The Real S vs N Spectrum
Dec 18, 2017 19:20:09 GMT -5 by Auburn
Alerith, mikesilb, and 6 more like this
Post by Auburn on Dec 18, 2017 19:20:09 GMT -5
I don't usually do this but I thought I'd take a stab at clarifying MBTI stereotypes. Not so much for the sake of MBTI but to also shed light on how CT describes this spectrum.
As you guys know, CT doesn't type via dichotomies. However, the attitudes (as generalities) are legitimate over-arching effects and they manifest overall motifs in people. So in this post the "N" spectrum is generally referring to a person's level of Ne or Ni use, independent of function hierarchy. Likewise the "S" spectrum is a person's level of Se or Si use, independent of function hierarchy. Ok, here goes:
Breaking myths
The S vs N spectrum is not about smarts or creativity. It's not about deeper thinking. It's about levels of batshittery. Or "woo-woo". I say this facetiously, but hopefully it'll make sense below.
^ I made this diagram to generally capture what this spectrum looks like.
left (S) [concrete reality, houses, relatives, cars, flowers, drinks, places, cities, etc]
right (N) [reiki, chakras, synchronicity, law of attraction, archetypes, astrology, ghosts, psychics, the psyche, etc]
Metabolic Differences between S and N
To explain the above, we have to look at the "association formation" elements of N, versus S. N is about drawing parallels between datasets. The lower the threshold, the more correlations are drawn. In a general sense, Ne-leads and Ni-leads have the lowest threshold for them to draw an association.
What does it mean to draw an association?
If you see a number on a bumpersticker on your way to work, and the same number on a newspaper headline, and then again when you're reading the nutrition label of your frozen dinner - your N function should activate. "Significance" has been registered between those datasets and a link has been drawn. Now, if you're high in the N function it may only take two instances for you to draw an association.
Suddenly now the number 237 sticks in your mind, and a sense will exist that something of great importance may emerge with that number in the future. Now, this may not be literally true but this is why the P functions are considered "irrational" by Jung. And I agree.
Synchronicity
Perhaps the most unapologetic and straightforward epistemic description of the way the N processes work was cataloged by none other than Ni-lead Carl Jung himself in the theory of synchronicity. For those who have not heard of the concept, it is best encapsulated in this 2 minute video by Jung's student Von Franz: (definitely worth the watch)
When beliefs are held that tie together concepts or events in an inexplicable manner (such as the law of attraction), we see the imprint of N's indiscriminate correlations. The tangible link doesn't have to exist for N to hold a strong sense of events being interlocked.
NeFi & NiFe // Most open to ideas
N-leads, especially N-leads connected to the emotional register (high-F) are the most open to ideas. Also the most prone to mystical thinking, or in believing the unbelievable. They are the ones who, while every one else may scoff at the idea, will actually entertain it. The NeFi will entertain most any idea, at least giving it a mull-over and even accepting it so long as it has a place within their understanding of people and life. The NiFe similarly may find ways that anything/everything can be said to be real from some point of view - and relevant to everything else. Or "real" in its own way.
Muggle vs Magic
The reputation of muggle (S) vs magic folk (N) comes from those who believe in the unconscious, and those who don't (S). Motifs exist of earth (S) vs heaven (N). The real world (S), and the spirit world (N). I don't mean spiritual in the religious sense. An Si-lead traditionalist may be a devout catholic and pray to the saints every day. However, her atheist NeFi daughter may not believe in Christ or the pope, but may be guided by visions, superstitions and dabble in occult arts. Of the two, the daughter would be connected to the spiritual world - by the definitions herein.
Sensory vs Extra-Sensory
Extra-Sensory is to say, beyond the sensory (S) or of some channel other than the seen. The "sixth sense" is this thing. Intuition. "extra-sensory" is a perfect synonym for intuition. Extra-sensory-perception is almost a direct synonym for "N", with ESP being the extreme of this.
Intelligence
Placed in this light, the N dimension's shortcomings as well as gifts are properly framed. When one thinks of brilliant skeptics like TeSi Richard Dawkins or TiSe Sam Harris -- the MBTI assumption is to consider them "N" users because of their intellect and perhaps, in more sophisticated arguments, their level of abstract reasoning. However, both Dawkins and Harris deeply prioritize the tangible (S) and concrete - giving little credence to the associative. It is people like Jung and Von Franz that are the real "intuitives" here.
