Thought processes and associativity

N and S are just data gathering functions, while F and T handle decision making functions.

P and J describe how you deal with the outside world—J being the structured type and P being the more chaotic one; P actually has nothing to do with perception.

Do your own homework. 😛

Rachel Stewart36 said:N and S are just data gathering functions, while F and T handle decision making functions.

P and J describe how you deal with the outside world—J being the structured type and P being the more chaotic one; P actually has nothing to do with perception.

Do your own homework. 😛

To be honest, I've always been a bit put off by the term "perceiving functions" because it's just so ambiguous. It feels much more practical to call them cognitive functions, just so we don't get them mixed up with this.

Besides, they aren't strictly limited to just collecting data; they involve processing that data and ultimately reaching conclusions. That’s why they’re properly referred to as Modes of processing information and making decisions based on Your Myers-Briggs Type, right? ☕

Joseph Bailey41 said:To be honest, I've always been a bit put off by the term "perceiving functions" because it's just so ambiguous. It feels much more practical to call them cognitive functions, just so we don't get them mixed up with this.

Besides, they aren't strictly limited to just collecting data; they involve processing that data and ultimately reaching conclusions. That’s why they’re properly referred to as Modes of processing information and making decisions based on Your Myers-Briggs Type, right? ☕

Are you really trying to explain this to me? 😁

No need for the lecture. I've been digging into MBTI for nearly a decade now. For the record—I'm an INFJ according to their system. I know enough. 🥳

Back to topic.

Rachel Stewart36 said:Are you really trying to explain this to me? 😁

No need for the lecture. I've been digging into MBTI for nearly a decade now. For the record—I'm an INFJ according to their system. I know enough. 🥳

Back to topic.

Just give up now. I'm an INTP. 🙂

Joseph Bailey41 said:Just give up now. I'm an INTP. 🙂

Check out the revised response. 🤣

Rachel Stewart36 said:Are you really trying to explain this to me? 😁

No need for the lecture. I've been digging into MBTI for nearly a decade now. For the record—I'm an INFJ according to their system. I know enough. 🥳

Back to topic.

In that case, we should get along famously. So, what's our catch? 🤔

Joseph Bailey41 said:In that case, we should get along famously. So, what's our catch? 🤔

Life rarely follows a predictable script; shit happens. 😁

Maybe I associated your handle with negative vibes because I still remember you calling everyone in that one thread intellectual midgets.

I guess that's why I see you as a bit of a snob. Not necessarily a bad thing, though. 😁

Rachel Stewart36 said:Life rarely follows a predictable script; shit happens. 😁

Maybe I associated your handle with negative vibes because I still remember you calling everyone in that one thread intellectual midgets.

I guess that's why I see you as a bit of a snob. Not necessarily a bad thing, though. 😁

I can't recall the specific instance, but that's my go-to tactic whenever someone really gets under my skin. On the flip side, you struck me as being somewhat manipulative for some reason, which is something that drives me crazy. See, this is exactly why women can't just be reduced to equations—hormones tend to mess everything up. 😬

Anyway, since we've wandered off on this tangent and you're studying that MBTI stuff... what's your take on the shadow functions 5 through 8? Do you think they're accessible or totally out of reach?

Joseph Bailey41 said:I can't recall the specific instance, but that's my go-to tactic whenever someone really gets under my skin. On the flip side, you struck me as being somewhat manipulative for some reason, which is something that drives me crazy. See, this is exactly why women can't just be reduced to equations—hormones tend to mess everything up. 😬

Anyway, since we've wandered off on this tangent and you're studying that MBTI stuff... what's your take on the shadow functions 5 through 8? Do you think they're accessible or totally out of reach?

