#and people say its a fi thing to process emotions alone but fe does it too just for different reasons

[funkymbtifiction]

Hello!

What does it mean when people say Fi is in tune with emotions? I understand that Fi is not just that, and how it relates to your own personal values and beliefs, your own judgements on things..but when I read how Fi is in tune with their emotions, it confuses me a little. Or more so, when someone is out of tune with them.

Perhaps my emotions are simple, but it’s easy to tell how/why I am feeling a certain way, the root cause and solution is pretty simple.

I’ve read about people who have to take time to be by themselves to sort out what they are feeling, either just contemplating things alone or via art/writing. The community I’m in has identified this as Fe/Ti in work; needing to be alone/“externalize” it.

Personally I rarely stop to consider how I am feeling or partake in the methods above; I don’t often focus inward on my feelings. I usually have a hard time knowing what I personally believe on an issue and sticking with it, but that is a different matter… I just don’t really care about it.

So to be out of tune with your “emotions”, what exactly does that entail?

Thank you! :)

Unless I am missing something fundamental, the community you are with is mistaken about the orientation of emotions. Externalizing means the ability to process something instantly—for a Te user, for example, they can process facts on the spot; there’s no need to think about them much, the facts are obvious and the Te user can spring into immediate action based on those facts. The Se user processes the external world and takes immediate action on it. The Ne user needs no down time to change their mind, to adjust to a new thought, or to see something isn’t working and do the reverse. The same is true for Fe and feelings. Fe users (FJs in particular) process emotions on the spot; they can externalize them (share them, talk about them, name them) without needing to be alone/quiet to do so, because they are a surface reaction to whatever is happening. It’s the internal functions that need solitude  to identify what’s going on within the “haze” of themselves.

If the purpose of the FJ going off to journal or whatever is to analyze their feelings for consistency, then it is indeed Fe/Ti, because they are using a subjective logical lens (Ti) to take apart their emotional response and determine what it means to them. But if they need that alone time to process their feelings, because they aren’t sure of what they are in laymen’s terms (“I am feeling a lot of things, I need to figure out which ones to care about the most, or put a name to them, or decide how to best phrase them without using a ton of metaphors”), that is Fi. It’s something of a trope, but think about all the hero/heroines in movies who have something happen to them, and they run away to process it alone—into the woods, into their room, away from the space ship. They are Fi users, separating themselves from everyone around them so that they can figure out what “this” is and how they feel about it.

Fi is complex because of its subjectivity; it’s both rapidly reacting and slow. By that, I mean an FP/TJ can have an instant response of “I hate this, make it stop,” or “I love this, I want more!”, but the deeper feelings – like their grandmother just died, or they found out the horrible truth about a loved one, or a new discovery of how much they love something and the want to spend more time alone with it – requires being alone. There’s an instant recoil with Fi types over “and how did that make you feel?” because a) the answer isn’t easily expressed / is hazy inside them, b) it’s none of your business!, and c) I don’t know how to phrase it simplistically yet. Writing is one way they can sort through the internal mess and land on the right words.

Being out of tune with your emotions can mean two things – one, you aren’t sure what your emotions are (either because you are trying to think your way through them instead of trusting them, or you are used to suppressing them; this happens more often in EFPs/TJ types an IFPs), or you are acting in a manner that isn’t in accordance with your feelings for some reason, and that is throwing you entirely off balance. Like an FP believing that something is wrong, but doing it anyway, and not fully realizing the negative impact this is going to have on their Fi, for being out of alignment with their values. (There will be a lot of self-anger, guilt, a sense of loss, etc.)

IFPs naturally orient themselves all the time to finding out what they feel and to standing by it, to being true to it, regardless of having a compliant Enneagram type or not. EFPs are not as in tune with their emotions in the sense of slowing down long enough to process their inner sensations; they have those automatic reactions, but especially if they are a Ne who latches onto every idea that comes down the plate at them, they may not be able to easily land on what they think, and what they feel is true. This can cause them to be out of tune with their emotions (but not usually their ethics – those things where they go NOPE, not for me, end of story, forget it). For example, an EFP may wind up doing something they hate for money, becoming more and more miserable—because they didn’t listen to their emotions about doing this job. That’s being out of synch with them. TJs can fall into this trap as well – doing something because it’s logical or makes money but their heart isn’t in it.

FJ/TP types can get out of synch with their emotions by people-pleasing or adapting their morals to the external circumstances to fit in and gain more acceptance; but the more they attempt to make others like them, and the further they get from their own feelings, the less they feel like a complete person, and the more they feel like a reflective surface—mirroring what others show them, without being authentic to their own experience. They can even not know where to start to find themselves, since they don’t know where others end and they begin. The process of self-analysis for them is what allows them to find what they truly believe or feel (analyzing what is me and what is them, where they end and I begin, where our opinions differ and what I want for my life, separate from what others expect of me), but it isn’t necessary to put words to their feelings so much as to gain an appropriate sense of self as separate from others.

[calangkoh]

First off, a big sahkdjgsdkjghjksd at Al calling out his brother for being too emo. Now more importantly: Al being in the armor means he can hide his emotions much better, but even then I’d still say Ed is the naturally more emotional one. I notice a lot that Al often just stands and watches Ed be upset and act out (and even as kids he seemed to just let whatever mood Ed is in run its course, and I think this is actually what Ed usually wants/needs when he’s in emotional distress, to just be left to feel what he needs to feel without interference) and only interferes when he’s trying to get Ed back on track. When Ed ‘sulks’ too long (even after something extremely traumatic for both of them--Al is definitely just as upset, but he’s processing it differently), Al tries to get him to move forward rather than dwell on the bad stuff. He’s optimistic and avoidant of emotional conflict and I bet he just doesn’t want to think about the things that bother him, and doesn’t want to watch Ed think about it either. 

[Mustang:]There’s a reason you became a state alchemist, right, Ed? Can you really afford to get distracted by every lost cause?

And when Mustang says this to Ed, the camera is on Al looking down. Internalizing his words. He probably decided Mustang is right. So he decides to keep his brother focused, remind him why they’re here and what they’re doing.  

But overall, I find it extremely interesting that ED is the more emotional of the two brothers, when by character archetypes you’d expect Al to be. But Al is in general much more detached from his own emotions, and while the armor exacerbates this since he can’t express himself the same, he really was always like that. Ed is inclined to instantly react emotionally to upsetting things while Al is more inclined to absorb info (aka upsetting/traumatic experiences) and ruminate about them for a long time before before reaching a conclusion/deciding on a course of action. Then there’s Ed who is ALL about taking action and thinking later. 

MBTI personality analysis rant below

mbti--to me this feels like a difference between an ESFP and INFJ, which is what I believe they are anyway. Both have their F functions as second, so in general they aren’t primarily led by emotions or values--Ed is more led by the physical here and now and how to make the most of it, and Al is more led by gathering as much information as he can and analyzing it before reaching a definitive conclusion or vision leading him to finally act on it. Both are very single-minded, but Ed is actually much more easily sidetracked and willing to improvise in achieving his goal, while Al is pretty one-track minded and thus keeps Ed focused. That’s because of their different Se and Ni positions. But in terms of emotions and values/beliefs, Ed’s begin with himself, using himself as a reference point, like a Fi user. While Al uses others as a reference point. Yeah Al is the more “moralistic” of the two brothers, which by tropes indicate he’s a Fi user, but most of his values appear Fe-based. As in, he sees an objective standard of values that everyone shares, and is able to understand how different people have different values but also be frustrated when that Standard Set of Values is ignored because society has rules dammit. He also is more easily able to detach from how he feels to consider different perspectives, which is something a Fe user, especially an aux-Fe user since their primary function is inclined to collect information before judging it, is able to do. which a Fi user can’t do, and is something Ed can’t do when he feels strongly. Ed’s is still a Se-dom and so collecting info and taking a while to judge it is how he operates as well, but in situations like this episode, he HAS reached that judgement and his Fi can’t get past how he feels. Meanwhile Al, even though he probably is just as upset as Ed, is more able to detach and analyze those feelings in private and hide them in order to not burden others, and keep his eyes on their goal.

