The Cognitive Functions

Ni - Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations (Perspective)

Ne - Notice abstract patterns as they emerge (Exploration)

Fi - Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important (Authenticity)

Fe - Honor others' needs and preferences (Harmony)

Ti - Adhere to definitions and problem solving (Accuracy)

Te - Organization through steps, points and time tables (Effectiveness)

Si - Recall tangible data and experiences (Memory)

Se - Notice sensory data in the environment (Sensation)

The brain takes in information for us (perceiving) and then it helps us make decisions (judging).
These are the two most basic, fundamental functions of the brain, besides keeping us alive by
telling us to eat and breathe. There are four different ways of perceiving and four different
ways of judging. Together we call these the eight cognitive functions.

To a large extent, differences in perceiving and judging is why we are all so different.

When looking at a string of four functions it's important to understand how each function or
process is being used and how this can be identified.

The first or dominant cognitive function deals with information gathering. This is a person's
primary lens. W. Harold Grant worked with Jung's theories and concluded that each personality
type has a similar developmental process which can be observed through an individual's life. The
early phases help determine the dominance ordering of the functions.

It is between ages 6 to 12 that our dominant function begins to develop and assert itself.
A young INFJ begins to appear dreamy and introspective - he begins to prefer to use iNtuition to
take in information and he chooses to do this alone.

The second or auxiliary cognitive function deals with decision making. It plays a powerful
support role for the dominant. It is between 12 to 20 years of age that the auxiliary function
asserts itself. With the INFJ, we see the auxiliary feeling function come to the front as the INFJ
begins to develop the ability to make decisions based on their personal value system.
The third or tertiary function displays as a person's communication or thinking style. It is
between 20 to 35 years of age that we begin to use our tertiary function more frequently and
with better success. The INFJ begins to make judgments based on logic and reason, which they
work through their mind, rather than discussing it with others.

And lastly, the fourth or inferior cognitive function. It is betwen ages 35 to 50 that we pay
attention to our fourth, inferior function. We feel a need to develop it and use it more
effectively. The INFJ for instance will begin to use Extraverted Sensing. He becomes more aware
of his surroundings and begins to take in information in a literal, practical sense.

Some researchers have attested that the appearance of our inferior functions at this phase of life
may be responsible for what we commonly call the "mid-life crisis".

Back to the functions. An ISFP, for example, will ultimately use Fi-Se-Ni-Te. The first thing to
process is that their first function gathers information through their personal beliefs, values and
emotions. They place great emphasis on their feelings. The present moment is often a trigger for
their emotions since their second cognitive function is Se or Extraverted Sensing. They are
heavily in-tune with the five senses and can't often hide their emotions.

Feelings empower the present moment for ISFPs, making them one of the more touchy or clingy
personality types. Their third cognitive function is Ni, giving them a mysterious or scatterbrained
quality as this shows through their communication and thinking styles.
Lastly, their inferior function Te shows as the ISFP lacks organizational and planning skills.

- Points in orange are referencing the Inferior cognitive process.

- Each point describes the corresponding cognitive functions above.

INFJ (Ni-Fe-Ti-Se):
Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations. Honor others' needs and preferences.

Adhere to definitions and problem solving. Notice sensory data in the environment.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.
Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

ENFJ (Fe-Ni-Se-Ti):
Honor others' needs and preferences. Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations.

Notice sensory data in the environment. Adhere to definitions and problem solving.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

INFP (Fi-Ne-Si-Te):
Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important. Notice abstract patterns as they emerge.

Recall tangible data and experiences. Organization through steps, points and time tables.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

ENFP (Ne-Fi-Te-Si):
Notice abstract patterns as they emerge. Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important.

Organization through steps, points and time tables. Recall tangible data and experiences.
 Advanced Use of Functions:
Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

ISFJ (Si-Fe-Ti-Ne):
Recall tangible data and experiences. Honor others' needs and preferences.

Adhere to definitions and problem solving. Notice abstract patterns as they emerge.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

ESFJ (Fe-Si-Ne-Ti):
Basic Use of Functions:

Honor others' needs and preferences. Recall tangible data and experiences.

Notice abstract patterns as they emerge. Adhere to definitions and problem solving.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

ISFP (Fi-Se-Ni-Te):
Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important. Notice sensory data in the environment.

Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations. Organization through steps, points and time tables.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

ESFP (Se-Fi-Te-Ni):
Notice sensory data in the environment. Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important.

