Function Preferences and You

[Glordag]

Recent discussions over how well MBTI and Socionics represent Jung's original psychological types made me question which functions I use myself and how I use them. As such, I thought that it would be a neat exercise for us to list the order in which we relate to the Jung functions or types, from top to bottom. Additionally, a very brief qualifier and explanation could be beneficial.

I'll start off with a format. I realize that not everyone has read through Jung's description of the types. If you have not, then I encourage you to either read them or make a best guess based on what you know from MBTI/Socionics. A qualifier that you are not using Jung's descriptions might be helpful (say, an asterisk).

Ok, so here it is:

1. Introverted Thinking (Ti): Primary Mode - Ti acts as my inner voice. It takes in all data and analyzes it, bringing it back to my subjective inner reality.

2. Extraverted Intuition (Ne): Conscious Guide - Ne constantly pushes me from interest to interest, and is never satisfied with letting my focus remain still. Sometimes I hate this function.

3. Introverted Sensation (Si): Unconscious Interpreter - I could not help but to relate very strongly to Jung's description of Si. This could arguably be placed over Ne for me. I constantly dwell on my own inner interpretations of objective sensations.

4. Extraverted Thinking (Te): Primary Interactive Interface - Though my attachment to objects is generally distant, I feel a distinct need to ensure that truth is maintained. I place a lot of emphasis on making sure that things aren't misrepresented from objective reality, even if I can only do this through my subjective thinking.

5. Introverted Feeling (Fi): Subjective Self-Expression - The majority of the time, I repress emotions. However, I have a distinct need to love another, and I tend to indulge and get lost in my subjective feelings when they do occur. For this reason, "emotional" creative outlets can be powerful for me.

6. Introverted Intuition (Ni): Repressed Symbolism - Generally, the idea of subjective insight is distant from me. I will occasionally experience this as an extension of Ne. An example is picking up Tarot Cards as a new hobby, and then experiencing subjective insight as a result.

7. Extraverted Sensation (Se): Ignored Reality - For the most part, I could care less about what I externally experience. This is largely because I will immediately turn my objective experiences into subjective interpretations via Si and Ti.

8. Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Completely Foreign - I'm so distant from the idea of objective feelings as described by Jung. In fact, I have a pretty significant disdain for it. It's absurd to me, at best.

So there we have it. Hopefully some of you will contribute, and maybe some insight can be gathered.

 

[shoeless]

well i can't be arsed to get that specific, but in order from what i feel i utilize the most to the least:

Ne, Fe, Ti, Fi, Ni, Se, Te, Si

of course i don't necessarily believe that's how it works at all, but if we're going off the very vague descriptions that could apply to anyone...

 

[Glordag]

of course i don't necessarily believe that's how it works at all, but if we're going off the very vague descriptions that could apply to anyone...

How do you believe it works? I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

When you say relate do you mean identify as our identity or enjoy the area of?

 

[Glordag]

Shoeless interpreted it correctly. Which do you feel you utilize the most, whether it's consciously or unconsciously (subconsciously?). Consider both use and influence over you. That's why I put short explanations afterward, to try and describe briefly why I put each one where I did.

 

[Words]

I am very aware/relate of/to Fe, but that does not make it a preference.

By Awareness/Relate:

Fe(High) -- Ne(High) -- Si(Medium) -- Ti(Low Medium) -- Ni-Se(Low Medium) -- FiTe(Low)

By Preference based on Awareness:

Positive: Ne------Ti-Ni

Neutral: Fi-Se

Negative: Si-----------Te-Fe

--------
The reason behind heightened Fe is probably because of the stress it gives me. The reason behind low awareness of Ti is probably because it never gave me much trouble. The reason behind high awareness of Ne is probably because of my obvious stimulated reaction. On the whole, NT related topics stimulate I, but divided, only Ne gives clear reaction.

On preference, any form of Je is clearly not preferred.


* I'm not sure where Jung's theory ends and where everything else and mine begins but I am pretty sure I read my foundations(Extroverted-Introverted-Feeling-Thinking-Sensing-Intuition) on Jung's translated work "Personality Types". That said, I do not think it should even matter.

*Oh, and I have issues with your definitions. I pronounce your misunderstanding.

