Cognitive Function Order Theory

Beebe theorized that the placement of each function within a type has a great impact on how an individual uses that function. In essence, this is really where personality comes into play with respect to cognitive functions. It's not a question of how well developed one's functions are, but how those functions are used by the individual.

Dominant Function

• Prioritizes
• Initiates
• Charismatic
• Trusted
• Promotes ambitions & goals

For INFJs, this is Introverted Intuition (Ni), which includes:

• Focuses on pattern recognition
• Perceives at the “universal” level
• Seeks deepest level of understanding
• Extrapolates from specific data to general (divergent)
• Seeks root cause, meaning
• Sees complexity, systems
• Time orientation: past & (especially) future
• Energized by discovering “universal” patterns
• Understanding of past/ present/ future ebb & flow of events is reality
• Usually vague & abstract

Secondary Function

• Nurtures
• Supports, & protects
• Idealized parent
• Balances & advises the Dominant Function

For INFJs, this is Extroverted Feeling (Fe), which includes:

• Harmonious environment energizes
• Focus on groups of people and collective relationships
• Tuned in to emotional timbre of group
• Respects and enforces “shoulds” (“political correctness”, manners, social structure)
• Self-assesses through “shoulds”
• “Knows” what others need
• Disagreement is bad. Conflict-averse
• “Us” vs. “Them” (“You’re either with us or against us”)
• Evaluative (better vs. worse)
• Guided by values that are assumed to be shared.
• Agenda driven

Tertiary Function

• Vulnerable
• Improvises
• Playful
• Irresponsible
• Charming
• Promising but ultimately unreliable
• Seems amoral
• Spoiled Prince/Princess
• Comfort zone

For INFJs, this is Introverted Thinking (Ti), which includes:

• Internal decision-making
• Narrow focus on task
• Subjective, internal decision-making
• Unilateral (not collaborative)
• Emotions interfere with precise analysis, so ignore except as information
• There is a correct/best decision/choice
• Self-constructed underlying principles & framework
• Discussion is superfluous
• Energized by the precision of the reductionist analysis process
• Goal: reach the one correct conclusion through iron-clad reasoning
• Linear
• Decisive
• Subjective, hidden
• Adamant, unmoving (“My conclusion is correct”)
• Process focus & awareness

Inferior Function

• Difficult ideals
• Ideal “other half” (opposite gender)
• Complements the Hero/Heroine
• “Backseat driver”



For INFJs, this is Extroverted Sensing (Se), which includes:

• External information-gathering
• External focus on concrete things
• Time orientation: immediate present
• Broad (inclusive); not deep
• Finite scope
• Visual emphasis (“Seeing is believing”)
• The tangible current environment is reality
• Intimately connected to environment
• Energized by the sensory experience
• Literal
• Active, impulsive, proactive about experiencing the “Now”

 

The concept of shadow functions, and therefore shadow modes, also comes from this theory, which assumes that these functions are inherently problematic to the user until they can be developed into useful usage.

Opposing Function

• Adversary to Dominant Function
• Defends by offending, seducing or avoiding
• Self-critical
• Oppositional
• Paranoid
• Passive-aggressive
• Avoidant
• Falls in the blind spot of the Dominant function
• Easy to project on others
• Usually opposite gender
• Can be antagonistic to the needs of self

For INFJs, this is Extroverted Intuition (Ne), which includes:

• External perceiving
• Focus on “global” picture
• Expands/extrapolates to see the big picture
• Time orientation: future
• Energized by perceiving novel possibilities, ideas, & options
• Connects bits of information
• Follows “what is” to “what could be”

Senex Function

• Fights to defend the personality
• Discourages & casts doubts
• Shaming, blaming, limit-setting parent
• Defends by refusing, belittling or vetoing
• Stern & authoritarian (pulls rank)
• Cryptic &/or bad advice
• Intolerant
• Immobilizes

For INFJs, this is Introverted Feeling (Fi), which includes:

• Internal decision-making
• Focus on individual persons
• Hypersensitive to emotional state, authenticity, & needs of individuals
• Hypersensitive to level of emotional safety in groups
• Aware of emotional state of self
• Deep personal relationships enhance personal harmony & sense of well-being
• Assumes that non-negotiable core values anchor everyone
• Laissez faire. Non-judgmental
• No agenda. No need to manipulate or control

Trickster Function

• Rebellious, mischievous child
• Tricking and confusing
• Circumvents obstacles
• Creates double-binds
• Defends childish vulnerabilities
• Usually same gender

For INFJs, this is Extroverted Thinking (Te), which includes:

