Read more about it at PsychCentral.

You can pre-order a discounted copy of Jung’s Red Book from Amazon.

I’ve already ordered my copy since I’m very curious to read the innermost thoughts of an INTJ going through his “mid-life crisis”.

Given how difficult it is to type real people, I contend that it’s impossible to type fictional characters, since they are, after all, figments of the writer’s imagination. Even when the writer has a good sense of character development, it’s unlikely they would be able to convey all the nuances of character necessary to convey a complete type.

I prefer the methodology proposed by Dr. John Beebe, who postulates that fictional characters are not “whole” types, but merely represent a single cognitive process, with the entire work (book, movie, TV series, etc.) taking on the “whole” type. For example, “The Wizard of Oz” in its entirety is an ENFJ movie, in which Dorothy = Fe, Glinda the Good = Ni; the Cowardly Lion = Se, etc.

In my opinion, adopting Beebe’s technique yields a much more satisfying and defensible analysis of fictional characters.

According to Jung’s theory, our cognitive process preference is innate, somewhat like handedness.  However, there are many factors that affect this preference.  Dr. Linda Berens explains it thus:

“In the very beginning was our Core Self-the self we were intended to be, the self that is in our Genes, our DNA. (Of course we can never really know what that is for sure until we have more research supporting a DNA basis!). But as we interacted with the environment, we developed an Adapted Self that may be either more or less consistent with the True Self. We also have a Contextual Self (or Selves) that represents our current behavior. It, too, might be in sync with our Core Selves or it may be quite different. That depends on what the situation at the time requires.” (Excerpted from Validating Type: What is True Type Anyway?)

What this means is that our preference for certain Jungian cognitive processes is innate — our “Core Self”.  So all INTJs, at their core, prefer Ni, then Te, then Fi, then Se.

However, over time, we may become influenced by family, friends, community, school, etc., causing us to adapt to the use of less-preferred processes.  For example, an INTJ raised by ISTJ parents in an ISTJ community might develop an adapted use of Si.  In my own case, I’ve been a corporate trainer for over 30 years and I’ve adapted to using Fe in order to connect more effectively with my students.

The contextual use of less-preferred processes arises based on the needs of the immediate environment.  For example, when driving my car in an unfamiliar area, I might draw upon Se to be more alert to road signs and traffic conditions.  When engaged in a brainstorming session at work, I might use Ne more that usual.  You get the idea…

Another factor that affects our cognitive process use is age. As theorized by Jung, and supported by Dr. Harold Grant’s research, we develop more proficiency with our less-preferred processes as we age. This development can make it seem like our type is changing, but all that’s happening is that we’re getting better at handling other processes.  This change in proficiency is often reflected in type assessments, like the MBTI, which is one reason why I rarely use them professionally.

Supposedly, we become reasonably well-balanced in our use of the four conscious processes by about age 50, and spend the rest of our lives getting in touch with the other four “Shadow” processes.  Jung called this process “individuation” and said it was the highest goal of human psychological development.

Regardless of all this growth and development, an INTJ will always be an INTJ inside — will always have a preference for Ni, then Te, etc.  But there will be a sense of change, noticed both within and by others — that’s one of the fascinating things about studying the human psyche — it’s so dynamic!

So I guess that’s a long-winded way of saying that your type does not change over time — but the way you use your cognitive processes does.

I recently received an anonymous comment on my blog article “INTJ and ESFP” that was simply a copy-and-paste of the Socionics text on the “Conflicting” types of relationships. I was disappointed that the commenter did not give his or her name, nor did they offer any original opinion of their own.

However, it did prompt me to write this article, addressing what I see as a major misunderstanding of Jung’s theory — the idea that it’s static and immutable. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an adherent of Socionics or the MBTI — the same stereotypes seem to abound in both.

In practice, there’s a lot of dynamism in the cognitive processes, especially when one uses them in the service of individuation, which Jung claims to be the ultimate goal of self-development. And by incorporating the “archetype dynamics” described in Dr. John Beebe’s theory, it becomes quite an exciting way to progress through life, both in pursuit of one’s own growth, and in relationship with others.

