The 8 Cognitive Functions and How INFJs Use Them

Understanding the wiring of the personality type means diving deeper into type theory. In this article, we’ll go past the general INFJ personality description to explore the INFJ’s cognitive functions.

Cognitive functions are the root of personality type. The concept was originally developed by psychologist Carl Jung and was later used as the base of the MBTI®.

Understanding the Jungian cognitive functions goes much deeper than what can be learned from an online personality test result. Awareness of cognitive functions helps us understand how our brains work. Essentially, the functions explain how we process information and make decisions. They help us see past the what of personality type and uncover the why.

Want more information about your personality type? We recommend the TypeFinder Personality Test.

Understanding the Cognitive Function Stack

Jung identified eight cognitive functions. Each of the 16 personality types uses all eight functions but has a preference for their top four. These top four preferred functions make up what we call each type’s function stack.

The function stack explains the interplay between various aspects of our personality. Perceiving functions describe how the brain processes information while Judging functions explain how we make decisions.

• Perceiving functions: Intuition and Sensing.
• Judging functions Thinking and Feeling.

But there is another layer of complexity to this because some of these cognitive functions are Extraverted, or focused on the outside world, while others are Introverted, or focused on the inner world (i.e., thoughts, feelings, ideas and memories).

Thus, the Perceiving functions are:

• Introverted Intuition
• Extraverted Intuition
• Introverted Sensing
• Extraverted Sensing

The Judging functions are:

• Introverted Feeling
• Extraverted Feeling
• Introverted Thinking
• Extraverted Thinking

Each personality types function stack is made up of two perceiving functions and two judging functions. This is because all healthy individuals use a balance of Extraverted and Introverted personality strengths as well as Perceiving and Judging strengths. If a person only valued Introverted Perceiving functions, for example, they would be seriously underdeveloped in other areas.

Each personality type also has what we might see as a ranking system in their function stack, from most to least developed. The names of the top four functions are:

• Dominant function
• Auxiliary function
• Tertiary function
• Inferior function

The four non-preferred functions are known as the shadow functions. The shadow functions are the most unconscious functions of the personality type. They are often the source of unhealthy aspects of the personality. The names of the shadow functions are:

• The Opposing Role
• The Critical Parent
• The Trickster
• The Demon

According to Isabel Briggs Myers in Gifts Differing, “The shadow uses relatively childish and primitive kinds of judgment and perception, not intentionally in the service of conscious aims, but all on its own in an escape from the conscious personality and in defiance of conscious standards.”

What are the INFJ’s Cognitive Functions?

Healthy INFJs rely heavily on the top four functions in their function stack. These functions appear as follows:

• Dominant function: Introverted Intuition
• Auxiliary function: Extraverted Feeling
• Tertiary function: Introverted Thinking
• Inferior function: Extraverted Sensing

Let’s start by taking a look at the top four functions in the INFJ’s function stack. These are the main functions that INFJs use to process information and make decisions.

The INFJ’s Dominant Function: Introverted Intuition

As the INFJ’s dominant function, Introverted Intuition is their primary way of understanding the world around them. Introverted Intuition takes in information in an abstract way and often sees patterns and symbolism.

It is because of Introverted Intuition that INFJs often feel like information comes to them seemingly “out of nowhere” and then they have to backtrack their thoughts and internally organize their processes to determine where the “Aha!” moment came from.

INFJs are skilled at recognizing patterns and understanding how ideas and theories are connected. An INFJ will become obsessed with a new idea and will examine it from every perspective until they fully understand it.

Introverted Intuition paired with the INFJ’s auxiliary function, Extraverted Feeling, makes the INFJ a great judge of character. They look beyond how someone presents themselves to understand the person’s true intent. INFJs are quick to pick up on someone who is being fake or who has less than pure motivations.

The INFJ’s Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted feeling is concerned with the energy, moods and feelings of other people. It’s due to this function that INFJs are able to immediately sense the emotional energy in a room of people.

Extraverted Feeling tells the INFJ when a loved one is going through a hard time even if they’re trying to hide their pain. People often feel comfortable in the presence of an INFJ and may even open up to them fairly quickly. Extraverted Feeling allows INFJs to naturally adapt to social situations so as to make others feel more comfortable.

INFJs value harmony. More than any other function, Extraverted Feeling is what drives individuals to make sure that everyone is getting along. INFJs have a warm, empathetic and nurturing side. They want to be there emotionally for other people and are fulfilled when they can help guide, mentor and inspire others.

While their dominant function, Introverted Intuition, is introverted and therefore hidden from the outside world, Extraverted Feeling is outward facing. It’s often this side of the INFJ that people notice first. This function is the “extrovert mask” INFJs put on when they’re around other people.

As the INFJ’s auxiliary function, Extraverted Feeling helps guide the INFJ’s decision-making process.

The INFJ’s Tertiary Function: Introverted Thinking

Introverted Thinking makes decisions based on theories and data processed internally; it develops systems and models to explain and understand how things work. When developed, Introverted Thinking can lead to breakthrough realizations and insights. It’s adept at strategizing, analyzing and discovering unique solutions to problems.

In the INFJ, Introverted Thinking offers a logical balance to the INFJs natural intuitive and emotional sides. This function can help INFJs understand the logical reasoning behind their intuitive insights.

Introverted Thinking is the third function of the INFJ, so it is less developed and relied upon than the dominant and auxiliary. As INFJs develop their Introverted Thinking, they may become more cautious and precise in their decision-making. INFJs can become more open-minded as well as more logically consistent as they develop their Introverted Thinking.

