We are different, no superior or inferior, that is the beauty of the human world, diversity!
Carl Jung
Four basic cognitive functions
The “irrational” (perceiving) functions: sensation and intuition
sensation—perception by means of immediate apprehension of the visible relationship between subject and object
intuition—perception of processes in the background; e.g. unconscious drives and/or motivations of other people
The “rational” (judging) functions: thinking and feeling
thinking—a function of intellectual cognition; the forming of logical conclusions
feeling—a function of subjective estimation, value-oriented thinking
Sensation and intuition are irrational (perception) functions, meaning they gather information. They describe how information is received and experienced. Individuals who prefer sensation are more likely to trust information that is real, concrete, and actual, meaning they seek the information itself. They prefer to look for discernable details. For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is envisioned or hypothetical, that can be associated with other possible information. They are more interested in hidden possibilities via the unconscious. The meaning is in how or what the information could be.
Thinking and feeling are rational (judgment) functions, meaning they form judgments or make decisions. The thinking and feeling functions are both used to make rational decisions, based on the data received from their information-gathering functions (sensing or intuition). Those who prefer thinking tend to judge things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what is logical, causal, consistent, and functional. Those who prefer the feeling function tend to form judgments by evaluating the situation; deciding the worth of the situation. They measure the situation by what is pleasant or unpleasant, liked or disliked, harmonious or inharmonious, etc.
People who prefer the thinking function do not necessarily, in the everyday sense, “think better” than their feeling counterparts; the opposite preference is considered an equally rational way of coming to decisions (and, in any case, the Jung's typology is a discernment of preference, not ability). Similarly, those who prefer the feeling function do not necessarily have “better” emotional reactions than their thinking counterparts.
Attitudes: extraversion and introversion
Each of the cognitive functions can operate in the external world of behavior, action, people, and things (extraverted attitude) or the internal world of ideas and reflection (introverted attitude).
People who prefer extraversion draw their energy toward the objective, external data. They seek to experience and base their judgments on data from the outer world. Conversely, those who prefer introversion draw their energy toward subjective, internal data. They seek to experience and base their judgments on data from the inner world.
Socionics
It incorporates Carl Jung's work on Psychological Types with Antoni Kępiński's theory of information metabolism.
Eight elements of information metabolism: Leading Function, Creative Function (Ego Block), Role Function, Vulnerable Function (Super-Ego Block), Suggestive Function, Mobilizing Function (Super-Id Block), Demonstrative Function, Ignoring Function (Id Block). The Ego block is both strong and valued, it essentially controls the person's information metabolism, direction of thought, etc. The Ego block sets the goals and direction, and then subconsciously relies on the Id block to provide necessary background information and data that the ego block will use in decision-making. Any conflicts between the Ego block and the Super-ego block generally result in the Ego block winning and the Super-ego block being relegated to a support role or sometimes completely ignored. Because the person is weak in the Super-id block but nevertheless values those information elements in the block, he seeks external support and input from others who value those information elements and are strong with them. https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/model_a/
Extroverted Logic: external dynamics of objects (Pragmatism). Pragmatism (P) is judgement of the efficiency of actions and technical processes, the prudence of a method or approach and how it will work practically. P is geared towards facts and assesses situations based on what happened, looking to convey information as accurately as possible, making communication dry and matter-of-fact. In this sense, it is the opposite of Emotions. P approaches systems in terms of how they can be improved, changing and adding to one's knowledge through empirical observation in order to increase functionality and profitability. In this sense, it is the inverse of Laws.
Extroverted Ethics: internal dynamics of objects (Emotions). Emotions (E) is judgement of the infectiousness of expressions and emotional states, the appeal of a message or image and how someone will react emotionally. E is geared towards feelings and assesses situations based on how people feel, looking to convey one's emotions as authentically as possible, making communication exaggerated and charged with passion. In this sense, E is the opposite of Pragmatism. E approaches people in terms of how they are made to feel, provoking and changing people's emotions through expressive actions in order to raise excitement and enthusiasm. In this sense, is the inverse of Relations.
Extroverted Sensation: external statics of objects (Force). Force (F) is perception of physical objects and the amount of space they take up in the real world, the impact something has on its environment and the threat it poses to other objects. F is geared towards action and decides immediately on quick assessments of superficial, concrete data, making the approach direct and imbued with a harsh determination. In this sense, it is the opposite of Ideas. F approaches reality in terms of the clash of opposing forces, winning over weaker opponents and looking to push a situation to their advantage, even if that requires an intense struggle. In this sense, it is the inverse of Senses.