[confusedinfj]

How to be an fj to fjs

AKA advice for tps on how to stop Fe draining your fj

You'll find this a little less complicated than the *ntp here, so here we go, the

top rules:

Try. Anything goes if you're trying

Don't do something if they already said they don't like it. Maybe you wanna buy then ice cream to cheer them up but they specifically said they hate it when you do that - don't do that. *ntps might want to make a note, cos I know their memory can be NON EXISTENT 😂

Fix the problem. Fjs don't want you to just listen, they don't have Fi. They want you to fix the problem - go ahead, Ts!

Add emotional drama to the fj's words - even if they're saying it calmly, they're very upset.

Look at the fj when they're speaking. Your fj will take you looking around as a sign to shut up.

Don't cut in and start telling a random story, even if you think it's relevant. Mbs you can tell it later - but Fe generally doesn't like hearing about how you've had it worse, so keep those stories to yourself.

Don't just give up when you feel like you're failing or can't fix the problem. Your fj wouldn't quit on you.

Don't tell the fj to go start a fight with the person who upset them. If they thought it would work they would have done it, believe it or not.

Don't start a fight on behalf of your fj. Fjs don't need you to stick up for them, and if they do they'll ask.

However, if you're viewing people having a go at your fj while you're literally RIGHT THERE you are welcome to throw shade. Just a little. Just back off if your fj looks at you pointedly.

Notes for the tps

Would not recommend buying presents to fix a problem you caused - this strikes fjs as manipulative most of the time. Fix the problem first

Learn to give an fj apology. That's right, you can't just go from A (I'm sorry) to B (pls forgive me?) to C (friends again!) with fjs. They're all about INTENT. ACTUALLY, tps, just take this advice and use it with everyone. Skip to the solutions advice.

Read this whole post 😂

Remember how you feel when you're a little down, or even just happy and/or in love. This is the fj all the time 😂 Don't worry, they have a better handle on their Fe than you do 😋

Try to picture yourself in the same situation, with the fj playing your role. This will help you work out what to do 95% of the time.

Flipping listen.

What is my fj feeling?

Fj emotions are deep, and they usually have a pretty chill equilibrium. If you get them to either extreme, they will take about an hour at least to go back to normal. This means that if your fj is screaming at you at 9 and then you apologise and they're all chill again at 9.30, they're still upset. They've just given up on you. They haven't properly processed their emotions, because they don't feel like there was a proper resolution to the argument. Skip to the solutions advice.

If you apologise and then your fj still ignores you for an hour in their room, don't go back in their and complain I JUST APOLOGISE WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN - *coughs* tps *cough*. Your fj is accepting your apology. That's what it looks like. They just need to fj themselves and then they'll be good and they'll likely forget about the problem a week later.

That's right, fjs forget problems once they've been dealt with. If your fj can remember a transgression, you never dealt with it properly. Fjs don't hold grudges, but they remember who they can and can't trust with their own feelings.

If your fj is calm looking, this means nothing. If your fj speaks calmly, this means nothing. If your fj is beginning to crack, times it by 1,000 to understand how upset they are. Back off.

If your fj is telling you there is a problem, there is a problem. Not a huge one, but listen. The fj will give you straightforward steps to follow - no worries.

If your fj is telling you there is a BIG problem, you have deeply hurt the fj and must fix it quickly. You must follow the fj's steps or come up with your own - see the SOLUTIONS advice.

If your fj is quiet, they could legit just be happy. You can test it by telling them a dumb story. If they don't laugh and look more annoyed, they're upset with you. You will need to work out why. Chances are they already told you, but anyway... Skip to WHAT DID I DO advice.

Don't accuse your fj of giving the silent treatment. They only go silent when they're really upset or feel like you're just arguing with them. It's not the silent treatment because it's not done to manipulate you.

If your fj is genuinely arguing with you (not just discussing), this is not a good place. They are really mad or upset, and you will need to read the SOLUTIONS advice.

If your fj is yelling/screaming at you, you are probably a Tp. An *ntp specifically. You should really know what's wrong, but you don't, so skip to TI TRIGGERED advice. You have probably broken the fj's heart at this point 💔

If your fj is hitting/throwing things and otherwise being erratic, they have run out of ways to explain their problem and you will need to commence FJ REBOOT. Good luck.

If your fj is crying, they are extremely upset. Fjs never show you crying unless you've really hurt them (or someone else has). Skip to FJ REBOOT advice.

If your fj is obsessed with tidying up and getting upset by mess, the problem is actually you. Fix the mess, then skip to SOLUTIONS advice.

If your fj is withdrawing and hiding, leave them alone. They don't know what's going on, and are likely to start a fight with you if you push them. They don't want that.

If your fj withdraws but occasionally comes out and snaps at you (nice to know you wanna know what's upsetting me!), they actually want you to fix them. You may commence FJ REBOOT steps

If your fj says they hate you or something, they want to. Maybe the even do. But their Fe is strong, so don't be scared you can never win them back. You just have to Fe nurture them for once - read the solutions advice and be kind.

Solutions

After you've tidied up any obvious problems (like mbs your mold sculpture in the middle of the kitchen), it's time to fix your RELATIONSHIP with the fj.

That's right, especially tps, you're not fixing the problem. Otherwise composting the mold sculpture and disinfecting the kitchen would be enough - your argument is valid.

You need to fix the damage you did to the fj - and the first step is

Acknowledge its not just ONE THING. Looking at Tps again - your fj is not experiencing emotional trauma just because you built a mold sculpture. That just pushed them over the edge. You're going to need to think through everything the fj has ever complained about and contemplate if you're still doing those things, or if you never actually apologised for them. To the fj, your mold sculpture probably hurt them more because you completely disregarded the fact that they spent 2 hours mopping the kitchen floor, and also that they have a life long phobia of mold and sculptures. Maybe it's more about the fact they specifically asked you to do it outside and you were like 'yup!' and then forgot, so they feel ignored. IT'S ALWAYS BIGGER. fjs never get upset over small things.

You must apologise. Having come up with the bigger offence in your mind, you must now apologise for it (hopefully you're correct. If not, the fj will probably correct you. DO NOT argue about how you've never DONE THAT. JUST APOLOGISE). So how does an fj apology go? It's about intent, so it goes something like: 'Hey, fj, I'm really sorry I built a mild statue in your kitchen right after you cleaned it and right before your parents came over. I cleaned up the mess, and I won't do it again (don't say this if you plan to). You must feel like I completely ignored you, and I'm sorry, because I kind of did. I'll listen next time. Can I do anything to make up for it?' Then you either do what's recommended (unlikely to be anything interesting) or leave without begging for forgiveness or arguing about why the fj should forgive you. Ew.

If you have done something so bad that these steps don't fix the problem (like maybe you blew up the house while building the model sculpture, idk) you need to do something to at least symbolically fix the problem - something that shows the fj you're willing to sacrifice things for them. Like maybe you could sell your Ferrari and buy them a new house without a mold sculpture, or if you don't have a Ferrari you could help them by sorting out the house insurance so they can buy a new one... (idk, I was coming up with these examples in the spot). Even if it's not directly symbolic, your fj will appreciate the EFFORT. Remember, it's not about fixing the problem, it's about showing the fj you care for them too.

