So we’re *finally* making the big move to WordPress.org!!  This should be exciting for not only the main aLBoP site, with hopefully a better layout, better comment section, etc. in the near future, but also for Phase 2 and the Forum, which will be incorporated into subdomains here on aLittleBitofPersonality.com instead of Blogspot, etc. (And it will abolish the 100 person private site cap that Blogger has for some dumb reason *eyeroll* that made us make a Phase 2 and 2a )

Lots of good changes coming!  But in the meantime, the site might go down at some point, hopefully not for long, as we intend to change both our domain registrar and site editor, in one fell swoop… hopefully.  So no fear if the website goes down!  If you have an outstanding typing or anything, none of that is changing so don’t worry!

Our hope is that these change will give aLBoP renewed life and energy, reorganizing so we can put more focus and time into giving you guys the content and attention that brought you here in the first place.

Thank you guys for the amazing 3.5 years we’ve had so far, we’re excited for the ones to come to be even better!  We love you guys so much and thanks for all the awesome support!!

Much love,
<3 Calise and Justin

The post Moving to WordPress, Excuse the Dust appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

Uh, pretend this was uploaded on Halloween  We filmed it on the 31st, but weren’t able to get it all edited until the 1st  Don’t forget to leave your favorite aLBoP quote and a video suggestion in the comments, please!!

Much love,
<3 Calise and Justin

The post Halloween Chubby Bunny ~ October Patreon Thank You Video appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

And as I always say, *don’t* start here!  You’re going to be so ridiculously confused if you do!  Are you one of those people that flips to the end of the book?!  Well, you can’t do that with this!

So far, on Cognition – The Super Simple Version…

Our minds prioritize information according to what’s the most important to us, the information we love the most.  Likewise, our minds process that information with the functions that best fit for our underlying objectives for that type of information.

In Part 1 we learned about the Four Types of Information, and that when we think, we all use all of them, just in different orders.

In Part 2 we learned about the four functions.  We learned that there are two Compilation Functions–Sensing (experiences) and iNtuition (concepts)–and two Application Functions–Feeling (meaning) and Thinking (use).

In Part 3 we learned that cognition steps are each made up of one Type of Information and one function, and each cognitive type is a unique combination and order of four of those steps.

Remember we discussed that the Four Types of Information are what we think about, the functions are how we take in and use that information, Judging and Perceiving are when we prioritize each type of information, and Introversion and Extraversion are where we get information.

And we derived the four cognition orders from requirements we got from the definitions themselves.

IP – Data -> Observation -> Action -> Principles
EP – Observation -> Data -> Principles -> Action
IJ – Principles -> Action -> Data -> Observation
EJ – Action -> Principles -> Observation -> Data

Requirements:

1. Perceivers use Perceiving first, then Judging.  Judgers use Judging first, then Perceiving.
2. Introverts use an Information Toi first.  Extraverts use an Action Toi first.
3. Introverts use Data before Observation.  Extraverts use Observation before Data.
4. “Specifics” use a Specific Toi first.  “Universals” use a Universal Toi first.
5. “Specifics” use Action before Principles.  “Universals” use Principles before Action.

We also learned that Judgers and Perceivers don’t think of Action the same way, with Judgers using Action like a map and Perceivers using Action like a toolbox.

 

 

And finally, in Part 4, we talked about the four possible Function-Combinations and why they always went with particular Types of Information:

When a Compilation Function (Sensing or iNtuition) is Extraverted (Se or Ne), it is always Observation— a pattern-finding database of individuals and their motives.

When a Compilation Function (Sensing or iNtuition) is Introverted (Si or Ni), it is either Principles (Js) or Action (Ps)–an internal playground of information pattern-finding.

When an Application Function (Feeling or Thinking) is Introverted (Fi or Ti), it is always Data–bullet points of information inside your head.

When an Application Function (Feeling or Thinking) is Extraverted (Fe or Te), it is either Action (Js) or Principles (Ps)–applying either meaning or use to your external environment.

Wow, that was quite the review!  Let’s just pick right up where we left off with the Function-Combinations.  I said in the last post that the four Function-Combinations are the four possible ways to start the cognition process.  Well, that’s the perfect way for us to begin assembling the sixteen cognition processes!

The four Function-Combinations are the four possible ways to start the cognition process

I’m going to walk slowly through one of our four Function-Combination options, deducing what we can tell just by knowing that someone starts with that Function-Combination, but then we’ll go faster through the other three.

So, we know that everyone uses all four Function-Combinations at some point in their cognition processes.  But let’s imagine someone who starts with Extraverted Compilation as their First Cognition Step.

 

We learned in Part 4 that Extraverted Compilation (EC heehee) is always Observation & Motivations.  Let’s ignore the fact that we learned who does Observation as their First Cognition Step in Part 3 and find it again.

 

Observation is part of the Perceiving half of the cognition process, and we learned in Part 3 that Perceivers (P) Perceive first, before Judging; therefore, anyone whose First Step is Perceiving (Observation) must be a Perceiver.  So someone who starts with Extraverted Compilation must be a P.

 

We also learned in Part 3 that if a person looks outside themselves first for information, in other words if they Extravert their First Step, then we call that person an Extravert (E).  So if someone’s First Step is *Extraverted* Compilation, then they must be an E.

So if a person’s uses Extraverted Compilation as their First Cognition Step, then they must be an EP.  And guess what?!  We learned in Part 3 that EPs’ First Cognition Step is *Observation!*  Yaaay!!!

We learned in Part 3 that if a person uses a Universal Toi (Type of Information) first, that it makes them a “Universal” type, and it also means that they use Principles before Action, while if a person uses a Specific Toi first, they’re a “Specific” type and they’ll use Action before Principles.

 

Well, you’ll also see that Universal cognition types start first with Compiling zoomed-out information to see how things always work.  Specific cognition types start with Applying zoomed-in information to specific circumstances.  Makes sense, right?

 

 

EPs use Universal Action (Observation & Motivations) first, so they’re Universal types, and they use Extraverted Compilation first!  See how everything fits together and cross-checks?  It makes it stupidly hard to explain simply, but it’s also really cool, imho.

Alright, let’s go through these Function-Combos a little faster, shall we?

 

So again, a cognition process starting with Extraverted Compilation: Always used for Perceiving; therefore P.  Extraverted; therefore E.  Compilation; therefore Universal.  EP, starting with Universal Action; Observation & Motivations using either Se (Extraverted Sensing) or Ne (Extraverted iNtuition).

 

 

A cognition process starting with Introverted Application:  Always used for Perceiving; therefore P.  Introverted; therefore I.  Application; therefore Specific.  IP, starting with Specific Information; Data & Details using either Fi (Introverted Feeling) or Ti (Introverted Thinking).

Now, the Judging Function-Combinations might seem more complicated, but we do know they’re always used for Judging even if they’re used for different Tois.  We also know that if a person uses Judging first, then they’re a Judger (J), so from that we know that they’ll be using the Function-Combos in Judger ways.

 A cognition process starting with Introverted Compilation: Always used for Judging; therefore J.  Introverted; therefore I.  Compilation; therefore Universal.  IJ, starting with Universal Information; Principles & Trends using either Si (Introverted Sensing) or Ni (Introverted iNtuition).

 

A cognition process starting with Extraverted Application: Always used for Judging; therefore J.  Extraverted; therefore E.  Application; therefore Specific.  EJ, starting with Specific Action; Actions & Consequences using either Fe (Extraverted Feeling) or Te (Extraverted Thinking).

See how all the possibilities are covered?  Each Function-Combo is used first by *someone,* and the rest of their functions follow from their First Step, just like everyone’s cognition order followed from the first Type of Information they used.  It’s so interweaving and perdy! <3  And all the options possible, based on the definitions, exist!  All the bases are covered!

