Exploring Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

Extraverted Feeling, or Fe, is one of the eight cognitive functions laid out by Carl Jung. The cognitive functions are the basic building blocks for each of the 16 personality types. It occurred to me recently, that while we (Practical Typing) have brief cognitive function overviews, we haven’t taken the time to write an in depth, high level article exploring each one. With that in mind, I’m going to launch a new series, and I’ll start by exploring extraverted feeling.

Who uses Extraverted Feeling?

Before we get into the weeds on this function, let’s focus in on who we’re talking about. Every personality type has a cognitive function stack made up of only four cognitive functions. In other words, since there are eight functions in total, only half of the 16 personality types have Fe, namely the TPs and the FJs. However, with that in mind, the TPs often devalue Fe, since it is either in the third or fourth slot of their function stack. (Their Introverted Thinking, or Ti, often overrules their Fe.) Therefore, this article primarily applies to the FJ types, which are ESFJ, ENFJ, ISFJ, and INFJ.

The FJ types will be the ones prioritizing Fe, and thus will lean on it heavily in their daily lives. They will have the greatest range of use for the function, in both the positive and negative directions, although they will be the most apt of all the types to use it in a healthy, and positive way.

The Core of Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted Feeling, or Fe, is an extraverted judging function based on feeling. Extraverted functions in typology are objective, which means externally focused. (Read more here: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity) In other words, Fe prioritizes external sources of emotion. Their primary focus is on the emotional environment in the real world.

10 Characteristics of Extraverted Feeling

Bear in mind, that some of the information below will describe core cognition, while other parts will describe common behavioral trends. You don’t have to relate to everything 100% in order to be an FJ.

1. FJs are easily influenced by the emotional environment

Naturally, what you focus on heavily will influence you the most. Since Fe types prioritize external emotions, external emotions heavily influence them. Many Fe users report adopting the feelings of those around them to the point that they lose track of their own feelings. People like to call FJs fake or inauthentic, because of this tendency. However, in reality, the emotions they are feelings are very real to them, at that moment. FJs periodically need to separate themselves from their group, in order to introspect and gain clarity on their own feelings. An inability to do so indicates underdeveloped Ti, or Introverted Thinking. An EXFJ with severely underdeveloped Ti will adapt too much to their external environment, and lose all sense of individuality and personal identity.

2. FJs have a great capacity for empathy

For the record, any type can be empathetic, or lack empathy entirely. However, since extraverted feeling is naturally attuned to the emotions of others, FJs are naturally inclined towards empathy, assuming that they’re both healthy and moral. They will absorb the emotions of another person, feel their feelings with them, and try to give them a safe place to express those feelings. FJs often need someone to help them sort through their feelings, so they may strive to fill that role for someone else. (Unhealthy FJs, on the other hand, may lack all empathy, instead becoming inauthentic and even self-serving. They may simply mirror the emotions of those around them, or actively respond to or manipulate relationships in a way that is personally advantageous.)

3. FJs may feel empty without objective sources of emotion

INFJs often see themselves as thinkers. They describe feeling cold or analytical on the inside, detached from their own emotion. This is the result of having an introverted judging function based on thinking. In other words, FJs analyze themselves or introspect with Ti. Their connection to emotion comes from the outside. Sure, everyone has personal feelings, but FJs will have a greater need to seek outside emotional stimulation. Nowadays, this can be virtual, artificial, or face-to-face.

4. FJs desire community and connection

I’m not saying that all FJs will be socially extraverted, belong to large groups, or have a wide circle of friends. However, FJs will seek out some sort of group or place to which they can belong. Some may want to take an active role in their chosen group, deeply desiring to be impactful and valuable to those around them. Others may be more passive, content to simply belong. FJs will often be extremely sensitive to rejection, fearing that they’ll become isolated, trapped as an outsider looking in. (Remember: even the most socially adept person can feel misunderstood and alone.) An inability to connect with others or find that place of belonging will produce low self-worth in FJs, due to a failure to use their Extraverted Feeling well.

