Got a question for either of you; how do i tell the difference between Fi-dom and Fe-inferior in ISXPs? Thanks :)
Hello, patient human. It’s been a few days, we’re sorry.
Fi and Fe work rather differently, but sticking to your question as much as possible I can compare dominant Fi vs. dominant Ti on the one hand and inferior Te vs. inferior Fe on the other.
Like ISFPs, ISTPs’ dominant function is introverted, which means they focus their attention primarily inwardly. Ti, like Fi, is a judging function and hence its aim is ‘deciding’ rather than ‘gathering information’.
As a dominant function, Fi manifests as the need to act according to one’s own values, based on how they feel about the information at hand. Dominant Fi users usually have a strong moral compass, their thought process is directed inwardly and their feelings about current situations affect their decisions enormously. The perfect example of an ISFP in fiction is Harry Potter.
Dominant Ti is expressed as the need to figure out the logic of the perceived information and beyond. It identifies logical patterns and analyses them. High Ti users enjoy figuring out how exactly everything works and how it can be related to everything else. The first example of an ISTP that comes to my mind is Aragorn (LOTR).
Inferior Te usually manifests as a struggle to set plans into motion. As much as they may not feel like they are apathetic, inferior Te users can find it difficult to ‘come down to earth’ and actually engage with actions. IxFPs often have many goals that they want to accomplish, but can see themselves struggling to complete (or even start) them.
As an INFJ, I find inferior Fe funny. High Fi/Fe users may have a hard time with IxTPs and their lack of… delicacy. It is often useful to remember that they probably didn’t mean any harm. Immature types with an inferior Fe may find themselves being reluctant to express emotional issues since they think cannot make logical sense.
I hope this helps, if you were looking for more tangible differences between the ISFP and the ISTP types, don’t hesitate to ask.
@cralmaia-loves-to-dream asked: “I just have a small question: is it possible to alternate between the order of cognitive functions? like, sometimes I can be overwhelmed by my Fe, and sometimes completely discard it and start working with my Ti. is this a thing or maybe is because I’m still growing up with my personality? also if you could guys, would explain cognitive functions a little more? I till feel lost about it…
And thanks, I really love your works!!! keep it up, guys!
-not an evil freak” ---------------------------------- Hello, our wonderful friend. Thanks for the appreciation and for the patience.
We’ve been having this sort of questions lately. Shortly, your type will always be the same throughout your life and hence the order of the Jungarian functions. The first two functions are the most visible and crucial in the individual’s personality. One is always extroverted in the other one introverted, being the dominant function introverted for introverts (Ixxx types) and vice-versa in the case of extroverted types (Exxx). Another interesting fact about the functions is that not only the introverted-extroverted aspect is alternated, but also the perceiving-judging trait. Perceiving functions are sensing (Si and Se) and intuition (Ni and Ne), whereas feeling and thinking are judging functions. Now on to your example: As an INFJ, your dominant function is an introverted and perceiving function, Ni. The intangible nature of Ni needs the support of its auxiliary (Fe) and often its tertiary function (Ti). This is pure speculation, but I believe to have observed a tendency in more mature INFJs to have a really strong Ti. Especially for a tertiary function. Other types, such as ESTJs that I know, seem to have a rather weak tertiary Ne. Again, this is just a pattern that I think I have identified and it might just be pure coincidence. Nonetheless, I do think that you, in particular, have indeed a strong Ti. That makes you a rather logic-based INFJ and hence it is normal that you detect a higher use in your Ti, especially if your Fe goes a little bit too over the top from time to time. It doesn’t mean that your auxiliary and tertiary functions have switched, it is just a sign of your Ti being strong and you being healthy :). Hope this helps and all the best, – an evil freak for sure.
INTJ: You think of the best option taking others’ feelings and collective morals into consideration, then you verify if it makes sense logically before you intervene. INTJ: I immediately think of the most direct logical solution to a problem, but I check if it is in accordance with my inner morals before I act. INFJ: That’s why I seem more quick-tempered before taking action and you seem more withdrawn.
Is it possible for people to be 'blends' of two different types? Some people claim to be but that doesn't really make sense to me. I know some people have better developed auxiliary, tertiary and so on functions so maybe that makes some people get confused and identify as more than one?
Hello anon! I agree with you, I don’t think it makes much sense. Someone might be undecided between two types, but that scenario makes me think that they haven’t been typed in a conclusive way, I don’t think you can be more than one type at the same time unless you have more than one mind.
There are some confusions that I can understand (x must coincide in each case):
—-
[ I’m praying to the pagan deities that I got this right. I think I did, please excuse me if it’s not the case and message us]– INTJ.
The functions in their head:
Ti: is sitting with their head in their hands Ne: is breaking a chair on a table Si: *frantically looks around* Fe: is screaming at a fire that somehow started
Ni: *Screams the reasons why it is the end of the world and their honor*.
