Sensing vs. Intuitive

Encounters a word they don’t know:

Sensing 

Intuitive

The Types: Civil War

Captain America: ENFP, INFP, ESTJ, ISTJ, ISTP, ISFP, ENFJ, INFJ Iron Man: INTJ, ENTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTP, ESFP, ENTP, INTP

I’ve been neglecting this blog, I realize. Part of that is because I was in a terrible INTJ facebook group that was making me bitter about INTJs in general and I was finding it difficult to have anything positive or interesting to say about the type. I left that discussion group, though, and I want to get back into the swing of posting here and having conversation with you lovely, non-terrible INTJs.

In the mean time, I just saw this clip for the first time in which Stephen Colbert took the MBTI and had to share. Enjoy, and I’ll be back soon.

Banish the idea that N = iNtelligent and S = Simple. There are brilliant Sensors in all fields, and unchecked N leads to idiot ideas that consider themselves beyond the burden of proof, like the anti-vax movement and most conspiracy theories. 

Recreation: activity done for enjoyment when one is not working

INTJ’s and INFJ’s inferior or relief function is Extroverted Sensing, Se. INTJs like to sell themselves as brains, but there is a side to them that is very sensual and self-indulgent; this is their Se. This function works very subtly in the inferior position, more often augmenting ideas based in the dominant functions than acting on its own. IN_Js often don’t even realize that their sensory function is at play until it becomes overwhelming.

Se is at play when we use our senses to take in information from the world around us. While IN_Js are unlikely to pursue a life based on sensual experiences, such as adventure travelers or designers, they do tend to relish in the sensory world in smaller ways. For instance, an INTP could happily live in a concrete box provided it optimally met all their functional needs. An INTJ, however, may find themselves turning down a more logical choice over aesthetic details like arched doorways and track lighting. 

You might find that an IN_J’s bookshelf is not organized alphabetically by author, but rather by some zen system that only they understand. Their homes and wardrobes will hew to a particular aesthetic that, while not necessarily trendy, will be unique to their own personal style and sense of comfort. And while they’re not often foodies, they will take an almost sexual pleasure in their favorite foods and drinks. They’ll get finnicky over fonts and margins, have specialized personal grooming habits, and will treat themselves with indulgence in sensate pleasures. 

Unfortunately, because IN_Js are tuned into the external world but only in an inferior capacity, they become easily overwhelmed by it. They’ll quickly become over-stimulated in chaotic environments, are easily distracted by external stimuli, and are fairly intolerant of having their routines or personal environment altered by outside influences. 

When IN_Js are significantly stressed, they’ll find themselves in what Naomi Quenk refers to as “in the grip” of inferior Se. IN_Js turn to the sensate to cope with stress. This is what makes INTJs the most likely of all the types to use exercise as stress relief, but it can also lead to over-indulgence of sensual pleasures. Over-eating, unusual promiscuity, and binge drinking are all habits IN_Js are likely to turn to when life hands them lemons. They become incredibly agitated by outside stimuli, reacting explosively to relatively minor offenses. They may also become obsessed with external data, perhaps reorganizing their entire house or tracking every calorie they ingest, right down to sticks of gum and vitamins. If the stress goes on too long without finding a healthy solution, these habits may become ingrained, making IN_J’s vulnerable to chronic obsessions, addictions, and eating disorders.

I’ve previously linked to the section of Quent’s book, Was That Really Me?, which discusses INTJs and INFJs operating out of Se under stress. Here it is again for those looking for a more in depth explanation of how IN_Js act when they’re “in the grip.” 

“Something I wish other types understood.”

Submitted by  arthurradford. 

INTJs and ISTJs tertiary or relief function is Introverted Feeling, Fi. This function is a bit quieter for these types than for Fi dominants or supporting. It works behind the scenes, often leaving the user unaware that a Feeling function is even in play. In the tertiary position, Fi is responsible for creating deep and lasting emotional connections and creating a moral compass. 

Don't let INTJs or ISTJs fool you into thinking they're emotionless. It's just that they apply their emotions very selectively. Fi, in these types, is not flighty reactive emotions, but instead builds bonds that endure.This is what cultivates deep and lasting friendships, fuels their passions, and cultivates their immutable (though highly personalized) code of ethics. They may never cry during a movie, for instance, but may be completely devastated at the finale of a TV show they've been following for many years. 

Much like how you have to wait for ESFPs to process their emotions before they can think logically, INTJs and ISTJs must process thoughts and experiences practically and analytically before they can truly experience the emotional core of a situation. If a loved one were to die, for instance, they may not experience their emotional response to this until after the funeral is over, the will has been read, and any other loose ends have been settled. There is a delayed response between something happening and the tertiary Fi processing it.

While it keeps our INTJs and ISTJs level-headed, there is a downside to this. Often, they are the last to know what they are feeling, leaving their loved ones to roll their eyes until their I_TJ catches on. They may become overwhelmed and unable to react in highly emotionally charged situations. Their romantic partner may do something hurtful, and they won't get upset over it until hours, days, even months later, leaving their partner to feel like the I_TJ won't let go of old wounds. Speaking of which, these types do in fact take quite a long time to recover from loss, betrayal, and other hurts from those with whom they have formed deep bonds. This is also where judgement comes from -- not the J function, but thinking less of others for not measuring up to the I_TJ's sense of values. 

______________________________________________________________

Related Note: The latest episode of the AskINTJ Podcast is up! You can listen to it here, download it here, or subscribe to it on iTunes.

Unrelated Note: I have recently noticed that the images from this blog have been shared on facebook, pinterest, and other websites. That would be great, except many of these people are cropping out the source watermark. I've always tried to keep this source annotation off to the side so as to not take away from the image, but now I'm going to have to start putting it in a more central location. I hate having to do this, but, well, this is why we can't have nice things.

Recently this blog and AskINTJ have stagnated, not because I've lost interest in them, but because the current format has become limiting. The amount of messages waiting for me to respond have become a bit overwhelming and it's keeping me from posting other things on this blog. 

As such, I've decided to start responding to most of the asks I receive in a podcast. This blog will not change: I'll still make image posts and respond to some asks on this page. However, in addition to what already happens here, I'll be a posting a (hopefully weekly) podcast over on AskINTJ in which I will answer several questions from the ask box and discuss any general MBTI topics that I think may be of interest.

Posted here is the first episode of the AskINTJ podcast, but future episodes will only be posted on AskINTJ. I've also submitted the podcast to iTunes, but it will be a little while until it's live there. Until then, you can listen to it on the Tumblr page or download the episode here.