Manipulative? Huh. You caught a glimpse of my secondary function—Fe. It's got this chameleon vibe to it, acting as a solid defence shield to keep people at a polite, refined distance. 🎉

Joseph Bailey41 said:I can't recall the specific instance, but that's my go-to tactic whenever someone really gets under my skin. On the flip side, you struck me as being somewhat manipulative for some reason, which is something that drives me crazy. See, this is exactly why women can't just be reduced to equations—hormones tend to mess everything up. 😬

Anyway, since we've wandered off on this tangent and you're studying that MBTI stuff... what's your take on the shadow functions 5 through 8? Do you think they're accessible or totally out of reach?

If I can pull off convergent intuition, then obviously I can handle divergent too. Same goes for Feeling preference. To me, it just comes down to how much you lean into a specific cognitive style and how good you are at using it.

Like, I'm incredibly sharp at picking up on everyone else's moods, yet I struggle to read my own; it turns out other people are much better at sizing me up than I am at doing the same for myself. For that, I need this whole intuitive-analytical loop just to explain what I'm actually feeling. So, it's not that I lack Fi—it's just that I'm way more focused on Fe. Though, I have noticed I tend to use Fi as a sort of negative projection.

But whatever, I'm not going down this rabbit hole—it's way too complex and totally goes beyond the scope of this thread. Honestly, I just don't feel like burning any more time or energy over-explaining things on social media. Generally speaking, I'm done arguing with people—or digital ghosts for that matter.

Just passing through. 😁

I get what you mean. I’ve been really curious about Fi lately—it’s actually the function I struggle with most—so this whole thing about projection is pretty fascinating. But let's move on; we're starting to drift into spam territory here. Roger Kern16 is going to take us straight to the top and then off to Mars. 😵

If this is just spam, then honestly, bring it on. I’m looking forward to more... 😬
I’m an INFP (scoring high on all four functions). Though, I’ve gotta say, Joseph Bailey41, you have me a bit puzzled when you claim the answer to this whole debate is hidden within the "N" function. Most people I know seem to be intuitive types too—I can barely find one close friend who leans toward "S" for some reason—yet almost none of them actually relate to the thought processes described on the previous pages. Maybe it’s just a percentage thing or something...

Edit: Actually, you mentioned that T is linear thinking while N is associative. If we follow that logic, associative thinking should be most prominent in those with an NF combination. Looking at the people around me, that actually seems to track quite well.

Roger Kern16 said:If this is just spam, then honestly, bring it on. I’m looking forward to more... 😬
I’m an INFP (scoring high on all four functions). Though, I’ve gotta say, Joseph Bailey41, you have me a bit puzzled when you claim the answer to this whole debate is hidden within the "N" function. Most people I know seem to be intuitive types too—I can barely find one close friend who leans toward "S" for some reason—yet almost none of them actually relate to the thought processes described on the previous pages. Maybe it’s just a percentage thing or something...

Edit: Actually, you mentioned that T is linear thinking while N is associative. If we follow that logic, associative thinking should be most prominent in those with an NF combination. Looking at the people around me, that actually seems to track quite well.

So, the functions follow this order: Fi, Ne, Si, Te / Fe, Ni, Se, Ti.
My cognitive styles look like this: Ti, Ne, Si, Fe / Te, Ni, Se, Fi.

Think of it this way: the functions higher up on your list are the ones you’re most conscious of—they're your go-to tools for navigating life. By the time you hit that fourth function, things start getting a little more complicated; most people don't truly wrap their heads around how it works until they're well into their thirties, and even then, it can feel like a total mystery. As for those functions ranked between five and eight? Opinions vary wildly on them; some people don't even consider them part of their core makeup.

