Disability and Cognitive Functions: Inferior Functions and Grips

The inferior function is the function that is weakest in the primary functional stack. It is how we project negativities and suffer stress. Moreover, using the inferior function in a healthy way can lead to significant development. The inferior function is a master of sabotage as it causes us to question our deepest beliefs and abandon what we thought really matters. However, its very nature is key to mastery of self-understanding.

Grief is a common example of the inferior function's manifestation. For example, an INFJ in an inferior Se grip will resort to hedonism in order to fill an inner void and abandon their visions. This, known as a "grip", can manifest in an ENTP as hypochondria. Grips feel crushing, hence the name. The inferior function most often presents an irritated version of itself, which leads most people to despise it. 

Appearing to have been built on feeling functions, the disability community shuns thinking functions, especially Te. The kind of ableist Te that deems disabled people "inefficient" and, thus, a waste is the same Te that ferrets out efficient methods of distributing much-needed resources in sufficient quantities. In a community with more thinkers, feeling functions would be seen as useless and impractical. The functions are not alignments and cannot be connected to such.

Grips are a result of exhausting the dominant and auxiliary functions, forcing the inferior function to take over. For example, an ENFJ in a Ti grip will resort to over-analysis to sort through problems and neglect their and others' emotional states. Analysis of any bad day blog post will give you a clear example of how their grips manifest.

Neurological and medicsl factors can contribute to grips and vice versa. Mental illness can manifest as a grip as can the buildup to a sensory or emotional meltdown. The latter seems to be correlated with inferior sensing functions, especially Se, but such a connection is spurious at best.

When well-developed, the inferior function serves as a basis for insight. Inferior Ni can serve as the basis for seeing a bigger picture, whatever it may be. Activism and advocacy using the inferior function positively is possible. It can creep up as a surprise at times, but whether you want to receive it as a positive or negative surprise is entirely up to you.

Disability and Cognitive Functions: The Tertiary Function and Loops

Your tertiary function is the function that you engage in when you are being childish or childlike. This function comforts the dominant function and is used to recharge it. It is how we are creative and playful at its best and how we are immature and derailing at its worst. The tertiary function is often used along with the auxiliary in order to back it up.

When your tertiary function kicks in, you feel like a new person. Depending on what your tertiary function is, it can assist you in either seeing things from other perspectives (perceiving) or considering other factors in your decision making (judging). Your tertiary function forces you to challenge deep-seated beliefs or adopt better systems. For example, the ESFJ has tertiary Ne that enables extrapolation off of what the ESFJ already knows from auxiliary Si.

Living with a disability can force cognitive function development. The tertiary function is one of those functions. Humor, a skill developed by many PwDs as a survival tactic, is the prime place to see the tertiary function at work. An INTP may make a satire on how applying for accommodations or benefits is unnecessarily complicated using dominant Ti to make the satire logically consistent and tertiary Si to incorporate their own experiences and the experiences of others with the faulty system. However, that is not the only use for the tertiary function.

As stated before, the tertiary function can be used to change one's modus operandi. For example, an INFJ may have a vision of what they see as best for everyone. However, tertiary Ti allows the INFJ to see that not everyone will benefit from it. The INFJ will proceed to adjust this vision to allow others to reject it while still maintaining the integrity of their original idea. The latter may not occur in a loop: overuse of the dominant and tertiary functions.

In a loop, the dominant and tertiary relay information to each other with little to no input from the auxiliary and inferior functions. Loops impede self-care and intrapersonal development by "blocking" these functions. A loop may render one exhausted or prevent reasoning as to what is realistic and aligns with one's values. Looping extroverted functions generates a fake energy and veneer of overcompensation while looping introverted functions promotes uncharacteristic callousness (Ti) or emotional irrationality (Fi).