For more information on the topic of type and relationships, I direct your attention to this excellent article: “Relationship Type Combinations”

Let’s do a cognitive process hierarchy for each, side by side, along with the archetype/roles of each:

INTJ INFP
 Ni   Fi  Hero; Leading
 Te   Ne  Good Parent; Supportive
 Fi   Si  Eternal Child; Relief
 Se   Te  Anima/Animus; Aspirational

So, what happens is that the INFP’s Aspirational Te admires the INTJ’s Supportive Te, which naturally wants to “parent” the INFP.  Meanwhile, the INTJ’s Eternal Child Fi seeks relief from stress by aligning with the values Heroically espoused by the INFP’s Fi.  So long as those values are in accord, all is well.

The combination of Fi and Te is a great way for a couple like this to adopt a cause and take action to support that cause.  The INTJ may find it relaxing to get involved, and can leverage Te to implement plans, whereas the INFP will admire the child-like enthusiasm of the INTJ, as well as the effciency of Te to make it work.

Where things may go awry is with the Ni-Ne and Se-Si mismatch.  So long as each is willing to respect the other’s use of those processes, all will be well.

Another area of concern is that neither has conscious use of Fe or Ti, which could lead to each appearing arrogant, selfish, and uncaring in their worst moments.

Here’s a rule of thumb — true opposites manifest where the letters are different on the same scale, but the attitudes are the same. So Extraverted Thinking (Te) and Extraverted Feeling (Fe) could be regarded as opposites, as could Introverted Thinking (Ti) and Introverted Feeling (Fi); Extraverted iNtuiting (Ne) and Extraverted Sensing (Se); Introverted iNtuiting (Ni) and Introverted Sensing (Si).

Now here’s an interesting corollary — if you take the letter pairs on the MBTI scale in opposite attitudes, you actually have a complementary pairing. So Te and Fi complement each other, as do Ni/Se, Ti/Fe, and Ne/Si. This phenomenon is called by various names, including “Spine of Integrity” (Beebe) and “Tandem Processes” (Berens).

What this means to INTJs is that our Dominant Ni is being “supported” by our so-called Inferior process, Se. I say “so-called” because Jung never intended the “Inferior” function to be regarded as any less important than any other — it was intended as a positional nomenclature — Ni is in the “superior” or most conscious position; Se is beneath it in a supportive role. An analogy is the way my feet are “inferior” to my head, but they play an important supportive role in providing movement. My head might decide it wants to go somewhere, but it’s my feet that make it happen.

It’s common for INTJs to envision future outcomes using their Ni, then enroll their Se to observe the current environment in order to decide how best to make that vision into reality. Or, we might observe something happening in the real world, then use Ni to ascribe some symbolic meaning to that observation.

In like fashion, INTJ’s Te develops plans, establishes milestones, makes logical decisions. In much of this planning and decision-making, Fi is called upon to help decide what’s important. It’s worth noting here that Fi is about making value judgments. Although it has an “F” for “Feeling,” it’s not about “feelings” (with an “s”) or “emotions.” In fact, decisions made using Fi can sometimes seem to be entirely devoid of emotional content.

In contrast to the above, the opposite letter with the same attitude is where the most unconscious, shadowy difficulties can be encountered. For INTJs, their Dominant Ni is opposed most strongly by the “demonic” aspect of Si; their Te put into a double-bind by the “trickster” nature of Fe; their Fi decisions can be challenged by the “critical parent” of Ti; and their Se blocked by an “oppositional” use of Ne.

What’s interesting to note is that the four unconscious processes for INTJs are, in fact, the four conscious, preferred processes in ENTP, INTP, ESFJ, and ISFJ types. So it could be said they might be the most difficult types for INTJs to be with.

He states that “class” implies a category that one either belongs to, or does not. He uses as an example his call-up notice in 1944 to serve in the US military during WWII. He was in the class of draftees whose surname began with “H.” He was either in or out. There was no concept that perhaps a few people toward the end of the “G” surnames, or near the beginning of the “I” surnames would make it into his group. It was “H” or nothing.

Building on this distinction, it’s also erroneous to call people “S” types or “F” types as though that’s a class. It’s merely an indication of cognitive process preference — nothing more. ALL types experience ALL 8 cognitive processes — it’s just that some are preferred over others.

So please don’t say things like, “S types are detail-oriented” or “F types are warm and friendly” — these letters do not denote a “class” — it makes no sense to use them in this way. It would be like saying, “I’m right-handed, therefore I don’t use my left hand at all.”

If you want to use the letters, be sure to append the attitude letter in order to get at the cognitive process. Then, you can legitimately say things like, “His dominant cognitive process is Si — he likes to compare the present with the past.” or “Her auxiliary is Fe — she likes to connect with others in a protective and nurturing way.” In each case it’s a preference, hence the use of the word “likes.”

