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Originally Posted by hotmale
merely that there is a predominance of one over another in general cases..
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That is consistent with my statement. Primacy is merely a consequence of predominance of one function over the other. An ENTP for example is distinct from the INTP in a way that he first focuses more on speculating on what is possible (Ne), before analyzing Intuitions. No doubt we see bits and pieces of the Ne-Ti process immediately when an ENTP is presented with a problem, but Ne being the superior function leads him to focus first on possibilities rather than analysis. Vice versa is true for the INTP. (We do see, here, however, that at the core the distinction between the two types lies in the unconscious tendencies associated with Ne being more salient than the unconscious tendencies associated with Ti and vice versa.) Therefore, not only is it false that primacy and predominance are mutually exclusive, but it is the case that they are entwined. We know that a function is predominant over all others when we see this function being accessed the quickest.
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Originally Posted by hotmale
Instead of thinking of the functions on a linear grid..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotmale
so that calling any of the primary functions as inferior functions is entirely inaccurate..
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If there is no function order, the concept of predominance is not possible. As there it would not be possible to emphasize one function over the other. If we take the ESTJ for instance and say that this type is predominantly a Thinking type. By this we maintain that the ESTJ is first and foremost a Thinker. Thus, if we give him a problem to solve, he will first analyze it, than research for concrete facts. Thirdly speculate about how the problem is connected to other problems, and lastly review the human element. Moreover, an ESTJ in his personal experiences could look back at the time when he has undergone a profoundly moving emotional experience. At first, he would notice himself thinking about the matter impersonally, and perhaps only after several hours, or maybe even days would he experience the feelings that have hit him to the full. Whilst a type with a primary Feeling function would process those emotions thoroughly almost immediately. And not until later look for impersonal meaning within the situation. In the unconscious mind it is indeed the case that some functions are more clearly pronounced than others. Though order that they manifest in merely shows us which functions are more clearly pronounced in the unconscious.
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Primacy and predominance are not mutually exclusive but are inseparable from each other. As aforementioned, primacy is a way predominance shows. As I have shown that functions do indeed work together, however, predominance of one function over the other makes that function preceed the one it is predominant over.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotmale
Inferior functions are shadow functions that deplete the individual's resources and energy when forced to use them. Primary processes are those functions when the individual is energerized by using them.
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We indeed do use our inferior processes all the time. We lose energy when we are forced to use them to a greater extent than we have the capacity for. As for example, the ESTJ always processes emotion (Fi), that in itself is not draining. Yet, what would be draining is if the ESTJ was forced to process more emotion than he normally choses to. 'Primacy' is more appropriate because it acknowledges that all of our functions are indeed being used. Predominance leaves room for the erroneous possibility that only our favorable functions are used. We may be lead to believe that our less preferred functions are not used at all because they are steeped in our unconscious. This is especially the case for our inferior function, as it tebds to operate outside of our conscious control more than it tends to operate within our conscious control.
*The reason why our lower functions drain our energy is because we are naturally less comfortable with them, as they are less prominent in our psyche. They would drain our energy to a lesser degree after we have developed them further. As we see for instance, a 20 year old ESTJ would be drained more by spending extended periods of time alone (Introversion) than a 60 year old ESTJ. Whilst both lose more energy than they gain whilst pursuing an activity that is not favorable to their natural predispositions of temperament. The type with a more developed less preferred side loses less energy.
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Here is one example for my point in the argument. When you have a traumatic event, all of your functions will be used simultaneously. As you say, functions work together. Your S will absorb the concrete material you're environed in, N the abstract implications of the matter. T will lead you to have tendencies towards some impersonal notions. F towards the personal. Yet, when your conscious mind proceeds to deal with the matter, you will first be absorbed with primarily(though of course, this does not mean that manifestations of other functions will not be involved in your conscious thought) Thinking, then Sensing, and then Intuition and finally Feeling. Thinking, Feeling, Intuiting, and Sensing are merely manifestations of unconscious tendencies to the conscious mind and not the unconscious tendencies themselves. (Moreover, functions do intermingle in the conscious processes as well. As for example when you're in your Te phase, you interact with Si when drawing in information to analyze. Interact with Ne when you need to analyze abstract matters. And finally Fi when you need to look at impersonal implications of the human element. This is radically antithethical to the nature of your analysis and is unlikely to intermingle with your primary process.) As for the unconscious mind, there is no order, only that some tendencies are heavier than others. Order they manifest to the conscious mind in shows us which are heaveir than which.