Beginner’s Guide to the Perceiving Functions
I’ve called this a beginner’s guide to the perceiving functions, but maybe “crash course” is more accurate. Here at Practical Typing, we enjoy deep dives into cognitive function theory. We have many articles discussing the finer details of the individual cognitive functions. However, it’s valuable to have articles that paint the big picture, so to speak. So, the intent behind this beginners guide is to give an overview of the perceiving functions and how they interact with each other.
What Are The Perceiving Functions?
Carl Jung originally defined eight cognitive functions, four of which are perceiving functions while the other four are judging functions. He referred to the perceiving functions as “irrational” because their focus is purely on perceiving information. (Each perceiving function does this in different ways.) The perceiving functions don’t make the decisions; they help inform the decision-making functions. They perceive, not judge.
The four perceiving functions are the following: Extraverted Sensing (Se), Introverted Sensing (Si), Extraverted Intuition (Ne), and Introverted Intuition (Ni).
Categorizing the Perceiving Functions
There are two different ways you can group the four perceiving functions: by orientation or by type of information. Orientation splits the perceiving functions by extraversion and introversion. The extraverted perceiving functions (Ne and Se) focus on processing and interacting with information in the external world in real-time, while the introverted perceiving functions (Ni and Si) form internal impressions of those interactions to use for future projection.
Splitting them up by type of information groups the functions by whether they value intuition or sensing. This is the more prominent way to group the perceiving functions, popularized by the Myers-Briggs theory.
The Perceiving Functions Come In Pairs
There are two different types of intuitives and two different types of sensors. However, every intuitive has a sensing function to balance them out (if they develop it), just like every sensor has a intuition function to balance them out. Extraverted Intuition (Ne) always comes with Introverted Sensing (Si), while Introverted Intuition (Ni) always comes with Extraverted Sensing (Se). Those are the two percieving axes: Ne/Si and Ni/Se. Ne/Si includes the NPs and the SJs, while Ni/Se includes the NJs and the SPs. You can’t have both types of intuition or sensing, and both types are distinct.
Intuitives vs. Sensors
Some people do seem to know definitively if they are an intuitive or a sensor, without knowing which cognitive functions they actually use. However, it’s also common to see certain people convinced that they are intuitives when they are actually sensors, for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, some of the generalizations surrounding the intuition/sensing dichotomy have created misunderstandings. Not all sensors look alike, just like not all intuitives look alike.
Related Articles: Am I an Intuitive or a Sensor?
Not All Sensors and Intuitives Look Alike
The intuition functions do share some similarities, just like the sensing function share some similarities, which is why grouping by this dichotomy is not invalid. However, Ne is distinct from Ni, just like Si is distinct from Se. For instance, while ENFPs and ENFJs may both be intuitives, these types look significantly different from one another. Same goes for the INTJs and INTPs. Ne/Si does not really look like Ni/Se, although it can produce similar results at times.
Certain types of sensors will relate far more to certain types of intuitives then they will to some of the other sensor types. The same can be said about the intuitives. For instance, ISTPs and ISFPs often relate to certain NJ types, because of how aware they are of their tertiary Ni. Remember, cognitive functions are about how we think. If you’re on an entirely different perceiving axis than someone else, the two of you won’t think very much alike.
The Ne/Si Perceiving Axis
The Ne/Si axis uses concrete details as a springboard for possibilities. Ne is divergent, spawning more and more possibilities, reluctant to rule out options. Si forms specific, detailed sensory impressions, which Ne will use to make connections and generate possible outcomes. As a result, those who fall within this axis often like gathering a variety of information on subjects that may not be immediately useful or relevant to them.
Ne/Si is a more concrete axis. These users tend to think more in words, which is why it’s usually easier for them to produce words to explain their thoughts. They may be prone to over-explaining or sharing an overabundance of information in an attempt to get their thoughts across precisely.
Related Articles: The Cognitive Functions In Each Position: Ne and Si
Ne/Si in the SJs
As types that prioritize Si, the SJs value the details. Their focus on the details often produces a more specific memory (which does not mean that they will remember everything). As a result, they’ll often relay precise information in conversion, avoiding the possibility for ambiguity. The information will usually always be directly relevant, even if the listener thinks it’s excessive.
SJs value predictability and security, which manifests in a few different ways. For starters, they are NOT present-oriented. These types consciously check their past impressions (good and bad) to figure out what they want their future to look like. They may struggle to live in the moment, because they’re too focused on checking future implications to make sure their preferred lifestyle is secure. These types will focus on precision and consistency in the way they do things in their daily lives, to ensure the specific outcome they desire. Therefore, they’ll often value routine. (In contrast, NPs may get hyper-specific about certain routines or tasks, but they’ll overall, from a big picture standpoint, struggle with inconsistency, being prone to switching things up every so often.)