What’s not explicit in each of these examples is that “he” uses Si to inform his Ne about options for moving forward, and “she” uses her Ti to develop frameworks to support her Fe in helping others.

Having a preference for Si or Se does not preclude Ne or Ni — in fact, it’s just the opposite — Si and Ne always work together; as do Se and Ni. In like fashion, Fe and Ti are partners, as are Fi and Te. One always supports the other. So you can’t be entirely in one or the other — they are not “classes.”

This is a bit rambly — it’s late and I’m tired — I’ll tidy it up later…

I have never since entirely freed myself of the impression that this life is a segment of existence which is enacted in a three-dimensional boxlike universe especially set up for it. -C.G. Jung

If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool. -C.G. Jung

It all depends on how we look at things, and not on how they are themselves. -C.G. Jung

All the works of man have their origin in creative fantasy. What right have we then to depreciate imagination. -C.G. Jung

The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong. -C.G. Jung

The greatest and most important problems of life are all fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved but only outgrown. -C.G. Jung

I have always been impressed by the fact that there are a surprising number of individuals who never use their minds if they can avoid it, and an equal number who do use their minds, but in an amazingly stupid way. -C.G. Jung

No plan survives its collision with reality. -Susan Scott

Whatever their future, at the dawn of their lives, men seek a noble vision of man’s nature and of life’s potential. -Ayn Rand

Independence is the recognition of the fact that yours is the responsibility of judgment and nothing can help you escape it. -Ayn Rand

The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who seek them. -Ayn Rand

The unexamined life is not worth living. -Socrates

When the debate is over, slander becomes the tool of the loser. -Socrates

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. -C.S. Lewis

To really know is science; to merely believe you know is ignorance. -Hippocrates

My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all. -Stephen Hawking

The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible. -Arthur C. Clarke

For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert. -Arthur C. Clarke

Information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all. -Arthur C. Clarke

The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad. -Salvador Dali

The difference between false memories and true ones is the same as for jewels: it is always the false ones that look the most real, the most brilliant. -Salvador Dali

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not “Eureka!” (I found it!) but “That’s funny …” -Isaac Asimov

Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right. -Isaac Asimov

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. -Douglas Adams

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams

Don’t believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose. -Douglas Adams

How can I tell that the past isn’t a fiction designed to account for the discrepancy between my immediate physical sensation and my state of mind? -Douglas Adams

Everyone is an idiot, not just the people with low SAT scores. The only differences among us is that we’re idiots about different things at different times. No matter how smart you are, you spend much of your day being an idiot. -Scott Adams

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. -Albert Einstein

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. -Albert Einstein

Deadlines are things that we pass through on the way to finishing. -Peter Gabriel

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do. -Bob Dylan

The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance. -Confucius

I pledge on the altar of God undying hostility to any government restriction on the free minds of the people. -Thomas Jefferson

Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions. -Edward R. Murrow

Science is built with facts as a house is with stones–but a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house. -Jules Henry Poincare

Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. -Robert A. Heinlein

Let’s face the obvious. Yesterday we were nerds. Today we’re the cognitive elite. Let’s conquer. -Chester G. Edwards

The fact that no one understands you doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an artist. -Kaz

It might look like I’m doing nothing, but at the cellular level I’m really quite busy. -Kaz

I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid. -Kaz

I see you’ve set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public. -Kaz

Someday we’ll look back on this, laugh nervously, and change the subject. -Kaz

According to Dr. Harold Grant, we all develop proficiency with our conscious cognitive processes at different stages in our life.

According to Dr. John Beebe, our access to all 8 cognitive processes is a function of psychological necessity, possibly as the result of trauma.

According to Dr. Linda Berens, we exhibit learned behavior as a result of repeated use of the cognitive processes due to familial or societal norms.  She calls this the “Adapted Self.”  And we can also harness less-preferred cognitive processes depending on the needs of the moment, manifesting what she calls the “Contextual Self.”  (Incidentally, it’s often the Adapted or Contextual Self that’s present when we fill out a personality assessment, leading to mis-typing, or apparent changes in type each time it’s done.)

Another factor to consider is that the cognitive processes are content-free, meaning that, (for example) just because all INTJs have Tertiary Introverted feeling, it doesn’t mean that the values stored therein are the same.