Judging vs. Perceiving
I’m not typically one to talk specifically about the dichotomies, but there are some common threads between them. Today, I want to talk specifically about Judging versus Perceiving, and generally hit what the dichotomy does and does not indicate.
Cognitive Function Basics
For those new to the cognitive functions, the judging and perceiving dichotomy might appear the most confusing. After all, those aren’t functions, right? The thinking dichotomy has two corresponding functions (Te and Ti), same with the feeling, sensing, and intuition dichotomies. However, J versus P has no specific function set associated with it. Why?
We each have 4 functions in our cognitive function stack, but in the top 2, you will have one introverted function and one extraverted function. Being a Judger simply means that your top most (or preferred) extraverted function is a Judging function. Ergo, you are showcasing it to the world, in a sense. In comparison, a Perceiver’s preferred extraverted functions is a Perceiving function, and thus they are displaying it to the world.
The judging functions are Ti, Fi, Te, Fe.
The perceiving functions are Ni, Si, Ne, Se.
What can the J vs. P Dichotomy tell us?
1. Planning vs. Improvisation
On average, a Judger will prefer to prepare for whatever is coming next. They tend to not like to be thrown into new situations without any kind of warning or advanced notice. They may prefer to avoid last minute planning, and schedule their activities. However, bear in mind, the level of rigidity in the types will vary depending on which functions they are using, and the placement. For instance, an extravert will typically have more natural confidence when interacting with the external world, so they may not seem quite as “scheduled” as an introvert. High Te users tend to like to control their external environment, and are more likely to try to cling tightly to the level of control that they require. Fe users may seem the least structured out of all the J types. However, I will refer back to my original statement: as a general rule, a Judger will prefer to prepare in advance for whatever the future holds, whether this means strategizing, scheduling, avoiding last minute plans, etc. They may yield to last minute plans, but not feel fully comfortable in doing so. (Perhaps, it will provoke a bit of anxiety.)
Note: A Perceiver who is skipping over their extraverted perceiving function (also known as looping), will appear more like a Judger. The types I’m referring to would be the IXXP types, since they’re the ones with an auxiliary extraverted Perceiving function to skip over.
What does the J vs. P Dichotomy NOT tell us?
1. Judgmentalness
Some people fall in the trap of thinking that J types will be more judgmental by default, which is incorrect. It is true that TJs are prone to a certain degree of harshness that can come off as being judgmental. However, there are a couple of inconsistencies in generally stating that J types will be more judgmental than P types.
a. Fe is harmony oriented function
This, of course, accounts for half of the J types. Sure, Fe types can be judgmental, especially around people that are close to them. However, the auxiliary Fe types, for instance, tend to be conflict averse, which means they will hide any judgemental nature that they possess for the sake of maintaining harmony within the group. If you come across an IXFJ that constantly seems to seek out conflict or confrontation, the person is more than likely mistyped, assuming they’re healthy and this is normal behavior for them. Fe users won’t try to fix or criticize most people that they come across. They’ll want to unify by finding common ground, or a way to exist in harmony. Obviously, in severe or serious matters, they can lash out or fight back, but this type of behavior will not typically define an IXFJ. Dominant Fe user may (or may not) display a judgemental nature a bit more prominently
b. Everyone is judgemental
P types get this laidback, go-with-the-flow, anything goes reputation. However, they can be just as harsh and judgemental when their introverted judging function is triggered. Ti users are known for being argumentative. Fi users are known for lashing out against values that contradict their own. All of the Perceivers are highly individualistic, and thus are prone to butting heads with whatever social structure they find themselves embedded into. Where a Te user may see a value in the physical order of operations, and an Fe user may see value in social cohesion, a P type may simply see the group as trying to control and dictate their behavior. Ergo, you have to use caution when focusing too hard on whether or not someone is judgmental. A prime example of where it can lead you astray is with the IXFPs vs. the IXFJs. On average, an IXFP will appear more judgemental than an IXFJ due to Fi’s high personal standards and Te’s desire to enforce and control.
2. Organization
While generally speaking, Perceivers are known for being less organized than Judgers, you have to be a bit careful in using this as a basis for typing, because the main functions that desire a form of order are Te and Si. Te wants external control and Si wants physical consistency. A Judger without either of these functions may appear more like a Perceiver in the stereotypical organization sense. I’m primarily referring to the NFJs here. Additionally, a Perceiver who is developing use of a lower Te function, may appear more physically ordered in their home, like a J would, since that would be a safe, small-scale Te use.
In conclusion…
You have to be careful with the dichotomies, because while a trait may be true on average, your analysis may end up way off if you hit up against the inconsistencies. The dichotomies are a good starting point to get the basics of the 16 types personality theory. However, once you’re able to get a decent understanding of that, it’s best to focus in on the cognitive functions specifically and learn to identify behavior specific to each function so you are able to account for situations where the dichotomies fall short.
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>>If you come across an IXFJ that seems to seek out conflict or confrontation, the person is more than likely mistyped.