So, it looks like we both share the same secondary function—extraverted intuition (Ne). Ever feel like your brain is constantly scanning the horizon for "what if" scenarios? That’s Extraverted Intuition (Ne) in action. It’s that restless, high-speed mental engine that doesn't just look at what *is*, but obsessively tracks all the possibilities of what *could be*. If you have this trait, you probably don't see objects; you see patterns. You don't just see a coffee cup; you see the history of ceramic manufacturing, the physics of heat retention, and the potential for a spilled mess all at once. It’s a way of processing the world by jumping from one idea to the next, creating a web of connections that others might miss entirely. But let’s be honest—it can be exhausting. When your mind is always playing "connect the dots," it’s incredibly easy to get lost in the weeds of theory and lose sight of reality. You might find yourself starting ten different projects because the initial spark was brilliant, only to stall out when the actual, boring work of execution kicks in. It’s a constant tug-of-war between pure inspiration and the practical need to actually finish something. The trick isn't to shut that creative engine off—that would be a waste of a perfectly good mind. Instead, it’s about learning how to ground those flashes of insight. It’s about finding a way to take that chaotic energy and funnel it into something tangible. If we can learn to marry that wild intuition with a bit of discipline, we stop being people who just dream and start being people who build.

I honestly see her as a perfect example of that non-linear way of thinking you described. It’s like this beautiful, creative chaos—connecting dots that don't seem to belong together. It sounds like she could never truly be bored because there's always some kind of movie playing in her head. The challenge, though, is finding a way to actually structure those thoughts and communicate them clearly. To make sense of it all, she has to run all that mental imagery through her primary function. In my case, that's my Ti. I take those internal experiences, break them down, turn them into theories, and then try to translate them into something people can actually understand. Essentially, I use linear logic to make sense of the non-linear. 😵

It feels like you’re filtering everything through Fi (Introverted Feeling), which is a function I honestly struggle to wrap my head around. I rarely get much insight from it, and when I do, it feels incredibly unreliable. That just isn't my lane. (Unless, of course, I'm caught in one of those sudden bursts of zealous idealism—thankfully, those don't last long enough for me to do any real damage to myself or the world.) 😬)

When it comes to sensing types, I get why you might find them a bit dull and avoid hanging out with them—it’s hard to find common ground when you feel like there’s nothing to talk about. It gets a lot easier once you start integrating your Si. Try picking up a sensory-focused hobby like cooking, knitting, gardening, martial arts, or even pole dancing. Once you do that, you can move on to integrating your inferior function, Te. You actually have it right now, but you probably only tap into it during high-stress moments, usually just to snap at someone with a perfectly timed, biting insult when they push your buttons. Your type tends to be really prone to those... well, let's call them "intense" value judgments. 🤣

So, here’s the thing... INFP people often struggle with these weird complexes regarding their own Cognitive Styles. On one hand, there's this sense of pride in being unique or a bit eccentric, but on the other, there’s this desperate urge to master that linear, "left-brain" way of thinking. It leads them to dive into fields like computer science, law, or other rigid professions they aren't even that passionate about, just because they feel they need to "fix" themselves. I definitely fell into that trap. That exact mindset is what drove my long-standing obsession with psychology, emotional theory, and all those topics that don't actually come naturally to me. I ended up collecting a massive mountain of data on the subject, and now I can basically obsess over those facts until the end of time—mostly because, deep down, I’ve realized I actually just love data. 😁

Honestly, that inferior function matters just as much—at least that's what Jung says.

Look, as a regular 🤣 guy, I’ve got my intellect, my heart, and my physical sensations, and it feels like every one of those parts "thinks" in its own unique way within the whole messy mix of my psyche, soul, consciousness, or whatever you want to call the self...

But honestly? There isn't really any "different" way of perceiving ourselves or the world going on here. It just happens that one specific part—any part, really—gets louder or gets totally brainwashed by what everyone else is saying, so it basically hijacks the driver's seat and colors everything with the majority's perspective. Period.

