Personality Typing with Jungian Cognitive Functions: A Comprehensive Guide

If you have ever been fascinated by the nuances of human personality, Carl Jung’s cognitive functions offer a rich and structured way to make sense of it all. By understanding how different types think, process information, and interact with the world, you can learn how to “type” someone. This process involves identifying their personality based on these functions. This guide will walk you through the fundamental concepts that help make typing possible.

The Dichotomies

Jungian psychology distinguishes between four central dichotomies that define how individuals perceive and engage with the world:

• Intuition (N): Intuition focuses on patterns, possibilities, and abstract ideas. Intuitives are future-oriented and often interested in theories and concepts beyond what is immediately observable.
• Sensing (S): Sensing refers to taking in information through the five senses and focusing on what is concrete and tangible. Sensors are detail-oriented and prefer dealing with practical, real-world experiences.
• Thinking (T): Thinking involves making decisions based on objective criteria, logic, and analysis. Thinkers prioritize truth and fairness, often making decisions with their heads rather than their hearts.
• Feeling (F): Feeling involves making decisions based on values and considering the impact on others. Feelers prioritize harmony, empathy, and maintaining relationships, often making decisions based on what feels right.
• Judging (J): Judging refers to a preference for structure, organization, and planning. Judgers like to have decisions made and prefer a sense of control and predictability in their environment.
• Perceiving (P): Perceiving involves a preference for flexibility, spontaneity, and openness. Perceivers are adaptable, often enjoying new opportunities and keeping their options open.

1. Introversion (I) vs. Extraversion (E)
2. Intuition (N) vs. Sensing (S)
3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

Each dichotomy represents a spectrum, and every personality type can be identified by where they land within each category. Together, they form 16 unique combinations, each with its own hierarchy of cognitive functions.

The Extraverted and Introverted Approaches to Each Dichotomy

• Extraversion vs. Introversion: Extraverts draw their energy from the external world, while introverts focus on their inner mental landscape.
• Intuition vs. Sensing: Extraverted Intuition (Ne) seeks broad patterns and possibilities, while Introverted Intuition (Ni) tends to delve into deeper, singular insights. Extraverted Sensing (Se) is attuned to immediate experiences, whereas Introverted Sensing (Si) relies on past internal references.
• Thinking vs. Feeling: Extraverted Thinking (Te) strives for objective, external efficiency, whereas Introverted Thinking (Ti) focuses on internal logical coherence. Extraverted Feeling (Fe) caters to external harmony in relationships, while Introverted Feeling (Fi) honors deeply held personal values.
• Judging vs. Perceiving: This dichotomy determines which functions—judging (Thinking or Feeling) or perceiving (Sensing or Intuition)—are used in the external world. If the first extraverted function is in the dominant or auxiliary position, it determines whether the personality is Judging or Perceiving. Judgers prefer structure and decisiveness, leaning on their judging function (Te, Fe) when interacting with the external environment. In contrast, Perceivers prefer adaptability and openness, relying on their perceiving function (Ne, Se) in their outward interactions.

The 8 Cognitive Functions

Jung proposed eight cognitive functions, which can be considered the building blocks of personality. These are:

1. Extraverted Thinking (Te): Focuses on organizing and making the external environment efficient.
2. Introverted Thinking (Ti): Seeks internal logical consistency and deep understanding.
3. Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Harmonizes and fosters connection within social settings.
4. Introverted Feeling (Fi): Develops and upholds personal values and ideals.
5. Extraverted Intuition (Ne): Explores possibilities and connects ideas expansively.
6. Introverted Intuition (Ni): Focuses on visions, insights, and synthesizing patterns into a singular future.
7. Extraverted Sensing (Se): Engages actively with the present moment and tangible experiences.
8. Introverted Sensing (Si): Relies on past experiences and internalized data to understand the current situation.

The Hierarchy of Cognitive Functions in Each of the 16 Archetypes

In each of the 16 personality types (archetypes), there is a specific hierarchy of functions, ranging from the dominant to the inferior:

1. Dominant Function: The core function that governs one’s worldview.
2. Auxiliary Function: Supports and balances the dominant function, providing flexibility.
3. Tertiary Function: Often less developed but begins to play a more significant role in midlife.
4. Inferior Function: Typically the weakest and the most unconscious but can be a source of growth.

