Overview of the Cognitive Functions
Perception
Perception is how we perceive the material reality. Stimuli from the external (and internal) environment triggers our sensory receptors (e.g. EM wave/light on rods/cones of the eye, vibration on cochlear hair cells of the ear, chemical stimuli of the taste receptors on the tongue, pressure on mechanoreceptors of the skin, olfactory cells of the nose, etc.). The brain interprets the nerve signals to create our individual interpretation of the reality around us. You could almost say we are each programmed slightly differently (like the OS of different computer systems) to interpret the signals in our own unique way. I could go down a huge philsophical rabbit hole here, but maybe I'll leave that to another post. Let's say this is how/why there are different manifestations of perceiving which we can describe as a cognitive function (because it literally is cognition taking place in the brain - Define cognition: cognition is the mental process of knowing, learning, understanding, and reasoning, involving acquiring, processing, storing, and using information through thought, experience, and the senses.
Overview of the Perceptive Functions
N - intuitives
Perception that tends future direction and tends to consider context (mapped information)
Ne - extroverted (aka externally oriented) perception that tends to consider divergent possibilities (analogous to brain storming any/all ideas, or an exploded diagram)
Ni - introverted (aka internally oriented) perception tends to converge data toward a likely (or fewer likely) possibilities (analogous to extrapolation of data on a graph)
S - Sensing
Perception that tends to focus on details and linear information
Se - externally oriented perception - tends to see new experiences - This one seems the most "pure" (imo) - basically sensory information from the environment at present moment (grounded) (logically it would seem that all other perceptive functions would also rely on Se input... I discuss this part of my opinion a bit later in this post.)
Si - internally oriented perception with a present/past comparison factor, considers details (analogous to a timeline with a start point to present)
Judging
Judging functions describe the use of the data (the understanding, reasoning, and using information part). Some people make decisions using information they deem objective (not up for interpretation), while others use subjective criteria (like how they or other personally regard something).
Overview of the Judging Functions
T - thinking
Makes decisions that prioritize logic/objective criteria
Te - extenally oriented judging function - decisions based on information/data/logic external to the person (ie. in "reality", moves the material world)
Ti - internally oriented judging function - decisions based on internally constructed logic (ie. how things work, how things make sense, internal understanding separate from emotions)
F - Feeling
Makes decisions that prioritize emotional/subjective data
Fe - externally focused - tends to prioritize the emotional data external to oneself to inform decisions (how do others feel, what do others like, how do I fit in with others, does it consider the feelings of others or affect the harmony of the group?)
Fi - internally focused - tends to prioritize the emotional data of the self to make decisions (How do I feel, does it align with my values, does it reflect/express my feelings)
Once a person has perceived something in the world, and decided that that thing is relevant, they can make decisions with or "manipulate" (either internally or externally) that perception, including storing it in memory for later (side note: it's so crazy how brains are so much like computers - or maybe it's the other way around - we try copy our own systems into the material world and created external brains - aka computers - again, another rabbit hole for another post).
In order to create an MBTI type, the theory says that the judging function determines which function is extroverted. There's a bit of controversy around this idea but that's yet another rabbit hole to explore later. For example, if the person is an ENTJ they will extrovert the thinking function (Te). Since their dominant function is also the extroverted one, they end up with a stack like Te-Ni-Se-Fi. An ENTP, in contrast, extroverts the perceiving function, and since their dominant function is E, they end up with Ne-Ti-Fe-Si. An INTJ will end up with a dominant introverted function, in this case Ni, and their extroverted judging function is Te, so Ni-Te-Fi-Se. Same for INTP - The perceiving function is extroverted, that's Ne, but the dominant function is introverted, so they end up with Ti-Ne-Si-Fe. The last two functions are the tertiary and inferior functions. For the purpose of this discussion, I'm going to focus on the dom and aux, since they are derivable from the 4 letter type that one would get when doing an MBTI test.
For me, J and P difference are easiest to recognize/predict based on someone's typical behaviour (read my opinion a little further down after the trigger warning).
