The MBTI 201 - Cognitive Functions
The Basics
There is more to the 4-letter MBTI code than meets the eye. Each of the four letters (N, S, F, and T) has two separate forms - extroverted and introverted. These are abbreviated by using one of these 4 letters followed by a lowercase i or e.
To read them, say the lowercase indicator first, and the uppercase one second.
For example:
Ni, introverted intuition
Ne, extroverted intuition
Si, introverted sensing
Te, extroverted thinking
Introverted functions direct thought inward, while extroverted functions direct it outward.
Cognitive functions do not work on a scale. They are like a light switch - on or off, used or unused. There are 8 total, and they are:
The 8 Cognitive Functions
i
e
N
Ni
-Combining opposing systems
(ex. Evolution and creation)
-The ‘Eureka’ moment
-a drive toward the future
Ne
-Many ideas all at once, all of them possible true
(ex. A whodunit)
S
Si
-logical and emotional memory
-forming connections between the past and the present
(ex. Learning from history, nostalgia)
-a ‘oneness’ with ageless customs
-focuses on details
Se
-a ‘oneness’ with the physical world
-the thrill of action and new discovery
T
Ti
-looking for logical inconsistencies and fixes for them
-classifying
-recognizing patterns
Te
-following someone else’s thought process
-explaining through logic and fact
-empirical thought
-organizing
-planning
F
Fi
-works as a value filter for incoming information
-an internal sense of the "essence" of a person or project
-hard to put into words
Fe
-caring about others’ feelings
-taking care others’ wants and needs
-making others comfortable
The First Four
Everyone has all 8 cognitive functions. However, each personality type uses them in a different order. The first 4 are indicators of very specific things.
1. Dominant cognitive function - This is the function used the most. This is the one most comfortable to use, and will be used the majority of the time.
2. Auxiliary cognitive function - This is the function second most comfortable to use. It is the dominant function’s "helper" - it acts as a rudder, providing the dominant function with a sense of direction.
3. Tertiary cognitive function - This function develops with maturity. An immature personality will not be able to use its tertiary function at all.
4. Inferior cognitive function - This function is a personality’s weak point. It is often the cause of stress of misunderstanding. A personality that is able to use its inferior function is called ‘balanced.’ Personalities are not inherently balanced - you must work at them to reach this level; this usually requires a great deal of self-discovery.
For example, an INTJ’s cognitive function preference chain looks like this:
Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
The first four are: Ni Te Fi Se
The dominant function: Ni
The auxiliary: Te
The tertiary: Fi
And the inferior: Se
Shadow Theory - Bebee
Each personality type has a "shadow." This is supposedly how a person with will act when depressed, but the idea is disputed, and no one is entirely sure what, exactly, the shadow is supposed to mean.
There are two versions of shadow theory. The first is John Bebee's:
In Bebee's theory, the shadow takes the first 4 cognitive functions from a personality type’s cognitive function preference chain, keeps the uppercase letters (NSTF) in the same order, and reverses the lowercase letters (ie).
An INTJ’s first four cognitive functions are, again: Ni Te Fi Se
The shadow would be: Ne Ti Fe Si
These are the last 4 cognitive functions in the INTJ’s preference chain. So all we’ve done is split the chain in two:
INTJ
Whole chain: Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
First group of four, significant to the personality: Ni Te Fi Se
Last group of four, the type’s shadow: Ne Ti Fe Si
The shadow functions create a chain of four - which is another personality type. The type whose preference chain begins ‘Ne Ti Fe Si’ is the ENTP.
ENTP
Whole chain: Ne Ti Fe Si Ni Te Fi Se
First group of four, significant to the personality: Ne Ti Fe Si
Last group of four, the type’s shadow: Ni Te Fi Se
All we’ve done is split the chain in two and switched the parts around.
Now, because the INTJ and the ENTP share the same two parts, if you start with the ENTP and switch it back around, you’ll end up with the INTJ again. They are each other's shadows.