Okay.  /end geek-out.  But here we now have 8 types:

 

Step One

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Se, then they’re an ESP, an Extraverted Sensing Perceiver.  (See how that works?  They’re using Perceiving, Extraversion and Sensing first?  I swear all the multi-post lead-up was important, even though the end result is that simple.  That’s all that ESP means, this is their First Cognition Step.)  That means they start their cognition process by watching individuals to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on their experiences of what they’ve seen people do.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Ne, then they’re an ENP, an Extraverted iNtuitive Perceiver.  That means they start their cognition process by watching individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on concepts of what people can do and how people work conceptually.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Data & Details via Fi, then they’re an IFP, an Introverted Feeling Perceiver.  That means they start their cognition process by pondering the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover meaningful possibilities.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Data & Details via Ti, then they’re an ITP, an Introverted Thinking Perceiver.  That means they start their cognition process by pondering the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent benefits of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover useful possibilities.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Si, they’re an ISJ, an Introverted Sensing Judger.  That means they start their cognition process by pondering on how the world has worked in their experience in order to compile core principles of how things always work, and predict trends of how things will continue to work.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Ni, they’re an INJ, an Introverted iNtuitive Judger.  That means they start their cognition process by pondering on how the world works in concept, in order to compile core principles of how things always work, and predict trends of how things could work.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Fe, they’re an EFJ, an Extraverted Feeling Judger.  That means they start their cognition process by watching the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of decisions and to chart the most meaningful course of action ahead of them.

 

If a person’s First Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Te, they’re an ETJ, an Extraverted Thinking Judger.  That means they start their cognition process by watching the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and apply the inherent benefits of decisions and to chart the most useful course of action ahead of them.

 

Quoth Brian Regan profoundly, “Say EIGHT!!”  Here we now have eight cognitive types, which cover all the possible options.  We multiplied the 4Toi (Four Types of Information), by two possible functions for each one (two Compilation and two Application) to get eight types.  But you may remember I said there were sixteen unique cognition processes.  Well, let’s cleave them in two again by using the *Second* Step of the cognition process. :O

Step Two

For everyone’s Second Cognition Step, they finish out either Judging or Perceiving and they switch whether they’re Compiling or Applying information, as well as whether they’re looking outside or inside (Extraverting or Introverting functions).

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Data & Details via Fi, then they’re an EFP, an Extraverted Feeling Perceiver.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their First Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover meaningful possibilities.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Data & Details via Ti, then they’re an ETP, an Extraverted Thinking Perceiver.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their First Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent benefits of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover useful possibilities.

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Se, then they’re an ISP, an Introverted Sensing Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their First Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on their experiences of what they’ve seen people do.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Ne, then they’re an INP, an Introverted iNtuitive Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their First Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on concepts of what people can do and how people work conceptually.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Fe, they’re an IFJ, an Introverted Feeling Judger.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their First Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of decisions and to chart the most meaningful course of action ahead of them.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Te, they’re an ITJ, an Introverted Thinking Judger.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their First Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and apply the inherent benefit of decisions and to chart the most useful course of action ahead of them.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Si, they’re an ESJ, an Extraverted Sensing Judger.  That means they ponder on what the cause-and-effect from their First Step can show them about how the world has worked in experience, in order to compile core principles of how things always work, and predict trends of how things will continue to work.

 

If a person’s Second Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Ni, they’re an ENJ, an Extraverted iNtuitive Judger.  That means they ponder on what the cause-and-effect from their First Step can show them about how the world works in concept, in order to compile core principles of how things always work, and predict trends of how things could work.

 

See, and just from that we see how a person’s first two cognition steps determines their cognitive type!!  We get four letters for each type based on just those two steps!

Now, you *could* potentially figure out everyone’s last two steps by yourself from the cognition order we talked about in Part 3 and our Function-Combinations from Part 4, but I’m not going to make you do that, and I want to point things out as we finish these up.

Alright, so we know that everyone uses all Four Types of Information and all four functions, so by process of elimination, in the second half of the cognition process, everyone uses the two Tois and functions they haven’t yet, according to the Function-Combinations: Perceivers Judge, Judgers Perceive.

For Step Three, everyone switches whether they’re looking inside or outside again (I/E) but the Compilation/Application relationship is interesting between Steps Two and Three.

Remember how I pointed out in the last post that Judgers’ cognition order is a Universal or Specific sandwich, with Perceivers getting like a weird mayo on the outside thing?  Well, what everyone does have, cognitively speaking, is a Compilation or Application sandwich… by which I mean that Universal types use Compilation Functions on either end of their cognition process, with Application Functions in the middle, and Specific types use Application Functions on either end, with Compilation Functions in the middle.

Universal – C -> A -> A -> C
Specific  – A -> C -> C -> A

(ACA were my maiden initials.  Calise is my middle name.  I miss the palindrome :’( lol)

This is because the translation between the Judging and Perceiving halves of the cognition process is made possible by staying either zoomed-out or zoomed-in, so either Compiling or Applying, even when we go to repeat the cognition process over again.

So as everyone switches to Judging or Perceiving on Step Three, they continue either Compiling or Applying, but with a function they haven’t used yet, and switching whether they’re using that function inside or outside.

And that makes sense, because Judging and Perceiving both have one Compilation Function and one Application Function, and one Extraverted function and one Introverted function, right?  And we don’t repeat Function-Combinations.

So if Compilation and Application are making a sandwich (eg. ACCA), and Extraversion and Introversion are alternating (eg. eiei…o lol), then they never line up the same way twice.  And that’s exactly what we’re looking for everyone to get to use all four Function-Combos!  (And interestingly, those examples together, ACCA and eiei, would *always* be an EJ cognition process, because it’s starting with Application and Extraversion. :))

Also remember, Third Step is where our Perceivers start doing their toolbox thing, of Compiling Action and Applying Principles.  {And it’s neat to observe that Perceivers always Extravert Universal Tois, and Introvert Specific ones.  Makes sense that Perceivers would gather their understanding of how the world works on a Universal scale from perceiving the outside themselves, right?  Whereas Judgers always match up Compilation with Universal.}

The transition between the Second and Third Steps is really cool too, because it’s unique to each cognition order, in a way that fits their cognition perfectly:

EPs are the only ones that find world Trends directly from situational Data.

IPs are the only ones that compile what Actions are possible directly from Observing individuals.

IJs are the only ones that gather situational Data directly from Consequences.

And EJs are the only ones that gather their Observations of individuals’ motivations directly from seeing how the world works in Principle.

Step Three

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Te, they’re an EFP, an Extraverted Feeling Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their Second Step can show them about the benefit of the world and what’s occurring in it, in order to understand their personal principles about what is the most use to them and to watch for useful trends.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Fe, they’re an ETP, an Extraverted Thinking Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their Second Step can show them about the significance of the world and what’s occurring in it, in order to understand their personal principles about what means the most to them and to watch for meaningful trends.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Ni, they’re an ISP, an Introverted Sensing Perceiver.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their Second Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and compile how decisions and consequences work in core concept and to discover what new actions are possible.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Si, they’re an INP, an Introverted iNtuitive Perceiver.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their Second Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and compile how decisions and consequences work based on their experience and to consider what actions have worked the best in the past.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Data & Details via Ti, then they’re an IFJ, an Introverted Feeling Judger.  That means they ponder on what the cause-and-effect from their Second Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent benefits of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover useful possibilities.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition Step is Data & Details via Fi, then they’re an ITJ, an Introverted Thinking Judger.  That means they ponder on what the cause-and-effect from their Second Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover meaningful possibilities.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition step is Observation & Motivations via Ne, then they’re an ESJ, an Extraverted Sensing Judger.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their Second Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on concepts of what people can do and how people work conceptually.

 

If a person’s Third Cognition step is Observation & Motivations via Se, then they’re an ENJ, an Extraverted iNtuitive Judger.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their Second Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on their experiences of what they’ve seen people do.

 

There’s not much more to say before Step Four; it’s the last one left, both Toi and Function-Combination.  It’s the end of our C/A sandwich and always opposite E/I of our First Step.  It’s always going to be where our minds spend the least time too, and therefore the biggest struggle for us, but we’ll talk more about that later.

