Comprehensive Explanation of Cognitive Functions

by http://www.reddit.com/user/glabius

Hey guys, I've been meaning to write something like this for a while. I've been interested in
Myers Briggs for about 3 years, and its something that has always been on my mind. I've been
working on this post for a few days (and for a long time as I've thought about it).
I find MBTI interesting, useful, and eye-opening for a few reasons
1. Knowing that different people are different and why can help you relate better to others.
2. You can understand yourself better, and how you function.
3. You can use the information to get what you or a group wants by compromising to what
people want (because you actually know what people want now)
Now for some people are going to be skeptics. I've heard it all before, "A personality test cannot
define me!" "MBTI is just horoscopes!" and to a certain extent this is true. The tests that you will
find online are BAD Furthermore, the stereotypes you will find online are simply that,
stereotypical.
Of course the stereotype that relates to your type will be easy to fit into, but honestly a lot of the
stereotypes will be easier to see yourself as because they are generally positive reviews.
But the basis for MBTI, the function analysis, is very useful. And although people will say "these
personality tests are bull, everyone is different," I have personally NEVER found anyone who
does not fall into one of the 16 function orders. The fact of the matter is MBTI is NOT a specific
test. It measures TWO things, and two things only.
1. How do you perceive information from the world
2. How do you use that information to make decisions, in what way.
Since most people (all mentally stable individuals) fall into one of the 16 orders, you CAN make
"stereotypes" that will sound like those individuals, but there is DEFINITELY more to your
personality and character than that. But, the function order that MBTI gives us can REALLY
help us learn more about specific people.
In this I'm going to break down what the "letters" mean, and what each function means. You
can't learn JACK about MBTI until you have learned the functions. People get all caught up in
the letters when really they mean nothing. For example, people will say "Am I an ENTJ or
ENTP?" when an ENTJ and ENTP are almost complete opposites.

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How Intro/Extraversion and Judging/Perceiving

Affect Function Dominance
How the Letters Work
E/I Distinction - Are you an extrovert or introvert? Now, this is one thing that a lot of people get
caught up on ("I'm both!!") in terms of MBTI theory. This does not mean if you are social, not
social, or whatever.
Generally, in other personality theories (not MBTI) the E/I distinction means where you get your
energy from:
1. Can you feel restless when not interacting socially? Do you enjoy or are not bothered by
crowds of people? Are you energized by being around people? Probably extrovert.
HOWEVER extroverts that are socially awkward and have bad social experiences may
mistype themselves as introverts.
2. Do you like being around people, but more generally in smaller settings? Do you feel like
you need to recharge after being out with people? Do you feel uneasy sometimes if you
spend every day of a weekend out with groups of people? Probably an introvert.
Sometimes introverts will mistype themselves as extroverts because they are good socially.
Sometimes extroverts will mistype as introverts because they are socially awkward.
DESPITE all of these I/E shenanigans, it is not really important in terms of MBTI theory. For
example, an INTP and ENTP are actually quite similar, with just a difference in their function
orders. Don't worry too much about E/I.
P/J Distinction - This is another part that doesn't really mean what people think it means.
The common thinking is: P means that you're disorganized, spontaneous, spastic, type B. J
means you're organized, anal, Type A, always on time, etc. etc.
THESE STEREOTYPES OF P/J MEAN NOTHING. They are GENERALLY true, but that
doesn't mean jack; people just make this generalizations because it can apply to more people and
is easier to figure out what people are.
Now to the meat & potatoes part, the actual functions
So wait, why did you tell us about E/I and P/J distinctions?
The E/I Distinction and P/J Distinction are the letters that HELP aid your function ORDER.
There are 8 Total functions:
Perceptive Functions
Se: Extroverted Sensing
Si: Introverted Sensing

Ne: Extroverted iNtuition

Ni: Introverted iNtuition

Judging (or decision making) Functions

Te: Extroverted Thinking
Ti: Introverted Thinking

Fe: Extroverted Feeling

Fi: Introverted Feeling.

