The "other 4" I/E function combinations

[levity]

Hi all,

So I've recently gotten into Jungian typology and have been reading up on the different concepts somewhat at random. And there's one thing I've been wondering about that I haven't seen explained at all.

So one's four-letter type code breaks down into four functions, e.g. INTP => Ti Ne Si Fe. What, if anything, can be said about a person thus typed, in relation to the other four combinations, i.e. Te, Ni, Se, Fi?

 

[Beat Mango]

Well one excludes the other. By definition, if you're thinking introvertedly, then you can't be thinking extrovertedly simultaneously. You are engaging in the act of thinking, and you can do so in an introverted or extroverted fashion, or anywhere in between on the spectrum.

Also, thinking excludes feeling, and intuition excludes sensing.

So here's how it works: you first perceive the world, either through iNtuiting or Sensing. You then process that perception and react to it, either by Thinking or Feeling. You can do so in a broad way (extroversion) or deep way (introversion).

The functions are not thing-in-themselves.

 

[Architect]

Those are called the "shadow functions". Some people don't believe they exist, I firmly believe and observer that they do exist, but generally people "use them and leave them" as much as possible. For example, an INTP has Se in their stack. While INTP's are commonly oblivious to the world around them, clearly they can "take in details in a concrete, literal way" when necessary. It's just that most of the time we don't bother as our energy doesn't channel that way.

It's interesting to compare the inferior to the shadow. In many ways the shadow functions will be stronger than the inferior, because the inferior is in such a weak, special position (it holds power over us). Thus with an INTP you can see the paradoxical situation where we can experience and consider deep emotions (Fi shadow) but are horrible at expressing them (Fe inferior)

 

[SpiralHacker]

They're not used much and will be developed only to the extent you practice them, but that will be difficult for you and they are less automatic.