PimpinMcBoltage
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- Nov 24, 2012
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I think neither through images, nor words but through song.
"It is often said that human beings rely more heavily on vision than any of our other senses. This seems particularly true of INJs, who often report a strong visual element associated with their Ni. Many INTJs report thinking by way of images more than words. Their intuitions may emerge in the form of symbols, images, dreams, or patterns. This is consistent with Jung’s characterization of the Ni type as the dreamer or seer. There is a distinct visual character to these notions, which is why vision-related terms—foresight, insight, seer, visionary, etc.—are invariably used in describing INJs. The visual nature of Ni might also tie into their inferior function, Extraverted Sensing (Se), which is also a visual function. The difference is that Se is attuned to the specifics and details of the environment, whereas Ni is more concerned with forming an impression or theory of what is happening based on the totality of incoming sensory information."
http://personalityjunkie.com/the-intj/2/
Does this resonate with you? Do you think more of images vs. words?
I'm not an INTJ but this is an interesting topic and I'd like to see it expanded to other types.
Personally, I go back and forth between verbal and visual thinking. I would say that my default state is thinking in words, and I think it is best described as a sort of dialogue I hold with myself, in my head. Sometimes I can have entire debates and discussions with myself, if that makes any sense and doesn't make me sound completely insane. This is how I come to a better understanding of particular subjects or ideas. Sometimes it can lead to a very cathartic realization, almost like an "Aha!" although not in the sense that Ni doms describe such moments. Also, I have a tendency to second guess, so after those "Aha" moments, my dialogue might tangent off in another direction "what about this, did you consider this variable or perspective?" at which point I'm back to square one, working forward with new variables to refine and solidify my understanding yet again. I'm not sure it's ever something that's a completed, done deal for me. This probably explains why I might seem to contradict myself at times, why I might say something today that doesn't necessarily line up with what I said 3 months ago. It's one reason I don't like to speak up until I am fairly certain of something.
However, when I am in certain modes, i.e. applied problem solving, particularly if working with my hands, or creating music and art, then I think more along visual lines. I can certainly produce vivid imagery and visualize concepts in my mind, I just wouldn't say it's the default or first mode.
How do you guys manage to articulate your ideas? I always need a marker but still feel that I barely touch the surface. Generally I have to speak in parableIts incredible the way all of you have explained the images/fogs/unsteady impressions and I totally relate. Sometimes I feel all solutions are floating around in my head and it's just a matter of needing them. I like to think that my only job is to scan through my eyes, hearing and also by smelling and my brain will handle the data in the back end making it effortless to my conscience. There are days when I can't sleep and feel strange like something worries me and feel tiny on the bed (horrible sensation) and my head begins to perceive a huge traffic of data; I can't understand but only feel and when the night is over and I fall a sleep, I wake up knowing so many things and days of unwrapping understandings are to come. This only happens when facing a huge challenge that requires finding patterns in vast amount of unstructured information (I manage technology teams) During school I had such a bad time with learning because for some reason everything seemed horrible and boring. I remember I used to skip about 80% of the year but felt so bad for my mom. Sometimes I would just read not caring about understanding but I knew the understanding would come either when needed or later in random moments like peeing, sleeping or anytime. I have learned many things while sleeping also. Sorry for my English. I am actually Latin American.
I wouldn't say its entirely visual, but rather multi-dimensional understanding. It is hard to explain. Its like understanding the infinity of pi, while visualizing it as a whole. Its just hard to focus on the finer details of the visualuzation. I don't know if its subconscious or not. I just understand, without being aware of the details of the calculation.