The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a self-assessment tool developed by mother/daughter team Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1940s. Their goal was to make Carl Jung’s psychological type theory accessible to the average person.
Cognitive Functions
Carl Jung was one of the first people to define introversion and extroversion as he observed some people were oriented to the external world and others to the internal. From there he continued to notice and name personality differences which are now known as cognitive functions. According to Jung’s study and observation, he identified two cognitive processes: perception and judgment. The two perceiving functions are Sensing and Intuition (which learn and absorb information); the two judging functions are Thinking and Feeling (which make decisions based on given information). Every mental act consists of using one of these four functions: Sensing, Intuition, Feeling, or Thinking.
A cognitive function can be introverted or extroverted based on whether it is oriented inward toward the individual or outward toward the world. The eight known cognitive functions are as follows:
- Extroverted Sensing (Se)
- Introverted Sensing (Si)
- Extroverted Intuition (Ne)
- Introverted Intuition (Ni)
- Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
- Introverted Feeling (Fi)
- Extroverted Thinking (Te)
- Introverted Thinking (Ti)
The Dichotomies
Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers chose to focus on Jung’s notion of opposites and they defined the dichotomies in order to reveal one’s personal type pattern. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator tests one’s preference between Introversion vs. Extroversion, Intuition vs. Sensing, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Perception vs. Judging. Based on one’s preferences they are assigned a four letter code (ex. ISFP, ENTJ) which points to their four dominantly used cognitive functions. For help and practice identifying cognitive functions based on Myers-Briggs type, click here for a step-by-step guide (available for purchase if you would like to use the worksheet interactively).
Where is the “real world” : If you connect most with the outer world in terms of thought (Te), action (Se), ideas (Ne), or people (Fe), you are an extrovert. If you connect most with your inner world in terms of logic (Ti), memory (Si), intuition (Ni), or feeling (Fi) you are in introvert.
How you absorb information : To determine if you prefer intuition versus sensing, ask if you feel more comfortable with what’s abstract, theoretical, metaphorical, and flexible (intuition) or if you feel more comfortable with what’s practical, concrete, factual, and realistic (sensing). You will have one intuitive function and one sensing function in your cognitive stack, so this question is merely which one you prefer over the other.
How you make decisions : To determine if you prefer thinking versus feeling, ask which you consider more: efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, logic, and thoroughness (thinking) or people, ethics, emotions, authenticity, and impact (feeling).
Where do you organize/control : Perceiving types (ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, ISFP, ENFP, ENTP, INFP, INTP) need inner-world control to achieve outer world peace. These types are more flexible, easy-going, and go-with-the-flow about outside matters because they make decisions internally using either Introverted Thinking (Ti) to organize things based on their internal logic-structure or Introverted Feeling (Fi) to organize things based on their internal value-structure. Judging types (ESTJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, ISFJ, ENTJ, ENFJ, INTJ, INFJ) need outer-world control to achieve inner peace. These types are more organized, planned, and timely about outside matters because they make decisions externally using either Extroverted Thinking (Te) to organize thoughts, action-plans, and solutions or Extroverted Feeling (Fe) to organize relationships, social dynamics, and ethics.
Cognitive Stack Development
The four most used cognitive functions make up one’s cognitive stack. These four functions typically develop as follows:
Dominant/Driver Function: This is the function used most often (approximately 80% of the time) by an individual. Development begins at birth and continues through childhood. The dominant function is so natural that it will feel like home for the user.
Auxiliary Function: This function is used second-most often and together with the dominant function defines approximately 90% of someone’s experience. The auxiliary function works as a side-kick to the dominant function and will “flavor” everything the user does. Development usually begins in adolescence.
Tertiary Function: This function starts to develop around mid-20s and can be a secret weapon and a blind spot for many types. Because it will never be as well-developed as the dominant and auxiliary, this function can act as a stumbling block or noble vice.
Inferior Function: This function starts to develop around mid-life and will often act as a zone of tremendous weakness. This is a place where growth can happen but shouldn’t receive too much attention because it will always be weaker than the other functions.
Our Typing Approach
Personality City believes it is most thorough and effective to learn about one’s cognitive stack as early as possible in the self-development journey. Doing so helps debunk common myths such as: “I am an ambivert” or “I alternate between two types.” Given a clear understanding of cognitive functions, many issues which stunt personal growth will be bypassed so the real grunt work can truly begin!
Read more about each of the 16 Myers-Briggs types:
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