• IEI (INFp) Socionics Type Description by Stratiyevskaya

    IEI (INFp) Profile by Stratiyevskaya

    Socionics IEI INFp Joel Plaskett.png


    See also:
    Extended IEI Profile by Stratiyevskaya
    Wikisocion - IEI profiles
    IEI observations
    IEI in pictures
    Socionics Type Tests
    Type examples in videos
    Type and Intertype Descriptions by Stratiyevskaya



    Ego Block: 1st Program Function - Ni Introverted Intuition

    Romantic and dreamer. To the IEI time is an elastic, creative material, which can be "compressed" or "extended" at his own discretion. Esenin can stop an instant because it "is wonderful", and admire it for as long as he desires.

    The IEI greatly values his time, especially if it was spent on pleasant experiences. The time spent insufficiently interestingly and pleasantly is not simply lost time, but, in his understanding, is a kind of irritating oversight which, as much as possible, should not be permitted.

    The IEI prefers to live by a flexible schedule that would allow him to manage his time conveniently and spontaneously. Feels upset if his plans do not actuate due to someone else's fault: if he wasn't invited over for a holiday or celebration, this is already an occasion for serious irritation. Still more painful for him are breakdowns in global positive plans: for example, when his calculations collapse and his hopes are not justified, when the close and desired goal suddenly proves to be distant and unattainable, when someone refuses his support and patronage and shakes him out from under "his wing" - all this for Esenin are unfortunate turns of events, with which he in no way can be reconciled, and which he will try by all forces to not allow to happen (and in the majority of the cases he accomplishes this).

    In spite of his seemingly detached relation to life, the IEI is capable of sufficiently realistically evaluating what is happening around him. He knows how to foresee the course of events that is undesirable, knows how to avoid its impact, and how to "freeze" its impact in the time and thus mute its full force. The IEI knows how to draw away the point in time when conflict is ripe and the need for decisive discourse and explanations has come. He will change his tactics and will try to take the situation into his hands, so as to have time to prepare for the outcome (for example, he will find another source of sponsorship and assistance).

    Esenin sets the pace of development of relations according to his own wishes, interests, and plans. He serves as a "director" of time, his own and that of other people. He subordinates events to his own tempo, and draws everyone to live by his own rhythm of life. If there is no hurry for him personally, then his conversation partner won't hurry anywhere either: he will simply get "stuck" in the measured pace of conversation. Esenin is like that fairy from folklore tales, which is able to turn the life of any person into a "sweet dream", "waking up" from which the person may feel being thrown far back in time, with a sense of irremediably lost opportunities. This makes Esenin a good partner for someone who is constantly moving forward, towards their goals and concrete targets – such as his dual Zhukov or SLE.

    It frustrates Esenin when something does not transpire according to his "direction" and "orchestration". Especially, when the "critical moment" has come, which the IEI usually sees well: here he will "wake up" anyone from their "hibernation" and will make it clear that it is needed to act.

    The IEI always has exactly as much time as he needs it. He does not set before himself goals that are too difficult and unrealistic. His day is not overloaded by matters. He always manages to arrive at the point which is necessary for him. He does not like to rigidly plan his day, to be "in captivity" of strict schedule or plans, neither immediate nor distant. To Esenin it is not compulsory to be punctual, especially if for him it is not necessary, however, if he desires so he will arrive in time.

    Esenin knows how to put time to his benefit. He knows when to wait out a tumultuous period in a "quiet harbor", when to go into "hibernation" under somebody’s protection (most comfortably Esenin feels under the "wing" of his dual Zhukov).

    Esenin frequently produces the impression of a person for whom success "walks right into his hands". With his acute intuitive sense, the IEI tries to choose the right time to "catch" his chance - a quality which many may envy, and which allows representatives of this type to arrange their lives successfully. The IEI also tries to keep in the course of news and events, from which he assesses the general direction of public opinion to know "where the wind is blowing". All new trends, all new developments and directions catch his attention.