SJs should display signs of Ne use, but it’ll be milder (especially in the ISJs) and possibly limited to their intimate circle of friends and family. They’ll instead focus more on remembering the details of past outcomes and using Ne to foresee future possible scenarios to begin preparations for. Weak Ne use tends to manifest as catastrophizing (imagining endless bad and possibly unrealistic scenarios), which is most common in the SJs. However, both high and low Ne users may fall into this trap when stressed.
Related Articles: Do SJs Have The Best Memories?, 5 Introverted Sensing (Si) Stereotypes, Exploring Introverted Sensing (Si)
Ne/Si in the NPs
NPs, with high Ne, value novelty and possibility. These are the people who run scenarios for entertainment, rather than just out of necessity. NPs, compared to the SJs, have a really hard time ruling out options because they enjoy considering possibilities. (NPs often really struggle to accept their personality type 100% because of this.) They’ll enjoy considering any and all possibilities, even when there is little connection to reality. NPs ask “what if?”, question everything, and speculate about what could be. They’ll naturally call out patterns in the external world, and connect details together. Sometimes these patterns will be very small, spinning off something minor, like how two words sound the same (puns and references).
As the “idea people”, NPs often excel at brainstorming or producing ideas on the spot. Conversations with an NP may seem very scattered at times because of their tendency to call out connections that others may not naturally notice, or may deem obscure or irrelevant. They will tend to go on a lot of tangents, which is partially why they’re known for rambling and “word vomit”. It can sometimes be easier for them to flesh out their thoughts and ideas out loud.
NPs, depending on how well their Si is developed, may or may not have a very specific memory, but they will have a desire for the details and tendency to get pedantic or hyper-specific about things that matter to them. Although, NPs are known for remembering very specific and obscure details that are overall useless. This is the result of weak Si. (Of course, bear in mind, SJs can, at times, use Si in a weak way, like the NPs.)
Related Articles: 7 Extraverted Intuition (Ne) Stereotypes, Exploring Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
The Ni/Se Axis Perceiving Axis
Ni/Se users perceive details in the moment which they tie into a single, underlying concept. Ni is convergent. Se gathers data in the moment which Ni stores away as an abstract impression or pattern. Unlike the Ne/Si users, Ni/Se users will not typically feel compelled to keep generating possibilities. Instead, their impulse is to narrow possibilities down to one single probability. (They may draw multiples in effort to have backup plans.) This allows them to approach life in a single minded way.
Overall, Ni/Se users tend to not throw such a wide net when it comes to gathering information. They focus more on information that’s immediately useful or directly related to their current interests. Similarly, they value getting to the essence of a thought, rather than elaborating and sharing the full context. They often strip away the excess details, which can result in either vague or overly concise language.
Related Articles: The Cognitive Functions In Each Position: Ni and Se
Ni/Se in the NJs
NJs, with high Ni, focus on internalizing patterns for future implications. These patterns won’t always be tied to the specific event which caused them to form, because Ni will strip away the excess details before internalizing. Because of this, NJs won’t consider themselves past-oriented, and they may not believe that they take the past into account at all. However, in reality, their abstract impressions are formed from past events, which function as situational templates. In other words, they may instinctively recognize a scenario (due to one of their stored patterns) and get a sudden insight about what’s happening beneath the surface or how things will play out. Subsequently, they may struggle to support their insights with concrete information, because they devalue the details and fail to internalize them.
NJs often use vague language, focusing less on specifics and more on concepts or general ideas. Many will struggle to produce words to adequately explain their thoughts due to the abstract nature of Ni. As a result, they’re prone to pausing and going inward whilst searching for a clear way to get their point across. This is not to say that some won’t be talkers, especially the extraverted types. However, they should still feel the need to take time out to evaluate how to verbally articulate their ideas.
As types that focus more on patterns than the details that formed them, NJs don’t typically consider themselves detail-oriented. The higher the Ni the more they’ll fail to recognize or respond to the details of the moment, focusing more on the impression the current moment gives them. In other words, they’ll attempt to perceive the future implications of what’s going on around them, failing to actually live in the moment. When unhealthy, Ni (which can apply to both SPs and NJs) will cause a person to hone in on one negative future, resulting in paranoia for that specific outcome.
Related Articles: Exploring Introverted Intuition (Ni), 6 Introverted Intuition (Ni) Stereotypes
Ni/Se in the SPs
SPs, with high Se, enjoy gathering a wide range of new experiences, and value being present. They’re usually averse to projecting too far out into the future, as a result of low Ni. They don’t like to lock themselves into one path, or distract themselves from the present. Ultimately, their focus is on the immediate moment, or the immediately available sensory input, which makes them less burdened by future implications. They’ll focus on seeing and reacting to things as they are, unbiased by the future or the past. (Of course, this may lead to repeating the same mistakes over and over again.) Subsequently, they’re expectations for experiences aren’t nearly as high as they are for other types, making them less prone to disappointment when things don’t quite go according to plan. (ISFPs are sometimes the exception to this, because of Fi idealism.) SPs will simply appreciate the chance to do things, and experience life. They’ll demonstrate a willingness to give things a second chance.