5. FJs, due to extraverted feeling, need social harmony

Most people, when asked, would express a preference for social harmony. After all, being in an environment that’s flooded with negativity, in any form, is rarely fun. Feelers especially, whether Fi or Fe, tend to express a desire for harmony. However, the main distinction here is that the FJs have a greater need for it, due to their focus on external emotions. (While FPs can be affected by a negative environment, FPs have better emotional boundaries. They know what’s them, and what’s not.) FJs need harmony to protect themselves, and their emotional well-being. After all, a negative environment will bring them down very quickly, as they naturally start to adopt the emotions of the room.

Due to this aversion to negativity, FJs may struggle to address conflict at all, leading to avoidance. To the extreme, they may force the people around them to keep up a false appearance of harmony. Obviously, this would be to their detriment, since it often results in growing resentment and worse problems down the road.

6. FJs value social rules which promote harmony

Due to the previous point, FJs often fixate on rules that standardize the interpersonal behavior of those around them. A basic example of this is politeness. Rude behavior often triggers Fe users, because it threatens group harmony. Naturally, what is considered polite varies from culture to culture, but oftentimes, FJs are the one’s most compelled to follow the social rules, enforce the social rules, or both. While FJs often desire to remain on friendly terms with people, they will exile (or support the exile of) someone from the group if that person is deemed a threat to group harmony and emotional well-being.

7. FJs value unity and togetherness

In their effort to ensure group harmony, FJs will often promote a shared value system. They’ll seek to find common ground with those around them, wanting to focus on similarities and not differences. As a result, FJs may (intentionally or inadvertently) suppress the individuality or self-expression of themselves or others, in order to ensure both harmony and unity. Since they prioritize extraverted feeling, they’ll be sensitive to any behavior that might trigger those around them. A healthy and mature FJ will take individuality into account, but will still trend toward emphasizing group values.

8. FJs have a heightened awareness of group dynamics

With the desire for harmony, comes a focus on cooperation and group unity. FJs focus on the “big picture” when it comes to people. They see the group as a whole, and often feel responsible for making sure all the gears are turning as they should. This can mean enforcing/following rules, as mentioned before, or it can mean smoothing over awkward moments and doing whatever is necessary to ensure that everyone is comfortable and content. For instance, they may put themselves out there by asking the stupid question that everyone is thinking.

9. FJs are prone to getting involved in relationship conflict

Due to a focus on the ensuring the emotional needs of their community, FJs may feel compelled to help whenever they see something going wrong. This can mean simply listening, giving advice, and generally providing emotional support in any way they are capable of. It can also mean playing the role of a mediator, to help clear up the conflict and restore the relationship. In the negative, however, those with extraverted feeling may enjoy gossip, give advice where it isn’t wanted, or meddle in other people’s affairs.

10. FJs frame their behavior in terms of what’s best for others

Fe is not always selfless. In fact, Fe and Fi have an equal capacity for selfish and selfless behavior. However, since Fe is oriented to the external, FJs will often use reasoning that sounds selfless when justifying their behavior. For instance, when they cross a line, whether that be due to pushing an unwelcome opinion or perhaps meddling in someone else’s life, FJs will often say “I was just trying to help you,” or “I’m doing what’s best for everyone involved.” They may be blind to (or in denial of) their own personal motivations, whether selfish or not. (In contrast, FPs are much more willing to claim that they’re selfish, even if they’re not, due to a heightened awareness of their own personal motivations.)

In Conclusion…

The goal here was to present a well-rounded picture of Extraverted Feeling, based on the core directive of this function. While I recognize that negatives often make people feel uncomfortable, I believe that it’s important to address these for the sake of not only gaining an accurate understanding, but for personal growth as well. Of course, bear in mind, the other cognitive functions in one’s stack (and how balanced they are) can heavily influence how one’s Fe shows up. Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email if you have any thoughts you would like to share, as I’m always seeking to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of typology.