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How Intro/Extraversion and Judging/Perceiving

Affect Function Dominance
The E/I and P/J decide what ORDER theses functions go in. But really the only first 4 functions
matter (the other 4 are "shadow" functions, which come out during "stress" times, but it is just
speculative beyond that point and useless to know)
(Here is a good video about it: How to avoid Shadow Functions )
So how do E/I and P/J Work?
If you are an extrovert your first function is an extroverted function (makes sense right?) so
either, Te (extroverted thinking), Fe (extroverted feeling), Se (extroverted sensing), or Ne
(extroverted intuition).
If you are introverted, it is the opposite, your first function is the introverted versions of the
above, so Ti, Fi, Si, or Ni.
Well what about the P/J distinction?
If you are a "Perceiver" that means that your first extroverted function is one of the perception
functions. This means you deal with the outside world by first gathering
data/senses/information/perceptions. This is why people say P's are late, or not decisive. They
generally will prefer to take in more information first, rather than make decisions.
If you are a "Judger" then your first extroverted function will be the "decision making functions"
which are feeling or thinking. This means that rather than taking in more information, a judger
would prefer to make a efficient decision on what they already see. Whether it be Te (what is the
most logical efficient pathway) or Fe (how can I make efficient decision that helps how other
people feel).
Side Note
Introverts are dealt differently than extroverts. Lets say for example you are an INTJ. This means
that your first EXTROVERTED FUNCTION is your judging function (in this case, T,
Thinking). But you're an introvert, so Te can't be first. In this scenario (because like I explained
earlier) you will have Introverted iNtuition be your first function, and Extroverted Thinking will
be your second. Essentially an ENTJ and INTJ just flip the order between the 1st and 2nd
functions and the 3rd and 4th functions.
Last distinction on typing
Everyone uses all four types in one way (either introverted or extroverted) If you are a Thinker
primarily, you still have a feeling function - just in a later position. The same concept applies
to people who are feelers first.
Secondly, if you are have an introverted function for either S/N or T/F, you have the extroverted
function for the other one. In other words ALL introverted thinkers use extroverted feeling. All
introverted intuitors will be extroverted sensors.

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How Intro/Extraversion and Judging/Perceiving

Affect Function Dominance
Why, you ask? Why can't I be an introverted intuitor AND an extroverted intuitor? This is
because your functions work together. For example, Ne (extroverted intuition) is something that
draws upon new ideas and connections from already existing senses that are recalled (introverted
sensing). You can't be a Ne AND Se because these would be in direct conflict with each other.
The issues with people saying "Oh, my Fi is really high and Ti is really high! I'm a high Fi
ENTP" (ENTP is an introverted thinker). The reason people say this is because they are way to
focused on the stereotypes. Just because a person doesn't use Fi does not mean that they don't
have ethics (a common trait attributed to Fi) it just means they draw upon their ethics from Ti
and Fe instead.
The functions are NOT stereotypes, but certain features can be taken from certain functions to
show stereotypes that may apply to many people. MBTI is not that far reaching in determining
your personality. I repeat, and am going to emphasize:
MBTI theory is NOT your personality, it is your function order which determines how you
perceive the outside world, how you perceive data within your mind, how you make decisions on
the outside world, and how you make internal decisions.
So lets put all the function orders out with all the types:

Si Te Fi Ne (ISTJ)
Si Fe Ti Ne (ISFJ)
Ni Fe Ti Se (INFJ)
Ni Te Fi Se (INTJ)
Ti Se Ni Fe (ISTP)
Fi Se Ni Te (ISFP)
Fi Ne Si Te (INFP)
Ti Ne Si Fe (INTP)

Se Ti Fe Ni (ESTP)
Se Fi Te Ni (ESFP)
Ne Fi Te Si (ENFP)
Ne Ti Fe Si (ENTP)
Te Si Ne Fi (ESTJ)
Fe Si Ne Ti (ESFJ)
Fe Ni Se Ti (ENFJ)
Te Ni Se Fi (ENTJ)

See now why it makes no sense that someone would be in conflict between "Am I an ENTJ or
ENTP?" the types are TOTALLY different in terms of functions, and that is what is most
important. Your "personality" is determined by your function order.

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What the Perceiving Functions Do

So, I've been explaining all this stuff about how functions are so important, but what are these
functions?

