Exploring Introverted Sensing (Si)
Introverted Sensing, or Si, 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. Exploring Introverted Sensing (Si) is the third installment of this series. If you want to read the previous ones, check out Exploring Extraverted Intuition (Ne) and Exploring Extraverted Feeling (Fe). Naturally, the goal is to publish an article for each of the eight cognitive functions. Consistency isn’t exactly my thing, though, and I prefer to ride the waves of inspiration, so you’ll probably continue to see me alternating through different series and article subjects. Hope you don’t mind!
Who uses Introverted Sensing?
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 Si, namely the SJs and the NPs. However, with that in mind, the NPs often devalue Si, since it is either in the third or fourth slot of their function stack. (Their Extraverted Intuition, or Ne, often overrules their Si.) Therefore, this article primarily applies to the SJ types, which are ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, and ISTJ.
The SJ types will be the ones prioritizing Si, 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 Introverted Sensing
Introverted Sensing, or Si, is an introverted perceiving function based on sensing. Introverted functions in typology are subjective, which means internally focused. (Read more here: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity) In other words, SJs prioritize their subjective impression of reality, which has been formed from concrete experiences. Think of it like a mental snapshot of what should be or should not have been.
10 Characteristics of Introverted Sensing
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 SJ.
1. SJs form subjective impressions of reality
This is the core function of Si that roots back to Carl Jung. Unfortunately, most Si descriptions fail to incorporate this key component. Simply put, Si’s primary function is to internalize subjective impressions of reality. In a sense, SJs recreate reality inside their mind, detail by detail. However, this internal reality is technically not an objective or unbiased recreation, because it’s tainted by their personal experiences. They can struggle to see reality objectively, because they are overlaying it with their subjective impressions. Many people describe SJs as practical and realistic, so this concept may seem contradictory. However, it’s important to realize that high Si forms impressions that are extremely close to reality, realistic fakes, if you will. The modifications they make will be subtle enough that it’ll be hard to tell the difference.
READ MORE: True Nature of Introverted Sensing
2. SJs compare current experiences with past experiences
It’s important to remember that we all do this to some degree, but for an SJ it’s a prominent part of their life, because their impressions of reality are acting as a roadmap. These impressions tell them what was good, and what was bad. Through them, the SJ knows what they want to repeat, and what they want to avoid at all costs. This is why people like to describe SJs as being past-oriented. High Si types can get mentally stuck on a past impression, or a more ideal life that they once had, and struggle to accept the reality that they’re currently facing. If you’ve seen Agents of SHIELD, Grant Ward is a prime example of this.
3. SJs have high standards or expectations for their experiences
A natural result of constantly comparing the present to the past is having specific ideas in one’s head of how they want their experiences to play out. This could be due to remembering what went wrong in the past, and trying to account for it. Or, it could be due to wanting to precisely recreate the good experiences that they’ve had. While healthy SJs can be open to new experiences, they do not possess the natural openness to new experiences that you’ll see in SPs, or even NPs. They’ll tend to be more careful about they go about “experiencing” that new experience. They’ll be the types that do quite a bit of planning to ensure things go smoothly, and may have very specific requirements for each activity or event.
4. SJs anticipate the future so they can be prepared
The extent to which SJs are described as being past-oriented has actually caused a misconception to form. Sure, they rely on past experience, but they use it to prepare for the future. SJs have a low extraverted perceiving function, which in their case is Ne. ISTJs and ISFJs specifically have Ne in the inferior position, which makes it their greatest weakness. Extraverted perceiving is the function that allows people to excel at adapting to new circumstances without conscious preparation. All Judgers, since their extraverted perceiving function is low, rely on advanced preparation to navigate life. This innately makes any Judger future-oriented, because they are constantly anticipating the future and planning for it. SJs can actually be quite adept at predicting the future, especially as they gain life experience.
5. SJs learn from past experiences, theirs and others
Since SJs often have an expectation for how they want events to unfold, they can be incredibly disappointed by mistakes of any kind. The way they store away sensory information both causes this (as mentioned before), and aids them in overcoming it. Since SJs are extremely resistant to making mistakes (unlike their SP counterparts), they are usually quite adept at remembering what went wrong last time, so they can avoid it in the future. In other words, they typically excel at not making the same mistake twice. (Within reason, obviously. No one is perfect.) Similarly, since they value concrete information in general, many SJs will also glean information from the experiences of others, so they can prevent a mistake from ever occurring.
6. Introverted Sensing causes SJs to value precision
SJs values precision, which is partly why they’re known for being detail-oriented. They’re the ones that you’ll frequently see taking notes during lectures, meeting, etc. They desire any instructions given to them to be specific and detailed, so that they can ensure their success in completing the task, whatever it might be. Their focus on the details like this can make them extremely good at achieving consistent results because they’re doing a task the same exact way every single time.