Te: *Tells everyone to shut the fuck up while trying to correct the mistake*.
Fi: *Stabbing itself*.
Se: *Frantically looking around*.
Hello! I am the anon whom you guessed as an ISTP hahahaha (the one being competitive and likes to talk about his thoughts). I am actually an INTJ, by the way. Anyway, I am curious why xSTP types are also correlated to competition? I also saw a post from another blog that they also correlate competition with xSTP. I thought it's Te and Fi related? I want to know your insights about this. Thank you!
Okay, okay, I’ve been thinking about this one (and I unironically thank you so much for that). Because it’s true, I highly associate ISTPs with being competitive, but, just as you alluded, it’s very different from the way other types such as INTJ (basically Te and also Fi) compete.
I think it’s a matter of high Ti vs. high Te.
Te as the pragmatic function that it is, wants to see results.
They take shit very seriously, hence their competitiveness is vehement, structured, rigid. Tertiary and inferior Fi also promote it, but quite differently:
Ti doesn’t care about any of that. Ti wants to mess with your head. Will they be competitive? Sure, but rather than concrete results, they strive to achieve a certain degree of inner logic and they want this logic to defeat the external world in general and your internal world in particular, they want to have an effect on both of them.
Excuse my divagations, feel free to share your thoughts, I’d love to read it.
– INTJ
Hi! So whenever I do a cognitive function test I either get Te or Ni as my dominant function and the others all align with intj and entj but in general when I read about Ni I don't really feel like I use it all that much which is kind of weird but maybe I do it subconsciously. Is that possible?
Hi back! An important difference between introverts and extroverts is that Ixxx have an introverted dominant function and Exxxs’ dominant function is extraverted.Since introverted functions (such as Ni) happen “inside our heads”, they are more difficult to identify and be spotted.The consequence is that in introverts their auxiliary (which is extraverted) is more visible than the dominant. People can’t really see an INTJ using Ni, but they can see them taking action, working, ordering the outside world (using Te).
Ni is a perceiving function, hence it has to do with the way you collect information. I read that Ni is the only cognitive function that easily taps into the unconscious. In fact, Ni is the only perceiving function that is not under conscious control.
If you don’t feel identified with Ni, that’s a whole other issue, I guess. Although it is a little weird if you tend to get high use of Ni in your results. You can either try other cognitive tests or read more about Ni. I can try to summarise information about Ni if you wish.
Thanks for asking! – INTJ
Pleasant morn (or eve)! Thank you for answering my "ask" on the INFJ and ENTJ interaction a few days back. If it's not too much of a bother, though, would it be all right if you, erm, write an analysis on the dynamics of a possible relationship between the two? I've always encountered negativity in posts about them; I do believe, however, that they are more compatible than we think. Every human's individual uniqueness aside, what say you about them together in terms of their cognitive functions?
Good morning (or whatever time is applicable to your location)!INFJ wrote that last conversation, so I think I’ll answer this one myself.I was really unaware of this INFJ + ENTJ relationship’s 'bad fame’, but I can’t really find many arguments that support it, to be honest. Since you want the cognitive functions approach, I’ll just directly go for the reasons why I think they can be compatible:
Like all intuitives, both of them are very interested in abstract concepts and ideas, but I think INFJs are more prone to live in a closed world of thought. And here is when ENTJ’s dominant Te makes its appearance. Te is a pragmatic and an executive function, its main purpose is to take action. This trait can be extremely beneficial for INFJs (especially for more withdrawn or defeatist ones), as long as the influence is healthily directed.
Te is also a judging function, used to make decisions, whereas Ni is a perceiving function. I find this contrast to be very complementary. Dominant Ni is used to having insights and hunches that frequently turn out to be correct, a trait that the ENTJ will find very enriching. At the same time, ENTJ will also have a strong Ni, but as an auxiliary function this intuitive knowledge is used by ENTJs as tool to achieve whatever they are working on.
Now on to Te + Fe. ENTJs as extraverted thinkers tend to be objective, logical and (when healthy) fair individuals. INFJs value fairness more than any other type I have seen and a perception of equilibrium in the relationship is very important to them. On the other hand, ENTJs’ inferior Fi usually manifests as a distrust of feelings and as a fear of being perceived as ‘weak’. INFJ’s strong emotional intelligence will probably help the ENTJ feel more comfortable expressing and handling emotions. – INTJ
Hey, I'm an ENTP and I have a question. I have this thing where I see how ENTP's are described, and it bothers me? Especially the descriptions of ne, and how it's different from Ni. You two are Ni-Doms, so could you explain it to me? From what I understand, Ni is seeing things without knowing why (or something like that), and Ne is seeing all the possibilities. I feel like that since a young age, I've had to learn how to see different ways things can go, to get through life, y'know? [1/2]
[2/2- same anon] And I feel like I have had to teach myself that as a skill, or rather to the way it is now. Another thing I just crave (probably Ti), is that I want ideas to be consistent with what is possible, and practical. Sometimes I get like pissed off when my friends get off task when we’re behind on shit, and they’re goofing off. I’ve started to digress. But anyway, that’s my context, and I guess I’m kind of wondering what Ni truly is and if it’s something I’d have? Or if I’m really entp.——————————–
Hi, anon!Oh, but the ENTP is such a great type! And Ne dom never ceases to amaze me. I’ll go straight to the explanation + comparison between dominant Ne and Ni.
