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We all perceive the world. What makes us unique is the process we go through for that perception. A few weeks ago, I gave a crash course introduction to cognitive stacks and cognitive functions. As a quick review, here is what you need to know.
There are eight cognitive functions.
There are two perceiving functions (sensing and intuition) and two judging functions (thinking and feeling).
Each of these functions is either introverted or extroverted perceiving and judging functions.
Here is a list of all eight cognitive functions:
Extraverted Sensing (Se)
Introverted Sensing (Si)
Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Extraverted Thinking (Te)
Introverted Thinking (Ti)
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
Introverted Feeling (Fi)
Each personality type has a unique set of cognitive stacks. These 16 cognitive stacks are the basis for the archetypes common to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
Most of our personality is determined by the first two cognitive functions in our cognitive stack, made up of both an introverted and extroverted function and a perceiving and judging function (i.e., Te-Ni or Fi-Se).
Expanding On Your Cognitive Stack
There are many forms of the MBTI, and each discusses personality mainly around archetypes. I discussed the pitfalls inherent in these archetypes here. All of these systems attempt to define personalities, but they leave out the core of the theory developed by Carl Jung - the cognitive functions and how they interact.
While the majority of your personality comes from your first two functions, each person uses all eight functions, just to greater and lesser degrees. So, for example, the ISFP cognitive stack is mainly its first two functions (Introverted Feeling and Extroverted Sensing). However, these functions are assisted by the third and fourth functions (Introverted Intuition and Extroverted Thinking). The bottom four functions are present but less naturally than the first four (Extroverted Feeling, Introverted Sensing, Extroverted Intuition, and Introverted Thinking). These bottom four functions require development but can open up realms of growth and possibility for every individual.
This knowledge means that everyone uses some aspect of every cognitive function. I often hear statements like, "Well, I'm an intuitive, so I don't use that sensing stuff," or, "I'm a thinker, so I don't care about feelings." This mindset is an incorrect method of looking at the work of Jung. One of my friends noted that they are a sensor, but they do not think they are illogical. Yes, that is true! While we default to leading with certain functions, we still use all of them! There is no such thing as a completely intuitive or feeling individual. We are each a little bit of everything.
Perceiving and Judging Cognitive Function Pairs
As discussed in my previous posts, your cognitive stack presents a certain way. Your first two functions are always a judging and a perceiving function and always an introverted and extroverted function. For example, in the ISFP example, the first two functions are Introverted Feeling and Extroverted Sensing. For the ENFJ, they are Extroverted Feeling and Introverted Intuition.
A similar thing happens with the next two functions in our cognitive stack. If you have Extroverted Feeling in the first two spots of your cognitive stack, then you will have Introverted Thinking somewhere in the next two. Same with the sensing functions. If you have Introverted Sensing in one of your first two functions, then one of the next two will be Extroverted Intuition.
These pairs will always appear together. Some systems refer to these pairs as being tied through cognitive access. Here are the four cognitive access pairs.
Extroverted Thinking & Introverted Feeling
Extroverted Feeling & Introverted Thinking
Introverted Sensing & Extroverted Intuition
Introverted Intuition & Extroverted Sensing
These cognitive access pairs rely on each other. They help each other. They hold one another up and make them stronger.
The Perceiving Function Combinations
For the rest of this post, I will stick to the perceiving cognitive functions. This focus will be more than enough as I filled up two pages of notes in my notebook detailing these.
When it comes to the top four functions in our cognitive stack (the ones we use naturally), we can break the 16 personalities into two combinations of perceiving functions: Introverted Sensing and Extroverted Intuition (Si & Ne) or Introverted Intuition and Extroverted Sensing (Se & Ni). Because there are only two combinations of sensing functions, several personality types will begin to exhibit similar characteristics. What is most interesting to me is that the personality types that share sensing functions are often stereotyped to have nothing in common! Let's break these two combinations down, show you who uses them, and detail what they look like.
Introverted Sensing and Extroverted Intuition - Si & Ne
Personalities Who Share This Combination
ESTJ: Te-Si-Ne-Fi
ISTJ: Si-Te-Fi-Ne
ESFJ: Fe-Si-Ne-Ti
ISFJ: Si-Fe-Ti-Ne
ENTP: Ne-Ti-Fe-Si
INTP: Ti-Ne-Si-Fe
ENFP: Ne-Fi-Te-Si
INFP: Fi-Ne-Si-Te
Si/Ne Commonalities
It is important to note that Si & Ne work together, but for each personality type, they work together in different ways. The ESTJ and INFP can appear quite different yet use two of the same functions. For example, an INFP will default first to Extroverted Intuition, while the ESTJ will default to Introverted Sensing. That said, they do share commonalities.
