Below
is an excerpt from Naomi Quenk's book "Was That Really Me?" which deals
with how we act when we are in the grip of our inferior function. This
isn't the whole book, and not even the entire chapter. The book itself
goes into much more detail and gives more examples that I've edited out
for the sake of brevity. But this should give a good indication of
whether or not you can identify with Inferior Te or not.
ISJs are one of the most misunderstood type families on online forums
because they are often typed as uber-traditional bureaucratic nerds or
the never-appreciated loyal sidekick who never wants to try anything
new. In reality the ISJ is one of the most dynamic and interesting of
the type groups, and among the most diverse. The actor Tom Hanks
frequently portrays ISJ-like characters in his films.
It is also common for people to struggle with recognizing if they are
ISFJ or ESFJ and ISTJ and ESTJ. Recognizing the inferior function,
Extraverted Intuition (Ne), is often the unmistakeable missing piece to
accurately determining and understanding the type distinctions.
Excerpts of this book have been posted on this site before, and also
over at Typology Central and of course the full book is available if you
want to learn all the different types. I encourage you to read the
entire book.
http://www.amazon.com/Was-That-Reall.../dp/0891061703
Introverted Sensing Types
I S T J a n d I S F J
BASIC TYPE DYNAMICS
Dominant Introverted Sensing
Auxiliary Extraverted Thinking or Feeling
Tertiary Feeling or Thinking
Inferior Extraverted Intuition
by Naomi L. Quenk
Important Features of Dominant Introverted Sensing
Introverted Sensing types are careful and orderly in their attention to
facts and details.They are thorough and conscientious in fulfilling
their responsibilities. They may sometimes even do the work of others
rather than leave important tasks undone.They are typically seen as well
grounded in reality, trustworthy, and dedicated to preserving
traditional values and time-honored institutions.With their focus on the
reality of the present, they trust the evidence of their senses,
relying on carefully accumulated past and present evidence to support
their conclusions and planned courses of action.They derive great
pleasure from perfecting existing techniques with the goal of maximizing
efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Introverted Sensing types tend to have a skeptical, critical attitude
toward information that has not been verified by the senses and are
likely to distrust people who are careless about facts, sloppy about
details, and apt to favor imagination and novelty over accuracy and
solid substantiation.
Both ISTJs and ISFJs are uncomfortable moving beyond sensory experience
until they have thoroughly absorbed and understood it.They want to
review and assimilate the facts and events of a movie or book before
discussing its meaning with others.
In a crisis that does not constellate their inferior function,
Introverted Sensing types typically appear calm and unruffled, efficient
and pragmatic. Others may marvel at their serene demeanor, but the
Introverted Sensing types themselves may report that they are actually
feeling quite anxious and distressed and their visible behavior does not
accurately reflect their inner state.
Introverted Sensing Types at Work
An ideal, energizing work environment for Introverted Sensing types is
one in which they can achieve goals and reach closure on tasks in an
efficient, timely manner in quiet, organized surroundings.They prefer
minimal conflict and competition among co-workers and want to be
recognized for their knowledge and contributions to the organization—a
desire that may remain unfulfilled because they often work in the
background of organizations.
ISTJs and ISFJs value and support organizational change that is based on
solid information and careful reasoning, but they see little sense in
change for its own sake, or for brainstorming with no attention to
realistic limitations.They want what they do at work to make a
difference. One ISTJ said that what energized her was “accomplishing
tasks and improving processes in some way.”An ISFJ teacher described as
energizing “relating to the children on a personal level—figuring out
what approach to learning works best for them; having a child feel
successful because I utilized a strategy.”An ISTJ woman described an
energizing environment as having “a combination of people interactions
and reading and writing; a serene office and busy hallways; good light
and lots of filing space.”
Important Features of Dominant Extraverted Intuition
The qualities associated with Extraverted Intuition that are relevant to our
discussion of its form as an inferior function are
• Comfortable inattention to sense data
• Flexibility, adaptability, risk taking
• Optimism about future possibilities
The Everyday Extraverted Intuition
of Introverted Sensing Types
The inferior function affects Introverted Sensing types in several
different ways. These include everyday sensitivities, projections, and
ways of relaxing, as well as the dramatic manifestations that can be
seen when the inferior function erupts and a full-blown episode occurs,
or when an ISTJ or ISFJ is chronically in the grip because of long-term
stress.
Typical Sensitivities and Projections
Inferior Extraverted Intuition seems to color the everyday personality
of Introverted Sensing types.They see themselves and are seen by others
as worriers.They are ready to notice and comment on negative
possibilities even in everyday, nonstressful situations.A new plan, a
previously unexperienced event—anything new—is likely to elicit a list
of all the many negative possibilities or all the many things that might
go wrong. Anything that is not grounded in past or present experience
is suspect. In a work situation, Introverted Sensing types’ focus on the
negative may prove frustrating to their Intuitive colleagues, who may
see them as impossibly rigid and stodgy.They may, however, merely need
time to reflect and recognize the connections between anticipated new
experiences and the known past. Once that connection is made, the ISTJ
or ISFJ can be comfortable pursuing actions that initially may have
seemed potentially dangerous. Colleagues who can be helpful in providing
such connections will likely find the effort quite successful.