SPs may or may not consider themselves detail-oriented. Many excel at honing in on the details of the moment. They’ll quickly process the details of their surroundings, and respond instinctively. However, they often don’t remember these details after the moment passes, instead being left with a somewhat vague impression of what happened. (ESPs often consider themselves detail-oriented, while the ISPs vary because of the slightly higher Ni placement.) Ni in the SPs will support them via their instincts, by giving them gut feelings that they may not always be able back up.
While SPs aren’t usually vague, they’ll probably be good at finding the fewest amount of words to relay a concept. In other words, they’ll be concise. They prefer to cut through all of the excess information, and get straight to the point. This doesn’t mean that they’ll never produce long-winded explanations, but for the ISPs especially, it’ll usually only happen when absolutely necessary. SPs may struggle with accidentally withholding relevant information, because they failed to explain the full context or they only shared the end result.
Related Articles: The Value of Extraverted Sensing (Se), Exploring Extraverted Sensing (Se)
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So in terms of recall and responding to things, would this be a good example?:
Si: Recalls that a group of kids always crash the picnic every year at around 5pm by throwing water balloons at everyone, they start planning a counterattack by starting to fill up water balloons at 3pm.
Ni: Can’t remember why exactly but once they got the invitation to the picnic they had a feeling a water balloon attack was inevitable so they brought water balloons to the picnic as a counter-measure. (Since they don’t remember the exact time it usually happens.)
Se: Too busy enjoying the picnic to think about water balloon attacks but once it happens they’re the first to respond since they’re present and not as distracted as the other types and start counter-attacking with the water balloon stockpile lying around due the Si and Ni users.
Ne: Sees the Si and Ni users bringing water balloons and starts going through possibilities as to why. (“Are we having a game? Maybe hot potato with water balloons? Ooh, are we having a water balloon fight later? What would be some good spots for cover?” etc.) Once the attack happens they’re still able to counter-attack using some of the spots they saw earlier, even though they weren’t expecting an outside attack.
You’ve got the general idea, but some things are definitely overly simplified (as they often are in these types of examples). For instance, Ni users don’t lack a memory, so they’re going to remember that a water balloon attack happens every year. They just may have overlooked some of the concrete details. So, in your simplistic example, it’s probably more accurate to say that they prepare for the inevitable attack (as you said), but don’t remember exactly when it’s going to happen during the day. However, shortly before 5pm, they get hyper-vigilant, because they sense that the attack is happening soon.
I like your Ne example, though. That seemed pretty accurate. Are you an NP?
Hey, thanks for consistently providing such accurate descriptions. I know this site tends to focus more on analyzing the first four functions. However, some theorists suggest that, for instance, an Ne person might also excel at narrowing down to a single path, as Ni is in the fifth or sixth position. I’m curious to know your thoughts on this. If someone has a minimalist approach to thinking (like needing to eliminate options to confirm their personal philosophy) but is also great at elaborating in writing (like enjoying writing long novels and can talk a lot), which axis do you think they’re more likely to align with?
We focus on the top four because anything people theorize for the lower four functions can be more easily explained by the top four functions. Combinations of cognitive functions working together can achieve similar results as singular functions, which is why I think the eight function model just adds unnecessary complications, which people often use to justify a mistype. With that being said, an NP that excels at narrowing down has a well-developed judging function. For instance, one of the reasons that INTPs mistake themselves as INTJs is because as judging dominants, INTPs often don’t relate to struggling to narrow down their options. That makes sense though because their priority is to make a judgement, not leave things open-ended.
I personally don’t like to speculate about someone’s type with so little information. Talking a lot can mean Ne, but it can also mean extraverted, depending on the context. Enjoying writing long novels can be literally any personality type. Needing to eliminate options as a general rule (and not just in a few specific settings) would point away from being a Ne dominant.
Oh, I’ll take getting “the general idea”. I kind of just kind of wanted to make sure I… well, had the general idea lol.
And yes! I’m INTP. Though, like you wrote in your article up there Ne users are prone to not being 100% sure about their type but after much research and obsessing I think I’m at the point where I’m at least… 93% sure. 😵💫
Also, I forgot to thank you for clarifying about Ni users! I kind of wonder what else I oversimplified in my example (I’m guessing since the Si and Ni users tend to be more cautious counter-attacking/revenge with the Water Balloons wouldn’t be the… default[?] option for most of them?) but I think I have a bit more accurate picture of Ni users now, haha.