According to Jung, the mechanism for adaptation and orientation is the psyche, which has four distinguishable functions, namely sensation, thinking, feeling, intuition. Furthermore, each of these functions is oriented according to a basic attitude, namely extraversion or introversion.
Extraversion is an orientation toward the external world, and the flow of energy is from object to subject whereby the extravert is always tempted to 'assimilate subject to object' (Jung 1971a, p. 337). In contrast, introversion is an orientation toward the internal world, and the flow of energy is from object to subject. Consequently, in the energetic flow between the subjective idea and the objective thing, 'for the introverted attitude the idea is the prime mover; for the extroverted, a product' (Jung 1971a, p. 439).
For Jung, 'the relation between subject and object, biologically considered, is always one of adaptation, since every relation between subject and object presupposes the modification of one by the other through reciprocal influence. Adaptation consists in these constant modifications. The typical attitudes to the object, therefore, are processes of adaptation' (Jung 1971a, p. 331). Consequently, the four psychological functions cannot be considered in isolation to their extraverted and intrioverted manifestations.
SENSING
The sensing function enables us to focus on what is real and actual, trust experience, take in via the five senses, apply experience and attend to the factual and concrete. As Jung states, sensation is 'perception mediated by the sense organs' (Jung 1971a, p. 462).
Extraverted sensation:
- Attentive to everything and details
- Focuses on here and now experiences
- Seeks a variety of sense stimulation
- Sees all experience as constructive
- Expressive & resourceful
Introverted sensation:
- Remembers things and associated meaning
- Focuses on reality as experienced
- Integrates sense experience into storehouse
- Lets the storehouse guide experience
- Watchful & thorough
INTUITION
The intuition function focuses on possibilities, trusts imagination, is future oriented, see patterns and attends to the abstract and theoretical. Intuition is an immediate awareness of relationships and contents presented complete and as a whole. Like sensation, intuition is irrational, it is simply given and not produced, and like a hunch appears as 'a kind of instinctive apprehension, no matter of what contents' (Jung 1971a, 453).
Extraverted intuition:
- Scans the external world for new possibilities
- Focuses on new ways of doing things
- Seeks to realize possibilities
- Generates creative possibilities
- Seeks to make connections between things
Introverted intuition:
- Focuses on images and mental connections
- Focuses on fantasy
- Seeks to bring into being their insight
- Develops mental pictures and images
- Develops complex models for understanding
THINKING
The thinking function seeks order, uses cause and effect logic as well as employs impersonal decision making to analyze and critique. Thinking, as defined by Jung, is that function that objectively and impersonally organises ideas and makes decisions, relevant to the contents received via either sensation, as in concrete thinking, or intuition, as in abstract thinking. Importantly, the criteria against which thinking occurs are either external (as in extaverted thinking) or internal and subjective (as in introverted thinking).
Extraverted thinking, 'is guided by the object' (Jung 1971a, p. 342) and:
- Seeks to arrange the external world logically
- Directly communicates conclusions
- Sets goals and direct implementation
- Gathers data and direct others accordingly
- Expresses thoughts directly
Introverted thinking 'begins with the subject and leads back to the subject, far thought it may range into the realm of actual reality' (Jung 1971a, p. 380) and:
- Seeks to develop a system for understanding
- Integrates thoughts and ideas into systems
- Organizes inputs and eliminates inconsistencies
- Observes, reflects and integrates
- Expresses thoughts when challenged
FEELING
The feeling function seeks harmony and uses value-based logic to effect inter-personal decision making, it seeks to sympathize and focuses on appreciation. As opposed to thinking, feeling subjectively and personally assigns value 'in the sense of acceptance or rejection' (Jung 1971a, p.434).
Extraverted feeling
- Seeks to organize harmonious relationships
- Focuses on involving others in decisions
- Organizes things to meet the needs of others
- Expresses warmth
- Creates relationships
Introverted feeling
- Seeks harmony by influencing others
- Focuses on understanding people’s values
- Ensures consistency and integrity
- Quietly supports others
- Creates space for people
Jung asserted that 'it is not the purpose of a psychological typology to classify human beings into categories – this in itself would be pretty pointless. Its purpose is rather to provide a critical psychology which will make a methodical investigation and presentation of the empirical material possible. First and foremost, it is a critical tool for the research worker, who needs definite points of view and guidelines if he is to reduce the chaotic profusion of individual experiences to any kind of order. . . . Secondly, a typology is a great help in understanding the wide variations that occur among individuals, and it also furnishes a clue to the fundamental differences in the psychological theories now current. Last but not least, it is an essential means for determining the personal equation ' (Jung 1971a, p.555).
Sources:
Jung, C. G. 1971a, Psychological Types, Bollingen Series, vol. 6, trans. Baynes, H. G., Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.