Motivation and Type Behavior: Type Tip #13

When you are estimating a child's type preference don't just focus on the outer behavior but also look for the motivation for that behavior. An elementary school-aged child, who prefers FP (Feeling with Perceiving), can look and act as if they prefer J (Judging) if the child thinks that will please the parent or the teacher. For a child who prefers Introversion, their motivator is internal. We do not see it. So, a child who prefers INFP is motivated internally using F (Feeling), but we see N (iNtuition) which they use in their outer world through brainstorming with others, so they may appear to prefer Extraversion, even though their overall preference is for Introversion.