Loops, at best, are precursors to and symptoms of neurological disorders. They are not disorders themselves, though. They can mimic anxiety and/or depression or be a symptom, but anxiety, depression, and other disorders are not loops themselves. Channeling an auxiliary or inferior function will allow the loop to "break"; with a disorder, there is usually no such luck.

Disability and Cognitive Functions: Judging Functions

The DiSCability official symbol* (Design: FlutistPride)

So, did you guys enjoy my little post on perceiving functions? Well, here come the judging functions! The judging functions influence decisions we make based on what makes sense to us (thinking) and our values (feeling). In a dominant or auxiliary position, our judging functions make up the predominant basis of our judgments. Like perceiving functions, these can be introverted (self-directed) or extroverted (outer world-directed).

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) (  FJ)
Fe takes "I feel your pain" to the next level. Fe users are empathetic and may even seem/be empathic in some cases. (Any type can be empathic; it is more likely for Fe users.) Fe users are adept at saying the right thing at the right time to suit your emotional needs, even if those things do not make much sense. Especially with dominant Fe, Fe users tend to have a sense of authority as in: "I know what's best for you". In the disability community, Fe is easily one of the most, if not the most, powerful functions. For better or worse, Fe unites people by appealing to their emotions. This can lead to the strongest bonds and the deepest rifts. It is common for autistic Fe users, especially Fe doms, to go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Fe validates the struggles of all positions and even takes them up as their own.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) (  FP)
Fi is focused on one's internal state and personal values. Contrary to popular belief, Fi is not judgmental in and of itself. Fi users respect the individuality of others while making no compromises on their own identity. They are often rather creative and love surrounding themselves with beauty according to their own definition. Fi users are blunt and opinionated, but they usually do not intend to hurt others by making such statements. Expression is a part of identity, the basis for an Fi user's personal values. Fi users tend to be more self-aware than other types; they often realize they are "different" early on. They tend to have strong views on how they think others should treat them and those close to them and are not afraid to say it. At the same time, Fi users respect, even admire, this kind of expression from others.

Extroverted Thinking (Te) (  TJ)
Te is all about efficiency, systems, and bare-bones raw facts. The disability community seems to be prejudiced against Te, which is why Te users in the community tend to feel out of place. Te users strive to make smoother transitions, advance measurably, and achieve goals. It is common for a disabled Te user to feel frustrated at their perceived lack of measurable achievement and, in turn, tenaciously strive to hone their skills in order to fulfill their need for such a thing. Te users tend to ignore their emotions, which can lead to a downward spiral. The spoon theory and like ideas appeal to Te users due to the use of a straightforward, logical interface to explain distribution of energy. Te users are quick to recommend products and services that they think will benefit others and will point out errors of fact in the blink of an eye.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) (  TP)
Ti reflects on presented and processed information by fitting it into a subjective framework of relative truths. Ti users can spot logical inconsistencies quickly and give the disability community the dose of flexibility and wit it needs in order to keep it afloat in the waves of adversity. They can sometimes come off as callous or even heartless. On the other hand, Ti users can appear to lack rationality. Ti users do not lack morals or reason. Instead, they are governed by an intricate web of consistent principles that they can shift for their own personal benefit as they please. The Ti user's favorite phrase is "Have you thought of it this way?". They generally enjoy playing devil's advocate and introducing new perspectives in order to challenge others' frameworks. Although Ti users can come off as aloof or uncaring, that is rarely the case. Ti users just care too much to cloud their words with personal biases that distract from what they are trying to say.


*Image Description: A robust white stick figure in a wheelchair that reads "DiSC" on the wheel in a clockwise direction. D (uppercase) is red, i (lowecase) is yellow, S (uppercase) is green, and C (uppercase) is blue. The image is on a blue background.

Disclaimer: Note that I understand the functions through my own functions. Although I try not to let any biases slip by, please do not read these descriptions as totally objective. I do not claim to be a professional psychologist. I'm just an enthusiast.

