INFJ Cognitive Functions

Introverted Intuition bestows us with the gift of intuition. The world of the unconscious is its working site. It is a forward-thinking function that intuitively knows without trying hard. It allows us to experience the unpredictable excitement of “eureka” moments through our unconscious processing. Ni also enables us to see beyond what meets the eye. It follows through an abstract pattern of how the world works and lingers on the whys of life.

The dominant cognitive function is the core of our ego and consciousness. Also called the ‘Hero or Heroine', the dominant function is our most natural and favorite mental process and primary mode of interacting with the world.

Introverted Intuition (Ni) in the dominant position bestows INFJs with the gift of intuition. It allows them to discern underlying factors in every situation. INFJs keep in touch with their gut insights that help predict possible outcomes and unfold patterns. Their forward-thinking function enables them to effectively make long-term goals and plot detailed ways to achieve them. INFJs focus on seeing the potential rather than what meets the eye.

Extroverted Feeling bestows us with the gift of empathy. It advocates for the greater good than focusing on individual desires. It entrusts a strong sense of integrity and ethics. We instinctively tune in to moral and cultural values to maintain peace and harmony through this function. Fe enables us to feel for others even without fully experiencing their situations. It motivates us to keep and nurture our social connections and relationships.

The auxiliary cognitive function, known as the 'Mother' or 'Father', helps guide the dominant function in perceiving the world and is what we use when comforting others.

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) in the auxiliary position balances the dominant Ni with the gift of empathy. It guides INFJs to be sensitive to the emotions of others outside their rich and reflective minds. INFJs become more concerned with the welfare of others by seeing through people's body language, needs, social construct, norms, and values. As they tap into their Fe, they may start to wonder things like "How will this impact others?", "Are there needs not met here?", or "What is the right way to handle this situation involving people?". Through this function, they create and develop healthier connections by relating and expressing themselves.

Introverted Thinking bestows us with the gift of logic. Interrelated knowledge and patterns gear it up. Ti conquers life through an internal framework built by experiences and educated trial and error. It drives us to logically interlink everything we come across. Introverted thinking thrives in the act of rational troubleshooting. Ambiguity holds no place in it as it constantly pursues learning and growth. It empowers us to grasp how things work from the nitty-gritty to the most profound complexities.

The tertiary cognitive function is what we enjoy using to relax, calm, and take the pressure off our overused dominant and auxiliary functions. Known as the ‘The Child or Relief,' it feels like taking a break from ourselves and is playful and child-like. It is what we use when feeling silly, natural, and accepted.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) in the tertiary position refreshes the dominant Ni and auxiliary Fe with the gift of logic. INFJs feel comforted with Ti as it gets them away from the strain of being too reflective of their inner thoughts and values. Finding logical justifications to unravel patterns entertains their analytical minds. They enjoy problem-solving, theorizing, and categorizing information to come up with smart conclusions. Strategic games and brain teasers may be a common hobby among INFJs as it activates their child Ti.

Extroverted Sensing bestows us with the gift of senses. Tangible reality is its default battleground. Se conquers life through sensory experiences, enhancing their sight, sound, smell, and bodily movements. It lets us adhere to the stimuli of the physical world. Extroverted sensing ignites courage to seize moments while they last. It urges us to act right instantly instead of staying idle in the what-ifs.

The inferior cognitive function is our weakest and most suppressed cognitive function in the depths of our ego and consciousness. We hide this part of ourselves, embarrassed of our inability to wield it effectively. As we age and mature, we embrace and develop our inferior function, providing deep fulfillment from coming to the pinnacle of our personal growth and the end of our own hero's journey.

Extroverted Sensing (Se) in the inferior function occupies the least space in the minds of INFJs. Being attuned to their body, senses and the physical experiential world or reality is more challenging. They may miss out on details and experiences as they live inside their heads. INFJs may feel unfulfilled when they tap into this "carpe diem" function. Se often makes INFJs feel ineffective and inferior to those who use it as their dominant function.

