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#1 ·
Hey everyone, I have a theory concerning the relation of (the acceptance of) authority and MBTI types (cognitive functions) and I just wanted to ask you all, how you see authorities:
Do you usually find yourself in a position somehow defending authorities and reasoning that by saying that since they are that certain authority, they must've done something in their life to get there, or do you normally question authorities and tend to (first) disregard them, because that status doesn't mean anything? (please tell me which scenario seems more likely + your type!)
For anyone who's interested, here's my theory (please be honest & answer first):
I think the Te-Fi/Fi-Te types (esp. as dom & inf functions) are more likely to just accept authorities, whereas Ti-Fe/Fe-Ti types question them. My explanation would be, that Te-Fi types thrive for a logically organized environment, in order to express their true-self (Fi-Te thrives to express their true self to gain a logically organized environment), and therefore they see an authority as something to keep everything organized, so it's something good. Furthermore, Te is known for accepting logical facts quite easily, without analyzing their logical consistency in depth. Fe-Ti however wants to create that same organized environment when it comes to values and feelings, in order to express that universal truth (Ti-Fe wants to express universal truth to create a value-organized environment). Ti wants to understand and analyze logical things in depth; they want to find out if that authority is really that good. A different example would be 1+1=2. Te would just accept that and move on, in order to have that as a logical 'basis', whereas Ti would want to analyze that and fit that into their internal logical framework. It's the same thing with the authority. What are your thoughts on that?
 
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#2 ·
Speaking for myself with a Ti-Fe... I do have the tendency to question rules and authorities. The mental process when a rule is thrusted in my face is usually: "Does it make sense?" If yes, follow obediently. If no, question the authorities. If given a stupid reason, embark on a personal mission to effect a change (LOL).

I'm not a natural law-breaker but rules need to make sense to me in order for me to follow them.
 
#3 ·
Fi-Te, I normally follow the rules to the point of being called a teacher's pet... if they come from a person I can respect. I can't stand people who have 'authority' but either a) have no logic to their rules or b) morally questionable rules.

Simply having a title of authority isn't enough. If someone were to step in and say "Right, this place is a mess, we need to organise this rabble" and started issuing out orders I'd just question "who died to make you king?" and resent them if they haven't earned their position.
 
#4 ·
I started out liking the concept of rules and safety, but I became more anti-authority in my teen years and sort of stuck with it. In my eyes, you don't deserve respect just for being authority and nothing else. But if you do a good job, I will respect you for being a good person.

I don't break laws though because I'm not comfortable with high risk-taking actions.
 
#5 ·
Personally, I've always been a more natural follower than a leader. In my career I've tended to find myself in a 'lieutenant' role - somewhere lower/middle management tier as a conduit between the top bods and the frontline staff.

I tend to be loyal and professional generally speaking. However, all this is conditional on my having respect for the authority figure I am under.

If they show themselves to be bad at their job, unsympathtic to the staff below them or otherwise incompetent my attitude does shift but I'll admit to be being bad at challenging them directly - I tend to instead (laying my cards honestly on the table here and hoping my online anonymity holds) undermine them. Not enforcing their instructions fully (or sometimes at all) or otherwise circumventing in minor or major ways.

One of my few character traits in which I hold some genuine pride is that, as far as Ive experienced so far - I have the moral backbone to work with my conscience and not against it.
 
#6 ·
I'm INFP, so Fi dominant, and I don't naturally like 'authority'.

Trusting Information:
I generally take most things with a grain of salt, thinking to myself that this may be true as far as the person saying so has been able to determine, but there's always room for error or simply just not knowing everything. And I know that a lot of 'information' reflects individual biases and opinions. I'm always thinking 'yes, but there may be exceptions'. But I'm sure I take some things for granted as being trustworthy without stopping to think about it - I think it often depends on the subject and how much I care about it, whether or not I could be bothered to put in any personal research or thought. I do tend to trust my own observations, personal experience, and intuition more than what 'authorities' say. I'm not terribly interested in being someone people see as an authority on something, it may be nice to have my perspective and ideas respected but I rather expect people to have their own take on things and not just take my word for it, especially when it comes to things that are clearly a matter of opinion.