Both are constantly looking for motives, causations, roots and origins behind the details, but they work in a very different way:
Ni Ni does it by focusing on how these causes are applicable to a single matter that they’re working on. It’s possible to say that Ni looks for the most probable or reliable idea and then simplifies it to its core in order to work on it. Ni dom users normally focus on few specific goals, they are constantly looking for patterns and principles that can determine the utmost trustworthy course of action. How they work on it depends on the auxiliary function:- In INTJs, Te uses this information to take action employing the most efficient and direct method available. Te aux is a pragmatic and executing function. - In INFJs, Fe is not as pragmatic, it’s more focused on communicating these ideas and thoughts, taking collective values into account.
NeAs a dominant function, Ne is looking for more causes, principles and origins behind the details and identified ideas. It recognises a deluge of possibilities and it wants to explore them all. For this reason, Ne users jump from one idea to the next; one concept makes them think of something else (the idea of the “scattered brain”). Again, how this is developed depends on the auxiliary function: - In ENTPs, auxiliary Ti uses its internal logic to pick the most consistent idea. It identifies how the logical system existing in the outer world can be exploited to work to their best interest. - In ENFPs, auxiliary Fi helps its user identify which of these possibilities is more connected to its inner values.
Ni vs Ne
Ni: connects existing ideas.Ne: creates new ideas.
Ni: single focus. Ne: multi focus. Ni: simplifies one idea to its core –> focused on depth.Ne: wants to explore all possibilities –> focused on profusion.
Ni: grabs one idea and works with it –> focused on probability.Ne: explores all ideas and adds new information –> focused on possibility.
How are you so good at guessing types?
This made me laugh so much.
Okay, I fail a lot. We get messages of people saying “I’m actually a P, not a J”, “you guys always guess INFJ or INTJ” (we are quite egocentric, perhaps). And INFJ is much more chill than me (I can take everything too seriously, this silly games included) but I was the one starting this game so I keep it going because she’s not always in the mood for guessing. Now, to be honest, we are very good at guessing types in real life. All of our friends and mutual acquaintances are already typed by us; sometimes we are together in a group and she gives me this look like “this person is obviously an XXXX” and I agree silently. Why are we good? We have aaa~always been very observant. I think we dived into this pseudoscientific psychological theory because we like to understand everything and having categories that make sense come in very handy. We naturally observe and analyse people + we’ve read a lot on MBTI theory + I’ve read a lot on cognitive functions + INFJ is an expert in archetypes. Is this what you were curious about? Otherwise feel free to submit again. Thanks for asking!– INTJ
I've always been an INTJ on the MBTI test (via 16personalities)- however I decided to redo it. And this time around I've landed on INFJ. There's a lot there that's relatable. But one thing bothers me. I am not that emotional when it comes to me. When it comes to others, yes. Logic sometimes drifts, because I feel like I have to work on compassion in relationships. But when the focus on me, I'm 100% logical and take a rational approach. Can these co-exist? And would that fall under INTJ or INFJ?
Welcome to the blog!Let’s try to define your type once and for all! =)
Here is another test that works similarly to 16personalities: http://www.quistic.com/personality-type/test . Fun fact: this is the one that made us question that my INFJ here was not an INFP after all.
The thing about 16personalities (as much as I’ve used it in the past as a tool for character description when I write) and these sort of tests is that they are too binomial. They rely only in binary choices (you’re either one option or the other, eg. Feeling or Thinking) and in cases where this differentiation is not sharp enough (your F vs. T), it can end up sorting you into different types, which is what happened here.
Since I only want to recommend you sites that I’ve used, I can only suggest this one: http://www.keys2cognition.com/explore.htm I find it useful but difficult to answer for some reason. Plus, it sometimes types me as ENTJ because of my strong Te, but I’m positive that my dominant function is Ni and that I’m an introvert.