What did I do

First, I am appalled you don't remember. The fj almost certainly told you, multiple times. So think about it - has the fj told you something recently? Maybe you thought it was a joke or just a suggestion... Review those.

After review, suggest the problem to your fj. Not like 'are you upset because I keep falling asleep when you talk to me?' because that sounds like you're making stuff up, more like 'it must be really upsetting when I fall asleep while you're talking - I'm really sorry' then follow solutions advice. The fj will either tell you you're right or tell you what you did wrong at this point. It's really not that complicated.

Don't scream 'I don't know what I did wrong, WOULD YOU TELL ME WHAT I DID ALREADY, YOU PSYCHO!?' at your fj. This is another thing you have done wrong haha. Following these steps will always work, unless you have an fj mistype on your hands, in which case everything will be so much worse 😂

Ti triggered

When you've Fe drained your fj and they have nothing left to give, it's personal. How can you tell if it's personal? When they're normal Fe users to everyone BUT YOU *GASP*. And they're not talking about your problems anymore.

Give some Fe/Te love back. Play the role of fj for a while. Give them a good FJ REBOOT.

Don't try to trigger their Fe for you. They're done with you specifically, you need to energise them by giving your own Fe back (or Fi, whatever, just be kind basically).

Be warm. Think warm thoughts about them and they'll feel them - high fe works like that

Be intentional about helping the fj emotionally. Tps, it's not about fixing the PROBLEM. That attitude will significantly slow your efforts down.

Take care of stuff and take the fj out for fun stuff if you can. Otherwise do fun stuff with them at home, or watch TV or something.

Just to be clear, these steps are to repeated over a long period of time. However, it is possible to un-Ti trigger an fj quickly with the correct attitude, but you'd have to be completely focused on the fj as a person and not fixing the fj...

Fj reboot

Designed to fix stressed or a little upset fjs. A good place to start after the SOLUTIONS advice if you've got a really big problem on your hands 😉

Hug your fj. If they push you away hug tighter. If they verbally tell you off, back off.

Be affectionate to your fj - physcisly, verbally, the whole thing,as long as it's genuine.

Be happy and genuine. But not inconsiderately happy (HHAHAA YOUR GRANDMA DIED HAHAHA!)

Make sure the fj has a tidy, calm environment. This is probably enough to fix a stressed fj.

Take your fj out somewhere fun - basically just anywhere if you're happy haha. If possible, don't include other people if you're trying to heal your own relationship with the fj - they separate people in their mind, and while they might be happy with the others, they can still be hurt by you. So isolated times are best. Otherwise, people it up if the fj wants 😂

Buy your fj a present if it seems natural, don't force this.

Watch TV or do something quiet with your fj.

Talk about feelings if your fj wants to. Not super likely, but very helpful if the fj decides it's necessary. Full eye contact and actual verbal input required. Don't talk abiut your own feelings and stuff, it's just one day if you do this right

Your fj should be all good after this, in which case, you can sit on your new skills for about 6 months+ unless you're a young tp still hating on your Fe, in which case 2 weeks tops till you use it again 😂 (this is a joke haha)

Specifically tps, be a tp. Not a mean, argumentative tp, the strangely affectionate tp you can be. Don't see tired Ti in your fj and give them more ti, give them your Fe. It's strange and warm, and the fj loves it. (Not pointing out other types like Tjs cos they probably fixed their fj in five minutes haha).

[x--chriska0806--xx]

FiNe (INFP)

The FiNe’s functions are:

1. Fi - introverted Feeling

Although it’s referred to as “Feeling”, Fi is not internal emotions, but rather values that come from within. FiNe’s might experience a deep well of emotions, but this is not the root of Fi. It is a decision making-process that is very interested in determining its own moral code and what the FiNe’s gut instinct tells them is right, which is often based on how they would like to be treated themselves. They tend to be very considerate of others, and may take a long time to mull over their own beliefs to make sure they seem right. The values-refining process can take quite a bit of time and requires mental solitude. Fi generally puts authenticity in high esteem and is repulsed by anything that seems fabricated or shallow.

2. Ne - extroverted iNtuition

Ne is the main way FiNe’s take in information. This means they use their intuition to find patterns, underlying principles, and ideas, and to form connections as they talk, write, or create. Ne flourishes when given new, interesting concepts to consider and consistently seeks out new inspiration from the outside world. For the FiNe, Ne is paired with Fi and “serves” it in the sense that it comes after it in terms of preference. This means that Ne will most often be used to explore values and ideals in all of their facets. Because Ne is extroverted, it primarily works by engaging with outside sources. This may look like having discussions with others who are also open to exploring the possibilities of a topic, or doing a lot of self-expression through writing or an art form.

3. Si - introverted Sensing

Si is the FiNe’s third function, and it gives a sense of solidity to their Fi beliefs. Si also makes the Fi-led internal world structured and detailed. When it comes to values that they have had adequate time to develop, they tend to have a solid sense of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. A lot of their perception in these cases is based on their personal experiences. This is because Si places a high value on real world experiences and its impressions of them. FiNe’s store all the interesting experiences and information they gather in their mind in an organized way for future reference.

4. Te - extroverted Thinking

Te is the FiNe’s inferior function. This function may be their achilles heel, and is inherently not as strong as their other functions because their highest priority and focus is on Fi. Te is a very logic-oriented way of problem solving. It is the side of them that naturally looks to find a better solution to a problem, improve the efficiency of a process, or critique and refine what is already in place. FiNe’s generally prefer only to use Te only when necessary, rather than to make all of their decisions. Overuse of an inferior function can be very draining, and may be unhealthy when constantly given priority over other functions.

Dominant Function and Core of the Internal World

Introverted Feeling

Fi-dominant types are very warm and caring to those they are close to, especially because they may subconsciously believe that everyone has an inner world similar to theirs. However, they take a while to open up to people, and aren’t likely to approach someone unless that person strikes their interest in some way. Once they let someone into their world, they are likely to keep that connection open as long as harmony remains between the two. For example, if the other person shows themselves to be inauthentic or living out a strong opposition to a value the FiNe holds, the FiNe will retreat from the relationship. As long as those principles aren’t violated, the FiNe will likely be attached to that person for life, whether or not they see them regularly.

FiNe’s are masters of self-care and typically great at putting healthy boundaries in place. They are very empathetic people, so they see the needs of others and want to care for them. However, healthy FiNe’s know that they cannot effectively care for others unless they first care for themselves. They know their limits and aren’t usually afraid of saying ‘no’ when they aren’t able to do something or fit something into their lives.

Fi differs from Fe (extroverted Feeling) because Fe is is focused externally and is constantly asking, “How does the group feel about this?”, whereas Fi is focused internally and is constantly asking, “How do I feel about this?” Once their own needs are met, FiNe’s also tend to hone in on one or two significant relationships. They naturally take care of these people and treat them like family. These people could be a romantic partner, a best friend, etc.

FiNe’s are highly protective of their ‘inner circle’, feeling that those they share the intimate details of their persona with are in some ways part of themselves. They will not hesitate to defend themselves or those they are close to if they are attacked or threatened.

FiNe’s are extremely self-aware and spend a lot of time on self-reflection. They are very concerned with the depth and nuances of their values system and spend a large amount of their mental space clarifying, sifting, and refining their beliefs. This process can be very connected to deep emotions for FiNe’s. They might find themselves laughing or crying at the beauty of a seemingly random object that has meaning to them, while bystanders who notice their reaction might be quite confused at their sudden outburst. For some FiNe’s, their emotions run so deep that there have to have been a lot of feelings building under the surface for quite some time before they will burst forth. They tend to seek out things (movies, books, etc.) that will engage their emotions, because following characters they care about through an emotional journey can be very rewarding.

