Introverted Thinking versus Extroverted Thinking
First up in this series looking at the cognitive functions are the Thinking Functions. If you want a refresher on what the cognitive functions are, check out this primer post!
The Thinking Functions
Introverted Thinking (Ti) and Extroverted Thinking (Te) are judging functions that help us in situations requiring discernment and decision making—whether they’re small, unconscious decisions or large, life-changing decisions.
The Thinking functions differ from the Feeling functions in their use in decision making. Thinking is more emotionally removed, looking at data and logic before filtering through to Feeling. This does not mean that people using Ti or Te as their primary decision-making function don’t have feelings, aren’t sensitive, or are aloof and robotic. It simply means they prefer their Thinking process over their Feeling process, however slightly.
I am an INTJ but on the Thinking/Feeling polarity, I fall about 51% Thinking and 49% Feeling. Because of this, I had to do a lot of research into both the INFJ and INTJ types. I came to understand that my very slight preference for Thinking made a big difference when looking at my preferred functions.
Who Uses the Thinking Cognitive Functions?
So which MBTI types use these Thinking functions? Trick question, we all do! Every person has a Thinking function, with either an introverted or extroverted attitude somewhere in their function stack. For the sake of these posts, we’ll focus primarily on the types that have them in the Dominant or Auxiliary placement in their stack.
For quick reference, here’s a list of the MBTI types that use Thinking in either Dominant or Auxiliary position:
· Introverted Thinking (Ti) as Dominant Function: INTP, ISTP
· Introverted Thinking (Ti) as Auxiliary Function: ENTP, ESTP
· Extroverted Thinking (Te) as Dominant Function: ENTJ, ESTJ
· Extroverted Thinking (Te) as Auxiliary Function: INTJ, ISTJ
Flow State and Growth State
As mentioned in the primer post, I ascribe to the belief that our Dominant Function is the gateway to entering our Flow State and the Auxiliary Function is how we access our Growth State. The Flow state as described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his extensive research on optimal experience, is the complete absorption in an experience that is both challenging and optimally suited to our abilities and interests. In the realm of personality, Flow translates to the elements of our lives that put us “in the zone” by challenging us while still aligning with our personalities. Utilization of our Dominant Function in these moments is what helps us achieve Flow.
The Growth State in this context refers to leveraging our Auxiliary Function. This function has the opposite attitude (meaning introverted or extroverted) as our Dominant function and thus pushes outside of our comfort zones and ushers in growth. If your dominant function has an extroverted attitude (e.g. Extroverted Thinking or Te) then your auxiliary function will always be the opposite, introverted attitude (e.g. Introverted Intuition). The reverse holds true—if your dominant function is introverted, then your auxiliary function will be extroverted.
Introverted Thinking
Introverted Thinking is a processes that is orientated to the inner world of thoughts and understanding. Its role is to cut through the noise and see the core structure of a situation. Ti can see past emotions and probe the data, looking for logical inconsistencies—which may then need to be dealt with. Ti is incredibly adept at spotting biases in people, ideas, conversations, theories, and situations. However, since it is an internal, subjective function it can struggle to see its own biases. This is why it’s so important to develop Ti into a healthy function. A person who can spot incongruencies inside of themselves and well as outside themselves has much potential power.
Ti Highlight Reel:
· Looks for the “bad data”—this can be painful but Ti sees the necessity in getting rid of incongruencies
· Excellent at seeing weaknesses in a plan and instituting fail-safe measures
· Systemically categorizes and analyzes information
· Incredible ability to focus
· At its best, accepts that there are things it doesn’t know without anxiety
· Must learn to share their truth in context as opposed to forcing it on people
· Capable of speaking truth in strong but not cruel ways.
· Nuance & subtleties can be difficult, can seek “just the facts, ma’am”
· Immature Ti users can be deemed tactless or offensive
· Can come off as cold when less developed
· Needs concentrated alone time to focus and struggles with frequent interruptions.