Disability and Cognitive Functions: Perceiving Functions

The DiSCability official symbol* (Design: FlutistPride)

Perceiving functions are the functions we use to take in and interpret information. They determine our preference for giving and receiving information. The functions, sensing and intuition, can be extroverted (directed towards the outer world) or introverted (directed towards one's self). The dominant or auxiliary perceiving function is used as the main mode of processing facts, finding patterns, and synthesizing them for further processing using judging functions. Perceiving functions are not directly used to make decisions, but rather provide the basis for decisions.

Extroverted Sensation (Se) ( S P)

Se is associated with movement and physical activity as well as refined praxis. Many disabled Se users mistype due to the nature of descriptions of Se. An Se user could be aware of their movements, but lack control over them. This frustrates Se users greatly. Se is the ability to use one's immediate environment to their advantage. An Se user is generally in tune with their physical self. This allows Se users to spot accessibility features/a lack thereof right off the bat, manipulate their bodies in ways others do not think to be possible, know when sensory overload is coming, and milk the potential of anything physical. Se is also known to be promoting. Se users know how to put on a show--and they enjoy doing it. This is a useful skill in advocacy and in succeeding in areas where others with similar abilities cannot. Paralympic athletes are (most likely) fine examples of high Se and disability in combination.

Introverted Sensation (Si) ( S J)

Si is not a good memory or a traditionalist viewpoint, though Si users tend to have such things. Si is looking back on a repository of carefully stored experiences in order to perform a certain task or cope with uncertainty regarding a situation. Si users, generally, do not trust what differs from what they know works. It is not that Si users are intolerant; they just prefer the tried and true over experimenting with the new. A disabled Si user generally seeks out others with similar experiences, usually with the intention of helping others like them. Such people usually join or start support groups. It is common for Si users to feel isolated when others do not share their experiences, which motivates them to band together and exchange impressions (unless the Si user has had a bad experience with experience sharing). 

Extroverted Intuition (Ne) ( N P)

Ne users are good at seeing possibilities because that's what Ne is: extrapolating to multiple outcomes from a single point. Ne-one can be Ne-thing according to Ne users. (<-Pun that would make an Ne user proud) When something is impossible, Ne users make it possible. Ne comes in handy for imaging improvements for assistive technology, better benefit systems, and noticing underlying patterns behind disability perception. Ne users tend towards outlets that promote this explosive function's qualities such as blogging, arts, and public speaking. They do not like to settle for a known method when something else could be better. Ne users are likely to have colorfully decorated assistive technology among other things. These people use their intuition to extrapolate to other possibilities of how others experience their lives rather than "just knowing" or experiencing it for themselves.

Introverted Intuition ( N J)

Ni users get straight to the point: that is, their vision of how things should be. Ni users make great activists because they doggedly pursue their visions. However, Ni users are often reluctant to implement large-scale visions knowing they will yield disappointment. They tend to shoot straight towards their goals knowing how they should look exactly and tend to have little regard for the sensory aspects of life. This is both advantageous and detrimental as it leads to more security regarding appearance, but decreases awareness of one's physical needs. Ni users tend towards writing. However, Ni writing has a clear objective rather than having random, seemingly incoherent thoughts. Ni swings back and shoots straight to land on a target. Where these targets come from is often only known to the Ni user. Personal symbolism is another component of Ni that others tend to miss. Ni users draw vague conclusions about what certain things mean to them; an Ni user can write an entire article about what a certain object means independent from any impressions with said object.

*Image Description: A robust white stick figure in a wheelchair that reads "DiSC" on the wheel in a clockwise direction. D (uppercase) is red, i (lowecase) is yellow, S (uppercase) is green, and C (uppercase) is blue. The image is on a blue background.

The ESTP's INFJ Shadow

Image Description: The image reads "The ESTP and their INFJ shadow"
with "The ESTP and their" being in Perpetua and "INFJ Shadow" being
in Zapfino. "ESTP" is in dark scarlet (#EE2E25). "INFJ Shadow" has a white outline
and a black fill. The words the, and, and their are completely white. The image is on a
black background.