S/N difference is a lot harder to "see" without having direct insight into someone else's way of thinking, and numerous examples from across various contexts. Sometimes people can explain how they know something and that gives "clues" (like if context was considered or if they focused on details, or if they had concrete evidence vs "jumped to conclusions" because the "path"/pattern was obvious). In my experience it seems like sensing types often prefer linear problem solving over "reverse engineering". Steps seem obvious to them, while intuitive types tend to jump around and fill in the gaps. I'm also pretty sure that the vast majority of people sit closer to the middle of the S/N spectrum and flow often between multiple perceptive cognitive functions. Some people seem to switch between J and P preference too depending on context, and that could also make it harder to narrow down to a single type.
Trigger warning! I'm about to use the word "vibes" which some people really don't like. I like that word though, because it describes energy, and how energy interacts with other energy. Here's another rabbit hole opportunity: did you know that your neurons fire sensory information both from your peripherals to your brain, and your brain to your peripherals, and some areas of the body, like the heart, have enough nerves that it creates its own electromagnetic field and can signal the brain when that field changes? Pretty cool.... Anyways, so here I'm going to jump into vibes. This part is not scientific at all. It's all my personal opinions.
While I'm usually more into the idea of breaking stereotypes, here I've decided to provide some from my own experience, just for shits and giggles:
J - Judging - extrovert the judging functions (T/F) - tend towards decisions - desire conclusion
J - Judging - extrovert the judging functions (T/F) - tend towards decisions - desire conclusion
- often give "rushed" vibe or "controlled" vibe
- tend to like structure (probably because it speeds decisions!)
- in my personal experience, a J tends to give a "hardened" vibe to a personality, and often S type will also have this "harder" vibe
P - Perceiving - extrovert the perceiving functions (N/S) - tend toward perceiving - desire exploration (often give "laid back" or "passive"/chill vibe), tend not to like too much structure (probably because it impedes exploration)
- in my experience, P tends to "soften" the personality, and sometimes N can do the same
I can tell usually difference (predict and confirm when that person does an mbti or similar test) between a P and J type by how fast they want to make a decision. A P type, if given the opportunity, will mull over a decision forever. A J type, if given the opportunity, will be very decisive without allowing time to explore other ideas. A "middle of the spectrum" person will try to balance the need to decide with more exploration (and vis-versa).
SJ - tend to stick with "what works" probably because the path to a quick decision is already obvious when considering the information available in the present moment. These tend to be your "by the book" people (whatever the book may be).
NJ - tend to "jump to conclusions" probably because there are multiple possible paths, and they want the one that fits the context/pattern best, they consider the present moment information only part of the bigger picture.
NP - tend to "invent" because they enjoy finding the "most optimal" path for a given context among a multitude of possibilities. They also consider the present moment a part of a bigger, but ever changing picture.
SP - tend to "go with flow" because the information they need is available from the past and present, and there's really no point to attempting to predict the future. Whomever responds best to the present circumstance will likely have the best outcome.
NT/ST - Make decisions that prioritize logic over emotion (could be internally created logic like Ti or external logic like Te)
NT - tend future and context oriented - they like abstraction and problem solvin
ST - tend present and detailed oriented - they like order
NF/SF - Make decisions that prioritize emotions over logic
NF - context oriented - they like emotionally involved abstract ideas like social and political justice or spirituality (these are you therapists and life coaches haha - obviously not all, it's a joke - but that's the vibe)
SF - details/rules oriented (often an overarching cultural/religious "filter" applied) - they like details that support the group harmony (they will probably remember things you like)
XSTJ - task oriented, but focused on "doing it right"
XNTJ - task oriented, but focused on doing it efficiently
XNTP - task oriented, but focused on finding the optimal solution
XSFJ - people oriented, but focused on nurturing and teaching
XNFJ - people oriented, but focused on finding solutions to personal problems
XXFP - people oriented, but focused on creating the right atmosphere (In my real life experience, I don't encounter much that differentiates the S and N FP types).
