Carl Jung’s theory of cognitive functions describes how people perceive and judge the world. He identified eight cognitive functions, which are the building blocks of his personality typology. These functions are divided into two categories: perceiving and judging functions. Each function can be oriented in either an introverted (I) or an extroverted (E) manner.
Extraverted Thinking (Te)
- Focus on objective data and external metrics to make decisions.
- Preference for organizing and structuring the environment, including systems, people, and resources.
- Prioritization of efficiency and effectiveness in achieving goals.
- A pragmatic approach to problem-solving, often looking for the most direct route to successful outcomes.
Introverted Thinking (Ti)
- A drive to analyze and make sense of the world through internal frameworks.
- Focus on logical consistency and accuracy.
- Skepticism towards information until it passes personal analytical scrutiny.
- An inclination to refine concepts and systems internally before expressing or implementing them.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
- Sensitivity to the emotions and needs of others and a focus on maintaining social harmony.
- Preference for making decisions that foster group cohesion and support community well-being.
- Ability to “read” social situations and respond to the emotional atmosphere.
- Emphasis on communicative and diplomatic engagement to manage relationships.
Introverted Feeling (Fi)
- Deeply personal values and feelings guide decision-making.
- A strong sense of personal identity and authenticity.
- Intense emotional depth and moral consideration in evaluating situations.
- A tendency to navigate the world based on what feels right or aligns with personal convictions.
Extraverted Sensation (Se)
- A focus on the immediate sensory experience of the world.
- Active engagement with the environment, often seeking new and thrilling experiences.
- Adaptability and spontaneity in action and thought.
- Enjoyment of physical and material realities, often leading to a dynamic and adventurous lifestyle.
Introverted Sensation (Si)
- Reliance on past experiences and the familiar to inform decisions.
- A solid connection to traditions and historical contexts.
- Focus on stability, detail, and practical realities of the present.
- A tendency to maintain and refine established methods and practices.
Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
- Exploration of possibilities and potential futures.
- Quick to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.
- Enthusiasm for new ideas and unconventional approaches.
- Frequent shifts in focus reflect a broad interest in the world’s complexity.
Introverted Intuition (Ni)
- Focus on underlying themes and patterns to forecast future outcomes.
- A visionary or predictive view of what could be, often involving complex insights.
- Tendency to work intensively on developing a single coherent vision or understanding.
- Often experiences “aha” moments where disparate ideas merge into a single understanding.
Each individual has a unique hierarchy of these functions, central to their personality type in Jung’s theory, further developed by Isabel Briggs Myers into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
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