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The Function Stack

Overview

Leading Function:

most used, i.e. overused

determines if the type is extraverted E, or introverted I

determines if the type is feeling F, or thinking T, or, if it is a perceiving function, if the type is sensing S, or intuiting N

Auxiliary Function:

in support, i.e. under control of the leading function

different direction ( i, e ) than leading

different nature ( perceiving, judging) than leading

Tertiary Function:

further supports leading

diametral to auxiliary, yet in a supportive manner

same direction as leading

same nature as auxiliary

Repressed, Inferior Function:

diametral to leading

contradicts, inhibits leading function

same direction as auxiliary

same nature as leading

Interpretation

To understand any type, it should be enough to know its function stack and what each function in it represents. As every MBTI type consists of two specific function axes in a particular order, it is most useful to know how to interpret these axes.

One axis always connects the types leading and auxiliary function. With these two functions, the one being on the one side, what you might call the strongest function, while on the other, the weakest function of the type, the interaction of these poles is a key-part to understand the inner processes of a specific type.

The leading is actually not the most used function because we like it the most. It is the other way around: We like it the most, because we use it the most. There is no real consensus in the MBTI-community, why most human beings tend to prioritize one cognitive function over all others, but the most common answer here is: because we tend to stick with what has worked.

So in fact, one could imagine, that we all got used to our leading function over the course of our lives, in a need for inner stability, as well as simply pragmatism paired with human laziness. Most likely there may have been not even any talent: We just got better at interacting with the world through a continuing experience.

However, once a certain gap in skill was reached between the most used leading function and it’s opponents, it sounds just natural one unconsciously avoids risking his/her inner stability, by using a function that is not trained as well as the lead. This behavior isn’t something unique to cognitive functions; a decent proportion of psychological problems start with the overuse of one certain area forcing the avoidance of others.

C.G. Jung, the psychologist who originally came up with the idea of psychological types, and who’s work made the base for Myers and Briggs typology model, had certain assumptions about the interaction of the consciousness with the subconscious. Simplifying: As we only have certain control over conscious things, the subconscious is the place where all things get equalled — whether we like it or not.

So, as one overuses the leading function on and on, one also gets into a state of dependence on this cognitive process. From this point on, everything that seems to hinder the leading function is unconsciously suppressed. However, the power of the repressed function grows ever so slightly in the subconscious, while the dependence on the leading function intensifies.

This dynamic is vastly important to understand the repressed function. It might be even lower than the tertiary function, but this does represent neither it’s value nor it’s power. The way how any type reacts with the world is characterized by this tension between the first and the fourth function. The leading function indeed leads — most of the time! If the tension gets too big, the individual experiences a breakdown, colored by fears, doubts or even impulses, that might seem to directly contradict the nature of a given type.

Life actually seems to be, for each and anybody, after all, nothing but a dance on a tightrope, where left and right could be imagined as one’s type leading and inferior function. These specific characteristics might be hard to detect at times, however, they exist as a core part of our personality.

(I think I’ll write an extra chapter on C.G. Jung’s work Psychological Types, as I can see it assisting to get behind the nature of each cognitive function, as well as in what way they were intended originally.)

This is very different for the auxiliary and tertiary function, which also represent two poles on one function axis. There is no power left to force this pair into an unhealthy overuse-compensation dynamic. They simply coexist next to each other in the grip of the leading function.

While the auxiliary is still above the tertiary, there is almost a notion of balance between these two and their kinds of uses. As their natures still contradict each other, there aren’t even that much scenarios, where both had the ability to contribute the same amount to the situation.

To get a feeling for the way in which the auxiliary and tertiary function impact the type, one might look at the natures of the whole axes. I’ll elaborate on these in the posts for the specific function axes.

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Typology: MBTI

MBTI function dichotomies:

Perceiving:

Sensation: rich and close connection to the immediate environment

Intuition: abstract and loose connection to the immediate environment

Judging:

Feeling: prioritization of values in decision making

Thinking: prioritization of knowledge in decision making

Direction:

Introversion: specifying, zooming in, personalizing

Extraversion: generalizing, zooming out, expanding

Specific Functions:

Each function, i.e. Sensing (S), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Thinking (T), owns a specific term for each direction, i.e. Introversion ( i ) and Extraversion ( e ), which is notated post-fix, generating the eight cognitive Functions:

Introverted Sensing (Si):

closest connection to personal experiences, therefore inclined to highly value memories of past experiences; however, it may be explicitly mentioned that this has nothing to do with conservatism

excellent feeling for most situations, meaning, knows comfortable, fitting places for any activity; quite demanding in this sphere

explains, understands things first through their effect on her/him; initial reaction might be weak at first, growing with subsequent reflections, gaining sharpness and significance

