In the first article, we introduced the 8 cognitive functions of the Myers-Briggs® personality typing model.

You may have already identified one or two of the cognitive functions that you predominantly relate to.

Here, we will expand on the characteristics of these 8 cognitive functions, and how these connect to your Personality Type.

 

Cognitive Functions – Expanded

Te – extraverted thinking : outer world of creating structure and systems

Enjoys creating order, planning and organization. Concerned with bringing order from chaos. Creates structures and systems to maintain order. Tends to be very goal-oriented and focused on efficiency.

 

Fe – extraverted feeling : outer world of social human-human interactions

Very focused on the realm of human to human interaction and dynamics. Adept at picking up the social mood of individuals and groups. Sensitive to disharmony or social tension and generally seeks to correct this. Can be focused on social conformity.

 

Se – extraverted sensing : outer world of activity, action, sensory experience

Very much in the here and now. What can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, smelt. Is strongly connected to the external physical realm. May display strong spatial awareness and kinesthesia. Focuses on what is practical, tangible and literal.

 

Ne – extraverted intuition : outer world of ideas, imagination and creative possibilities

An extremely creative function. Adept at forming new ideas, possibilities, imagination, realms, outside of what has been done, created or imagined before. Looks at possibilities. Thoughts tend to diverge, to create, rather than converge or form conclusions. Asks: ‘what if?’

 

 

Fi – introverted feeling : inner world of deeply held personal values and beliefs

Is strongly connected to an inner set of values, beliefs and ideals. These inner values guide their decision making processes and how they choose to interact with the world around them. It seeks authenticity and individuality.

 

Ti – introverted thinking : inner world of rational logic and reason

Deeply analytical of facts, observations, theories, and applies rational thought and logic to these analyses. Focuses on the validity or accuracy of a point or argument. Can be quite methodical in its logic-based analyses.

 

Si – introverted sensing : inner world of past experiences and traditions

Strongly connected to the past, to traditions, expectations and norms. To what has been done before and can therefore be relied upon. Takes comfort in what is familiar, expected and predictable. Enjoys stability and routines.

 

Ni – introverted intuition : inner world of pattern recognition, drawing future conclusions

Looks at patterns and meanings, and seeks to draw conclusions or implications based on these observations.  Adept at viewing things from multiple perspectives to gain insights. Thoughts tend to converge, rather than diverge. Is extremely visionary and future oriented.

 

 

Which Cognitive Functions Do You Use?

Looking at the list above, there may be one or two, or even 4, cognitive functions that you identify with. Starting with the predominant one you most identify with, we will use the cognitive functions to determine ‘Personality Type’.

For example, someone may strongly identify as predominantly using Ti, or introverted thinking: the inner world of rational logic and reason. Since this is an introverted function, the next step would be to look at the extraverted functions, to see which one they next strongly identity with.

This process of going from either introverted to extraverted, or extraverted to introverted, is the pattern in which these functions follow. We have a predominant function, either introverted or extraverted, and then a successive function, opposite in direction to the first one.

In this example, this predominantly wired introverted thinker (Ti), would look at the extraverted functions, and may next strongly identify with Ne, extraverted intuition: the outer world of ideas and creative possibilities.

Since this person has identified Ti and Ne as their top two functions (Ti > Ne), this would correlate to the INTP Personality Type.

A real life example of an INTP would be Elon Musk, an introvert, who predominantly appears to use reason and logic-based thinking (Ti), with a strong inclination to the outer world of creative possibilities, imagination and ideas (Ne). These two functions, in that particular order, correspond to this particular personality type.

This four-letter combination is the identification code for the Personality Type.

 

16 Personality Types

Ti > Ne = INTP Ti > Se = ISTP Te > Ni = ENTJ Te > Si = ESTJ Fi > Ne = INFP Fi > Se = ISFP Fe > Ni = ENFJ Fe > Si = ESFJ

Ni > Te = INTJ Ni > Fe = INFJ Ne > Fi = ENFP Ne > Ti = ENTP Si > Fe = ISFJ Si > Te = ISTJ Se > Fi = ESFP Se > Ti = ESTP

You may find that in analysing the cognitive functions and using the list above, there doesn’t seem to be an option for the particular combination you chose, e.g. Fi > Fe. This is because there is an order and boundaries as to which functions go together. It may be that a closer and more in-depth examination of the functions is required, to correctly determine which ones your brain most preferentially uses.

 

Using cognitive functions is one way to determine your personality type. Taking a personality test can be helpful, but often, it can only surmise as to which Personality Type you may be.

Looking at the cognitive functions to determine personality type requires your own exploration of the functions, as well as personal reflection, and may therefore provide you with a more accurate result.