#leading function

Overview

Leading Function:

most used, i.e. overused

determines if the type is extraverted E, or introverted I

determines if the type is feeling F, or thinking T, or, if it is a perceiving function, if the type is sensing S, or intuiting N

Auxiliary Function:

in support, i.e. under control of the leading function

different direction ( i, e ) than leading

different nature ( perceiving, judging) than leading

Tertiary Function:

further supports leading

diametral to auxiliary, yet in a supportive manner

same direction as leading

same nature as auxiliary

Repressed, Inferior Function:

diametral to leading

contradicts, inhibits leading function

same direction as auxiliary

same nature as leading

Interpretation

To understand any type, it should be enough to know its function stack and what each function in it represents. As every MBTI type consists of two specific function axes in a particular order, it is most useful to know how to interpret these axes.

One axis always connects the types leading and auxiliary function. With these two functions, the one being on the one side, what you might call the strongest function, while on the other, the weakest function of the type, the interaction of these poles is a key-part to understand the inner processes of a specific type.

The leading is actually not the most used function because we like it the most. It is the other way around: We like it the most, because we use it the most. There is no real consensus in the MBTI-community, why most human beings tend to prioritize one cognitive function over all others, but the most common answer here is: because we tend to stick with what has worked.

So in fact, one could imagine, that we all got used to our leading function over the course of our lives, in a need for inner stability, as well as simply pragmatism paired with human laziness. Most likely there may have been not even any talent: We just got better at interacting with the world through a continuing experience.

However, once a certain gap in skill was reached between the most used leading function and it’s opponents, it sounds just natural one unconsciously avoids risking his/her inner stability, by using a function that is not trained as well as the lead. This behavior isn’t something unique to cognitive functions; a decent proportion of psychological problems start with the overuse of one certain area forcing the avoidance of others.

C.G. Jung, the psychologist who originally came up with the idea of psychological types, and who’s work made the base for Myers and Briggs typology model, had certain assumptions about the interaction of the consciousness with the subconscious. Simplifying: As we only have certain control over conscious things, the subconscious is the place where all things get equalled — whether we like it or not.

So, as one overuses the leading function on and on, one also gets into a state of dependence on this cognitive process. From this point on, everything that seems to hinder the leading function is unconsciously suppressed. However, the power of the repressed function grows ever so slightly in the subconscious, while the dependence on the leading function intensifies.

This dynamic is vastly important to understand the repressed function. It might be even lower than the tertiary function, but this does represent neither it’s value nor it’s power. The way how any type reacts with the world is characterized by this tension between the first and the fourth function. The leading function indeed leads — most of the time! If the tension gets too big, the individual experiences a breakdown, colored by fears, doubts or even impulses, that might seem to directly contradict the nature of a given type.

Life actually seems to be, for each and anybody, after all, nothing but a dance on a tightrope, where left and right could be imagined as one’s type leading and inferior function. These specific characteristics might be hard to detect at times, however, they exist as a core part of our personality.

(I think I’ll write an extra chapter on C.G. Jung’s work Psychological Types, as I can see it assisting to get behind the nature of each cognitive function, as well as in what way they were intended originally.)

This is very different for the auxiliary and tertiary function, which also represent two poles on one function axis. There is no power left to force this pair into an unhealthy overuse-compensation dynamic. They simply coexist next to each other in the grip of the leading function.

While the auxiliary is still above the tertiary, there is almost a notion of balance between these two and their kinds of uses. As their natures still contradict each other, there aren’t even that much scenarios, where both had the ability to contribute the same amount to the situation.

La función heroica, también conocida como la función dominante, se presenta como la principal herramienta con la que navegamos el mundo. Es aquella que usamos con mayor confianza y naturalidad, casi como si fuera una extensión de nuestro ser. Sin embargo, esta misma confianza puede convertirse en nuestra mayor debilidad cuando se infla de manera desproporcionada.

Cuando la función heroica se vuelve insana, se manifiesta como un tirano interno que rechaza cualquier otra perspectiva o aproximación. Es como un rey que se ha vuelto tan poderoso que ya no escucha a sus consejeros, convencido de que su manera es la única correcta. Esta inflación puede ser tan sutil que ni siquiera nos damos cuenta de que estamos cayendo en ella.

En relación con el arquetipo del Héroe, esta inflación representa la caída del héroe en la hybris, ese orgullo desmedido que en las tragedias griegas siempre precedía a la caída del protagonista. Es como si el héroe, tras vencer tantos desafíos, olvidara que su fuerza tiene límites.

En la dinámica de las funciones cognitivas, es común confundir una función heroica inflada con una función heroica saludable. Esto puede llevar a que persistamos en comportamientos destructivos, convencidos de que estamos actuando desde nuestra fortaleza cuando en realidad estamos siendo víctimas de nuestra propia inflación.

Tomemos como ejemplo a alguien con Si heroica (Sensación Introvertida). Cuando esta función se infla, la persona puede volverse tan rígida con sus rutinas y procedimientos que rechaza cualquier cambio, incluso aquellos que podrían beneficiarla. Su adherencia a "lo que siempre ha funcionado" se convierte en una prisión autoimpuesta. En otro caso, alguien con Sensación Extrovertida (Se) inflada puede obsesionarse con el presente, ignorando las consecuencias a largo plazo, tanto para sí mismo como para quienes lo rodean.

Estas son algunas de las características clave de una función heroica insana.

Es inflexible y autoritaria

Rechaza toda crítica o sugerencia de cambio

Puede llevar al aislamiento social

Dificulta el crecimiento personal

Sin embargo, reconocer esta inflación también puede ser una oportunidad para el crecimiento. Estas son algunas formas de manejar una función heroica insana:

Cultivar la humildad y apertura a otras perspectivas

Desarrollar las funciones auxiliares como contrapeso

Buscar retroalimentación de otros y tomarla en serio

Practicar la flexibilidad en nuestros enfoques

La función heroica, aunque es nuestra principal fortaleza, puede convertirse en nuestra mayor debilidad cuando se infla. Es común que confundamos esta inflación con poder o competencia, pero reconocer sus señales nos puede ayudar a mantener un desarrollo más equilibrado. Podemos aprovechar este reconocimiento para crecer y desarrollarnos de manera más integral.