It’s worth noting that when we talking about Feeling (Fi or Fe) as a cognitive function, we do not necessarily refer to emotions. Emotional experiences or expressions can be related to Feeling (Fe or Fi), but they are not the root cause of the cognitive Feeling. The root of Fi or Fe boils down to a person’s values, meaning what a person thinks is important based on their own conscience and the reasons they believe it’s important. An FiNe’s moral code is derived from what their conscience or "gut instinct" tells them is right, and they generally treat others the way they want to be treated. This Fi value is not based in emotions, but neither does it need to be 100% logical. It is not overly concerned with the REASON behind treating others fairly… It simply ‘feels’ like the good and right thing to do because they themselves want to be treated fairly.

The FiNe’s driving instinct is to achieve inner harmony by remaining true to themselves, their own values, and minimizing the influence that external factors (societal expectations, and maybe even the opinions of friends and family) have on their values. They may love discussing or even debating their values with others, as long as they are able to remain true to themselves while doing so. After a lengthy discussion, FiNe’s need time by themselves to evaluate the conversation and consider what the other person said and how they might fit it into their value system.

FiNe’s find their own principles to be trustworthy and valuable, and are inherently skeptical of  others that try to impose on them. If something does not line up with their beliefs, they cannot act in accordance with it. To go against their own values is to cause inner discord, which FiNe’s can’t tolerate for long.

FiNe’s can get lost in their own world of trying to figure out what a stranger, who is sitting 20 feet away from them in a coffee shop, is thinking, how their day is going, what their life must be like, etc. They love people watching, but aren’t typically interesting in getting up close and personal with most people as they feel pressured to react and respond appropriately in real interactions. They may even Imagine a conversation with someone rather than actually speaking to them in real life, as imaginary people don’t have demands or expectations of them.

FiNe’s tend to have an active imagination well into adulthood. Fi-doms are very concerned with The Story of/behind various things. For example, they might see a large, sturdy tree and wonder how long it’s been there, and try to imagine the events it’s been around for, or who else sat in its shade, what wisdom might be attached to or inside of that tree, etc. They automatically look for meaning everywhere - in books, movies, a passing remark from a friend, a special cup they like to use, or even why a certain tree was planted in a certain place.

FiNe’s tend to assign meaning to everything. Because they are so involved with and entangled in the depth and nuance of the meaning of everything, and how the meaning of something relates to everything else, it can become incredibly captivated by the right idea or story. When something sparks their imagination, or taps into an aspect of meaning that carries a lot of weight with an FiNe, they become entranced by the story or idea. The process of a story unfolding can be more meaningful to an FiNe than the sum of the story’s parts.

Second Function and the Core of the External World

Extroverted iNtuition

FiNe’s have a very abstract way of looking at the world. Ne is their second function, and it makes them naturally oriented toward theories, patterns, and new ideas or principles.

FiNe’s have a world of theories that are swirling around at any given time, and it’s important for them to have time alone in order to develop them. Their best ideas will usually come when they have a sense of inner peace and enough inspiration. Many FiNe’s find mindfulness, meditation, or another form of intentional relaxation to be useful for obtaining peace.

FiNe’s can find inspiration in almost anything, because their Fi finds meaning in everything. As far as inspiration goes, learning interestings things, reading interesting books, taking a walk, or having a good conversation are all common stimuli. For the ideas that have had some time to percolate, they need to have places for output. Whether it’s writing, speaking, teaching, building, designing, or something else, it’s important to have a space to string together their ideas in a unique way. This can also help them to refine and perfect the expression of their ideas. While they may feel like they understand something fully in their head, and they often make great teachers, they may not be as adept at explaining things to others without previous practice.

FiNe’s love novelty. They are always looking for a new shiny puzzle to solve or a new thing to learn about. They can get bored with something after reaching a basic level of competence. Even still, FiNe’s often have one or two things that remain as a thread throughout their lives - the things that are most meaningful to them, which they have never found boring. It’s likely they will eventually become an expert in these areas if they don’t lapse for too long in their study or practice of them.

FiNe’s love considering ideas, possibilities, and the future. They are less concerned with “what is” or the current moment. It can be tough for FiNe’s to savour the moment and to celebrate their successes as they naturally look at what they need to do next.

Third Function and Supporting Role in the Internal World

Introverted Sensing

Si is all about how real world, 5-senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling) experiences affect FiNe’s. They value their own experiences very highly, and typically have a very good memory or catalogue of details about their experiences that they deem important stored away. FiNe’s tend to very nostalgic and sentimental about things that hold deep meaning for them. Perhaps they like having a certain kind of cake on their birthday every year because their mother made it for them growing up, or they might be very attached to certain objects that mean something to them.

FiNe’s value vastly different 'traditions' or rituals from most people, and demonstrate them in less obvious ways. To put it another way, their traditions are often not very ‘traditional’. At times get into a good daily rhythm that they unconsciously follow. it’s easiest for them to keep going on this rhythm in their day to day life and it helps them feel more balanced. However, when something interrupts their rhythm, they might have trouble picking it up again once the interruption ends.

Their internal world is pretty ‘set’ and solid-feeling as they enter adulthood. A lot of their basic values have been decided fairly early on, and they fall back on these until new experiences, ideas, or realizations cause them to reevaluate certain values. They may consider themselves to be pretty open-minded. However, when faced with a new principle that they have no experience with, they will need a lot of time to themselves to evaluate their stance on the subject. Once they have had adequate time to consider the matter, even if they don’t have it figured out 100%, they feel better knowing that they have reached some level of understanding within themselves.

Si is a very detail oriented function that makes FiNe’s confident in using solutions that have worked in the past, and they can use this to their advantage when necessary to stay organized in their job, at home, or in any hobby that requires detailed organization and quick-solution problem solving. FiNe’s tend to have a good balance when it comes to choosing between applying a new innovation and a previously successful solution.

Last Function and the Supporting Role of the Internal World

Extroverted Thinking

Te is a process that allows FiNe’s to take in information from the real world, make quick decisions on what the most effective solution is, and put that solution into play right away. This is the weakest, achilles’ heel part of the FiNe. Although it would be exhausting and unhealthy for them to rely on this aspect of themselves all the time, they can pull out their troubleshooting skills when necessary to get a job done effectively.

While FiNe’s prefer to take their time on decision making, it isn’t always possible or practical. In these situations, it’s useful to have Te so that they can make quick, in-the-moment decisions. Because they are relying on their ‘gut instinct’ Fi internal compass in the background, they can feel comfortable with their decision even if they can’t articulate a solid reason for it at the time. For example, if they have the sense that someone they see walking down the street could be harmful to them in some way, they don’t have time to untangle why they have that feeling. They just know they don’t feel safe next to this person, and the best solution is the cross the street or take a detour in order to avoid them.

In a lot of cases, Te is the protector function of the FiNe. When one of their values comes under attack, they have no problem using a direct, matter-of-fact Te communication style to defend what they feel is right. When they feel so strongly about a subject that they know they must take action on it, they tap into this part of themselves that is powerful and commanding to take a stand for that what they believe is right. Te can also be the part of FiNe’s that tells them to just pick something (a career, a hobby, an outfit, etc) and stick with it, at least for a short period of time. It’s the smaller part of FiNe’s that pushes them to come to a conclusion and be decisive. If it was purely up to their Fi, they would contemplate how they feel about it forever. An FiNe who is forced to act out of this Te problem-solving, critiquing side of their persona for a large portion of their time (for work, or parenting, etc) is likely to become burnt out, and might experience decision fatigue very quickly. They generally do best when they can allow someone else to take over the decision-making in at least part of their life. If they must make all the decisions in their job, and all the parenting decisions, and all the relationship decisions, etc., then when it comes time for simple, self care decisions like deciding what to eat for dinner or what route to take home from work, they are already exhausted and will struggle to know what they want.