Utilizing Introverted Sensing (Si), this pairing is aware of their experience through their five senses as they feel them. They will tend to remember things for a long time that others seem to forget. They also have a great deal of personal endurance and strength. They use the past to determine how to move forward. Essentially, the more life experience one of these types has, the better their current performance. While this is true of every personality type, Si users rely more on practice and hard work than natural talent. To accomplish all of this, they rely on their routines and habits. This aspect is where things get interesting, as the NP personality types are stereotyped as chaotic and lacking routine. However, hanging out with an NP reveals their tendency towards practice, hard work, and perseverance - they do not lead with this. NPs are also aware of when something does not fit in with their experience and are some of the first to note when something changes without warning.
Using Extroverted Intuition (Ne), these types are highly aware of future paths. They can see the consequences of actions for others. Essentially, Ne users are pattern recognizers. They use their Si to take their past experiences and predict how the current situation will resolve. This ability to appear to predict the future, then, is directly related to how many experiences a Ne user has had. Much like the Si, Ne users can improve their ability to see the future consequences by increasing the number of experiences they have.
To grow, these types should be careful with whom they are loyal and learn to cut ties when necessary. They are also naturally risk-averse (more for the SJs than the NPs, but still an issue for both), which could limit what they allow themselves to try. While not always comfortable, stepping outside of what they are used to can present growth opportunities. Just remember to embrace the strength that comes naturally to Si users and be courageous.
These types may need to take time to reflect on what they want. The Ne users in my life are exceptional at brainstorming for others but can often ignore what they want in their own lives - your possibilities and future matter as much as other people's.
Introverted Intuition and Extroverted Sensing - Ni & Se
Personalities Who Share This Combination
ENTJ: Te-Ni-Se-Fi
INTJ: Ni-Te-Fi-Se
ENFJ: Fe-Ni-Se-Ti
INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se
ESTP: Se-Ti-Fe-Ni
ISTP: Ti-Se-Ni-Fe
ESFP: Se-Fi-Te-Ni
ISFP: Fi-Se-Ni-Te
Ni/Se Commonalities
While Ni & Se work together, they work together differently depending on the personality type. The ENTJ and ISFP can appear so different yet use two of the same functions. For example, an ISFP will default first to Extroverted Sensing, while the ENTJ will default to Introverted Intuition. That said, they do share commonalities.
Introverted Intuition (Ni) users are about their personal choices and future. These types have plans that go into the future, whether minutes, hours, or days for the SPs (despite being stereotyped as overly impulsive) to months, years, or decades for the NJs. These types are always seeking their direction. They do this by observing what others are doing and then deciding if they want to do that thing. These types are interesting because they may not know they want something until they see it. For the NJs, they will operate a little differently and look for what they want, and when they find it, they will seek out an environment that matches what they desire. More than the other eight types, Ni users need freedom. They want to be able to find their path and to update and change as new experiences become available. These types, while wanting a good outcome, can often enjoy the process more than the outcome, even if their Se pushes them to want results now.
Extroverted Sensing (Se) users are aware of what is around them, in this moment, through their five senses. They are also most in tune with how those around them are experiencing the moment. They are also aware of where other people are directing their attention. This aspect can come off, especially in school, as not paying attention, but really, they are paying the most attention and often notice everything around them. Se also comes with a level of performance. While Si users can also perform, for Se users, the performance, getting attention, and making a sensory impact matters, whether in a literal performance (like playing sports) or just being the life of a party. And they also take pride in fixing things. Se users will dive in first with no plan and figure it out as they go, sometimes ignoring established norms or better methods.
The definition of these types is the idea of envisioning (Ni) and then doing (Se). The SPs specifically are phenomenal about picturing an action in their minds and then carrying it out as planned. To grow, though, these types need to embrace practice. While this may seem strange to say about NJ types, who are often stereotyped as workaholics, these types are the ones who get frustrated when something does not come naturally to them on their first attempts. Growth comes to these types when they embrace and engage in practice, hard work, and discipline.
While they can create a plan and picture every step, they often underestimate the work required to carry out their plan. These types also need to be aware of the consequences of their actions. While they can see how things may turn out for themselves, they are not particularly strong at seeing how their actions can affect others. Along these lines, it is also good to understand that helping others and allowing them their choices (a pitfall of NJs and SPs) may help you get what you want.
Strength Through Our Opposites
Astute readers who read the profiles of those opposite themselves may notice the weaknesses of one type are the strengths of another. It is necessary to not only surround ourselves with those who are like us and similarly see the world but to engage with those who operate differently. Often, these types of relationships can be mutually beneficial as they unknowingly help each other through life.