Nobody is strictly just an intellectual, or purely creative, or solely emotional... and nobody is just spiritual either. You aren't just one thing, whether we're talking about being extroverted or introverted, or any of those MBTI functions like Ne, Si, Fe, Ti, Pi, or Ka, Chu...
The world is currently ruled by pure intellect, rigid definitions, dogmas, shallow interests, laziness, hypocrisy, and snobbery... so it’s no wonder there's so much frustration, confusion, bitterness, pressure, insecurity, and depression. Plus, there's this constant flood of new, heavy-handed "linear" theories trying to explain everything away through these "scientifically backed" diagnoses...
It’s just sad to see someone confidently claim that everything is "all in your head."

When it comes to sensing types, maybe they just seem boring to you. You probably dodge them because you aren't sure what you'd even talk about. It gets easier once you integrate Si—just find some sensory hobby like cooking, crochet, gardening, martial arts, or even pole dancing...

Yeah, it’s rare that we actually have something to talk about. Sometimes I feel like it's because they mostly stay on the surface level of things, but it's more likely that we just disagree on how deep we should dive into a topic.

After that, it’s your turn to work on integrating your inferior function (Te). You already have it, but you probably only tap into it during high-stress moments, usually just to spit out some perfectly crafted insult at someone who stepped on your toes. Your type is prone to those... well, let's call them "unique" value judgments. 🤣

So, how does inferior Te actually develop? I find myself slipping into this opposite, ice-cold rationalization mode where I don't even recognize myself... but that's usually when I feel threatened. So, stress-induced, maybe?

And then there's... the INFP person tendency toward complexes regarding their own Cognitive Styles. On one hand, they take pride in being unique and eccentric, but on the other, they desperately want to develop that linear, left-brain thinking. They end up gravitating toward fields like computer science, law, or similar professions that don't actually interest them much, but they think it'll help them "improve."

Both sides are kind of true. I would never disown my Cognitive Styles; they've saved my skin countless times when solving creative or crisis-level problems, and I've learned to rely on them. But I also catch myself doing this weird mental left-brain gymnastics, like playing chess and stuff... mostly because I feel like that side of my brain is totally atrophied. 🤣

Anyway, thanks for explaining these cognitive functions. I've never really dug into them this deeply before.

Roger Kern16 said:

When it comes to sensing types, maybe they just seem boring to you. You probably dodge them because you aren't sure what you'd even talk about. It gets easier once you integrate Si—just find some sensory hobby like cooking, crochet, gardening, martial arts, or even pole dancing...

Yeah, it’s rare that we actually have something to talk about. Sometimes I feel like it's because they mostly stay on the surface level of things, but it's more likely that we just disagree on how deep we should dive into a topic.

After that, it’s your turn to work on integrating your inferior function (Te). You already have it, but you probably only tap into it during high-stress moments, usually just to spit out some perfectly crafted insult at someone who stepped on your toes. Your type is prone to those... well, let's call them "unique" value judgments. 🤣

So, how does inferior Te actually develop? I find myself slipping into this opposite, ice-cold rationalization mode where I don't even recognize myself... but that's usually when I feel threatened. So, stress-induced, maybe?

And then there's... the INFP person tendency toward complexes regarding their own Cognitive Styles. On one hand, they take pride in being unique and eccentric, but on the other, they desperately want to develop that linear, left-brain thinking. They end up gravitating toward fields like computer science, law, or similar professions that don't actually interest them much, but they think it'll help them "improve."

Both sides are kind of true. I would never disown my Cognitive Styles; they've saved my skin countless times when solving creative or crisis-level problems, and I've learned to rely on them. But I also catch myself doing this weird mental left-brain gymnastics, like playing chess and stuff... mostly because I feel like that side of my brain is totally atrophied. 🤣

Anyway, thanks for explaining these cognitive functions. I've never really dug into them this deeply before.

http://infj-mbti.tumblr.com/post/121...-the-functions

This gives you a pretty solid breakdown of how functions develop. Based on this diagram, the way you approach things like chess or similar mental gymnastics is actually developing Ti, not Te. (I find that fascinating, because I often catch myself deep in these Fi activities, and both of those feel more like tinkering with a "devilish" eighth function rather than an inferior fourth.)

