Might as put this out there since it will come up sooner or later...
Directive and Adaptive are
not the same as Judging and Perceiving functions.
Judging functions: Fi, Fe, Ti, Te
Perceiving functions: Si, Se, Ni, Ne
Which in turn, is not the same as Judging-Perceiving dimension in MBTI.
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Directive types, in essence, relate to
organization. They like changing the object/subject to create organization.
Fe and Te create external organization, respectively with people and systems.
[Fe, for example, is not primarily concerned with the depth of relationships, but their organization, and to give people exactly as much as they need in order for them to remain close. Similarly, Te is primarily concerned with systematic organization of their external world to maximize efficiency. Everything they do, even their relationships, are concerned with maximizing efficiency in their lives.]
Ni and Si are concerned with internal organization of outside data. Both functions create worldviews that function as maps, or a template, to be applied to the external world.
Fe and Te are concerned with changing the object to create organization, whereas Ni and Si are concerned with changing the subject.
Adaptive types relate to
study. They dislike changing the object, because if they inject their influence onto the object, the object no longer remains neutral and thus can no longer be studied. Therefore they must maintain passivity so they can study the object.
Ne and Se are functions we use to perceive and study the object/external world, while Fi and Ti are functions we use to compare the perceptions to our internal subjective ethical or logical model and make judgments.
Ne and Se are concerned with neutrality of perception, whereas Fi and Ti are concerned with authenticity of subjective thought.
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Every type has two directive and two adaptive functions. The top two functions for INFJs are directive, whereas the top two for INFPs are adaptive. This means that while INFJs are often directive and prefer changing the object to suit their vision, they are not always this way. Similarly, while INFPs may seem passive and dislike influencing the object, they are very able to do it.
Side-note: one of my biggest pet peeves with P's occurs when they dislike or disagree with something I do. Instead of letting me know about it, they shut off. This is classic P behavior, signifying their lack of interest in changing the object. As a IxxJ, I'm very open to change, and may willingly change myself to suit external needs. However, much to my frustration, they never do let me know and instead let it stew until it blows up. Their approach to relationships is: "if we are having problems, we should just end contact because we will always have problems" compared to J's "if we are having problems, at least one of us is doing something wrong and must change for the better of the relationship."