#mbti loop

Explanation on an MBTI loop. Not an expert. May change later.

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Loops in MBTI occurs when a type begins to cycle between their dominant and tertiary function, completely ignoring the auxiliary and inferior. This is mainly caused from stress and can be continous until finally broken.

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INTP Function stack: Ti - Ne - Si - Fe

When in a Ti - Si loop, INTP is stuck trying to find answers from previous experiences. They can get trapped in constant rumination about the past as they try to find the answer(s) to their issue(s). However, this does more harm than good as they will start to fixate on their past mistakes. Overanalyzing the things they could and should have done will paralyze them into fear and self doubt. Can be very indecisive. Their overthinking will stump their Aux Ne from functioning properly, which can cause INTP to get trapped with certain routines and structures (even if it is not benefitting them). Without the help of Ne, a looping INTP struggles to form new ideas and perspectives. It makes it difficult for INTP to be innovative.

To escape the loop, an INTP needs to learn to utilize their Ne properly again. They can try to put themselves in new opportunities that will get their Ne to function; new opportunities will hopefully get INTP to explore new ideas and concepts. Brainstorm possible solutions to get their gears going. Learn to be more accepting of their own mistakes and failures, be more self compassionate.

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Hola! Esto es lo que en inglés se llama "grip", seguro que si buscas "mbti grip" te salen cosas. Es una de las dos formas en las que se manifiesta un malestar psicológico o emocional, el otro siendo el "loop" (en la que una persona se limita a alternar entre la primera y la tercera función, concentrándose sólo en una vertiente -extrovertida o introvertida- y entrando en un bucle de retroalimentación nada sano; de ahí el nombre) por si tienes curiosidad por ése también

El grip suele ser una especie de "rebote" contra el mundo, así que normalmente ocurre en situaciones de crisis o de alto estrés, o en respuesta a sufrir estrés más alto o más tiempo de lo que alguien puede aguantar, mientras que el loop suele ser más por un malestar general (depresión, ansiedad o cualquier otra cosa que pueda afectarte). Aunque la causa en sí puede ser momentánea, el grip puede continuar incluso después de que la causa se vaya. Es bastante habitual que vaya asociado a situaciones de "burnout" mental y/o emocional

It can be healthy or unhealthy. Unhealthy would be Fe-Se loops, but it can be healthy with their tertiary function well developed. 

Dear Evan Hansen • ESFP • In the Grip

"An ESFP in a rut will revert to their introverted intuition. This normally happy-go-lucky type will turn their vision to the future and may get lost imagining negative courses of action that could develop. They may become crippled by self-doubt and adopt a cynical viewpoint toward others. This normally warm and enthusiastic type is apt to developing a ‘short fuse’ while operating from their inferior function and may lash out at others – imagining a sinister ‘hidden meaning’ behind everything others say and do."

- Heidi Priebe

Symptoms of the Grip in an ESFP:

• Jumping to conclusions

• Believing the worst in people's intentions

• Emotional outbursts

• Feeling lost within themselves; hopeless; alone

• Sensitive to what others say/do to them

I.E.

Jared: "Hey, Connor. I’m loving the new hair length. Very school shooter chic."

Connor turns and glares at Jared, who is unphased by this. Evan is clearly uncomfortable.

Jared: "Calm down, bud. It was a joke."

Connor: (deadpan) "Yeah no, it was funny. I’m laughing. Can’t you tell? Am I not laughing hard enough for you?"

Jared: (walking away, shaking his head) "God, you’re such a freak."

Connor now turns his attention to Evan who is forced into eye-contact. There is no one else in the hall (that we can see). Evan doesn’t know what to do, so he laughs.

Connor: "What are you laughing at?"

Evan: (freezing up) "What?"

Connor: "Stop f***ing laughing at me!"

Evan: (his palms becoming sweaty) "I’m not."

Connor: "You think I’m a freak?"

Connor steps towards Evan.

Evan: "No, I don’t-"

Connor: "I’m not the freak!"

Connor is in Evan’s face.

Evan: "But I wasn’t-"

Connor: "You’re the f***ing freak!"

Connor shoves Evan into the lockers and storms off.

- Script

Connor: "Is this yours? I found it at the printer. 'Dear Evan Hansen?' That’s your name, right?"

Evan: "Oh, that’s just a stupid, it’s a paper I had to write for an, um...assignment."

