A description of the intuitive function of Jung’s typology and a personal theory on relationships between Intuitive and Sensation types

The human psyche is vast and complex. The pursuit of codifying each facet of the unconscious is quite a challenge, given the various factors that influence the ever-elusive unconscious. Perhaps it was more efficient to start with the conscious mind which leads to the understanding of the unconscious. Carl Jung’s contribution to the psychology of the conscious mind was reflected in his explanation of the psychological types (Fordham, 1953 p. 29). His innovation of explaining psychological typology was created as an attempt to demonstrate the complexities of the human conscious.

Jung’s typology is the concept of distinguishing people by their behavioral traits and viewing them as defined types, which reflects their innate tendencies. The first of which can be explained by the introverted and extroverted. Being extroverted or introverted depends on the flow of the libido which Jung explains as psychic energy. Introverts generate energy from internal processes such as deep thought, isolation, or reflections. Extroverts draw energy from the outside world and their ideas stem from interactions with others (Fordham, 1953 p. 29). Introversion and extroversion have influence on four functions that we use to orient ourselves with our inner and outer world.

These functions are thinking, sensation, intuition, and feeling. We experience all of these emotions at any given moment however, Jung stated that we have a preference for one of the four functions which is called our superior function (Fordham, 1953 p. 29). It is our preference for how we understand the world.  

Intuitive Types as a Whole 

One can have the superior or predominant function of intuition. One who is intuitive perceives things without sensory organs (the five senses). A good example of an intuitive are a seer, mystic, or a psychic.

They come to the understanding without any palpable evidence to support their claims. For this reason, Jung classifies the intuitive type as an irrational function (Fordham, 1953 p. 43). Intuitive types rely on decision making and judging rather than simple intake of information. Intuitive types come to understand things through the complex integration of a large amount of data they collect unconsciously.

They are innovative and are not heavily persuaded by the external world. I like Jung’s quote about the intuitive where he states; “Whenever a judgement or a diagnosis has to be made in the dark, intuition comes into play.”  (Fordham, 1953 p. 43). Intuitive types may be the guiding force to help us solve problems to which we have no solution. 

Extraverted Intuitive 

As stated before, extroverts appreciate their outside environment. They are first to step forward with an immediate reaction. An intuitive extrovert’s libido is greatly influenced by the environment and they relate to the world around them (Fordham, 1953 p. 44). For this reason, Jung says they are necessary to communal life as they thrive in being for the people. They invent by amalgamating a new idea from combining all types of information they obtained from their outside environment unconsciously and the galvanized product (metaphorically speaking) is presented to the conscious from the unconscious.

The extraverted intuitive may see this as an “eureka” moment which seemed to come out of nowhere. The weakness of the intuitive is that he can create but are never satisfied (Fordham, 1953 p.45). They are always on the move and get bored easily.  

Introverted Intuitive 

This type believes in the supernatural and that they have the insight to see what the future holds. Their belief is unshakable despite others opinion. Their beliefs are not based on facts but through mystical other worldly senses, which can be described as a 6th sense.

The intuitive introverts are usually quiet about their experiences or theories, as they may seem strange or even psychotic if they are said to another person. Jung says the intuitive introvert is receptive to the collective unconscious which he explains to be the unknown material from which our consciousness emerges (Fordham, 1953 p. 22). Jung believed the collective unconscious is expressed through universal concepts which he classified as archetypes.

Archetypes can be signs, symbols, or patterns of thinking and behaving that are inherited from our ancestors (Fritscher, 2020). Perhaps the introverted intuitive predictive analytics comes from unconsciously codifying data collected from the collective unconscious and from the archetypal symbols. This would be much like how the extroverted intuitive does, except that their insights come from data collected in their external environment.  

Theory in Relationships with the Inferior Sensation Type 

This is a theory I put together from all the information I gathered in learning about the four functions and the many facets of Jungian typology.  

The Sensation is opposite of the intuitive function. A Sensation type’s focus depends on the object causing the sensation and how it is received. Sensation types accept things as they are, and what counts is the strength and pleasure of the sensation (Fordham, 1953 p. 42). Extraverted sensation types focus on the object that is arousing the sensation.

