Positive Inferior Fe from the mind of an ISTP
A long while ago, I wrote an article called Inferior Fe from the mind of an ISTP about my experiences with inferior Fe, and how it manifested in my life. I’ve always been hyper aware of my inferior function because of the negative effect it has on my life, but more recently, I’ve come to learn more about the positive effect that it actually has on my life. I usually spend a lot of time emphasizing to people that their inferior function is their weakness, but perhaps I don’t spend enough time considering how an inferior function can be developed or turned into a strength. Granted, one is unlikely to develop their inferior function to the extent that a dominant user of the same function. However, inferior use can have its own unique advantages. … But I’m rambling now, so let me move on to the point of this article.
My Positive Inferior Fe
Fe is a group oriented function, focused on social dynamics and harmony. Inferior Fe can run completely counter to that notion, fighting against the social group whenever pressure is felt to conform. I’ve always been like that. I don’t mind following along, as long as I felt I was given the option to not, meaning that I had been free to choose. When I feel as if an unreasonable level of group loyalty is being demanded of me, that’s when I have a problem. Of course, this can lead to a rebellious nature, if I’m not careful. However, on the flip side, it makes it easier for me to fight against the group when it is necessary.
I was relaying a couple of stories to an INFJ friend of mine (stories which I’m going to repeat a little further down) and she interpreted them in a interesting way. (By the way, said friend has a YouTube channel that you should totally check out here: Type Talks.) Basically, my inferior Fe leads me to want to protect the individuality of others. (I originally phrased it as extending anti-group protection to others, but I think I like her wording better, ha ha.) In other words, I protect not only myself from being controlled but other people as well. I’ve seen certain people assume that loyalty is based in either Fi or Si; however, Fe brings about its own breed of loyalty as well, even inferior Fe. Some people naturally associate high Ti users with the morally gray trope that we see in the movies. It’s like we’re made out to be rogues who are unwilling to be loyal to anyone but ourselves. Supposedly, we flip flop between the side of light and dark on a whim, doing whatever selfishly suits us best. And, perhaps an inferior Fe user who has not at all developed that Fe will lack loyalty to anyone but themselves. However, that is not my personal experience. I can be very loyal, to certain people and certain principles.
Inferior Fe is known for snapping out suddenly and emotionally after being pent up for a long time. The combination of Se-Fe specifically is probably even more prone to doing this. Personally, while I can snap at someone in defense of myself, I more often than not just shrug my shoulders and walk away, refusing to comply. I occasionally snap if I feel enough peer pressure or frustration. However, my inferior Fe will more often snap out really angry when it has to do with defending someone else. I’ve snapped at people on many occasions when I’ve seen someone being subjected to undo peer pressure, which usually shocks the culprit because I basically go from perfectly calm to extremely angry in a matter of a split second.
Let me share a couple of examples and then I’ll end this article.
1. I was a leader/creator of an activity-based group once. (I’m avoiding specifics since… well, I’m an inferior Fe who doesn’t really want anyone to know anything about me. :P) Anyhow, certain people got all excited about this group, and went around convincing others to join. A probable EXTJ specifically began pressuring this one lady whom I shall refer to as Laura. Seeing this happen irritated me, because I personally hate when people do that kind of stuff to me. So, one day, I was at a meeting that involved most of these people, including that EXTJ. I spoke up and said that I had spoken to Laura. (And, I wasn’t lying, by the way. I had spoken to Laura.) The EXTJ perked up and said, “Oh, is she finally going to join?” Glaring directly at the EXTJ, I responded with, “No, I told her that she didn’t have to.”
2. I had an intern once. I was very protective of her, probably more so than she realized. She was originally working in a different department in the office, but asked me if there was a possibility of interning in my department, since she was a college student and it was related to her intended degree. I immediately told her, “no”. I didn’t really believe my superiors would go for it, and I didn’t want to get her hopes up. However, I did present a case to my manager almost immediately after for bringing her on board. Needless to say, she was shocked when a little while later, she was being offered an internship position under me.
On her first day at work, I pulled her into a loud, isolated comms closet. (I was a Systems Administrator.) I was very straightforward with her, and explained that in our job, everyone was looking to blame us whenever something went wrong. I told her that since I knew what I was doing, I was allowed to take risks, but since she didn’t, she wasn’t. As long as she did what I said, I would cover for any mistakes she made, since ultimately I was responsible for every mistake she made anyway. From then on, I always talked her up in front of my bosses, and never said a single negative thing about her, because I could tell that she was trying. Sure, I could occasionally get critical when dealing directly with her, but as far as our superiors were concerned, she was gold. She ultimately left the company shortly after I did, for a variety of reasons, one of which being that the idiot who replaced me started stealing all of her credit. (Because I had actually taught her how to do her job well.)