Connor: “'Because there’s Zoe.' ...This is about my sister."

Evan: "No, no, no..."

Connor: "You knew I would find this."

Evan: "What?"

Connor: "You saw that I was the only other person in the computer lab, so you wrote this, and you printed it out, so that I would find it."

Evan: "Why/ would I do that?"

Connor: "/So I would read some creepy **** that you wrote about my sister and freak out, right? And then you can tell everyone that I’m crazy, right?"

Evan: "No, wait. I don’t even...what?"

Connor: (furious) "F*** you!"

Connor charges past Evan, leaving him calling after him

- Script

Trying to Escape the Grip:

"To break out of a rut, the ESFP needs to engage their extroverted sensing. They will need a new situation, adventure or group of people to help them remember that they think best on their feet, when directly engaged with the world around them. This type requires a great deal of external stimulation to feel healthy and happy – they are the most themselves when they are constantly engaged with new people and projects."

- Heidi Priebe

I.E.

Connor realizes he has an opportunity to talk to someone and walks over to the printers

Connor: "So, uh, what happened to your arm?"

Evan: "Oh, I um. I fell out of a tree."

Connor: (laughing) "You fell out of a tree?"

Evan nods and Connor sits down next to him. He is holding a paper in his hand.

Connor: (still laughing) "Well, if that isn’t the saddest f***ing thing I’ve ever heard."

Evan: (faking a laugh) "I know."

Connor: (pointing to Evan’s cast) "No one’s signed your cast?"

Evan: "Nope."

Connor: "I will."

Evan: "Oh, you don’t have to…"

Connor: "Ya got a Sharpie?"

Evan reluctantly hands over his sharpie. Connor grabs Evan’s arm roughly, Evan winces. Close-up on Evan’s cast as Connor writes his name in massive letters across it. Evan isn’t too happy about this. He stands up.

Evan: "Oh. Great. Thanks."

Connor: "Now we can both pretend that we have friends."

Evan: "Heh, sure."

- Script

Se-Te Loop:

"An ESFP in an Se-Te loop becomes overly concerned with 'doing' all of the time, unable to let themselves stop to take a break. They become forceful, aggressive, insistent upon taking action whether or not it hurts those around them or fulfills their inner sense of duty. They dismiss their necessary stage of stopping to reflect on whether their choices are in line with their values, instead shutting off this voice and focusing on outward manifestations of logic and planning."

- @infj-mbti

Symptoms of a Loop:

• Aggressive Behavior

• Giving In to Impulses

• Disregarding Others

• Ignoring their Moral-Compass (Fi)

I.E.

"Just because Connor isn’t here, trying to punch through my door, screaming at the top of his lungs that he’s going to kill me for no reason—that doesn’t mean that, all of a sudden, we’re the f***ing Brady Bunch."

-Zoe Murphy

Personal Thoughts:

I think Connor is an ESFP who tried to reach out to others, but when no one reached back, just sunk deeper into the grip. I think for awhile growing up (prior to the events in the play), he might've been in a loop.

From Cynthia, we learn that he got clothes to go Bar Mitzvahs (but was never invited to any). I'm sure that the idea of going was exciting to him and he enjoyed looking for an outfit, even if he played it off. From his mom's positive testimony of him in Requiem and throughout the rest of the play, I feel like he did have a connection with her. I don't think that her view of him is only there because she's his mom - I think they genuinely had an understanding, even if they got frustrated with each other sometimes. He probably just put up walls with her - walls that she patiently waited for him to take down, but never did.

Larry "gave him the world," but he gave his own world, not a world that Connor wanted. He didn't meet his son where he was. I'm sure he wanted to hang out with his dad and connect with him, but maybe he wasn't into baseball (or skiing or whatever else his dad pushed him to do). Larry decided, even when Connor was still there, that he wasn't worth investing in because he wouldn't listen anyways. The connection was dead because his dad didn't seek to break down his walls. He saw them and assumed that's all there was.

Zoe saw him as a villain, and for good reason. From what we learn of his time with her, he treated her terribly. He pushed her away. He threatened her. He scared her. Of course she didn't seek him out, why would she? She was forced to protect herself from the monster beating on her door every night. How could she break down his walls when she was building up her own?

Jared joked about him looking like a school shooter and called him a freak, and probably never considered actually trying to befriend him.

