Functions & Attitudes

The four functions and the two attitudes that orient them.

Extraverted: The function is predominantly oriented by the object and objective conditions.
Introverted: The function is predominantly oriented by the subjective factor and the subject's own psychological disposition.

Thinking: Thinking is a rational function: it makes conceptual judgments, establishing connections and determining what is true or false.
Feeling: Feeling is also a rational function. It evaluates things according to their value: good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, worthy or unworthy. It is not the same as emotion.
Sensation: Sensation is an irrational function: it perceives what is actually present through the senses, rather than judging its value or meaning.
Intuition: Intuition is an irrational function: it perceives through unconscious processes, apprehending contents and relationships that are not directly given through ordinary sensory perception.

Principal Function: The principal function is the most differentiated psychological function. It is the primary function through which consciousness predominantly perceives or judges, and it exercises the greatest influence over the individual's conscious orientation.
Auxiliary Function: The auxiliary function is a less differentiated function that assists the principal function and contributes to conscious adaptation. It must differ in nature from the principal function without being antagonistic to it.
Inferior Function: The inferior function is the least differentiated function, generally remaining largely unconscious. It is opposed in nature to the principal function and tends to emerge less consciously and less reliably.

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