I've read about how INFJs experience an ESTP shadow, so I'm turning the tables and explaining how ESTPs experience their INFJ shadow.

The ESTP under normal circumstances is pragmatic, outspoken, and energetic. This is because the ESTP is operating using their dominant and auxiliary function (Se and Ti respectively) to do whatever ESTPs do. Carl Jung shed light on our shadow selves by understanding and explaining it through the interface of cognitive functions. Like all facets of ourselves, our shadow self should be acknowledged and understood like we try to understand our conscious selves.

The ESTP's shadow mirrors negative traits of the INFJ personality type. The INFJ type is often venerated as one of the most insightful and enigmatic types. However, a negative manifestation of the INFJ's intrinsic qualities that surfaces when an ESTP is tired, overwhelmed, depressed, or just not themselves is a force to be reckoned with. Especially due to the nature of the INFJ, ESTPs need to take extra care in managing their shadow selves.

ESTPs in their INFJ Shadow often Find Themselves

• Missing opportunities due to anticipatory anxiety and not wanting to be a waste of time
• Imagining worst case scenarios
• Questioning their moral compass
• Absorbing emotions from others and having no idea what to do with them
• Self-loathing
• Acting hypercritical of themselves
• Abstaining from things they normally enjoy in the absence of a desire for self-improvement
• Projecting negative futures for themselves
• Not wanting to pursue their passions
• Overtaken by uncharacteristic apathy and/or pessimism (TL;DR)

This grip experience leads to a reduction in self-care. In your INFJ shadow, you may start disregarding your physical health and your work and hobbies. This is known as a "grip" because you feel like you're being slowly strangled in a large fist.

To get out of the grip and get back to a healthy order of your functions, get out and do something totally Se-oriented. Take a walk, invite a friend over to have fun, buy some nice clothes, listen to music, and/or make and savor your favorite food. Use Ti to analyze a cool new theory or explain a concept.

Now matter how long or short you've been in your INFJ shadow, your Se and Ti will remind you that this grip is irrational and that you should get some sun and stimulation. Take the time to get to know your shadow self and acknowledge it as a part of who you are. ESTPs generally don't delve into the deepest depths of themselves, so take it as an opportunity to explore!


This is a mashup of Clarity and Wildfire by JubyPhonic. I think mirrors the struggle of an Ni grip (Clarity) and struggling to get back to healthy functions (Wildfire).

This song, Tokyo Teddy Bear (dubbed again by JubyPhonic), reflects inferior Ni and the ESTP.

Ableism and Cognitive Functions At a Glance

Ableism is a means of perceiving the world and understanding others (in a totally misguided and ignorant way), so what better way is there to understand ableism than through Jung's cognitive functions?

Keep in mind that cognitive functions are about how and why you do something, not what you do. Anyone can be ableist no matter what their dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, etc. functions are. This post focuses on dominant and maybe auxiliary functions unlike the martyr mommy post (You know the one.) that I wrote which covers primary functions in a specific pattern.

No cognitive function is more ableist than another. Keep in mind that I understand the cognitive functions through the interface of my own functions. 

The Sensing Functions

•  Extroverted sensing (Se) is the use of one's sensory perception to gather information that relates to one's present experiences. The ableist Se user acts according to their impulses and creates awkward moments. They focus on the sensory details that are different from what they are used to and, thus, experience fear. Se users tend to ask unwelcome personal questions to understand what they perceive. 
• Introverted sensing (Si) is the use of one's sensory perception to gather information in order to relate it to past experiences. The ableist Si user stores past experiences when others and feels threatened when presented with someone who deviates from their constructed image of what is safe. Si users tend to stare or make tactless comments while constructing misguided images of disability based on their past experiences.

