Carl Jung’s theory of cognitive functions is a foundational aspect of his work in analytical psychology. He identified eight cognitive functions: mental processes through which we perceive the world and make decisions. These functions are paired with two attitudes/styles (extraversion and introversion), resulting in eight unique functions.
Perceiving Functions (How we take in information)
Sensing (S)
- Extraverted Sensing (Se): Focuses on real-time experiences, details, and the physical world. It’s highly aware of the immediate environment.
- Introverted Sensing (Si): Relies on past experiences and detailed memories. It draws on what has been previously known or experienced to inform the present.
Intuition (N)
- Extraverted Intuition (Ne): Explores the external world’s possibilities, patterns, and connections. It’s future-oriented and seeks potential in ideas and situations.
- Introverted Intuition (Ni): Focuses on internal insights and foresight. It synthesizes complex ideas and is oriented toward deep understanding and long-term vision.
Judging Functions (How we make decisions)
Thinking (T)
- Extraverted Thinking (Te): Organizes and structures the external world. It values efficiency, logic, and measurable outcomes, often focusing on productivity and systems.
- Introverted Thinking (Ti): Analyzes concepts internally, seeking logical consistency and deep understanding. It values internal frameworks and principles.
Feeling (F)
- Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Attunes to external harmony and the needs of others. It values social connections and strives to maintain group cohesion.
- Introverted Feeling (Fi): Focuses on personal values and internal emotional integrity. It makes decisions based on what feels authentically right according to one’s inner moral compass.
Attitudes (How we direct our energy)
- Extraversion (E): Directs energy outward toward people, objects, and activities.
- Introversion (I): Directs energy inward toward thoughts, ideas, and reflections.
Each person has a dominant cognitive function, a secondary (auxiliary) function, and a tertiary and inferior function. The interaction of these functions forms the basis of personality types in Jung’s theory, which was later expanded into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
In summary, Jung’s cognitive functions describe different ways of perceiving the world and making decisions, with each function operating in an extroverted or introverted manner. These functions are central to understanding individual personality differences.
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