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The Functions and Fence Building?

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The Functions and Fence Building?





So I don't know about anybody else, but whenever I read articles/descriptions over the eight functions, I would get totally confused. I almost felt retarded not being able to understand some of those lengthy descriptions.

Then a little bit ago I came across this website that gave actual descriptions as to what each function is like during the process of building a fence. I can say with certainty that I feel like I know the functions and which ones I use now, thanks to that.

But I really want to know, from people who are more aware of the functions, are these descriptions are very accurate to go off of (for someone like me, who doesn't always understand the long drawn out descriptions)?


This is what the website listed: Myers-Briggs eight functions carl jung, jungian cognitive functions, mental functions
The Eight Functions and Fence-Building

Ne - I want to design the fence.
Ni - Why do they want to do this and what is the deal with fences anyway? Is this necessary?
Se - I want to decorate the fence and make sure that it looks stylish and appealing
Si - I’ll take care of looking at the instructions and making sure that we follow the established guidelines.
Te - Is doing this cost effective? Will it be useful?
Ti - I want to analyze the structure and placement of the fence.
Fe - How will it affect the neighborhood, and what will the neighbors think?
Fi - I want it to be my own special fence that I can share with others over time
Given this information, I would label my function order as: Se - Ne - Fi - Te - Ti - Si - Fe - Ni, which is pretty close to what I've had before.
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Ne - I want to design the fence.
Ni - Why do they want to do this and what is the deal with fences anyway? Is this necessary?
Se - I want to decorate the fence and make sure that it looks stylish and appealing
Si - I’ll take care of looking at the instructions and making sure that we follow the established guidelines.
Te - Is doing this cost effective? Will it be useful?
Ti - I want to analyze the structure and placement of the fence.
Fe - How will it affect the neighborhood, and what will the neighbors think?
Fi - I want it to be my own special fence that I can share with others over time

Te > Ne = Ni > Ti > Si > Fe > Fi = Se

Interesting thread.
Ni-Ti-Te-Ne-Fe-Fi-Si-Se

I agree, interesting way to view at the functions.

Thank you
I think someone with a dominant Fi would first think about why the fence should actually be built based on their values...I think someone with a dominant Ni would think about what having the fence would mean for people and the world...
Te...could figure out the most efficient way to go about certain factors in the process of building it...

I dunno...maybe I'm wrong...somebody correct me if I am xD
The Fi one was the one I didn't really like >.>
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I think someone with a dominant Fi would first think about why the fence should actually be built based on their values...I think someone with a dominant Ni would think about what having the fence would mean for people and the world...
Te...could figure out the most efficient way to go about certain factors in the process of building it...

I dunno...maybe I'm wrong...somebody correct me if I am xD
The Fi one was the one I didn't really like >.>
I think we ought to ask the OP what kind of fence it is, because if it's a small one, why would the Ni care about the fence affecting the whole world. At least I wouldn't lol
I think we ought to ask the OP what kind of fence it is, because if it's a small one, why would the Ni care about the fence affecting the whole world. At least I wouldn't lol
lmao
I actually don't understand Ni too well, but my Fi description kinda kicked out the Ni one a little bit...so I had to put something >.<

Ok...what would you think about? How would your Ni play a part in this? Since you're Ni dominant xD
lmao
I actually don't understand Ni too well, but my Fi description kinda kicked out the Ni one a little bit...so I had to put something >.<

Ok...what would you think about? How would your Ni play a part in this? Since you're Ni dominant xD
In my opinion, I think the Ni would be like "I'm wondering if they're putting that fence because they are going to build a bomb laboratory, where many terrorists from all around the globe will arm the biggest H-bomb history has ever seen." ...or something to that effect :p
I think I'm slowly, but surely, getting a grasp on Ni!
I got it...so it's considering many different factors that others may not see?
I think I'm slowly, but surely, getting a grasp on Ni!
I got it...so it's considering many different factors that others may not see?
Yep, pretty much. Except that there is usually one factor that stands out from all the rest.

