Are INFPs bad at math? (5 reasons)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “Are INFPs bad at math?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

Are INFPs bad at math?

No, INFPs are not bad at math because of the following 5 reasons – 

  • INFPs are curious.  
  • INFPs enjoy challenging themselves. 
  • INFPs want to reach their full potential. 
  • INFPs are highly critical of themselves. 
  • INFPs require a distraction from their excessive cognitive processes. 

These 5 reasons why INFPs are not bad at math will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

  • The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
  • The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

  • INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.
  • INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.
  • INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.
  • INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 5 reasons why INFPs are not bad at math?

INFPs are curious.  

These folks are really inquisitive. INFPs are incredibly curious and want to know everything, from how black holes form to how toilets function. They enjoy being able to comprehend how things function. 

Younger INFPs may not enjoy arithmetic because it is too removed from the human experience, just like the majority of schoolchildren. 

But as individuals age and gain wisdom, they start to see how crucial mathematical ideas are to unravelling the myriad mysteries of life and the cosmos, and they may start to lean toward it. 

Additionally, the INFP’s natural curiosity seldom permits them to stay ignorant of a topic as pervasive as arithmetic.

INFPs enjoy challenging themselves. 

It is true that many INFPs may have disliked arithmetic as children. But as adolescents mature and gain emotional self-control, they could start to perceive their lack of mathematical ability as a weakness. 

An INFP can deal with not being the greatest at everything since they are not extremely competitive, but if there is anything they have not mastered, it becomes a source of pride for them. 

When it comes to a number of topics that they might not naturally be drawn to, INFPs definitely love to push themselves, and this tendency comes in handy.

INFPs want to reach their full potential. 

The finest versions of themselves are something that INFPs always strive to be. They like to improve themselves in areas where a knowledge gap may start to appear, making them feel as though they aren’t working hard enough to improve. 

These people think that having a goal in mind should guide everything they do. When one goal is achieved, they look for a new one to which they may commit all of their efforts. An INFP’s thinking operates in such a manner. 

INFPs are highly critical of themselves. 

These introverts frequently have harsh thoughts about themselves. They frequently struggle with self-doubt, which affects both their confidence and self-esteem. 

Therefore, if they discover that they lack the ability to solve mathematical equations, they could feel like phoney and as though they are worthless. INFPs frequently let one minor setback overshadow all of their successes with pessimism and criticism. 

The wonderful thing about them is that they don’t stay depressed for very long because of these sentiments. When they give themselves permission to deal with their feelings, INFPs rise up and overcome their setbacks in order to find serenity.

INFPs require a distraction from their excessive cognitive processes. 

Because they possess the introverted feelings function (Fi), INFPs are more likely to experience their emotions inside. They live in a world of their own within their brains, and the continual barrage of ideas and feelings might occasionally become too much for them to handle. 

These people frequently search for activities they don’t typically partake in as a method to relax. These hobbies, which range from exercising to resolving logical thinking puzzles to improving mathematics abilities, may significantly aid an INFP in letting go and relaxing.

Conclusion – 

This blog post answers the question, “Are INFPs bad at math?” and reviews the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine if INFP is bad for math. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Are INFPs bad at math?

Are INFPs good at math?

Intelligent INFPs appreciate arithmetic, and their creativity frequently allows them to build logic for a math issue, regardless of how competent they are in other areas. And, on many occasions, INFPs outperform a large percentage of INTPs and ENTPs in math.

Are INFPs academically smart?

INFPs have their own form of intelligence, but many of them can also be brilliant in more visible ways. They are frequently versatile individuals who may be seen functioning effectively in a variety of industries. INFPs are voracious learners who spend a lot of time reading and learning about new topics.

Which personality type is best at maths?

The bulk of the people in a math department is either INTP or INTJ. It’s a toss-up between the two, although INTP is the most strongly oriented to math. INTPs are regarded as the “architect” personality type because they live in their own conceptual universe of possibilities.

How should an INFP study?

INFPs comprehend new information with remarkable depth and breadth. They are capable of grasping stuff thoroughly on their own. INFPs are capable of mechanical memorising, although the quantity kept is smaller than in-memory based on comprehension.

Is INFP gifted?

In actuality, most INFPs are grossly underappreciated in terms of intellect since they are perceived as “slow” by the majority of other types, particularly Te users. In fact, all INs (INTJ, INTP, INFJ, INFP) are regarded as intellectually questionable since their “train of thought” is not readily comprehended by any non-IN type.

Can INFP date an INFP?

INFP personalities may genuinely connect on a deep level since they both want to connect authentically with other people. When two people disclose their true selves and talk frankly, INFP couples can have a very deep tie.

References –

Do INFPs dislike mathematics? How do you feel about this subject? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Do-INFPs-dislike-mathematics-How-do-you-feel-about-this-subject#:~:text=It%20doesn’t%20matter%20if,which%20can%20deter%20many%20INFPs.

How good are you at math? Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/1zl80w/how_good_are_you_at_math/

INFP – Bad at math…? Personality Cafe. (2014, April 9). Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/infp-bad-at-math.195962/

Can INFPs be good at math? BoardGamesTips. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://boardgamestips.com/card-games/can-infps-be-good-at-math/

INFP Learning Style. Humanmetrics Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/infp-learning-style

Chea, C. 5 Stereotypes About INFPs That We Need to Stop Believing. Introvert, Dear. (2016, July 11). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/stereotypes-infps-need-stop-beliving/

Chua, K. Why I Took A Break From MBTI (And Maybe You Should Too). Thought Catalog. (2016, December 12). Retrieved from https://thoughtcatalog.com/kenny-chua/2016/12/why-i-took-a-break-from-mbti-and-maybe-you-should-too/

Storm, S. Here’s What You Hated About School, Based On Your Personality Type. Psychology Junkie. (2018,  August 29). Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2018/08/29/heres-what-you-hated-about-school-based-on-your-personality-type/

WikiJob Team. Career Matches for INFP Personalities. (2021, 7 December). Retrieved from https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/features/useful-resources/career-matches-infp-personalities

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!