Styles Of Intuition (Ni vs Ne)

This is going to be a short 3-part series about the two different styles of Intuition, Thinking and Feeling that we prefer and is based on the theory of the 8 cognitive functions as defined by Carl Jung. Each of the three dichotomies/dimensions of experience - Intuition, Thinking and Feeling take on one of two styles - which are either introverted or extroverted in their attitude or direction. In this series I would like describe these differences and how they play out for the 16 Myers Briggs personality types.

Eight of the 16 personality types have a Perceiving process (Sensing or Intuition) as their dominant cognitive function - meaning that they prefer to observe, learn and take in information before making a decision. Whereas the other 8 types have a Judging process (Thinking or Feeling) as their dominant cognitive function - so they prefer to make their decisions first before they move on to observing or taking in new information.

Starting off with Intuition - which is a perceiving process. The personality types whose dominant cognitive function is Intuitive are the INTJ, INFJ, ENFP and ENTP personality types as their favorite style of experiencing reality is that through Intuition.

These four types can be further narrowed down based on their preferred style or attitude of Intuition - either introverted or extroverted intuition. And is as follows:

INTJ and INFJ personalities use introverted Intuition as their dominant cognitive function.
ENTP and ENFP personality types use extroverted intuition as their dominant cognitive function.

These differences in direction or focus gives the types that prefer to intuit in this way a specific attitude to their Intuition. They therefore experience their intuition quite differently.

Introverted intuition (Ni) vs Extroverted Intuition (Ne)

Introverted Intuition:

Introverted Intuition is a process that is oriented toward the inner world of insights, theories, and impressions. Its role is to collect conscious and subconscious data which it then integrates to create “impressions.” This ability to synthesize information in gives Ni a penetrating and insightful quality.

Ni goes deep, seeing underlying patterns and causes. It has a keen ability to project future outcomes based on these patterns. This ability gives it a sort of ESP vibe. While it is impressive, it is not a woo-woo ability to see the future. Instead, it’s a subconscious process that delivers insights that are often accurate and seem to come from “out of the blue.”

These insights can sometimes be as surprising to the Ni user as they are to those they share them with. However, healthy Ni-users come to trust the process due to the regularity with which the impressions prove true.

Characteristics of Ni

·      Ability to hold multiple perspectives allows Ni to “walk in someone else’s shoes”
·      Due to its rarity, users of Ni can at times feel “alien” or misunderstood
·      Places high value on truth—understands that inaccurate perceptions can lead to bad or harmful ideas and actions
·      Healthy Ni needs time free from distraction in order to perform optimally
·      When overstimulated, Ni can become irritable and frustrated
·      When under-stimulated, Ni can become detached and apathetic. It needs adventure and new, surprising experiences.

Extroverted Intuition:

Extroverted Intuition is a process that is oriented toward the outer world of possibilities and novel experiences. Its role is to seek new combinations of existing data, expanding its “web” of patterns. This ability to expand upon information gives Ne an innovative and open-minded quality.

Where Introverted Intuition goes deep, Extroverted Intuition (Ne) goes wide. Ne surveys a breadth of information and seeks fresh experiences. Continually asking “what’s possible?” is the strength behind Ne’s divergent thinking.

Both types of intuition work with patterns. However, Ne patterns take on an expansive, non-linear flavor. This allows Ne users to be open-minded and innovative. To an outside observer, Ne pattern-seeking may result in users appearing witty, quirky, and curious, if a bit random.

Characteristics of Ne

·      Always asking “what is possible?”
·      Can quickly see associations in diverse fields of thoughts that others miss—this lends to Ne ingenuity and cleverness
·      When healthy, Ne learns to test its innovative ideas in the real world, benefiting from outside feedback and adjusting as needed
·      When underdeveloped, Ne can expect too much of themselves and others, simultaneously feeling overwhelmed and getting upset when things don’t come to fruition fast enough
·      When underused, Ne may run out of energy and feel depressed and lethargic

Please comment and let me know what you guys think.

Virtues And Vices Of The 16 Personality Types

I wanted to introduce you guys to an interesting theory that I learnt through watching CS Joseph on YouTube where he has an entire Season on The Virtues and Vices of Each type, and he really does deep into explaining how this affects each personality and why.

Defining Virtues & Vices

So firstly, it's important that we define these abstract metaphysical terms virtues and vices. And, the best definition I could come up with is as follows: A virtue can be defined as "moral excellence" whereas a vice can be defined as "fault considered to be immoral." So a virtue is any positive perceived quality in someone's character that leads to theirs and others happiness. Subsequently, a vice is quite simply put, the lack of virtue. And it is perceived as a negative trait in someone's character that does not lead to yours and others happiness. I also find this information to be useful because it provides some insight into what we are like when we are "displaying our best selves" to the world. Our virtues are the very qualities that people love and admire most about us, and hopefully they are the character traits that we are remembered for long after we are gone. So once we know what they are - we can choose to live and behave in ways that are more aligned with those virtues, so as to minimize the impact and the damage caused by what is perceived as our vices.

How This Can Be Applied To The 16 Types

According to him, each of the 16 Myers-Briggs types have a particular preference or tendency to display specific virtues and specific vices. Perhaps they themselves are probably not even aware that this is how they show up, and so it could be really useful to know. Also because what one might consider to be virtuous - might not be seen that way by society - and vice versa with what you might think of as a vice.

However, there are some traits that when taken to the extreme, we can all agree won't lead anyone to happiness, and it's interesting to know what they are based on our Personality types. I have added a link to the series here because I think it's super informative, useful and accurate. You guys should check out C.S Joseph and his channel on Human Nature and Nurture, because he goes really deep into this theory and how this plays out for each type. I just thought I would summarize this concept and share my thoughts too.

Click here to check out Cs Joseph's Virtues and Vice series. 

And so, here is a list of the 16 personality types and what their biggest Virtues and Vices are. I thought this was quite true for me as an INFJ, and although I only briefly go over each type and their virtues and vices in this video - I do also briefly give my opinion on how I have seen these traits displayed by these personalities. Let me know what you think.

THE IDEALISTS (NFs)

INFP - Loyalty VS Treachery

ENFP - Charity VS Depravity

INFJ - Integrity VS Corruption 

ENFJ - Benevolence VS Cruelty

THE RATIONALS (NTs)

INTP - Attentiveness VS Apathy

ENTP - Sincerity VS Insincerity

INTJ - Objectivity VS Triviality

ENTJ - Altruism VS Avarice

THE ARTISANS (SPs)

ISTP - Joy VS Melancholy

ESTP - Chastity VS Nymphomania

ISFP - Diligence VS Idleness

ESFP - Delayed VS Instant Gratification

THE GUARDIANS (SJs)

• ISTJ - Objectivity VS Triviality

• ESTJ - Serenity VS Chaos

• ISFJ - Faith VS Fear

• ESFJ - Care-giving VS Care-taking

In a way, to me this theory describes the deeper values & morals these types are pursuing. It also gives us valuable clues about the kind of extremes the different types go through when in healthy VS unhealthy states.

I hope that this article was informative and useful for you, please do let me know your thoughts in the comments - I would love to know whether or not you feel that these traits apply to your personality type.

Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/BBWQa3lPFZI

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