Type Dynamics
Jung developed his ideas about personality type in an effort to explain the normal, natural differences between healthy people.
Type dynamics identifies a type’s favorite process (S, N, T, or F) and its preferred direction of energy (Extraverted—toward the outside world; or Introverted—toward one’s own inner world). The favorite process indicates a type’s central core, the most important and most used part, the basis of motivation. For example,
- Introverted Sensing—ISTJ and ISFJ:
These two types’ favorite process is Sensing, and they use it primarily in their own inner world. They have a storehouse of internal data about their experience in the world. This realistic, practical information remains fresh and complete, ready for retrieval as needed. When decisions need to be made, they consult their experience and trust what they know. - Extraverted Sensing—ESTP and ESFP:
These two types use their favorite process, Sensing, primarily in the outside world. They revel in the present moment, actively interacting with people and the world to have experiences. When decisions need to be made, they act to try out various options, often novel ones, trusting their improvisational abilities. And they make everything fun.
Type dynamics clarifies the balance provided by the second favorite process:
Between perception and judgment:
If the favorite process is Sensing or Intuition (a perceiving process), the second process is Thinking or Feeling (a judging process), and vice versa.
If the favorite process is
The second process will be
Thus, each type has a reliable way to perceive, or take in information; and each type has a trusted way to judge, or make decisions and come to conclusions.
Between extraverting and introverting:
If the favorite process is used primarily in the Extraverted (outer) world, the second process is used in the Introverted (inner) world, and vice versa.
If the favorite process is
The second process will be
Because it indicates each type’s Extraverted and Introverted processes, type dynamics also:
- Clarifies a type’s usual communication style (the part that is Extraverted)
- Identifies an important part of personality that others typically don’t see (the part that is Introverted)
Type dynamics suggests the order in which a type uses each of the four mental processes (remember, we use all of them, but not with equal comfort, energy, and confidence).
Type dynamics suggests the usual form of a type’s stress reactions: exaggeration of the favorite process or, under extreme stress, being “in the grip” of the fourth process, which Jung called the “inferior function.”
And finally, type dynamics provides a model of lifelong development related to type:
- The focus of the first half of life is on directing energy into the favorite and second processes, developing self-knowledge and competent ways to be in the world and in relationships.
- Midlife brings both confusion and opportunities. The way one has always been becomes less satisfying and identity itself is questioned.
- Last comes increased access to previously unacknowledged parts of oneself—those associated with the third and fourth processes—and the possibility of integration, wholeness, individuation.
Jung’s theory of personality type includes an innate urge to grow and provides a model of developmental possibilities throughout the life span.