow function personality is like for other personality types in MBTI? What kind of Jungle eight-dimensional principle is contained behind this?
It will be clearer to understand the principle of forming the shadow functional personality from the Jungian eight-dimensional perspective. Jungian 8D is the eight psychological functions in Jungian psychology, covering sensation, intuition, thinking, emotions, and their introversion and extroversion directions. Everyone has these eight psychological functions, but the intensity of function and initiative are different. Jung’s eight-dimensionality can help us gain a deeper understanding of our own and others’ psychological characteristics and behavioral patterns. MBTI is closely connected to Jung Eight Dimensions and is a personality classification tool developed based on Jung Eight Dimensions. In-depth exploration of their relationship can give you a deeper understanding of MBTI personality types.
As a Jungian eight-dimensional personality classification tool, MBTI subdivides personality into 16 types, each type consisting of four letters, representing a combination of four psychological functions. Take INFJ as an example, which represents a combination of introverted intuition (Ni), extroverted emotion (Fe), introverted thinking (Ti), and extroverted feeling (Se). MBTI allows us to more easily identify our own and others’ personality types and clarify their strengths and weaknesses. With the results of MBTI tests, you can analyze your dominant functions, how accessibility functions are reflected in your life, and how these functions shape your unique behavior patterns.
According to Jung’s eight-dimensional and MBTI theory, each person has a dominant function, an auxiliary function, a third function and a fourth function, which represent the intensity and priority of psychological functions. The dominant function is the strongest psychological function, which determines our core values and goals. Auxiliary functions are second, auxiliary leading functions, helping us communicate with the outside world and adapt to the environment. The third function is to hide the potential and encourage us to develop ourselves in a balanced manner. The fourth function is the weakest, our blind spots and weaknesses, which can easily interfere with us. Exploring the priorities and roles of various functions in the MBTI personality type can help you better utilize your own strengths and avoid potential risks.
In addition to these four psychological functions, there are four other shadow functions, which are opposite to the yang function. The shadow function is a psychological function that we rarely use in daily life. It represents the subconscious and unconscious, and may suddenly appear at certain moments and bring different effects. The order of shadow functions is opposite to that of the male surface function. For example, the male surface functions of INFJ are Ni, Fe, Ti, Se, and the shadow functions are Ne, Fi, Te, and Si. Understanding the shadow function of MBTI personality types is of great significance to fully understand one’s own and others’ behavioral motivations.
What is the shadow function personality of INFJ?
INFJ is an extremely rare personality type in MBTI, known for idealism, empathy and creativity. Its main function is introverted intuition (Ni), the auxiliary function is extroverted emotion (Fe), the third function is introverted thinking (Ti), and the fourth function is extroverted feeling (Se). Its shadow functions include extroverted intuition (Ne), introverted emotion (Fi), extroverted thinking (Te), and introverted feeling (Si), which corresponds to the order of the male function of ENFP. Therefore, the INFJ shadow function personality is ENFP. Exploring the shadow functional personality of INFJ, a rare MBTI personality type, can discover many interesting psychological phenomena and behavioral differences.
It can be seen from this that INFJ and ENFP’s Jungian eight-dimensionality are completely opposite, and the dominant function is opposite to the fourth function, the auxiliary function and the third function. This shows that the thinking and behavior patterns of INFJ and ENFP are significantly different, and there are conflicts and contradictions in many aspects. So how does this difference manifest in real life? How will INFJ’s shadow function personality play a role when facing different situations?
So, what impact will INFJ’s shadow function personality ENFP have on INFJ? The following aspects can be analyzed:
- Under normal state: INFJ’s shadow function Personality ENFP is in a state of depression and neglect. INFJ rarely displays the qualities of ENFP, such as openness, liveliness, casualness, change, impulsiveness, curiosity, innovation, etc. INFJ is more inclined to express its own dominant and auxiliary functions, such as restraint, contemplative, orderly, stability, prudence, understanding, creation, etc. A deep understanding of INFJ’s behavior patterns in normal state will help us better grasp the characteristics and advantages of this personality type.