• External decision-making
• Narrow focus on task
• Task completion energizes
• Organizes, structures, & orders the environment to gain clarity
• Creates or improves systems
• There is a “right (or best) action”/decision
• Emotions are obstacles (just information)
• Directed by underlying principles & criteria
• Collaborative decision-making
• Seeks competence (high standards of self-assessment)

Demon Function

• Undermines self & others
• Gross distortion creates confusion and chaos and disrupts trust
• Often feels like “evil.”
• Creates opportunities to develop integrity of self

For INFJs, this is Introverted Sensing (Si), which includes:

• Internal information-gathering
• Sensory focus
• Internal re-experiencing
• Very personal, subjective experience
• Comparative. Everything is relative
• Familiarity equals comfort
• Time orientation: past
• Reality = past personal experience
• Intensity of re-experience energizes
• Sequential
• Stable; sometimes even rigid
• Internal body awareness

 

Now, here is the interesting part of this theory. An individual's development with any given function does not play as much of a role in their personality as the placement of that function in the type's function order. For example, here are the development scores of my functions...

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As you can see, my Fi is very well developed. This doesn't mean it is my secondary function. It means that I have a very strong Senex function, and that everything that applies to the Senex function, good and bad, applies to me. Hopefully, I've managed to gain enough control over my Fi to minimize the ill effects, but I know that when I am at my healthiest, my Fi is not nearly as strong as my Fe. When it competes with, and overtakes my Fe, then I know I am stepping into unhealthy ground. Note however, that this theory is not saying that these functions are inherently unhealthy, just that they have a greater capacity for being unhealthy. Obviously, when we can learn to use them in positive and constructive ways, they are a benefit.

My Ne is usually stronger than my Se and Ti. This means that my Opposing function is also strong, just not as strong as my Fi. Therefore, I have a lot of Opposing function issues to look out for as well as Senex issues.

Learning this addition of the cognitive function system is really vital for anyone who truly seeks to understand it, because this is the part that allows you to help people heal and be healthy, to be the best they can be, as well as spot potential issues. When someone has a clearly 'Trickster' personality, you can focus on the issues that caused the unhealthy triats much more clearly... in yourself and others.

It also helps identifying type greatly. If you can't decide between a few types for someone, consider which of their functions is Tertiary, i.e. their comfort zone or playful side. You should very quickly get a sense of the person's type from there. For example, you can't decide if someone is an INFJ, ENFJ, or INFP, but it becomes clear that their Tertiary function is Ti. They're very likely an INFJ. Alternatively, if someone has a clear issue with their Demon function, determine which function is their Demon function, and you should be able to discern type very quickly. For example, if someone is having an issue with Si in that regard, they're Ni dominant, which narrows it down to INFJ or INTJ. From there find their tertiary function and you've determined their type.

A final note. The assumption that people will have a cognitive function order in proportion to their development and use of those functions is a good one, just not the rule. As you can see with my example above, it mostly follows that formula. Very few people follow it perfectly. Using both of these is a great tool to determining type.

 

I don't believe so. The tertiary function is the comfort zone and playfulness of a person. These things are very necessary to psychological health. They provide an individual with a way to enjoy the world around them. In essence, while the secondary function is the giver, the tertiary function is the accepter. The inferior function is like an inner core.

This simply means the individual's associations with gender roles.

When I get defensive, I drop to Fi. I get bitchy and cranky. Left to these devices, I'll get depressed and feel very deeply that nothing will ever work out and no one will ever love me, which then leaves me with no reason not to go do whatever I damned well please. Fi manifests in me in a very selfish way that quickly turns self destructive. It also gets very demanding and insistant, very critical of others, especially those that I perceive as 'bad' people.

No problem at all. Here is a link to an INFP description of how functions apply to placements.

 

I can't either, but I suppose that's because it's my demon function. I would assume it would involve things like making memory books, feeling the comfort of things that are well known, playing memory games, upholding and engaging rituals traditions and the like, doing the same 'fun' thing at the same time in the same way, etc.

If I use Fi, I turn inward and focus on myself. When I use Fe, I stay more focused on others, especially helping them. Unfortunately, the Fi is strong in me.

I've looked rather extensively on the internet for information regarding Beebe's theories, but haven't found a whole lot of concise info. It's mostly pieced together bits, here and there, usually comments on talks or books. This is a rather esoteric subject, and has been hard for me to find.

Though, I'm not the best internet tracker. I just google stuff and follow links. The guy who started this theory is John Beebe. There was a woman who followed up his work, but her name eludes me at the moment. Fascinating stuff if you're interested in the science behind all of this though.