Ti Dominant Function (Flow State): For INTPs and ISTPs, Introverted Thinking is their primary way of showing up in and interacting with the world. Flow is accessed in times where Ti is used regularly, without distraction, and free of too many emotional demands from others. Their incredible ability to focus can lead to mastery and many ITPs are leaders in their fields of interest, be they mechanical, athletic, or philosophical.
Ti Auxiliary Function (Growth State): For ENTPs and ESTPs, Introverted Thinking is the way to growth. Nurturing Ti for growth allows users to make decisions based on their own assessments of what matters. They can buck the status quo and see logic and honesty (inside & out). In order to do this, however, Ti users must resist backing people into fabricated “gotcha” moments. ENTPs & ESTPs benefit from embracing the slower pace of this function in comparison to their Dominant functions and should spend intentional time turning inward to mine for what is true to them. As Antonia Dodge & Joel Mark Witt discuss in their book, “Personality Hacker”, Ti needs to ruthlessly root out inconsistencies in its logic so its users can assess the validity of their own thoughts before calling bullshit on others.
Examples of People with Ti Dominant Function:
· Albert Einstein (INTP)
· Marie Curie (INTP)
· Sally Ride (ISTP)
· Clint Eastwood (ISTP)
Extroverted Thinking
Extroverted Thinking is a processes that is orientated to the outer world of systems and resources. Its role is to question the sustainability of a situation while consistently assessing the return on investment. Te is efficient and effective when working with large-scale thinking. They are adept systems-builders but in order to thrive, Te must learn to consider their feelings and the feelings of others in order to build relationships and avoid steamrolling over others in an attempt to pave the fastest route to their destination. Like its polarity opposite, Extroverted Feeling, Te strives to get peoples’ needs met, the difference being they tend to be logistical rather than emotional needs.
Te Highlight Reel:
· Judging process—used in discernment & decision making
· Excellent systems-builders
· Efficient and effective at executing external tasks
· Thirves when creating and executing on plans (“Plan the work, work the plan” is an apt motto)
· Logical & objective, can set aside emotion to make decisions
· Can shut off feeling in order to get things done
· An immature user can be a bit of a bully
Te Dominant Function (Flow State): For ENTJs and ESTJs, Extroverted Thinking offers high energy and a capacity for organization. To reach their flow state, they benefit from keeping their lives streamlined and manageable. Because their kryptonite is a sense of emotional insecurity, they must allow time to build up the essential parts of life that can’t be outsourced or delegated such as building relationships and maintaining physical health through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Developed Te has learned patience and avoids forcing outcomes. Slowing down and growing social intelligence gives this powerful function even more dynamism and persuasive ability.
Te Auxiliary Function (Growth State): INTJs and ISTJs grow through Extroverted Thinking by using it to build something real in the world outside their heads. With an introverted dominant function, INTJs & ISTJs can feel uneasy about bringing their thoughts into reality but leaning into Te allows them to overcome paralysis by analysis and break cycles of perfectionism. Leveraging this function to make things happen allows Auxiliary Te users to embrace the “done is better than perfect” motto (which is also a great philosophy for INFJs but we’ll get to that in another post).
Examples of People with Te Dominant Function:
· Napoleon Bonaparte (ENTJ)
· Aung San Suu Kyi (ENTJ)
· Martha Stewart (ESTJ)
· Henry Ford (ESTJ)
Both Ti and Te are powerful functions that can serve us well. However, it is important to note that just because a person uses these functions, does not necessarily mean they use them in a healthy manner. Human personality is complex and nuanced and understanding our functions helps us be the best version of ourselves but only if those functions are nurtured and used wisely. Stay tuned for next week’s post where we’ll be tackling the opposite side of this polarity—the Feeling functions!
Got questions? Leave a comment below or feel free to drop me a line!
For a deep dive into these functions, check out the Personality Hacker book by Joel Mark Witt and Antonia Dodge and Dr. A.J. Drenth’s books My True Type and The 16 Personality Types!