Extroverted Intuition bestows us with the gift of imagination. It empowers our life visions and sets us free from our limiting beliefs and built-up boundaries. It utilizes patterns and trends to connect with the tangible reality. Extroverted intuition is sensitive to impression and ambiance rather than specific details. This function thrives on venturing into the world's awestruck mysteries. It leads us to intuitively flow through the stream of anticipation on what is yet to be unleashed.

The opposing shadow function, also known as the Nemesis, calls out our doubts and paranoia and acts in opposition to our dominant function, questioning the way it sees the world.

Extroverted Intuition (Ne) in the opposing shadow position may trouble the minds of INFJs as it contradicts their dominant Ni. It explores a diversity of perspectives and views without restraints through the gift of imagination. It inflicts doubts and paranoia as it may seem difficult and unnecessary in achieving their singular vision. Ne frustrates and provokes INFJs to overthink whether they are the only ones seeing things through such a viewpoint. As they tap into this function, they may have very outlandish thoughts like, "What will happen if I dance in public all by myself?", "How will my date react if I start coat my face with soup?", or "How will this person react if I suddenly share about my darkest secret?". They may also see people who use Ne as their dominant function as needlessly oppositional and distractible.

Introverted Feeling bestows us with the gift of feeling. It navigates through the deepest corners of our thoughts and emotions. Fi flows through our values and seeks an in-depth meaning of life. It allows us to stay in the lane of our boundaries and identity amidst external pressure. This intensive cognitive function feels the pain of others and likes to be the knight for those in need.

The critical shadow function criticizes and belittles ourselves or others and thinks nothing of humiliating and ridiculing in its search for control.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) in the critical shadow position attacks the ego by casting insults and disappointments on their inward feelings. It criticizes INFJs for their lack of consistency and for betraying their own beliefs. Fi harshly directs fault-finding arguments to themselves than those around them. INFJs tend to have a mental loop of failures crippling them from truly moving forward. As they tap into their critical function, they may start to think things like "How could you do something so wrong?", "Why are you pretending? Can't you be just your own authentic self?", or "You are failing your morals. You will never be good enough." They may also project their Fi frustrations to those who use it by seeing them as merely pretentious and shallow with their convictions.

Extroverted Thinking bestows us with the gift of efficiency. It employs our analytical reasoning and objectivity. Te is forged in the supremacy of external systems, knowledge, and order. Extroverted thinking adheres to facts rather than fleeting emotions. It gives no time for silly chit-chats and focuses on purely significant matters. It boosts our passion and enthusiasm for informative discourse to expand our horizons of wisdom and knowledge.

The trickster shadow function is sly, malicious, and deceptive, manipulating and snaring people into our traps.

Extroverted Thinking (Te) in the trickster position irks the minds of INFJs with the gift of efficiency. Te bugs their introspective thought process with fast-paced actions and decisions. They take time to consider how their every move will impact others. INFJs struggle in logically organizing their outer world as they focus more on enriching their human relationships. They may respond by inwardly rebelling against other people's plans and ridiculing their ways. Through this function, they trap their opponents by subtly being the devil's advocate to support their side of the argument.

Introverted Sensing bestows us with the gift of details. It consults the detailed past to gain wisdom while living in the present. We recall and revisit memories and acquired information through this function. It constantly stores sensory data to balance our current views and opinions. Introverted Sensing teaches us to credit proven facts and life experiences instead of mere instincts. It counsels us to avoid committing the same mistakes twice.

The demon shadow function is our least developed function, deeply unconscious and far removed from our ego. Our relationship with this function is so strained that we struggle with relating to, and often demonize, people who use this as their dominant function.

Introverted Sensing (Si) in the demon shadow position shows up when INFJs feel extremely vulnerable and weak. As they struggle to remember specific details of their physical experiences, they end up using their demon function in a destabilizing way. They wield this function instead to replay the worst moments of their lives to punish and torture their inner selves. As they tap into this function, these personalities may become hyper-sensitive to their bodily pains and become overwhelmed as they usually neglect those physical sensations. INFJs may also often retaliate against their opponents by inexplicably bringing up their failures in specific details. They tend to project their Si frustrations to those who use it and view them as ruthlessly destructive.