For while we have the two main types of introvert and extravert based
on the two major instincts, we have also the four types based on the
functions. In other words, a man may not only be an extravert or
introvert, but also a thinking type, a feeling type, an intuitive type
or a sensational type.
According to Jung, these four functions of _thinking_, _feeling_,
_intuition_ and _sensation_ constitute the make-up of the psyche; and
each of us tends to accent one of them at the expense of the others.
The _thinking type_ is one of the most easily discernible. He takes
thought, he thinks things out; he thinks before he acts. He is apt
to be logical, deliberate, fairly sure of himself, even dogmatic. He
usually lives by a system of thought he has worked out, and which he
tries to force upon others. He has strong opinions, because he has
arrived at them by sure-footed thinking. If he is extraverted he is
the good executive, the engineer, the lawyer; if introverted, the
philosopher and certain types of scientist. The thinking type is found
mostly among men; in Jung’s opinion thinking is a masculine function.
The _feeling type_ is usually found among women; though there have
been men, and great ones, who were of this type: notably Goethe,
Wagner and Walt Whitman. The feeling type, normally, is not good at
thinking, is, in fact, opposed to thinking, since thinking a thing out
is the opposite of feeling it out. Feeling, itself, is a reaction of
_like_ and _dislike_ and is a delicate adjustment to the _fitness of
things_. The values of the extraverted feeling woman are almost purely
external. In choosing a husband she aims rather at the correct thing
than at the deeper qualities. The man who has wealth, position, and who
dresses according to the style, who has good company manners and is
worldly is apt to appeal to her. Her feelings are appeased by him; she
isn’t “jarred” or made to feel his unfitness for the world she lives
in. She “likes” him. Her opinions on things are according to the styles
of the moment. She desires everything to move along harmoniously,
without any unpleasantness. She is not deep, but she keeps society
afloat by her ease and attempt to bring everything into harmony.
The _introverted feeling woman_ is one of the silent women. Her
feelings form into long moods, which persist sometimes for days. She
suffers quietly and cannot express herself. She has no language for
these moods.
Feeling, by the way, must not be confused with _emotion_. Emotion,
as Jung points out, is a _feeling-sensation_; that is, it is at the
same time both mental and physical; something instinctive, which we
share with the animals. An emotion of joy, for instance, not only is
perceived mentally, a state of happiness, but also is felt physically:
the pulse goes faster, the cheeks become flushed, etc. But feeling is
something separated more or less from sensation and developed into an
independent function.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account