The Datafile PD-CD 2/DATAFILE_PDCD2.iso/sillies/_diddly/Docs/ISFJ

Text File | 1994-01-05 | 6.0 KB | 125 lines

Profile:  ISFJ
Revision:  1.1
Date of Revision:  31 Oct 93
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               Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging

       by Marina Margaret Heiss ([e-mail])


ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their
"need to be needed."  In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard
give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them;  however, most
ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the
framework of a normal life.  (Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very much bound
by the prevailing social conventions, their form of "service" is likely to
exclude any elements of moral or political controversy; they specialize in
the local, the personal, and the practical.)

ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play.  Ironically, because
they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and
unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--
even take advantage of them.  Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated
by the ISFJs themselves;  for instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating
("If you want it done right, do it yourself").  And although they're hurt by
being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns
about their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve more
credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to *want* any sort of reward
for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself).  (And as low-
profile Is, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charis-
matic Es.)  Because of all of this, ISFJs are often overworked, and as a
result may suffer from psychosomatic illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very
good memories and unexpected analytic abilities;  they are also good with
people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and
genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others.  ISFJs make pleasant
and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and
uncomfortable in supervisory roles.  They are capable of forming strong
loyalties, but these are *personal* rather than *institutional* loyalties;
if someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will
leave with them, if given the option.  Traditional careers for an ISFJ
include:  teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine
(general practice only), clerical and and secretarial work of any kind, and
some kinds of administrative careers.

While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are
the centers of their lives.  ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative
within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well.
When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or
self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not
interpret them as rejection.  Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on
conventional behavior (although, unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned
with being "nice" as with strict propriety);  if any of their nearest and
dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major
embarrassment:  the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the
more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children
take gleeful advantage of).  Over time, however, ISFJs usually mellow, and
learn to regard the culprits as harmless eccentrics :-).  Needless to say,
ISFJs take infinite trouble over meals, gifts, celebrations, etc., for their
loved ones--although strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient
*should* want rather than what they *do* want.

Like most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends.  They are extremely loyal to
these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's
notice.  (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation;  if you get into a
fight, don't expect them to jump in after you.  You can count on them, however,
run and get the nearest authority figure.)  Unlike with EPs, the older the
friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it.  One ISFJ trait that is easily
misunderstood by those who *haven't* known them long is that they are often
unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling.  For
instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of
which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners."  An
adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over
the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in
the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with."  Those close to ISFJs
should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the
initiative themselves to uncover the problem.


Famous ISFJs:

Louisa May Alcott
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Barbara Bush
Charles Dickens
Queen Elizabeth II of England
Robert E. Lee
Queen Mary I ("Bloody Mary") of England

Fictional:
Bianca in _Taming_of_the_Shrew_
David Copperfield
Hero in _Much_Ado_About_Nothing_
Melanie in _Gone_With_The_Wind_
Ophelia in _Hamlet_
Dr. John H. Watson, M.D.  (Sherlock Holmes' faithful sidekick)

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[Reply from Joe Butt ([e-mail])]

Wow!!!!!  That was great, Marina.  You don't by chance have personal
experience with this type?  :)

You addressed some untested impressions of mine about ISFJs such as the
tendency to have deep emotions which they conceal rather than expressing them
as do ESFJs.

Your profile illustrates an inner view of this type without sacrificing
sufficient generality for application to the broad spectrum of persons within
the type (no small feat, IMHO).

I would like to suggest a few more famous ISFJs:

U.S. Presidents:
     William Howard Taft
Mary Tyler Moore
Paul Tsongas
Kristi Yamaguchi, US Olympic figure skater
Terri Garr
Connie Selleca
Michael Jordan