Like for example, if a stranger starts following you in the middle of the night, Ni will start to draw out inferences of what it might possibly happen, it might lead you to believe that:
1.) He's going to rob me
2.) It so happens that he's going the same direction as me
3.) He is lost
4.) He is up to no good

If you're an experienced Ni user on the other hand, you will tend to choose the most plausible among all those 4 and usually it is correct. If you're not that experienced, you might become so paranoid because to you, those 4 choices are all very likely to happen and might lead you to wrongful conclusions.
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Yep, pretty much. Except that there is usually one factor that stands out from all the rest.

Like for example, if a stranger starts following you in the middle of the night, Ni will start to draw out inferences of what it might possibly happen, it might lead you to believe that:
1.) He's going to rob me
2.) It so happens that he's going the same direction as me
3.) He is lost
4.) He is up to no good

If you're an experienced Ni user on the other hand, you will tend to choose the most plausible among all those 4 and usually it is correct. If you're not that experienced, you might become so paranoid because to you, those 4 choices are all very likely to happen and might lead you to wrongful conclusions.
That's actually made a lot more sense to me than other, more formal descriptions of Ni. Cheers.
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For some reason I always like to explain things with stories, so I'll try to do my best in describing these functions as best as possible.

INFP-Fi dominant I think Walmart is evil, it should be outlawed because it exploits and destroys the dignity of millions of poor people who are paid a misery.

ESFJ-Fe dominant But think of all the people that Walmart helps by giving them jobs and providing communities with cheap prices that everyone could afford.

INTP-Ti dominant So (INFP), if you really think that Walmart is evil, then are you saying that people who shop at walmart are also evil? Lets analyze this, shall we?

ESTJ- Te dominant Don't be ridiculous. Walmart exists because it has been able to compete with hundreds of other shops, it's more efficient, it has better service which in turn gives more consumer turn-out. I mean, how could you call that evil? It's capitalism

INFJ- Ni dominant I think that (INFP) has a point. I mean, don't you think it's a bit fishy that Walmart has been able to make other stores go out-of-business? I think that corporates from Walmart have some kind of support from politicians to take over the whole nation without being questioned.

ENTP-Ne dominant I think we should support other local shops and make them as big a corporation as Walmart. We could tell Target to help us out, and possibly make a Target-K, you know, a Target and a K-mart combined. Wouldn't that be a good idea?

ESTP-Se dominant You know what (INFJ), I think you should back up those statements with facts, if you want, I'll sneak into Walmart's headquarters and look for some evidence that would support or refute your suppositions. In my opinion, you're over-analyzing this you guys. No one is complaining, everyone is happy, I don't see the problem.

ISTJ-Si dominant Walmart has been an American tradition, it should not be questioned. If you look at their history, Walmart has donated millions into other charities, proving that in addition of being a great place to spend your money, it also takes cares of their community.

Does it help?:laughing:
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Like for example, if a stranger starts following you in the middle of the night, Ni will start to draw out inferences of what it might possibly happen
That helps me make a lot more sense of my mom (who's an INFJ)...like yesterday when she walked into my room and I had something on the floor...She said something like..."You need to pick that up, someone's gonna trip and break their neck and they're gonna end up going to the hospital...and it's gonna be too expensive for us to pay the bill"...:mellow:
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Ahh, thanks for all of that Seeker - and for the previous post over the Ni scenario.

"Real" examples, such as the stories/scenarios that you have provided, are definitely more my thing. I understand things so much better when I can actually relate to them and try putting myself in the given situation. So yeah, thanks again.

I can say, with the information you provided for Ni, I have definitely come across that a time or two in my life - though it is definitely still my least used function, without a doubt.

Also, I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I am Se or Ne dominant (I'm thinking Se, though Ne is very very close) thanks to your little story and the fence-building! :tongue:


Wow. It'd be so scary to live life as Fi/Fe dominant :crying: No offense anybody.

Anyways, yep, I'm sure there are other people on here like me (not being able to understand things unless given actual examples), so hopefully these posts will help them as well! :)
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Like the Walmart post, Seeker of Truth. Although my personal values are closer to the INFP, I certainly think like the ENTP in your example!

re the fence building, I'm not sure.

My functions come out as

Ni>Ne=Ti>Te=Se>Si>Fe=Fi

and this is similar to what other function descriptor questionnaires seem to get.