    The IEI doesn't believe in continuance and persistence of hardships, rather sees them as passing and alternating in time. Welcomes the arrival of critical moments. Thus, even, as it would seem, gloomy and depressing events the IEI may tell about with a smile. He doesn’t lose hopes and expects much from changes that comes after a crisis, and tries to put these changes to a benefit.

    The IEI vehemently resists when someone imposes on him inadvisable, inexpedient, in his opinion, expenditures of time, and tries to prove the needlessness or pointlessness of such an investment. In these moments convincing him otherwise is very difficult, even futile, because in such cases the IEI is inclined to do as he wishes. (For example, an accompanist-Esenin during the play decided to arbitrarily shorten the musical break, which was an unpleasant surprise to both the actors and the director, because it seemed to him personally that the time of play was too lengthy.)

    Esenin's time always belongs only to him. Even the time he spends at work he considers to be his own: if he wants to - he works, if he wishes to - he becomes distracted at his private affairs and conversations. Esenin greatly values his time, even when he is sharing it with others, and considers it a generous gift for which one must be grateful.

    Ego Block: 2nd Creative Function - Fe Extraverted Feeling

    This is the IEI's second value - the skill to create positive attitudes and to improve the moods of others by his presence - which the IEI generously shares with those around him.

    To all the observed phenomena the IEI responds in an impressionable and quite dynamic emotional manner. It would seem that there doesn't exist in nature such an object, person, or event, that would leave him indifferent. This quality positively predisposes other people towards Esenin. It seems unthinkable to push away a person who is so sincerely captivated and excited by everything that is good in you, who sees in you so many interesting things that even you yourself haven't even imagined. Esenin also knows how to listen, empathically looking into the eyes of his conversation partner – it would seem that he has never heard anything wiser in his lifetime! His dear, kind, modest smile is like a reflection of a ray of sun lighting up his face. Sometimes his smile is dreamy, sometimes sly, but always well-wishing, optimistic, and encouraging.

    The IEI's moods are also similar to a solar beam: affable, agreeable, affectionate, lighthearted, joyful. In a romantic-dreamy state of the soul the IEI thinks distractedly on some removed topic, and the entire world acquires bright colors, becomes filled by sunlight and "sparkles of fresh dew". This blissful as a sweet opium dream state, this fairy-tale sleep, which is desirable to prolong to infinity, but which will end precisely when Esenin will consider it necessary to put an end to it. Esenin dislikes when some external stimulus interferes with this illusory-ethereal harmony – in such moments he feels as the author of the ruined creation. (It would be incorrect to think of Esenin as a kind of "drug" which is meant to cloud the head or lull to sleep from vigilance. Absolutely not! His primary psychological task is to relax his dual, Zhukov (SLE), who is often stressed and inclined to overload himself.)

    Esenin is a "craftsman" of attitudes and moods: whatever picture he paints - so it will be. This is the instrument of his influence on his surroundings – by this he can "reward" as well as punish. In his understanding, the mood or state always has a material component to it - alike a work of art. In cases when the atmosphere of "serene harmony" that he has created is not valued and rewarded properly, Esenin considers it necessary "to draw another picture", in other colors, no less bright and saturated. The IEI feels himself uncomfortable when the tone created by him does not find proper response and support by people around him. This may lead to sharp changes in his mood or state, or ever lead to a quarrel. (Mood for Esenin is a method to manipulate his environment.)

    Almost no one else knows how to mercilessly say harsh words and furiously quarrel, amplifying his emotional influence, as the IEI. The IEI knows how to burn someone by words as if by red hot metal, masterfully applying words enough for his partner to learn the lesson and draw the conclusions from his own errors and to try to as soon as possible correct them, in order not to repeat hence. Again, such ethical influence is psychologically oriented at his dual, Zhukov (SLE), at his inert emotions and somewhat coarse ethics. That which for Zhukov is nothing more than an effective method of emotional activation, for others (more sensitive personalities) can be unbearably trying.

