Exploring Introverted Intuition (Ni)

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MBTI and Myers-Briggs related content

Introverted Intuition, or Ni, 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 Intuition (Ni) is the eight, and final, installment of this series. If you want to read the previous ones, check out Exploring Extraverted Intuition (Ne), Exploring Extraverted Feeling (Fe), Exploring Introverted Sensing (Si), Exploring Extraverted Thinking (Te), Exploring Extraverted Sensing (Se), Exploring Introverted Feeling (Fi), and Exploring Introverted Thinking (Ti). We’ve been referencing Carl Jung’s Psychological Types as we worked through these. The aim is to provide a realistic picture of each cognitive function, that covers both the core underlying rational and possible external manifestations.

Who uses Introverted Intuition (Ni)?

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 Ni, namely the NJs and the SPs. However, with that in mind, the SPs often devalue Ni, since it is either in the third or fourth slot of their function stack. (Their Extraverted Sensing, or Se, often overrules their Ni.) Therefore, this article primarily applies to the NJ types, which are INTJ, INFJ, ENTJ, and ENFJ.

The NJ types will be the ones prioritizing Ni, 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 personality types to use it in a healthy, and positive way.

What is Introverted Intuition (Ni)?

Introverted Intuition, or Ni, is an introverted perceiving function based on intuition. Introverted functions in typology are subjective, which means internally focused. (Read more here: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity) In other words, NJs prioritize their abstract insight into reality, which has been formed from subconscious pattern recognition.

10 Characteristics of Introverted Intuition (Ni)

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 NJ.

1. Introverted Intuition translates observations of reality into abstract imagery

It’s commonly known that intuitives strive to read between the lines, or peer beneath the surface. When it comes to NJs, Ni causes them to see reality not for exactly what it is, but rather, an abstract representation or image of what reality is. In other words, they condense what they see in reality down to a subjective, vague impression, which they use to gain deeper insight. They view what they’re seeing as the root, core, or essence of whatever it is they are observing. Once they’ve formed their underlying image or subjective interpretation, they often discard the details, because only the final picture actually matters to them. This is why NJs are often called “big picture oriented”. It’s not that other types can’t see the overarching ramifications of something, but NJs specifically focus on perceiving a more condensed summary, allowing them to not get bogged down by details. (Of course, there are downsides and potential pitfalls to missing details.)

2. Introverted Intuition views the past in a detached way

Naturally, everyone is affected by their past, and subject to trauma. Don’t take this statement to an extreme. However, there is a key distinction here to be made between Si and Ni. I try to avoid doing a lot of comparisons in these deep dive articles, to keep the focus solely on the cognitive function being discussed, but Ni and Si are so commonly confused that this seems important. SJs form subjective impressions by internalizing sensory details of events. NJs don’t do this, which is why they often view their past in a more detached way. Their impressions of the past are better described as symbolic or vague. They’re more likely to forget or miss the detailed, physical ramifications of a past action or event, since they translated that happening into an overall, representative image.

3. Introverted Intuition uses subconscious pattern recognition to predict the future

Many make the mistake of describing NJs as psychics, due to introverted intuition stereotypes, but that is not realistic. Rather, as with both introverted perceiving functions, they use their internalized impressions of reality to perceive what will happen in the future. It’s important to realize that an NJs predictions will only be as good as their experiences allow them to be. These personality types often don’t remember where their insight comes from, because they view it as irrelevant, but it has a source, regardless. An NJ shut-in with no life experience will likely be very bad at making realistic predictions. In addition, insights or predictions regarding people and their emotional states is not as likely to be the strength of an INTJ or ENTJ, since that domain is more of a feeler’s specialty. NFJs focus more on emotional ramifications, while NTJs focus on physical ramifications.

4. Introverted Intuitives struggle to support their insights with concrete information

The unfortunate downside of forming impressions detached from sensory details is that the NJs usually struggle to provide concrete information to support their insights. In other words, they may tell you the “vision” that they’ve perceived, and view it as an inevitable, inescapable truth. However, they may be unable to produce a plausible explanation for why that vision or prediction is true. So, to others, the NJ’s insight may seem random or made-up. As a result, people will often demand that the NJ provide concrete facts, logic, or observable details to support their claims. This often leads NJ to feel extremely frustrated, wishing that people would just trust their insight.

