The Cognitive Function Theory Explained (part 2)
Making sense of the guiding principles of the MBTI
Author’s Note: In the previous post, which you should read before starting this one, I began to explain the cognitive function theory. In that post I covered what cognitive functions are and described classifications that make them easy to understand. I also briefly introduced the 8 functions. In this post I will complete my main explanation of the theory: describing the structure of, and the dynamics of operations of the cognitive functions in each of our brains.
Like in the previous post I will quote a lot of my material from this really long piece of writing that you can treat as the bible of the cognitive function theory. If you are the type of person who wants to spend quite some time poring over the best material possible on a subject, you can skip my series of posts and go ahead and read this: The Principles of Cognitive Function Theory.
The symmetrical structure of the cognitive function stack
Firstly, I’ll like to address what I mean by “stack”. A good place to start is Part 2, Paragraph 4 of the cognitive function theory bible
Each type is defined by a unique functional stack that orders the cognitive functions according to their dominance (named from top to bottom: dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, inferior).
Another easy way to understand the order (dominant to inferior) is by classifying them from first to fourth. So the dominant function is the 1st and the inferior function is the 4th function (the auxiliary is the 2nd and the tertiary is the 3rd).
It can be slightly confusing to remember which one is the tertiary, or which one is the auxiliary function. But if you keep in mind that there are 4 functions and that these functions become less dominant in their lives of the individual as we go down the stack, you will be okay.
The next thing I’ll like to handle is what I mean by Symmetry. And this is the part that excites me the most; because while I know that symmetry is present in some way in biology, physics and mathematics, I didn’t expect to find it so beautifully represented in our base psychology.
I like the definition of symmetry given by Wikipedia:
“Symmetry in everyday language refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance.”
In the cognitive function theory, this proportion and balance comes in 2 ways depending on perspective. The first important thing to note is that everyone is a full combination of the 8 functions as described in the previous post.
The most important functions are the primary functions, they are 4 in number and have all the cognitive processes(N, S, T and F) present. The second 4 functions called shadow functions are less important but have exactly the same function stack arrangement as the primary functions but the opposite expression in terms of extroversion and introversion.
This diagram explains how to think about it:
While it’s best to ignore the shadow functions for a later date because it’s a far less explored concept in literature and is far less important in the expression of each type, understanding their presence helps explain the introversion and extroversion symmetry on different levels.
Firstly, as can be obviously seen in the image above, the primary functional stack takes this format when looked at from the perspective of just their E/I expressions:
1st: Introverted
2nd: Extroverted
3rd: Introverted
4th: Extroverted
This balance happens in each and every type. If the first begins with an extroverted function the second will be an introverted function and the third will be vice versa and the fourth will be the opposite of the third.
The same thing also happens for every primary function and it’s corresponding shadow function. This might seem obvious when you think about the functional stack structure. If a person’s dominant function is Intuition (N); then that’s just what it is; no other function can fight to
displace it on the same plane, especially as a shadow.
Another symmetrical leaning in the cognitive function theory is how the first and the last function are usually diametrically opposed; same with the second and the third function. This occurs for all types.
I do not know who discovered these structures and I am not terribly motivated to find them, probably because of my Ni/Te leanings. But is it the most accurate thing I have ever come across?* Yes. And when someone comes to me with something that works better and disproves the structure and symmetry of the cognitive function stack in a credible way, I’ll be there learning it, so I can better understand the world and write blog posts explaining the world using those models as a guide.
*Definitely a T(e) leaning there. I have spent the last two years comparing the models described in the cognitive function theory to as many real life people as possible and I have not seen a lapse that questions the theory.
So how does the functional stack work?
The first thing we discovered earlier in the post about functions within the stack is that that are arranged in the order of dominance in the life of the individual.
While the dynamics of the functions in the stack and their interaction with each other is a complex topic that warrants its own post, here’s what the cognitive function theory bible says (rather aptly too) about them:
Dominant/First Function
The dominant function is the function you rely on the most frequently to navigate the world. It provides the foundation for your sense of identity, helping to define your goals and desires in life and what you need for feeling fulfilled.
This means that, when you use the dominant function well (with good results), you will feel as though you are being your best self, but when you do not use the dominant function well, you are likely to experience cognitive dissonance, negative emotions, or feel as though you are not being the best you.*
*(Part 3, Section 1, Paragraph 1)
Auxiliary/Second Function
The auxiliary function acts as a helper or assistant to the dominant function and becomes much more active when the flaws of the dominant function start to appear.
When the dominant and auxiliary functions work well together, they make decisions as a well-oiled team because you have one perceiving function to gather data and one judging function to organize data for decision making, one introverted function for reflection and one extraverted function for taking action.*
*(Part 3, Section 3, Paragraph 1)
Tertiary/Third Function
The first two functions are the most important in the primary stack. The third and fourth (tertiary and inferior) functions are mostly used with very little consciousness in individuals. It takes personal growth to make use of those functions expertly, so it produces a lot of non-obvious flaws in the individual beyond the scope of this post.
Since the tertiary function is opposite to the auxiliary, it serves as a check on some of the weaknesses or excesses of auxiliary functioning. However, since the tertiary function is much lower in the stack, it is often used with little conscious awareness, producing poor or mixed results, usually in the form of childish or immature behavior.*
*(Part 3, Section 4, Paragraph 2)
Inferior/fourth Function
Even lower on the list of primary functions, this function is usually in behavioural contradiction with the dominant function. So what usually happens is that individuals threat this fourth function with contempt. As the cognitive function theory bible describes: it’s the one thing we don’t want to be.
I have an ENTJ friend with the dominant function T(e) who always reacts violently to people who use the F(i) function to process information and make decisions. She refers to them as “bloody feelers”. F(i) is her fourth function.
She’s not an outlier; it’s the norm (am I appealing to her Te)? An ENTP very close to me, dominant function Ne, inferior function Si, thinks that S(i) is the problem with the world. And I, an INTJ, dominant function Ni, inferior function Se, have moments when I look down on the S(e) function.
As we grow up, we unconsciously reject the inferior function in order to give the dominant function more energy and control over life. This leads to the inferior function being quite underdeveloped, so you will never be able to use it as well or as comfortably as a dominant function.*
*(Part 3, Section 2, Paragraph 2)
That’s not all there is to this function and even the others, but that’s enough to understand the cognitive function theory.
I’ve written a longer than usual post, I won’t do an elaborate ending. Don’t forget to check out the cognitive function theory bible for far more information.