FiNe’s best use their Te when there is already a system in place, as it is easiest for them to use the simplest version of Te - critiquing and refining. When something is already in place and needs improvement, it can be easier to analyze it and see the solution. When starting from scratch, FiNe’s might have lots of ideas, but the act of putting systems and and structures of efficiency into place is harder for them.

[winterune]

Some Promised Neverland Thoughts

So, sometimes I like typing characters, and seeing someone’s take on Emma, Ray, and Norman’s type got me thinking about them. I’m not well-versed of course, so this will probably just turn to me rambling about them. Please take what I’m saying here with a grain of salt. 

First is Ray, since he’s my favorite character and one I’ve spent more time thinking about. 

As of now, I’m thinking he’s an INTJ. The function stack for INTJ is Ni-Te-Fi-Se. From what I’ve read, intuition focuses more on abstract things and the future, in contrast to sensors, who focuses on what is presently happening or what one “senses”. Introverted intuition (Ni) is the one function I have had a hard time understanding, so let’s talk about Ne first. Extroverted intuition (Ne) is said to have an analogy of a firework, one idea that gave birth to a hundred more ideas, what if questions. Someone with high Ne is said to question all sorts of things, try every approach, before they arrive on one conclusion. As opposed to that, to reach that one conclusion, high Ni does all their thinking inwardly. They have a web of information stored inside their minds that enables them to say, “from all the information we have, this is what will happen, so this is what we should do,” (compared to Ne’s “this is the information we have, there’s a bunch of things that could happen.”) However, as it is an introverted function, one with high-Ni would need sometime alone to process all the information they’ve gathered before they reach that one conclusion and discard all the other paths because, according to that web of information, those other paths are not feasible. The down side is, they are not quite flexible to new input, unlike Ne who is more prone to change their mind once something better presents itself. Ni likes to gather all information necessary before they give their answer. 

The second function is Extroverted Thinking (Te). Te is a judging function that acts as an execution function. The way I understand it, it is the function that gives order in our life. It allows us to make methodical, structured decisions. A step-by-step approach. So, Ni, with its vision, paired with Te, with its methodical approach, gave the impression of someone who would methodically gather necessary information and do the necessary things in order to reach that one goal. 

That is how I think Ray works. He’s known about the House since he was 5, been Mama’s spy for the last 6 years while trying to find a way to escape. Having read a lot of books, he is a very resourceful person. His Ni comes into action with the way he slowly but surely works toward that one goal to escape the House. Being Mama’s spy in order to gather more intel on her, the House, and possibly make her look away from him is the result of his Ni-dom driving him toward his goal. It also enables him to become a double-agent, as he thinks it is necessary for his continued survival. Besides, he was never 100% on Mama’s side either. He was only there for his own gain. 

And then there is his tert-Fi and inferior Se.

Fi, or Introverted Feeling, is a judging function based on morals and feelings (as they say). Compared to Fe that focuses on other people, Fi focuses on one’s self, one’s preference, one’s wishes and dreams and likes and dislikes. I believe his tert-Fi is apparent in how he wants for Norman and Emma to escape with him. They’re his best friends. He doesn’t want them to die. 

All this to make sure you two don’t get killed.

His priority, aside from him escaping the House, is for Emma and Norman to live. From what I see in episode 6, I think Ray was being honest when he said this. He doesn’t necessarily care about the others. All he wants is for him to live and his best friends to live too. Another reason why his Fi is stacked lower is in how he has trouble expressing his emotions. Normally, he would dismiss the idea of making decisions based on emotions. But what I see in episode 6, the way he feels sorry and how he stammers when he apologizes, makes me think that he really is not comfortable dealing with his emotions. 

As for his inferior Extroverted Sensing (Se), from what I understand of it, it is the function that allows you to take information from your five senses at the present time. High Se makes you highly observant. Low Se however makes you not good with physical stuffs, as seen with Ray never playing tag with everyone because... I forgot why... was it because it’s tiring?

Lol ok this has become quite a long post. But anyway that’s why I think Ray is an INTJ at the moment. I could very well be wrong, either on Ray’s character or the functions’ explanations. And maybe once I’ve gotten the hang on Ray’s character on future episodes, my opinions could very well change. So let’s just say this is Ray Typing Part 1. I’ll probably try to write a post on Norman and Emma’s characters once I’ve grasped more of their character... maybe.

[kendrixtermina]

INFP vs. INTP - Another potential distinguisher in the form of “Venting Behavior”

So I read this post recently where the person observed that “Vent Songs” that sorta aim to rile you up or get you to join in are a Fe thing as is “venting” in general, even in lower Fe users. 

Heck, I’m working on an entire Vent- Book at the moment

Of course one person saying it doesn’t mean anything but I’ve thought it over and I though I’m still observing for more data it does seem consistent with my experience so far. In particular it jives with my previous observation that “Hate Songs” & “Musical Pause for Shock value” seem to be lower Fe things. 

Come to think of I saw some other distinguishing writeups mentioning “venting” as a distinction (during those embarassing 3 days a while ago where I briefly considered that I might be xNFP) but the full structure of the statement didn’t stand out to me at the time-

Some of these writeups weren’t exactly correct either (nor is the socionics conception of the inferior and how it would come in here... on the other hand, one concept from there that might or might not be relevant here is ‘role functions are a thing, especially with contact subtypes’), since most INTPs are enneagram 5s (5s generally prefer to process their feelings on their own or with some distance to the situation) - perhaps its different with the 9s (who’d have their own hangups tho) but it would probably not be accurate to say that “You prefer to talk out your feelings with others rather than be left alone” as the ore general Fe description goes. 

So it’s more nuanced, complex & varied (as it often is with the inferior - because of its nature individual biographical factors matter a lot) and I daresay a great percentage of INTP’s aren’t going to be down for sharing (the 5 tendency would be to compartementalize/ have it on your own terms somehow - say, tell the whole thing to strangers on 4chan in all gross detail - indeed it seems to be a commonthing for ppl to dislike it if someone calls attention to their involuntary reactions to stuff. ) but there’s something to be said about “venting” being present as a general tendency even if it presents mostly as a “fuck you too” attitude. 

This also reminds me of this socionics article where - as you may know they tend to conceptualize Fe as being about “changing & influencing the emotions of oneself & others” & in that contexts well Fe doms are very persuasive & good at cheering ppl up (or withering their souls away with judgemental glares, depending, presumably, on their mood and alignment) & at the other end you get “Can’t really change/regulate mood very well  & may treat it as “fixed””( also “might benefit from having a lovely ESFJ to fix that & animate them” because socionics is the crackships fangirl of typology.  Or you know, maybe thats my natural state of existing and there’s nothing to “fix” about it only to manage & read the instruction manual so to speak)

----

So in that sense you could classify both INFPs and INTP (though there’s excetions) as largely fitting the “melancholic” temperament in its “slow but sustained arousal” definition (”Hard to get thm into a particular mood, hard to get them out of it”) - the INFPs because they’re largely doing their own thing independent from the rest of the room & tend to have long-term reactions, the INTPs because there’s a higher threshold to reacting and if they do they may be “stuck” with the reaction for a while

In hindsight I say that a lot like “Hey they can’t turn it off like a button, sometimes this shit dont make sense,  what matters is wether they act on it” [= try to listen to rationality regardless]

I guess part of why this distinction isn’t really out there is that that the genereal gist of how our type’s emotional expression “Well they’re not very expressive at all”, which I suppose might be what some outside perspective might notice, but from a First Person pov this is a tad useless, after all you react when you feel a reaction is merited, same as everyone else.

