They prefer to learn in a friendly, co-operative atmosphere in which exploration and discovery are encouraged. They enjoy playing with ideas, experimenting with possibilities and thinking around their subject, but need to have a clear purpose for doing so.

INFJs become absorbed in a subject deeply and read as much about it as they can. They are good at conceptualising and abstract reasoning, though they may be less interested in facts and figures. They learn equally well on their own or with others, though they seek encouragement and approval from both their peers and their teachers.

For them to become fully involved, their imagination needs to be stimulated, as a result of which they benefit from reading, multi-media learning, inspiring lectures, workshops and group discussions. Exercises, routine, detailed tasks and targets tend to demotivate them.

• enjoy abstract thinking and conceptualising
• are motivated to learn in order to further their own and other people’s development
• benefit from allowing their creativity and inspiration free reign
• may need to be encouraged to share their insights
• may need to develop discrimination, criticism and objectivity
• dislike facts and figures
• prefer an unstructured or playful learning environment
• enjoy working in small groups or one-to-one

• allowed to absorb ideas at their own pace and to digest them thoroughly before acting on them or making decisions
• when emotionally engaged by a subject, or can relate it to their personal interests and values
• encouraged to read, research and reflect on a subject
• listening and observing, e.g. watching how other people do things, listening to a lecture or presentation, taking notes
• given time to prepare thoroughly in advance
• set clear targets
• given personal attention by their tutor or teacher, and an atmosphere of trust has been created in which they can say what they feel
• there are plenty of opportunities for co-operative interaction, dialogue and group discussion
• ideas are presented imaginatively or in an inspiring manner, for example using role-play, dramatisation or multi-sensory presentations

• being taught by 'rote' (i.e. repetition), or when given specific instructions or rigid guidelines
• having to collate large amounts of data
• having to take centre stage or being put 'under the spotlight'
• the focus is on analysis, detail, or facts and figures
• forced to make judgments before they are ready
• the emphasis is on competition and rivalry