Introduction to MBTI - cognitive functions

What are cognitive functions? 

Cognitive functions show us the different ways we process information and make decisions. It's important to note however that just because you have a preference for one cognitive function, it doesn't mean you are incapable of using another cognitive function. Every type is capable of using every cognitive function, but you will have a preference for one over the other. 

Function stacks

Types are determined by their preferred function stack. Every type has a set of 4 cognitive functions, ordered by strongest to weakest.

INFJ - NiFeTiSe   ENFJ - FeNiSeTi   ISTP - TiSeNiFE   ESTP - SeTiFeNi
INTJ - NiTeFiSe   ENTJ - TeNiSeFi   ISFP - FiSeNiTe   ESFP - SeFiTeNi
ISFJ - SiFeTiNe   ESFJ - FeSiNeTi    INTP - TiNeSiFe   ENTP - NeTiFeSi   
ISTJ - SiTeFiNe   ESTJ - TeSiNeFi    INFP - FiNeSiTe   ENFP - NeFiTeSe

The dominant function

The dominant function is the strongest function in every type. This function is what's easy, comfortable, and safe to use. It's what we rely on in everyday life. 

The inferior function 

The inferior function is the weakest function in every type. It's what we try to avoid and struggle to use. It's our main source of weakness. We use our auxiliary and tertiary function to suppress the inferior function. 

The secondary and tertiary function 

The strength can very between these functions. They're used to suppress the inferior function. They're not uncomfortable like the inferior function, nor is it as comfortable as the dominant function. These functions are so strong that they can be confused with the dominant function, and they can be so weak that they can be confused as the inferior function. Life experience might be the biggest determiner as to how strong these functions are. Nonetheless, these functions are just supporting functions to the dominant function. 

The perceiving functions

The perceiving functions determines how we perceive the world around us. They take in information, but they do not act upon the information. These functions are split into 2 groups, the sensing functions, and the intuitive functions. I'll go more in depth about these functions on another post. 

The judging functions

The judging functions do not take in information from the world around us. They use the information, and judge it. These functions are split into 2 groups, the thinking functions, and the feeling functions. There'll be a more in depth analysis on these functions on another post.

Extroversion and introversion

In MBTI, extroversion and introversion isn't directly correlated to social extroversion. Instead, it's related to what people in the community call objectivity. It seems like an odd word to use at first but it's easy to understand why this is used. Every function can either be introverted, or extroverted. 

Intuition is represented by an N
Sending is representing by an S
Thinking is represented by a T
Feeling is represented by an F

When you factor in introversion and extroversion, you can further break down all these functions into 2 subgroups. 

Introverted intuition - Ni
Extroverted intuition - Ne

Introverted Sending - Si 
Extroverted sending - Se 

Introverted thinking - Ti
Extroverted thinking - Te 

Introverted feeling - Fi 
Extroverted feeling - Fe 

Extroversion 

Extroversion is described as "objective" as their approach to their respective function is impartial and rational. They don't take in their personal biases into account, they look outside of themselves to judge or perceive. For example, an extroverted thinking function will try to look at the facts that exist in the external world to make a decision.

Introversion 

Introversion is described as "subjective" as their approach to their respective function is personal and irrational. When judging or perceiving, they'll look into their internal world to help guide them when taking in information or making decisions. This internal world is shaped by their personal experiences, thus every introverted function may look very different depending on the person. 

Common misconceptions 

I'd like to address some misconceptions that are commonly assigned to each cognitive function that aren't based on any theory, and are usually just people either oversimplifying or misinterpreting the cognitive functions. 

Si - This function seems to get a lot of weird stereotypes. The most common one I see is "Si is routine based". Si is not a judging function, Si does not make decisions. Although some Si users like familiarity (I'll elaborate on that when I get in depth with the individual functions), that doesn't necessarily mean they like routine. In fact, I know a lot of Si users who despise routine. The function that would be the most concerned with routine is Fe and Te, both for different reasons which I'll get into another day. 

Another common misconception about Si is that they like to maintain social standards. Which is an odd one when you consider that this function is both an introverted and a perceiving function. This function on its own does not concern itself with what others are doing, they want to do their own thing, just like all introverted functions. In fact, Jung described Si doms as one of the most eccentric and hard to understand types. Which, I agree with. The desire to maintain social standards is something that fits more with Fe and Te. 

Si being associated with "stubbornness" and "past" is another weird stereotype associated with Si. (Seriously, this function can't catch a break). Si being the only function associated with past is odd when you consider what introversion is. Introverted types all use their past, and personal experiences to shape their inner world. This is not an Si only thing, it's also an Ni, Ti, and Fi thing. 
Now "stubbornness" is an interesting one. Every cognitive function is capable of being stubborn for their own reason, but to say that all forms of stubbornness is a sign of Si is wrong. 

Se - The most common Se misconception I see is their relationship with impulsiveness. Because of the nature of Extroversion, all extroverted functions (Mainly, the extroverted perceiving functions) are capable of being impulsive, not just Se. Impulsiveness is not a way to determine Se usage. 

Ne - Ne is probably the most understood function in MBTI that I can't think of any Ne misconceptions I've seen. Good job community.

Ni - Another function that seems to get weird stereotypes. However, a lot of them are not entirely inaccurate. They're just exaggerated. It'll be hard to debunk them here without the full context on what Ni is. For now, let's just say that thinking about the future is not a sign of Ni. And predicting things is also not a sign of Ni. 

Ti and Te - I'm grouping the thinking functions because they have a lot of similar misconceptions. First of all, having a thinking function doesn't mean you'll necessarily be a more intelligent type. All types are capable of being intelligent. Making decisions based on feelings does not mean you're lacking intelligence. In MBTI, making decisions based on feelings and being an emotional person is actually two very different things. 

Just because you are a thinker, does not mean you're not emotional. It's one thing to make decisions based on feelings, but it's another thing entirely to actually be emotional. Thinkers are not emotionless, being cold is not a sign of being a thinker. 

Fi - Fi users being stereotyped of selfish is sad to see. A lot of Fi users are selfish, but a lot of Fi users are also selfless. There's nothing about Fi that is inherently selfish. Just as there is nothing inherently selfless about Fe. I'll explain what exactly Fi is when I go more in depth with these functions. 

Having values is also not an Fi exclusive thing. That's just a feeling thing. Both Fe and Fi have values, as that's what defines feelings in MBTI. The difference being where they get their values from. Fe users get their values from the external world, while Fi users get them from their internal world. Having a strong value system is not an indicator of Fi, it's an indicator of feeling. 

Fe - Like Ni, this function has a lot of weird stereotypes that aren't entirely inaccurate, but nonetheless they're still exaggerated. It's hard to debunk without the full context on what Fe is. For now, let's just say that being nice and selfless is not a sign of Fe. Being submissive is not a sign of Fe, and being fake is not a sign of Fe. 

Thanks for reading! 

I'm excited to break down every cognitive function on here in the future so that we can all learn more about MBTI.