Guest Post by Béla Balogh (Aaron), INFP

Forrest Gump

Dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi): Forrest is depicted as an extremely honest and warm individual. Acting without real common sense, he can appear very naive. While this could come from his extremely low IQ (below 75), as we get to know him more in the movie, this naiveness is revealed as authenticity and an honest and kind approach to people. He kept his promises towards Jenny, and he was there for his comrades in the Vietnam War.

Auxiliary Extroverted Intuition (Ne): Extraverted sensing seems to show in Forrest’s behaviour a lot, especially in his way of choosing careers and hobbies. He’s completely random in starting to play tennis, running and other activities, like joining the army. However, his uniqueness keeps him more on the introverted side, because his values seem to be the most important to him. That includes Jenny, protecting his loved ones and his country, and also doing activities he chose with an extreme devotion.

Tertiary Introverted Sensing (Si): He is characterized by persistence. He seems to be a guy who has no problem with doing one activity for hours or well, even for months (just think of his running career in the movie) without a need to stop, if he’s got the drive and devotion for it, which is coming from his introverted feeling. Once the bigger inner purpose is gone, extraverted intuition starts to kick in, and he’s off to another big random adventure.

Inferior Extroverted Thinking (Te): Extraverted Thinking seems the be the only culprit that’s tripping over Forrest. He can have his reasons, but usually he’s living for what’s important to him personally, and what seems right to him. So he usually comes off as eerie or weird in the movie, because his reason aren’t based on the world around him, or what’s working for everyone.

Editor’s Note: Forrest is on the Autism Spectrum. We love him. Thank you.

Author’s Note: Part of why I think Gump’s an INFP (besides the cognitive functions) is his deep compassion for protecting Jenny, which seems to lead all his life towards the INFP direction. He’s also very kind and honest with people, even when the situation would call for a more sophisticated and clever approach. Like when he got the special prize for saving his comrade in the war, but he was generally focused on having to piss, rather than sugarcoating his words towards others. A total disregarding of all social rules.

In terms of social situations and social sophistication, he can come off as an INTP, or even as an ISFJ, when being extremely introverted and focusing on conformity a lot. But then his kindness and general positivity seems to come out, which is why I opted for Fi (Introverted Feeling) as his dominant function.

All in all, Forrest Gump is a kind individual with a big heart, and infinite compassion towards his loved ones. And also towards live. Positivity at it’s best.

What do you guys think about his personality type? Is he really an INFP, or more like an ISFJ or ISFP? He really seems to divide people with his complex personality.

I’d go with INFP for the time being for Gump.

(For more information on INFPs, and what makes them tick, please visit infpmuse.com)

This article was written by Aaron from INFP Muse, for MBTI Fiction.