So yea on my own tangents now
Q and A via Perplexity via AppStore
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Shadow functions in infp/j are?
For the INFJ, the shadow functions are the opposite set of their primary cognitive functions and typically emerge under stress or in unconscious ways. They consist of:
• Opposing Role (1st Shadow): Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – Opposes the dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni). This function can cause impulsivity, scattered thinking, or indecisiveness when stressed, contrasting with the INFJ’s usual focused insight.
• Critical Parent (2nd Shadow): Introverted Feeling (Fi) – Opposes the auxiliary Extraverted Feeling (Fe). It may manifest as unexpected self-centeredness or hypersensitivity, conflicting with their typical empathy and harmony-seeking.
• Trickster (3rd Shadow): Extraverted Thinking (Te) – Opposes the tertiary Introverted Thinking (Ti). This can lead to uncharacteristic criticalness, impatience, or manipulative behavior, which is atypical for INFJs.
• Demon (4th Shadow): Introverted Sensing (Si) – Opposes the inferior Extraverted Sensing (Se). Under extreme stress, INFJs might fixate on past details or resist new experiences, feeling overwhelmed by mundane realities.
These shadow functions represent less conscious, often challenging aspects of the INFJ psyche that can emerge in times of stress or personal growth
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For the INFP, the shadow functions are the opposite four cognitive functions to their main stack (Fi, Ne, Si, Te). According to John Beebe’s model, the INFP shadow functions are:
• Opposing Personality (1st Shadow): Extraverted Feeling (Fe) – Opposes dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi). Under stress, INFPs may become overly concerned with external approval or social harmony, which contrasts with their usual internal value focus.
• Critical Parent (2nd Shadow): Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Opposes auxiliary Extraverted Intuition (Ne). This can cause INFPs to be self-critical or judgmental about not having a clear, singular vision or deeper insight.
• Trickster (3rd Shadow): Extraverted Sensing (Se) – Opposes tertiary Introverted Sensing (Si). It may lead to impulsiveness or being out of touch with the present moment, which is uncharacteristic for INFPs.
• Demon (4th Shadow): Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Opposes inferior Extraverted Thinking (Te). This least developed function can cause INFPs to become overly analytical, critical, or detached in stressful situations, conflicting with their empathetic nature.
These shadow functions tend to surface during stress or personal growth challenges and represent less conscious, often difficult aspects of the INFP personality
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Then cognitive functioning in anima/animus in infx?
The anima (feminine archetype) and animus (masculine archetype) in Jungian psychology are intrinsically tied to the inferior cognitive function in MBTI theory, particularly for INFJ and INFP types. These archetypes act as bridges to the unconscious, representing underdeveloped aspects of the psyche that require integration for psychological wholeness.
INFJ (Ni-Fe-Ti-Se)
• Inferior Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)
• The anima/animus in INFJs is linked to their inferior Se, which manifests as a struggle with present-moment awareness, sensory engagement, or practical realities.
• For male INFJs, the anima (feminine energy) may surface through Se-related challenges, such as impulsivity or disconnection from physical environments. For female INFJs, the animus (masculine energy) might manifest as rigid logic (Te) or hyper-focus on external systems.
• Integration involves embracing Se activities (e.g., mindfulness, artistic expression) to balance their dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni).
INFP (Fi-Ne-Si-Te)
• Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)
• The anima/animus in INFPs relates to their inferior Te, often causing difficulties with organization, decisiveness, or external criticism.
• For male INFPs, the anima may appear as hypersensitivity to societal expectations (Fe), while female INFPs might project their animus onto authoritative figures embodying Te traits (e.g., efficiency-driven leaders).
• Growth occurs through developing Te skills (e.g., goal-setting, structured planning), which helps balance their dominant Introverted Feeling (Fi).
Key Dynamics
1. Projection in Relationships:
INFJs and INFPs often project their anima/animus onto partners or mentors who embody their inferior function’s traits. For example, an INFP might idealize a Te-dominant partner to compensate for their own underdeveloped Te.
2. Integration Pathways:
• Dream Analysis: Female figures in male INFJ/INFP dreams (anima) or male figures in female dreams (animus) signal unconscious integration efforts.
• Active Engagement: Deliberately using the inferior function (e.g., INFJs practicing sensory hobbies, INFPs adopting task-management systems) reduces reliance on projections.
3. Mid-Life Crisis and Wholeness:
Jung noted that unresolved anima/animus tensions often surface in mid-life, driving INFJs/INFPs to seek balance through creative pursuits, spiritual exploration, or redefined relationships.
By confronting these archetypal shadows, INFJ and INFP types can transcend rigid personality patterns, achieving a harmonious union of intuition/feeling with sensing/thinking
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On Ni and Ne
• Ni (Introverted Intuition) is dominant for INFJ/INTJ and involves focused, internal pattern recognition and future insight.
