Shy MBTI Personality Type
Personality
What personality type is Shy? Shy is an INFP personality type in MBTI, 9w1 - sp/sx - 945 in Enneagram, RLUAI in Big 5, IEI in Socionics.
Not all INFPs are shy and any type can be shy. Shyness also takes different forms for different types. That said, I don't think this is just an INFP stereotype; I think there are solid reasons why so many INFPs are shy. The first is that their Fi dominance means that they're highly self-aware. Unlike ISFPs, this is combined with Ne, which thinks through possibilities rather than reacting spontaneously, and can therefore lead to a great amount of anxiety. INFPs are prone to shyness for the same reason that they're often teased for reading over an email or a text message ten times before they send it: they're constantly overthinking how they'll be perceived by others, and can see possibilities of how every little thing they say or do might be misinterpreted by another person. Because they fear being misunderstood, INFPs struggle to stop 'watching' themselves and to just immerse themselves fully in a social situation. Added to this is their desire to behave authentically, which means they struggle to pretend they're someone different unless there's a mutual recognition between everyone that it's a performance. Because they understand people so well and can imaginatively inhabit emotions that aren't their own, INFPs are actually very good at pretending they're someone else (which is why so many of them are actors), but they struggle to do it when others aren't aware they're performing; this feels like tricking people to them, and doesn't feel right. Unlike strong Fe users, who don't mind adjusting themselves depending on the situation and may even question who they 'really are', INFPs struggle to adjust. Add to this the fact that INFPs are usually quite unusual people, with very unique interests and passions, and this can cause a difficult internal struggle: they want to be themselves, but they don't feel that if they are themselves that anyone will accept who they are, and will just think they're odd. That can cause an immense amount of shyness, especially if they experience being ostracised/bullied for being different as children, which many do. Over time, it can cause an INFP to just 'shut down' and even be rather stone-faced to protect themselves. Many INFPs develop some kind of defense mechanism to protect themselves because, although they can be good at hiding it, they're deeply sensitive, and this means being sensitive to rejection. Being highly self-aware comes with being highly self-critical. Although being strong Fi users means their sense of self comes mainly from within them rather than from how they understand themselves as part of a group, being criticised or rejected by others can confirm their own self-doubt and therefore be really painful. INFPs' fear of participating in social situations where they aren't sure they'll be accepted is largely rooted in this fear of rejection. This is also why INFPs are known for having a really creative, expressive side that comes out when they're comfortable: once their social inhibitions are dropped, their rich inner world comes out.
Biography
Often a cautious feeling, Shy is the avoidance of attracting attention. It be commonly expressed through insecurity or between newly-acquainted lovers. Despite it's nature to be asocial, Shy is not a negative trait but rather an introverted state of mind.
