MBTI: NF Temperament

                The NF is one of the most difficult categories to define. To put it simply, they are trying to find self. According to Keirsey, the NF “hungers for self-actualization, to be and to become real.”[1] They long to be unique, and recognized for it, no matter what role they fulfill in the world. They wish to be real, honest, transparent. Integrity does not lack in their lives. They search for a life of significance.

                The relationships of the NF are characterized by their willingness to invest effort and enthusiasm and emotion into the other person, often feeling disappointment in what is returned. This characteristic, however, makes them into wonderful counselors, psychiatrists, and teachers. They adopt causes and only abandon them if they are not accomplishing some life-changing, long-lasting goal.

                A wonderful aspect of the NF is his ability to see good in anyone. This can result in an ability and willingness to make great personal sacrifice for the good of others. They are the ones urging the world to “be real.”[2] They long to provide significance in addition to service.

                The NF will concentrate on people over things. Their interest is in relationships, not abstractions. They love interaction. These things set them apart from the SP, SJ, and NT.

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[1] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 59.

[2] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 64.

MBTI: Feelers

                (This is the sixth post in an eight part series on the eight characteristics of the MBTI. Find an introduction HERE, and use the tags at the end to find other related posts.)

                Feelers are the gentle people, the ones who are easily hurt but wonderful at comforting and consoling. They display more emotion, and they feel deeply.

                Feelers are far more centered on their hearts than their minds. Their decisions are based off of values and their evaluations of how people will react or feel, based on the decision. They are very caring. And additionally, they are accepting of others. This is because they are oriented around people and communication. They love harmony.

                The focus of a Feeler is on the meaning and the significance of information – understood through their feelings. This can result in their tending to be overemotional or illogical. One person put it this way: “F’s focus on understanding and experiencing what makes things matter by understanding the emotional value of things.” Emotion is key for Feelers.

                Some Feelers, though not all, may lack assertiveness because they don’t want to hurt anyone under any circumstances. They communicate as being warmer and friendlier than Thinkers do. Feelers are often very sensitive to the emotions and feelings of others. They are also more gentle and diplomatic. However, this can also mean that their feelings are hurt more easily. They are naturally more tender.

                Often Feelers will strive to avoid arguments, conflict, and confrontation, or tension of any sort. They are generous with their praise and reluctant to find fault. They worry about being an imposition more than Thinkers tend to, asking if it’s a good time. Feelers are accommodating people.

                Feelers have strong empathy, personally taking on the emotions of others. They are naturally compassionate. They value sentiment more than logic, and are more interested in people and values than rules. This means that a Feeler believes that “being tactful is more important than telling the ‘cold’ truth.”[1]

                Feelers see the world as it “should” be, rather than as it is. They see it like it would be if everything was agreeable. They tend to be more idealistic, though this is also based in J/P and S/N. They focus on the meaning, rather than the use, of things.

                Thinkers can see Feelers as being “too idealistic, mushy, or indirect.”[2] It is easier to see why people can clash so strongly when the differences between Thinkers and Feelers are understood. Neither type is wrong, but they do not always see eye to eye.

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[1] “The Myers & Briggs Foundation: Thinking or Feeling,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/thinking-or-feeling.htm?bhcp=1.

[2] “The Myers & Briggs Foundation: Thinking or Feeling,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/thinking-or-feeling.htm?bhcp=1.