️ :
im not an expert when it comes to the cognitive functions, but i can tell you what i know.
there are 4 core functions in mbti: intuition (n), sensing (s), thinking (t), and feeling (f).
intuition and sensing are perceiving functions, which means they’re used to take in and process information.
thinking and feeling are judging functions, which are used to make decisions.
each function can be either introverted (i) or extroverted (e).
for example, intuition can show up as introverted intuition (ni) or extroverted intuition (ne). whether a function is introverted or extroverted can change how it’s works.
in total, there are 8 functions:
ni, ne, si, se, ti, te, fi, fe.
each mbti uses all 8 but we mainly rely on the top 4 which are called the ego functions.
the bottom 4 are called the shadow functions are less conscious and undeveloped. they often show up more subtly or when in a state or stress.
the ego stack includes: Dominant, Auxiliary, Tertiary, and Inferior.
dominant – the strongest and most natural function.
auxiliary – supports the dominant function but still strong in its own right.
tertiary – less developed than the dominant and auxiliary functions, often used in more relaxed or playful ways. also aids dominant function.
inferior – the least developed, often a source of insecurity or stress, but also for growth.
the shadow functions are a deeper topic. they usually operate more unconsciously and can show up in negative ways when someone is stressed, insecure, or in an unhealthy state. but they’re also really interesting to study if you’re into personal growth or just want to understand yourself better. i find them the most interesting to learn about.
i wanted to give examples of how enfp and enfj use their functions, because even though they only have a one letter difference, they’re pretty different in how they process and interact with the world. but i hope this helped so far! if you want to go deeper or get examples, just ask
2025-07-17 13:04:32