I’d also suggest another useful way to work on Te: debating on forums. And I don't mean just casual reading, sharing personal stories, or agreeing with people—I mean getting into the weeds. (Within the forum rules, obviously, because I don't want to sound like I'm encouraging bad behavior here. 😬) You pick an opponent who is a "worthy adversary" and have a real debate with them on a specific topic. Forums are great for this because there's a written record—you can see when you let someone trigger a negative emotional reaction, when you resorted to cheap ad hominem attacks (which is your inferior Te under stress), and when you managed to stick to logical arguments and elegantly deflect their hits. Think of it like fencing; try to improve your technique. While you're at it, watch how others do it and try to mimic a maneuver you like. Or join a debate club. Or just watch those old romantic comedies where characters spend ninety minutes sniping at each other before finally falling into each other's arms. Something like that. You'll probably think of something else eventually. 😁

Joseph Bailey41 said:http://infj-mbti.tumblr.com/post/121...-the-functions

This gives you a pretty solid breakdown of how functions develop. Based on this diagram, the way you approach things like chess or similar mental gymnastics is actually developing Ti, not Te. (I find that fascinating, because I often catch myself deep in these Fi activities, and both of those feel more like tinkering with a "devilish" eighth function rather than an inferior fourth.)

I’d also suggest another useful way to work on Te: debating on forums. And I don't mean just casual reading, sharing personal stories, or agreeing with people—I mean getting into the weeds. (Within the forum rules, obviously, because I don't want to sound like I'm encouraging bad behavior here. 😬) You pick an opponent who is a "worthy adversary" and have a real debate with them on a specific topic. Forums are great for this because there's a written record—you can see when you let someone trigger a negative emotional reaction, when you resorted to cheap ad hominem attacks (which is your inferior Te under stress), and when you managed to stick to logical arguments and elegantly deflect their hits. Think of it like fencing; try to improve your technique. While you're at it, watch how others do it and try to mimic a maneuver you like. Or join a debate club. Or just watch those old romantic comedies where characters spend ninety minutes sniping at each other before finally falling into each other's arms. Something like that. You'll probably think of something else eventually. 😁

My gut was heading in a similar direction, though maybe I took the whole "finding an equal opponent" thing a bit too far. 😳 Now I've basically bonded with sociopaths and learned a ton from them... it's been quite the ride. 😬

No matter where you go, you always end up getting too attached. It’s a classic pattern. That's how you'll never actually learn to think for yourself. 🙂

I'm just not cut out to be an INTJ. 😳

Btw, what are the odds that some of these functions actually shift down the line... like, swapping an I for an E, or a P for a J? Whether it’s just aging or actual intentional work. I have to admit, I'm kind of curious what it's like to actually be an ENTP, an INFJ, or an ENFJ.

Roger Kern16 said:I'm just not cut out to be an INTJ. 😳

Btw, what are the odds that some of these functions actually shift down the line... like, swapping an I for an E, or a P for a J? Whether it’s just aging or actual intentional work. I have to admit, I'm kind of curious what it's like to actually be an ENTP, an INFJ, or an ENFJ.

Funny you picked those exact three.

I stumbled onto these tests about a year ago through a recommendation. Since then, I've taken them a bunch of times under totally different life circumstances—using all sorts of sources, some in American, some in English. And every single time? Same result... the same triple combo. ENFP, ENFJ, INFJ. The last two are basically a 1% toss-up on the E-I scale, but the first one is super strong. I see traits from all three in myself—and I mean like 98-99% (just so we aren't saying a literal 100% 🕺 ), whereas I don't relate to the other types at all. I catch bits of just one other type, INFP... but only in tiny amounts if I'm being honest.
From what I can tell, they all fall into the same "group" 🤔

I haven't found a satisfying explanation yet. Everyone I know who took the same test in the same way gets one specific, consistent result.