People of the INFJ personality type spend so much time in their heads,
you’d think they’d know their own mind in and out. However, the ironic reality behind it is that
with introverted intuition and extroverted feeling as their most dominant cognitive functions,
the INFJ brain is always a few steps ahead of their conscious awareness..
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Number 1: Opinion anchoring
For the most part, INFJs think that they personally approach people and
topics with an open mind and commitment to help. But, if we take a deeper look into the INFJ brain
and how it processes information, the INFJ is much more prone to the anchoring bias
than other personality types. So, what is opinion anchoring? Well,
opinion anchoring is explained as the phenomenon of one’s first impressions on something or someone
having a significant effect on how they perceive that thing or person forever. In simpler terms,
first impressions mean a lot more to the INFJ than they realize. With the ability to pick
up information and file it deep within their conscious mind, the INFJ may not notice that
they actually rely heavily on those first pieces of information they’ve observed.
Of course, this can be good or bad depending on the situation. For example, if someone isn’t
treating an INFJ right, but the INFJ has a deep subconscious imprint of the kind and gracious
first impression of that individual, it becomes considerably more difficult to let them go.
Number 2: Renting other’s feelings
If you know anything about the INFJ personality type, you’ll know that their empathic abilities
go far beyond just feeling for their fellow humans in times of difficulty. In fact, it’s clearly laid
out in the INFJ’s cognitive functions that their empathizing is not exactly as kindness-driven as
it is the unwilling and sometimes unknowing act of taking on other people’s feelings for their own.
To put it simply, the INFJ’s extroverted feeling function makes it much easier to feel the feelings
of those around them in comparison to their own feelings. So, not only does this result
in the INFJ often feeling out of touch with how they personally feel, but it also causes them
to subconsciously look outside of themselves for feelings to feel. Eventually absorbing the
energies and processing them in their introverted intuition to find the source. Of course,
when they’re surrounded by uplifting and positive energy, this ability can make all the difference
in lifting the INFJ’s spirits. However, when they find themselves surrounded by anger or aggression
this so-called gift can make things seriously uncomfortable for this empathetic type.
Number 3: Trying to fit the part
Think horoscopes, motivational sayings, and daily readings. This brain trick is referred to
as the Barnum Effect, and it’s not only INFJs who experience it. Naturally, the human brain wants
vague statements like those you find in song lyrics and daily readings to resonate with us
so much that we will subconsciously fill the gaps to make ourselves fit the part.. when in reality,
a lot of these sayings can resonate with everyone. However, for the INFJ in particular,
with at-times fairytale-like perceptions and the strong belief in particular philosophical views
sometimes it can be easy to slip into resonating with certain things that aren’t exactly meant for
them. For example, this is a common tactic among untruthful psychics and card readers. By making
fuzzy statements that anyone would want to resonate with, they allow you to paint the
rest of the picture in your head..something an INFJ would already naturally doing.
To avoid falling for these traps, it’s best for INFJs to always check in with
their more logical side and ask themselves, ‘could this information relate to anyone?”
Number 4: Spotlight effect
INFJs.. Have you ever been at the front of a yoga class or in a group setting
and think that all eyes are on you? Some would say it’s social anxiety or maybe even slight paranoia,
but in reality it’s just the spotlight effect and INFJs know all about it. Because the INFJ
is so apt to observing other people on such a deep level, they can easily convince themselves
that other people are observing them to the same degree. The spotlight effect is described as the
idea that someone thinks people notice how they look and act way more than they actually do.
For the INFJ, while they’re logical side knows it’s silly to think that others care to observe
them like they do, they can’t help but to think everyone is staring at them. Luckily, although
INFJs can get stuck in this thinking pattern, they know in the end that even if someone did
glance at them, they probably aren’t thinking any of the things the INFJ thinks they're thinking.
Number 5: Knowledge expectancy
With vast understandings of life and the high respect for common sense matched with
the difficulty with describing certain concepts, INFJs can sometimes expect too much comprehension
of people. It’s the unwritten curse of knowledge, once you have it..you expect everyone knows what
you know. In fact, for the INFJ, sometimes their brain tricks them into presuming what
they know to be obvious information, when in reality they’re naturally drawn to rather taboo
topics. Once something clicks in their heads, it is difficult for the INFJ to remember a time when
they didn’t understand it - making it difficult to relate to others that don’t understand it.
Eventually most INFJs come to an understanding that they shouldn’t expect much of people’s
comprehension when it comes to the topics they enjoy. However, there always comes that odd
occurrence when they mention something after thoroughly thinking it through, only to find
themselves feeling completely left out in the cold with not one person to relate to them.
Number 6: Placebo effect
The placebo effect is a long known mental trick that has been used in countless scientific and
psychological studies. Described as a treatment or substance that is designed to have no therapeutic
value, the placebo effect is surrounded by the idea that our brains and bodies can convince us
that a fake treatment is the real thing. The INFJ is able to use this placebo effect in terms of
alternative medicines, affirmations, meditations and visualizations. While this isn’t as much the
INFJ’s brain playing a trick on them, INFJs can use this known brain trick to their advantage.
However, the tricky thing is that the placebo effect is closely related to
the hypochondriac effect. This is when someone convinces themselves that they have an illness
that can not be detected, or is otherwise all in their heads. Although INFJs aren’t particularly
known for hypochondria, an overactive imagination can surely exacerbate minor symptoms at times.
Number 7: Subconsciously choosing to overlook people’s negatives
When it comes to the INFJ’s imaginative empathy, it serves as a double-edged sword.
While it allows them to see the potential of others, it also can make it difficult
for them to look past the potential they envisioned for someone. This is especially
true if the INFJ can sense a true and genuine heart behind the hurt someone is experiencing.
It’s as if INFJ’s can’t help but to see all the ways someone could improve their lives,
and how much happier they could be on the other end. However, this habit of focusing on someone's
imaginary potential can become seriously toxic in certain settings. Sometimes people don’t want
to change their ways. In fact, sometimes people don’t even see that there's anything wrong with
their behaviors or habits in the first place. Or, sometimes the inability for the INFJ to truly see
someone’s negative behaviors for what they are can result in codependent relationships.
The INFJ’s perception of people is constantly tricking them, as they have to constantly be
checking in with their introverted intuition to make sure their conscious perception is on track.
Number 8: Investment clinging
Speaking of the INFJ’s notorious second chances,
sometimes it’s not all about looking over the negatives for the sake of the other person.
It could all be rooted in investment clinging. This brain trick is all about clinging onto
people, objects, or situations solely because of the amount of money, time or effort the INFJ has
put into it. In other words, the more they put into something, the harder it is to move on.
This is true to some degree for every personality type, however, for the INFJ in particular,
the deeper the bond with something or someone results in things being significantly more
difficult when it comes time to step away. This irrational way of thinking can cause them to not
only convince themselves to stay in relationships that are long overdue, or not put a stop to that
business idea that is draining their savings. Because of this brain trick, the idea of taking
on new connections and opportunities can also come to seem overwhelming for the INFJ.
Depending on past situations, this investment clinging attachment can make the INFJ dread future
scenarios and hold back from investing anything until they’re completely sure it’s worth it.
Well PSYCH-Os, that’s it for today’s video.. So, let us know in the comments below if you’ve
experienced any or all of these brain tricks as an INFJ! Also, make sure to leave us a like,
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