The way I understand instinct is about most preferred and second-most preferred "places". (Edited list!)
Sp/So - a native who explores new countries regularly.
Sp/Sx - a native who returns to a couple "adopted" countries regularly.
So/Sp - a nomad who returns to one home country regularly.
So/Sx - a nomad who who returns to a couple "adopted" countries regularly.
Sx/Sp - an expat who returns to a home country regularly.
Sx/So - an expat who explores new countries regularly.
I think you can really see this in terms of "arenas" people frequent. For example, Sx/So me tends to drown myself in/with a handful of preferred activities/people, but if I'm not doing that, I tend to lean outwards to the social realm. My So/Sp friend tends to engage in social activities - family dinners or study groups or networking - but if she's not doing that, she's pampering herself. My Sp/Sx boyfriend tends to make sure his personal needs are met, but if he's not doing that, he's cuddling up with me or engaging in/with one of a handful of preferred activities/people. And of course it's not that we don't
care about the last instinct, but we just don't prioritize it as much, and we only have so much time.
Mia. said:
Yeah, makes sense, and it's been commented on quite a bit in the literature on sx primaries in general - i.e. the polarization factor. So you think that is more likely to happen with an sx/sp than an sx/so?
I would assume so, because Sx/So "buffers" the Sx with social caution - we're more careful not to let Sx directly oppose So, whereas at least personally I allow Sx concerns to sabotage Sp with fair frequency. I regret it, of course, but not enough that I actively prevent it very often. I figure that it's the mirror for Sx/Sp, where you're more careful not to let Sx directly oppose Sp, but Sx may sabotage So without much personal upset.