Need some help understanding MBTI vs. Jung Cognitive Functions?

The online test are not all that accurate regarding type assignment. Nobody fits the description of a single type 100%. A more efficient way of figuring out your main type is to really study the functions in depth. For a very simplified description of each:

INFP: Fi-Ne-Si-Te

Fi (introverted feeling)- places importance of internal, subjective morals and values; authentic, forms value judgments, derives its sense of right and wrong from the self

Ne (extraverted intuition)- sees possibilities of what could happen at any given moment, notices what is objectively not present, idealistic, abstract and theoretical, imagines a multitude of alternatives from a starting point of a single concept

Si (introverted sensing)- collects and stores subjective impressions of concrete, tangible sensory data and experience; nostalgic, sentimental, precise in remembering detailed sensory facts, maps out an internal database of the past for security, reminiscing, and navigation

Te (extraverted thinking)- utilizes reasoning based on logic and facts external to self, practical, execution-style, organizing, by-the-book, results-oriented, places value on established facts and tried-and-true methodologies of logic, sees the logical steps it takes to achieve a goal

INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se

Ni (introverted intuition)- looks for the underlying, subjective meaning of events, connects the dots, sees past the obvious, future oriented, sees the big picture, foresees implications, creates new ways of looking at common occurrences; cosmically views time as a long continuous river-like flow, not as a division of days

Fe (extraverted feeling)- emphasizes, and derives its morals from, collective ethical values external to self, values social harmony, notices change in the objective emotional atmosphere, empathetic, very in tune with others

Ti (introverted thinking)- breaks systems apart for a thorough understanding of them, creates a subjective framework or web of logic independent of external criteria and standards, process-oriented, finds logical inconsistences, analogical, creates theories of how things works, analytical, synthesizing

Se (extraverted sensing)- actively engages in the external physical environment, seeks new experiences that stimulate the five senses, lives in the moment, grounded in physical reality, hedonistic, thinks on its feet, indiscriminately picks up on changes in the environment in an objective way, action-oriented


Ne, Si, Ni, and Se are used to take in information. Ti, Fe, Te, and Fi are used to judge information. Knowing the order of a temperament type's functions is important. The first function of a type is the dominant, the 2nd auxiliary, the 3rd tertiary, the 4th inferior. The dominant function is essentially the one a type prefers to use the most and gains the most energy using. It is the first function that starts to develop in ones lifetime, from early childhood. It is wielded with excellent skill in comparison to the other functions. The secondary function is the back-up function that one gains some energy using. This one typically begins to develop around the time of adolescence. It is handled in a fairly good manner compared to the other functions. The tertiary, which ideally starts to develop in early adulthood, is prioritized after the auxiliary, and is utilized with mediocre skill in relation to the two above it. It operates partially outside the ego. One expends a bit of energy when using it. The fourth function is used last and in a primitive way, just barely enough for the individual to be able to survive, unless said user has consciously developed it or matured. It is the last function that develops in ones lifetime. It leaves the user feeling drained if used for too long. It normally functions mostly outside the ego.

Representations of extraverted functions: http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/swiftslinger/media/797f677f-cefe-4fa6-9f1f-8d76b58f8ac3_zps81afea92.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
Representations of introverted functions: http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/swiftslinger/media/4bffbef9-1995-4b26-a047-929a00771f74_zpsddece4f5.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Introverted intuition dominant INFJ lives in a world of far-reaching implications, underlying meanings, patterns, connections, insights, and symbols.

Introverted feeling dominant INFP lives in a world of emotions, morals, and values.

So stereotypically...

The INFP would have an intellectual wit due to noticing what is missing (auxiliary Ne), would make value judgments that are personal to himself, and place an emphasis personal integrity from himself and others, but would not easily show his emotions (dominant Fi). The INFJ would connect the dots between events, giving him foresight and depth of understanding (dominant Ni), and value external values such as courtesy, politeness, etc. (auxiliary Fe).

On the flip side, the INFP would have relative difficultly making strictly logical decisions based off his past experience (tertiary Si- inferior Te), therefore not learning from his mistakes as much as one can. He would have a harder time achieving goals due to not seeing the logical step-by-step processes required to reach them. The INFJ, however, would have a relatively hard time getting in touch with his critical thinking skills, so will tend to not think for himself on an impersonal, rational basis (tertiary Ti). He would also feel drained by fully living in the moment in an objective sense, purely engaging in his five senses, and receiving loads of sensory stimulation (inferior Se).