The following is a quote (with some modifications) from "Let's Look at the World from the Perspective of MBTI Personality Type Theory" (website no longer exists).
The tug-of-war between dominant and inferior psychological functions: Dominant-Inferior Loop
The first psychological function (dominant psychological function) and the fourth psychological function (inferior psychological function) work together as a pair.
Inferior psychological functions don't simply not work; they can be very active or completely ignored, making them difficult to handle delicately, and thus strongly characterizing the type.
Let's quickly review.
The dominant psychological function is the one that a particular type can use most easily, is highly differentiated and developed, and takes the lead in cognition and decision-making.
On the other hand, inferior psychological functions tend to be suppressed and develop later. Furthermore, activating them requires considerable energy.
So that's what it was.
(The review ends here.)
Inferior cognitive functions provide subtle support for dominant cognitive functions.
Furthermore, since the psychological functions progress in order from the first, then the second, then the third, and finally to the fourth, the inferior psychological function is something that a person of that type longs for and is attracted to.
Occasionally, using this inferior psychological function as a way to unwind can lead to wonderful experiences that are different from the usual.
For example, even if INTJs and INFJs are usually working on highly abstract and difficult-to-understand tasks, they can refresh themselves by taking breaks that involve using their inferior psychological functions, which in turn helps them to make progress in their main work.
For INTJs and INFJs, the inferior psychological function is extroverted sensing, so it's things like watching or participating in sports, eating delicious food at restaurants, or traveling and seeing unusual scenery.
However, inferior psychological functions often have negative consequences. When they are relegated to the shadow of dominant psychological functions and ignored, their rebellion can manifest in unhealthy ways.
The dominant and inferior psychological functions are two parts of a whole.
This can lead to extreme behaviors that harm oneself or others, such as pampering one's body or mind, or conversely, becoming unhealthily ascetic.
To achieve integration of dominant and inferior psychological functions, it's better to create a process where you use the functions in order from the first to the fourth, rather than immediately fixating on the inferior function.
However, the stronger the dominant cognitive function is, the more the inferior cognitive function rises to the forefront of consciousness, either as if being pulled by it or as a way to balance it out.
These two psychological functions are opposing in nature, making it difficult to satisfy both simultaneously. Therefore, sometimes we may exhibit behaviors that are extremely biased towards one or the other.
Occasionally, the less dominant psychological function becomes more prominently utilized.
For example, an INTP might suddenly seek connection with others, ruining their previous theoretical considerations, or an INFP might act based on extremely rational and logical arguments, pushing aside ethics and consideration for others.
INTPs may sometimes behave like EFJs, and INFPs may sometimes behave like ETJs.
Even if it doesn't go that far, because the INTP's inferior psychological function, extroverted feeling, serves as a foundation or goal, they may use their dominant psychological function to focus their energy on understanding relationships theoretically.
It's easy to see why INFPs would be interested in MBTI, given the psychological functions they utilize. Looking at statistics from other websites, INTPs seem to be the next most numerous after INFPs. There are also a fair number of INTPs who are MBTI researchers.
On the other hand, there seem to be quite a few INFPs who dedicate their intuition, wisdom, and rational judgment to things that don't directly involve people, such as science and technology or programming. These INFPs are likely passionate about their work, fully aware of its significance and impact.
In this way, the psychological functions of dominance and inferiority gradually become integrated and consciously perceived.
In that case, it can become difficult to distinguish between the pairs being used.
For example, if an Si-dominant type uses their inferior Ne function to interpret and abstract past memories, discerning their essence within themselves, they may reach a level of perception that transcends the five senses, while maintaining the characteristic of not diverging. In such cases, it becomes difficult to distinguish this from the result of Ni function being at work.
Another example is when a type with a dominant Fi (Fi) provides rational and easily understandable justification and order to their internal value judgments of good and evil. In such cases, it doesn't end as mere pragmatic thinking, but rather leads to a theoretically reasoned understanding. In that case, it becomes difficult to distinguish it from the result of using Ti (Ti).
In particular, if you lack sufficient knowledge and discernment, you may mistakenly identify the wrong type as the correct one.
For these reasons, it can be difficult to distinguish between the following types.
- INFP INTP
- ISTP ISFP
- ISTJ INTJ
- ISFJ INFJ
- ENTP ESTP
- ENFP ESFP
- ENFJ ENTJ
- ESFJ ESTJ
You might think you're an INFJ, but actually be an ISFJ. That could happen, right?
In reality, if you have a solid understanding of psychological functions and pair dynamics, you should be able to distinguish between them.
There is no superiority or inferiority among the types. Please take your time to find the type that suits you best.
End of quote from "Let's Look at the World from the Perspective of MBTI Personality Type Theory" (website no longer exists) (partially modified)
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