#人格类型在不同阶段的发展

0-6岁阶段

在这个早期的年龄里，我们用一种不加选择的方式使用INFJ四个功能, 我们像试穿衣服那用去试着使用每种功能，来决定哪个对我们更有效。小INFJ们身上还没有浮现出任何一种特定的性格类型，尽管他的父母可能注意到他的行为已经显示出拥有一种或多种性格类型特质的倾向。

6-12岁阶段

在这个阶段，我们的主导功能开始发展而表现自己。咱们的小INFJ们开始表现得充满梦想、喜欢内省，他开始偏爱用他的直觉去接受外在信息，并且他会宁愿一个人呆着（内倾）， INFJ的主导功能——“内向的直觉”开始作为他性格的主要方面表现出来。

12-20岁

辅助功能显示它的作用，作为对主导功能的强大支持。近来所有的研究都指出一个充分发展的主导功能和辅助功能组合的重要性，所以这是一个重要的“自己认同”时期。研究表明，缺乏强大的辅助功能来弥补主导功能的人们会出大问题。

在我们的INFJ例子上，我们能看到辅助功能——情感功能（F）这个阶段在这个阶段变得明显，作为主导功能——直觉（N）的支持。

因为INFJ的主导功能（N）是信息收集功能，辅助功能就必须是一种决策制定功能。要是没有了决策过程，我们将犹豫、踌躇，什么事也干不成。

随着辅助的情感功能的出现，INFJ们开始发展基于他们自身价值观系统而进行决策的能力， 这个辅助的决策过程将是外向的，因为主导功能是内向的。正因为这个外向的决策功能是外向的，“判断”性格才会出现在我们的谈论话题中来，而不是“感知”性格。现在，我们的INFJ的性格类型已经稳固地形成，也知道我们四种功能的主次顺序。

　

20-35岁阶段

我们开始更频繁地使用我们的第三性格功能，并且也越来越取得成功。INFJ们开始他们的内向思考功能。他继续用他的外向情感辅助功能来做出判断，但是他也开始根据逻辑和推理来进行判断，这个判断过程是在他自己的头脑进行，而不是和别人一起来讨论。

35-50岁

我们开始关注我们的第四功能，也就是最弱的那个功能。我们觉得需要去发展并更有效地使用这个功能。INFJ们开始使用他的外向感觉功能。他变得更了解他的周边环境，并且开始用一种不夸张的实际感觉，接受他人传来的信息。

虽然他继续依靠他的主导的内向直觉功能来接受信息，但是他比以前更可能使用他的外向感觉功能。一些研究者已经证明，第四功能的出现是出现我们一般说的“中年危机”的原因。

50岁以后

从这个年龄知道死亡，我们的四个功能都已经就位。但是，相比年轻的时候，我们用一种训练过的、可区分的方式来使用他们。我们的基本性格类型继续发挥作用，但是我们能够在需要的时候随时使用所有这四种性格功能。

How we Develop our Personality Types

From age 0 - 6 years

At this early age, we use all four of the functions in an indiscriminate fashion. We "try on" the different functions for size, determining which ones work best for us. The little INFJ has not yet emerged as any particular personality type, although his parents may notice trends in behavior which appear to have the characteristics of one or more types.

From 6 - 12 years

During this phase, our dominant function begins to develop and assert itself. Our young INFJ begins to appear dreamy and introspective - he begins to prefer to use his iNtuition to take in information, and he chooses to do this alone (Introverted). The dominant function of "Introverted iNtuition" begins to show itself as the prevailing aspect of his personality.

From 12 - 20 years

The auxiliary function asserts itself as a powerful support to the dominant function. Since all recent studies point towards the importance of a well-developed team of dominant AND auxiliary functions, this is an important time of "self-identification". Research suggests that people without a strong auxiliary function to complement their dominant function have real problems.

In our INFJ example, we see the auxiliary Feeling function come to the front during this phase as a support to the dominant iNtuitive function. Since the INFJ's dominant function is an Information Gathering function, the auxilary function must be a Decision Making one. Without a Decision Making process, we would flounder about and never get anything done! As the auxilary Feeling process comes forth, the INFJ begins to develop the ability to make decisions based on his personal value system. This auxiliary decision making process will be Extraverted, since the dominant function is Introverted. Since the decision making function is Extraverted, our subject now emerges as a "Judger", rather than a "Perceiver". Our INFJ Personality Type is now pretty firmly set in place, and we know the dominance ordering of the four functions.

From 20 - 35 years

We begin to use our tertiary function more frequently and with better success. Our INFJ begins to use his Introverted Thinking function. He continues to make judgments with his Extreverted Feeling auxiliary function, but he also begins to make judgments based on logic and reason, which he works through in his own mind, rather than discussing it with others.

From 35 - 50 years

We pay attention to our fourth, inferior function. We feel a need to develop it and use it more effectively. Our INFJ begins to use his Extraverted Sensing function. He becomes more aware of his surroundings and begins to take in information from others in a more literal, practical sense. He continues to rely on his dominant Introverted iNtuitive function to take in information, but he is more able to use his Extraverted Sensing function than he has been before in his life. Some researchers have attested that the appearance of our inferior functions at this phase of life may be responsible for what we commonly call the "mid-life crisis".

From 50 onwards

From this age until our deaths, we have accessibility to all four functions. However, we use them in a more disciplined, differentiated manner than when we were very young. Our basic Personality Type continues to assert itself, but we are able to call upon all four functions when needed.