Type Dynamics
Type Dynamics describe different models for describing typical ordering of Cognitive Functions for the various MBTI types. The cognitive functions (sometimes referred to as the Jungian Cognitive functions, or JCF) are preferred lenses through which we judge and perceive. Each cognitive function (referred to by Jung as "function attitude") is the combination of a function (Thinking, Feeling, Sensing, or intuiting) with an "attitude" (introversion or extraversion). This yields eight cognitive functions:
- Extraverted Thinking (Te)
- Introverted Thinking (Ti)
- Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
- Introverted Feeling (Fi)
- Extraverted Sensing (Se)
- Introverted Sensing (Si)
- Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
- Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Jung's Personality Types
Jung divided up the four functions into the rational functions (Thinking and Feeling) and the irrational functions (Sensation and Intuition). The rational functions are used for judging, while the irrational functions are used for perceiving.
Jung's Personality Types describes the eight JCF (function attitudes) in terms of sketches of individuals dominated by a particular function attitude.
Jung's Personality Types spends a significant amount of time describing each function attitude, but only makes a few, somewhat ambiguous statements about functions beyond the most preferred one for an individual. Jung generally referred to functions other than the dominant (primary) function as "inferior functions." Jung did make a reference to "auxiliary" function (p406):
Experience shows that the secondary function is always one whose nature is different from, thought not antagonistic to, the primary function. [...] Neither intuition nor sensation is antagonistic to thinking [...] but are functions of perception, affording welcome assistance to thought. [...] Hence the auxiliary function is possible and useful only in so far as it serves the dominant function, without making claim to the autonomy of its own principle.
So it follows that, in Jung's view, that if one's dominant function is rational (Thinking of Feeling), then one's auxiliary function is irrational(Sensing or Intuition). Personality Types also makes it clear that an extravert's primary function is extraverted, while an introvert's primary function attitude is introverted.
The auxiliary function has an attitude opposite of the primary function. So an ESTJ, for example, would have a Te dominant function and a Si auxiliary function.
What is not entirely clear, however, is the attitude (introverted or extraverted) of the tertiary cognitive function. Jung writes (p.340):
We call a mode of behavior extraverted only when the mechanism of extraversion predominates. In these cases the most differentiated function is always employed in an extraverted way, whereas the inferior functions are introverted; in other words, the superior function is the most conscious one and completely under the conscious control, whereas the less differentiated functions are in part unconscious and far less under the control of consciousness.
which seems to imply all the inferior (non-dominant) functions have the opposite attitude as the dominant function (for an ESTJ: Te Si Ni Fi). This differs from most modern models of type dynamic, which give the tertiary the some attitude as the dominant function (Te Si Ne Fi).
Commonalities of Modern Type Dynamic Models
Most modern JCF models build on Jung's cognitive functions (JCF or "function attitudes"), and posit that the most preferred functions are the most consciously controlled, and the least preferred functions are the least consciously controlled. Most assume that individuals have access to the all four basic functions (Thinking, Feeling, Sensing, and iNtuition), but that each type has a scale of most preferred to least preferred JCF.
Most type dynamic models also describe type development models in which a type's most preferred functions develop first (where develop means a JCF is under conscious control and functions in an advanced and nuanced fashion), and then less preferred functions develop over time as the individual matures. Most models assumes that the least developed JCF develops last, with some models declaring that the least preferred JCF never develops consciously, so that it remains available to the unconscious.
Four vs Eight Cognitive Functions
Some type dynamic models declare that there are only four functions, and each is developed in a single attitude (extraverted or introverted). Other models declare that each individual has all eight cognitive functions, and each has a order for each personality type.
Four Function Models
As mentioned above, the four function models posit that there are only four functions, and each is developed with a particular attitude (introversion/extraversion).
The two well-known four function models are the model used in early versions of the MBTI manual (in which the attitude of the tertiary was opposite of the dominant function), and the Harold Gant module (in which the tertiary shares the attitude of the dominant functions).
Gant's model has become the standard four function model, and serves as the basis for the eight function models. For more information, see a complete chart of Gant's model.
Eight Function Models
The eight function models posit that each individual has some access (conscious or unconscious) to all eight cognitive functions, and that there are standard orders of functions for each type.
The eight function models generally keep the relative order of the functions in Gant's model, but add the additional four functions.
John Beebe's Model
John Beebe's posits that the four other functions are less conscious than the inferior function, so occupy positions 4 through 8. In Beebe's model, functions 4-8 occurs in the same order as functions 1-4, but with the opposite attitude. Beebe also assigns each function position an archetype.
| Order | Function
(for ESTJ) |
Archetype |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Dom) | Te | Hero |
| 2 (Aux) | Si | Good Parent |
| 3 (Ter) | Ne | Puer/ella |
| 4 (Inf) | Fi | Anima/us |
| 5 | Ti | Oppos. Persona |
| 6 | Se | Witch/Senex |
| 7 | Ni | Trickster |
| 8 | Fe | Demon/Daimon |
For more information, see a complete chart of Beebe's type dynamics for each type.
Lenore Thomson's Model
Lenore Thomson proposed a lesser know model in her book Personality Type: An Owner's Manual. In Thomson's model, the other four functions are inserted between the auxiliary and tertiary function (see graphic above). Lenore Thomson assigns some specific roles to these additional functions:
| Order | Function
(for ESTJ) |
|---|---|
| 1 (Dom) | Te |
| 2 (Aux) | Si |
| 3 (crow's nest 1) | Fe |
| 4 (crow's nest 2) | Ni |
| 5 (double agent 1) | Se |
| 6 (double agent 2) | Ti |
| 7 (Ter) | Ne |
| 8 (Inf) | Fi |
Thomson assigns the functions in slots three and four as the "crow's nest" functions, which provide alternative solutions with are most preferred approaches fail (p89). She assigns the functions in slots 5 and 6 as the "double agent" functions, which (when all else fails) mutiny to pull us towards our less conscious side.
In addition, Thomson assigns functions to quadrants of the brain:
| Front of Left Brain | Front of right Brain |
|---|---|
| Te | Ne |
| Fe |
Se |
| Si | Fi |
| Ni | Ti |
| Back of Left Brain | Back of Right Bain |
Hence an ESTJ's dominant function is a left brain function, so their "crow's nest" functions will be in the same hemisphere (so know as "left brain alternatives" for an ESTJ). Conversely, the "double agent" functions are on the opposite hemisphere as the dominant function, so for an ESTJ their crow's nest functions would be "right brain alternatives."