Thinking about your math example... that was always my problem with math, I wanted them to explain WHY so I could truly understand, not just memorize the rules for working a problem.


Obeying Orders:
I will obey authority because I'm afraid of consequences, but I tend to question it and I bristle at direct orders, especially if they come without sufficient explanation for me to decide I agree. I'm not one for reading directions, and when there are rules I'm fine with bending them while keeping the 'spirit' (or reasoning) of the rule in mind. While I do think many authorities probably do have that place for a reason, I also think there are plenty in authority just because they 'played the game' right so to speak, but may not necessarily be the best source of knowledge and reasoning - they're just people like everyone else. And I think individual situations need an individual touch or insight, which sometimes authorities are too removed from to provide. I feel like... yes you often have to have some hierarchy for coordinating people, but... I'd rather avoid it whenever possible. I don't like being under someone else's command, and I don't enjoy being in command of others either.



I think Fi and Ti question and don't respect authority, I think Te and Fe tend to respect and look to authority. I say this because Fi and Ti are Internal judging functions relying on their own personal system of understanding, while Te and Fe are External judging functions meaning they rely on external systems and want there to be consensus.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I think SJ's are the most likely temperament to be most respectful of authority figures or to follow rules to a T.


As for myself, I'm a type 6 so I've always had a complicated relationship with authority :p lol. The person doesn't necessarily have to be an actual authority figure in other people's eyes but if I give the person authority status in my head, then they act as one. I have a pattern of placing certain people on pedestals only to eventually realize that they don't belong there and why am I even putting so much faith in this person anyway? Screw this. All I need is myself! That sort of thing :p


As for people in actual authority positions, I believe some people are simply power hungry and ambitious for the wrong reasons and that's what drives them to attain that sort of position. Not all who are in authority positions are that way, of course. It depends on the context. But it's something to be mindful of. I can be naive at first but I always catch on eventually. I wouldn't say I disregard them entirely. I try to remain respectful when I need to while at the same time not being under any illusions. I'm always aware of the power dynamics no matter what the situation. When I was younger, it was another story. I'm very strong-willed and was defiant towards my ENTJ dad's rule at home (he ruled with an iron fist) but was extremely well behaved and shy in school. I didn't want to get in trouble.

As for police, I became jaded after dealing with some of them. I know they're not all prejudiced but I've encountered quite a few that have such black and white thinking or were quite cold towards me or just not very competent. But, that's just people for you. I don't put much trust in most people, overall.
 
#9 ·
Fi-Te here.

I tend to have an automatic 'benefit of the doubt' attitude. I will follow rules and regulations at first. That's my default. But I eventually come to conclusions about the rules, and the people making them. It starts to split in two after a while. Either someone or some rules earn my respect and I follow with loyalty. Or the people and or rules prove to be immoral or inefficient. In that case, I'll quietly take the reins concerning my own work, and do things the way I believe they should done. If it's possible, I will also work up to replace the person making the rules and re-establish everything from the ground up, building what I see as the most efficient and morally correct system.

As far as re-establishing a system, I have only done this twice in any type of workplace. When I did, I earned a lot of respect and was incredibly proud for what I did. Many people appreciated my passion for the position and system.

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
INFP, so Fi here!

I respect authority, but if I have a place to question it, then I will do so, and have done so very impulsively and without much hesitation. My tolerance for being "led" is very low unless I have a great amount of respect and trust in a person, which is is fairly rare unless I know them well. If what I am being asked to do, or what they are "preaching" does not sound reasonable, I will make that known sooner or later, very firmly and directly. I would not say I immediately disregard authority, but there's a subconscious trial period, and when I realize I've started regarding them higher (or alternatively, muttering under my breath), then I know where I stand with them.
 
#11 ·
Fi has nothing to do with "organized environments", and of all types the INFP will be the first to detect the Matrix, as well as, in generic terms, the less able to be controlled.

Fe and Te are social functions, and one of their purposes is... to adhere to what is considered right and true in their environment (both as followers or rulers, depending on adeptness, and their being the primary or secondary functions).

Primary Ti and Fi embody the maximum independence, followed by secondary Fi and Ti.

Of course, somebody who is introverted for, say, 60% will be at variance, with regard to authority, with somebody who has a 80% or 90% I (and the same is true of the extraverted).
 
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