Or they could be having a bad day or a bad week, looping or gripping or at low-levels of ego development. That you jump to mistyping without even mentioning looking for adaptive characteristics due to levels of health, environmental cues/expectations, or levels of ego development shows a fundamental lack of understanding as to what type can tell us about an individual. I typically enjoy the blog but it’s getting too simplistic to be useful with generalizations like the above.
I apologize if it wasn’t clear. I was referring to that being normal, constant behavior for the average IXFJ. I did also state that “Fe types can be judgmental, especially around people that are close to them” at the beginning of the paragraph, and “Obviously, in severe or serious matters, they can lash out or fight back, but this type of behavior will not typically define an IXFJ.” My goal was to focus on standard behavior, and not cover all of the outliers, since that can be very cumbersome to do in every article, considering there can be exceptions to most standard behaviors. I’ll edit the article and clarify so it’s a bit more clear.
Fe is more structured and task oriented than people think in my opinion. There just like Te users except not logical or objective with how they are with things and focus on emotion first and are typically more finnicky and nitpicky with things.
Yeah, I’ve known some very disciplined Fe users. It just surfaces a but differently since Te has that more obvious focus on controlling their physical environment.
Yeah I agree with this but also wanted to ask about this. Te and Se are very similar functions in that their both direct and like to get to the point. Se also likes to be in control of the physical environment or more so Se likes to react to the physical worlds and details around them since Se users are taking in all details from their environment and surroundings. But Se users are also very hands on, so when there not being lazy or unorganized they also give into being in control in a sense of the environment too when they are able to focus even though there not known for it as much since they’re unstructured perceivers. So with that in mind, why people stray towards Te is in control of their environment more so? Is it because Te is about task orientation, efficiency, getting things done, and results and is objective? I think Se can argued with this trait in similar ways at least in the way an unstructured perceiver would be in control of details in their surroundings like I explained above almost as much as I feel Te is being explained by people. So I want to know more on the Te side of this argument I’ve been seeing, I think I see where people are getting at though like I explained above with the objective and wanting results and organization. You could also argue even Fe wants environment control at times too if you think about it.
I see what you’re saying, but Se isn’t really interested in controlling their environment, persay. Te users literally want to change the physical environment to match their desires, whatever they may be. Se users, on the other hand, want to adapt to the current environment rather than change the environment. So, the distinction is that the Se user is the one doing the changing, rather than the environment itself. Se users want to be able to physically react to (or operate within) what’s there. They don’t necessarily care about changing what’s there. That’s why Se users are known for being more “go with the flow”. Sure, there are times when they can enact physical change, but that’s not necessarily the goal of Se, and depending on the scenario, it may due to them dipping into some of their other cognitive functions as well (like an ESFP’s tertiary Te). Fe users specifically want to control their social environment, which is bit different than controlling their physical environment.
Yeah I see what you mean, Se users are just good at things like crafting and other arts like that, that involve physical detail., NFs and SPs are stereotyped as the best artists in general by people even if anyone can be good at and make art. and they generally pursue the arts the most because there creative and artist types with their functions. They don’t have the focus usually to commit to things but if they can and if you motivate an Se user they make more in the physical world than even a Te user or judger if you get them motivated enough. But on normal basis yeah Se is about reaction to details around them mostly, but Se users like my SP brothers for instance are always the ones that change the tires when there’s a flat and handle the sudden situation in the moment, especially since they do truck driving jobs and work with cars and other physical hands on work before. Te is users love control though! So I fully agree with this, I just wanted to ask cause I saw this sort of stereotype around a few times and wanted to address it with someone and see the reasoning of where its coming from even if I “get the idea why people say it with my hunches” I’m INFJ so I get it but I still like to ask to get the full story to see what people are thinking when they say things.
Ahhh, well crafting isn’t the same thing. Crafting deals with a specific object, versus the environment as a whole. Creating and controlling are different. Perhaps there’s a better word to use than control. It’s more like.. Te users will do what they can to enact and maintain physical order. The Se user changing the tire is just reacting in the moment of a crisis, which is different than the more consistent level of control/order that a Te user will desire and strive for. Se users (all other functions aside) don’t really care about order. They just want the freedom to do whatever they want to do moment by moment, which is typically why a high Se user (or Ne user) will appear more …chaotic in the way they go about things.
I just want to say that this is so very helpful because I’m really struggling with my typing. I think I’m more of the INTP but I test as an INTJ. And I feel that the J is coming from the fact that I don’t like to be surprised. But it has nothing to do with not enjoying surprises which I do as a creative, but that I need time to practice for the level of energy of a social situation. As an introvert, my social battery is very low so if I don’t know what the situation is ahead of time, I don’t have time to bring myself up to the energy level that I need to. Coupled with the fact that it’s often not someting I want to do at that moment, has made me want to have plans. But I’m horrible with schedules and deadlines. So it’s all very confusing.
Glad it was helpful! If your hate of surprises is rooted in social introversion, then it doesn’t sound tied to your J vs. P.