Evan was terrified of him. *Though, I would like to point out that Connor probably never got to sign someone's cast before - Evan was probably the first. They could've had a genuine connection after that had Connor listened to Evan explain the letter rather than jumping to conclusions and storming off.

The script says, "Some people [in the school halllway] point at him and snicker. Unlike Evan, Connor makes deliberate eye-contact with these students, making them uncomfortable."

He was hurt. He was alone. He could seek out new experiences and new people all he wanted, but if no one else was receptive, then he would never be satisfied. He wanted a connection with someone, anyone, to pull him out of the grip, but at the end of the day, he felt completely isolated.

But he wasn't, and you're not. If you're feeling stuck or isolated, anxious or depressed, please let a friend/family member know or check out this link and call one of the numbers. Seriously. You were created for a purpose. Your existence matters. You matter, just as you are. Please don't forget that, and get yourself the help that you need!!

Also, even if you don't have clinical depression, you should still reach out to those around you. Sometimes, we all need someone. Don't justify not getting yourself the help you need just because others have it worse. My brother does that all the time. It's not selfish to need support. Reach out. It's okay.

Additionally:

By the time we come to meet Connor, he is so deep in this rut that in order to have a relationship with anyone, he would need someone to seek him out fiercely and intentionally - to toss a rope into the hole Connor was in and pull him out. He needed a friend who would call him out and tell him he needed to calm down, but also someone who would support and encourage him. More than anything, he just needed someone who was willing to try and wasn't going to give up on him.

Just a quick reminder for anyone caught in an introverted loop:stop abstracting.

Whatever reality you’ve carefully constructed in your head, if it doesn’t stand up against the fullness of external input, you have to let it go.

Don’t fight it; you already know on some level that you’re lying to yourself. Se and Ne have tons of information to dump on you, and there’s no way you can use Te and Fe effectively if you’re reasoning from a false premise.

Take a breath, take a seat. Ni and Si, update your model, recraft your perception. Fi and Ti, stop grasping at that singular conclusion, it has nothing to do with your relationship with the world.

Explanation on an MBTI loop. Not an expert. May change later.

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Loops in MBTI occurs when a type begins to cycle between their dominant and tertiary function, completely ignoring the auxiliary and inferior. This is mainly caused from stress and can be continous until finally broken.

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INTJ function stack: Ni - Te - Fi - Se

In a Ni - Fi loop, INTJ becomes out of touch with their external functions (Te and Se). They become so internalized and warped in their emotions (Fi) that they forget to take the time to think things through. They make emotionally negative assumptions and are convinced their guesses are right. Very irrational and insecure, self centered behaviour.

E.g INTJ in a loop may think their friend dislikes them as their friend is not talking to them much. INTJ may think "oh they hate me now, they don't want to be friends anymore, they think I'm annoying" etc. However, a normally functioning INTJ would use their external functions to realize that their friend has been busy and therefore very tired. And when people are tired, of course they are not going to be the most energetic and talkative. Especially if it's a face to face interaction, INTJ would have to use Se to spot the visible signs of stress on their friend (dark circles, eyebags, overall looking dejected, etc). Ni - Fi loop will disregard this easy step and just make it all about INTJ's hurt feelings.

To get out of this loop, an INTJ should try to use their external functions little by little. Start working on things they need to do and finish a task or two to make their aux Te function normally again. For Se, take a walk, stretch, engage in something physical so they can get out of their mind.

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A brief explanation on cognitive functions. As I'm still learning about MBTI myself, I may update/change this.

If you are interested in kpop and typology, I do typology analysis for idols

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The cognitive functions are what each personality type uses to work through the world. How they make decisions and take action, how they process information and perceive the world. There are 4 extroverted functions and 4 introverted functions, a total of 8 functions. They are split between Judging and Perceiving functions.

Introversion/extroversion in MBTI is NOT the same as social introversion/extroversion. A person can be introverted socially and extroverted MBTI wise as they lead with a dominant extroverted function and vice versa.

All 16 types use all 8 but will have 4 in their main stack. The other 4 are in the shadow stack, which may used under stress and/or facing really new/unfamiliar situations.

Main stack: Dominant - Auxiliary - Tertiary - Inferior

Dominant function is the most comfortable function to use.

Auxiliary supports the dominant function.

Tertiary is a neutral spot. It can help the dominant and/or aux function but may also be a little awkward to use.