There is a simpler method for determining a type's shadow. Simply keep the middle two letters the same, and switch the I/E and J/P preferences:
INTJ : ENTP
ISTP : ESTJ
ENFP: INFJ
Shadow Theory - Thomson
Lenore Thomson proposed a different model for the shadow. She bases her theory off of brain research, while Bebee's model is based off of archetypes (which is, more-or-less, the "stereotypical" behavior of each personality type). While Bebee's theory is based on the idea that each cognitive function is an individual (like a character in a story, for instance), Thomson's theory is based on the idea that they must be interacting to be working properly (like a circuit board).
Thomson explains that each of the 8 cognitive functions is located in a different area of the brain:
Front Left Hemisphere - Front Right Hemisphere
Te / Fe - Se / Ne
Back Left Hemisphere - Back Right Hemisphere
Ni / Si - Fi / Ti
She breaks up the cognitive preference chain like this:
Full chain, for an INTJ: Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
First group of four: Ni Te Fi Se
Second group of four: Ne Ti Fe Si
Within the first group of four, two pairs:
Main pair: Ni Te
Second pair: Fi Se
Second group of four pairs:
Double Agents: Ne Ti
Alternatives: Fe Si
The second group's pairs represent different ways of looking at the world. We can use the "double agents" sometimes, like... well, like a spy changing their "character" temporarily.
While the second pair in the first group of four uses the main cognitive functions' opposites (Ni -> Se, Te -> Fi), the "alternatives" use their compliments instead (Ni -> Si, Te -> Fe). This should be the pair that is the least likely you will use, because they are the weakest of the weakest functions, even more unconcious than the first group's second pair.
These, however, have nothing to do with the shadow. The shadow simply takes the first group of four and writes it backwards, which has the effect of switching all 4 preferences on the MBTI type:
First group of four: Ni Te Fi Se (INTJ)
Backwards (shadow): Se Fi Te Ni (ESFP)
This is supposed to work out this way because when stressed, our inferior function (Se) takes over and makes us read our cognitive chains right -> left rather than left -> right like usual.
Shadow form stresses the negative aspect of each cognitive function.
Cognitive Preference Chains - Master List
This is the master list of MBTI cognitive preference chains. Since you usually will only need the first four, and for conciseness, they are grouped by Bebee shadows.
To read the entire cognitive chain, simply tack the shadow’s cognitive functions onto the end of the personality type you’re working on. For example:
ISTP Ti Se Ni Fe
ESTJ Te Si Ne Fi
Full ISTP chain: Ti Se Ni Fe Te Si Ne Fi
Full ESTJ chain: Te Si Ne Fi Ti Se Ni Fe
IJ/EP
IP/EJ
NT
INTJ
Ni Te Fi Se
INTP
Ti Ne Si Fe
ENTP
Ne Ti Fe Si
ENTJ
Te Ni Se Fi
NF
INFJ
Ni Fe Ti Se
INFP
Fi Ne Si Te
ENFP
Ne Fi Te Si
ENFJ
Fe Ni Se Ti
ST
ISTJ
Si Te Fi Ne
ISTP
Ti Se Ni Fe
ESTP
Se Ti Fe Ni
ESTJ
Te Si Ne Fi
SF
ISFJ
Si Fe Ti Ne
ISFP
Fi Se Ni Te
ESFP
Se Fi Te Ni
ESFJ
Fe Si Ne Ti
Cognitive Preference Chains - Figuring Them
It is not necessary to know how to figure a cognitive preference chain to understand the MBTI, but for anyone who like to learn how:
This method may be used to determine a cognitive preference chain without ever having to look at the chart above. All you’ll need is a 4-letter MBTI code.
Using this method, you only need to figure out the first two cognitive functions. Once you have those, you’ll know the order of the rest.
Step 1. - The T/F and J/P preferences
This step uses the last two letters:
T = T, and F = F.
P turns into i.
J turns into e.