 

[Firehazard159]

I think there was a thread similar to this already done... *goes to search* I know we've had side discussions on IRC about something similar where I spelled out my 'personally preferenced' type.... I'll let you know what I find ^_^

 

[Glordag]

I think there was a thread similar to this already done... *goes to search* I know we've had side discussions on IRC about something similar where I spelled out my 'personally preferenced' type.... I'll let you know what I find ^_^

I figured there might be, but there are so many discussions about functions on here that I didn't even know where to begin searching. My apologies if I'm rehashing something that's already been done.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Intution
I would say I am guided by intuitive perception. Most of the time I don't even speak or think, I just observe with a sense of overarching connection to everything. I can feel the world playing out as if it were a dynamic mechanical machine. Rarely am I ever fixated on a definite point in space, I'm usually looking past whatever is in my field of vision. Considering that I rarely focus on present reality, rather, my internal sense of existence, I must say that my intuition is mainly introverted.

Thinking
Secondary to my nature I would say is thinking. This is when I come out of my transfixed state back to present reality and my interactions with it. My focus of thinking varies between my internal state and external reality. Sometimes I plan out the efficiency or productivity of my resources or actions, but mostly I am tirelessly reading up on some new subject for the sake of gaining knowledge. My introverted thinking is less apparent, since I am usually either observing objectively or indiscriminately reading something. When it does show, it is usually spontaneous.

Introverted Sensing / Introverted Feeling
Both of these areas do I lack full control of, yet exhibit an interest in their aesthetics. Preference depends on my current state, although the former I could do without for an adequate amount of the latter.

Extraverted Sensing
I see things but rather than focusing and interpreting what I see directly, I take snapshots of images and connect them to my internal database of archetypes. My strength in intuition compensates for my deficiency in this area, leading to, for the most part, a lop sided life of inaction. Occasionally I crave new and exhilarating experiences.

Extraverted Feeling
My behavior shows complete aversion to this area. When this area does manifest in myself it is noticeably uncontrollable, in others, I am instantly irritated. I lack complete control, yet this inability to control it enables me to notice people who are controlling it.

 

[Firehazard159]

http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=1733&highlight=function+preference

I couldn't find the specific thread, however, that's somewhat related, and that's what originally sparked the idea of ordering our own preferred functions based on our self-perceptions (I think most of the discussion was on IRC and fairly transient, so it'll be good to have a copy here of a similar thing. )

I don't remember specifically what I had thought before, but I do remember that I originally associated with having both Ti and Te in front, and I regularly test as INTX - almost exactly a 50/50 split on JvsP every time. It is said that it's simply not possibly without being autistic or some such. I don't really know, but I feel like I associate with them both. I'll go back and read them when I'm less stressed out and try to figure me out again XD I like this sort of thing.

 

[Glordag]

http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=1733&highlight=function+preference

I couldn't find the specific thread, however, that's somewhat related, and that's what originally sparked the idea of ordering our own preferred functions based on our self-perceptions (I think most of the discussion was on IRC and fairly transient, so it'll be good to have a copy here of a similar thing. )

I don't remember specifically what I had thought before, but I do remember that I originally associated with having both Ti and Te in front, and I regularly test as INTX - almost exactly a 50/50 split on JvsP every time. It is said that it's simply not possibly without being autistic or some such. I don't really know, but I feel like I associate with them both. I'll go back and read them when I'm less stressed out and try to figure me out again XD I like this sort of thing.

I think the problem is that the "types" are only good as very vague, general guides. I think it's certainly possible to use any combination of the functions in any order of frequency, though the logic behind the dominant/auxiliary pair seems reasonable enough. I can imagine that you might transition between what Jung calls Ti and Te without even really thinking about it. I don't see why this should be impossible (though they do have some opposition).

 

[EyeSeeCold]

5. Introverted Feeling (Fi): Subjective Self-Expression - The majority of the time, I repress emotions. However, I have a distinct need to love another, and I tend to indulge and get lost in my subjective feelings when they do occur. For this reason, "emotional" creative outlets can be powerful for me.

I agree with this.

Back when I had that intense relation with an ESTP, I was the most selfless person you could ever meet. I remember offering to let her borrow my treasured headphones and ipod when we'd 'known' each other for a day or two.

I hesitate to create the atmosphere, though when it arises and I am sure that I am safe, I can reveal things about myself to such an extent that most other people would feel uneasy with.

I indulge in emotions also by way of music, especially songs with direct importance.

Also I think my ability/tendency to hold eye contact is exemplary of this.

