Almost all of us had to be labeled. But it is human. Evolutionary people who could judge others fast and correct had a big advantage. To label a stranger correctly as friend or foe or potential mate had its advantages. Carl Jung developed a classification system that still is being used. It is relativly easy to understand: the two main categories are extraversion vs introversion. These are the two types of general attitude. They have variations in judging and perceiving. Can you recognise yourself as type in the ones described below? How did your inferior function shape your personal story, your own mythology about your capabilities? Sheldon Kopp says: The perceiving functions are sensation; it tells us what is, and intuition; it tells us to look beyond. The judging functions are thinking and feeling. Thinking tells us what things mean and feeling tells us what personal value they have for us. For a human being to manage well in all kinds of situations all four functions should be available to make their needed contribution. There is always an underside or shadow to personality functions. Those aspects of being human which are most unconscious have their most powerful impact just to the extent that anyone is aware of them. This inferior function emerges under stress, or when we are off-guard... What is lacking in consciousness may be found in the unconscious. That is why our dreams inform us soi well when we understand them and upset us so much when we do not. I will go on to describe some of what personality variations are like from the Jungian standpoint: 1. Extroverted Sensation type with inferior introverted intuition At its worst it is a Nero or a Charles Manson, at the lowest end of the profile are those who are simply solely concerned with objects and concrete facts, without any desire to dominate or exploit. At best this type is a master of noticing details, has sensively developed good taste, a zest for living and boundless energy. 2. Introverted Sensation type with inferior extroverted intuition Most people would describe the introverted sensation type as the strange ones. They wander around as if in a trance (or simply looking dumb) but in reality they do not miss a thing that goes around them. For such people, reality is what they see. What they make of all this out of their own intense removed subjectivity is their only measure of appropriateness of their responses. They are often surprised at anyone elses surprised reaction to their quite natural mythologically saintly or demonic responses. 3. Extroverted Intuitive type with inferior introverted sensation Like General Custer, other extroverted intuitive types asre often appealingly passionate, impulsive rascals who enliven any situation they come upon, wreak romantic havoc, and often come to a bad end. Their orientation toward future possibilities leads them to overlook the hard facts of life. At best, this lends to a dramatic fire which inspires courage in more timid types, at worst like Custer, they march others off to needless self destruction. 4. Introverted intuitive type with inferior extraverted sensation This type includes mediums and poets, mystics, shamans, seers and saviors, the Christs and the crackpots. The compelling visons of the introverted intuitive type lend symbolic value to questions of how he is to live his own life, just as they invite charismatically fascinated discipleship from others. A danger is the erratic emergence of the inferior extraverted sensation function. Intemperate instinctual excesses are the rule. 5. Extroverted feeling type with inferior introverted thinking In the Jungian literature, the extroverted feeling type is most likely to be described predominant among woman. At least let me describe this type and see if you can understand how women may often be pushed into this mold. The extroverted feeling type is well adjusted, easy to go along with, makes friends easily and places high value on love appreciation and approval others may offer. Independend thinking is avoided lest it turns out to be improper. 6. Introverted feeling type with inferior extroverted thinking Still waters run deep. These are quiet people, hard to understand because they reveal themselves only indirectly. Such people sometimes fall victim to emergence of their extroverted thinking inferior function. The result is an obsessive involvement in the details of so many external facts that they are overwhelmed by so many material. Making lists helps, but only as a temporary hedge against a flood of confusion. 7. Extroverted thinking type with inferior introverted feeling At best a realistic clear thinking organizer. Their hard driving exacting precision can be tempered by a theoretical commitment to social reform and a self styled altruism. It seems clear that Richard Nixon constitutes an extroverted thinking type. i suppose it would depend on your stand politically as to how you would evaluate how much of his inferior function is showing. 8. Introverted thinking type with inferior extroverted feeling The impractical absent minded professor, like Einstein crossing a busy street while reading an interesting book. Open only with intimate friends who share his intelectual interests. If his inferior extroverted feeling function is roused, he may display crochety, emotional touchiness of the intellectual hermit, or he may form unlikely irrational positive attachments with an almost mythologivcal coloring
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:52:28 +0000
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