Type Resources: Extraverted Thinking in the 4th position and Introverted Thinking in the 8th position

Because my type code is INFP, Extraverted Thinking (Te) is in the 4th (inferior/animus) position for me. It supports my Introverted Feeling (Fi) hero in amazing ways. However, I have a long way to go until my Extraverted Thinking is individuated and I can sometimes use logic for logic's sake (when necessary) and not just use logic to support what is important to me (Introverted Feeling). While one's deep values (Introverted Feeling) do not personally require justification, I find that my Extraverted Thinking helps me create or find logic that can often help defend my values when they need to be defended. In this way, I have a very positive emotional reaction toward Extraverted Thinking when used by myself and by others. Introverted Thinking (Ti), however, is in the 8th (or demonic) position and is something that is very foreign to me. I find that I literally turn and walk away from Introverted Thinking when I see it being used by someone with another. I have such resistance toward it that I want to pretend it doesn't even exist. I have also found lately that when I have resistance toward starting or really delving into a project it is because I am unaware of the process of the project or of how it works (Introverted Thinking). It makes me wonder how many opportunities I have passed by because of my fear of not understanding the process. When I feel myself mentally or physically turning away from something, I now am able to recognize that I am responding to Introverted Thinking and I can make myself turn back toward the situation and face it. This is definitely a struggle for me, but I believe that if people embrace their most rejected (or 8th) function, they can become very well-rounded people, capable of accomplishing amazing things, and that is of course my ultimate goal.

What insight! Is Ti the stumbling block to the dissertation?

I think what you're talking about regarding Te is the firststep toward development. I also think your discussion of how you are using it to support your Fi values is the connection that exists between the dominant and inferior functions that most people miss when working with the MBTI instrument. I believe most analyst would commend you for being able to recognize your use of Te and your abilityto call on it on demand to support your Fi.

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Alas, it is! Ti is the stumbling block to my dissertation! Recognizing it was the first step. Figuring out what to do about it was the next one. I realized I would have to communicate with others who understand the process and also pick up some literature to grasp it further. (Now I actually have to do that.) Each step is painful and requires a lot of energy, which is interesting, considering Ti is an introverted function and I have a preference for Introversion. (I think it just proves the point that just because I have a preference for Introversion, that doesn't mean I will get energy from all the introverted functions. Extraverted Thinking, for example, is more energizing than Introverted Thinking for me.) One of my classmates who has Ti as his second (and therefore good parent) function is someone who I have decided to call upon to help me understand the process. Who better? Is that one of the keys to developing our most rejected/8th function? Finding someone who has it as the good parent? It seems to me that it would be a great way to help develop it.

As far as my Extraverted Thinking is concerned, I am glad that I have recognized the many ways it supports my Introverted Feeling. I have definitely made that first step (with your help!). Now I am working hard to call upon it to work not just in a supportive position and it isn't always easy! However, it is easier than calling upon Introverted Thinking at all, so I can see myself naturally working on it more often. Yes, the 2nd step of individuating Extraverted Thinking is easier than the 1st step of individuating Introverted Thinking. Again, this recognition can help me realize how hard I will need to push myself to work with Introverted Thinking. It is a difficult journey (but worth every step)!

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Your approach of finding someone who has it as either hero or good parent to aid in development is the framework that John Beebe and I are going to pilot next year. I'm not sure that just finding someone with the mental function in the appropriate position is sufficient. I think they now have to help you engage the mental function. What are the questions to ask? What coaching behaviors support the engagement? We don't know the answers, but we hope to gain some knowledge during our experiment.

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I once had a boss who was adamant about systems. We had to have a system for everything and he wanted us to be able to show it to him when he asked for it. When he asked me to show him the system I had for tracking awards presented each year I proceeded to demonstrate it. That was not what he asked for. He wanted to see in writing all the procedures, all the steps. I did not have anything in writing. Not good. I can't tell you how difficult it was to do that. I did recognize the value of having this written down. When I am not available, someone else can step in, or when I leave, the new person does not have to work so hard developing the same systems, etc. While I was a strong supporter of this I was probably the worst at actually providing a system for each of the tasks that I did (and I had a lot of important ones).

With Introverted Thinking as my 8th function these systems do make sense to me but I struggle to articulate to others systems that I use. Especially since I seem to not feel the need to do things the same way each time. For me a system needs to stay flexible and when you write it down how do you articulate flexibility!

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