Step Four

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Ni, they’re an ESP, an Extraverted Sensing Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their Third Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and compile how decisions and consequences work in core concept and to discover what new actions are possible.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Action & Consequences via Si, they’re an ENP, an Extraverted iNtuitive Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what the universal trends from their Third Step can show them about the cause-and-effect of people’s choices in order to understand and compile how decisions and consequences work based on their experience and to consider what actions have worked the best in the past.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Te, they’re an IFP, an Introverted Feeling Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what the cause-and-effect from their Third Step can show them about the benefit of the world and what’s occurring in it, in order to understand their personal principles about what is the most use to them and to watch for useful trends.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Principles & Trends via Fe, they’re an ITP, an Introverted Thinking Perceiver.  That means they watch to see what the cause-and-effect from their Third Step can show them about the significance of the world and what’s occurring in it, in order to understand their personal principles about what means the most to them and to watch for meaningful trends.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Ne, then they’re an ISJ, an Introverted Sensing Judger.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their Third Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on concepts of what people can do and how people work conceptually.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Observation & Motivations via Se, then they’re an INJ, an Introverted iNtuitive Judger.  That means they watch to see what their situational conclusions from their Third Step can show them about individuals in order to compile possibilities and to understand motives based on their experiences of what they’ve seen people do.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Data & Details via Ti, then they’re an EFJ, an Extraverted Feeling Judger.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their Second Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent benefits of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover useful possibilities.

 

If a person’s Fourth Cognition Step is Data & Details via Fi, then they’re an ETJ, an Extraverted Thinking Judger.  That means they ponder on what their observations from their Second Step can show them about the details of a situation in order to understand and apply the inherent significance of specific situations and to ask questions that help them discover meaningful possibilities.

 

And that, my friends, is all the cognition steps for all sixteen cognition orders!!  Let’s look at the sixteen cognition processes of our resulting four-variable types!

ESFP – Observation via Se -> Data via Fi -> Principles via Te -> Action via Ni

ESTP – Observation via Se -> Data via Ti -> Principles via Fe -> Action via Ni

ENFP – Observation via Ne -> Data via Fi -> Principles via Te -> Action via Si

ENTP – Observation via Ne -> Data via Ti -> Principles via Fe -> Action via Si
(This one is my cognition order ^ :D)

 

 

ISFP – Data via Fi -> Observation via Se -> Action via Ni -> Principles via Te

ISTP – Data via Ti -> Observation via Se -> Action via Ni -> Principles via Fe

INFP – Data via Fi -> Observation via Ne -> Action via Si -> Principles via Te

INTP – Data via Ti -> Observation via Ne -> Action via Si -> Principles via Fe

 

 

ISFJ – Principles via Si -> Action via Fe -> Data via Ti -> Observation via Ne

ISTJ – Principles via Si -> Action via Te -> Data via Fi -> Observation via Ne

INFJ – Principles via Ni -> Action via Fe -> Data via Ti -> Observation via Se

INTJ – Principles via Ni -> Action via Te -> Data via Fi -> Observation via Se

 

 

ESFJ – Action via Fe -> Principles via Si -> Observation via Ne -> Data via Ti

ESTJ – Action via Te -> Principles via Si -> Observation via Ne -> Data via Fi

ENFJ – Action via Fe -> Principles via Ni -> Observation via Se -> Data via Ti

ENTJ – Action via Te -> Principles via Ni -> Observation via Se -> Data via Fi

Here’s a link to all four of those in one picture, on my Pinterest.  Feel free to save/share it for reference.

Great Scott, we made it!!  *You* made it!  And now you know what all those little picture symbols and Ne, Ti, Si, etc. really mean… here on aLBoP anyway.  I take no responsibility for what they mean anywhere else.

While the second half of the cognition process is not as high a priority for our minds as the first half, it’s still an essential part of how our minds work.   Remember, we all use all Four Types of Information and we all use all four functions.  While a Thinker doesn’t prioritize meaning as early as a Feeler in their cognition process, the way Ts use meaning is integral to the way they cognate.  Same deal with Feelers and use, Sensors with concepts and iNtuitives with experiences.  While not our prime objectives, our later steps are precious parts of who we are and how we think, ones that contribute back to our central desires.

In the same way that Perceivers use Judging in an essential, toolbox way that helps them use possibilities and situations better, Judgers’ use of Perceiving is essential to their understanding of the world and consequences with complexity and balance.

Now, that being said, our later steps, and especially our last steps, are always our weakest, because our minds just don’t spend as much time there.  As finite beings, we’re limited and we just don’t have enough mental energy to spend equally on everything, and our cognition process is all about prioritizing, in a good way.

We also tend to be insecure when it comes to our later steps, especially the last one.  But this ends up being a vicious cycle when our insecurity impels us to focus too heavily on those later steps.  In fact, when we’re insecure or scared in general, we tend to hang out at our Last Step.  When we do this, we ignore crucial things that our First Cognition Step is telling us and make terrible errors in judgment, choices and overall understanding.

Our First Cognition Step is first because deep down we love it the most, and because we spend the most time there, that’s what we’re naturally best at.  It gives us nuanced information that we just can’t get from our later steps.  And when we fixate on our later steps, we end up getting less able in our First Step, which is just a mess.

The answer is to return to the North Star stability of your First Step, and focus on discovering what it’s really telling you.  Strengthening your cognitive strengths, it seems, naturally helps your cognitive weaknesses grow stronger too.  Works Every. Single. Time.

But you’ve been told that what your mind prioritizes just isn’t good enough, that it’s not smart enough, important enough, cool enough or responsible enough.  “Why can’t you just be more like *not* you?” our culture demands of us.

That’s one thing that all the types have in common: they’re all pressured to be someone else.  We’re all pressured to feel guilty for specializing in the things we love the most.  We all get told that the way we think is broken and wrong.

But cognition isn’t supposed to limit what you’re *allowed* to do or be.   When done correctly, understanding your cognition should be *permission* to do and be the fullest version of you; permission to love the things you love the most.   Permission to see that the way you think is good and not broken.  And help to see that you, *as you,* can become the hero you’ve always wanted to be.

In Part 6, we’ll talk about the who and the why of cognition, what each cognition type specializes in better than any other type.

But, guuuuys!!  You made it through the entire cognition process!!!  /Party for you!  While understanding the physics of thought has literally *endless* applications, now you know the foundations that all the applications build upon.  We still have plenty of Super Simple to go, but now it’s just the cool results of these immensely simple patterns.  These sixteen options cover all the possibilities, and we need that diversity of people and specializations.

Now that the entire cognition process itself has been given the Super Simple treatment, I may not rush Part 6 nearly as much as I rushed Parts 3, 4 and 5.  After all, there’s already a pretty good, relatively straightforward post called Type Specializations: What Makes *My* Type Special, and while I’ll love to put it through the Super-Simple-O-Matic (-_- believe me, there is nothing automated about writing these, ROFL!) it’s not nearly as urgent.

Oh, and if you want to read my first description of the cognition process, written more confusingly but in somewhat more detail, and stick figures ;), check out The Cognition Process in Stick Figures.  You, being a pro at the cognition process now, should totally be able to handle it, and I *am* still pretty proud of the cute stick figures, considering that post was written almost three years ago now.  (Although, please forgive words like “linear” for Sensing, etc.  aLBoP was super baby at that point and we were still defining our terms and learning how much we needed to differentiate ourselves from other typing systems.  Stuff like that makes me super cringey when I look back at my early posts, but the SSS is a chance for me to remedy all that!  It’s super incredible what you can learn to do better in just a few years!!)

On the aLBoP Guided Tour?  For now, until there’s more Super Simple, What Do All These Letters Mean Anyway? is up next!

The post Cognition – The Super Simple Series! | Part 5: Assembling the Cognition Process appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

Oh and of course, if you haven’t read Parts 1, 2 and 3 yet, then I love you but you really shouldn’t be here yet.  Go read those first and then come back.  Don’t worry, I’m patient.