The Intuitive Functions

• Extroverted intuition (Ne) is the use of one's intuition to form ideas using immediate contexts together. The ableist Ne user is quick to make assumptions about what someone else can do based on previous notions of their definition of ability. They tend to focus on the idea of disability itself rather than the person and build their perceptions from there.
• Introverted intuition (Ni) is the use of intuition in order to form ideas using past experiences to form ideas of what is to come. The ableist Ni user will make purely negative extrapolations when presented with disability. Ni users tend to focus on things that will go wrong and feel flustered when they have to compromise on their vision to make it accessible.

The Thinking Functions:

• Extroverted thinking (Te) is the use of one's current situation in order to organize their surroundings. The ableist Te user will deem disabled people "inefficient" and, thus, a waste of their time. Te users also have the tendency to believe that labels are the sole determiner of a person's identity. 
• Introverted thinking (Ti) is the use of principled logic to synthesize theories and build original ideas. The ableist Ti user would think of the theory of disability and think of it as only an impedance to someone's life. Ti users condense and reduce information to its perceived essence, so an ableist Ti user would form misguided perceptions from there.

The Feeling Functions

• Extroverted feeling (Fe) is the function one uses to meet the needs of others. Ableist Fe users over-help without any regard for the person's agency and pass it off as a good deed. Usually, ableist Fe users are well-intentioned, but misguided people. Fe users can also be annoyingly patronizing.
• Introverted feeling (Fi) is the sense of what one likes and dislikes as well as personal values. The ableist Fi user will reject the disabled (and/or certain types of disability) as a collective entity that they do not like. Ableist Fi users tend to misread criticism from disabled people as attacks, especially if the criticism is against something that gives them comfort.

What have you to say about ableism and cognitive functions? Do you recognize these processes in others? 

Random, Incoherent Hodgepodge

Health Warning: The video contains a host of seizure triggers.

Trigger Warning: Rolling Girl contains suicide themes. 

Depression killed my concentration.

This song accurately describes my experiences with anxiety-induced depression. One more time, I roll for another day down the same slope knowing that it hurts me, but it's the only way I can block out the pain that lingers in the corners of my mind. I keep uttering platitudes in response to how I feel. "I'm just fine" with a smile on my face is my primary defense. In theory, I will "baseline" and not be able to feel it anymore. I'm getting help, but, today, I'll keep rolling for another day.

 

Song Rolling Girl

Artist: Hatsune Miku

Language: Japanese 

Extroverted thinking (Te) seems to be an unwelcome function in the online disability community. Saying things like "See past labels" and "I am more than a spreadsheet" makes Te doms (EN/STJs) in the online disability community feel alienated and out of place. Label and data aversion takes away the Te dom's primary way of understanding the world, which is an example of temperamental discrimination. 

• I feel like nothing matters anymore, not even school. I don't even feel like arranging music or playing my flute.
• I'm vacillating between ENTP and ENTJ again.
• I felt like using Verdana and random colors here.
• The above text is not made to be readable.
• I'm still in Verdana.
• How did I get to this thought?
• Really?
• I get *very* annoyed when people misuse the term "neurodiversity". 
• As for vocal range, I think I'm an alto.
• I can sing, just not well. 
• Now, I'm typing in bright pink.
• The end.    

The Martyr Mommy's Primary Cognitive Functions

I am going to look at the martyr mommy (or daddy, but pattern occurs more in females) through the lens of cognitive functions. This is an archetype I am analyzing, not a specific person, so all accusations of personal attacks are null and void. I decided to look at this pattern through the lens of cognitive functions to examine why someone would make an active effort to exploit their children for pitiful praise.

Primary Processes:

The Base Function
The base function is the primary cognitive process one uses in order to execute various tasks. It is the function one naturally defers to, making it the default. This leads me to believe that the archetypal martyr mommy's dominant cognitive function is Fi, introverted feeling. Introverted feeling is about valuing, considering worth, using one's values to achieve accord, and telling whether one likes something. The martyr mommy uses their misguided values about their child in order to build communities and have others repeat the opinions they have formed. Not all Fi dom parents are martyr parents, but the archetype does heavily resemble Fi.

