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Explanation of the differences between the cognitive functions Thinking and Feeling as they relate to the MBTI types and Jung's theory of personality.
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- 1. Thinking Versus Feeling The Rational Functions associated
with Judging Reality Psychology of Personality Module 2: Lesson
5
- 2. Remember the Cognitive Preference, Judging? We assess and
make decisions based on the situations we encounter through
Judging! Jung determined that the cognitive functions associated
with Judging are THINKING and FEELING Jung labeled these the
Rational Functions, not because they are superior in any way, but
because they require an evaluation or decision of some kind. We
Think OR Feel THEN we make a decision!
- 3. MBTI: ThinkingOf the 16 personality types laid out by the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 8 will have the letter T (for
Thinking) in their four letter code. Some Type Examples: INTJ, ENTJ
or INTP types will tend to make assumptions and decisions using
logical thought processes---objective reasoning. For instance,
cause and effect relationships might take preference when
determining why some behavior occurred rather than exploring the
subjective feelings or intentions of those under scrutiny. For some
dominant thinkers, feelings may be considered simply an obstacle to
more desirable outcomes. This may make them come off to feeling
types as unfeeling and callous, when in truth they simply see this
way of reasoning as more desirable for everyone as objectivity to
them equals fairness. They may insist that feelings are useful only
to the extent that they form opinions and logic is the necessary
tool for seeking valid solutions and reaching conclusions. On the
other hand, some thinkers with a strong preference for intuition
may more readily consider and notice that others feelings are
important, yet without trying to end up trivializing them as they
have a hard time applying them to the decision making process- -
failing to see how they fit logically. Other qualities of thinking
and how much one relies on this function across settings will be
influenced by the other preferences that make up ones personality
type. Overall, someone with a strong preference for thinking will
have a much lower preference for feeling when making decisions and
judging the situations they encounter.
- 4. MBTI: Feeling Of the 16 personality types laid out by the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 8 will have the letter F (for Feeling)
in their four letter code. Some Type Examples: An ISFJ, ESFP, or
INFJ will all tend to rely on feeling processes when making
decisions and forming assumptions, though, they may not be aware
they are doing so. While there is nothing inherently wrong with
basing decisions on feelings, our culture often places greater
value on logical and scientific thinking processes over emotional
ones. Unfortunately, this means a large percentage of the
populations innate way of processing information and coming to
conclusions is indirectly discounted. Due to this cultural trend, a
dominant feeler may experience their own way of reasoning as a
thinking rather of feeling process or at least refer to it as such
without knowing the qualitative differences between the two. When
asked or prompted to engage in thinking related activities, they
most likely call upon their feeling processes of judgment since
they are second nature to them. Conversely, when formally taught
the steps of objective logical analysis regardless of subject, the
feeler most likely experiences the process as unnatural or foreign
as it goes against their innate logic. They might also fail to see
the point in this type of processing and have a hard time using it
if not given the opportunity to explore the deeper meaning behind
it or apply the process to a topic that they feel strongly about.
Nevertheless, feeling was considered by Jung as one of the rational
functions as it still involves making a judgment. The feeling
preference will differ from type to type in terms of how much
emphasis they place on the feelings of others versus their own
personal feelings. Both factors tend to be considered by a feeler
but one or the other usually has more of an influence. Overall,
someone with a strong preference for Feeling will have a much lower
preference for Thinking when making decisions based on the
situations they encounter.
- 5. The Primary Distinction Between T & F (T) Thinkers tend
to use a logical process that is objective, analytical and removed
from the situation, people, or events concerned preferring to
determine things through cause and effect. (F) Feelers tend to have
a more sensitive and empathic approach that takes into
consideration how others feel with a reliance on emotional cues and
responses. Remember, everyone engages in both thinking and feeling
processes. Likewise, since thinking and feeling are both cognitive
functions used to make judgments and decisions, they tend influence
one another and cannot be distinguished from one another in a clear
cut way.
- 6. More Simply Put..