Carl Jung has written extensively on the topic of eight jungian functions, and these are still being researched and studied by other projects, such as Neojungian Typology. These functions were developed into a sixteen type theory similar to the one discussed on Ripple Studies.
First of all, the sixteen types that are discussed here work counter-intuitive to anyone who has ever worked with the MBTI. This is because I’m going at it from a completely different perspective than the MBTI. The MBTI works through self-assessment tests, and from the subjective level of how we think, and how we see ourselves. They primarily talk about how a person is specialized – specialized for interactions? (extrovert) or for privacy and reflection? (introverted) This is valuable for the person.
I’m looking at personality from the top-down perspective, and therefore subjective qualities and self-image has little room in my theory. However, interaction styles, power dynamics, and ideology becomes central. And to me, that is a necessary transition, because I want to understand humanity at large, not just the trees that make up the forest.
Looking at something from the top-down perspective is the equivalent of comparing quantum mechanics (subjective) and the temperature of water (objective) and therefore the translation process is very rough. Lots was lost in the process, but new was found. On this level, a persons preference of thinking over feeling, is of low impact, because when we communicate with others, we adapt to and act with our entire body, with our entire setup of possibilities. We become both thinkers and feelers at once, and nobody really can tell the difference or what happened first, but you can ofcourse personally speculate. Our subjective understanding of self offers little value to a company that wants to improve work conditions or a group that wants to move forward during inner conflicts.
I consider being able to match up and find these four ideological points of view, and these four forms of power, to be central if we want to understand how society works and how our groups are structured. Why they work the way they do. What forms of power dynamics are visible. What forms of ideology are shaping the groups perspective on the problems they face together.
1. You can’t know use what you’ve learnt about yourself subjectively when trying to understand your relation to this system.
What I’m suggesting
Introverted intuitives and extroverted sensors share a preference towards autonomy (striking themselves out from the group) and Extroverted intuitives and introverted sensors share a preference towards collaborativeness (dividing labour and establishing roles for everyone in the group)
Extroverted feelers and introverted thinkers both share a preference towards elaborativeness (Reflecting on how something is conducted) and Introverted feelers and Extroverted thinkers share a tendency towards applicability (focusing on doing or applying a conduct or testing a method)
In the MBTI, these types are seen as opposing to one another, but if you look at society at large, there are reasons to find that they are similar.
1. They primarily work in the same bubbles, and they tend to use the same methodism.
2. We use both our dominant and inferior function simoultaneously, and the end result therefore becomes the same.
3. Helen Fisher’s study on four types back up and suggest that these types are real, and she also supports it with big sample sizes and large study groups.
What I’m suggesting about ideology
ENTJ’s and INTP’s, INFJ’s and ENFP’s, ESTP’s, ISFP’s, ESFJ’s and ISTJ’s, all share a tendency towards idealiasm (meaning is relative to each individual)
INTJ’s, ENFJ’s, ENTP’s, and INFP’s, ISTP’s, ESFP’s, ISFJ’s and ESTJ’s all share a tendency towards materialism (meaning is derived from the outer world)
Intuitives, lastly, share a tendency towards constructivism, and sensors share a tendency towards essentialism.
I’ve found that, adding it all together, ENTJ’s, INFJ’s, ENFP’s and INTP’s share an ideological relationship as humanists.
ENFJ’s, INTJ’s, INFP’s and ENTP’s share an ideological relationship as socialliberal.
ISTP’s, ESFP’s, ISFJ’s and ESTJ’s share an ideological relationship as conservatives.
ESTP’s, ISFP’s, ESFJ’s and ISTJ’s share an ideological relationship as liberalconservative.
1. These things are only true relatively to the society the person is brought up in, i.e some people will have a different idea of what is essential, causing cultural clashes.
2. I find that these people consistently show up in the same political collages and tend to raise similar issues. They often partner up ideologically.
3. I actually don’t know why this is the case yet, because looking at it functionally, there should be no similarities. But I will test this hyphothesis out. So far it has been consistent.
Ripple Studies 