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Post by Xena [Admin] on Sept 29, 2016 16:33:09 GMT -6
The Role of the First Four Functions
95% or so of your cognitive activity takes place using your first four functions. (I’m ENTJ--my first four functions are Te-Ni-Se-Fi.) But why does the order of the functions matter?
1st function (Dominant) : Your first function is your go-to when there is a problem. It’s your main cognitive process, and is in development primarily from birth to age 13. Your first function is the one you feel closest to, and when confronted with an unexpected situation it automatically responds without you thinking about it. If you’re an introvert, your first function is introverted. If you’re an extrovert, your first function is extroverted. (For me, that’s Te.) One of my favorite analogies is comparing your brain to a car. Imagine your first function as the driver of the car--confident, collected, and sure of what he or she is doing.
2nd function (Auxilary) : Your second function works very closely alongside your first function. The first function sees what’s going on in the outside world, and the second function is the behind-the-scenes consultant and trusted advisor. For introverts, their second function is extroverted. For extroverts, their second function is introverted. (For me, that’s Ni.) Thus, introverts generally display their second function a little more to the outside world than an extrovert does. This function is in development and use from birth, but really matures during a person’s teens and twenties. Using the car analogy, the second function is in the trusted passenger seat.
3rd function (Tertiary) : Your third function is used much less often than the first two (almost 90% of your cognitive processes involve the first two functions.) This function is much less reliable, and when called upon to use it directly, a person can be shaky and uncoordinated in the use of it. This function actually has a link to the type of humor you enjoy. (For me that’s Se, which is typically fairly physical humor.) This function is in shaky use as you grow up, but doesn’t mature until a person’s 20s and 30s. Using the car analogy, the third function is the teenager in the backseat. Normally you just tune them out, but occasionally they have something actually useful to say.
4th function (Inferior) : Your fourth function is the weakest of your visible cognitive processes. It’s not used often, and especially in the first half of a peron’s life, extremely shaky. Generally when someone uses their fourth function, things get ugly. (For me, that’s Fi--emotional outbursts and lashing out with uncontrolled feelings at others.) When a person is under extreme stress or is very tired, they tend to lash out with their fourth function. This function will never be very strong or well developed in a person, especially in the first half of their lifetime. Using the car analogy, the fourth function is like a cat in the backseat. Unpredictable, annoying, and (generally) not very useful.
Please note that every function looks a little different in each role. Dominant Fe looks much different than tertiary Fe, for instance.
Any questions (or corrections!), just ask.
95% or so of your cognitive activity takes place using your first four functions. (I’m ENTJ--my first four functions are Te-Ni-Se-Fi.) But why does the order of the functions matter?
1st function (Dominant) : Your first function is your go-to when there is a problem. It’s your main cognitive process, and is in development primarily from birth to age 13. Your first function is the one you feel closest to, and when confronted with an unexpected situation it automatically responds without you thinking about it. If you’re an introvert, your first function is introverted. If you’re an extrovert, your first function is extroverted. (For me, that’s Te.) One of my favorite analogies is comparing your brain to a car. Imagine your first function as the driver of the car--confident, collected, and sure of what he or she is doing.
2nd function (Auxilary) : Your second function works very closely alongside your first function. The first function sees what’s going on in the outside world, and the second function is the behind-the-scenes consultant and trusted advisor. For introverts, their second function is extroverted. For extroverts, their second function is introverted. (For me, that’s Ni.) Thus, introverts generally display their second function a little more to the outside world than an extrovert does. This function is in development and use from birth, but really matures during a person’s teens and twenties. Using the car analogy, the second function is in the trusted passenger seat.
3rd function (Tertiary) : Your third function is used much less often than the first two (almost 90% of your cognitive processes involve the first two functions.) This function is much less reliable, and when called upon to use it directly, a person can be shaky and uncoordinated in the use of it. This function actually has a link to the type of humor you enjoy. (For me that’s Se, which is typically fairly physical humor.) This function is in shaky use as you grow up, but doesn’t mature until a person’s 20s and 30s. Using the car analogy, the third function is the teenager in the backseat. Normally you just tune them out, but occasionally they have something actually useful to say.
4th function (Inferior) : Your fourth function is the weakest of your visible cognitive processes. It’s not used often, and especially in the first half of a peron’s life, extremely shaky. Generally when someone uses their fourth function, things get ugly. (For me, that’s Fi--emotional outbursts and lashing out with uncontrolled feelings at others.) When a person is under extreme stress or is very tired, they tend to lash out with their fourth function. This function will never be very strong or well developed in a person, especially in the first half of their lifetime. Using the car analogy, the fourth function is like a cat in the backseat. Unpredictable, annoying, and (generally) not very useful.
Please note that every function looks a little different in each role. Dominant Fe looks much different than tertiary Fe, for instance.
Any questions (or corrections!), just ask.
