The Eight Cognitive Functions

The eight function-attitude combinations defined by the Classic Jung corpus.

ET / Te

Extraverted Thinking

Definition: Thinking predominantly guided by objective data, external facts, or ideas established through external sources. Its judgments take their determining criteria from objective conditions.
Example: Examining a theory and judging its validity according to objective evidence and established principles.

IT / Ti

Introverted Thinking

Definition: Thinking predominantly guided by the subjective factor and subjective intellectual ideas. It develops an idea from within and seeks to understand how external facts relate to that idea.
Example: Developing an intellectual conception and examining how observed facts fit into or challenge it.

EF / Fe

Extraverted Feeling

Definition: Feeling predominantly guided by objective values and the values established by one's social environment. Its evaluations are adjusted to the object and the prevailing feeling situation.
Example: Appreciating something as beautiful or appropriate because of its recognized value within a particular social or cultural setting.

IF / Fi

Introverted Feeling

Definition: Feeling predominantly guided by the subjective factor. It evaluates things according to an inner system of values, which is not primarily determined by the object's influence or prevailing social standards.
Example: Valuing something deeply because it corresponds to an inner ideal, even when it receives little recognition from others.

ES / Se

Extraverted Sensation

Definition: Sensation predominantly guided by the object and its objective sensory qualities. It registers the concrete, perceptible reality of things and is strongly influenced by the actual qualities of external objects.
Example: Noticing the actual colours, sounds, textures, shapes, and physical characteristics of something.

IS / Si

Introverted Sensation

Definition: Sensation predominantly guided by the subjective factor of perception. It perceives the external object through the influence of the subject's unconscious disposition and primordial images, producing a subjective impression that may differ considerably from the object's ordinary appearance.
Example: Two people observe the same landscape, but one experiences it with a distinctive subjective impression, mood, and depth of meaning that goes beyond its objectively observable qualities.

EN / Ne

Extraverted Intuition

Definition: Intuition directed predominantly toward external objects and situations. It perceives the possibilities that an objective situation holds, including developments and opportunities that are not yet realized.
Example: Looking at an existing business and intuitively perceiving several possibilities for what it could become or develop into.

IN / Ni

Introverted Intuition

Definition: Intuition directed predominantly toward inner objects: the contents of the unconscious. It perceives subjective images and unconscious processes, exploring their development and significance.
Example: Experiencing an inner image or vision that reveals a possible development or underlying meaning not apparent in the external situation.

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