For example, an INFJ has the following cognitive function stack:

• Dominant: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
• Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
• Tertiary: Introverted Thinking (Ti)
• Inferior: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

16 personality archetypes

INTJ: Ni, Te, Fi, Se
INFJ: Ni, Fe, Ti, Se
ENTJ: Te, Ni, Se, Fi
ENFJ: Fe, Ni, Se, Ti
INTP: Ti, Ne, Si, Fe
INFP: Fi, Ne, Si, Te
ENTP: Ne, Ti, Fe, Si
ENFP: Ne, Fi, Te, Si
ISTJ: Si, Te, Fi, Ne
ISFJ: Si, Fe, Ti, Ne
ESTJ: Te, Si, Ne, Fi
ESFJ: Fe, Si, Ne, Ti
ISTP: Ti, Se, Ni, Fe
ISFP: Fi, Se, Ni, Te
ESTP: Se, Ti, Fe, Ni
ESFP: Se, Fi, Te, Ni

Cognitive Function Axes

Each personality type has two function axes—one perceiving axis (S-N or N-S) and one judging axis (T-F or F-T). These functions balance each other:

• Introverted Sensing (Si) – Extraverted Intuition (Ne): Si relies on past experiences and internalized data, while Ne explores possibilities and connects ideas expansively.
• Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – Introverted Sensing (Si): Ne explores broad patterns and possibilities, while Si draws on past experiences and concrete memories for understanding.
• Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Extraverted Sensing (Se): Ni seeks profound insights, while Se focuses on living in the present.
• Extraverted Sensing (Se) – Introverted Intuition (Ni): Se engages actively with the present moment, while Ni synthesizes patterns and envisions future possibilities.
• Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Ti seeks internal logical coherence, while Fe works towards social harmony.
• Extraverted Feeling (Fe) – Introverted Thinking (Ti): Fe emphasizes external harmony, while Ti digs into personal logic.
• Introverted Feeling (Fi) – Extraverted Thinking (Te): Fi upholds personal values, while Te emphasizes structure and external order.
• Extraverted Thinking (Te) – Introverted Feeling (Fi): Te is focused on objective, external efficiency, and structure, while Fi is concerned with personal values and authenticity.

This balance creates a natural tension and a source of growth and adaptation within each type.

Cognitive Function Combinations

Typing someone accurately often involves understanding how functions interact. Below are combinations for each of the 16 personality types:

INTJ:

• Ni + Te: Ni provides visionary insights, while Te organizes and structures these insights into actionable plans.
• Ni + Fi: Ni focuses on profound patterns, while Fi evaluates these insights based on personal values.
• Te + Se: Te implements efficient solutions, and Se ensures they are practical and grounded in the present.
• Fi + Se: Fi values authenticity, while Se engages with the immediate, tangible experiences that align with these values.

INFJ:

• Ni + Fe: Ni identifies a profound insight, and Fe wants to communicate it meaningfully.
• Ni + Ti: Ni provides the vision, while Ti ensures the understanding makes logical sense.
• Ti + Se: Ti focuses on logical coherence, while Se brings practical, tangible aspects.
• Fe + Se: Fe reads social dynamics, while Se senses immediate details and actions in the environment.

ENTJ:

• Te + Ni: Te drives for external efficiency, while Ni provides a long-term strategic vision.
• Te + Se: Te executes decisions, and Se adapts them to immediate circumstances.
• Ni + Fi: Ni focuses on insights, while Fi evaluates their alignment with personal convictions.
• Se + Fi: Se engages with the present, while Fi ensures actions are congruent with internal values.

ENFJ:

• Fe + Ni: Fe builds social harmony, while Ni offers a future-oriented vision.
• Fe + Se: Fe connects with people, while Se enhances presence in the moment.
• Ni + Ti: Ni envisions possibilities, while Ti adds logical structure to these visions.
• Se + Ti: Se deals with immediate data, while Ti analyzes it internally for consistency.

INTP:

• Ti + Ne: Ti builds logical frameworks, while Ne explores different possibilities.
• Ti + Si: Ti ensures logical accuracy, while Si references past experiences.
• Ne + Fe: Ne connects abstract ideas, while Fe seeks to communicate them effectively.
• Si + Fe: Si reflects on memories, while Fe integrates these reflections into social contexts.

INFP:

• Fi + Ne: Fi holds personal values, while Ne seeks possibilities to express those values.
• Fi + Si: Fi prioritizes personal meaning, while Si provides concrete examples from the past.
• Ne + Te: Ne explores possibilities while Te organizes them into actionable tasks.
• Si + Te: Si recalls practical knowledge, while Te uses it to achieve objectives.

ENTP:

• Ne + Ti: Ne generates ideas, while Ti critically evaluates them.
• Ne + Fe: Ne seeks new connections, while Fe ensures these ideas resonate socially.
• Ti + Si: Ti maintains internal logic, while Si provides detailed recall.
• Fe + Si: Fe cares about interpersonal dynamics, while Si supports them with specific memories.