Inferior is most confusing function to use. Usage can be improved over time and with a lot effort though.

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Judging functions: Functions that show how we make decisions and take action.

These would be Feeling and Thinking functions:

Fe, Fi, Te, and Ti

Fe - Extroverted Feeling (ExFJ, IxFJ, ExTP, IxTP)

Values human connections

Values group harmony; dislikes conflict

Tries to see what's best emotionally for others; recognizes other's feelings

May care about other's perspective of them

Fi - Introverted Feeling (IxFP, ExFP, IxTJ, ExTJ)

Focused on own emotions, personal values and morals; analyze decisions against their own beliefs

Constantly analyzing their own emotions and morals to see if they need to improve their own character

Wants to be authentic and genuine

Te - Extroverted Thinking (ExTJ, IxTJ, ExFP, IxFP)

Objective and fair

Focuses on efficiency and order

Uses knowledge in the external world

Relies on established facts and sources; doesn't care to pick it apart as long as it's true and usable

Ti - Introverted Thinking (IxTP, ExTP, IxFJ, ExFJ)

Subjective thinking

Picks apart info to see what makes sense logically to them. Then creates an internal system for consistent info

Very logical and analytical

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Perceiving functions: Functions that show how we think and process information

These would be Sensing and Intuitive functions:

Se, Si, Ne, and Ni

Se - Extroverted Sensing (ESxP, ISxP, ENxJ, INxJ)

Uses the 5 senses

Present minded

Observe, experience, and react in the moment

Realistic and grounded

Si - Introverted Sensing (ISxJ, ESxJ, INxP, ENxP)

Makes an inner perception of the outside world

Relies on personal experiences

Prefers familiarity and structure

Tends to be detail oriented

Ne - Extroverted Intuition (ENxP, INxP, ESxJ, ISxJ)

Gains ideas from the external world; creates and sees many future possibilities

Makes external connections and patterns

Theoretical, experimental

Ni - Introverted Intuition (INxJ, ENxJ, ISxP, ESxP)

Focused on personal insights, impressions, and ideas

"Hunches". Ni picks up info subconsciously and the answer may pop up "randomly"

Convergent; may have a few ideas here and there but it all comes down to one idea/answer

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The pattern of functions can go

JPPJ or PJJP

E.g

ENTJ (Te - Ni - Se - Fi) - JPPJ

INTJ (Ni - Te - Fi - Se) - PJJP

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Depending on where the function is in the stack, it is used and expressed differently. E.g Te doms (ExTJ) will often have no problem initiating and finishing tasks as Te is focused on reaching goals. It is natural for them to be able to get things going. However, Fi doms (IxFP) have Te as their inferior; they may struggle to finish projects or take initiative. May struggle to separate feelings from situations that require being objective.

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Loops and Grips can occur when under stress.

A type in a loop can be stuck cycling between their dominant and tertiary function, completely ignoring their other functions.

A type in a grip can be stuck using their inferior function in a very unhealthy way. They are very unlike their usual personality.

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Explanation on an MBTI loop. Not an expert. May change later.

___

Loops in MBTI occurs when a type begins to cycle between their dominant and tertiary function, completely ignoring the auxiliary and inferior. This is mainly caused from stress and can be continous until finally broken.

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ENTJ function stack: Te - Ni - Se - Fi

ENTJs in a Te - Se loop can have tunnel vision. An ENTJ is supposed to use their auxiliary Ni to refine their plans and ideas (Te). However, it gets ignored in a loop and ENTJ jumps straight to action without looking over their plans. They have the need to work without a clear goal in mind since they become desperate for success and achievements. Can make risky impulsive decisions when stuck in a loop. Recklessness. 

 This can be shown in sudden aggressiveness, e.g getting mad if they think someone is being incompetent, micromanaging as an attempt to feel in control. They may start to embody the heartless stereotype of Te doms as they ignore theirs and others' values in order to get things done. They may not care if it's problematic - they just need to finish a task and achieve something, even if it's short lived. As Se is focused on physical/present matters, ENTJ may try too hard to look cool (caring too much about others view on them, may start buying unnecessary yet "fancy" items in order to look impressive, etc). 

 To get out of a loop, ENTJs should try to reconnect with their internal functions. To get in touch with Ni, ENTJ should try to be more introspective. Take the time to understand and organize their inner world. 

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