-----

This isn’t really something I picked up on before reading that because I interpreted things from my own minset were “people obviously do that” & perhaps saw venting as more universal than it is, but in hindsight it seems overwhelmingly true that Fi doms don’t exactly vent or at least not start conversations like “Ughh this thing that happened” - Usually their emotional state is quite apparent, but it’s more indirect like you’ll notice in the kinds of comments they make & how they make it, sure they might talk to you further if you ask without too much pushing. 

Even when they express it indirectly (art & sad blog posts) it’s more of an enclosed, just-for-myself thing telling very specific stories, like all those INFPs post their stuff with no thought that someone (like some Fe user (tertiaries included) who thinks they’re the police or something) may aprroach it and go “Wait do you mean to imply...?!” when that’s not the purpose of their statement. 

(And I was aware of this tendency but I see it in a different light in the realization of how it’s really a different purpose. Also, I always though the subset of FJs who nonstop talk shit about people are the worst kind of FJs. Gotta be careful in the future that I don’t sound like that)

----

I’m not 100% sure especially in how the TJs fit into this. Some of them can have little tolerance for “drama” or just read it as  weakness (8), negativity (1w9) or ingratitude (1w2) though to some extent they’rejust not comfortable to people blowing reactions into the air. That might be enneagram based to some degree the one 5w(cp)6 INTJ I know drips dark sarcasm though more as a way to critique things than personal venting. Still reserving judgement

Or perhaps the difference is more in how the ‘feels discharge’ is supposed to happen - In that Fi users come from a PoV where one person tells their life & the other kinda sits there & absorbs whereas with Fe there’s an expectation of “reaction noises” which the Fi peeps may be annoyed at or... 

I’ve had the situation where I tell a joke and my Fi dom sister stays quiet and I’m like “Sorry was that joke bad?” and she explained that she was just reacting inwardly but totally listening. 

Another thing I’ve observed is Fi users getting worried when their favorite TP is having a sucky day and goes  “AAGHH EVERYTHING ALWAYS SUCKS!” and just voicing that kinda discharged the battery and snaps you bad to SenseMakingMode where they’re able to put the local little annoyance in context, but the Fi user will be all worried because they assume it’s a long-term thing that’s always under the surface because that’s what their feels are generally like. 

[funkymbtifiction]

Hi again, sorry to bother you.

I submitted this post because I have a few questions (I was typed ISFP 9w1).

I have doubts about Fi-Te.

▪Fe/Fi :

I mean, When I read Fi and Fe descriptions, I relate to low Fe better. I need your view on that.

I relate to the chamelion effect that is often associated with Fe.

Unlike Fi-doms who behave the same everywhere, my behavior changes from group/person to group/person, and the group dynamic and atmosphere indirectly affects me and my performance. <- 9 does this, also 3 fixers do this.

I’m usually reserved when alone, but with energetic people/groups I become more energetic, smile more and check myself less and get comfortable. While if I go into serious or cold groups, I become like that. And If I get uncomfortable vibes from a group, I may get uncomfortable as well, or I might think my presence is not desired or not important, so I try to minimize my interaction with that group. I try not to force myself upon people even though  feeling excluded seriously bothers me. <-- mirroring the group this much again, suggests 9 (and 3?); you are deliberately avoiding conflict through changing to fit the group.

It’s like I have no specific personality or characteristics. I explain my personality with doubt but try to include all functions. I envy people who maintain the same personality and energy-level with everyone or stand up and rebel against things they don’t agree with even when they’re alone. <-- 963 or 936 tritype confirmed

On the other hand, I try to maintain the group harmony and not bother others even when I internally have problem with something or don’t agree with them. I don’t rebel against the majority unless I have no other choice. <- 9 core

I assume being liked or appreciated by others matters to me a lot. As a kid and teen, I acted on this need (indirectly) by getting good grades or doing my homework and being nice to teachers. I wasn’t aware of it much. As I grew up, I became more dependent on other people, their vibe, their motivation or inner thoughts and their views. I miss my teen years because of that. <- numbing out and ignoring things as a teen? again, 9

I am not social expert. I suck at manipulating others or changing the group dynamics. I can’t “MAKE” people think/do something. I can’t stand my ground really well. I don’t even know how to comfort people. <- sounds like Fi-dom, not Fe

My view on good or bad is also relative. I can say pros & cons for things and I rarely view something as pure good or pure bad (It happens but it’s rare).<- Fi-dom has more nuance, is willing to give more benefit of the doubt, and is not as quick to judge people as Fe, since... well, Fi is subjective, ruminating, and inward based.

I also have problem defining when I “should” hold my ground and when I should stay back and keep quiet. <- lack of boundary awareness, a 9 issue

I dislike selfish people who boss others, don’t do their share of work in the group or disturb the group harmony by bringing negativity or drama. <- personal assertion of an ethical preference + 9 hatred of drama and negativity

Unlike Fi-dom stereotypes, I try my best to avoid feelings or emotion. So I try my best not to bother others to avoid potentially nasty confrontations. Every type of feeling is toxic and unhealthy to me. I’d rather deal with data, impersonal facts and professional relations than complicated people, drama or feelings. I’d rather be around impersonal, just, uncomplicated and direct people. <- 9 to the max; let’s not be unpleasant, let’s not let in anything that makes me feel uncomfortable, let’s suppress and ignore feelings as much as possible, let’s not hang out with annoying or troublesome people... this is not Fe, this is a 9 refusing to engage with anything that makes them uncomfortable

Fe-like grips for me happen during three situations. a)Failure or being hopeless about major future goals (which I try to avoid), b)Loss of loved ones or being away from them for a long time, c)Feeling excluded or being in a toxic/complecated/dramatic/unjust environment <- the first sounds like inferior Te frustration

Being in grip makes me sensitive, hopeless and paranoid of other peopl’s intentions. I then wish I could have more social skills and more connections/friends. <- Fe envy + 6ish disintegration

In general, I’m not an F expert and try to avoid that realm. But every once in a while, I wish I had more social skills, could open up to people and be cool around them. <- Fi-dom seriousness and detachment from others

________________________________________

▪S/N:

I agree with Se and Ni over their counterparts. I would be witty/argumentative and also more flexible if I had Ne.

But I still have trouble relating to Se, at least the stereotypes.

Sure, I wish I had more action, excitement and novelty in my life, and I might act on it some day (after reaching my professional goals), and I’m a visual/tactile learner and get bored by small details or impractical theories.

But still, I get uncomfortable dealing with the sensory (and social) realm for a long time and get sensory overload. I sometimes have trouble staying in the moment. Not to mention, I’m physically lazy and need someone more willful and energetic to initiate activities at first. And I’m somewhat of a homebody at the moment and bad which makes me relate to Se-aux even less.

Even my interests differ from stereotypical SP ones and look similar to Intuitive interests. I have little interest in watching team sports or car/F1 races on TV. I much prefer to learn about scientific facts, space, other cultures, different countries and their food/drinks and architecture, languages and different philosophical and psychological views and self-help stuffs. I often google things like that.

I do relate to Ni, as I have my goals/plans and, care about them and try to reach them (and would freak out if I couldn’t which means I lack flexibility about them).

