One reason Myers-Briggs typology is so valuable is it helps us more clearly see that much of what happens within each personality type–intratype dynamics-is also paralleled in the interactions among the various types-intertype dynamics. More specifically, each personality type has certain cognitive functions that they naturally trust and embrace, as well as those they tend to be wary and suspicious of. Moreover, if we consider an individual function (or pair of functions) as representing a given personality type, we can see how embracing or rejecting certain functions within ourselves might also relate to a tendency to accept or reject personality types who display those same functions.
We might even go as far to suggest that, in many cases, we are not accepting or rejecting others for rational reasons, but largely on account of our congenital taste or distaste for their functional preferences. Viewed this way, external conflicts might be viewed largely as projections of inner typological aversions and conflicts. One approach to resolving or reducing outer conflict, then, might involve an attempt to understand and resolve our inner conflicts. Toward this end, a good understanding of typology in general and type dynamics in particular, is warranted.
The basic rule for determining the degree to which a given personality type will embrace or reject a given psychological function is as follows: The higher the function is positioned in the function stack, the more likely we are to trust and embrace it. The lower a function is in the stack, the more apt we are to be wary of it or find ourselves at war with it.
Typically, we describe the function stack as being comprised of four functions, namely, the dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, and inferior function. In this post, however, we will also consider the four functions that are not a primary part of the function stack. We understand these other four functions to be unconscious “shadow” functions. They can be labeled the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth functions.
Any single function lacks balance and wholeness on its own. If it is an Extraverted function, it lacks the balance of the Introverted attitude. If it is a Judging function, it lacks the ability to Perceive. Thus, for this analysis, we will group the eight functions into pairs, since two functions are required to achieve a minimum degree of balance and stability. We will then rank these function pairs according to the degree to which we trust, accept, and understand their methods and products. This can be illustrated as follows:
Dominant/Auxiliary: Highest level of trust/acceptance/understanding
Tertiary/Inferior
Fifth/Sixth
Seventh/Eighth: Highest level of distrust/aversion/misunderstanding
Now, let’s see how this looks for specific personality types, in this case, INFJs/ENFJs:
Ni/Fe: Highest natural level of trust/acceptance/understanding
Ti/Se
Ne/Fi
Te/Si: Highest natural level of distrust/aversion/misunderstanding
As mentioned above, we can also translate this into NFJs’ tendency to accept or resist certain personality types (the types not mentioned fall somewhere in between):
INFJ, ENFJ: Highest natural level of trust/acceptance/understanding
ISTP, ESTP
ENFP, INFP
ESTJ, ISTJ: Highest natural level of distrust/aversion/misunderstanding
In light of the above, it is worth noting that personality types with opposite preferences are not synonymous with those possessing opposite functions. For instance, while STPs type preferences fall opposite those of NFJs, they utilize all the same functions. STJs (as well as NFPs), however, have no functions in common with NFJs. And because Si and Te are the least conscious of all functions for NFJs, we suggest that STJs will be the most difficult types for NFJs to find easy rapport, compatibility, and mutual understanding with.
What follows is a list of personality types that are predicted, according to the above analysis, to struggle most with understanding and appreciating one another:
NFJs-STJs
NTPs-SFPs
NTJs-SFJs
NFPs-STPs
Fortunately, such typological differences are not insurmountable. We could certainly find exceptions within each of these groupings (perhaps even in our own personal circles), demonstrating that types with opposing functions can develop good rapport and even close friendship. Nevertheless, the above analysis remains useful for helping us think in terms of functional differences, explaining why we might struggle to find quick rapport or mutual understanding with certain personality types.
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