The eight functions

Everyone takes in the world and makes decisions. The eight functions are eight different ways of doing it, and every mind uses all eight, each to its own degree.

Two jobs, two directions

Jung saw that the mind has two jobs. First it takes in information: these are the perceiving functions. Sensing (S) takes in what is concrete and real; intuition (N) takes in patterns, meanings and possibilities. Then it decides: these are the judging functions. Thinking (T) decides by logic; feeling (F) decides by values.

Each of these four can face outward, toward people, things and events (extraverted, a small e), or inward, toward the self (introverted, a small i). The direction is the function's attitude. Four ways times two directions gives eight functions.

Jung

The wheel of functions

The eight functions on a circle, each one facing its opposite.

Opposite functions sit across from each other: Ni with Se, Ne with Si, Ti with Fe and Te with Fi. Each pair is an axis: the two always go together, and when one is strong in a person, the other is their weak side. A type is made of two axes in the light and the other two in the shadow.

Beebe

The eight, one by one

NiIntroverted Intuition"What will be?"Sees the pattern under events and where it leads.NeExtraverted Intuition"What could be?"Sees what could be: links, options, what-ifs.SiIntroverted Sensing"What has worked before?"Remembers what worked and keeps things steady and familiar.SeExtraverted Sensing"What is happening now?"Lives in the present: sensations, action, what is real right now.TiIntroverted Thinking"Does it make sense?"Builds an inner model of how things work, precisely.TeExtraverted Thinking"Does it work?"Organizes the outside world: goals, systems, results.FiIntroverted Feeling"Is this right for me?"Weighs everything against a deep inner sense of what is right.FeExtraverted Feeling"Are we okay?"Reads and tends the mood between people.

Everyone has all eight

A function is not a talent you have or lack. It is a mental process, and every person uses all eight. What makes your type is the order: which one you lead with, which one supports it, and which ones stay in the dark. From four letters to eight functions shows how the four letters of a type give that order.

Jung called the sensing functions "sensation"; most books today say sensing. They are the same thing.