Cognitive Functions Description

Cognitive Functions is a concept originally introduced by Carl Jung from his books Psychological Types. Originally it was called Psychological functions, however many iterations from multiple authors shifted the term to Cognitive Functions which considered the same context in this page.

The simplified definition from the book stated that Cognitive Functions is to explain the differences between individuals by focusing on their unique ways of behaving, thinking, and feeling, which are shaped by their attitudes and psychological functions.

Jung elaborated that there are 4 basic functions in human consciousness which are thinking, feeling, sensation and intuition.

The Rational functions or Judging functions are functions which are concerned with how we evaluate information and make decisions consist of Thinking and Feeling.

The Irrational functions or Perceptive functions are functions which are concerned with how we gather information consist of Sensation and Intuition.

Each function has an extraverted and introverted form, therefore creating a total of 8 functions from the combinations.

Elements

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) focuses on how things affect others and what is socially accepted, always considering others' values and opinions.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) is based on personal values and what feels right to the individual, independent of external rules.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) sees the world in terms of possibilities and what could happen in the future, looking for patterns and opportunities outside the self.

Introverted Intuition (Ni) focuses on inner insights and understanding the deeper meaning or future impact of things, often sensing what might happen before it does.

Extraverted Sensation (Se) is about experiencing and reacting to the immediate world around you, focusing on sensory details and real-time experiences.

Introverted Sensation (Si) is about reflecting on past experiences to understand the present, focusing on memories and how they shape current perceptions.

Extraverted Thinking (Te) organizes information and focuses on getting practical results, using logical systems to make decisions based on external facts.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) focuses on understanding ideas from an internal perspective, looking for logical consistency and clarity within itself.

Orders

The book mentioned that there are four positions for the functions for each psychological types which are Dominant (Most conscious and developed), Auxiliary (Supports the dominant, provides balance), Tertiary (Less conscious, emerges later in life), Inferior (Least conscious, often repressed)

The order of the functions are Introverted Extraverted Introverted Extraverted or Extraverted Introverted Extraverted Introverted (IEIE or EIEI). Additionally, there can only be 2 Rational and 2 Irrational functions on which each group consists of 1 Introverted and 1 Extraverted functions. For example Fe-Si-Ne-Ti which are represented as ESFJ in modern terminology or Ni-Te-Fi-Se or INTJ, therefore creating a total of 16 different psychological types.

Groups

The book does not mention specifically on how to group the 16 different types, however this website creates its own grouping in order to ease the comprehension of similar types. The groupings are based on the Extraverted Functions that exist on the dominant or auxiliary positions which in this case are Te, Fe, Se, Ne. The Extraverted Functions on the dominant or auxiliary positions are chosen due to how recognizable the behaviour or mental process is compared to other functions or other positions.

Te Group consists of ENTJ, ESTJ, INTJ, ISTJ

Fe Group consists of ENFJ, ESFJ, INFJ, ISFJ

Se Group consists of ESFP, ESTP, ISFP, ISTP

Ne Group consists of ENFP, ENTP, INFP, INTP