As you guys know, CT doesn't type via dichotomies. However, the attitudes (as generalities) are legitimate over-arching effects and they manifest overall motifs in people. So in this post the "N" spectrum is generally referring to a person's level of Ne or Ni use, independent of function hierarchy. Likewise the "S" spectrum is a person's level of Se or Si use, independent of function hierarchy. Ok, here goes:
Breaking myths
The S vs N spectrum is not about smarts or creativity. It's not about deeper thinking. It's about levels of batshittery. Or "woo-woo". I say this facetiously, but hopefully it'll make sense below.
^ I made this diagram to generally capture what this spectrum looks like.
left (S) [concrete reality, houses, relatives, cars, flowers, drinks, places, cities, etc]
right (N) [reiki, chakras, synchronicity, law of attraction, archetypes, astrology, ghosts, psychics, the psyche, etc]
Metabolic Differences between S and N
To explain the above, we have to look at the "association formation" elements of N, versus S. N is about drawing parallels between datasets. The lower the threshold, the more correlations are drawn. In a general sense, Ne-leads and Ni-leads have the lowest threshold for them to draw an association.
What does it mean to draw an association?
If you see a number on a bumpersticker on your way to work, and the same number on a newspaper headline, and then again when you're reading the nutrition label of your frozen dinner - your N function should activate. "Significance" has been registered between those datasets and a link has been drawn. Now, if you're high in the N function it may only take two instances for you to draw an association.
Suddenly now the number 237 sticks in your mind, and a sense will exist that something of great importance may emerge with that number in the future. Now, this may not be literally true but this is why the P functions are considered "irrational" by Jung. And I agree.
Synchronicity
Perhaps the most unapologetic and straightforward epistemic description of the way the N processes work was cataloged by none other than Ni-lead Carl Jung himself in the theory of synchronicity. For those who have not heard of the concept, it is best encapsulated in this 2 minute video by Jung's student Von Franz: (definitely worth the watch)
When beliefs are held that tie together concepts or events in an inexplicable manner (such as the law of attraction), we see the imprint of N's indiscriminate correlations. The tangible link doesn't have to exist for N to hold a strong sense of events being interlocked.
NeFi & NiFe // Most open to ideas
N-leads, especially N-leads connected to the emotional register (high-F) are the most open to ideas. Also the most prone to mystical thinking, or in believing the unbelievable. They are the ones who, while every one else may scoff at the idea, will actually entertain it. The NeFi will entertain most any idea, at least giving it a mull-over and even accepting it so long as it has a place within their understanding of people and life. The NiFe similarly may find ways that anything/everything can be said to be real from some point of view - and relevant to everything else. Or "real" in its own way.
Muggle vs Magic
The reputation of muggle (S) vs magic folk (N) comes from those who believe in the unconscious, and those who don't (S). Motifs exist of earth (S) vs heaven (N). The real world (S), and the spirit world (N). I don't mean spiritual in the religious sense. An Si-lead traditionalist may be a devout catholic and pray to the saints every day. However, her atheist NeFi daughter may not believe in Christ or the pope, but may be guided by visions, superstitions and dabble in occult arts. Of the two, the daughter would be connected to the spiritual world - by the definitions herein.
Sensory vs Extra-Sensory
Extra-Sensory is to say, beyond the sensory (S) or of some channel other than the seen. The "sixth sense" is this thing. Intuition. "extra-sensory" is a perfect synonym for intuition. Extra-sensory-perception is almost a direct synonym for "N", with ESP being the extreme of this.
Intelligence
Placed in this light, the N dimension's shortcomings as well as gifts are properly framed. When one thinks of brilliant skeptics like TeSi Richard Dawkins or TiSe Sam Harris -- the MBTI assumption is to consider them "N" users because of their intellect and perhaps, in more sophisticated arguments, their level of abstract reasoning. However, both Dawkins and Harris deeply prioritize the tangible (S) and concrete - giving little credence to the associative. It is people like Jung and Von Franz that are the real "intuitives" here.