INFP/ISFP/INTP/ISTP: Inferior Te vs Inferior Fe

Exploring the inferior functions, like inferior Te vs inferior Fe, is a great way to approach discovering your own type, if looking at the dominant and auxiliary functions is failing you. I often see people question whether they are a Fi dominant (INFP/ISFP) or a Ti dominant (INTP/ISTP), which is a dilemma we have written about directly. (You can check that out here.) However, in this article, we’re going to approach it from a different angle, by analyzing inferior Te vs inferior Fe.

This article is part of a series in which we compare the inferior functions of common personality type dilemmas. If you wish to read the previous article in this series, check out INTJ/INFJ/ISTJ/ISFJ: Inferior Se vs Inferior Ne. Otherwise, stay tuned for the rest of the articles in the future, as I continue to revamp and optimize our content.

What is an Inferior Function?

The inferior function is the fourth function, or last, function in a type’s cognitive function stack. Each type’s inferior function is their greatest weakness, and the way in which they respond to severe stress. People can develop their inferior function, and learn to use it in a constructive way. However, by default, at least initially, it will mostly show up in a negative way. Although, to be clear, a dominant Te user (ESTJ/ENTJ) can use Te in the same negative way as an inferior Te user (INFP/ISFP). Remember, function placement determines range of use. An ESTJ will have a greater capacity to use Te well, in addition to using it more consistently and more often. There are some individuals out there who are, as a whole, immature or unhealthy (in an emotional or mental sense). In these situations, the individual is likely to manifest their cognitive functions in an overall negative way, regardless of placement, because they themselves are in a negative state overall. You can be in a negative state without being in a grip.

Inferior Te vs Inferior Fe: Cognitive Function Prerequisites

For those new to the cognitive functions, we are going to list out the types and their function stacks in order below, so you can quickly reference which function goes with which type, if necessary.

INFP: Fi-Ne-Si-Te
ISFP: Fi-Se-Ni-Te
INTP: Ti-Ne-Si-Fe
ISTP: Ti-Se-Ni-Fe

As you can see, ISTPs and INTPs (or the Ti dominants) have inferior Fe, while ISFPs and INFPs (or Fi dominants) have inferior Te.

Inferior Te vs Inferior Fe: Comparing the Functions

In the following sections, we’re going to first give brief overviews of how Te and Fe look when used well. From there, we’ll rationalize how each function would show up in the negative, based on what it does in the positive.

Extraverted Thinking (Te) in the Positive

TJs are geared towards recognizing external, physical systems. Essentially, they take “logic” and apply it to the real world (in other words, logic in action), which makes them results-oriented. Similarly, this gives them a drive, and natural affinity, for efficiency. They are known for being task-oriented and structured. They like to be in physical control of their environment, and maintain an ordered state. As a result of everything mentioned so far, they are known for achieving their goals or finding straightforward, realistic solutions to problems. Although to be clear, not all TJs are workaholics or hyper-productive. Remember: any personality type can be lazy. However, a healthy TJ will have a tendency toward setting and achieving goals, once they find their focus or life direction.

Many TJs have a naturally commanding way about them or a tendency to be blunt (accidentally or intentionally), due to their desire for order and their tendency to focus on physical systems rather than the people in them. (Bear in mind, they may create a physical system to help others, but their focus will naturally be on the physical mechanics or rules of that system rather than the emotional component that people bring with them.)

Extraverted Thinking (Te) in the Negative

Now, let’s talk about how Te shows up in the negative, and what that might mean for the IXFPs, with their inferior Te. We’re essentially going to take the description above, and flip it on it’s head.

In normal situations, inferior Te is going to show up as an aversion for structure and/or impersonal organizations. IXFPs will naturally be aware of physical structure and possibly even their need for it, but they’ll struggle to commit to it. As a result, they will oftentimes lack structure and have a general distaste for the rules and regulations of those who they do not like. In addition, many will struggle to find a real world application for their dreams or ideals. This may manifest as a failure to form goals. Outsiders looking in may interpret their indecision as laziness or a lack of motivation in life. This is a result of the difficulty that can sometimes accompany using an inferior function. It takes more effort to use it in a healthy way, and as a result, may exhaust the individual.