Alrighty, I’m really excited for this part too because there’s a lot about why Functions function the way that they do that I really haven’t gotten the opportunity to explain to the whole class, and they are really pretty frickn’ awesome!
 
A little bit of review, since the last post was long: (heehee, my fingers want to capitalize A Little Bit… I wonder why ;D)

Last time our intrepid heroes were reading Cognition – The Super Simple Series…

Our minds prioritize information according to what’s the most important to us, the information we love the most.  Likewise, our minds process that information with the functions that best fit for our underlying objectives for that Type of Information.

There are Four Types of Information and four functions.  Cognition Steps are each made up of one Type of Information and one function, and each cognitive type is a unique combination and order of four of those steps.

Remember we discussed that the Four Types of Information are what we think about, the functions are how we take in and use that information, Judging and Perceiving are when we prioritize each type of information, and Introversion and Extraversion are where we get information.

Now we’re going to play cognition step matchmaker with the 4Toi (Four Types of Information) and the four functions.  But the Four Types of Information are picky when it comes to being paired off, they won’t hook up with just any function or get information from just anywhere.  So let’s meet our lucky bachelors… or bachelorettes?  Eh, whatever, they’re inanimate and we all do all four. 

Here we have another double-dichotomy!  This double-dichotomy shows the four Function-Combination options; Introverted vs. Extraverted combined with Application Functions vs. Compilation Functions.  These are the four possible Function-Combination options and we all use each one once in our cognition process.

{And one thing you’ll find in common with most aLBoP’s double-dichotomies, this double-dichotomy correlates with the Four Types of Information, while not actually *being* the Four Types of Information.  This is because the 4Toi is made up of such basic, fundamental variables–being vs. doing (Information vs. Action) and zoomed-out vs. zoomed-in (Universal vs. Specific)–that you find the 4Toi correlating with patterns all throughout nature, as well as fractally throughout human intelligence… but that’s a topic for another day.}

Okay let’s take each of these options in turn and talk about what they really are and why each only gets matched up with certain Types of Information during the cognition process.

Remember, Compilation Functions compile massive quantities of information into universally applicable patterns that *always* apply, while Application Functions apply information to specific circumstances by deciding which information and choices best match with that function’s aim and purpose.

The two Compilation Functions are Sensing (experiences) and iNtuition (concepts).

The two Application Functions are Feeling (meaning) and Thinking (use).

And Extraversion turns outward for information while Introversion turns inward.

We like to use the analogy of a sonar for when a function is Extraverted; Extraversion uses sonar “pings” by poking people and the world to get a read on the things outside of it.

And when a function is Introverted, it’s like a HUD (heads-up display), constantly checking and aligning the information inside the mind.

When a Compilation Function is Extraverted, it “pings” the outside world to finds patterns by watching reactions to choices.   Those reactions create a database of possibilities, showing what an individual can do and be.  Also, people’s reactions demonstrate their universal, zoomed-out character; over time, Extraverted Compilation creates a database of an individual’s reactions to see the kind of person they are and if they can be relied on as a source of information and trusted.  It’s like a sonar to x-ray the shape of someone’s heart (cue the Backstreet Boys’ song in my head and suddenly I’m 14 again).

Since Extraverted Compilation is always about watching for patterns in people’s choices, it is always paired with Universal Action, aka Observation & Motivations.

So Extraverted Compilation… should we shorten it to EC?  (Incidentally, Ecee was my nickname growing up; oddly appropriate considering this is my mind’s favorite Function-Combination.)  But then again EC stands for other things.  And that would mean shortening Extraverted Application to EA… so let’s not. lol

So Extraverted Compilation can come either by way of Sensing, in the form of learning from hands-on experience of seeing how individuals and situations *have* reacted in the past, or it can come by way of iNtuition, in the form of concepts of how individuals and situations *could* react.  Both come in the form of large databases, but Extraverted Sensing (Se) finds patterns in what individuals have already done and Extraverted iNtuition (Ne) finds patterns in what individuals could potentially do.

So whenever you see Extraverted Sensing (Se) or Extraverted iNtuition (Ne), they are always Observation & Motivations, and therefore always Perceiving.  That’s why the little shorthand is useful, so don’t be scared of it.  

When an Application Function is Introverted, it uses the information already compiled inside the mind, and filters it into bullet points of information, ready to apply to the specific situation.  It turns inside, zooms in on the information it already has on its HUD, and examines, “What do I already know, and what information am I missing?”  In other words, it determines what Data and Details it has at its disposal and makes situational conclusions based on those bullet points of data.  It asks questions and looks for specific informational flaws.

So, Data *is* the Specific Information inside your head, so is it any surprise that Introverted Application functions always serve as our Data & Details step?

Now the main reason I originally started using Data & Details instead of just saying Data, was because the word “Data” conveys more of the use, Thinking version of Data, but not as much the Feeling, meaning side of it.  Half the types use their Data to find the efficient use of specific situational information, but the other half uses their Data to understand the inherent meaning of situations and Details, holding close the intrinsic significance of moments.  Both use Specific Information to determine conclusions and ask questions, but Introverted Feeling (Fi) focuses on the meaning of Specific Information, while Introverted Thinking (Ti) focuses on its use.

So whenever you see Introverted Feeling (Fi) or Introverted Thinking (Ti), they are always Data & Details, and therefore always Perceiving.

Caveat: I should really say, whenever you see Fi, Ti, etc. on aLBoP, because nine times out of ten if you see function shorthands elsewhere on the internet and in books, they’ll have no real definitions beyond things like, “Well, it kind of makes you emotional and stuff…”  Which, besides not being especially useful in application, are usually ridiculously simplified and restricting.  All I’m gonna say atm.

Extraverted Compilation Functions = Observation & Motivations
Introverted Application Functions = Data & Details

Will you look at that?!  We have cognition patterns forming again! Now we have matching Function-Combinations for the entire Perceiving half of the cognition process!  And again like with our double-dichotomy in the last post, each half of the cognition process gets one of each variable; one Extraverted function, one Introverted, one Compilation Function, one Application Function.  And we can tell that that’s a pattern that’s going to continue into the Judging half, because the options left follow that same pattern.

But, remember from Part 3, the Judging half of the cognition process was where things went a little crazy, right?  Because Judgers think of Action like a map and Perceivers think of Action like a toolbox, ‘member?  Well this is where we’re going to see that dynamic play out in the functions, where the rubber hits the road.

When a Compilation Function is Introverted, the mind becomes a fantastic playground of information pattern-finding.  The great scenario generator, Introverted Compilation is always the most zoomed-out step, because inside the mind there are no borders to the information it can compile and find patterns in.  Introverted Compilation uses its HUD to sort through huge databases of compiled information in order to find the universal rules of what makes things work.

Now, here’s where Judgers and Perceivers differ.

Judgers use this vast internal playground to find patterns in how the world as a whole works, what Principles are universally true and how to predict world Trends, so their Actions will interact with said world correctly.

And Perceivers use the Compilation mind-playground to visualize scenarios of Action, find patterns and parallels in what makes a category of Action work and get desired Consequences when different world situations arise.

So Introverted Compilation is always a Judging step, which is good to remember, but for Judgers it’s always Principles & Trends, and for Perceivers it’s always Action & Consequences.

Like with all the variables, there are two ways to compile in your head.  Introverted Sensing (Si) finds patterns in past experiences to see what Principles (for Js) or Action (for Ps) have worked in the past, and to find the threads behind what consistently works.  Introverted iNtuition (Ni) finds patterns in the overall mental concepts of information to see how information always fits together as Principles (for Js) or Action (for Ps), which can be used in new ways and to find the core connections behind what always works.

Alright, so Introverted Sensing (Si) and Introverted iNtuition (Ni) are always the zoomed-out, compiling side of Judging, but for Judgers they’ll always be Principles & Trends, and for Perceivers they’ll always be Action & Consequences.

