# The Personality Blueprint: From Letters to Functions

## Part 1: The Four Dichotomies (The Surface Layer)

The four letters represent your **preferences**. Think of these as your "natural defaults."

### 1. [E | I] Energy Orientation (The Power Source)

_Refers to where you direct your attention and how you recharge._

- **Extroversion (E):** Outwardly focused. Energy is gained through interaction and spent in solitude.
    
- **Introversion (I):** Inwardly focused. Energy is gained through solitude and spent during social interaction.
    
    > **Note:** This is a biological battery, not necessarily a measure of social skill.
    

### 2. [S | N] Information Gathering (The Data Collection)

_Refers to what kind of data your brain prioritizes._

- **Sensing (S):** Focuses on "The What." Uses the five senses to observe concrete facts, details, and the present moment. (e.g., _"The deer is breakdancing."_)
    
- **Intuition (N):** Focuses on "The Why." Uses a "sixth sense" to see patterns, possibilities, and future implications. (e.g., _"Where did the deer learn to dance?"_)
    

### 3. [T | F] Decision Making (The Data Processing)

_Refers to the criteria you use when making a choice._

- **Thinking (T):** Objective. Prioritizes logic, consistency, and detached analysis. (e.g., _"Does this work?"_)
    
- **Feeling (F):** Subjective. Prioritizes values, harmony, and the impact on people. (e.g., _"How does this affect us?"_)
    

### 4. [J | P] Outer World Orientation (The Task Manager)

_Refers to how you organize your life and deal with the external world._

- **Judging (J):** Prefers closure. Likes plans, schedules, and "settling" things. (e.g., Knowing what you want to eat before you get to the restaurant).
    
- **Perceiving (P):** Prefers openness. Likes spontaneity, flexibility, and keeping options available. (e.g., Browsing the menu at the table).
    

---

## Part 2: The Cognitive Functions (The Engine Room)

While the letters are a great shorthand, the **Functions** describe the actual "software" running in your brain. There are 8 total, but each person primarily uses a "stack" of 4.

### The Stack Hierarchy

1. **Dominant (Hero):** Your strongest, most natural state. You do this without thinking.
    
2. **Auxiliary (Parent):** Your growth function. It balances the Dominant and is how you help others.
    
3. **Tertiary (Child):** Your "play" function. It feels creative but can be unstable or immature.
    
4. **Inferior (Aspiration):** Your biggest weakness. Under stress, you might "fail" into this function (the "Grip").
    

### Case Study: The "INxJ" Mirror

You and Smithy share the same "Bookends" but use different "Engines" for the outside world.

|**Position**|**Function**|**INFJ (Counselor)**|**INTJ (Mastermind)**|**Role in the Brain**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**1. Dominant**|**Ni**|**Introverted Intuition**|**Introverted Intuition**|The "Internal Radio" predicting the future.|
|**2. Auxiliary**|**F/T**|**Extroverted Feeling (Fe)**|**Extroverted Thinking (Te)**|How you execute plans and talk to people.|
|**3. Tertiary**|**T/F**|**Introverted Thinking (Ti)**|**Introverted Feeling (Fi)**|Your internal "logic check" or "value check."|
|**4. Inferior**|**Se**|**Extroverted Sensing**|**Extroverted Sensing**|Your "clumsiness" or stress-induced overindulgence.|

---

## Part 3: Deep Dive into "Ni" (Introverted Intuition)

As an INxJ, this is your primary mode of existence.

- **The Synthesizer:** Ni takes thousands of data points from the past and present (collected by your inferior Se) and collapses them into a single "hunch" or vision.
    
- **The Future Focus:** While a Sensor sees a fork and an outlet, Ni sees the **result** of the interaction before it happens.
    
- **The NJ Factor:** * **N** provides the abstract "What if?"
    
    - **J** provides the drive for a singular conclusion ("This will happen").
        
    - **Result:** A laser-focused, predictive mindset that is often 10 steps ahead but may miss what is right in front of its face.
        

---

## Part 4: Practical Interaction Guide

To communicate effectively, you must speak to a person's **Auxiliary (2nd) Function**, as that is their "handshake" with the world.

- **Dealing with an INFJ (Fe-Aux):** * _Approach:_ Focus on shared goals, "we," and social harmony.
    
    - _Avoid:_ Being unnecessarily harsh or dismissive of human impact.
        
- **Dealing with an INTJ (Te-Aux):** * _Approach:_ Focus on efficiency, data, and "what works."
    
    - _Avoid:_ Asking how they "feel" about a logical plan or wasting time with small talk.
        
- **Dealing with an xSxP (Se-User):**
    
    - _Approach:_ Give them something concrete to look at or do. Be direct.
        
    - _Avoid:_ Long-winded abstract theories without an immediate application.
        

---

### How to use these notes in Obsidian

1. **Tagging:** Use `#mbti` `#psychology` and `#cognitive-functions`.
    
2. **Linking:** If you mention "Harrison" or "Aiko," link their names `[[Aiko]]` to a separate note where you track their suspected type and functions.
    
3. **Canvas:** Use the Obsidian Canvas to map out the "opposite" relationships (Ni vs Se) visually.
    

**Would you like me to draft a "Cheat Sheet" for the other 6 functions so you can start typing people like Aiko or Harrison more accurately?**