Enneagram Elements

Description of types and common concepts

MBTI: overview of functions

Each short description is willingly mainstream and very imperfect. It is followed by several references for further reading.

  1. The 4 functions
  2. Descriptions
    1. Extraverted Thinking (Te) – Objective Rationality in Action
    2. Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Internal Logical Coherence
    3. Extraverted Feeling (Fe) – Regulation of Collective Harmony
    4. Introverted Feeling (Fi) – Individuated Ethical Integrity
    5. Extraverted Sensing (Se) – Immediate Perceptual Engagement
    6. Introverted Sensing (Si) – Stability Through Concrete Recall
    7. Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – Expansive Conceptual Exploration
    8. Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Penetrative Synthesis of Meaning
  3. Notes

The 4 functions

The 4 functions are:

  • T: focus on true vs. false, impersonal, reason, logic, what works
  • F: focus on good vs. bad, personal/interpersonal, affect, valuing, ethics
  • S: focus on the tangible, concrete, grounded in reality, readiness for action
  • N: focus on the intangible, guessing, abstract, concepts, potentiality

Xe and Xi are not different functions but the same function under a different influence. All original takes by Jung are available here: Psychological Types (Chapter X).

Descriptions

Extraverted Thinking (Te) – Objective Rationality in Action

Te orients itself toward external structures, seeking to organize the world through impersonal logic and efficient methodology. It prioritizes measurable results, direct action, and empirical verification, favouring pragmatic solutions over speculative thought. This function excels in coordinating systems, enforcing order, and applying principles in a structured manner. Its judgments are oriented toward functionality and effectiveness, often manifesting in leadership, administration, and technical expertise. Te values clarity, decisiveness, and execution, sometimes at the expense of nuance or subjective considerations.

More than Ti, Te is concerned with enforcing logic in his interaction with the world, and more wanting to convince others than himself. Further than this, this description is rather bad. It is only one possible aspect. Te is a thinker and like Ti, has a blunt assessment of what is true and false, and the same use of logics.

A certain idealization of some modern cultures around “rationality” reminds of Te but is unrelated. Words like “strategy”, “rationale”, “priority” are most often heard as an accommodation to a work environment, and thus an expression of Fe. They are meant to reassure or motivate rather than appeal to reason. If read only as “direct action” and “pragmatic”, this take would better define a sensor. Overall, this take is a mix of everything and poorly reflects Te.

Further reading (far from perfect):

Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Internal Logical Coherence

Ti operates through an inward process of conceptual refinement, seeking clarity through independent analysis and logical consistency. It is concerned with the internal structure of ideas, prioritizing precision over external validation. This function dissects and reconstructs knowledge, often engaging in abstract reasoning, categorization, and problem-solving. It is sceptical of conventional assumptions, favouring fundamental principles over applied utility. Ti users tend toward intellectual autonomy, often appearing detached or meticulous, as they refine their internal frameworks to achieve a logically sound understanding of reality.

This is correct. T adds a bit of abstraction but so does N. Ti is not more into concepts than Te or N. Most descriptions of Ti lead to a confusion with Ni. Read Ni carefully. Remember T is a judging function aimed at deciding and concluding.

Further reading:

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) – Regulation of Collective Harmony

Fe is attuned to interpersonal dynamics, striving to align with external values and social conventions. It operates through an adaptive responsiveness to emotional and ethical norms, seeking to foster cohesion and mutual understanding. This function excels in diplomacy, persuasion, and the creation of shared experiences. It values emotional expressiveness and relational interconnectedness, often subordinating individual preferences to collective welfare. Strong Fe is associated with empathy and cultural adaptation, yet it may struggle with excessive conformity or emotional dependence on external affirmation.

This description is good. But because of some personal story, an Fe user may have disliked getting along with conformity and may not accept easily he is an Fe user. Fe is not only accommodating. It also involves an outward sense of fairness, sometimes an enforcement of values in the name of the tribe as well as a rebellion against such an enforcement or at least a high vulnerability to it.

Further reading:

Introverted Feeling (Fi) – Individuated Ethical Integrity

Fi is oriented toward subjective evaluation, seeking personal alignment with deeply held values and principles. It is introspective and self-referential, refining an internal ethical framework based on authenticity rather than external consensus. This function is highly sensitive to emotional nuance and moral depth, often manifesting in artistic expression, ethical conviction, or individualistic pursuits. It resists external coercion, prioritizing sincerity over social accommodation. While Fi provides an unshakable sense of identity, it can also lead to inner isolation or an unwillingness to compromise on personal ideals.