When an Application Function is Extraverted, it looks at the world to find current needs outside itself and see what’s required to make the outside circumstances meet the function’s objectives.  While Introverted Application looks for what information is missing inside the mind, Extraverted Application sonar “pings” the external road ahead to see what’s missing in order to achieve the outside objectives it desires.

Perhaps the Function-Combination that typifies the word “Judging” the most, Extraverted Application is all about weighing and applying judgment calls about what will be best, whether its job is to prioritize use or meaning, action or worldview.

And like Introverted Compilation, Extraverted Application is always a Judging step, whose use differs between Judgers and Perceivers.

Judgers use Extraverted Application to look outside themselves and decide both their goals and determine what Actions and choices will lead to the Consequences they desire.  They also interpret the effects of previous Actions to understand Consequences more accurately.  They use Extraverted Action to plot their map’s course and review where the paths they’ve already taken have led them.

Perceivers use Extraverted Application to look outside themselves and watch how the Trends of the world are going, checking for what it might need to match their objectives for it.  Their minds work in conjunction with their zoomed-out Action to see what tools the world needs from their toolbox.

So Extraverted Application is always a Judging step, but for Judgers it’s always Action & Consequences, and for Perceivers it’s always Principles & Trends.

Half of the cognition processes use Extraverted Feeling (Fe) as their Extraverted Application Function.

When Js use Extraverted Feeling (Fe), they look outside themselves to see what Actions would bring Consequences that are the most intrinsically significant, and decide which choices will lead to the most meaningful outcome.

When Ps use Extraverted Feeling (Fe), they look at the world outside themselves to discover what causes meaningful Trends, to determine Principles of what matters to them the most, and to find what the world needs to make it more meaningful.

The other half of the cognition processes use Extraverted Thinking (Te) as their Extraverted Application Function.

When Judgers use Extraverted Thinking (Te), they look outside themselves to see what Actions and choices would most efficiently produce the useful Consequences they need to achieve the most beneficial outcome.

When Perceivers use Extraverted Thinking (Te), they look at the world outside themselves to discover what causes useful Trends, to determine Principles of what tends to be the most effective, and to find what the world needs to make it more beneficial.

Okey doke, so Extraverted Feeling (Fe) and Extraverted Thinking (Te) are always the zoomed-in, applying side of Judging, but for Judgers they’ll always be Action & Consequences, and for Perceivers they’ll always be Principles & Trends.

And now we have the Judging half of the cognition process!  Tada!

Introverted Compilation Functions = Principles & Trends (for Js) OR Action & Consequences (for Ps)

Extraverted Application Functions = Action & Consequences (for Js) OR Principles & Trends (for Ps)

That is *all* the possible Function-Combinations!!  This means there’s three possible uses for each function: one Perceiving option, one Judging option for Js, and one Judging option for Ps.

When a Compilation Function (Sensing or iNtuition) is Extraverted (Se or Ne), it is always Observation— a pattern-finding database of individuals and their motives.

When a Compilation Function (Sensing or iNtuition) is Introverted (Si or Ni), it is either Principles (Js) or Action (Ps)–an internal playground of information pattern-finding.

When an Application Function (Feeling or Thinking) is Introverted (Fi or Ti), it is always Data–bullet points of information inside your head.

When an Application Function (Feeling or Thinking) is Extraverted (Fe or Te), it is either Action (Js) or Principles (Ps)–applying judgment calls to your external environment.

So the longer explanations were to help you understand *why* certain Types of Information only hook-up with certain Function-Combos, but really it’s as simple as these four statements above.  My hope will be that understanding why will help it be *easier* to understand, but if you forget, just reference these four statements.

And these four Function-Combinations are the four possible ways to start the cognition process!

So why is all this so important for understanding yourself, others, and the consistency of the human mind?  The reason I love Function-Combinations so much is because of the incredibly equal footing on which they place every cognition process.  So much junk-personality-typing tries to define the spectrum of humanity by separating them by narrow traits to the exclusion of all other traits, which limits and incapacitates people.

People tend to get so focused on if a person “is” F/T, S/N, E/I or J/P, or even Fe/Fi, Ni/Ne, etc.,–and sure, the letters are a good shorthand for what we prioritize first, and what is the most important to us–but so often, that focus makes us forget that each of the four functions is an integral part of *all* cognition processes.

I love how Function-Combinations just serve to demonstrate that life shouldn’t be a battle of opposing functions and viewpoints.  This isn’t some stupid war of S vs N or F vs T, and certainly not Fe vs Fi *eyeroll*.  Everyone needs to learn from experience (Sensing), concepts (iNtuition), meaning (Feeling) and use (Thinking), to function healthily.  (Functions to function! heehee)  Function-Combinations help to highlight that there are three very different ways to use experience, three ways to use concepts, etc.  And each of those beautiful variations leads to such a magnificent array of perspective and objective!

Okay, but here’s the thing: originally I’d planned to lay out everything about cognition steps, cognition order, Function-Combinations and putting it all back together, all in *one* post!  All of that was going to be rolled up into Part 3!  But then as I wrote it, I realized that, while I want to make this simple enough for anyone to understand, I really wanted to teach the *why* too!  So then keeping it super simple meant breaking it up into digestible pieces… so Part 3 became Parts 3 and 4, with Part 4 being Function-Combinations and putting the whole cognition process together!  But I realized when I was 85% of the way done with Part 4, that I was totally rushing putting all the pieces back together, which is kind of the point!  So Part 4 became Parts 4 and 5. -_-

My point is, hold that thought!  In Part 5 we’re going to use everything we’ve learned so far to assemble cognition steps, and use those to make sixteen completely unique cognition processes!!!  So stay tuned! <3

On the aLBoP Guided Tour?  Cognition – The Super Simple Series! | Part 5: Assembling the Cognition Process is up next!

The post Cognition – The Super Simple Series! | Part 4: Function-Combinations appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

I’ve explained the ins and outs of cognition order in a much more complicated way in the past, but today I really want to break it down into simple reasons *why* cognition does what it does.  Because the mind doesn’t do anything without a reason.

So at this point (assuming you’re not starting here, because this is Part 3 and that’d be silly), we’ve covered the Four Types of Information that our minds acquire and process in Part 1, and the Functions which are the means by which our minds compile and filter that information in Part 2.  In this post we’re going to start putting it all together and see how our minds go about prioritizing that information, based on what matters to us the most.

As we talked about in the first post, our minds prioritize information according to what’s the most important to us, the information we love the most.  Likewise, our minds process that information with the functions that best fit for our underlying objectives for that Type of Information.

Okay, so we have Four Types of Information and we have four functions.  Coincidence?  I think not!  Partially, it’s because of dichotomies and stuff, but also it’s because we’re going to pair them off!  Play cognitive matchmaker.

As you see in this picture, Cognition Steps are each made up of one Type of Information and one function, and each cognitive type is a unique combination and order of four of those steps.  Each of the sixteen cognitive types has its very own thought process, prioritizing different information and objectives than all the others.

Cognition steps flow one into the next, with each step being derived from the step before it, and adding more onto it.  And all our cognition steps contribute back to our first, most beloved step, when we start the cognition process over again.  And over and over and over and… you get the idea. 

While we all use all the Types of Information and functions, the way in which we use them, and the order we use them in, makes an enormous difference in how we think.

Remember how we talked in Part 1 about the Perceiving and Judging halves of the cognition process?  Well this is where that comes in.  If the Four Types of Information are what we’re thinking about, and the Functions are how we’re taking in and using that information, Judging and Perceiving are when we prioritize each Type of Information.

Remember, we learned that the Perceiving half of the cognition process is made up of Data & Details, and Observation & Motivations.  We also learned that Perceivers (P) use this half of the cognition process first.

Since Perceiving focuses on possibilities and how individuals and situations *interact,* Observation & Motivations and Data & Details are BFFs; they always go together to form half of the cognition process.

