#functions explained

Don't confuse Feeling with emotion. Everyone has emotions about the decisions they make. Also do not confuse Thinking with intelligence.

Everyone uses Thinking for some decisions and Feeling for others. In fact, a person can make a decision using his or her preference, then test the decision by using the other preference to see what might not have been taken into account.

Take a minute to ask yourself which of the following descriptions seems more natural, effortless, and comfortable for you?

Thinking (T)

When I make a decision, I like to find the basic truth or principle to be applied, regardless of the specific situation involved. I like to analyze pros and cons, and then be consistent and logical in deciding. I try to be impersonal, so I won't let my personal wishes--or other people's wishes--influence me.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I enjoy technical and scientific fields where logic is important.

I notice inconsistencies.

I look for logical explanations or solutions to most everything.

I make decisions with my head and want to be fair.

I believe telling the truth is more important than being tactful.

Sometimes I miss or don't value the "people" part of a situation.

I can be seen as too task-oriented, uncaring, or indifferent.

Feeling (F)

I believe I can make the best decisions by weighing what people care about and the points-of-view of persons involved in a situation. I am concerned with values and what is the best for the people involved. I like to do whatever will establish or maintain harmony. In my relationships, I appear caring, warm, and tactful.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I have a people or communications orientation.

I am concerned with harmony and nervous when it is missing.

I look for what is important to others and express concern for others.

I make decisions with my heart and want to be compassionate.

I believe being tactful is more important than telling the "cold" truth.

Sometimes I miss seeing or communicating the "hard truth" of situations.

I am sometimes experienced by others as too idealistic, mushy, or indirect.

Everyone spends some time Sensing and some time using Intuition. Don't confuse Sensing with sensual. They aren't related.

Take a minute to ask yourself which of the following descriptions seems more natural, effortless, and comfortable for you?

Sensing (S)

Paying attention to physical reality, what I see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. I'm concerned with what is actual, present, current, and real. I notice facts and I remember details that are important to me. I like to see the practical use of things and learn best when I see how to use what I'm learning. Experience speaks to me louder than words.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I remember events as snapshots of what actually happened.

I solve problems by working through facts until I understand the problem.

I am pragmatic and look to the "bottom line."

I start with facts and then form a big picture.

I trust experience first and trust words and symbols less.

Sometimes I pay so much attention to facts, either present or past, that I miss new possibilities.

Intuition (N)

Paying the most attention to impressions or the meaning and patterns of the information I get. I would rather learn by thinking a problem through than by hands-on experience. I'm interested in new things and what might be possible, so that I think more about the future than the past. I like to work with symbols or abstract theories, even if I don't know how I will use them. I remember events more as an impression of what it was like than as actual facts or details of what happened.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I remember events by what I read "between the lines" about their meaning.

I solve problems by leaping between different ideas and possibilities.

I am interested in doing things that are new and different.

I like to see the big picture, then to find out the facts.

I trust impressions, symbols, and metaphors more than what I actually experienced

Sometimes I think so much about new possibilities that I never look at how to make them a reality.

The first pair of psychological preferences is Extraversion and Introversion. Where do you put your attention and get your energy? Do you like to spend time in the outer world of people and things (Extraversion), or in your inner world of ideas and images (Introversion)?

Extraversion and Introversion as terms used by C. G. Jung explain different attitudes people use to direct their energy. These words have a meaning in psychology that is different from the way they are used in everyday language.

Everyone spends some time extraverting and some time introverting. Don't confuse Introversion with shyness or reclusiveness. They are not related.

Take a minute to ask yourself which of the following descriptions seems more natural, effortless, and comfortable for you?

Extraversion (E)

I like getting my energy from active involvement in events and having a lot of different activities. I'm excited when I'm around people and I like to energize other people. I like moving into action and making things happen. I generally feel at home in the world. I often understand a problem better when I can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I am seen as "outgoing" or as a "people person."

I feel comfortable in groups and like working in them.

I have a wide range of friends and know lots of people.

I sometimes jump too quickly into an activity and don't allow enough time to think it over.

Before I start a project, I sometimes forget to stop and get clear on what I want to do and why.

Introversion (I)

I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I'll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing.

The following statements generally apply to me:

I am seen as "reflective" or "reserved."

I feel comfortable being alone and like things I can do on my own.

I prefer to know just a few people well.

I sometimes spend too much time reflecting and don't move into action quickly enough.

I sometimes forget to check with the outside world to see if my ideas really fit the experience.