For example, a women will focus on the man touching her hand, not the sensation she feels from the man touching her hand. Introverted sensation types focus on the sensation experienced, while objects are secondary (Fordham, 1953 p. 42). As a whole, the sensation type works with instincts, which brings one closer to the spirit.  

Jung says intuitive types neglect sensation and consequently their own bodies which may cause them to become ill (Fordham, 1953 p. 45). Perhaps (unconsciously) one attempts to self-heal or sublimate the weaknesses of the inferior function by finding a mate whose strengths lie in the inferior function.

For example, if someone is an intuitive, they are very much involved with either seeing the width or the depth of what the universe has or the collective unconscious (depending if they are extroverted or introverted intuitive types) in order to make a conscious impression. As a result, they neglect the appreciation of the object and how it makes them feel. They lack the ability to connect.

Therefore, the Yin and the Yang between intuitive type and sensation types are that the latter fails to look up beyond possibilities and the former cannot be present with what they are sensing/feeling. Together they create a whole person; a beautiful connection. Apart they can try to develop their inferior functions however, it is a far more difficult task to do this alone. This may represent the importance of Object Relations, without which we cannot exist.  

I see problems arise when Jung (1953) says the following: 

“It is clear that these differences in attitude (between the extroverted and the introverted) cause misunderstanding and difficulties in marriage, yet, strangely enough, there is a marked tendency for either type to marry its opposite. Each secretly hopes that the other will take care of the side of life, they find uncongenial... (Fordham, 1953 p. 33) 

Discord comes when symbiosis is neglected and both are critical of the uniqueness of their own inferior functions (perhaps due to jealousy/wanting what they cannot have rather than accepting inadequacies). When this happens an effect can be that they push one another to be as they are; for example, the intuitive partner may want the sensation partner to see all possibilities and the sensation type wants the intuitive partner to be in reality and see things as they are.

If they cannot connect or communicate, this leads to them failing to see eye to eye, which causes feeling of being misunderstood. This also may be the factor that leads to so many couples being unfaithful to one another, if neither of the two have ego control or awareness of what they are doing.  

They may run into the arms of someone who has a similar superior function type, thinking they found (for a time) someone who understands who they are. However, this does not last for long and a feeling one may identify as emptiness arises (probably from the Superego). It may be because of the betrayal to the inferior type partner who made them a whole person. Jung says “the real solution of this problem lies in the far-reaching development of each personality which can in many cases, only bought about with psychological help”. (Fordham, 1953 p. 35).

Therefore, on the extremes, the extroverted intuitive type will need to develop his inferior function of the sensation introversion and the opposite for the person with the sensation introversion type. In working together along with counseling they can learn to appreciate their respective predominant functions in each other and learn from one another.

My theory is that understanding of the psychological types opens the window to understanding the psyche and how we connect to one another. Essentially, in this way we learn from other people that emulate our weaknesses in order to gain strength of character. It is when we criticize differences do we seem weak and inept.  

 Conclusion

To put this article in simpler terms, my theory is that we seek out partners who have something in us that we are lacking. For example; if we are shy, we seek out an outgoing person, and vise versa. My theory suggests that we do this, as our core personality needs connections through people who can support us in the areas we lack in. Through this process if two opposite people find each other, they make a whole. This is a process that it completely outside of our awareness.

My theory also states that problems arise when we want to pull our partner into our personality. “Why can’t you be more outgoing?” “Why can’t we just have a quiet night in and watch tv?”. Eventually, lack of communication when it comes to these opposites results in resentments and discord.

My theory is that infidelity happens through the following combined circumstances: when we resent the opposite personality that we found in the first place, lack of communication of these resentments with our partner, and when we find someone who is the exact same personality type as we are. For example: A extroverted husband might cheat on his introverted wife with and extroverted woman. At some point (for some people) the excitement of finding his personality match through infidelity fades away and the regret comes in, due to not feeling as whole as he did with his introvert wife.

Connecting as a couple means to understand your partner’s personality and not judging their differences. It is also learning from your partner’s personality and respecting it.

If this speaks to you, and you would like individual counseling on establishing a relationships, and want to learn how to maintain connections in partnerships click here.

References 

Fordham, F. (1953). An introduction to Jung's psychology. Penguin Books. 

Frischer, Lisa (2020). Understanding the collective unconscious. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-collective-unconscious-2671571