In conclusion…
I hope this article has given you all a different perspective on inferior Fe that I may have failed to provide before. As I’ve mentioned in other inferior function related articles, if you’d like to submit an article or story of your own personal experience with your inferior function, Ryan and I would love to publish them here to give people practical examples to learn from. (Of course, we will give you credit, and provide a link to your own site, if you have your own blog, YouTube channel, or etc. that you’d like to promote.) Thanks for reading!
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Wow, I can’t believe the way you describe this, as an ISTP myself, this happens to my a lot, that’s why I tend to describe myself as a underdog and a defender of the underdog, maybe that’s also the fake illusion we constantly make to ourselves that we are selfless and not as selfish as we really are because of this “empathy” bursts.
Hey, can I know when you are frustrated, do you tend to use (in bad way) your inferior Fe or blame on it instead?
I read an article about ISFP vs ISTP, and the one I understand to distinguish them is when they were frustrated. ISFP tend to hide their complicated feeling inside (maybe because their Fi?) and use their Te to build an efficient way to take revenge, while ISTP tend to vent their anger to everyone around them (because of their Fe) who bothered their Ti. Of course, it can be only seen inside their eyes since both are introvert type (but maybe everyone has different approach to it?).
On other side, I (sus INFP(?)) feel like blaming the inferior Te when I frustrated. For example, when I think I can’t finish a given task with tight deadline, It frustates me and I tend to blame the task itself for being ‘too hard’ or blame the task giver for being ‘too nonsense’.
(Idk this is really the inferior-blame(?) by the dominant or just my ridiculous assumption).
On the first one, I think it’s more about feeling function, and the second one is just my guess based on my experience.
So, I want to know, which is more true for you? Or you did another thing based on your other functions? Also, I’m still confused how the perceivers seems or behave when something/someone freak them out.
Sorry if it’s out of the topic, but I just don’t know where should I put these concern. Anyway, have a nice day and keep writing!
Hmmm… I’m probably either going to suppress my anger or vent it openly… meaning I’m not sure about people only being able to see it in my eyes. I’m pretty sure I make it fairly obvious when I’m able. I don’t really have an issue with showing people anger. (Obviously, like with a boss or something, one can’t always lash out but I still have a tendency to slip something in there to show that I’m not happy.) I only really blame tasks or the task giver if they seem pointless or don’t make any sense.
When it comes to how perceivers behave when freaking out, that depends on their specific function stack. It can’t necessarily be generalized to all perceivers.
But when you don’t have an issue with showing people anger, is it because of low Fe? Honestly, I still have dilemma on it, one said people with high Fe very open to their feeling, means that they have no problem showing their feeling (including sadness and anger?) to people, the other said people with high Fe have a tendency to suppress it because they don’t want to break the harmonious around them. The same context I found for Fi too. One said because it introverted, they tend to hide their feeling, but the other said the Fi users have a tendency to show it openly because they don’t really concern about harmonious around them.
I personally can relate to how you express your anger, and maybe it because the individual functions aka Ti and Fi? (The difference I notice is the cause rather than its behaviour).
Oh, one more question, Fi tend to feel people watching them, and Fe tend to feel invisible, right? But what if you feel like people watching when you do casual things (like eating, reading, playing game, etc), and feel invisible when at group work (people won’t listening when you try to speak up your ideas)?
I hope you don’t get overwhelmed by this seem never-ended questions, but sure, I’m really thankful because you always answer it and instantly blow my mind!^^
“When you don’t have an issue with showing people anger, is it because of low Fe?”
Yes, in part. It takes a lot to make me angry, but I don’t like people to think I can be controlled, manipulated, or walked all over so I don’t have any issues responding in anger to perceived attempts.
Here’s the thing about Fe. Dominant Fe wants to control the social environment. This can mean being very expressive, or it can mean suppression. It all depends on what they are trying to accomplish. Auxiliary Fe is not nearly as expressive, because they use their Fe more to blend in and navigate the environment without making unnecessary waves. Fi has more of a desire to stand out and be unique. If you’re feeling invisible specifically in group work, that could be due to introversion (as in not being very bold with your ideas or thoughts) rather than being tied to Fi or Fe.
Ah, I see.. once again, thanks for explaining!
Wow, so interesting and very helpful! I am an INFP, and my ISTP sister really identifies with the first article you wrote on the sucky part of inferior Fe. But this article finally gives insight into my experience of that inferior Fe: I have felt her loyalty and how she protects me, a helplessly individualistic Fi dom. Can’t tell you how refreshing it is to get your straightforward explanation of what it’s like as an ISTP. Please keep writing!
It is actually really cool to hear my take on this confirmed by a non-ISTP. Thanks for the comment!