It’s best for the INFJ to work on developing their Introverted Thinking function in low-stress ways, such as puzzles, video games or learning a new skill like coding.

The INFJ’s Inferior Function: Extraverted Sensing

Extraverted Sensing is focused on the here and now. Extraverted Sensing is observant, quick, practical and has a strong awareness of the physical world. It is skilled at reacting quickly and noticing details in the present environment.

As their inferior function, Extraverted Sensing may appear more clumsy and awkward in an INFJ than in types with more development in using this function. INFJs enjoy the company of Extraverted Sensors (like ESTPs and ESFPs) because these types help to bring out a more present-focused side of the INFJ.

Extraverted Sensing desires to fully experience and soak in the present environment. It gets “high” off the pleasures of life, such as being in nature, challenging the body through exercise, owning nice things and adrenaline-pumping activities like skydiving, surfing or racing.

When an INFJ embraces their inferior function, they enjoy these sort of activities — although they can easily get overwhelmed by overstimulation. INFJs prefer to “play it safe” and use their Extraverted Sensing in low-pressure environments. As their inferior function, INFJs usually develop Extraverted Sensing later in life.

Learn more: Psychological Types by C.G. Jung

Understanding the INFJ’s Shadow Functions

The last four functions in the INFJ’s function stack are called the shadow functions. These shadow functions are the most unconscious aspects of our personality types — and are often the source of our unhealthy personality traits.

The INFJ’s shadow functions are:

• The Opposing Role: Extraverted Intuition
• The Critical Parent: Introverted Feeling
• The Trickster: Extraverted Thinking
• The Demon: Introverted Sensing

The shadow side of the INFJ personality is the side that comes out when the INFJ feels and acts “not like their self.” The shadow personality makes an appearance when the INFJ is stressed, burned out or has underdeveloped dominant or auxiliary functions, usually due to past trauma.

The INFJ’s Opposing Role: Extraverted Intuition

Extraverted Intuition is focused on seeing multiple possibilities and outcomes. Types who use Extraverted Intuition in the dominant or auxiliary role are abstract thinkers who are skilled at discovering meaning and ideas.

As the opposing role of the INFJ, Extraverted Intuition is most likely in use when INFJs are acting defensive, stubborn or uncooperative. Since the INFJ’s dominant function, Introverted Intuition, is a more single-minded and linear form of processing, the INFJ may get quickly annoyed by people who present too many options or ideas. On the other hand, they may get equally frustrated by people who are completely unable to understand multiple perspectives.

INFJs are not bad at using their Extraverted Intuition. It’s simply the dark side of their Introverted Intuition and unconsciously appears more often during times of stress.

The INFJ’s Critical Parent: Introverted Feeling

Introverted Feeling makes decisions based on one’s own personal value system or how the person feels in a given situation. For INFJs, Introverted Feeling serves as the critical parent function, which is the shadow of the INFJ’s auxiliary function, Extraverted Feeling.

It’s the voice in the INFJ’s head that often guides self-doubt and makes them critical of themselves and others. As the critical parent, Introverted Feeling jumps in during times of stress to remind the INFJ why they aren’t good enough or why they need to focus on being a better person.

Do you use Extraverted Feeling or Introverted Feeling? Take the quiz!

The INFJ’s Trickster: Extraverted Thinking

Extraverted Thinking makes decisions based on objective fact and logic. This decision-making function prefers to follow systems already in place and to do “what works.”

Extraverted Thinking is the INFJ’s trickster function. The trickster distorts the INFJ’s reality, often making what they think they experience different from what they actually experience.

For example, the INFJ may feel like they have a strong system in place for doing chores at home, but their Extraverted Thinking dominant partner may view the INFJ’s system as completely unorganized. If the partner points this out, the INFJ may get defensive, since they’re unaware of their own lack of systemic organization. They’ve been “tricked” into their personal system is strong enough that it would work for anyone.

The INFJ’s Demon: Introverted Sensing

Introverted Sensing takes in information and connects it with previously learned knowledge. Introverted Sensors are skilled at recalling details and sensory memories.

As the weakest of the INFJ’s functions, Introverted Sensing is known as the demon function. It describes how the INFJ processes when they’re at their worst. This may look like being overly rigid in their decision-making or extremely attentive to details.

It could also look like resentment toward people with more developed Introverted Sensing. The INFJ may view Introverted Sensing as pointless since they value it the least of all of their cognitive functions.

Using Cognitive Functions to Understand Your Personality Type

Situations, experience, education, family and a variety of other factors influence how INFJs use their cognitive functions. For example, an INFJ may have a more developed Extraverted Thinking function because of a life experience that required them to rely on that function more heavily.

Even though functions develop over time, the INFJ’s top two functions (dominant Introverted Intuition and auxiliary Extraverted Feeling) will almost always be their go-to functions when it comes to gathering information and making decisions.

Think of the top four functions in your stack as a house — they are the foundation of the person who you are. The house cannot stand on its own unless each of the foundational elements is in place.

Now, imagine your shadow functions as the decorations inside and outside of the house. They can make the house feel more like a home — or they can make it feel more uncomfortable and off-putting to other people.

When developing your personality type, it’s essential to build the house and fix any cracks in the foundation before even thinking about how you’ll decorate. Focus on your top four functions before you dive into developing your shadow functions.

Hopefully, this helped explain the INFJ cognitive functions. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me or leave a comment!

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