Extroverted Intuition: internal statics of objects (Ideas). Ideas (I) is perception of abstract concepts and the amount of potential they could hold, the multiple alternatives to any proposition and their latent capabilities. I is geared towards speculation and likes to consider different possibilities, giving unorthodox perspectives a chance, making the approach indirect and roundabout in a whimsical way. In this sense, it is the opposite of Force. I approaches what is possible in terms of expanding its variety, opening new doors and wandering wherever curiosity points next, avoiding any kind of limitation. In this sense, it is the inverse of Time.
Introverted Logic: external statics of fields (Laws). Laws (L) is responsible for understanding logic and structure, categorizations, ordering and priorities, logical analysis and distinctions, logical explanations. L interprets information according to how it fits into a validating system. L is particularly aware of logical consistency and how concepts relate to each other in meaning and structure, independently of particular purposes.
Introverted Ethics: internal statics of fields (Relations). Relations (R) is responsible for understanding the quality, nature, and appropriate distance of personal relations; makes subjective judgments; and aspires to goodness of character. R has a strong understanding of a person's nature and intentions, one person's feelings towards another, their attitudes of like or dislike, and based on this information, how intimate or distant a relationship should be.
Introverted Sensation: external dynamics of fields (Senses). Senses (S) is responsible for detailed perception of physical sensations; questions of comfort, utility, and pleasure; and a sense of harmony and acclimation with one's environment (especially physical). S understands how well a person or thing's behavior agrees with its nature as well as the differences between comfortable behaviors and positions and uncomfortable ones.
Introverted Intuition: internal dynamics of fields (Time). Time (T) is responsible for the imagination of how things will develop over time, a sense of what is meaningful or transcendent and the understanding that some things are inevitable. T understands how causes in the past lead through to outcomes in the future. T is acutely aware of long-term trends and tendencies that are occurring across any single present moment, and sees events as part of a continuous flow. T perceives the possible ramifications of future events and notices ties to the past.
The 16 types: They are most commonly referred to by their two strongest functions, which in socionics are called the leading function (Jung's dominant) and the creative function (Jung's auxiliary). For example, In SLI the leading function is introverted sensation and the creative function is extraverted logic.
ESTj: Logical Sensory Extravert (LSE)
ENTj: Logical Intuitive Extravert (LIE)
ESFj: Ethical Sensory Extravert (ESE)
ENFj: Ethical Intuitive Extravert (EIE)
ESTp: Sensory Logical Extravert (SLE)
ESFp: Sensory Ethical Extravert (SEE)
ENTp: Intuitive Logical Extravert (ILE)
ENFp: Intuitive Ethical Extravert (IEE)
ISTp: Sensory Logical Introvert (SLI)
INTp: Intuitive Logical Introvert (ILI)
ISFp: Sensory Ethical Introvert (SEI)
INFp: Intuitive Ethical Introvert (IEI)
ISTj: Logical Sensory Introvert (LSI)
ISFj: Ethical Sensory Introvert (ESI)
INTj: Logical Intuitive Introvert (LII)
INFj: Ethical Intuitive Introvert (EII)
Information metabolism
Information metabolism may be generally seen as the exchange of signals between the organism and its environment, but also as the processing of signals originating in the organism.
For all organisms these goals are predicated on two biological laws:
the first law states that an organism must be oriented towards its own survival. It is egoistic and related with withdrawal from reality (escape, destruction of reality etc.).
The second law states that the preservation of the species is equally important. It is altruistic and requires turning towards the reality (sexual reproduction requires union with the partner).
In case of humans, the connection between the goals of various everyday actions and two biological laws is less direct, nevertheless these laws still motivate us. Humans are able to project themselves into the future, think abstractly and consciously and therefore their goals may possess transcendent and symbolic character. This fact is typically expressed as belief in a higher good or an afterlife.
It is impossible to keep track of all information generated by various processes occurring in reality. As organisms strive to fulfill two biological laws, proper selection of signals becomes a central problem. According to Kępiński, a hierarchy of value is necessary in order to integrate information. In humans, that hierarchy comprises three levels i.e. biological, emotional and sociocultural.
Of all signals collected by the receptors, only the most important ones reach the level of subjective experience. At the level of signals reaching the field of subjective experience, attention is actively directed (with the help of emotions) towards those related with two biological laws. Perception is not passive and inclusive, but anticipatory and selective. Above biological and emotional levels of signal interpretation, there is the frame of social and cultural norms of the community, which serves as reference for conscious decisions. The sociocultural background plays significant role in people's lives.