Given the difficulty to express Fi with words, this description is fine. While rarely accessible at the surface, the depth and authenticity of Fi must not be underestimated. Fi is self-referential to his values, these values are self-possessed, not subject to external validation, and not expressed. However, Fi users are not self-referential in the sense they would speak about themselves much. Fi users are not especially individualistic in the common sense. Paradoxically, they are empathetic and more helpers than Fe.

Resisting coercion, integrity and prioritizing sincerity are modern objective values often valued by Fe users. From an Fe point of view, this description of Fi is often more desirable than the description of Fe. “Artistic expression” and “introspection” lead to some confusion with INFJ.

Further reading:

Extraverted Sensing (Se) – Immediate Perceptual Engagement

Se is acutely attuned to the present moment, responding directly to sensory input with spontaneity and adaptability. It excels in real-world interaction, valuing tangible experience, physical activity, and aesthetic appreciation. This function thrives in dynamic environments, where quick reflexes and a capacity for immediate action are required. It is drawn to intensity, novelty, and direct confrontation with reality, often manifesting in boldness and practicality. While Se provides a heightened awareness of the external world, it may struggle with long-term planning or abstract contemplation.

Overall correct. The aesthetic appreciation of Se is real but a personal aesthetic research often requires a strong N. Se users have a natural realism.

Further reading:

Introverted Sensing (Si) – Stability Through Concrete Recall

Si processes reality through a lens of accumulated experience, drawing upon memory and precedent to navigate the present. It values continuity, reliability, and a careful attention to detail, often manifesting in methodical thought and precise execution. This function tends to be cautious, preferring established patterns and refined techniques over impulsivity. It fosters a deep awareness of sensory impressions and personal history, grounding perception in familiarity. While Si provides structure and thoroughness, it may resist change or struggle with adaptability in novel situations.

This description is very good but beware that Ni has a few things in common. S is mostly concrete and even if introverted, it does not produce images of things that do not exist (which belongs to N).

Further reading:

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – Expansive Conceptual Exploration

Ne operates by perceiving connections, possibilities, and latent potential within the external world. It is future-oriented, generating alternative perspectives and innovative solutions through rapid associative thinking. This function thrives on novelty and intellectual curiosity, often leading to creative experimentation or theoretical speculation. It excels in uncovering hidden patterns and exploring multiple outcomes but may struggle with sustained focus or practical implementation. Ne users are drawn to abstraction and reinterpretation, frequently challenging established viewpoints in favour of emergent possibilities.

To be fair, almost everything in this description applies to Ni as much as to Ne. Ne being an extraverted function is more attuned to ordinary concepts, the abstract background we have as included in a larger culture. The difference between Ne and Ni is subtle.

Further reading:

Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Penetrative Synthesis of Meaning

Ni is a process of deep, internalized perception that seeks to uncover underlying principles, symbolic significance, and long-range implications. It perceives reality holistically, filtering experiences through a lens of abstract insight and synthesizing disparate elements into singular visions. This function operates through subconscious integration, often resulting in sudden, revelatory conclusions that transcend immediate data. It values foresight, strategy, and a profound understanding of complexity but may appear enigmatic or detached. Ni tends toward singular, unwavering perspectives, sometimes at the cost of external verification or adaptability.

It is a good summary. To give it more context, I wrote my own description: Introverted intuition. Ni-doms being partly aware of their peculiarity tend to conceal it in different ways. Despite the fact this simple take is correct, Ni remains very difficult to spot, making Ni-doms more difficult to type.

Further reading:

Notes

The descriptions in italics were produced by ChatGPT by asking:

Produce a short description of each function / attitude combination for the MBTI (Te,Ti,Fe,Fi…) with around ten lines each, synthetic and focussing on highlighting the strong specificities of each of them. Make it compatible with high quality material and serious authors like Jung or Van Der Hoop.

Asking ChatGPT to be close to Jung and Van Der Hoop slightly improved the result but it had only a small effect. These summaries remain close to an average of what you can read on popular websites.

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