Jungian type and MBTI

Introduction
Carl Gustav Jung 1875 - 1961
• Swiss psychiatrist and
psychoanalyst
• founder of analytical
psychology
• known for his key concepts
such as archetypes,
collective unconscious,
synchronicity etc.
• C. G. Jung assumed that our
actions are more influenced
by our unconscious than by
what we consciously
perceive
 Work of C. G. Jung
„Psychological Types“
• first published in 1921
• typology stems from C. G. Jung's observations of
his own patients
• main idea: there are individual differences in the
perception and processing of information that
lead to an individual style of decision making
• starting point: decision
• classification of types is based on the conscious
behavior of the individual (he could have also tied
his classifications to the unconscious behavior )
Jungian types are categorized
by their decision-making style
 What is a decision?
• It happens before we act inside our mind.
• Amongst many options, we weigh the most
suitable one for us.
• According to Jung, our decisions are very
much based on habits; only some steps in the
process are under our conscious control.
 Elements of decision making
• It‘s all about main processes (modes)
information!
• Our world is filled up perceiving mode
with them.
• There is more
information out there
than we can process in
a lifespan. judging mode
• We need to be
selective.
Four main functions in decision making

INTUITION THINKING

SENSATION FEELING

Perceiving functions Judging functions

 Introverts and Extraverts?
• According to C. G. Jung introversion and
extraversion look very different depending on
which of the four main functions we use.

• Questions in the MBTI and other inventories

can be confusing as they never quite catch
those differences.
 Ni Si
inner world Ti Fi

introvert
function
extravert

Ne Se
Te Fe
outer world
4 main functions 2 attitudes

decision making
functions
 Toolbox
Fe Si

Ne Te

Ti Nii

Se Fi
decision
Perceiving functions and content
Si Ne
introverted sensation extraverted intuition
concrete memory of stored facts of spotting possibilities in your
our world covers the lifespan of the environment
individum

Ni Se
introverted Intuition extraverted sensation
Remote memory of stored perceiving of concrete facts in your
concepts, universal rules, environment in real time
archetypes
§§ Judging functions and content §§
Ti
Fe
introverted thinking
- tries to understand, how things extraverted feeling
work -focus on social convention harmony,
- likes to draw conclusions needs of other people, expectations of
others

Fi
Te
extraverted thinking introverted feeling
- subjective value judgement of likes
and dislike
- interested in application of -- arranging priorities in line with one’s
knowledge, applies conclusions in own values
the outside world
„library“ of the judging world
- How to achieve -What do I really
everything you want ?
want? -Likes and dislikes
-Roadmap to
in my life?
success
- What to avoid
-How to fix abc
and d? and what to look
out for?
Te Fi
-How does it -What is expected
work? of me?
-Objective Truth - How can I make
-Improved everybody happy?
understanding - How to create
-Everything you ever harmony?
wanted to know
Ti Fe
We use all 8 functions in decision making

• A type indicates that you prefer one of these

functions either in the introverted or extraverted
attitude.
• Jung assumes that the functions of the majority
of people are undifferentiated and there are
often only one or two functions that we are
consciously aware of.
• Type dynamics assumes that there is an interplay
between all these functions, which leads to a very
typical mainly age-related development (unique
to each type).
Order of functions for each type
 Order of functions in an INTP
dominant function Introverted thinking
Ti
auxiliary function extraverted intuition
Ne
tertiary function introverted sensation
Si
inferior function extraverted feeling
Fe
 Dominant function
• This is your most conscious function. It so
ingrained in your conscious awareness that
you naturally identify with its content.
• For this reason a well written-profile can make
you feel like “this is me”.
• You use it often and therefore develop more
skills in activities to do with this function and
in this way reinforce its dominance even
more.
„ I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a
hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.“
Abraham Maslow

• C. G. Jung did his study on

patients with mental problems

• He basically considered a
dominant function a disability as
it obscures your sight and makes
you disregard other solutions.

• Observing other people using

tools you are not familiar with
can be of help to be aware of the
tools you are missing.
 Auxiliary function
• Balances out the dominant function.
• It is in the less-favored world. If your
dominant function is introverted, it will be
extraverted and vice versa.
• It is in the other decision-making mode (if you
prefer a judging function, it will be a
perceiving function and the other way
around).
• Thereby it helps you to better balance your
internal needs with external demands.
 Tertiary function
- The tertiary function is in the same world as your
dominant function and in the opposite mode of
decision making.

- In times of crises you may rush into your tertiary

function to avoid dealing with the discomfort of
having to move to the other world.

- Using the tertiary to avoid the opposing attitude

puts you at risk of developing an unhealthy loop
that will hinder your personal development.
 Inferior function
• This function is opposed to your dominant function like
two sides of a coin.
• However, it is actually part of an axis and should work
smoothly with your dominant function.
• It is usually not well trained and more exhausting to
handle than your dominant function.
• If neglected, it might cause strange behavior
uncommon to the picture you have of yourself.
• Often used in a creative way in your private life.
• The best way to access it consciously would be to
develop the auxiliary function well.
test question: Can I be borderline

INFP/INFJ?
(or INTP/INTJ etc.)
 INFJ and same axis-types
Ni
dominant
Ti
inner world tertiary

ISTP

Fe
Se
auxilary outer world inferior
ENFJ
ESTP
 INFP and same axis-types
Fi
dominant Si
inner world tertiary

ISTJ

Ne
Te
auxilary outer world inferior
ENFP
ESTJ
 Corresponding axis
How does it
work? Would
it work?
Ti Fe What does
s/he wants?

How does it
feel? Do I like
it?
Fi Te How can I get
there or how
can I avoid it?

What is the
meaning
behind it? Ni Se What is
there?

What was
What
there? What
is missing? Si Ne possibilities
are in it?
 Irrationals and Rationals
Rationals get hit by accident whereas irrationals will get caught by
the law.

EP IJ
• Intuitives: ENTP, ENFP, INTJ, INFJ
P-Types • Sensors: ESTP, ESFP, ISTJ, ISFJ

EJ IP
J-Types • Thinkers: ENTJ, ESTJ, INTP, ISTP
• Feelers: ENFJ, ESFJ, INFP, ISFP
An introverted sensor’s experience of
the world
 Checklist to confirm your type:
• Check out the dominant function of that type.
• Understand the content of that function.
• Look for the inferior function. Does it sound
like you at your worst?
• How do you feel if you meet your opposite
type?
• If necessary: Check out every of the other 15
type profiles. Look for a high-quality
description.
 Main points
• Jungian types are about individual differences in decision
making.
• Functions are the tools in decision making.
• A dominant function leads to noticeable differences in our
decisions and consequently actions compared to other
people.
• The less well-used functions rule us from the unconscious.
• The more differentiated your functions are the more
adaptable your are in any environment.
• The types should not be seen as fixed categories but as
processes that will develop and change your personality over
your lifespan.
 Imagine the unconscious being a
dark place and the conscious like a
light in the darkness. The more
differentiated your decision making
functions are, the more conscious
you will become, the better you will
see all your options and be able to
pick the optimal one.
 Recommended reading
• Lenore Thomson, “Personality Type”, 1998
Boston, MA, Shambala
• Naomi L. Quenk, “Was That Really Me?”, 2002
Palo Alto, CA, Nicholas Brealey Publishing US
• Angelina Bennet, „The Shadows of Type“,
2010, Lulu Press
• Carl Gustav Jung, „Psychological Types“, 1971,
Routledge