Cognition: Visual Identification (Introduction)
While largely associated with genetically inherited traits, visual identification of type alludes to movements, gaze, expressions, gestures. The dynamic reactions of the person to the influence of its environment. The way information is processed leading to the development of certain motor skills. Proper assessment distinguishes the genetic manifestations of a person from the dynamic.
The following is a bit of a cheat sheet for observing the eyes/gaze or expression of any individual.
Reference: Psych's V.I. Typing Gallery
The energy of the introverted gaze is retreating and shielding away. We could say that the introvert is too self-absorbed and full of information that must be protected/contained - little energy is consequently directed outward. The introvert closes off from the external world to avoid being overwhelmed while the extrovert appears open to receive, sending the invitation, and creating a connection/bridge for interaction. The extrovert is attentive to their surroundings, as a result, the gaze is more concentrated and focused. This is naturally why we might observe non-verbally that the extrovert is more welcoming and friendly than the introvert who is preoccupied and removed. It can also be observed as a clue that the introverted gaze is prone to avert their eyes at first glance to avoid immediate engagement while the extrovert is more quickly captured or summoned by the interest of others.
The intuitive gaze is otherworldly and reaches into the ether, never entirely grasping onto anything; zoning out from their ivory tower (Ni) or bouncing around in la-la land (Ne). In contrast, the sensory gaze is earthly and grasps directly onto what is real and tangible; alert to the pressure and impact of shifting circumstances (Se) or self-assured with their bearings on a consistent impression (Si). As this implies, the intuitive gaze radiates and captures unspecified wholeness while the sensory gaze converges and comes together at a precise point. This is notably one of the easiest signatures to pick up on when typing by the eyes alone.
“When you observe a man who is working by his sense function you will see, if you look at him attentively, that the axes of his eyes have a tendency to converge and to come together at one point. When you study the expression or the eyes of intuitive people, you will see that they only glance at things—they do not look, they radiate at things because they take in their fullness, and among the many things they perceive they get one point on the periphery of their field of vision and that is the hunch. Often you can tell from the eyes whether people are intuitive or not. When you have an intuitive attitude, you usually do not as a rule observe the details. You always try to take in the whole of a situation, and then suddenly something crops up out of this wholeness. When you are a sensation type you will observe facts as they are, but then you have no intuition, simply because the two things cannot be done at the same time.”
C.G. Jung (Analytical Psychology: Its Theory and Practice)
The feeling type has smoother features while the thinking type has sharper features. Eyes of the feeling type are welling up, appearing watery and affectual. Eyes of the thinking type are drying out, appearing blank and indifferent. There's variety and rich creative expression with the feeling type, they have more grace and delicacy to their smile. The thinking type tends to have limited and cheap ready-made (“archaic”) expressions, their smile is more coarse and discreet. Generally, the feeling type is going to have a more feminine appearance while the thinking type is going to have a more masculine appearance. Female thinking types will be tomboyish while male feeling types will be effeminate, both of these types demonstrating more androgynous characteristics and the most gender fluidity.
Impressions for the gaze and expression of each dichotomy are relative and will vary beyond any description so it's more important to start typing people and assembling various images for yourself. It's a lot like addressing the symptoms of an underlying condition, what is seen from outside will reflect what is going on internally if it's being properly assessed. Differentiating between functions will happen naturally as you begin to combine these different impressions. Below is a rough list of descriptive terms which may help for those starting out and beginning to consider their own.
In addition to considering gaze and expression, there are also patterns to consider observing mannerisms and posture. This can be worked on and changed but there’s always certain observable trends. Listed below are just a few of them.
