If I focus on developing and maturing one of my weaker functions, will its opposite suffer?

[Ostriker]

I've been wondering if there is only "so much" of your attention/focus to give to a certain aspect of your personality. For instance, between my two judging functions if I were 70% a thinker and 30% a feeler, and I attempted to developing my feeling function to 35% wouldn't my thinking then hold only 65%?

I understand that as you naturally mature with age all of your functions will ideally grow and strengthen. I'm just worried about "forcing it" and then losing some of the good stuff on the opposite end.

 

[DetachedRetina]

My gut says that there is some sort of law of diminishing returns.

I mean if you invest 100 hours into learning the guitar you will make a lot of improvement. The next 100 hours you will make a smaller amount of improvement but still a lot. After having played the guitar for 10,000 hours if you play for 100 more you might not gain that much.

I should think focusing on your weaknesses would be like learning a new instrument and focusing on your strengths would be like practicing an instrument you have already largely mastered.

 

[Jennywocky]

To answer this succinctly:

I think in generally it's a good thing to work on various aspects of your personality, to eradicate "holes" in your abilities and also provide more support to your "main functions."

However, I think as you get more well-rounded, the personality you're used to becomes more tempered. I found that when I allowed myself more freedom to feel and experience things without having to think about them, or just interact socially and prioritize aspects of those types of interactions, I actually perceived it on some level inside as "being stupider." I felt like my logic sense was blunted in some way.

Overall I felt more stable, and I felt like the change overall was positive; but think about it. Let's say an Se person who normally feels totally keyed into the environment starts exploring Ni style interactions; they automatically feel more removed from the actual environment, the world they're used to might seem mistier, the sensations more muted, etc. They can't help this; their attention is now being directed elsewhere -- to this "fuzzier" web of connection and insinuation, strands running between things rather than the things themselves. But it is not a bad thing for them to develop that side of their personality.

So if you are focused on one thing, that does reduce the amount of attention you have to focus on something else simultaneously.

I do also think that there is an energy drain (which you might be alluding to). Doing anything involves an expenditure of energy; and just like in RPG skill systems, skills you are adept at demand very little drain, while skills that you are untrained in demand a lot of energy investment at first for only a minor return.

 

[snafupants]

The functions work in conjunction with one another such that improving a weakness would likely spell a net gain for the tandem and, in turn, the overarching personality. The whole MBTI schema is overly reductionist though; improving areas in which you struggle (e.g., extraverted feeling) will make you a more consolidated and balanced person.

 

[Lobstrich]

Yes, if you start watching anime, for example. You will develop a strong F because of all the melodrama, crying, screaming etc. And you will stop being INTP.

Nothing further to add.

 

[Mello]

Yes, if you start watching anime, for example. You will develop a strong F because of all the melodrama, crying, screaming etc. And you will stop being INTP.

Nothing further to add.

You'll also turn gay.

 

[Lobstrich]

You'll also turn gay.

Unless you watch the anime without melodrama but with boobs.

 

[Philovitist]

Yes, if you start watching anime, for example. You will develop a strong F because of all the melodrama, crying, screaming etc. And you will stop being INTP.

Nothing further to add.

Mother of God! He's right!

 

[Roran]

Yes, if you start watching anime, for example. You will develop a strong F because of all the melodrama, crying, screaming etc. And you will stop being INTP.

Nothing further to add.

Oh shit.

 

[Mello]

Unless you watch the anime without melodrama but with boobs.

No anime like that exists, therefore still gay.

 

[Pyropyro]

I think it's best to devote minimum yet enough time and resources to weaknesses until they are in the passable level (let's say social stuff) and devote the rest of the energy on developing your strengths such as research and brainstorming skills.

Even the most brilliant mind would be useless if you can't translate its ideas to other people.

 

[Lobstrich]

No anime like that exists, therefore still gay.

I see, fair enough. All gay.

 

[Architect]

I was in that place for many years. Not sure how I came to it, probably due to being raised in an entirely S family (feeling and being told I was different and out of place), and I suspect INTP's are prone to self-confusion (Jung suffered from this and was a self described INTP). At any rate I did develop my Fe from an early age.

The advantage is that it opens you up to experiences and life in a way you won't get via Ti/Ne. The downside is the psychological stress and cost - mainly because it's energy draining. For me, in midlife, it presents the untypical situation that I'm needing to strengthen my core traits instead of inferior. In reality I don't need to strengthen them (they are naturally strong), I just need to encourage them and let them run free reign. Which they do pretty naturally.

Concrete example, due to my unsavory Se/Fe habits I earlier presented a good, normal face to the world. I was a 'team player', and managers sought me out because of my even temperament and ability to reduce conflict. By midlife I had a breakdown because of the psychological cost of that, and started to slouch into work in my worst clothes, act weird around upper managers, and refuse to do any activities involving being around other people outside of the normal work setting (travel, offsite meetings). Luckily I was established enough at that point that nobody cared.

