Personality Type Construction
Our personality type is made up of four functions: The two Perceving functions (Sensing and iNtuition) and the two Judging functions (Thinking and Feeling). It is the prefered order of these functions and their attitude (Extraverted or Introverted) that makes us so very different.
The dominant function is the first to be developed in our life. Think of it as the driver in a car. It is the function that we rely on and guides us on our journey. It is important to remember that those whose preference is for Extraversion direct their dominant function to the outer world, where as those whose preference is for Introversion direct their dominant function inwardly - what you see in the outer world is their auxilary or second best function.
Our next most developed function is named the auxilary function. The auxilary function brings balance to the dominant function. Think of it as the passenger that provides us with balanced conversation.
The opposite in preference to the auxilary function is termed the tertiary function. Less developed than both the dominant and auxilary function, the tertiary function brings with it its own gifts, much like the teenager in the back seat.
Opposite to the dominant function in both preference and in attitude (E or I) is the inferior function. This is the least developed function of all and is often the cause of stress if is called upon frequently. It can be viewed much like the infant in the back seat.
| Function Pair Combinations |
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Each personality type is more than the sum of its parts. This is due to the way the prefered Perceiving and Judging functions (S or N and T or F) interact with each other. This is termed a function pair. The possible combinations are: |
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Sensing with Thinking (ST) - real data processed in a logical and consistent way. |
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Sensing with Feeling (SF) - real data about people processed against personal values. |
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iNtuition with Thinking (NT) - theories and abstract data processed in a logcical and consistent way. |
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iNtuition with Feeling (NF) - future possibilities about people processed against personal values.
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The balance in use between the Perceiving function and the judging function is not equal. Jung suggested that we either have a greater preference for using our Perceiving function (information gathering through either S or N) or for our Judging function (decision making through either T or F). This combined with either a preference for Extraversion or Introversion gives rise to eight dominant functions.