7. SJs often remember details
To be clear, you can have a bad memory and be an SJ. Any type can have a good memory, or a bad one. However, people naturally hone in on different things, causing their memory to prioritize certain types of information. What someone remembers can be telling. Some people have a “bad” memory simply because they don’t care to remember most things, while others legitimately struggle to remember. There is a difference.
SJs, due to everything discussed thus far, will want to remember details that their Si deemed important. For instance, earlier I mentioned that they tend to remember past mistakes in detail. However, beyond that, their judging function will also affect the types of details they remember. Typically, STJs are more likely than SFJs to relate to having a “detail-oriented” memory because they hone in on objective, impersonal facts, due to Te. SFJs, on the other hands, focus on information that services their Fe. In other words, they value information that affects the people and the relationships in their lives. They’ll naturally remember details like important dates, people’s preferences, etc.
8. SJs fear the unknown
Due to having low Extraverted Intuition (Ne), SJs often fear the unknown. They use their Ne to generate possible outcomes, in order to predict the “unknown”, and then try to prepare for each one. If they can make the unknown known, there will be nothing to fear. (Of course, life happens, so this doesn’t always work out perfectly for them.) While SJs can be extremely competent and confident individuals, under stress (especially if it’s severe) they often find themselves drowning in irrational, negative possibilities.
READ MORE: Inferior Ne from the Mind of an ISTJ
9. Introverted Sensing causes SJs to desire consistency
People often describe SJs as being tradition-oriented. There is a truth to this, but that wording can cause misunderstandings. See, people frequently associate tradition with sentimental things, like holiday traditions, and that isn’t going to be relatable to all SJs, especially the STJs. The core issue here is their desire for a consistent and predictable lifestyle. As a result, they will lean into their past experiences and repeat what they know worked before. An ISTJ or ESTJ will repeat “traditions”, which may be better described as “procedures”, to ensure efficiency and results. They’ll only be willing to change their process if they can see absolute, concrete proof that the new way works better. ISTJs will be more staunch about this than ESTJs. The tertiary Ne in ESTJs can make them more willing to experiment. SFJs will tend to value the sentimental traditions much more, due to having a higher feeling function.
READ MORE: ISTJ Stereotypes: Rules and Traditions
10. SJs seek physical security
This point is kind of a culmination of all the previous points. SJs are known for being conservative, good at money management, and rule-followers. This all ties into their desire for physical security, so their life can live up to the ideal subjective impression in their minds, with no unexpected surprises or detours. However, I do wish to call out the fact that SJs are often not as extreme as the stereotypes describe. Many are willing to break the rules, given certain conditions are met, especially those that trigger their morals or core values. Similarily, they are not always extremely conservative with money. It depends on the expectation they have for life, how they were taught, etc. Overall, though, they will always desire, and strive to maintain, physical stability.
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this article is astounding! I have to ask you though, can Se be just as efficient as Si albeit the orientation and how they deal with details are vastly distinct? The same can be asked for Fe and Te users..
Thank you! I’m not exactly sure what you mean. Each cognitive function is (theoretically) efficient at whatever it specializes in.
Another question i’d like to add is…since you’ve explain that Si takes notes…is Se capable of taking notes although not in a hyper-broad way that an Si user might? You also said that Ni users talk about destiny and symbols but what about Ne? Can the same be applied to Ne users that they like talking about mystical things as much as Ni users since they’re both intuition functions but use different sides of a coin to achieve a common objective?
Technically, all types can take notes. In an effort to be careful and meticulous, SJs seem to do it a lot more than other types. However, there are certain scenarios where most people, regardless of type, feel the need to take notes. I believe it was Personality Hacker that noticed that IXTPs tend to be least likely to take notes, which I (as an ISTP) found extremely interesting because I rarely ever took notes, even when in college.
I responded to the Ne vs Ni question on a different comment of yours.
What I mean by efficient is something like physical structure and organization…but thanks for replying!
Physical structure and organization tends to come most naturally to high Si or high Te, but that’s not to say that other types can’t be organized.
My bad the last part I was trying to say is that “is Ni all about or focuses destiny and symbols? Can Ne can do this too but only on an extraverted orientation?”
