Introverted functions can't express themselves

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VH

VH

Variable Hybrid
MBTI
NFJedi
I've recently noticed that the introverted functions can't express themselves directly. They require the extroverted functions in order to do so.

For example, in an INFJ Ni nor Ti can directly express themselves without going through Fe or Se. At any point that a person expresses an introverted function, it has to go through the filter of an extroverted function. You'll never see a raw expression of Ni. What you will see is Fe or Se expressing Ni or even a combination of both. If you're an Ni user, you're going to be able to pick up much better on those subtle implications that Fe or Se couldn't express.

Take a more obvious example (for contrast). How many times have you been talking to an INFP, and felt the Fi underneath and through the expression of Ne possibilities or Te relative logic? You'll never actually see Fi expressed without one of them. INTPs are constantly trying to clarify with their Ti, but it comes through the filter of their Ne possibilities and Fe insistence.

Of course, the opposite is true. Extroverted functions can't ponder internally without going through the filter of an introverted function. For introverts, this means learning to integrate the extroverted functions into our reasoning. For extroverts, it means learning to slow down long enough to ponder internally.

The end result is that no one will ever truly be an introvert or an extrovert, and the degree to which someone has integrated their functions is in proportion to how well developed they are as a person.
 
I always feel that my first two functions are in latent discussion...each pulls to one side...
 
Jana said:
Example, professor, please:)
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Ni sees a pattern, something subtle (let's say something that could be exploited in a video game). Ni is incapable of putting it into words or any other form of expression unto itself. Ni is simply aware of this pattern.

In order to express this understanding, the INFJ has to use Fe or Se to explain what it sees. If the INFJ uses Fe, the expression will be to inform others and express Fe's sense of how things should be. "Hey guys, look!" If the INFJ uses Se, the expression will be to prompt action. "Do this!"

It is important to note that functions almost never operate entirely independently, so the above example would more likely be a case where Ni sees the pattern and Ti creates a way to leverage the pattern, then uses both Fe and Se to say, "Hey guys, look. You should do this."

If the user is playing a video game by themselves, their Fe will prompt action (by feeling that the game should be won) and their Se will enact the action (via Se's urge to engage the world physically). Both of these are 'expressions' of the inner thought processes, even though they are non-verbal.

[Also note that my Fe and Se are not doing a good job of clarifying what my Ni (and Ti) is seeing, hehe.]
 
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VH said:
Ni sees a pattern, something subtle (let's say something that could be exploited in a video game). Ni is incapable of putting it into words or any other form of expression. It is simply aware of this pattern.

In order to express this understanding, the INFJ has to use Fe or Se to explain what it sees. If the INFJ uses Fe, the expression will be to inform others and express Fe's sense of how things should be. "Hey guys, look!" If the INFJ uses Se, the expression will be to prompt action. "Do this!"

It is important to note that functions almost never operate entirely independently, so the above example would more likely be a case where Ni sees the pattern and Ti creates a way to leverage the pattern, then uses both Fe and Se to say, "Hey guys, look. You should do this."
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I think I get. Is it why I have problems explaining my thoughts, especially on how somethings work or ones about patterns???
I mean, it helps if I have time to compose myself or to write it down.
 
Jana said:
I think I get. Is it why I have problems explaining my thoughts, especially on how somethings work or ones about patterns???
I mean, it helps if I have time to compose myself or to write it down.
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Exactly. Doing so allows you to engage all of your functions, and weave them in and out of what you are thinking. I believe this is why introverts communicate much better via text, because we're able to use our extroverted functions secondarily, and at the pace our introverted functions need to operate. When speaking, we have to use our extroverted functions in real time, and that's difficult for our introverted functions.
 
Capt Charisma said:
Its called Alexythemia. Not specifically a introvert trait.
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Different issue, actually.

Alexythemia is a condition where someone has a lot of trouble identifying internally.

What I'm describing is an entirely different effect. The introverted functions are very easily understood by the individual, and can be expressed. They simply have to be expressed through the extroverted functions. Get an introvert talking about something they love, and you'll get your leg talked off. Get an INTP trying clarify something, and you'll have hours of argumentive fun.

However, the distinction is that the introverted functions are moving through the extroverted functions. While the end result is the same (people still expressing themsevles normally), understanding how the functions operate is actually worth noting because it explains why performing the opposite role (introverts expressing, extroverts pondering) is so 'draining' for some people.
 
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It is possibly reason why peple see me more through my Fe than through my Ni. Or if someone is INTP, that person could be more noticed thorugh Ne.
As if we have two costumes, one in public and one in private.
Right?
 
Hmm. Interesting theory @VH, I'd like to challenge you on this. I challenge you to a duel. :P

Aren't there other ways that you can express yourself without verbalizing what you say? For example, say for example you were sitting on a rock using your ni. A person walked by and noticed you on the rock. We'll just say that person is me. So I'm watching you sitting on a rock. Is this getting weird yet? It is isn't it? Anyway, I don't know what you are thinking but I can physically see you on the rock. And if you are calmly just sitting there you are expressing your function to a degree through body language. Like, have you ever seen someone zone out before, you could tell that they aren't "in the present moment". And you could physically see someone day dreaming etc is the point I'm getting. You know what I'm saying?

Btw, just want to say I really enjoy reading a lot of your theories. You look at things on a deep level. It's interesting! :D
 
[MENTION=708]VH[/MENTION] [MENTION=3589]donkeybals[/MENTION] you're both correct. vh just didnt distinct it was communicating verbally. i didnt think he needed too, and evidently he didnt either. yes, of course you can communicate nonverbally.

which brings up the question, can extroverted functions communicate nonverbally? don't Fe users tend to have softer eyes than Te users? i say the answer is yes.
 
Kmal said:
which brings up the question, can extroverted functions communicate nonverbally? don't Fe users tend to have softer eyes than Te users? i say the answer is yes.
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Why would their eyes be softer?
 
Jana said:
It is possibly reason why peple see me more through my Fe than through my Ni. Or if someone is INTP, that person could be more noticed thorugh Ne.
As if we have two costumes, one in public and one in private.
Right?
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The only problem with this is that it's hard for me to think that a decision making function is expressed through a perceiving function. The other way around, totally. Idk, maybe that's the root of "P" traits.
 
acd said:
Why would their eyes be softer?
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[MENTION=564]acd[/MENTION] not physically softer. softer as expressed through body language; like a warm smile would be. have you not observed this?
 
@Kmal
I don't know who's an Fe user as opposed to a Te user in my day to day life.
I don't try to type people when I interact with them because I'm not an mbti or cognitive functions expert.
 
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