The Foundations of Personality Typing
MBTI as a Typing Tool
MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) extends Jung’s theory using 4 dichotomies:
- I vs E – Introversion vs Extraversion
- N vs S – Intuition vs Sensing
- F vs T – Feeling vs Thinking
- J vs P – Judging vs Perceiving
Carl Jung’s Cognitive Functions
Jung identified 8 mental functions—ways our minds naturally take in information and make decisions:
| Function | Category | Orientation |
|---|---|---|
| Ni – Introverted Intuition | Perceiving | Inward-focused |
| Ne – Extraverted Intuition | Perceiving | Outward-focused |
| Si – Introverted Sensing | Perceiving | Inward-focused |
| Se – Extraverted Sensing | Perceiving | Outward-focused |
| Ti – Introverted Thinking | Judging | Inward-focused |
| Te – Extraverted Thinking | Judging | Outward-focused |
| Fi – Introverted Feeling | Judging | Inward-focused |
| Fe – Extraverted Feeling | Judging | Outward-focused |
Each person has a preferred “stack” of 4 functions that guide how they interact with the world, and 4 less conscious shadow functions.
The 8 Function Attitudes
- Ni – Symbolic insight, long-range vision, inner clarity
- Ne – Idea generation, spontaneous connections, mental exploration
- Si – Memory referencing, detail retention, internal stability
- Se – Present-moment awareness, sensory engagement, real-world action
- Ti – Internal logic, systematic thinking, mental frameworks
- Te – Efficiency, external execution, measurable outcomes
- Fi – Personal values, inner authenticity, emotional resonance
- Fe – Group harmony, emotional dynamics, interpersonal awareness
The Function Stack: Core to Personality Typing
Function Roles
| Position | Role |
|---|---|
| Dominant | The most used and natural function—your mental “home base” |
| Auxiliary | Supports and balances the dominant function |
| Tertiary | Less mature early on, develops over time |
| Inferior | Least conscious; often a source of stress or aspiration |
The 16 MBTI Types and Their Function Stacks
| Type | Dominant | Auxiliary | Tertiary | Inferior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTJ | Ni | Te | Fi | Se |
| INFJ | Ni | Fe | Ti | Se |
| ENTJ | Te | Ni | Se | Fi |
| ENFJ | Fe | Ni | Se | Ti |
| ISTJ | Si | Te | Fi | Ne |
| ISFJ | Si | Fe | Ti | Ne |
| ESTJ | Te | Si | Ne | Fi |
| ESFJ | Fe | Si | Ne | Ti |
| INTP | Ti | Ne | Si | Fe |
| INFP | Fi | Ne | Si | Te |
| ENTP | Ne | Ti | Fe | Si |
| ENFP | Ne | Fi | Te | Si |
| ISTP | Ti | Se | Ni | Fe |
| ISFP | Fi | Se | Ni | Te |
| ESTP | Se | Ti | Fe | Ni |
| ESFP | Se | Fi | Te | Ni |
Going Deeper: Function Dynamics & Patterns
Common Pairings
- Ti + Fe types care about truth and people’s emotions.
- Te + Fi types balance results with personal conviction.
- Ni + Se types juggle future vision with present experience.
- Ne + Si types explore new ideas rooted in what’s familiar.
Applications of Typing
- Personal growth: Identify your stress loops (e.g., Ni–Ti loop in INFJs)
- Career alignment: Align your work with your dominant functions
- Team building: Balance complementary functions for collaboration
- Typing public figures: Analyze speech patterns, decisions, and interviews
Conclusion
Jungian cognitive functions and MBTI offer a profound map of the psyche, not as labels, but as living processes of thought, perception, and action. By learning the functions and their interactions, you can better understand yourself and the people around you, with clarity, nuance, and compassion.