So:
TJ = Te
TP = Ti
FP = Fi
FJ = Fe
Step 2. - The I/E preference
Take the function you derived from the first step. Does the lowercase letter match the first letter of the MBTI type? If it does, it goes first. If it doesn’t, it goes second.
ExTJ
TJ = Te.
The first letter is E, which matches.
Te _ _ _
IxTJ
TJ = Te.
The first letter is I, which does not match.
_ Te _ _
Step 3. - The N/S preference
Between the first two spots on the cognitive preference chain, you should now have one filled in. In whichever space is not filled in, copy the N or S from the MBTI type. Then put the opposite lowercase letter from the cognitive function from step 1.
N=N, and S=S.
Opposite i/e.
First two spaces.
ENTJ
Te _ _ _
Te N _ _
Te Ni _ _
ISTJ
_ Te _ _
S Te _ _
Si Te _ _
Step 4. - ABBA, i/e
First, fill in the capital letters following an ABBA pattern. The pairs are N/S and T/F. Second, fill in alternating i’s and e’s.
ENTJ
Te Ni _ _
Te Ni S F
Te Ni Se Fe
ISTJ
Si Te _ _
Si Te F N
Si Te Fi Ne
Step 5. - Shadow rule.
This is Bebee's shadow from above.
Copy the capital letters. Alternate the i’s and e’s the other way around.
ENTJ
Te Ni Se Fe
Te Ni Se Fe T N S F
Te Ni Se Fe Ti Ne Se Fi
ISTJ
Si Te Fi Ne
Si Te Fi Ne S T F N
Si Te Fi Ne Si Te Fi Ne
That’s it. To go through the whole process:
Type: ESFP
Step 1: FP = Fi
Step 2:
i does not match E.
_ Fi _ _
Step 3:
S-type.
S Fi _ _
Se Fi _ _
Step 4:
ABBA, i/e.
Se Fi _ _
Se Fi T N
Se Fi Te Ni
Step 5:
Shadow.
Se Fi Te Ni
Se Fi Te Ni S F T N
Se Fi Te Ni Si Fe Ti Ne
There is more to the 4-letter MBTI code than meets the eye. Each of the four letters (N, S, F, and T) has two separate forms - extroverted and introverted. These are abbreviated by using one of these 4 letters followed by a lowercase i or e.
To read them, say the lowercase indicator first, and the uppercase one second.
For example:
Ni, introverted intuition
Ne, extroverted intuition
Si, introverted sensing
Te, extroverted thinking
Introverted functions direct thought inward, while extroverted functions direct it outward.
Cognitive functions do not work on a scale. They are like a light switch - on or off, used or unused. There are 8 total, and they are:
The 8 Cognitive Functions
i
e
N
Ni
-Combining opposing systems
(ex. Evolution and creation)
-The ‘Eureka’ moment
-a drive toward the future
Ne
-Many ideas all at once, all of them possible true
(ex. A whodunit)
S
Si
-logical and emotional memory
-forming connections between the past and the present
(ex. Learning from history, nostalgia)
-a ‘oneness’ with ageless customs
-focuses on details
Se
-a ‘oneness’ with the physical world
-the thrill of action and new discovery
T
Ti
-looking for logical inconsistencies and fixes for them
-classifying
-recognizing patterns
Te
-following someone else’s thought process
-explaining through logic and fact
-empirical thought
-organizing
-planning
F
Fi
-works as a value filter for incoming information
-an internal sense of the "essence" of a person or project
-hard to put into words
Fe
-caring about others’ feelings
-taking care others’ wants and needs
-making others comfortable
The First Four
Everyone has all 8 cognitive functions. However, each personality type uses them in a different order. The first 4 are indicators of very specific things.
1. Dominant cognitive function - This is the function used the most. This is the one most comfortable to use, and will be used the majority of the time.
2. Auxiliary cognitive function - This is the function second most comfortable to use. It is the dominant function’s "helper" - it acts as a rudder, providing the dominant function with a sense of direction.
3. Tertiary cognitive function - This function develops with maturity. An immature personality will not be able to use its tertiary function at all.