- ** Under pressure or crisis state**: INFJ’s shadow function Personality ENFP may suddenly explode, and INFJ may present negative traits of ENFP, such as rebellion, emotional, distracted, irresponsible, impulsive, aggressive, critical, etc. At the same time, INFJ may lose its dominant and auxiliary functions, and may experience confusion, isolation, confusion, anxiety, self-blame, indifference, and negative. Studying the psychological changes of INFJs in stress or crisis situations is of great significance to helping them cope with difficulties and maintain mental health.
- In the state of growth or development: INFJ’s shadow function Personality ENFP can be actively utilized. INFJ can learn from the advantages of ENFP, such as openness, liveliness, casualness, changeability, impulsiveness, curiosity, innovation, etc. This will balance the characteristics of one’s own dominant and auxiliary functions, such as clarity, integration, order, stability, prudence, understanding, creation, etc. Discussing how INFJ can achieve self-improvement with the help of shadow function personality in the process of growth and development, it can provide useful reference for personal growth and career development.
How to give full play to the advantages of shadow function personality?
Shadow function personality has both risks and opportunities, which may not only become our obstacles, but also become a helper. The key lies in how we understand and respond. If we can face our own shadow function personality, understand its characteristics and influence, control negative performance, and play a positive role, we can better understand ourselves, develop ourselves comprehensively, and get along with others in harmony. So, how to do it specifically? How can we transform the shadow function in the MBTI personality type into motivation for growth?
Here are some methods and techniques to use the personal advantages of shadow functions and personality. I hope it will be helpful to you:
- Recognize your own shadow function personality: First of all, you need to clarify your own personality type, as well as the sun and shadow functions. Personality type can be determined through testing or consultation, or judged based on one’s own characteristics and tendencies. Then, we need to understand the characteristics and advantages of shadow functional personality, as well as its relationship and differences with the positive functional personality. You can get more information and inspiration by reading books and articles, or observing people with the same personality as your shadow. Mastering the method of knowing one’s own shadow function personality is the first step to give full play to its advantages.
- Accept your own shadow function personality: Secondly, accept that the shadow function personality is a part of yourself, not an enemy or a defect. We should realize that it is not entirely negative, but also has value and effect, which can help us look at things more comprehensively, respond to changes more flexibly, and express ourselves more abundantly. Respect it, not suppress or deny it; live in peace with it, not confrontation and conflict. Accepting one’s own shadow function personality will help achieve inner harmony and unity.
- Observe your own shadow function personality: Furthermore, pay attention to the situation under which the shadow function personality emerges and its impact on yourself. You can record and review daily life events and find clues and signs; evaluate their performance effects by reflecting or asking others’ opinions; and explore their advantage and disadvantages by analyzing and comparing the personalities of positive and shadows. Learning to observe your own shadow function personality can better grasp its rules and characteristics.
- Adjust your own shadow function personality: Finally, you must control the negative manifestations of shadow function personality and play a positive role. It must be used in the right time, appropriate degree, and appropriate manner to avoid excessive, insufficient or improper use. It should be applied on the basis of coordination with the functional personality of the positive surface, rather than conflict or replacement. We should make use of it with the goal of benefiting our own growth and development, rather than damaging our own value goals. Effectively adjusting the shadow functional personality can make it a strong support for our growth and development.
Conclusion
Shadow function personality is usually hidden in our subconscious mind, but it will suddenly appear at specific moments, bringing different effects. It is not necessarily harmful. If it can be correctly understood and utilized, it can become a potential and resource. Through this article’s in-depth analysis of INFJ’s shadow functional personality, have you gained a new understanding of the MBTI personality type? Do you want to further explore your shadow functional personality and explore your potential advantages?
This article analyzes the INFJ’s rare type of shadow functional personality and its characteristics from the perspective of Jung’s eight-dimensional and MBTI, and provides methods and techniques to recognize, accept, observe and adjust shadow functional personality, which helps INFJ to achieve self-growth and development, and coordinate and unify shadow functional personality and positive functional personality.
I hope this article will be helpful to you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a message. Thanks for reading and support. Want to have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of INFJ personality types? PsycTest has carefully prepared the ‘INFJ Advanced Personality File’ for you. The content here is more detailed than the ordinary interpretation. It deeply analyzes INFJ personality from multiple dimensions, covering its behavioral patterns, psychological characteristics in different scenarios, and how to better play the advantages of INFJ personality. It aims to further meet your personalized needs and expectations for INFJ personality exploration and help you deeply explore the mysteries of INFJ personality.
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