 

[EvilScientist Trainee]

It's cool that we're now making a series of "<subject> and you". Anyways, i'll join this thread now. For me, it's something like:

Ni : I always feel like predicting what will come out of something, what someone is meaning implicitly when something is said and how will something develop in my mind (A.k.a: Simulating future conversations, events, etc)

Ti: I enjoy clearing the distinctions and develop clear understanding of a given subject. It helps me to define what's relevant to the understanding of the system and what's not.

Fe: I wish i could say Si here, but I can't. I'm always tuned with the harmony of an ambient. I'm the first to notice people falling apart, hostility and on the other end of the spectrum, people that seen to bond and the interactions that look real and those that are fake. I just don't deal with that by helping others, but helping myself to go through changes.

Ne: It's my humour function. Whenever i'm talking to someone, and want to make the ambient a bit better, i give off a random remark about something on the subject. It often revolves around puns, but can go off to crazy random scenarios (Like a person in a wheelchair perfoming tricks in a skatepark).

Spoiler

After i wrote that, i had to google it. It actually exists

Se: Even though i'm not completely aware of what i'm doing right here right now, people have already remarked that i notice a lot of detail in music. And sometimes, among my NP friends, i'm the first to notice something. But that just happens when i'm not daydreaming about something i've seen.

Fi: I like doing what i like for myself, but i'm not entirely sure about what i like. I mean, do I like it or i just think that i like it?

Si: I like "feeling good". But often don't know how to make myself feel good. I can't remember smells, voices, sensations, faces. And never used a manual for anything practical.

Te: I don't feel comfortable with doing things 'right'. I do it the way i believe will work. And also, i'm not good at telling cold truths, hate competitions and I procrastinate like a god.

I guess that's it. And by the way i just wrote it, i'm not really sure i'm INTP.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

 

[Glordag]

It's cool that we're now making a series of "<subject> and you". Anyways, i'll join this thread now. For me, it's something like:

Ni : I always feel like predicting what will come out of something, what someone is meaning implicitly when something is said and how will something develop in my mind (A.k.a: Simulating future conversations, events, etc)

Ti: I enjoy clearing the distinctions and develop clear understanding of a given subject. It helps me to define what's relevant to the understanding of the system and what's not.

Fe: I wish i could say Si here, but I can't. I'm always tuned with the harmony of an ambient. I'm the first to notice people falling apart, hostility and on the other end of the spectrum, people that seen to bond and the interactions that look real and those that are fake. I just don't deal with that by helping others, but helping myself to go through changes.

Ne: It's my humour function. Whenever i'm talking to someone, and want to make the ambient a bit better, i give off a random remark about something on the subject. It often revolves around puns, but can go off to crazy random scenarios (Like a person in a wheelchair perfoming tricks in a skatepark).

Spoiler

After i wrote that, i had to google it. It actually exists

Se: Even though i'm not completely aware of what i'm doing right here right now, people have already remarked that i notice a lot of detail in music. And sometimes, among my NP friends, i'm the first to notice something. But that just happens when i'm not daydreaming about something i've seen.

Fi: I like doing what i like for myself, but i'm not entirely sure about what i like. I mean, do I like it or i just think that i like it?

Si: I like "feeling good". But often don't know how to make myself feel good. I can't remember smells, voices, sensations, faces. And never used a manual for anything practical.

Te: I don't feel comfortable with doing things 'right'. I do it the way i believe will work. And also, i'm not good at telling cold truths, hate competitions and I procrastinate like a god.

I guess that's it. And by the way i just wrote it, i'm not really sure i'm INTP.

I didn't actually realize I copied the "and you" subject. It was probably a subconscious reproduction from having posted so much in the other thread.

This is an interesting function order. Fe third and Te last...wow.

It's interesting that you have Ni and Ti on top...that agrees partially with both sides of an argument a couple of us were just having about the dom/aux functions for INTP :P.

 

[EvilScientist Trainee]

I didn't actually realize I copied the "and you" subject. It was probably a subconscious reproduction from having posted so much in the other thread.

This is an interesting function order. Fe third and Te last...wow.

It's interesting that you have Ni and Ti on top...that agrees partially with both sides of an argument a couple of us were just having about the dom/aux functions for INTP :P.

Or perhaps i'm an INFJ. Or INFp, by Socionics.

I'm not entirely sure about INTP. I've also noticed that when i think i'm a feeler i feel hapier than when i think i'm a thinker. Probably some sort of bias, but i'll bite the bullet for believing i'm some sort of feeler.