ENFP:

• Ne + Fi: Ne explores various possibilities, while Fi evaluates them against personal values.
• Ne + Te: Ne generates potential paths, while Te ensures their feasibility.
• Fi + Si: Fi holds onto meaningful experiences, while Si adds sensory richness.
• Te + Si: Te structures outcomes, while Si provides the needed factual background.

ISTJ:

• Si + Te: Si draws from detailed past experiences, while Te organizes them into a productive outcome.
• Si + Fi: Si reflects on traditions, while Fi connects these reflections to inner values.
• Te + Ne: Te drives action, while Ne considers alternative perspectives.
• Fi + Ne: Fi maintains personal ideals while Ne explores new possibilities for expression.

ISFJ:

• Si + Fe: Si draws from past experiences, while Fe uses them to create harmony.
• Si + Ti: Si recalls detailed memories, while Ti applies analytical understanding.
• Fe + Ne: Fe connects empathetically while Ne considers future opportunities.
• Ti + Ne: Ti analyzes situations, while Ne adds creative possibilities.

ESTJ:

• Te + Si: Te organizes and directs efficiently, while Si references established methods.
• Te + Ne: Te manages outcomes while Ne identifies different paths.
• Si + Fi: Si upholds traditions, while Fi adds a personal value-driven approach.
• Ne + Fi: Ne innovates, while Fi ensures it aligns with core values.

ESFJ:

• Fe + Si: Fe seeks social harmony, while Si provides rich past details.
• Fe + Ne: Fe creates connections, while Ne seeks new ways to engage.
• Si + Ti: Si recalls practical experiences, while Ti refines understanding.
• Ne + Ti: Ne explores possibilities, while Ti checks logical accuracy.

ISTP:

• Ti + Se: Ti critically analyzes, while Se engages with the immediate reality.
• Ti + Ni: Ti seeks logical depth, while Ni synthesizes future implications.
• Se + Fe: Se adapts to present situations, while Fe considers interpersonal impact.
• Ni + Fe: Ni envisions outcomes, while Fe aligns them with social values.

ISFP:

• Fi + Se: Fi holds personal values, while Se takes immediate action.
• Fi + Ni: Fi explores personal meaning, while Ni synthesizes insights.
• Se + Te: Se takes in the present while Te structures tasks efficiently.
• Ni + Te: Ni envisions a future, while Te ensures a plan to achieve it.

ESTP:

• Se + Ti: Se engages actively, while Ti analyzes events logically.
• Se + Fe: Se interacts dynamically, while Fe enhances social impact.
• Ti + Ni: Ti looks for consistency, while Ni focuses on abstract patterns.
• Fe + Ni: Fe builds connections, while Ni envisions potential outcomes.

ESFP:

• Se + Fi: Se thrives on present experiences, while Fi aligns actions with personal values.
• Se + Te: Se adapts to the environment, while Te takes charge of tasks.
• Fi + Ni: Fi evaluates experiences, while Ni considers their more profound meaning.
• Te + Ni: Te structures goals, while Ni develops a visionary direction.

These combinations can help you recognize how individuals balance abstract insights with practical execution or personal values with external expectations.

The Impact of Upbringing, Age, Environment, Gender, Career, Health, and More

Typing personalities isn’t just about understanding the functions; it’s also about interpreting how different life factors affect their development:

• Upbringing: Childhood experiences shape which cognitive functions are nurtured or suppressed.
• Age: As people age, they often develop less dominant functions earlier in life.
• Environment: Family dynamics, cultural norms, and peer groups can influence how a person develops their auxiliary and tertiary functions.
• Gender: Societal expectations regarding gender roles may influence how comfortable individuals express certain functions, like Ti for women or Fe for men.
• Career: Certain professions demand specific functions—like Te for management efficiency or Fi for authenticity in counseling.
• Health: Stress can amplify someone’s inferior function in unhealthy ways.
• Relationships: Close relationships, including friendships and romantic partnerships, can foster the development of auxiliary and even tertiary functions by providing opportunities for growth and emotional support.
• Education: The type of education a person receives can play a role in shaping their cognitive functions. For instance, focusing on analytical subjects may strengthen Thinking functions, while creative subjects may enhance Intuition.
• Trauma and Life Challenges: Difficult experiences can lead to over-reliance on specific functions or cause an individual to develop previously weaker functions as a coping mechanism.

Conclusion

Learning to type personalities using Carl Jung’s cognitive functions is a dynamic process of observation, empathy, and insight. It’s not merely about labeling someone but understanding the complexity of their mind. By considering their cognitive function stack, understanding the interplay of function axes, and considering the influence of personal and environmental factors, you can gain a more nuanced perspective on how people navigate their worlds.

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