Perceiving Functions:

Ne Extroverted intuition: (NPs more pronounced, first or second function, and SJs less
pronounced, third or fourth function)
Ne is outside of the box. It's ideas, and connecting them, and creating new ones from existing
ones. These are your people that have extreme entrepreneurial spirit and most likely radically
different and unique views on subjects. Ne dominants or auxiliaries (second function) will be
extremely good at understanding new environments. These people are bored easily, and won't
stick to something unless it can mentally challenge them.
here's some quotes: "extraverted intuition types might think they need to take a trip or begin a
completely new activity or make a lifestyle change to overcome a persistent feeling of psychological
discomfort, when in reality, getting a good meal and a good night's sleep would likely suffice."
And "extraverted intuition types enjoy meeting people who have unusual life experience or novel
thinking patterns and probing them for insights and inside information. They have a mental
"catalog" of their friends' and acquaintances interests and easily match up people who share
common interests and would enjoy learning from each other."
Ne doms will be able to juggle multiple ideas in their head with the possibility that they are all
true. It is an improvisation function, brainstorming function. etc. To create these new ideas from
new ideas and from pervious old ideas.

Ni Introverted Intuition (NJs more pronounced, first or second function, and SPs less
pronounced, third or fourth function)
Introverted intuition might be the hardest function to explain. It is intuitive similar to Ne, so it
will deal with more abstract ideas. Instead of creating new ideas through brain storming, Ni takes
different ideas and compares them (abstractly). The relationships between ideas tend to eliminate
ideas, rather than generate new ideas. With several competing ideas, the process ail often leave
only one "real" idea that passes.
Here's a good quote I found explaining Ni
Ni can also leave one with zero ideas: none of the ideas are "true." In this case, Ni starts
investigating the nearby "space of ideas" for similar ideas to those being investigated, looking for an
idea that is suggested by the original ideas, but will actually turn out to be true. In this case, Ni has
determined that all of one's assumptions are at least slightly false, and thus looks for a new, true
assumption.
Ni "gives you premonitions" by using the process as I outline above to look at what is true now
and in the past, and uses the relationships between many ideas to suggest a limited set of

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What the Perceiving Functions Do

probable outcomes, or even predict an unusual outcome by perceiving that an assumption is
incorrect and replacing it with a new, true assumption.
Ni doesn't exactly "randomly connect information." The process isn't random. There is a reason
that you are connecting the information. The feeling of randomness arises from the conclusions
often being surprising and ironically "non-intuitive." Especially in the case of Ni discovering
false assumptions, the new true assumption will imply things that could never have been derived
from the false assumption.
Similarly, Ni acts as that "metaphorical x-ray" by zeroing in on false assumptions, and
determining true assumptions that, in the case of an Fe user, would determine the true
motivations of others, or in the case of a Te user, would determine a truth about how a process
(natural or manmade) really works.
Ni is not mysterious in and of itself, but the way it works easily eludes explanation, because,
well, it's intuition, and intuition is full of guesses and hunches whose cause cannot easily be
addressed. However, the kinds of things it does can be understood after the fact, especially in the
INTJ case using Te: Ni quickly arrives at a correct solution, and Te can objectively analyze
initial data and assumptions, final data and correct conclusions, and show how the ideas all
relate. (With Fe, it tends to retain a mysterious character, because the observations are
subjective.)"
Good video comparing Ne and Ni

Se Extroverted sensing (SPs more pronounced, first or second function and NJs, less
pronounced, third or fourth function)
Se is a function that is used to fully experience the outside world. Se takes in relevant facts in a
concrete context from the outside world. Se users are very in touch with things that are literally
happening within their senses. Touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing. Se users are constantly trying
to get in more information from the physical world (similar to Ne, who are constantly trying to
get information from the abstract world). These people live completely in the moment.

Si Introverted Sensing (SJs more pronounced, 1st or 2nd function and NPs, third or fourth
function)
Introverted sensors take up about 60ish% of our population. Introverted sensing is the function
that takes relevant senses, and compares them with previous occurrences. This is why your SJ
types (introverted sensors) are the traditionalists. They are constantly comparing things and how
they used to be or how they should be. They say, "how does this compare to how it was before"
constantly.
Good video describing Si vs Se

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What the Judging Functions Do

Judging/Decision making functions:

Te Extroverted Thinking (TJs more pronounced, first or second function, and FPs less
pronounced, third or fourth function.)
The extroverted decision making functions are going to be about manifestation in reality.
Extroverted thinking is more: how can I make this work, how can I do this efficiently, what steps
can I use to do this in the best way. Te is about the results and how to achieve them. Te is about
using reliable methods to get predictable and noticeable results.