Also, last minute changes of plans, or being kept in the dark about future or a project really bothers me. But I agree with you that having a cynical Ni might mean its position is not dom. Also, I’m not good at things like chess (find it boring), decision-making or guessing test questions (stereotypical Ni stuffs)

Based on the new info I added, Am I still Se-Ni?

... those are a lot of negative stereotypes about ISPs. An SP can sit at home on their butt and watch television all day long and never do anything creative with their hands, it does not disqualify them from being Se. An SP can be an avid reader and love learning about all kinds of things, it does not make them an intuitive. An ISP prefers to have a general idea of what they want and think before they act, it doesn’t make them an INJ. Basically, none of what you said disqualifies you from being an ISFP. I would look at Ne vs Se if you are still not sure, but I’m still seeing IFP 9.

________________________________________

▪T :

I do brainstorm things and read between the lines in my head. But I have little interest in sharing them with people or debating with people. Maybe I don’t debate much because of shyness. I also need time processing and analyzing the things being said, so I rarely challenge someone. <-- introvert, not a thinker tendency; high Ti knows what’s irrational without needing to process it, and will react accordingly by pointing out the illogical statement.

I’m more cynical than positive. If I doubt the truth of something or an statement or a program, I analyze and research about it if needed. I sometimes I argue with my family members or debate about social stuffs, taboo stuffs or some other stuffs. specially when I think what they think/believe is irrational. But I rarely target them directly or attack them about it, unless I know they’re thick-skinned and don’t make a big deal out of it. Also, I dislike it when people change a friendly debate into aggressive personal attacks. <- 9 avoidance of conflict / confrontation

When debating with my family, I use a mixture of facts and brainstorming results as debating tools. But In general I trust proven facts more than personal analysis and specially at school, I used to dislike too much theory, analysis and details. <- proven facts = Te, hatred of theory = Se/Ni

What makes me doubt being a thinker (or even a F-dom)? The fact that I rely on other people to describe myself and my self-worth. And the fact that A toxic atmosphere or exclusion can have impact on my mental health and performance. Also, my shyness and lack of assertiveness in social stuffs and being conflict-averse and fearing confrontations.

I think ISFP 9 is correct. Most of what you describe, as you’ve seen is simply being a 9, and you don’t have the kind of strong knowledge of Te/Ti that an ISTP or TJ would have.

[funkymbtifiction]

Glow Quicktypes

UNOFFICIAL TPYING BY: wackydeli097 

Ruth Wilder: ISFJ

Ruth’s dominant function is introverted sensing; her first reaction to a new situation is to try to relate it back to her knowledge base in the tropes and traditions of theater. In the first season, she struggles to create a character for herself, until Zoya comes to her in a flash at the patio store (inferior Ne). She then begins to really build that character through Si: she needs direct, tangible experience to flesh out Zoya (which she gets when she crashes the Russian Jewish family’s party to practice her accent). She is concerned with getting the details of her performance just right, and she constantly tries to fit G.L.O.W. into a larger narrative of theatrical themes that she has studied so intensely for several years. She isn’t a natural risk taker, but her partnership with Sam Sylvia (an ENTP) inspires her to tap into her lower functions and try out new ideas and experiences.

Ruth is a people-pleaser and often compares herself to others; she tells Sam, “I get very anxious when I feel like I’m behind in a group setting.” She views G.L.O.W. as a team and invests a lot into building camaraderie with her costars, especially after her friendship with Debbie implodes. In the first season, she has a very hard time asserting herself because of her guilt over that betrayal.

Debbie Eagan: ESTJ

Debbie is dramatic, and she’s often manipulative, but that doesn’t make her a feeling type; in emotional situations, she’s often at a loss of how to react appropriately, and she doesn’t have a clear understanding or handle on her own emotions. She has a victim complex in relationship to Ruth (unhealthy inferior Fi), even though the two of them have wounded each other a lot over the years. She’s manipulative because she’s spent a lot of time painstakingly studying emotions (Si) and working that into her logical framework; she knows the game and how to play it (Te), which is why she’s been very successful in her career. She can easily switch off her emotions to focus on the task at hand.

She’s an unhealthy Te user, though, which leads her to be excessively harsh, most notably when Ruth finally stands up for herself and fends off a sleazy TV executive in season two. Debbie is not sympathetic to Ruth’s feelings at all. She flat out says that those are the rules of being a woman in show business. She chastises Ruth for being selfish. In Debbie’s mind, Ruth acted illogically, and what’s worse, she presumed that the rules didn’t apply to her, that she was above having to deal with these situations.

Debbie absolutely expects other people to put their own feelings aside to get the job done because that’s what she’s done for so long. Her unhealthy introverted sensing has led her to make a lot of sacrifices without really considering alternatives; up until G.L.O.W., Debbie has pretty much played by the rules and maintained the status quo, even though, as Ruth observes, she’s been miserable within it for a long time. She gave up her acting career to care for her son, but also to coddle Mark’s ego over having a wife who’s more ambitious and successful than he is. As much as Debbie lays the guilt trip on others (er, Ruth), she’s also extremely susceptible to guilt herself (unhealthy Si), which is why she would have stayed in her marriage forever.

Debbie tends to take everything a bit too far; her tertiary Ne comes out in those moments of being especially over-the-top. In healthier outlets, she brainstorms story lines and expands on the soap opera tropes that she knows well (Si-Ne). But Ne also rears its head in times of emotional duress. When Mark has his secretary call to ask her the brand of their bed, Debbie loses it; she impulsively decides to sell the bed, then everything in the house, eventually marking it all down to $5 because she can’t deal with consistent or reasonable pricing; she just knows that she wants it all gone because the memories are too painful (Si), so she says “screw it, this doesn’t make sense, nothing is going according to my plans anymore, so burn it all down” (Te-Ne).  She’s constantly fending off the threat of her own emotions, too afraid to go into a vulnerable place because when she does, she slips into self-loathing and has a hard time yanking herself out of her emotional spiral. It’s a lot easier for her to repress her feelings – until they get too big and messy to handle.

Sam Sylvia: ENTP

Sam’s primary cognitive function is extraverted intuition; he deals in possibilities. We see this in action as he’s determining the cast in season one. He talks through all of his reactions to them out loud, with little regard to their feelings (low Fe) and he launches into ideas of possible characters; he takes an idea and runs with it, expanding it, complicating it (Ti working with Ne), mapping out a larger story arc that goes way beyond wrestling matches. That outrageous sci-fi plot indicates that he’s decided to take this potentially hokey wrestling show and transform it into something that fits into his autership, his internal framework that guides his film-making (Ti). He isn’t the best at follow-through, however (which is why he relies so much on Cherry and Ruth). This scattered tendency intensifies in season two, when he’s in an Ne-Fe loop over the threat of losing creative control. He becomes manipulative and petty as he fails to handle this stress. He starts lashing out emotionally, regarding Ruth with suspicion and publicly castigating her.

His inferior introverted sensing isn’t all that noticeable, except in his awkward attempt at parenting Justine involves giving her old photo albums… of relatives she’s never met and doesn’t even know how she’s related to them (again, low Fe). His idea is that Justine will want to know her family’s history and that the photos are a way to communicate that with her and establish a familial connection; he just has a very poor grasp of Si (and Fe) and doesn’t bother with the details. 

Bash Howard: ENFP

Bash is full of big ideas. His dominant function is extraverted intuition; he loves exploring possibilities, delighting in helping the GLOW girls create characters and explore costume options at the show’s inception, and as the show progresses, he thrives in the brainstorming and story boarding sessions. He believes in his vision of GLOW and is optimistic about his ability to bring that vision to life. He’s not the best with details (inferior Si); in season two, when a TV executive calls him and wants to come to the finale’s taping, he neglects to get the guy’s name and he turns to Debbie to figure it out.