Another example, I now work in a group comprised entirely of 'S' types. Entirely. Unconsciously I started to imitate them - you can't help imitating your peers to some degree. Eventually I blew up again as I was concentrating too much on the details and the trees for the forest.

So my answer is that it is like lifting dumbbells. You get stronger overall, but it doesn't generally weaken other functions. However you only have limited time and psychological energy, so time given to one function will give less space to another, while the native ability will remain constant.

 

[Polaris]

Like Architect, I spent years "fitting in" as my introvertedness was generally an unacceptable thing in my family (my mother's influence mainly ESTJ). I was forced into situations I generally would have avoided like the plague, and it actually made everything worse. I became more and more insecure and introverted as a result of being hammered all the time with the usual: "stop being so shy, there's nothing to be scared of!"...and: "you're just like your father!". Father is ISTP, I think.

I was pretty much told that all things abstract and slightly arty were bullshit, and to get a profession that would sustain me financially. (I was arty and inclined towards the more abstract things like philosophy, absurd and provocative literature and other "rebellious" directions in politics, religion, science....basically anything that would shake my mother's cemented views on the world).

So I conformed as I was convinced that it was me that was weird.

Picked the most unlikely profession and kept going until it nearly killed me. The money was good, I had status and all the rest....but I was going insane.

Basically played a role of ESFJ for years, just to please my surrounds. Or mostly, it turns out...my mother.

I finally tore myself away and stopped.

Just stopped everything I was doing. Applied for uni, got in....and here I am, doing what I always wanted to do. I rarely speak to my family anymore. They think I'm this bum. No money, no security, still single, childless.....

I do not care.

What did it do for me?

Architect's analogy is good. The bodybuilder. I have some impressive other-function muscles I can flex.....but it takes some effort.

Personally, I wish I had never changed. It was an "experience". Whether that experience did more good than anything is a different question I cannot yet answer.

 

[AureliaSeverina]

The functions work in conjunction with one another such that improving a weakness would likely spell a net gain for the tandem and, in turn, the overarching personality. The whole MBTI schema is overly reductionist though; improving areas in which you struggle (e.g., extraverted feeling) will make you a more consolidated and balanced person.

I've been thinking wouldn't an INTP with well-developed Fe actually be more logical (Ti) than one with underdeveloped Fe? As in: if they have virtually non-existent Fe, they are prone to go into Ti-Si loops. Their thinking would seem entirely logical to themselves for a while, but actually it would be based on fallacious assumptions. So if they were able to handle Fe-related things better, their thinking would also be more logical because it would be less based on assumptions that they only created to protect their Fe. Also, they could spend more time on Ti/Ne-ing more worthwhile and interesting topics.
But how to develop your inferior function without getting drained is an entirely different question.

 

[DetachedRetina]

Yeah I don't think you should ever sacrifice who you are, but it can't hurt to develop weaker sides of your personality. I agree with AureliaSeverina, it seems Ti needs Fe and Ne needs Si to some extent.

 

[xeno_girl]

Building all four functions in your cognitive stack is very healthy, especially if you develop them top to bottom. Developing the inferior can be tricky though, so proceed with caution. Here are some good articles addressing the issue:

http://personalityjunkie.com/myers-briggs-functions-inferior-function/

Trying to develop functions that are not in your cognitive stack is a waste of time (e.g. an INTP trying to develop Se or Te), because it will drain you. Here is a good video explanation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKEjK-7Za6A&feature=watch_response

PS All his videos are very helpful.

 

[intpz]

Trying to develop functions that are not in your cognitive stack is a waste of time (e.g. an INTP trying to develop Se or Te), because it will drain you.

Oddly enough, both Te and Ti are rated quite closely for me.

 

[pjoa09]

I don't like getting kicked in the balls and I still don't like getting kicked in the balls. Maybe my balls have hardened but I don't think I'd still like to get kicked in the balls.

 

[intpz]

I don't like getting kicked in the balls and I still don't like getting kicked in the balls. Maybe my balls have hardened but I don't think I'd still like to get kicked in the balls.

Reminds me the movies where huge guys get kicked in the balls and they don't even move...

 

[Sigma Octantis]

I honestly don't think that It would change who you are as a person AS LONG AS...

1. You understand what is happening around you.
2. You're well aware of the change that is happening at you.
3. Self reflection is a must.

Reflect through the day and see what you've learned.

that way, you've acquired something new and still managed to retain who you are.


I am an INTJ, feeling isn't normal for me. i sucked with expressing emotions and even appreciating people.

but because I've noticed that about my self, i wanted to be more expressive of my emotions.

sure, it rarely happens but when I do, i say it sincerely its not just the "you look good today." but its more of a "I appreciate who you are as a person and the things that you've done for me."

see the difference between the first and second compliment?

the second one seems more heart felt and the first one is just a casual "I wanna tap that ass." kind of remark.

so what im saying is, its great that you want to develop your weaknesses but do some self reflection as well.

 

[snafupants]

The quickest and surest route to self-development is paradoxically an abnegation of the self, which houses what's really making folks unhappy. Put personality and psychological semantics aside for a moment, and feel or at least contemplate someone else's pain and travail. This exercise promotes a more helpful impetus towards this idealized person than tortuous analysis ever promised.