Ne can focus on things like destiny and symbols as well, yes. But you should see a general trend to for Ne users to want to keep their options open rather than fixate on one “destiny”
What about Se and Si when it comes to taking notes of things and knowing a lot? As well as Te and Fe users in physical structure or organization? Is it that Fe can be organised and efficient as Te albeit the structure is centered by the group’s emotional well-being while Te’s organization is based on wether or not the authority is plausible or not? Is it that Se can be just as capable and knowledgeable and give a bunch of random facts as Si/Ne or Ne/si? Can Ni be or give off scatter-brained appearance/impression? Can Ne also like a challenge just as an Se users since Se and Ne as a whole are extroverted functions? I know that’s a lot to take in but I’m wondering…because there might be Se users that take notes as well
-Both Se and Si can take notes and know a lot of information
-Fe focuses more on ensuring people’s emotional wellbeing than physical structure and organization. They can be physically organized, sure, but that won’t always be their priority.
-Se is unlikely to value knowing a bunch of random knowledge. They usually have more focused or specialized interests or knowledge.
-Anyone can technically be scatterbrained, especially is ADHD is a factor.
-Yes, Ne users can appreciate a challenge.
Since you’ve said Fe users can be manipulative when unhealthy or unbalanced can Fi also have this tendency and be two-faced but on a more “subtle” level and less directed toward the group (only a tendency not restriction)
Certainly.
Thanks for answering about the Si tendency for taking notes sorry i asked that again i haven’t seen the comment from above because my network is slow to process sometimes, I’ll pass it and leave it aside…what about the other auestion when it comes to Fe and Te structure and organization as well as Ni and Ne (except the destiny and symbolism part since you’ve asnwered it)
I’m not sure what question you’re referring to.
Oh nevermind, you’ve answered it, thanks for clarifying and have a great week ahead!
I love this deep analysis! It’s sure interesting to see how Si is described from a different perspective — I especially love that this site describes information about personality in specific, detailed ways… and I just came here to say that your website has got potential and that you’ll both be highly trained and experienced MBTI experts someday…keep pursuing your passion on MBTI! We’ll be supporting your journey and the wisdom you gain from it on the way!
I’m still wondering wether Ni will find it crucial in some aspects in their life to know lots of random information, I know you’re speaking of tendencies — as they could do it if they wanted to, because there’s some occurrences that I saw that happens to be an average Ni dominant or auxiliary just went off like an encyclopedia, I know they use Ni because they form singular conclusions about what could happen in the future, seem detached, expresses thought and feelings through symbols, images, patterns or visions, finds it hard to express their thoughts out loud unless they’ve learn a skill that helps them out with explaining their thought-process externally etc.
It’s plausible. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility. Typically, when determining someone’s type, I’d take into account multiple different factors, and not just focus on the type of information they happen to know.
Thank you!
I understand, thanks for clarifying.
Don’t mention it I could see both of you as full-fledge MBTI specialists or resource person’s in the near future as you’re still learning on the go. You helped a lot of people with this site – thank you Mara and Ryan for providing an in-depth and conplete resource and content of the personality theory… you definitely do a lot of the MBTI community justice!
You described Si in brilliant detail! I guess this explains why people describe SJs as having an incredible memory or being down-to-earth…. but I wonder where their orientation or a preference for details came from..
Your explanation of Si is interesting! Though I’d like more examples or analogies of how Introverted Sensing absorbs concrete (sensory) information which makes them renember details because I’m curious of why people describe SJs having excellent memory while SPs and NJs are just as capable of that as well albeit with a different approach..
The reputation SJs have in regard to their memory has to do with their priorities. Any type can have an excellent memory. However, NJs and SPs don’t often feel the need to remember all the little details so they typically “appear” more forgetful, even when they have a good memory. They could remember the details if they really wanted to, but usually they just don’t see a value in it. The opposite is true for the SJs, who often feel the need to remember all the details. The result is that many will appear to have good memories, even if their memory is just average.
Hey, thanks for the heads up! Because Si is describe having a “superhuman memory” by descriptions — you’re really great at doing what you do.. it’s your forte after all..
One of the best articles on the internet about Si and how it actually feels. It is a gauge of familiarity. I usually describe it as the constant observation of an object’s entropy and/or evolution in spacetime. Most things develop or erode slowly, so details are important because they are typical marks of change. I appreciate the balance in your description, because naked Si has NO evaluation of change, just observation and comparison to any known data.
Si works like google. You type “biscuit” and it brings a host of hopefully relevant (looking at you Ne) pages of info. Similarly, when I encounter a biscuit or think of one, I can easily access most things I’ve known, read about, or experienced with biscuits. My Ne will also springboard to something crazy simultaneously.
If I had to add anything to the article it’s the deeper goal of Si, which is pattern recognition and meaning distillation. This is where I relate to Ni users, because we are trying to get to the same place—just one of us heads east and the other heads west. We eventually meet on the other side because Si too is looking for patterns (though concrete ones) and meaning throughout all history and human endeavors.