His auxiliary introverted feeling is most obviously expressed through his eccentricity, which places him pretty far outside the kind of life his rich mother Birdie expects of him. Even though he knows this (and Birdie is not subtle, frequently withholding his allowance when she wants to express her disapproval of his choices), he doesn’t compromise; Bash is going to live his life on his own terms and adhere to his own set of values. This is a big part of why the girls open up to him so quickly; he is completely earnest and genuine, both in his love of wrestling and the way he values their individual potential, talents and needs.

That doesn’t mean that he’s fully developed his Fi, especially when it comes to his own emotional needs. In the finale of season 2, he tells Rhonda that he doesn’t fully process his emotions, but as we’ve seen from earlier episodes, this really isn’t the case. Bash has a strong understanding of his emotions, but he is reluctant to express them openly. He keeps his depth of feeling to himself, heartbreakingly so in the later episodes of the second season. This tendency to repress and internalize his emotions is compounded by the terrible reality of the closet and internalized homophobia in the 80s; Bash is either bi or gay, and he’s at least emotionally involved with Florian, his butler/best friend. When Bash gets the phone call that Florian has died (it’s heavily implied that he had AIDS), he walks away from Debbie at the bar, chokes back tears, hangs up the phone and doesn’t tell a soul. He buries all of those feelings deep inside and suffers alone. Instead, he acts with self-sacrificing chivalry towards Rhonda, which is baffling on the surface (”Rhonda just married a millionaire with no pre-nup!”), but this is his mode of coping with his complicated feelings about Florian; it’s a bruise too painful to touch or admit, so he chooses to hide further behind a mask of a heterosexual marriage.

Sheila the She-Wolf: ISFP

Sheila is living life as her most authentic self (dominant Fi). In the first season, when her roommate Ruth is struggling to create a character, Ruth praises her Method acting. Sheila swiftly corrects her: this is not a costume and it is not an act. Later on, she explains that she feels that, spiritually, she is a wolf. She doesn’t offer any further explanation of this spiritual connection to wolves; it’s enough that she knows it and that this is her truth.

Although she’s very aware of how unconventional she is, Sheila doesn’t care too much about how other people react to her appearance because authenticity is much more important to her; she has a strong sense of self and she’s compelled to express it physically, through her clothes and makeup. That indicates a strong use of her two dominant functions, introverted feeling and extraverted sensing.

Sheila has a lot of surprising talents and abilities. In season one, she reveals her ability to play piano, though, hilariously, she only knows the theme from Exodus. In season 2, she saves the day for Ruth and Debbie by typing their PSA with astonishing speed and accuracy. These unexpected talents aren’t necessarily related to MBTI, but her lack of explanation is; she simply springs into action whenever one of her skills is needed (Se), without feeling the need to narrativize how or why she knows these things.

In season 2, we see some of her inferior Te come out under stressful conditions, when Sam projects his own anxiety about losing control of the show onto all of the wrestlers and makes them compete against each other for a spot on the show each week. Sheila picks up on this quickly and adjusts to these new circumstances (Se-Ni) in order to protect herself. For example, while everyone is practicing for the week’s audition, Sheila pounces on Rhonda and covers her mouth to prevent her from revealing anything about their plan; this seems out of character for Sheila, but she’s read the situation and becomes suspicious of others (Ni-Te). She becomes competitive to preserve something she really cares about (Fi-Te); of all the wrestlers, Sheila is probably the one who truly needs this the most, because where else will she be actively encouraged to be a wolf? Sheila knows this and she’s going to fight and scrap and do whatever it takes to ensure that she can stay, even if that means somewhat harsh treatment of her teammates.

Carmen Wade: ISFJ

Carmen is warm and caring, and she shares her encyclopedic knowledge of wrestling (Si) to help her teammates develop their characters and more fully understand what they’re doing and why. In season one, Carmen is hesitant to upset her family’s expectations and demands on her, so she keeps her wrestling a secret. This is because she knows how they’ll react (Fe), that they view wrestling as a male-only activity, but also because she’s so passionate about wrestling and is unwilling to compromise on that just because her family disapproves. Wrestling is an integral part of Carmen’s sense of self; she’s passionate about the sport and its history, including her family’s history in wrestling, even if they don’t want to see it that way at first (one of my favorite moments is when her dad shows up to cheer her on and leads the crowd in chanting “Machu Picchu!”). Attaining that parental approval is important to Carmen, even though she’s willing to pursue her goals without it.

Carmen is hard-working and devoted to her area of expertise, and she uses that knowledge as a means of helping others. She organizes a team outing to watch a wrestling match so the others get that first-hand experience of what it means and what it’s about (Si again). In season 2, she is so supportive that she stretches herself too thin (in classic ISFJ fashion); she is so busy helping the others improve their wrestling moves that she doesn’t fully develop her own storyline for the week. She also shows difficulty in pivoting and improvising in the moment (inferior Ne) when Sam cuts their audition short.

[funkymbtifiction]

How do Fi users get mistaken for Fe users and vice versa?

Several reasons:

The typist does not understand the theory fully yet

The subject’s motives or behaviors are unusual for their type

The focus is on what they are doing rather than how they are doing it

Not all Fe’s will be “here, listen to my feelings about everything.”

Not all Fi’s will be “I never talk about my feelings.”

Not all Fe’s will give a damn what strangers think of them, or care whether their behavior, conversation, or topic is “socially appropriate for the setting” or not.

Not all Fi’s will not care what other people think of them, or fail to consider how others may react to their beliefs, worldview, statements, or interests.

You must look at motives and how they accomplish things.

Fe motive: this is for the common good.

Fi motive: this is what is right for me.

How do they engage with others?

Fe will try to bring a sense of unity or togetherness. We can do this. We know the truth. We have things in common. Together, we can do this.

Healthy Fe’s often focus more on what they have in common even with people they disagree with than their differences, because Fe believes to get things done, people need to get along. Motivate people in a group, and you can accomplish great things (together).

Fi will use their strong sense of right and wrong to inspire others, but feel uncomfortable with the “we” business; a Fi believes they are in this alone. If given charge over a group, instead of togetherness or motivating dialogue that focuses on the “we” aspect, you will see Te manifest in handing out jobs. It will be less about emotional dynamics and more about “You have this skill, you are in charge of this. I need someone to do that… how about you?”

Let’s use a life example.

A newspaper publishes something controversial that upsets a lot of its readers on the political spectrum. Immediate damage control is required. So the paper runs, in their next issue, a front page article about a local charity. Boom! Public opinion goes through the roof. People forget they were mad last week. The charity receives an outpouring of donations and support.

Now, did a Fi or a Fe do that?

Fe (and Ti) would say: since there is division about our image right now, we must remind the public that despite our political differences, we can unite under common humanitarian goals. This will reverse the negative publicity and help the charity, since it’s also the right thing to do.

Fi (and Te) would say: our bottom line depends on our advertisers and public liking us. This charity needs help and I believe it is a good cause. I can kill two birds with one stone – recreate our brand through a public outreach, and bring awareness to this important charity at the same time. Everyone wins.

The mistake would be in assuming humanitarian outreach, or that decision, was motivated by Fe (for the greater good of the community, and our reputation), when in reality it might be Te doing damage control (and aiding a cause Fi feels intensely about at the same time).

MOTIVES (thought process – is it Te or Fe based?) and HOW the person does what they choose to do… matters.

Behavior does not indicate type. Brain function indicates type.

- ENFP Mod