But, but.....I would absolutely include the Fe consideration in the Ne design.
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I definitely want to design the fence. It will most definitely be my own unique fence, but I don't know about the importance I'd place on sharing it (Se or Fi then?). I'm going to figure out how to make it useful (Te?). I don't care about structure or placement. I know the neighbors would hate it. I'm not about to follow an instruction manual, I'll figure it out through trial and error, as I build. I don't care about necessity, either. Though, I might have a passing fancy about what the deal with fences was, but probably not in this sense.

In the Wal-Mart example, I definitely relate best to Ne. I think my function alignment is Ne>Ne>Ne>Ne. My mind is so warped, it breaks psychological theories! My mommy was right, I really am special!
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The Eight Functions and Fence-Building

Ne - I want to design the fence.
Ni - Why do they want to do this and what is the deal with fences anyway? Is this necessary?
Se - I want to decorate the fence and make sure that it looks stylish and appealing
Si - I’ll take care of looking at the instructions and making sure that we follow the established guidelines.
Te - Is doing this cost effective? Will it be useful?
Ti - I want to analyze the structure and placement of the fence.
Fe - How will it affect the neighborhood, and what will the neighbors think?
Fi - I want it to be my own special fence that I can share with others over time
In the instance of 'fence building', I would ultimately think in this way;

Te - Te- Te- Te- Ti- Ti- Si- Ne (no typos in there)

I think a lot of care needs to be taken in regards to the examples one would use to explicate functions. I know jack shit about cognitive processes... however, given that even though we have specific preferences, we tap into all functions based on the circumstance... the example above of building a fence, to me, seems to lend itself to te/ti regardless of preference (However, that may just be me projecting; because I automatically go to Te when it comes to such instances... because it just makes sense, however others may not).

For e.g. Even though I prefer to use Fi and Fe, I really would not engage in these functions in the way that it is described above i.e. "how will it affect the neighbourhood", and "I want it to be my own special fence", in the case of building a fence.
Yes, I would care about my fence in relation to the neighbourhood, and I would consult adjacent neighbours and city council (only) to make sure I was building on proper authority, and I suppose I would have no choice but to share the fricken fence, but really... it's a fence... and fences have a purpose :tongue: I'm a tight ass, so it has to be cost efficient in my eyes, and it has to be placed and built efficiently. Otherwise, what's the point? (on a side note, the fi description sounds a bit off to me, but I'll leave that to someone with more knowledge to address it).

Also, I think they need to be more specific descriptions. A few sentences would make more meaningful predictions.

But otherwise, I agree about preferring to learn by examples when it comes to dominant functions. To some people it may just make sense to look at functions separately (a reductionist approach), but others may prefer a holistic approach (how do functions manifest? when and what? how do they compare to others? how do they interact?). When it comes to cognitive functions... I hazard to guess, most information about them comes from a stringent reductionist perspective... so it may be hard for 'holistic thinkers' to grasp directly, without synthesizing with other information, or personal experiences. I know I am more of a holistic thinker...

That helps me make a lot more sense of my mom (who's an INFJ)...like yesterday when she walked into my room and I had something on the floor...She said something like..."You need to pick that up, someone's gonna trip and break their neck and they're gonna end up going to the hospital...and it's gonna be too expensive for us to pay the bill"...:mellow:
Oh geeze, this sounds like me :proud: I even talk to my dog in this way: "if you're going to leave your toys around the house Edward, somebody's going to stumble over them and get hurt! keep them in your corner over there!" *puppy dog eyes* "don't give me those puppy dog eyes!"
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The Ni from the fence building example reminds me of Seinfeld type humor. Using this definitions my functional order would be:

Ne, Ti, Ni=Te, Fe, Fi=Se, Si.

As for the Wal Mart example, I'd be a combination of INFP and ENTP.
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Mothers telling kids what accidents will happen if they leave stuff on the floor is universal. Is there a cognitive function for "parent"? lol


I agree with NatalieAnne, interaction of functions/how they are used together is interesting, and I think I'm a bit more holistic, too.
Lol, Seeker, that's awesome. The more I keep reading about Ni, the more I wonder if I'm wrong with how much I use it... No doubt I'm Fi-dominant, since your story was one I would definitely say! Then again, I'd do something Ne-like over a subject far less important, assuming I'm in the mood/mindset.

Ni vs Ne are the hardest functions for me to understand and distinguish properly...
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