4. Inferior cognitive function - This function is a personality’s weak point. It is often the cause of stress of misunderstanding. A personality that is able to use its inferior function is called ‘balanced.’ Personalities are not inherently balanced - you must work at them to reach this level; this usually requires a great deal of self-discovery.
For example, an INTJ’s cognitive function preference chain looks like this:
Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
The first four are: Ni Te Fi Se
The dominant function: Ni
The auxiliary: Te
The tertiary: Fi
And the inferior: Se
Shadow Theory - Bebee
Each personality type has a "shadow." This is supposedly how a person with will act when depressed, but the idea is disputed, and no one is entirely sure what, exactly, the shadow is supposed to mean.
There are two versions of shadow theory. The first is John Bebee's:
In Bebee's theory, the shadow takes the first 4 cognitive functions from a personality type’s cognitive function preference chain, keeps the uppercase letters (NSTF) in the same order, and reverses the lowercase letters (ie).
An INTJ’s first four cognitive functions are, again: Ni Te Fi Se
The shadow would be: Ne Ti Fe Si
These are the last 4 cognitive functions in the INTJ’s preference chain. So all we’ve done is split the chain in two:
INTJ
Whole chain: Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
First group of four, significant to the personality: Ni Te Fi Se
Last group of four, the type’s shadow: Ne Ti Fe Si
The shadow functions create a chain of four - which is another personality type. The type whose preference chain begins ‘Ne Ti Fe Si’ is the ENTP.
ENTP
Whole chain: Ne Ti Fe Si Ni Te Fi Se
First group of four, significant to the personality: Ne Ti Fe Si
Last group of four, the type’s shadow: Ni Te Fi Se
All we’ve done is split the chain in two and switched the parts around.
Now, because the INTJ and the ENTP share the same two parts, if you start with the ENTP and switch it back around, you’ll end up with the INTJ again. They are each other's shadows.
There is a simpler method for determining a type's shadow. Simply keep the middle two letters the same, and switch the I/E and J/P preferences:
INTJ : ENTP
ISTP : ESTJ
ENFP: INFJ
Shadow Theory - Thomson
Lenore Thomson proposed a different model for the shadow. She bases her theory off of brain research, while Bebee's model is based off of archetypes (which is, more-or-less, the "stereotypical" behavior of each personality type). While Bebee's theory is based on the idea that each cognitive function is an individual (like a character in a story, for instance), Thomson's theory is based on the idea that they must be interacting to be working properly (like a circuit board).
Thomson explains that each of the 8 cognitive functions is located in a different area of the brain:
Front Left Hemisphere - Front Right Hemisphere
Te / Fe - Se / Ne
Back Left Hemisphere - Back Right Hemisphere
Ni / Si - Fi / Ti
She breaks up the cognitive preference chain like this:
Full chain, for an INTJ: Ni Te Fi Se Ne Ti Fe Si
First group of four: Ni Te Fi Se
Second group of four: Ne Ti Fe Si
Within the first group of four, two pairs:
Main pair: Ni Te
Second pair: Fi Se
Second group of four pairs:
Double Agents: Ne Ti
Alternatives: Fe Si
The second group's pairs represent different ways of looking at the world. We can use the "double agents" sometimes, like... well, like a spy changing their "character" temporarily.
While the second pair in the first group of four uses the main cognitive functions' opposites (Ni -> Se, Te -> Fi), the "alternatives" use their compliments instead (Ni -> Si, Te -> Fe). This should be the pair that is the least likely you will use, because they are the weakest of the weakest functions, even more unconcious than the first group's second pair.
These, however, have nothing to do with the shadow. The shadow simply takes the first group of four and writes it backwards, which has the effect of switching all 4 preferences on the MBTI type:
First group of four: Ni Te Fi Se (INTJ)
Backwards (shadow): Se Fi Te Ni (ESFP)
This is supposed to work out this way because when stressed, our inferior function (Se) takes over and makes us read our cognitive chains right -> left rather than left -> right like usual.