 

[Chronomar]

To add to this question...

What if you are "in the middle" on one or more of the areas of your MBTI type? Does that effect the answer to the OP's question?

For example, I usually test strongly for "I" "N" and "T" but then somewhere at like 51% for the "P" (let the Pness jokes commence), so should someone like me be able to develop Se or Te or Ni or Fi to any extent?

Interestingly, when I did take a test just for the individual "functions" I did get a pretty even spread: high Ti AND Te, Ne AND Ni, Mid-levels of Si, Mid-Lowish Se, and Low Fe, very low Fi.

 

[MichiganJFrog]

Here is a good video explanation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKEjK-7Za6A&feature=watch_response

I like that one, too, especially the part where he talks about how INTJs hate "archiving and memorizing pointless details" by way of Si. I have finally figured out a way to get paid for doing exactly that. Not much, mind you, but finally being able to play to one of my strengths is compensation enough.

 

[Chronomar]

I like that one, too, especially the part where he talks about how INTJs hate "archiving and memorizing pointless details" by way of Si. I have finally figured out a way to get paid for doing exactly that. Not much, mind you, but finally being able to play to one of my strengths is compensation enough.

I hate memorizing the pointless details...but I think my bar for pointless is pretty low. Also, memorizing is such a funny word. Does it count if it's just a natural, "oh, yes, I remember that color of dirt and clay that is on my shoe, it is from by the park on the Eastern side", much like remembering that "the sky is blue" or that kind of thing, and not a "purposeful" memorizing?

I have a similar kind of memory for abstract concepts.

It is the fact information I cannot memorize for my life. Like, "How to do algebra". I have to learn that the long way, like practicing and getting used to it. It is only if it is some kind of environment thing that my memory kicks in.

Perhaps that is Si? Sounds like Si. Just wish it had worked with goddamn algebra. (method of loci saves me now in that area...I was just too stupid to think of applying it to math).

What job, Michigan J. Frog, have you found to utilize your talents?

 

[redbaron]

I don't see how it would make you any less capable of using your primary and secondary functions, but I don't see what you stand to gain by trying to be something you aren't.

Personally, I wish I had never changed. It was an "experience". Whether that experience did more good than anything is a different question I cannot yet answer.

This may seem like an obtuse question, but...

Do you mean you wish you hadn't tried to be more like you ESFJ influences in the first place? Or that you wish you'd stayed more in line with them to avoid being alienated from the people close to you?

I'm pretty certain you meant the former, but I'd like to know for sure

 

[MichiganJFrog]

I hate memorizing the pointless details...but I think my bar for pointless is pretty low. Also, memorizing is such a funny word. Does it count if it's just a natural, "oh, yes, I remember that color of dirt and clay that is on my shoe, it is from by the park on the Eastern side", much like remembering that "the sky is blue" or that kind of thing, and not a "purposeful" memorizing?

I have a similar kind of memory for abstract concepts.

It is the fact information I cannot memorize for my life. Like, "How to do algebra". I have to learn that the long way, like practicing and getting used to it. It is only if it is some kind of environment thing that my memory kicks in.

Perhaps that is Si? Sounds like Si. Just wish it had worked with goddamn algebra. (method of loci saves me now in that area...I was just too stupid to think of applying it to math).

What job, Michigan J. Frog, have you found to utilize your talents?

My official title is indexer, which means I take company documents, pull out the most important terms in them, and enter them in a database. I also write abstracts of those documents. In addition to that, I occasionally do some editing as well, and even tweak some graphics here and there (nothing fancy, mind you). I am much more comfortable working mostly behind the scenes than I ever was as a journalist, trying to think of questions to ask people on the spot, and then trying to keep up with their answers while simultaneously writing them down. It was extremely draining for me emotionally.

I never thought I would enjoy reading about things like value chain analyses and supply chain optimization, but for some reason I find I am totally obsessed with it. I think it just has to do with the nuts and bolts aspect of it, really understanding the foundations undergirding a larger superstructure.

I don't mind memorizing stuff as long as it's clear why I need to. At work, I understand that my livelihood basically depends on it, but I am also getting more and more interested in psychology mostly out of self-interest, so memorizing all the terms in that field makes sense to me. There has to be a passion behind it, almost a life-or-death dimension. I hate math, too, but I may actually try to get some grasp of it, because I'm reading a lot of studies these days, and I feel like I'm probably missing out on something because I don't understand statistics. Where this falls in the function stack, or if it's one of my weaker functions, I don't know. I just feel like I have to try.

 

[Vrecknidj]

My own life experience conforms to what Jennywocky posted.

Dave

 

[chatvite]

I do not believe your dominant or auxiliary functions will suffer if you try to develop your tertiary or inferior functions. You are talking nature vs. nurture. You are inherently who you are. If you type is true, it will only benefit you to become more well-rounded. Just know that it will never be true nature and under stress, you might revert in some of your tertiary and inferior functions.