Beyond the 4 Letters: Cognitive Functions
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The Real Theory
Most people know MBTI as four letters (e.g., INFP), but the theory is actually based on "Cognitive Functions". These explain how your brain processes information.
The 8 Functions
- Se (Extroverted Sensing): Living in the moment, experiencing the physical world.
- Si (Introverted Sensing): Relies on past experiences, tradition, and routine.
- Ne (Extroverted Intuition): Exploring possibilities, brainstorming, connecting unrelated ideas.
- Ni (Introverted Intuition): Predicting the future, seeing patterns, "gut insights".
- Te (Extroverted Thinking): Efficiency, logic, organizing the external world.
- Ti (Introverted Thinking): Internal logic, analyzing how things work, accuracy.
- Fe (Extroverted Feeling): Social harmony, empathy, understanding group dynamics.
- Fi (Introverted Feeling): Personal values, authenticity, inner emotional depth.
Why it matters
Two types like INFJ and INFP might look similar, but they share zero cognitive functions!
- INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se
- INFP: Fi-Ne-Si-Te
Understanding functions gives you the true depth of personality analysis.