The Supporting/Auxiliary Function
The auxiliary function is the function one uses to support and affirm others. This function often works alongside the base function. The martyr mommy uses extroverted intuition, Ne, to pick apart what self-advocates say and make baseless accusations against them. She uses Ne, also, to read the stories of her kind and sympathize with them. Using Fi and Ne, the martyr mommy both cuts down self-advocates and builds up fear-soliciting parents by using her judgment of values and perceptions of formed contexts through what is said.

The Relief Role
The relief role is the role one uses to recharge and supply their energy reserves. This role is how one is creative and playful. When exhausted from their daily activities, the martyr mommy uses introverted sensing to review her past experiences with her child and uses them to generate her Internet content fodder. Since parents of this type are typically (or at least claim to be) under extreme stress, the relief function makes itself rather apparent. Recounting experiences and posting them for all to see and as a plea for pity is an example of the unhealthy Fi-Si loop.

The Aspirational Role
The inferior function or the aspirational role is used to project "shoulds", fears, and negatives onto others. It is this cognitive function that the martyr mommy's blog runs rampant with and may even be mistaken for her dominant function. The martyr mommy uses extroverted thinking, Te, to set and enforce her Internet locations' policies. She uses charts and graphs to organize data into effective propaganda for "awareness" and fearmongering. Using misleading statistics to promote snake oil cures is another way the martyr mommy uses Te as an aspirational role.

I am all about looking at disability issues through the lens of temperament theory. The archetypal martyr mommy most resembles an INFP Harmonizer Clarifier, but the martyr mommy neither harmonizes nor clarifies. Instead, she distorts and sows discord throughout the disability community. If you are an INFP, please be aware that I have nothing against INFPs. This is just a correlation resulting from the analysis of a specific archetype. Also be aware that the correlation is not the cause. Being an INFP does not cause martyr mommy-dom, but this type seems to be susceptible to it due to the nature of their cognitive functions. Again, this is just an archetype analysis. I am not accusing anyone of anything, just using Ne to make correlations and reveal patterns.

The Final MBTI Verdict

So, am I an INTJ or an ENTJ? The correct answer is: Neither. After waffling between ENTJ and INTJ for the longest time, I settled on ENTJ for some time. It seemed to suit me because I like to lead. However, after some self-speculation, I found out that I couldn't quite be a those types because I don't like to be restrained to a plan with no way out. I am also more interested in understanding people than making them do my will (which is a close second).

Before I give you the answer, I'll have you play a game to guess my type (read: give you a series of frustrating hints). Scroll past the game if you are an impatient person (like me) and just want to know my MBTI.

• It is an NT type.
• This type likes to debate and tear other people's ideas apart for fun.
• It is known for mentally sparring purely for the sake of pleasure.
• Other types are likely to think of this type as mean-spirited due to their aforementioned pastime.
• This type can come up with great ideas, but will be miserable doing the "grunt work" in order to carry into fruition.
• This type is vehemently protective of INFJs (not that they need it) due to sheer instinct.
• In four temperament theory, this type corresponds with LaHaye's ChlorSan or SanChlor depending on what you think of this type.
• This type is a thrill seeker and experience junkie. Someone of this type would do something just so they could tell stories about it.
• This type works in bursts of energy rather than having a steady, systematic approach to working.
• This type has little to no boundaries for work and play. They work as play, play as work, make work fun by adding play, and make play productive by adding work. 
• As a rule, people of this type are very adaptable.
• Anyone who knows someone of this type (or is this type) knows what I'm talking about.

