Introverted Thinking (Ti) vs. Introverted Intuition (Ni): A Closer Look
There tends to be a lot of confusion surrounding Ti, or Introverted Thinking, and Ni, Introverted Intuition. This usually leads to attributes of one being given to the other and vice versa. So, let’s take a closer look at both and see if we can differentiate the two. This article should be especially useful for the potential INTJ, INFJ, ENTJ, ENFJ, ISTP, INTP, ESTP, and ENTP as those are all the high Ni and Ti users. However, those who are lower users (SFPs, SFJs) may find this article helpful as well. This article used to include some information on other cognitive functions as well, specifically in regard to which are abstract and which are concrete. That content has since been moved to a brand-new article, called Which Personality Type is the Most Abstract?
Why Contrast Ti vs. Ni?
Of course, I already mentioned the general confusion surrounding these two cognitive functions. Moving beyond that, these two are probably most idealized (or perhaps idolized) functions amongst personality theory enthusiasts. It not only leads to falsely attributed characteristics, but also people finding ways to rationalize that they have both functions (whether that means justifications for being an INFJ or a “TiNi” ISTP). It’s important to realize that neither of these functions are magical, and neither make you brilliant.
Ti vs. Ni: Defining These Two Cognitive Functions
These days, I prefer to refer to lay the groundwork for any cognitive function discussion by quoting Carl Jung, the man who theorized the existence of these functions. While I don’t always agree with every single thing Jung puts forth, I agree with the majority, and would prefer to gain a core understanding and draw an accurate picture of these functions by building from the ground up. So, below, we’ll start with some quotes on Ti and Ni, before delving into the individual differences.
Introverted Intuition, or Ni, According to Carl Jung
The peculiar nature of introverted intuition, if it gains the ascendency, produces a peculiar type of man: the mystical dreamer and seer on the one hand, the artist and the crank on the other. The artist might be regarded as the normal representative of this type, which tends to confine itself to the perceptive character of intuition. As a rule, the intuitive stops at perception; perception is his main problem, and—in the case of a creative artist—the shaping of his perception. But the crank is content with a visionary idea by which he himself is shaped and determined. Naturally the intensification of intuition often results in an extraordinary aloofness of the individual from tangible reality.
Introverted Thinking, or Ti, According to Carl Jung
“Just as we might take Darwin as an example of the normal extraverted thinking type, the normal introverted thinking type could be represented by Kant. The one speaks with facts, the other relies on the subjective factor. Darwin ranges over the wide field of objective reality. Kant restricts himself to a critique of knowledge.”
Thinking vs. Intuition, According to Carl Jung
Intuition is a kind of instinctive apprehension, no matter of what contents. Like sensation (q.v.), it is an irrational (q.v.) function of perception. As with sensation, its contents have the character of being “given,” in contrast to the “derived” or “produced” character of thinking and feeling (qq.v.) contents. Intuitive knowledge possesses an intrinsic certainty and conviction…
Comparing and Contrasting Ti vs Ni
Of course, it’s important to note that any quotes that I use from Carl Jung are specifically referring to dominant types, because Jung primarily focused on dominant types. Functions lower in the stack will always surface in a more limited fashion and not as strong, since they are ultimately subjected to the dominant function.
1. Both Ti and Ni are abstract.
People make the mistake of assuming that only intuitive functions are abstract, and that’s completely false. In fact, Carl Jung described all introverted functions as being abstract and/or detached from reality.
Read More: Detached from Reality: Intuitive?
2. Ti is a judging function, while Ni is a perceiving function
Simplistically, this means that Ni is concerned with seeing, while Ti is concerned with critiquing. NJs are described as being future-oriented, because they’re known for “having visions of the future”, or perceiving future implications. However, you have to peddle backwards a bit to get to what Ni actually does. Ni automatically translates reality into a symbolic representation or image, through which it perceives what’s really going on beneath the surface. Ni users fixate on their visions or insights. Ni, by itself, doesn’t judge the insight or make any movement towards or against it (if that’s applicable. After all, an insight doesn’t have to be a vision of a possible future.) Ni simply perceives.
However, Ti, as a judging function, is primarily concerned with judging information right now. Introverted judging functions (Ti and Fi) form an individual’s personal system of rules and principles, by which they judge themselves and everything else. So, TPs critique new information or new perceptions for themselves to determine what make sense, what doesn’t, and how this information relates to them personally. Perceiving the future implications is not innately a priority of Ti. Parsing new data is.
3. Intuition is given, while thinking derives
Ni is often associated with some sort of higher intelligence, like the “mastermind” INTJ. However, Ni is actually not a “rational” function in the sense that it’s associated with reason. Ni brings an instinctive sense of knowing a truth, while being unable to support it with anything concrete. Of course, the Ni user can strive to find concrete support, but once they’ve started doing that, they’ve involved other cognitive functions. Remember, Ni is just the perception.
Thinking is a “rational” function, in the sense that it’s first priority is to piece together information to form a bigger picture, or an accurate picture. Of course, Ti is a subjective thinking function, so its process will value internally vetted information, rather than externally accepted facts. Either way, Ti will “think” about something to derive the insight, while Ni jumps straight to the insight without knowing how it got there. A Ti dominant’s instinctive sense of knowing will focus much more in the realm of how accepting they are of new information. Many Ti dominants instinctively reject new information that doesn’t make sense within their framework, before even realizing exactly why it doesn’t make sense. (It’ll bug them until they figure it out, though.)
4. Ti makes abstract connections, while Ni stores abstract information
As alluded to above, someone with Ni will struggle to tell you how or why they picked up a piece of information they know. After all, Ni often skips over the concrete details to get to the heart of the matter, which results in lost context.
Whereas, someone with Ti will struggle to explain how exactly they figured something out, or how they made a connection make sense. They’re often uncertain of “where to start” because of how intricately it all ties together in their mind. (It’s kinda like searching for an endpoint in a tangled mess.)
In Conclusion…
- Both Ti and Ni are abstract functions
- Ni is not a thinking function
- Ni gathers abstract information
- Ti makes abstract connections
- Ti is abstract logic so people try to label it as intuition
We hope you find some of this information helpful. We recently rewrote this article because, ironically, the old version actually spoke very little about Ti vs. Ni. If you feel anything needs to be further clarified or better explained, let us know. Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
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