Shadow form stresses the negative aspect of each cognitive function.
Cognitive Preference Chains - Master List
This is the master list of MBTI cognitive preference chains. Since you usually will only need the first four, and for conciseness, they are grouped by Bebee shadows.
To read the entire cognitive chain, simply tack the shadow’s cognitive functions onto the end of the personality type you’re working on. For example:
ISTP Ti Se Ni Fe
ESTJ Te Si Ne Fi
Full ISTP chain: Ti Se Ni Fe Te Si Ne Fi
Full ESTJ chain: Te Si Ne Fi Ti Se Ni Fe
IJ/EP
IP/EJ
NT
INTJ
Ni Te Fi Se
INTP
Ti Ne Si Fe
ENTP
Ne Ti Fe Si
ENTJ
Te Ni Se Fi
NF
INFJ
Ni Fe Ti Se
INFP
Fi Ne Si Te
ENFP
Ne Fi Te Si
ENFJ
Fe Ni Se Ti
ST
ISTJ
Si Te Fi Ne
ISTP
Ti Se Ni Fe
ESTP
Se Ti Fe Ni
ESTJ
Te Si Ne Fi
SF
ISFJ
Si Fe Ti Ne
ISFP
Fi Se Ni Te
ESFP
Se Fi Te Ni
ESFJ
Fe Si Ne Ti
Cognitive Preference Chains - Figuring Them
It is not necessary to know how to figure a cognitive preference chain to understand the MBTI, but for anyone who like to learn how:
This method may be used to determine a cognitive preference chain without ever having to look at the chart above. All you’ll need is a 4-letter MBTI code.
Using this method, you only need to figure out the first two cognitive functions. Once you have those, you’ll know the order of the rest.
Step 1. - The T/F and J/P preferences
This step uses the last two letters:
T = T, and F = F.
P turns into i.
J turns into e.
So:
TJ = Te
TP = Ti
FP = Fi
FJ = Fe
Step 2. - The I/E preference
Take the function you derived from the first step. Does the lowercase letter match the first letter of the MBTI type? If it does, it goes first. If it doesn’t, it goes second.
ExTJ
TJ = Te.
The first letter is E, which matches.
Te _ _ _
IxTJ
TJ = Te.
The first letter is I, which does not match.
_ Te _ _
Step 3. - The N/S preference
Between the first two spots on the cognitive preference chain, you should now have one filled in. In whichever space is not filled in, copy the N or S from the MBTI type. Then put the opposite lowercase letter from the cognitive function from step 1.
N=N, and S=S.
Opposite i/e.
First two spaces.
ENTJ
Te _ _ _
Te N _ _
Te Ni _ _
ISTJ
_ Te _ _
S Te _ _
Si Te _ _
Step 4. - ABBA, i/e
First, fill in the capital letters following an ABBA pattern. The pairs are N/S and T/F. Second, fill in alternating i’s and e’s.
ENTJ
Te Ni _ _
Te Ni S F
Te Ni Se Fe
ISTJ
Si Te _ _
Si Te F N
Si Te Fi Ne
Step 5. - Shadow rule.
This is Bebee's shadow from above.
Copy the capital letters. Alternate the i’s and e’s the other way around.
ENTJ
Te Ni Se Fe
Te Ni Se Fe T N S F
Te Ni Se Fe Ti Ne Se Fi
ISTJ
Si Te Fi Ne
Si Te Fi Ne S T F N
Si Te Fi Ne Si Te Fi Ne
That’s it. To go through the whole process:
Type: ESFP
Step 1: FP = Fi
Step 2:
i does not match E.
_ Fi _ _
Step 3:
S-type.
S Fi _ _
Se Fi _ _
Step 4:
ABBA, i/e.
Se Fi _ _
Se Fi T N
Se Fi Te Ni
Step 5:
Shadow.
Se Fi Te Ni
Se Fi Te Ni S F T N
Se Fi Te Ni Si Fe Ti Ne