5. Introverted Intuitives struggle to verbalize their thoughts

Similar to the above point, NJs often struggle to verbalize their thoughts, since their mind is a well of abstract impressions. Therefore, these personality types will trend toward speaking in terms that are too vague, and leaving out necessary context. Introverts will usually be worse when it comes to this, preferring not to speak at all until they’ve thought things out well in advance. Either way, it will usually take NJs a little extra effort to place words to their thoughts. Of course, they can produce lengthy explanations when given the proper time, but in impromptu situations especially, they may notice that people frequently feel the need to ask them for more information.

6. Introverted Intuitives prepare for reality by making advanced plans

NJs have a low extraverted perceiving function (Se). This means that they prefer to make advanced plans to prepare for what might happen in the future. Out of all the NJs, INTJs and INFJs will be most reliant on making advanced plans, since their Se is inferior. They’ll struggle to be spontaneous, or to act without a plan in place ahead of time. On the other hand, ENTJs and ENFJs may actually appear spontaneous (like a perceiver), because they are extraverted and have decent confidence in their Se. However, they also usually have a plan in mind as they’re approaching situations. They’re just quicker to adapt that plan (or form plans) in response to ever-changing circumstances. Bear in mind, some NJs will actually allow others to do the planning for them, depending on the situation. An NFJ is more likely to relegate the planning aspect to a trusted individual or group, while an NTJ may desire more physical control of the situation. Of course, this can vary.

7. Introverted Intuition usually has a long term ideal in mind

NJs typically have a long term ideal or goal for how they want their life to play out. The healthy NJ will form long term plans to ensure (to the best of their ability) that this ideal becomes reality. Of course, reality may not always live up to their expectations, or the NJ may fail to form reasonable expectations. It’s important to remember that these types are not superhuman. They can fail to actualize their vision, and they can even fail to try, instead remaining content to live in their fantasy of what could be.

8. Introverted Intuitives make flexible plans

For the record, everyone can get detail-oriented about things that are really important to them. However, NJs focus more on the impression something gives them, rather than fixates on the exact details. They may form a goal in which they envision a very specific outcome, but they don’t often meticulously plan out the path to that outcome. They form more “flexible” plans that are capable of adapting to the current data that they perceive in the world around them (Se). As a result, they usually don’t struggle to shift their plan when given new information, so long as the picture they’ve envisioned at the end of the road is still achieved. Although, since NJs generally trend toward vagueness, if that vision is not achieved precisely the way they imagined, they may struggle to explain why because all they know is that the impression they’re getting from the final product is wrong.

9. Introverted Intuitives, due to low Se, physically detach from the moment

To be fair, introverts in general can struggle to be fully present. However, it’s a bit different for NJs. NJs often find themselves mentally living in the future, or their idea of what the future might be. Unfortunately, this means that they can’t always fully engage in the present moment, since they’re so focused on where that present moment is going. Earlier, I explained that these personality types may look back on a past event and feel detached from it because of the way they form impressions. Another reason why they may feel detached from a past memory is because they failed to enjoy that moment when they were in it. As a result, they may look at a picture or interact with a memento of some kind, but not feel any kind of emotional or personal connection to the event it represents.

READ MORE: INTJ/INFJ/ISTJ/ISFJ: Inferior Se vs Inferior Ne

10. Introverted Intuition is interested in narrowing down possibilities, not generating them

Ne and Ni are actually very distinct forms of intuition, just like Se and Si are distinct forms of sensing. NPs (with Ne) are interested in entertaining all the many possibilities, purely for the fun of it. NJs may find this aspect of NPs to be frustrating, because Ni users are constantly looking to perceive the final outcome or reach the desired endpoint. As judgers, they’re not as interested in the process as much as they’re interested in the result. NJs may perceive possible futures, but they’ll quickly want to narrow these down to the most probable.

READ MORE: Ni vs. Ne: Perspectives and Possibilities

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