If you have done any digging into Jungian psychology, you may have come across things like the Gold, Silver, and Bronze pairings. This topic is a post for another day, but essentially, someone is one of these pairs with you if they share nothing in common in their cognitive stacks. For example, I am an ENTJ (Cognitive Stack of Te-Ni-Se-Fi). Those who qualify as one of these pairs would have Ti, Ne, Si, and Fe in their cognitive stacks. These types would be the INTP, ENTP, ISFJ, and ESFJ. Funny enough, the people who are some of my closest friends and who I have the most fun with are INTPs and ISFJs! And if you want to see chaos unleashed, put me together with my ENTP brother, then step back and enjoy the show. There is strength in finding people who balance out what you bring to the table.
A word of caution, though. Do not let these push you away from other people. I offer this only as an opportunity to find people who can help you, especially if you are unsure or confused. I am married to an ISTJ. One of my great friends I love talking to and hanging out with is an INFJ. I have known several INFPs who have been integral to helping me through some challenging times in my life. And there is something to be said for finding someone with the exact type as you and just relaxing in mutual understanding.
Using This Information
A few weeks ago, I posted this quote on Instagram.
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. - Pablo Picasso
Understanding ourselves can often be a challenging task. Any tool we have can help us in this journey of self-discovery. So, how can we use this information in our everyday lives?
Si/Ne Users
To honor the Si part of your mind, finding a career that allows you to create and control your routine and gives you sufficient time to practice and hone your skills is essential. In addition, allow yourself the opportunity to have as many experiences as possible. A wide array of experiences increases your overall ability. And, especially as Si users tend to have strong memories, what you learn will stay with you for the rest of your life. For example, my wife and my brother are both Si users. They can remember things over 30 years later as if they happened yesterday. Curate your experiences to build your ability.
For the Ne part of your mind, find a position that allows you to solve challenging questions. When I meet someone for the first time, I often joke that I can tell if they use Ne in their cognitive stack based on whether they enjoy escape rooms or similar puzzle situations. Ne users love to figure out puzzles. Find a position that allows for the challenge of figuring out the solution to tricky questions. This observation does not mean every experience needs to be novel. But, to be engaging, look for those that have a challenge to be solved. And, because you are also a Si user, the more experiences you have, the better you will predict solutions and outcomes.
Ni/Se Users
Where Si users tend to know what they want, Ni users need to experience the world to find who they are and what they desire. While this may sound similar to Si users, as detailed above, the reason is a bit different. While Si users gather experiences to acquire, practice, and hone skills for later use, Ni users gather experiences to discover where their passions lie. Often, others belittle Ni users for quickly jumping from one project or activity to the next. This attribute is not a sign of a lack of commitment (usually) but is the Ni user seeking what sparks their passion and feeling of purpose that they can then dedicate their life to. In both your academic pursuits, hobbies, and ultimate career decisions, look for paths that allow you the freedom to pursue what you would like to work on. Yeah, you will sometimes need to follow the expectations of others, but looking for a place where you can explore freely can help you develop your life's path.
As a Se user, look for experiences that allow you to be in the moment in your five senses. Se users are the epitome of I will figure it out by doing it. These types can become impatient with instructions as they want to dive in immediately. Also, look for places that include a little bit of performance. This is not the literal idea of performing, like playing an instrument or acting, though it can be. Performing also looks like delivering presentations, leading groups, or fixing things. And, because you are aware of where other people are directing their attention, find a place that allows you to use this skill. It may look different for every person. The first example that comes to mind is the ability to read a room, which Se users excel at. Comedians, teachers, and police officers need to excel at this skill to do their jobs effectively. Find careers and hobbies that play to this strength.
Final Thoughts
On Monday, I posted a quote from Carl Jung that sums up why I encourage people to understand themselves as deeply as possible.
Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
All of this is not to differentiate ourselves or put us down. Instead, it is to understand who we are so we awaken to what we can become and what fills us with joy.
This process can also be an overwhelming task. If you are interested in exploring more about yourself and how to use this information in your life, reach out to me. I love guiding others through this work and helping them find their path!
I will return next week with a similar article, this time on the judging functions. Until then, enjoy the journey, and I will talk to you soon.
Ready to learn how you can use insight into your personality and values to improve your life? Reach out today, and we will get started moving you from overwhelm and uncertainty to clarity and direction.
With love,
Tom Chapman, TruePath Discovery Coaching
P.S. This blog post pulls heavily from the work of Carl Jung from the book Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 6: Psychological Types and the EgoHackers YouTube channel. Thank you especially to EgoHackers for all of their work. They are also doing a deep dive into each of the 16 personality types! These are fascinating, and I encourage you to check them out!
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