Organization through steps, points and time tables. Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

INTJ (Ni-Te-Fi-Se):
Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations. Organization through steps, points and time tables.

Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important. Notice sensory data in the environment.
 Advanced Use of Functions:
Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

ENTJ (Te-Ni-Se-Fi):
Organization through steps, points and time tables. Receive 'ah-ha' insights and realizations.

Notice sensory data in the environment. Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

INTP (Ti-Ne-Si-Fe):
Adhere to definitions and problem solving. Notice abstract patterns as they emerge.

Recall tangible data and experiences from memory. Honor others' needs and preferences.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.
ENTP (Ne-Ti-Fe-Si):
Notice abstract patterns as they emerge. Adhere to definitions and problem solving.

Honor others' needs and preferences. Recall tangible data and experiences from memory.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

ISTJ (Si-Te-Fi-Ne):
Recall tangible data and experiences. Organization through steps, points and time tables.

Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important. Notice abstract patterns as they emerge.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

ESTJ (Te-Si-Ne-Fi):
Organization through steps, points and time tables. Recall tangible data and experiences.

Notice abstract patterns as they emerge. Adhere to personal beliefs about what is important.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Create structure, reason by measures and evidence, and implement complex plans.

Stabilize a situation by comparing it to what is expected, known and reliable.

Shift a situation's dynamics and explore imaginative potential possibilities.

Evaluate situations and choose what you believe is congruent with your personal identity.

ISTP (Ti-Se-Ni-Fe):
Adhere to definitions and problem solving. Notice sensory data in the environment.

Receive "ah-ha" insights and realizations. Honor others' needs and preferences.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

ESTP (Se-Ti-Fe-Ni):
Notice sensory data in the environment. Adhere to definitions and problem solving.

Honor others' needs and preferences. Receive "ah-ha" insights and realizations.

Advanced Use of Functions:

Trust your instincts and take action relevant to the moment and current context.

Analyze a problem using a framework, and find an angle or leverage by which to solve it.

Connect with people by sharing values and taking on their needs as yours.

Persue a greater level of awareness to transform who you are and how you think.
 Further Analysis

Think of these cognitive functions as existing in the brain, as a purely embedded process that
adds into the flow of how we function as individuals.

Ni - Unconscious to conscious observation of patterns. Paradoxical. The sense of knowing.

Subconscious analysis, like a computer that's still turned on processing files while the user is away.
For an INFJ, this function is why Se is not as effective as it's essentially pushed down by Ni, since Ni is
the direct opposite of what Se is. Logic would indicate that if a person is in their head so much that
they will lose awareness of their immediate environment.

This function is linked to gut feelings and moments where the bigger picture unfolds. People
who live in this primary state of functioning can appear scatterbrained and can make large
statements that sound unreal or without a factual base. To the observer, the Ni user is
connecting subconscious information in a way where it fractals from one idea to the next. The
INTJ will use Ni in tandem with Te to come to effective logical conclusions, where as the INFJ will
use Ni in tandem with Fe to understand the human condition.

Ne - Conscious observation of past, present and future variables. More fluid and steady.
A sense of knowing once variables become fixed and apparent, then a snowball effect ensues
depending on how solid and understandable the data is.

This function scans for relationships or patterns within a pool of ideas, facts, or experiences. In
conjunction with Ti or Fi, it helps NPs formulate and modify ideas. NPs commonly employ their
Ne in activities such as reading, conversation, and engagement with nature or arts.

Fi - Processing of internal values and emotions. Energy from within pushed outwards.
A dominant user lives in a heightened inner world where everything has meaning or some
emotional basis. They see the world through themselves. For an INFP, this function is why Te is
not as effective as it's essentially pushed down by Fi.

Fe - Energy from outwards pulled inwards. A dominant user lives in heightened outer world
where everything has emotional energy. The world becomes an extension of the user. Fe users
cannot help but notice the emotions of others. They feel and understand awkward or otherwise
complicated social queues and energies that may arise. It is placing yourself in the other person's
shoes and feeling what they are feeling.
Ti - Problem solving through analytical deductions and clear objective patterns.

Te - Rigid observation of physical. Putting things into motion; planning and organizing.

Si - Detail derived from memory and experiences. Incorporates lessons learned.

Se - Detail derived from current conditions or present moment. The most 'hands on' function.