So Perceivers (Ps) use Data & Details and Observation & Motivations as steps One and Two of their cognition process; though that doesn’t tell us which of those two comes first, Data & Details or Observation & Motivations.

But let’s map this as we go.  If we use a toolbox to represent Perceiving, for reasons I’ll explain in a little while, then we can map out the beginning of Perceivers’ cognition process as toolbox, toolbox, or P, P:

The little arrows represent that we derive one Type of Information from the one before, so for Perceivers that’s getting Step Two Perceiving information from Step One Perceiving information.

But what about the other half of the cognition process?  And what is the alternative to starting with Perceiving?

Not-so-spoiler alert, it’s the Judging half of the cognition process.

In Part 1 we learned that the Judging half of the cognition process is made up of Principles & Trends, and Action & Consequences.  We also learned that Judgers (J) use this half of the cognition process first.

Judging focuses on plans of action and how the world and consequences *interact,* and not to be outdone, is just as inseparable as the Perceiving half of the cognition process, with Principles & Trends and Action & Consequences always working together.

Same deal; Judgers (Js) use Action & Consequences and Principles & Trends as steps One and Two of their cognition process; though that doesn’t tell us which of those two comes first, Principles & Trends or Action & Consequences.

Back to our little graphical representation, if we use a map to represent Judging, for those same reasons I’ll explain later (which means I guess I can’t refer to these pictures as a map or that’ll get super confusing), then we can chart out the beginning of Judgers’ cognition process as map, map, or J,  J:

But since ½ +½ = 1 whole, last time I checked, this means we can deduce what steps Three and Four will be for everyone.

Once Perceivers are done with Perceiving what’s up with situations and individuals, they Judge how the world and consequences are working.  Once Judgers are done working out their Judgments of what’s going on with the world and consequences, they Perceive situations and individuals.  So Perceivers’ thought process goes P, P, J, J, while Judgers’ thought process goes J, J, P, P.

That’s just algebraic and not super useful yet, but it does already show us how Judgers/Js are more focused on Action and plans, prioritizing it in either their First or Second cognition steps.  And it shows us how Perceivers/Ps are more focused on possibilities, focusing on Observing those possibilities in either their First or Second cognition steps.

I hope that doesn’t seem complicated if this is your first time hearing the cognition process, but seriously that prioritization is what *creates* P/J and defines it.  Does a person use the Perceiving half of the cognition process first or the Judging half?  Perdy simple when you get down to it.

Okay, but now what order do our Ps and Js go in?  To find the answer to that question, we need to turn to the two parts of our double-dichotomy.  Need a refresher on what a double-dichotomy is?  That can be arranged.

A dichotomy is made of two opposite variables that have no overlap.  A double-dichotomy is a pair of independent but related dichotomies that can be used together to cover all the options.  Remember?  Got it?  Okay, moving on.

Now, by definition, Perceiver vs. Judger is a dichotomy too; they do opposite halves of the cognition process first and second, with no overlap.  So why do we need two more variables?  Why can’t we just cross it with one of the other dichotomies and call it a day?

Well, because both Judging and Perceiving contain *one of each* of the other two dichotomies, Information/Action and Specific/Universal.   Judging contains one Information Type of Information… okay that’s super confusing. -_- Linguistics.  This is why we usually refer to the Four Types of Information as the 4Toi (the i is little so it doesn’t look like an L).  Let’s do that now.

*Ahem*  Judging contains one Information Toi and one Action Toi.  It also includes one Specific Toi, and one Universal Toi. (See how much faster that is?)  Perceiving too; one Information, one Action, one Specific, one Universal.

This is also why on the pictures, the Judging Toi are diagonal from each other, as are Perceiving, because the columns are Specific vs. Universal, while the rows are Information vs. Action.  Because J/P have one of each, they have a jig-jog thing going:

This is the beginning of the cognition process not behaving as obviously as we might expect, but in a good way, like your best friend who never stops surprising you.  There’s more of that to come, but there are always simple reasons behind the complexity, so no worries, k?  Just stick by me.

Okay, so let’s start with Information vs. Action first because it provides us with something super useful: Introversion and Extraversion.  Remember in Part 1 we talked about how psychological Introversion and Extraversion are not the same as social introversion and extroversion?  Social introversion and extroversion don’t even get to be capitalized.

The 4Toi are what information we’re thinking about, the Functions are how we’re taking in and using that information, and J/P are when we’re thinking about each Type of Information.   Now we’re adding where we’re gathering that information in the form of Introversion and Extraversion.

“Intro” is a Latin prefix meaning “inwardly,” or “within,” while “Extra” is a Latin prefix meaning “outside,” or “beyond.”  “Vert” comes from a Latin root meaning “to turn.”

And it’s as simple as that:  Where do you turn for information?  Inwardly/within or outside/beyond?  And the answer is that we each do half-and-half!

The thing about the cognition process is that it’s full of checks and balances so that, when used correctly, it’s always cross-checking to be sure its information is accurate.  Not only is a healthy mind grounded in valuing all four Types of Information, but it relies on the truth it discovers both by watching the world outside itself, and by reflecting and aligning information with the internal knowledge it has.  Everybody does both.

So, while a person is defined as a psychological Introvert (I) or Extravert (E) by where they turn *first* for information, all of our minds are constantly going in-and-out, back-and-forth, cross-checking our internal information with our external information.

Long story short, Extraversion and Introversion are just directional tags indicating whether a function is pointing outside the mind, watching, or inside the mind, considering.

Okay, so the mind always alternates looking inside and outside.  Introverts start inside, then look outside, then inside, then outside.  Extraverts start outside, then turn inside, then outside, then in again.  Pretty simple right?  It’s how we keep cross-checking our information to be sure it’s accurate.

Introversion looks first inside the mind to understand the way things are (Information), and Extraversion looks first outside at what people do (Action).

So just from that, we can see everyone’s first two steps:

The Perceivers perceive first.  Introverted Perceivers use the Information side of Perceiving first; Data & Details, which is Specific Information.  Extraverted Perceivers use the Action side of Perceiving first; Observation & Motivations, which is Universal Action.  Then, each uses the other side of Perceiving.

IP – Data -> Observation -> J -> J

EP – Observation -> Data -> J -> J

The Judgers use their judgment first.  Introverted Judgers use the Information side of Judging first; Principles & Trends, which is Universal Information.  Extraverted Judgers use the Action side of Judging first; Action & Consequences, which is Specific Action.  Then, same deal, each uses the other side of Judging.

IJ – Principles -> Action -> P -> P

EJ – Action -> Principles -> P -> P

Yay!  And that’s not all, folks!  There’s one more thing we can learn from the I/E dichotomy.

Because Extraversion and Introversion are about your primary source of information, outside or inside, it’s inextricably linked to the way the mind perceives individuals and situations.  In other words, Extraversion and Introversion determine the order of the Perceiving half of the cognition process.

Extraverts draw their perception from Observing individuals first, then use that information to notice Data and make conclusions about what’s going on in the situation at hand.

Introverts draw their perception from contemplating on the Data at their disposal, and then use that information to Observe how individuals work.

We can see this was already at work in our Perceivers’ perception:

IP – Data -> Observation ->J -> J

EP – Observation -> Data -> J -> J

See how the Extraverted one Observes first and the Introverted one focuses on Data first?

Let’s add it to our Judgers’ Perceiving:

IJ – Principles -> Action -> Data -> Observation

EJ – Action -> Principles -> Observation -> Data

:O Holy guacamole!  Did we just determine *half* of the cognition orders?!  4/4, that’s all the Judgers’ cognition steps!  (Well, besides Functions, but we’ll get into that in Part 4 ;D)

What about the Perceivers?!  With the Judgers it looks like Information and Introversion always coincide, and so do Action and Extraversion.  So can we extrapolate how Perceivers judge from that?

Ah ah ah, let’s not be hasty!  Though it might be natural to assume that the pattern continues, this is where our main little twist comes into play.  But the reasons, while cool and with complex results, aren’t hard to understand.