    In interaction the IEI holds a close psychological distance, as a consequence of which he can feel himself too vulnerable and too dependent of his partner. Therefore his quarrels are a required measure, the purpose of which is - on one side - to adjust psychological distance, and from another side - to draw attention of his partner to potential problems and express his needs in a form in which they are most readily received by his dual. The IEI is unable to speak of his problems in a "business tone" - this in his understanding is too crude and tactless, as he is subconsciously oriented at vulnerable emotions and demonstrative pragmatism of Zhukov. Therefore, he considers that a tactful and subtle hint is enough for his partner to correctly understand him and offer his services.

    The IEI knows how to tune to his partner, how to adjust and adapt to him. If, for some reason, making contact doesn't go down well, this is always a reason for the IEI to feel worried. He starts to contemplate on the reasons that he was not allowed to approach - perhaps this person is not as open as he seems, or may be even presents a danger (here the IEI's intuition of time with a minus sign takes a hold - the desire to distance from danger).

    Giving ethical evaluations of qualities of people around him, the IEI does it in accord to his own state: if he is in a good mood, he praises the person and offers his compliments - and if he is poor mood he will be critical towards others. In upset and irritated state the IEI gets an insurmountable desire to say the "truth right to person's face" and may say the most unpleasant truthful things.

    Periodically the IEI can initiate conflicts – these are means for him to find out his own position in the system of relations. The entire range of emotions and states of Esenin is not only his "artistic palette", but also his "instrumental set" and his "weapons storehouse". The IEI is confident in his charm and his appeal, in his "arsenal" of attractive and dear fronts, which he magnificently uses. Moreover, these these are not just external appearances but unique states of his soul.

    Super-Id Block: 6th Activating Function - Ti Introverted Logic

    The IEI is very much activated by possibilities of gathering information which he views as important. Despise his apparent absent-mindedness, he is sufficiently observant and with ease finds those who can tell him something interesting. By information gathering the IEI renders an especially valuable service to his dual the SLE, for whom "knowledge" is another form of strength and protection. Just as the SLE, the IEI considers that information is valuable and that learning and acquiring new knowledge is very beneficial.

    The IEI is very adept at collecting and reviewing information. He gathers it from many sources - most comprehensive and most reliable. The selection of information and its analysis is carried out by him very thoroughly: the most valuable information the IEI retains for himself and shares with people who are dear to him.

    The IEI won't allow anyone else to hide things from him, moreover, he prompts people naturally and without constraint. It is sufficient for him to want to know - and he will learn everything that is of interest to him. IEI's curiosity knows no boundaries, and at times it's not even bounded by decency. With an innocent look the IEI can ask rather tactless questions (of type: "And who has helped you with getting accepted?"), and with this he is fully confident that he will receive a response. It is very difficult to hide anything from the IEI, but it is even more difficult to obtain from him information that he doesn't want to share, that has the potential of being harmful.

    The IEI greatly dislikes being misinformed or informed untimely, although he himself may do both things. The IEI does not forgive craftiness and treachery exercised in such a manner, and it is precisely in such situations that it is possible to turn him into one's enemy (and this is very dangerous!): when the IEI understands that someone has fooled him, that someone is trying to outsmart him and play him, IEI's quadral complex of not being put into a disadvantage leads him to worsen his relations with the offender.

    For the IEI it is difficult to be logically consistent, though he doesn't particularly strive for this. He can easily contradict himself however many times, while believing that he's reasoning in a sufficiently logical and astute manner.

    In order to logically out-argue the IEI, one doesn't need to use particularly weighty arguments. The IEI wins in debates not by logic but by ethics. And out-arguing him is extremely difficult. He is too adept at derailing arguments, directing them aside to irrelevant issues, turning things personal and starting to sort out relations.**
    [**Editor's note: This tactic is most commonly employed by IEIs of ethical subtype - at some point in the argument they may start to comment about the other person's personal qualities, their social standing in a group, their relationships with others, turning the argument from logical to personal basis. This tactic is also used by other ethical irrationals of ethical subtypes, such as Fi-SEE, who use their strong ethical creative function to insert "personal retorts" and "cover up" their disinclination to give logical explanations.]

