WARNING!! LONG ASS POST AHEAD!!

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Hi!!!! I hope this guide I whipped up is easy enough to read and understand, my intention is to portray the cognitive functions in a way that makes sense and is accurate to the theory. If anyone has any additions, subtractions, edits, or questions, please feel free to comment!! I want to make sure I am keeping information accurate, while also easy to understand. This won't cover everything, just what I think would be the basic information you need to get started in MBTI.

Without further ado, let's get into it!!

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THE BASICS

MBTI is designed to categorize how people perceive the world, process information, and make decisions. There are 16 types categorized into 8 letters. E & I (Extroverted and Introverted) // N & S (iNtuitive and Sensing) // T & F (Thinking and Feeling) // P & J (Perceiving and Judging).

HOWEVER!! The letters aren't necessarily the only indicator of your type. That lies with the cognitive functions, of which there are 8. They are Thinking, Feeling, Sensing, and iNtuition. They are categorized into "Introverted Functions" (of which there is a lowercase "i" attached) and "Extroverted Functions" (of which there is a lowercase "e" attached). They are also categorized into "Perceiving Functions" and "Judging Functions".

Diving in to what "introverted" and "extroverted" functions are, they are basically just separating how you deal with information. Introverted functions process data internally, using one's own internal framework. Extroverted functions process data by interacting with the world outside of themselves.

As for "judging" and "perceiving" functions, those are kinda what they sound like. There are functions that dictate how you perceive things, and functions that dictate how you judge things.

Perceiving Functions: Se, Si, Ne, Ni

Judging Functions: Te, Ti, Fe, Fi

These cognitive functions come together in groups of 4, known as your main "Cognitive Stack". They always alternate between extroverted and introverted functions, and judging and perceiving functions. You also cannot have two of the same base function in your stack. For example: Ne-Ti-Fe-Si is the cognitive stack of an ENTP. It alternates between e and i, perceiving and judging, while also not repeating any thinking, sensing, feeling, or intuition functions.

Cognitive functions also come on an axis, but only within the Judging and Perceiving axes respectively. The functions will always be found with the other on an axis, and so there are 4 axes total, being as follows:

Perceiving Axes:

Se/Ni

Ne/Si

Judging Axes:

Te/Fi

Fe/Ti

Those functions will always be found with each other. If you have Fe, you must have Ti. If you have Se, you must have Ni. We will get into all of that later though.

Okay, with all that said, what the heck do all the functions mean? Se and Si? What is that? Te and Ti? What? (so glad you asked!)

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THE FUNCTIONS

So, going back to the functions being Sensing, iNtuition, Thinking, and Feeling. Obviously, the capitalized letter correlates to these 4 categories. The lowercase "i" and "e" refers to the point I made earlier, about how the information is processed. To make this easier, I'm going to give some examples.

Fe vs Fi. They are both feeling functions, but one is extroverted and one is introverted. This means, that extroverted feeling (Fe) is based on external factors, while introverted feeling (Fi) is based internally. As a judging function, feeling is how you judge data. Meaning, you judge things based off of whether it is morally/ethically right or wrong. The difference between Fe and Fi is, Fe tends to judge based on the outside world. Things like, what is socially acceptable, what the group is feeling, if harmony between multiple people is being kept, stuff like that. It tends to prioritize the needs of the group, over the needs of the individual. Fi on the other hand, is the opposite in a way. It is judgements of morals and ethics is entirely based on the person's own internal framework. What *they* feel is moral, what *they* feel is ethical. They tend to prioritize their values and beliefs over the groups, and if they don't like the values the group holds, they will not budge on their own even if it means they will no longer be a part of that group.

Se vs Si. They are both sensing functions, but one is extroverted and one is introverted. Once again, this means that extroverted sensing (Se) is based on external factors, while introverted sensing (Si) is based internally. As a perceiving function, sensing is how you perceive things. Meaning, you take in information and perceive the world in a very grounded, literal sense. The difference between Se and Si is, Se perceives based on the outside world. It uses the five senses (taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing) to sense the environment, not assigning any abstract ideas to it, just perceiving how it is. For Si, it is similarly perceiving based on the environment, but instead of objective external perception, it is that internal framework, connecting the 5 senses to past experiences. Si tends to perceive something, and relate it back to what they have already experienced before.