Because, let’s not forget the other half of our double-dichotomy: Specific vs. Universal!

Specific vs. Universal. The colors have no deeper meaning, I just needed two colors lol

Specific cognitions focus first on understanding the Specific applications of information for a more zoomed-in perspective in the form of either Specific Information (Data & Details) or Specific Action (Action & Consequences).

Universal cognitions focus first on understanding the Universal Patterns of information for a more zoomed-out perspective in the form of either Universal Information (Principles & Trends) or Universal Action (Observation & Motivations).

Like with Introversion and Extraversion, everyone does both Specific and Universal, of course, and we dance back and forth, checking and balancing, but we each have one our minds prioritize first.

Now, because Functions play a big role in Specific/Universal, I’ll be able to go into more about how this really works in practice in the next post.  But we’ve already seen this in action in all the cognition processes, right?

But Specific/Universal has another awesome ramification.  Whether our primary focus is on the zoomed-in applications of information or the zoomed-out patterns in information, is inextricably linked to how we see the world and its interplay with consequences.  In other words, Specific vs. Universal has everything to do with the order of the Judging half of the cognition process!

“Specifics” draw their judgments from a study of people’s Actions to make decisions, and use the resulting Consequences of those actions to then form Principles of how the world works and predict world Trends.

“Universals” draw their judgments from looking at Principles of how the world consistently works, to spot Trends of how the world will respond to people’s Actions to produce Consequences, and from that, make decisions about what to do.

So, let’s look back at our cognition patterns.  Does that match with what we already know of Judgers?

IJ – Principles -> Action -> Data -> Observation

EJ – Action -> Principles -> Observation -> Data

Yup!  IJs look at Principles first, and decide what Action to take from those Principles.  EJs decide what Action to do first, and then apply the Consequences to understand how Principles work.

Now we can see with our Judgers that they have Universal or Specific sandwiches.

IJ – Principles (U) -> Action (S) -> Data (S) -> Observation (U)

EJ – Action (S) -> Principles (U) -> Observation (U) -> Data (S)

See how IJ has Universal Tois on the ends, with Specific Tois in the middle?  And EJ has Specific Tois on the ends, with Universal Tois sandwiched in the middle?  This is because when our minds convert information from J to P and vice versa, the transaction seems to require it remaining in the same kind of universal or specific currency.

For example, when EJs switch from Judging to Perceiving, they use zoomed-out Principles (Universal Judging) to help them Observe (Universal Perceiving) how individuals work in a zoomed-out way.  And when they go to repeat the cognition process, they use zoomed-in situational Data (Specific Perceiving) to help them make zoomed-in Action (Specific Judging) decisions.

But now, let’s apply our Action/Principles order to the Perceivers and see what happens! /excited!

IP – Data -> Observation -> Action -> Principles

EP – Observation -> Data -> Principles -> Action

Yaaaay!  Four distinct cognition orders!!

But… but…?!  Perceivers’ cognition process isn’t doing it right!  If that was a sandwich you’d get peanut butter all over your hand!!

IP – Data (S) -> Observation (U) -> Action (S) -> Principles (U)

EP – Observation (U) -> Data (S) -> Principles (U) -> Action (S)

Okay, so this is where all our weird exceptions and wrenches-in-the-works come together, and where I finally get to explain why J is a map while P is a toolbox.

See, the thing is, Judgers and Perceivers think of Action very differently.  Not only do Judgers Act and find Principles earlier than Perceivers, when Perceivers *do* get to Judging, they do so quite differently from Judgers.

When Judgers focus on Action, it’s applied to specific circumstances.

Like a map, there are goals and destinations and each choice is a path that will either lead closer to one’s intended destination or not.  Principles are constant and universal patterns of existence that Action will have to follow in order to reach where you’re trying to go.

You’re never going to get to Toronto by driving toward Mexico City… er unless you’re driving from farther North in Canada, I guess… um… Anyway, Action is like a map for Js: each path leads somewhere and if you want to get where you’re going, you have to pick the right one.  A healthy Judger will be able to lay a course with scalpel-like finesse, able to hone in on exactly where they’re going and exactly how to get there.

In contrast, when Perceivers focus on Action, it’s by finding universal patterns of how Action always works.  Now, it’s still the same Type of Information; Actions & Consequences and making decisions, but it’s all about compiling which Actions universally and consistently work.

Perceivers understand Action like a vast toolbox of options, constantly being stocked with every type of choice, material, and resource that can be pulled out of the arsenal whenever the need arises.

And for Perceivers, Principles are applied, specific circumstances; the world is always a new situation with new problems to solve and new things to fix with your toolbox-arsenal of options.  Whatever need may arise, it’s the job of the Perceiver Action-toolbox to be at the ready with a band-aid, guacamole, or a rubber chicken; whatever tool the current situation calls for.  Each action is a resource with a time and season it’s used for.  The more options you have, the more vastly different specific situations you’re ready for.  A healthy Perceiver will never find a dead-end with their toolbox at their side, knowing there are always more options and new ways to adapt to anything.

So which one’s *better*?  Well, since the Four Types of Information are equal, based on equal variables forming balanced dichotomies, and since we all do all of them anyway, just in different orders, the resulting cognition processes are all equal too.  But we also need people who focus on each of them, since as individuals we just don’t have enough energy to focus on all Four Types of Information equally.  Over and over again that’ll be the theme you hear here:  We need healthy people of all types because the world is a complex place and we can’t do it all ourselves.

Okay, recap!  We have four unique cognition processes; let’s cross-check all our requirements.

IP – Data -> Observation -> Action -> Principles

EP – Observation -> Data -> Principles -> Action

IJ – Principles -> Action -> Data -> Observation

EJ – Action -> Principles -> Observation -> Data

Requirements:

1. Perceivers use Perceiving first, then Judging.  Judgers use Judging first, then Perceiving.
2. Introverts use an Information Toi first.  Extraverts use an Action Toi first.
3. Introverts use Data before Observation.  Extraverts use Observation before Data.
4. “Specifics” use a Specific Toi first.  “Universals” use a Universal Toi first.
5. “Specifics” use Action before Principles.  “Universals” use Principles before Action.

Yay, they all match all the criteria!  /Party!!  (FYI, we’ll go more into how Introversion/Extraversion and Universal/Specific work in practice in the next post, which is very cool and exciting to me.)

But, isn’t it awesome that these requirements, which we saw are just natural results of the definitions themselves, mean that there are no other possible options!  For example, you couldn’t have a type whose cognition order went Data, Action, Observation, Principles because Perceiving Tois always stick together and Judging Toi always stick together.  You couldn’t have a type that cognated in a Principles, Action, Observation, Data pattern because as soon as they use an Information Toi first, they’re an Introvert and use Data before Observation.  As soon as you have Four Types of Information, you have four possibilities for First cognition steps, and as soon as you have a First cognition step, all the rest of the steps follow.  Four cognition options.  Period.  Is that rock-awesome or what?!

I love that, as hard as I’m working to give you a simple explanation, in so many ways cognition *isn’t* simple.  It’s beautiful and fractal and complex in a lovely, grown-up sort of way that isn’t what you’d expect at first glance.  It’s straightforward, with an elegant physics and reasons behind *every* thing, no matter how small, but it also keeps surprising you, no matter how well you think you know it.  It’s my very favorite song, a fascinating symphony of humanity and life.  And I can’t tell you how much I <3 it.

Wow!  You made it through the most complicated post of the Super Simple Series so far!  See, this was one of the hardest ones and you’re doing great!

Now I’m going to post Part 4 at very soon, so when you’re ready you can go on and read about how Functions fit into our handy dandy Cognition Steps!  But now is the perfect time to take a brief intermission.  Stretch your legs, use the restroom, listen to some music, visit our concession stand, look far away for 30 seconds.  And then before you know it, we’ll meet again at Part 4: Function-Combinations.  Oh yes.

On the aLBoP Guided Tour?  Cognition – The Super Simple Series | Part 4: Function-Combinations is up next!