    The IEI experiences difficulty with tracing the full sequential course of logical reasoning – it is hard for a person of this type to grasp an expanded and extensive logical analysis in its entirety. The IEI much readily receives and understands short purposeful logical statements provided by his dual, the SLE, who is capable of explaining the most difficult concepts in the most simple and easily accessible terms, and of finding the most convincing arguments and putting them in such order that would make them convincing to another person. Forms of explanations of other logical types don't suit the IEI.** They seem either by too needlessly entangled and complicated, or too removed and unrelated to the matter at hand (which greatly irritates him). SLE's logic, in this respect, is the most optimal for him and most convincing.
    [**Editor's note: This is not completely true, as IEIs are also receptive to the logical explanations delivered by LIIs, though these explanations, while being informative and intellectually enriching, don't mobilize the IEI as does SLE's argumentation.]

    Speaking on any topic, the IEI does not pretend to objectivity of his own opinion. For him assessing how much his own opinion correlates with opinions of people around him is more important.**
    [**Editor's note: This applies to all Subjectivist types, who coordinate and compare individual views.]

    The IEI loves to discuss and think about detached and distant themes, but usually does not consider himself to be a "deep" philosopher: he does this "under the right mood" and for his own enjoyment and not for a thorough in depth study.

    Memorizing study material and figuring out logical concepts for the IEI is rather difficult. Attempt to give logical definition to his own words ... it's better not to ask him to do this.

    Delivering lectures on scientific and technical subjects are also not IEI's cup of tea. If Esenin needs to deliver a research report, read a lecture, or pass examination on theoretical and technical disciplines, he always tries to use humor to cover up for his helplessness. (Though this doesn't always save him. For example: during a pregraduate examination in electronics, a student-Esenin, after instructor gave him a transistor, imprudently exclaimed: "Wow, look at these wires! They are like antennae of ants!") Rarely does one find representatives of this type teaching theoretical disciplines. (Perhaps only at the most basic level, for the children in starting classes.)**
    [**Editor's note: This is an untrue stereotype. Some IEIs do go on to receive graduate degrees in physical sciences, as well as mathematics, philosophy, computer science, etc. and sometimes work in such fields on the level of a tenured professor. However, the incidence of this is perhaps lower than for types such as ILE.]

    Super-Id Block: 5th Dual-Seeking Function - Se Extraverted Sensing

    The IEI not only respects confident and goal-oriented people, but also admires them. He wants to be near them, to be "taken under their wing", to be needed and useful for them. He is always happy if he wins over their friendship and trust, and gladly accepts their patronage.

    The IEI has a talent for finding such people who could provide him with their support. He has a kind of natural tactic for selecting his supporters: there are those who are less effective but friendly to him, and those who are actually influential but whose positive predisposition he has not attained yet.

    Esenin does not like to befriend the "wimps" and the "hapless". He does not respect the "unlucky wretches" who don't know how to make useful contacts, who are not capable of standing up for themselves, who cannot "work with their elbows" pushing others aside and moving towards their goal. Esenin does not understand them at all. Sometimes, as a consequence of this trait of this type, the IEI falls under the influence of people who know how to magnificently bluff and create an illusion of power and influence, and who can in this manner hold the IEI "on a hook" while they use his help. Though the IEI tries to avoid this course of events, sometimes he falls into this trap when he mistakes the desired for the real. (Furthermore, "for any wise person there is enough simplicity": there are "intuitive" individuals who are much more clever than Esenin.)

    The IEI never boasts about his own strength. He never demonstrates it and prefers to not participate in any power contests. He won't be provoked or "taken on a dare" - he doesn't consider himself to be in the same "weight category", and doesn't view it as shameful to seem weak, because he knows how to use this weakness. He sees nothing terrible in looking poor and unprotected - otherwise, who would help him?