Ti Introverted Thinking (TPs more pronounced, first or second function, FJs less
pronounced, third or fourth function.)
Introverted thinking is much more about consistency, analysis of all the little ideas, and
comparing them to other ideas and processes to determine what is valid and what isn't. Ti is
looking for the actual deep logical truth, to get to the very core of what something is logically. Ti
is about finding the exact word or phrase or thought processes to explicitly explain what
something is and why. Ti will look at different sides of an issue and determine where the logical
inconsistencies are.
Here is a good video comparing Ti and Te

Fe Extroverted Feeling (FJs more pronounced, first or second function, and TP s less
pronounced, third or fourth function.)
Deals with emotions, but in an outward way. Fe will show in its need to have other people
around them to be happy. Fe users will be happy when the people around them are happy. These
are people that are likely to be quite good with group situations, working together, or in
situations where they are helping people. Extroverted feelers (especially FJs). Fe will manifest
itself in ways such as cheering people up, making compromises to make everyone happy, Fe is
more like sympathy whereas Fi is more related towards empathy.
The differences between Fe and Fi are similar to Te and Ti. Fe is more practical and efficient
about feelings. It's about seeing tangible results in others and yourself in a group being happy. Fi
on the other hand will be more absolute, and about internal feelings and consistency.

Fi Introverted Feeling (FPs most pronounced, first or second function, TJs, less pronounced,
third or fourth function.)
Fi is more about ethics, internal emotions, and how they relate their internal feelings and
harmony with the world. It will be more absolute. Just how Ti checks the logical constancy with

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What the Judging Functions Do

internal logic, Fi checks the emotional and value driven consistency with personal feelings. You
will find Fi users will want to make decisions based on how it will interact with how they feel
internally, rather than how it would make others feel around them (Fe). Fi is a type much more
likely to do what THEY personally feel that they want to do, whereas an Fe type might do
something even if they don't want to because it will make others feel better.
Fi is also another function quite hard to describe like Ni, but here is a good link.
Rounding things out, here is doctorjuice1's last comparison video, for Fi and Fe
----------------------------------------------

So now that we've given a pretty apt description of the functions. How
can we use this to type people, relate to people, etc. etc.?
The good thing is that the BEST way to type people is function by function. Read all the
stereotypes you want on the internet, this might help somewhat just because its more knowledge
about the system, and just lets you learn more in general. but if you really want to be able to
type people accurately, you need to learn the functions
So what are good ways to discover peoples functions??

How to notice certain functions

A note before I write some descriptions to notice the functions is that its good to remember that
certain functions always work together. If you have Te, you are an Fi user. If you are an obvious
Se user, then you definitely have Ni. This is good to know because it will let you eliminate
certain possibilities. If you are POSITIVE that someone uses Se, then you will know that they
are NOT a NP or SJ type.
Also One thing you will notice is that extroverted functions will generally be easier to notice,
because they are extroverted in nature. When you can find the most dominant functions that
someone uses, (first and second) you can tell their type to an accuracy, because of the pattern it
follows (last function is opposite of primary function, second function is opposite of third
function).

Learning the functions is the #1 important thing, and with typing people it only gets easier
because you can start to notice how functions manifest more and more.

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How to Recognize / Identify Perceiving Functions

Ne Dominants/Auxiliaries, Extroverted intuition.
Myers-Briggs letter xNxP

INFP (fi) , INTP (ti), ENFP (fi), ENTP (ti)

These people will be VERY open to new ideas. They will want to try ALL possibilities, in an
abstract way. They may have a harder time making a specific decision because there are multiple
good options. These people will always want to have their mind mentally challenged with new
perspectives. Most likely to have RADICAL and UNIQUE views (which makes sense because
its the opposite function of Si, the realistic and traditional function). Ne doms will seem more
excitable than their Ni counter parts. These will be people that will point out things and
connections that most have never noticed. Ne will be about many ideas, and not necessarily
following through, but will enjoy entertaining the thought.
Ne will always combine with Fi or Ti. So if you are an Ne dom, you are Ne-Ti or Ne-Fi. If you
are introverted and Ne, you are either Ti-Ne or Fi-Ne.