I took the 16 Personalities test again and got this result:

ENTP-A (Debater): 21% Extroverted 54% Intuitive 30% Thinking 18% Prospecting 9% Assertive

16 Personalities describes ENTPs, called Debaters, as "smart, curious thinkers who cannot resist an intellectual challenge." That sounds like me. The reason that I started a blog is to pick ideas apart, put them back together, and combine them with new ideas. NTs, such as myself, pursue knowledge relentlessly, especially in our areas of interest. 

The "P" in "ENTP" stands for prospecting. Prospecting types are, as a rule, spontaneous and adaptable to whatever change comes their way. My sporadic blogging "schedule" as well as my abrupt switching from one thing to the next is reflective of the "P" I tried to repress for so long. Though I do not always seem like it, I am an adaptable person. I can adapt myself to fit almost any situation as I see fit. I respond to my environment and the people around me. Five different people who see me in their five respective environments will have five different general ideas as to how they perceive me. This is not that I am a phony or acting a part. It is within my nature to adapt in such a way.

Whenever I see a general value, my first instinct is to find the exception to the rule or to attempt to tear a shoddily-built idea into shreds. No matter whose it is, be it Dr. David Keirsey's or my own, I will test the strength of my ideas. I wondered why I didn't do well working slowly and steadily. I work in spontaneous bursts of energy and keep going for as long as that burst of energy will sustain itself. However, I cannot be productive once the burst is gone. 

I was told to determine my MBTI by use of Jungian cognitive functions, which are as follows:

• Extroverted Sensing (Se)
• Introverted Sensing (Si)
• Extroverted Intuition (Ne)
• Introverted Intuition (Ni)
• Extroverted Thinking (Te)
• Introverted Thinking (Ti)
• Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
• Introverted Thinking (Fi)

My cognitive functions are as follows:

If the image does not load on your device or if you are using a text reader to gather information from my blog, the percentages are as follows:

• Extroverted Intuition : 84%
• Introverted Intuition: 79%
• Extroverted Sensation: 57%
• Introverted Sensation: 24%
• Extroverted Thinking: 72%
• Introverted Thinking: 75%
• Extroverted Feeling: 32%
• Introverted Feeling: 56%

I have been testing as types with completely different cognitive functions. In the ENTJ, extroverted thinking is the dominant function; introverted intuition predominates in INTJs. The way I could connect hidden meanings and other contexts did not fit dominant Te or Ni users. Extroverted thinkers lay out facts as correlations on charts, which is some of what I do, but introverted thinking fits me more, though it is not my dominant cognitive function. Introverted intuitors use transcendent understanding to predict the future as it unfurls. Ni users use complex, symbolic ways to explain universal themes of life. While I use a fairly great deal of Ni considering that it is a shadow function, weaving "idea threads" together into a fabric of understanding is characteristic of Ne users. 

My Disability and the Five Temperaments series came into fruition by sole virtue of Ne and Ti. As I penned the series, my main thought was "How could most people have failed to notice these connections?" I had two different ideas in front of me, completely independent concepts that seemed to have no relationship to each other, and I uncovered the connections because (1) no one else would and (2) because they were right in front of our faces all along, but we failed to notice them. 

ENTPs are limit pushers by nature. The phrase "It can't be done" is a challenge that invites ENTPs to prove that it can be done. I thought I wouldn't be able to run a blog, let alone have it reach 10,000 pageviews! However, because ENTPs are known for stubborn, I kept doing it. Though ENTPs are usually the subjects of glurge-y "inspiration" due to the feats they achieve, I have yet to see another ENTP disability blogger. In the meantime, I'll keep being the ENTP voice in this predominantly INFX community--and ENTProud of the part I play. 

Useful Links:

• Learn about Jungian cognitive functions.
• Learn about ENTPs.
• Take the 16 Personalities test.

Thanks To

• 16 Personalities for their awesome website
• All researchers behind discovering what MBTI is
• Personality Cafe and their wise members, who helped me to realize I was an ENTP in the first place