The INFP, also known as iFS in Cognitive Personality Theory (CPT), is a deeply empathetic and introspective type characterised by their dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi), agency Introverted Sensing (Si), authority Extraverted Intuition (Ne), and oppositional Extraverted Thinking (Te). This combination makes for someone who realises emotional potential within the stimuli they are exposed to, driven by a predesignated sense of potentiality, systemisation, balance, and ecosystemic awareness of causality.

Dominant Position: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

As the dominant function, Introverted Feeling (Fi) provides the INFP with a focus on internal emotional variables and personal values. This function excels at creating deep emotional connections and understanding the relational and existential nuances of their inner world.

How it Feels: For the INFP, Fi dominance means constantly seeking new emotional experiences that allow them to relate more effectively and deepen their emotional locus. They are driven to make their internal emotional frameworks secure, verifiable, and consistent, often exploring a wide range of emotions outside the realm of fear and hate.

Agency Position: Introverted Sensing (Si)

In the agency position, Introverted Sensing (Si) provides the INFP with a sense of analytical precision and depth. Si is fast-switching and highly sensitive to the details of their experiences, ensuring that their emotional insights are precise and accurate.

How it Feels: With Si as their agency function, INFPs can effectively manage and refine their internal emotional landscapes, ensuring emotions can exist independently without invalidating the existence of each other. They invest their ego in their ability to understand and control the nuances of their feelings, making them meticulous and precise in their approach to relational understanding. 

Authority Position: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) in the authority position acts as a guiding force for the INFP, providing a counterbalance of open-mindedness. Ne instils a sense of curiosity and exploration, encouraging them to consider views that differ from their own and to be broadly curious about everything.

How it Feels: Ne in this position can feel like an internal compass, constantly pointing the INFP towards new ideas and possibilities that could make them better relate to the world around them. This function helps them maintain a clear sense of curiosity and exploration, but can also side-road the type when relation takes precedence over concrete action.

Oppositional Position: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

In the oppositional position, Extraverted Thinking (Te) serves as a delicate yet essential function. Te provides the INFP with a sense of potential in the world around them while minimising demands upon the self. However, it can also be a source of tension as it generates systemic observations that must be realised.

How it Feels: Te in the oppositional position often feels like a subtle, yet powerful source of experiences driving the INFP’s reflections. While it can be a source of internal conflict due to its sensitivity, which can result in the general avoidance of demands and pressure, it also provides valuable insights into the potential and possibilities in their environment. This function encourages them to attune and harmonise with the world around them.

Cognitive Dynamics and Dip Functions

The INFP’s cognitive dynamics are characterised by their ability to refine and maintain their internal concepts and frameworks through FiSi. This type excels at creating a stable and reliable internal world, ensuring their sense of self and understanding remains strong and consistent.

Dips:

FiSi - TiNi: Extension of relational centre into high level domains of knowledge that broaden the realms which can be related to emotionally.

FiSi - FeSe: Expressing deeply held attachments and relational processes into the outside world to be communicated to others. This dip allows the INFP to act on their natural relational empathy and make it known to others and allow them to feel seen and heard.

TeNe - FeSe: Developing close bonds and synchronising with others within the chosen ecosystem. This dip helps the INFP develop and showcase their abilities in social settings, often leading to a demonstration of their skills and knowledge.

Conclusion

The INFP (iFS) is a naturally harmonising type who expands their own comfort zone and sense of what it means to be human to facilitate an ever-shifting external world. Their dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi) drives them to create a vivid and expansive internal world, while their agency Introverted Sensing (Si) ensures their emotional frameworks are meticulously managed.

The authority Extraverted Intuition (Ne) provides a counterbalance to the emotionally confident dominant pairing, ensuring a more open mind as well as parallel processing of alternative viewpoints, and the oppositional Extraverted Thinking (Te) ensures a quiet mechanistic intelligence and awareness of natural contingencies. Together, these cognitive elements create a personality that excels at realising relational potential and achieving a deep sense of harmony within themselves and their surroundings.

Illustrations by Rivka B.