That really depends on who you ask, so I’m just going to answer it the way you’ll be seeing it on my blog: it’s a shorthand way of referring to people’s cognitive functions.
Mbti is A shorthand for a FRAMEWORK. A FRAMEWORK of how people’s minds work - not a personality/behaviour rulebook. You won’t relate to your mbti type descriptions all the time, because they’re just predictions of behaviour based on cognitive functions.
There are 16 types - 16 function stacks - and 8 cognitive functions. The type names help you remember which functions an individual can have.
Cognitive functions. This is the part of mbti that is most important. In fact, FORGET THE LETTERS. It’s all about the functions. There are 8 functions. Every one has all 8, but they preference four for everyday life. To learn more about the functions you can read #fun functions posts. The way the functions interact is important.
There are two directions for functions - internal (intraverted) and externally (Extraverted). There’s no such thing as an ambivert, because it’s not about socialness. It’s about how your mind is working.
There are perceiving functions - how you take in information - and there are judging functions - how you filter information.
You can either be a sensor or an intuitive. Don’t think about this in the way the terms are generally used, sensors don’t go around rubbing things do understand the world around them.
Short explanation: Extraverted perceiving functions seek possibilities, and intraverted perceiving functions create an internal framework.
Put simply, sensors perceive the world around them through physical things, and intuitives perceive the world around them through… Vibes.
Intraverted sensing (Si) notices small details in its world (body, house, etc) and creates an internal framework based on these details. It favours past experience, and methods that it knows have worked before.
Extraverted sensing (Se) notices bigger details in the world around them (subtle details, like who’s looking at who and who might like each other). It favours learning through experience and being present in the moment.
Intraverted intuition (Ni) picks up on vibes. Some say this isn’t possible, and Ni can’t really explain how it is. It creates a framework of the world internally, and tries to predict the future based off past behaviours and current vibes. It can get weird.
Extraverted intuition (Ne) can get weirder 😂. It gets vibes, but instead of creating a framework it creates possibilities. Did the vibe mean x, y, or z?
You can either filter your perceptions through thinking or feeling. No, this is no emotion vs logic. Many feelers are very good thinkers. I’ll explain it in a minute.
Short explanation: intraverted judging functions filter their perceptions through their own internal thoughts/logic (Ti) or feeling/morality (Fi). Extraverted judging functions filter their perceptions through other’s thoughts/logic (Te) or feelings/morality (Fe).
Intraverted thinking (Ti) isn’t too bothered if you disagree with its logic. They care that things make sense to them personally, and won’t think something just because everyone else does. They’re the reasons the rule ‘thinkers speak of thoughts and feelers speak of feelings/people’ DOESN’T WORK. Ti is intraverted. It doesn’t often share its thoughts. This doesn’t mean Ti users don’t care what anyone thinks, but it does leave them vulnerable to that weakness.
Extraverted thinking (Te) is bothered if you disagree with its logic, and will try to convince you it’s correct. This is why Te users often speak of ideas. This doesn’t mean Te users will think anything the majority of people do, but it does leave them vulnerable to that weakness.
Intraverted feeling (Fi) is kind of the opposite of Ti in a way. Fi users don’t need your approval to believe they’re right. But they still want you to agree with them. They want you to share their morality, because they believe it is right. Fi is more about a feeling of morality than emotions. This doesn’t mean Fi users are self righteous, but it leaves them vulnerable to that weakness.
Extraverted feeling (Fe) is about other people’s feelings and ideas of morality. Fe users often don’t know how they’re actually feeling, so the idea they talk about their own emotions is WRONG. They talk about other’s emotions. This doesn’t mean Fe users are pushovers, but it does leave them vulnerable to that weakness.
Every person preferences four functions. Their first function determines if they’re an intraverted or Extravert (nothing to do with people!). The direction of the functions is the opposite of the one before (I, e, I, e). The two middle functions are either two judging functions or two perceiving functions.
If you lead with an Extraverted judging function, you are called an E**J. So no,
Depending on whether you have Si/Se or Ni/Ne in your first two functions, you are either an S or an N type. And depending on whether you have a T function or an F function first, you are called a T or an F.
How you use the functions
You use the first function (primary function) without even really realising it.
You use the second function (auxillary function) when making a basic decision. It supports your first function.
You use this function (Tertiary Function) when making a tougher decision. If you get too stressed and get in a loop between your first and third function, you’ll probably start doing dumb stuff or inventing conspiracy theories.
You use the fourth function (Inferior function) when you’re a little stressed or sad. You don’t really have much control over it. You probably find it hard to relate to people who lead with your inferior Function.
Like I said, everyone has all 8 functions, but the final four are barely used, and are like the shadow of your personality. They’re the opposite direction of your first four. (So for an Enfj (Fe Ni Se Ti) their shadow is Fi Ne Si Te).
You use the first Shadow Function when you feel stuck, to consider new options. You probably like people who lead with this function.
The second shadow function is your critical parent. You use it to tell yourself and others off. You may feel like people who lead with this function are always having a go at you.
This is the function you use to spite people, and make sure neither of you are happy. You probably think people who lead with this function are mean or manipulative.
This is your Demon function. If you go here you’re severely depressed. You may mind people who lead with this function simultaneously boring and hard to connect with, and attractive and ideal.
I personally believe you can see the first function in someone’s eyes, as well as the difference between Fi and Fe. I have some posts about that #mbti eyes. It’s hard to explain, but from experience it works. You’re looking at how the brain works after all 😉
If you made it to the end of this and like it, enjoy my blog. Otherwise, I’m not really looking for an internet fight 😂 Pls don’t kill me for my stupid Ni-Ti ideas. Just laugh and go on your merry way.
