Welcome back to the fourth and final episode of my styles of experience series. This is a short four part lecture describing the different styles of learning and decision-making of each of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. I am a firm believer in the cognitive functions theory, and how our understanding of the various functions and their utility will transform the way we interact and relate with one another. The bottom line is that we eaxh experience the world so differently, that I am fascinated to understand and appreciate all perspectives - so as to direct them to where they are embraced and appreciated most.
I also find it fascinating that these functions behave differently based on their attitude which is always either introverted or extroverted in nature - according to Carl Jung. If you haven't already watched or read the first second and third episode of the series I do recommend that you do that first, but anyway in case you are new here the easy way to put this is:
Each of the 16 personality archetypes use four cognitive functions consciously and the other four are used unconsciously and are often referred to as the shadow funnctions. Although this video and article is not intended to be about shadow work - I can still tell you that the unconscious aspects of ourselves are those which consist of those parts of ourselves and others that we dislike or reject, or have been taught to do so.
The most important thing to understand no matter what personality type you are is that everybody uses or eight of the cognitive functions. the question is in what position the function falls in your personality and what attitude it takes on, this is because these functions exist on a hierarchy. So your unique personality type what is known as you e ego depends on the combination of functions that you prefer that make up your Conscience cognitive function stack.
Going back to today's topic which will be about the two styles of feeling which is a judging process used for decision making which unlike thinking is usually more people focused. A fulfilling is a function that is more focused on creating better and more harmonious relationships with others. Feeling also takes on a different approaches depending on its attitude, which is where we can begin to narrow the types down based on whether they use introverted or extroverted feeling.
Introverted Feeling (Fi)
The types who use introverted feeling as their top or dominant function are the INFPs and ISFPs. The types who use feeling as their auxiliary or second function are the ENFPs and ESFPs. So in order to begin to differentiate between these two types of feeling, let's begin by discussing Introverted Feeling or otherwise known as Fi.Introverted feeling is a way of making value judgments based on an internal moral framework of what is considered right and wrong. Personality types who are dominant Fi users are INFPs and ISFPs and those who use it as their second/auxiliary function are the ENFPs and ESFPs.
Characteristics of Fi
- Authenticity
- loyalty to one's own values and beliefs
- introspective and slow to develop
- able to sympathize with this due to a deep understanding on of human emotion
- not easily pressured by peers
- highly individualistic
- uninterested in latest trends
- know themselves and their own emotions
Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
Extroverted feeling is a judging process focused on maintaining harmony with those around them. Fe is adaptable and feels into the emotional environment it finds itself in. Extroverted feeling users report feeling other's negative or positive emotions even from a distance. They enjoy connecting with people in the moment, are highly empathetic and love to create warm and entertaining experiences for those around them. The types that use Fe as their dominant cognitive function are the ENFJs and ESFJs, and the ones who have it as their second or auxiliary function are the INFJs and ISFJs.Characteristics of Fe
- An ability to harmonize with others
- Highly empathetic
- Diplomatic
- Adaptable to new trends
- May have difficulty in distinguishing between other's feelings and their own.
- Can be easily influenced by peers
- Are able to feel into others perspectives
- Look outward for their value judgments
And so, to summarize - unlike the Thinking process of making decisions, Feeling is more people focused and values emotional expression over cold data. Introverted feeling develops one's own values and morals over time, whereas Extroverted Feeling looks outward to new popular trends in order to harmonize with the emotions within their environment.