• Ne (Extraverted Intuition) is dominant or auxiliary for INFP/ENFP and involves exploring many external possibilities and connecting diverse ideas.
• Predicting trends and linking unconnected things outwardly aligns with Ne, not Ni.
Ni is focused, internal, and synthesizes information into a singular deep insight or foresight, often narrowing many possibilities into one clear vision (“funnel effect”).
• Ne is expansive, external, and explores many possibilities simultaneously, scanning broadly for patterns and potential connections (“reverse funnel”).
Ni “draws the best-fitting line through scattered data points,” forming a singular, predictive pattern, while Ne “jumps between ideas, making broad, sometimes unrelated connections”.
• Ni users prefer to penetrate deeply into one issue, whereas Ne users explore many topics and ideas superficially but widely.
• The auxiliary Ne in INFJs/INFPs supports the dominant Ni/Fi by providing external input and creative possibilities to refine and test internal insights.
• This stack order helps INFJs and INFPs balance depth (Ni) with breadth (Ne), enabling both visionary insight and openness to new ideas.
Ni feels supernatural because it delivers deep, unconscious insights that seem to emerge mysteriously and with strong conviction.
• Ne is less associated with supernatural feeling, as it consciously explores many external possibilities.
• Both are natural cognitive functions rooted in brain processes, not actual supernatural powers, though their effects can feel extraordinary or uncanny.
This explains why Ni users often describe their intuition as a “gift” or “superpower,” while psychologists view it as a complex, subconscious pattern recognition system.
You can deep dive with both Ni and Ne, but Ni deep dives by intensely focusing inward on one core insight, while Ne deep dives by broadly exploring many external possibilities before converging.
• Ni’s deep dive is like a deep-sea dive to one spot; Ne’s is like exploring many coral reefs across a wide ocean.
Ni is often called the “seer” function, producing visionary insights that feel profound and sometimes uncanny, while Ne is the “ideator,” generating many creative possibilities and innovative concepts. Both functions are integral to visionary thinking but operate with different emphases-Ni with depth and focus, Ne with breadth and exploration.
Thus, visionaries typically arise from strong use of Ni for deep foresight and Ne for expansive ideation.
Ni is the primary “seer” function linked to prescience, visionary insight, and a supernatural feel.
• Ne complements this with broad, imaginative pattern recognition and creative foresight.
Se + Te users (especially ESTPs and ESFPs) are typically the most street smart.
• Ti + Ni users (like INTPs, INFJs, INTJs) are often the most book smart.
Ne supports street smarts by enabling quick, broad situational awareness and adaptability.
• Ni supports street smarts by providing deep, strategic foresight and pattern anticipation.
Ne and Se are the most flexible and adaptable cognitive functions.
• Types with dominant Ne or Se are naturally more malleable and open to change.
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On brainstorming vs insight
INFJs self-examine to uncover deep patterns and future insights (Ni), integrating these with social harmony (Fe). Their brainstorming is more focused and convergent, leading to structured conclusions.
• INFPs self-examine to align with their internal values and emotional truth (Fi), using Ne to explore many possibilities and imaginative connections. Their brainstorming is divergent and open-ended, emphasizing authenticity over closure.
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On infx archetypes
INFP and INFJ Archetypes
INFP Archetypes
• Often called The Mediator or The Idealist.
• INFPs are deeply driven by personal values and a desire to make the world better, often seen as dreamers, romantics, or healers.
• They are creative, introspective, and empathetic, exploring their inner purpose and imagining many possibilities through their auxiliary Extraverted Intuition (Ne).
• Common archetypal roles for INFPs include:
• The Dreamer: imaginative, visionary, connected to ideals and inner worlds.
• The Healer: focused on empathy, healing divisions, and nurturing growth.
• The Romantic: creative, emotionally rich, often found in artistic or poetic expression.
• INFPs belong to Keirsey’s Idealists group, emphasizing sensitivity, authenticity, and a strong inner moral compass.
INFJ Archetypes
• INFJs are often described as The Advocate, The Seer, or The Mystic due to their dominant Introverted Intuition (Ni).
• They are visionaries who synthesize deep patterns and future possibilities, often with a strong sense of purpose and empathy.
• INFJs embody archetypes such as:
• The Seer: perceiving hidden meanings and future implications, often mystical or prophetic.
• The Advocate: driven to help others and promote social harmony through insight and compassion.
• The Counselor or Sage: wise, introspective, and focused on guiding others toward growth and understanding.
• INFJs are known for their ability to combine deep insight with caring action, often seen as transformative leaders or guides.
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Yes me deep diving.