Extraverted Sensing (Se):

closest connection to the immediate situation, therefore inclined to value activities for their capacity to fully indulge in them

most realistic view of ongoing actions; attentive, curious and altert in fast paced, detailed or particularly aesthetic environments; stimulated. Gets depressed very quickly, as well as bored in absence of these conditions

explains, understands things through their effect on the current situation, its immediate possibilities; quick to act and react; memories of past events lack the original thrill of the moment

Introverted Intuition (Ni):

closest connection to far reaching implications of current ongoings; selective in this, meaning, implications are entirely subjective; therefore inclined to see things how she/he wants them to be

least realistic view of ongoing actions; “things are what they mean in a broader sense”; is, however, because of this, likely to discover underlying patterns and trends first

little reaction to immediate thrills or possibilities; slow to act; likes to be prepared well

Extraverted Intuition (Ne):

closest connection to abstract possibilities of momentary ongoings; “things are the synthesis of all the things they are connected to”; therefore, inclined to understand things in relation to others

bad feeling for most situations; combination of being scattered, curious and optimistic leads to unreliability in quick decisions

memories posses little significance; instead, the information extracted out of past situations is valued, i.e. what she/he learned from it, what ideas she/he generated from it

Introverted Feeling (Fi):

sphere of personal values, identity

sharp in judgements of authenticity

inclined to sacrifice solidarity for authentically representing own values

“the conformist has to prove himself by the value of the idea he is following”

Extraverted Feeling (Fe):

sphere of group values, solidarity

sharp in judgements of disruptions of common sentiments

inclined to sacrifice authenticity for generating social coherence

“the outcast has to prove himself by the value of the idea, for which he is abandoning the group values”

Introverted Thinking (Ti):

sphere of specified, individual connections of knowledge

sharp in judgements of theoretical falsity

inclined to sacrifice adaptability for theoretical consistency

“it just works because the underlying principles are satisfied”

Extraverted Thinking (Te):

sphere of general, solid connections of knowledge

sharp in judgements of practical applicability

inclined to sacrifice internal consistency for broad adaptability

“the underlying principles are satisfied, simply because it works”

The Types:

While it is self-evident that every individual is capable of using all of the upper eight cognitive functions, the MBTI typology is entirely based on the assumption, that people tend to prioritize them in a specific order, up to a point, where it makes sense to assign them to a specific cluster, i.e. a type.

Actually, the image of two specific functions building a specific function-axis might help here: A function-axis can be imagined as a spectrum between two poles, given by two functions. So for eight functions there are 4 axes. Each pair of poles is determined by the following rules:

An axis can be either Judging or Perceiving

An axis has to contain both Directions, i.e. Intro- and Extraversion

An axis has to contain both kinds of Judging/Perceiving functions.

generating the axes:

Perceiving axes: Si — Ne  //  Se — Ni

Judging axes: Fi — Te  //  Fe — Ti

Each MBTI type is just the prioritization of two axes (one Perceiving, one Judging), over the two remaining axes, meaning, just four functions are valued, always containing one S, N, F and T.

One function leads any type, meaning the function may not be most valued, but most used to getting used frequently.

The function making the pole diametral to the leading function is repressed. It is used to getting used rarely, maybe even only involuntarily, making it quite sensitive, sometimes coming off as even valued more than the leading function.

Now the axis containing the leading function on one end, with the repressed function on the other, builds an outer ring in the, so called, function stack. The axis is stretched, leading to a high tension between the two poles.

The other axis, containing the remaining two valued functions as poles, is placed in between this first axis, making it more balanced, meaning, the poles are working more or less together and do not hinder each other in an unhealthy way.

The inner axis has to be placed in such a way, where the direction of the functions has to alternate from place 1 to 4 between ( i ) and ( e ). The second function is called auxiliary function, the third tertiary function.  This way it is possible to generate 16 types, each one with a specific combination and order of its four out of eight valued functions.

Listing of types with functions, from leading (left) to repressed (right):

ISFJ  <=>  Si — Fe — Ti — Ne

ISTJ  <=>  Si — Te — Fi — Ne

ESFP  <=>  Se — Fi — Te — Ni

ESTP  <=>  Se — Ti — Fe — Ni

INFJ  <=>  Ni — Fe — Ti — Se

INTJ  <=>  Ni — Te — Fi — Se

ENFP  <=>  Ne — Fi — Te — Si

ENTP  <=>  Ne — Ti — Fe — Si

ESFJ  <=>  Fe — Si — Ne — Ti

ENFJ  <=>  Fe — Ni — Se — Ti

ISFP  <=>  Fi — Se — Ni — Te

INFP  <=>  Fi — Ne — Si — Te

ESTJ  <=>  Te — Si — Ne — Fi

ENTJ  <=>  Te — Ni — Se — Fi

ISTP  <=>  Ti — Se — Ni — Fe

INTP  <=>  Ti — Ne — Si — Fe

I plan to add specific posts about function axes, each type, my understanding of some common misconceptions about typology, its capacities and limits. Feel free to tell me your thoughts / your understanding of the functions!