Let’s be honest, this is my favourite option. Why rely on tests when you can read the theory, understand it yourself and apply it on your own?Since I don’t want to bore you with too much technical information, I’ll just mention the most important points. INTJ and INFJ have similar functions:
Basically both types share the same dominant and inferior functions. Our work here is to see wether your auxiliary function is Te (INTJ) or Fe (INFJ). Both Te and Fe are extraverted and perceiving functions. This means that: a) they are focused on the outer world and its events; b) they are used in the process of decision-making. Now let’s spot their differences:
Te (extraverted thinking) – used by INTJ as the auxiliary function
Te uses objective facts when making decisions about the external world.It values structural order and consistency, it tries to understand and organize the environment and its elements.
Fe (extraverted feeling) – used by INFJ as the auxiliary function
Fe strives for interpersonal peace. Fe users are good at understanding the needs of others as well as their feelings, motivations, etc. It is generally based on collective rather than individual values.
I think the best hint to see wether you are a Te or a Fe user is analyzing how you make decisions.
This has nothing to do with having feelings or not. I can be a very emotional being (a fact that surprises many people for some reason). I have emotions as a result of the situations that I am in and its circumstances, I just don’t act on them. My decision making process is based on what I believe is the best option and not the one that feels like the best one. The difference might sound subtle but it is not. It also has a lot to do with your priorities.
Note: this is a subjective comparison between two specific individuals (me and the INFJ moderator of this blog) based on my own observations. What applies to us does not necessarily apply to other INTJs and INFJs.
Priorities: – INFJ: values the option that is most likely to assure emotional stability, well-being, feeling safe, comfort, their own happiness or the happiness of others.– INTJ: values the option that is most likely to assure success (whatever definition it might have for each individual), what is better for the long-run no matter how unpleasant.
Orientation:– INFJ: emotion-oriented (”I don’t feel like doing this”) –INTJ: duty-oriented (”So what?”)Emotional support: – INFJ: is a very good listener. Offers both real emotional support and ways to deal with it (focusing on the first one). – INTJ: tell them your problems and they’ll help you deal with them and take action. Don’t expect any other kind of support (”why are people telling me this if they don’t want to deal with it? What’s the purpose of useless whining?”)
Socialisation: Imagine this situation: INFJ and INTJ are in any sort of social event and they want to leave. – INFJ: can’t leave because “what if someone gets upset”. – INTJ: “lol, bye”.
Guilt:– INFJ: “If someone feels upset because of something I said, it’s probably my fault”. – INTJ: “If someone feels upset because of something I said, it’s probably their problem”.
Please let us know if there’s any point in particular that you want us to analyse more in depth.
– INTJ
Hi! I'm the anon who's practicing five languages (btw it's Dutch (native), English (I'm somewhat fluent) French, German and japanese) and you kind of got my type right. I tend to split between intj and intp becuase I'm usually organized but are a horrid procrastinator. I'd also like to be Tumblr friends I need more lol. BTW, I know the cognitive functions of intj and intp are completely different. :)
Hi! Nice to read you again. I also used to think that I was not organized or efficient enough for being an INTJ, but apparently that’s just another INTJ cliché added to my list. I’ve also read that it is a very INTJ thing to procrastinate a lot; so just from that I’d say you sound pretty INTJ to me. INTPs are, from what I’ve seen (and I’m apparently inclined to that type in real life) pretty comfortable with those traits. They do what they have to do in their random energy spikes and don’t worry too much about how organized they are according to themselves.
INTP and INTJ have indeed very different cognitive functions. The best way to guess your type would be to see wether you are a Ni or Ne and Te or Ti user.
Ni vs Ne:
Ni (INTJ) connects ideas that already “exist” that’s why its users tend to be good at finding patterns and conclude the most-likely-to-happen scenarios.
Ne (INTP) works quite differently, it comes up to “new” ideas that it easily elaborates.
Te vs Ti:
As an extraverted function, Te (INTJ) is more focused on the outside world. It tries to understand and organize the environment and its elements, that’s why I call it my get-stuff-done function. A good hint to see if you are a Te user is wether you get big satisfaction from completing your tasks, organizing schedules, etc. Compared to my INTP flatmate, I can see how scheduling is a stressor for him while it is a very calming activity to me. This has nothing to do with the level of success that you get from this, nor with your organizing and efficiency skills.
Ti (INTP) is introverted and it strives to achieve some degree of inner logic. Another characteristic that I have perceived comparing me to my flatmate is that his reasoning is inductive (he comes up to ideas and conclusions and then he observes if they are in fact true or not) whereas I am a deductive thinker, I observe the environment and I elaborate my conclusions afterwards, based on those observations.
Let me know if this is helpful, otherwise we can work on Fi vs. Fe and Se vs, Si.
Well done on your work! 5 languages is a lot, you knowledgable human. Feel free to send us messages in case you want to chat.
– INTJ.
INTJ: My Te’s fuel is finally here.
INFJ: Was that your get-shit-done function?
INTJ (happy): Mhm.
INFJ: Oh, that fancy coffee your grandma sent you has finally arrived.
INTJ (happier): Mhm.