    If he needs it, the IEI can evoke sympathy in others. Even as an adult he can burst into tears if he is being pushed away and rejected. Moreover, the IEI won't view this as a sign of weakness or something shameful. However, the person who has refused him, who has shown indifference, may feel the burden of guilt - thus Esenin laments and reproaches at the same time. And indifference when he was facing troubles and hardships Esenin will not forgive. (The IEI in general forgives little. Good things he may forget, but evil and malice – never! As well as hurtful and malicious actions committed towards people who are close to him, the IEI will not forget and continue to remind: "Have you forgotten how poorly he has treated you? Why do you want to aid him now?")

    Esenin's weakness has the same origin as Zhukov's strength: if Zhukov tries to seem stronger in order to not surrender anything, then Esenin for the same reason appears weak, so that he won't get used or tricked. This is a manifestation of the same quadral complex - to not be put into disadvantage - only in the intuitive interpretation.

    Esenin has his own methods of supporting himself that are founded on fine emotional influencing and precise intuitive estimations. It is interesting to observe how Esenin involves others to be his guardians: for example, coming to a restaurant (or a store) he may say, with a charming spontaneity, that he doesn’t have money on him, and do so in the moment when it's necessary to pay. And again, he says it not simply because, but being confident that among those present someone has the money, and that this someone regards him so well that he or she could pay on this occasion. (Esenin may not even openly say anything, but with a modest look wait until the question is settled without his participation.) His own solvency does not matter: even if he has money, why not to allow someone else to pay if that person so wishes? Maybe, this person really wanted to do so, especially when they have already spent the time pleasantly in each other's company. (Appropriate to recall that Esenin is always confident in his charm, in youth especially.)

    Concerning money questions, perhaps the IEI produces the impression of someone impractical, but someone with a mind of his own, someone who won't ever go against his own benefit, and who is not easily hyped up to make some "unnecessary" in his view expenditure. Although Esenin usually considers himself to be of generous nature. It is necessary to note that this unconscious tactic is oriented at Esenin's dual Zhukov, who is also sufficiently economical. Although this tactic isn't applied to the SLE: only for as long as is required for the IEI to assess true merits of his dual and decide to not argue over trifles in order to not lose his dual's protection and friendship. In turn the SLE, who actually also doesn't like when he is being prompted to pay extra, does not consider expenditures on Esenin a great loss, especially if he has actually enjoyed his dual's company (but if he did not, he easily parts with Esenin without regrets, and no one is offended).

    The ability to use someone else's force doesn't exclude the desire to develop one's one. However, as everyone else, Esenin does this primarily for his own enjoyment. He rarely finds application to his own physical strength, although sometimes, being in the appropriate mood, he can play the role of a defender or get involved in a fight on the behalf of his friends, but performing hard and strenuous physical labor is not for him.

    The IEI occasionally finds it difficult to make a willful effort. Sometimes, as he jokes himself, he takes himself "by the collar", and "drags" himself to the work place. But it is better when the necessary impulse of "willful motivation" is given to him by his dual Zhukov.

    Esenin, just as Zhukov, is aware of the established order and will never go against people with power. Just as Zhukov, he will join the opposition only when there is a certain secure benefit to himself. He is just as conforming. He prefers to not voice his personal opinion if it is contradictory and goes against the opinion of the majority. If necessary, he is capable of relinquishing his personal persuasions and values or changing them.

    The IEI will with pleasure work in a public system, especially in positions related to ideological activity, and in conditions of flexible working hours.


    Source: http://socionika-forever.blogspot.co...post_8619.html
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    This article was originally published in forum thread: Stratiyevskaya: INFp started by Transigent View original post
    Comments 2 Comments
    1. ashlesha's Avatar
      ashlesha -
      i've only made it through Fe so far, but i'm dying, this is perfect.
    1. IBTL's Avatar
      IBTL -
      Quote Originally Posted by lungs View Post
      i've only made it through Fe so far, but i'm dying, this is perfect.
      ... except that 8 functions is bullshit so be sure to scratch through the Si, Ne, Te and Fi sections. I swear to god there are only 4 functions per type - primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. What more do I have to say about there only being 4 functions?!