The post Cognition – The Super Simple Series! | Part 3: Cognition Steps and the Anatomy of the Cognition Process appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

I’m very excited for this post as there is sooo much confusion and stereotyping about what functions really are.  In this post we’re looking at just how simple and straightforward cognitive functions are, and yet how they’re complex in application and, when understood correctly, should help us understand our complexity as humans more, not limit us into boxes.  But I’m getting ahead of myself, as usual.

If we define “Cognition,” as we did in Part 1, as the action of your mind acquiring and processing information, “Functions” are the tools our minds use to acquire and process that information. 

Functions are the means by which we take in each Type of Information.  Functions also help our minds determine our mind’s objective or end goal for that information.  They help us find patterns in and narrow down important information, and evaluate and apply information to the world around us.

So Part 1 was about what information we gather and process, and Part 2 is about how we gather and process that information.  Got it?

There are four functions; two Compilation Functions and two Application Functions.  Everyone uses all four; we just use them in different orders and apply them to different types of information.

Compilation Functions compile massive quantities of information into universally applicable patterns that *always* apply.  They find similarities and trends in otherwise overwhelming quantities of information in order to find the common threads that run through all of it.

The Compilation Functions function like enormous databases of information collected over the course of your life that serve as reference compendiums for life.

Application Functions apply information to specific circumstances by deciding which information and choices best match with that function’s aim and purpose.  They evaluate and weigh the importance of information as well as decide how to use it in practice.

The Application Functions function like filters for information that are constantly working to apply and decide how information will be used in any given scenario.

The Compilation Functions

Sensing and iNtuition are the two Compilation Functions.

“Sensing” gathers and compiles information from our own experiences, things we’ve personally seen, heard, touched, felt, smelled, danced, etc.  (I’m pretty sure dancing is the sixth sense.)  It finds patterns in the experiences we’ve had so that it can understand the way things and people currently work, or have worked in the past.  It helps us treasure and appreciate things that already exist and helps us protect good things from being lost.

Everyone uses the Sensing function at some point during their cognition process, but a person is considered a Sensor (S) if they use Sensing to process information in one of their first two cognition steps.

“iNtuition” gathers and compiles information in the form of concepts.  A concept is the overall idea or mental image of information.  iNtuition compiles these overall ideas and finds patterns and connections between them, in order to find new ways to use them. It helps us see how things are connected to one another and see what’s missing.

Everyone uses the iNtuition function at some point during their cognition process, but a person is considered an iNtuitive (N) if they use iNtuition to process information in one of their first two cognition steps.

I find that Sensing and iNtuition tend to cause people the most confusion, but despite what some might tell you, don’t get hung up over claims of one function being smarter, more practical, more athletic, or more philosophical than any of the others.  Sensing focuses on experiences and iNtuition focuses on concepts, no matter who is using it or what Type of Information it’s compiling.

The Application Functions

Feeling and Thinking are the two Application Functions.

“Feeling” filters and applies information in order to understand its meaning－its intrinsic significance in the grand scheme of things－and in order to reach the most meaningful result from a given circumstance.

Feelings inform us of what truly matters to us, and what is important in our lives.

While everyone uses the Feeling function at some point during their cognition process, a person is considered a Feeler (F) if they use Feeling to process information in one of their first two cognition steps.

“Thinking” filters and applies information in order to understand its use－its value in helping the user to employ the information and resources at their fingertips－and in order to reach an outcome of efficient utility.

Thoughts inform us of what’s most beneficial or detrimental for whatever goal we have at the time.

While everyone uses the Thinking function at some point during their cognition process, a person is considered a Thinker (T) if they use Thinking to process information in one of their first two cognition steps.

And no, despite what the internet may tell you, in all its wisdom, Feelers are not any more emotional or kind and Thinkers are not any more logical or hard.  That is bull-turds.  The definition that holds up repeatably and consistently in practice is when a person prioritizes use or meaning in their cognition process.

I want to really emphasize again that these are the definitions of the functions, and how they work for each of us.  We just use them in different orders and matched up with different Types of Information, based on what our minds desire and love the most.  It might seem like a redundant point to hit, but it’s incredible how much stereotyping and type-bigotry sneaks in, when that one little point gets ignored.  Not to mention that when definitions get forgotten, everything just gets way more complicated than it really is.

So don’t feel boxed in by systems or sources that use terms like “dom” or “dominant functions.”  As we’ll discuss in the next few posts, the cognition process has a beautiful physics to it, full of elegant cause-and-effect and reasons behind each motion.  In contrast, using jargon that you’ll see splattered across the Internet like “Fi dom” or “Ne dom,” implies that a person should be boiled down to just one function, and ends up entirely too subjective to have any sort of repeatability or science.  While some people might prefer to narrowly label both others and themselves by a single box or trait, human beings are so much more gorgeously complex than that.

Now, what does it really mean to “prioritize” a Type of Information or a function and what’s the deal with this “cognition process” we keep talking about?  In the next post we’ll discuss one of my very favorite parts of cognition: Cognition Steps and the Anatomy of the Cognition Process!

On the aLBoP Guided Tour?  Cognition – The Super Simple Series | Part 3: Cognition Steps and the Anatomy of the Cognition Process  is up next!

The post Cognition – The Super Simple Series! | Part 2: The Four Functions appeared first on A Little Bit of Personality.

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Much love,

<3 Calise and Justin

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You guys!  It’s here!!  Ohmygosh, we’re so excited!!

We’ve been teasing it since February, writing the intro since last August, and eagerly waiting to share the content since 2009!  That’s right, we’ve been dying to share this stuff with you since long before aLBoP was even a little personality dream <3  And now, it’s ready!  It’s really ready!!

Ahem.  Yeah, you can tell we’re kinda excited

What is Phase 2 and why has it taken so much of our time, energy, and gallons and gallons of love?

Since the day we started aLBoP, it’s been our mission to help you understand yourself and those around you, so that you can feel safe and free seeing how awesome people can be.  Through swatting stereotypes and showing how you can be a hero in your own unique way, we’ve worked to raise your expectations of yourself and everyone in a way that gives you hope that people can be more than culture tells us, and that science is just a matter of letting rock-awesome reality speak for itself!

aLBoP Phase 2 takes all that a great leap further, giving you a whole new arsenal of tools to be the person *you* want to be, not someone else, to pursue *your* dreams and ideals and make them happen, and to make your life what you’ve always known it can be.

And on top of all that, there’s the forum!  The Official aLBoP Forum, where you guys can all meet each other, share stuff, discuss anything and everything, and plot world domination together!  There are so many of you who feel alone, like it’s hard to find other cool people in the world.  But since there are so many of you, we’re so excited to see you finally get to know each other!

(Update: Hotmail users seem to be having trouble signing into the forum without creating a gmail account, but one of you mentioned a workaround, so if you need help, let us know!)

To make Phase 2 a safer place where you can freely talk about anything you want, we’re using a self-invite system.  This is to prevent people from ruining your discussions by wandering in, skimming a little, and leaving unhelpful comments.  This way, you know that everyone else on Phase 2 cares about this stuff, at least enough to fill out a form and see what it’s about!

So yay!  Forum and a boatload of all-new Phase 2 content, with even more on the way!  So go ahead, fill out the form below with the email you want to use on Phase 2 (for customizing your forum avatar and all that), and we’ll send you your invite!  You’ll get two invitation emails, one for Phase 2, and one to participate in the forum there.  Got that?  Two emails.  Good?

Once you get the invites, you can see the forum and all the Phase 2 content at albopphase2.blogspot.com.

(Update again! So…because we hit the limit on the number of people who can privately view a blogger site, we’ve temporarily created a clone site for all new invitees: albopphase2a.blogspot.com.  The clone site lets you view everything the same, and you’ll have access to the same forum with everyone else, you’ll just use a different url)

So go ahead and submit that form!  We can’t wait to see you there!! <3

foxyform

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