IXFPs may be overly aware of their lack of structure and motivation, leading to feelings of inadequacy or failure. To compensate, some inferior Te users may rely on those close to them to provide structure, so they don’t have to worry about creating it themselves.

In the negative grip state, Te can manifest as desperate need for control. An inferior Te user may feel like their world is spinning out of control, so they grasp for what little control they can manage. They may become unreasonably and irrationally demanding when interacting with another person. Because their Te use is weak and unrefined, they may try to assert control over random things that have little practical value in being controlled. They will become overbearing in enforcing this control. As a result, they will most likely alienate themselves from those around them.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) in the Positive

FJs are geared toward recognizing protocols for behavior, or social systems, as they relate to people and their emotional states. Essentially, they take “feeling” and apply it to the real world. This is why FJs are known for adjusting themselves or their identity for the sake of harmony, or doing things like randomly bringing baked goods to share with others. When healthy, they feel responsible for maintaining the well-being of others, and will go to great lengths to ensure harmony is maintained.

As a part of this, FJs are known for being good at reading the emotions of others, and tuning into the emotional environment around them, sometimes to the extent that they lose track of their own feelings. They wish to feel connected to others, and like they are a part of a support group. Therefore, they are attentive to the needs of others, and careful about ensuring that people view them in a positive light.

Likewise, they are aware of social protocol and adhere to it for the sake of the group. Or, perhaps, they’ll recognize when it’s time to change social protocol for the sake of everyone as a whole. They know what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and the impact it will have. Their happiness ties closely to the happiness of their social group, and the values they form will often be group-centric.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) in the Negative

Now, let’s talk about how Fe shows up in the negative, and what that might mean for the IXTPs, with their inferior Fe. Once again, we’re going to take the description above, and flip it on it’s head.

In normal situations, inferior Fe is going to surface as a subconscious need to be connected to others, but a disdain for that concept as a whole. They will feel the pressure to adhere to social protocol and adjust themselves, yet lack the confidence or ability to use their Fe to respond appropriately. As a result, they will possess a general discomfort with decorum and other social rules. This will usually cause them to avoid situations with too many social rules whenever possible. When forced into them, they may become excessively aloof, or timid and prone to embarassment. They may also be aware of the impact their actions or statements will have in the current social dynamic, and then intentionally do something that disrupts harmony, whether for amusement or out of defiance.

When attempting to use inferior Fe positively, they will typically find ways to provide value to a group in an impersonal or detached way. (Task-focused.) Many will rely on activities and other non-socially centered tasks to connect with others. They may prefer to socialize in small groups rather than one-on-one because it relieves some of the social and emotional pressure that comes with one-on-one interactions. Similar to how inferior Te users may rely on others to provide structure, inferior Fe users may rely on others to give social structure to their lives so that they don’t have to bother with it themselves.

When in the grip state, inferior Fe can be hyper-sensitive to the reactions of others or excessively validation seeking with those close to them. They’ll obsess over small meaningless social failures (past or future potential). This may cause them to completely and intentionally isolate themselves from all social connections and situations. Otherwise, they may lash out at others suddenly in an emotionally inappropriate way, possibly as an extreme reaction to something minor. They may become socially destructive, and purposely seek out ways to defy or hurt those around them. As a result, they may end up unintentionally pushing others away and thus isolating themselves.

Inferior Te vs Inferior Fe: In conclusion…

We have been taking the above approach so you can see the logical connection between how a function can manifest in both the dominant and inferior positions. People often feel a desire for the positive attributes of their inferior function, yet feel insecure or inadequate in their resulting struggles and/or failures with regards to that function. (Someone who lacks a function won’t be sensitive to their failure to use it, because their focus is not on it.) This is also why people are prone to either look up to someone with a high use of that inferior function, feel jealous of them, or despise them.

For example, all IXXP personality types tend to lack structure, but a IXFP type will aspire to be more structured, while an IXTP type won’t care. Many IXTPs will thrive when lacking consistent structure (assuming they are self-disciplined), while IXFPs will thrive under a reasonable degree of structure (once they no longer feel the need to fight against it).

We hope this article made sense, and can be useful to you in some way.