Ni Dominants/Auxiliaries, Introverted intuition

Myers-Briggs letter xNxJ

INFJ (Fe), INTJ (Te), ENFJ (Fe), ENTJ (Te)

Ni doms will be abstract, similar to their Ne counterparts, but will generally be more calculated
and orderly. These people will be quite a bit more stubborn than your Ne counterparts, but will
get along with Nes (who are very open) because they are both abstract thinkers/feelers. They will
tend to stick with one idea rather than many. It's about creating the perfect idea, and finalizing it.
Ni is always combined with either Fe, or Te.

Se Dominants/Auxiliaries, Extroverted sensing

Myers-Briggs letter xSxP

ISTP (ti), ISFP (fi), ESTP (ti), ESFP (fi)

Se doms are VERY noticeable. These people love sports (generally) and physical experiences.
They will be more concrete than Ne users, but equally as zany. They will enjoy thrills in a
physical sense. They will be your athletes, drug users, partiers, most likely to be more sexual. Se
users are likely to walk kind of with a strut, experiencing the physical world as they go about it.
These people will be about physical self expression. They will be somewhat traditional like Si
users, because they deal with what they can experience and see, but they will still not follow the
rules. These are people that want to GO GO DO. Se will always be combined with either Ti, or
Fi.

Si Dominants/Auxiliaries, Introverted sensing

Myers-Briggs letter xSxJ

ISTJ (Te), ISFJ (Fe), ESTJ (Te), ESFJ (Fe)

Si types are going to seem focused, traditional, and realistic. They are much less about
experiencing things than Se types. These people are probably THE EASIEST to notice, because
they will go along with what is traditional, what they're used to, and the "right" way to do things.
They will enjoy being in positions where they can follow routine and what they're used to. These
are your typical managers, or caretaker teacher types for good reason. Si will always be
combined with Te or Fe.

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How to Recognize / Identify Judging Functions

Te Dominants/Auxiliaries, Extraverted thinking
Myers-Briggs letter xxTJ

ISTJ (si), INTJ (ni), ESTJ (si), ENTJ (ni)

Te is noticeable in that these people will want to get things done. They want a certain goal in
action, they like making decisions and doing things based on a efficient pathway. They see the
world working like a system in a certain way, and they want to use some sort of logical system
that has physical results. These people will generally be your managers, and CEOs types. They
want to create an efficient system that has logical results that are noticeable. They will
manipulate their environment logically to create a result. Te doms will talk WITH you, rather
than to you, so if we do this, this, this. They won't stop really to think about what they're saying,
the words come together as they talk. Te is always combined with either Ni or Si.

Ti Dominants/Auxiliaries, Introverted thinking

Myers-Briggs letter xxTP

ISTP (Se), INTP (Ne), ESTP (Se), ENTP (Ne)

Ti is more about does this thought, idea, or logical process agree or have consistency with my
internal logic. It is much more drawn out, expansive, and trying to get to the root of the idea.
You will notice this in people that will go inside their head, think about what they will say, then
say what they were saying (especially when explaining something). Ti is a bit more abstract than
Te, and will be about getting to the core, to the truth. Ti users will generally have a long term life
analysis that they are constantly going through, to connect their world to fit in their own system
of logic. Ti can seem more idealistic and specific, whereas Te is just looking for a result. Ti users
will like to look at all the factors that go into something and probably talk about it. They want to
find the truth by combining all the logical thought processes. Ti is always combined with either
Se or Ne.

Fe Dominants/Auxiliaries, Extraverted feeling

Myers-Briggs letter xxFJ

ISFJ (si), INFJ (ni), ESFJ (si), ENFJ (ni)

Fe doms are going to be your care takers, people who like to bring others together, generally nice
people. They like to make people feel better. More likely to be generous to others, (can I get you
a glass of water?), these people will want to help, and be variable to peoples emotions. Fe doms
will want to cheer people up, make people around them feel happy. Fe people will have animated
facial expressions, smile at people, they want others to be happy.

Fi Dominants/Auxiliaries, Introverted feeling

Myers-Briggs letter xxFP

ISFP (Se), INFP (Ne), ESFP (Se), ENFP (Ne)

Fi doms will be much less animated than their Fe counterparts. They will generally have a more
straight face, less smiley. Their smiles will seem more forced. They will make decisions based
on how they internally feel, and you'll find that they will generally do what they want regardless.
These people will be more artistically inclined, actors, musicians, artists.

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