Te vs Ti. They are both thinking functions, but one is extroverted and one is introverted. As a judging function, thinking is how you judge if data is valid or invalid. Te judges validity through "rule of thumb" logic, which sacrifices pinpoint accuracy for speed and efficiency. They will take data, and if it passes their "rule of thumb", it is valid. Ti takes a different approach, preferring pinpoint accuracy over speed or efficiency. Ti will linger on things, running it in their head as they look for inconsistencies and will compare new data to old to see if everything lines up, and if it passes through their scrutiny, it is valid.

Ne vs Ni. They are both intuition functions, with one being extroverted, and one introverted. As a perceiving function, intuition is how you perceive the world. Ne perceives the world through connection. Ne sees a physical stimulus, and will then abstractly relate that stimuli with something indirectly/tangentially related. It can be described as divergent thinking, where you have one starting point, and you branch out into multiple directions from there. Ni goes in the opposite direction, it takes physical stimuli from everywhere, then finds a common pattern amongst the data, turning a mess of plot points into a single connecting line that lands on one conclusion.

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Now, let's clarify here. MBTI is exceptionally prone to stereotypes, which is unfortunate, but given how subjective any person's interpretation of MBTI is, it is something that is bound to happen. I just want to make it clear that MBTI and cognitive functions are based on *preference*. What you *prefer*. What comes *naturally*. Every function is used to some extent, but your main stack is based off of the functions you prefer and naturally use the most.

So, to debunk a couple stereotypes, let's take the feeling function, and the sensing function. Fi users are not inherently selfish. They can still be kind and have empathy. Their whole thing is more "treat others the way you want to be treated". Fe users are not fake. They still have their own morals and values, like anyone else. Their whole thing is determining right and wrong based off of external criteria. Se users are not stupid. They observe their physical surroundings objectively and interact with it physically to perceive the world around them. Si users are not closed-minded. They perceive the world through comparing current stimuli to previous impressions the world made on them.

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THE AXES AND FUNCTION PLACEMENT

Now on to the axes I was talking about earlier. The reason they are on an axis, is because they need the other to work, despite seeming oppositional. Let's dive in to each axis, both Perceiving and Judging.

Judging Axes:

Fi/Te is used together like this: What do I want(Fi) and how can I get it(Te)?

Fe/Ti is used together like this: How do I communicate(Fe) what I think(Ti)?

Perceiving Axes:

Se/Ni is used together like this: What am I observing(Se) and how do they connect(Ni)?

Si/Ne is used together like this: What does this remind me of(Si) and how can I expand on that(Ne)?

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Finally, we can go over what each place in the cognitive stack represents. The main stack has 4 places. The "Dominant" function (1st in the stack), the "Auxiliary" function (2nd in the stack), the "Tertiary" function (3rd in the stack), and the "Inferior" function (4th in the stack). We could go into the "unconscious/shadow" functions, which would add the other 4 functions, but I don't know much about that and it would be a whole other thing to explain.

So here are the main four:

The "Dominant" function is the function you use the most. It comes the most naturally, and barely requires any energy to use. It is the main lens you use to experience the world.

The "Auxiliary" function is your second strongest function. It acts as a bridge of sorts, connecting your inner and outer world together. (Remember, functions alternate between Extroverted and Introverted, outer world and inner world).

The "Tertiary" function is less used, but becomes stronger with age and experience. It is also referred to as the "child function" because your third function is mostly used in an exploratory manner, clumsily but also for fun. Similar to how a child is exploring the world for the first time.

The "Inferior" function is your least developed function. You are aware of it, and want to be good at it, but it comes almost unnaturally, and requires a good amount of energy to use.

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I really don't know how to wrap this up, so I guess I will end by reminding people that YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR TYPOLOGY!!!

Think of yourself like a word cloud diagram. You have so many words to describe yourself, don't get hung up on a couple of typology labels. This MBTI stuff is fun and all, but it isn't something you should build your life around.

In any case, I hope this whole thing was comprehensive, and if y'all have something to add feel free to comment about it!!

Ciao~