As parents, Introverted Sensing types may appear unreasonably
overprotective, especially in situations in which the child wants to do
something new, test his or her independence, or take any degree of
risk.The untried and untested may automatically raise the specter of
disaster, despite the parents’ awareness that they may be overreacting
to a reasonable request.
A 10-year-old boy asked his ISFJ mother if he could spend the night at
his friend’s house. “Where will you sleep?” his mother asked. “He has
bunk beds,” the child replied.“You can’t go, then.You’ll convince him to
let you sleep in the top bunk, and you’re not used to sleeping on the
top. You’ll fall off and break your leg. No!”
Although this is often the initial parental response to minor risk
taking, children of Introverted Sensing parents report that when their
parents receive additional factual information and reassurance about
precautions, they often amend their original decisions.
In projecting their inferior Extraverted Intuition onto others, ISTJs
and ISFJs are likely to see Intuitive types as totally ungrounded,
unrealistic, and irresponsible in their focus on possibilities and
theories. Introverted Sensing types’ own inexperienced Intuition is thus
attributed to those in whom Intuition is developed and practiced. Their
unease with the unknown may also manifest in suspiciousness about
others’ motives and fears that the environment will somehow betray them.
They may thus see Extraverted Intuitive types’ natural comfort with the
outer world as foolish risk-taking, judging them to be irresponsible,
immature show-offs.
ISTJs and ISFJs may engage in self-pity, blaming the outer environment
and other people for whatever difficulties they are experiencing. This
is in marked contrast to their typical willingness to accept
responsibility and solve problems calmly and methodically.
Expressions Through Interests and Hobbies
Poetry, music, and art may provide a way for Introverted Sensing types
to engage their “other side.”Their choice of artists and styles within
the arts may tend toward the expressive and dramatic, and they often
prefer romantic musicians and artists.The favorite opera of one rather
austere and conventional ISTJ is La Boheme.
Some Introverted Sensing types are attracted to astrology and the more
occult spiritual movements.The evidence presented for such systems often
involves detailed eyewitness testimony collected over long periods.
Perhaps this Sensing method lends the data legitimacy, thus providing a
comfortable, acceptable way to develop familiarity with the vagaries of
Intuition. In some ISTJs and ISFJs, interest in such areas can become
excessive and obsessive and may be an attempt to control unruly,
disorganized, and frightening eruptions of Intuition.However, as long as
it does not take too much energy away from the person’s dominant
Introverted Sensing, even such interest may prove adaptive.
Introverted Sensing types may enjoy relaxing their use of Sensing by
reading fantasy fiction, watching science fiction movies, or
entertaining themselves with idle speculation and daydreams. One ISTJ
described his hobbies as astronomy, painting, and gardening. He
identified his fascination with Hubble telescope photos as engaging his
Intuition is a very satisfying way: “It opens a whole new dynamic,
evolving universe.” He wondered what would come of this. Another ISTJ
very much enjoys reading adventure stories with animal characters, such
as The Wind in the Willows.
Eruptions of Inferior Extraverted Intuition
Typical Provocations or Triggers
Issues of reality are likely to push the inferior “button” of
Introverted Sensing types. Dealing with people whose approach denies
facts and actualities (often identified as Extraverted Intuitive types)
serves as a trigger for eruptions of harsh, negative, extreme reactions
to whatever is being proposed. With the usual preconditions in
operation, even slight deviations from present reality or minor
suggestions for future change will provoke
Introverted Sensing types to intractable anger and stubborn
immovability. One ISFJ said,“If I’m watching the devastating effects of
an ongoing crisis and someone says to me,‘Don’t worry, everything is
going to be fine,’ I come unglued. I steamroll over the person and mow
them down!”
An ISTJ reported that her usual calm demeanor is replaced by cold fury
and biting sarcasm when someone tries to contradict the evidence of her
senses:“I’m seeing and smelling the ash from this guy’s cigar and
smelling the smoke on his breath and he’s telling me he doesn’t smoke cigars!”
The prospect of unknown, previously unexperienced activities and
situations is a common trigger for Introverted Sensing types.The anxiety
associated with the unfamiliar and unimaginable future acts directly on
their most unconscious arena. Making careful contingency plans and
giving attention to details normally tempers such an unconscious
reaction.
But when the new possibility comes up suddenly, an inferior function response is likely. An ISTJ described this provocation:
When
I have to do something that is a completely new experience—for example,
fly to a city I’ve never been to, move to a different city, attend a
workshop on a topic I know nothing about. Any situation in which I don’t
have a clear picture of what I can expect and what is expected of
me.The before and waiting period is always worse. Once I’m doing it, I’m
fine.
“Overdoing” their own type may also provoke an inferior “grip” response
in ISTJs and ISFJs.When this takes the form of doing other people’s
assigned duties, working long and hard, and feeling unappreciated or
taken for granted, the stage is set for an extreme, spontaneous eruption
of inferior Extraverted Intuition. “I get to feeling used and abused,”
said an ISFJ. “Then I explode and say awful things that I’m embarrassed
about later.”
Triggers and Stressors at Work
Stressful work environments for Introverted Sensing types are those that
are chaotic, noisy, and disorganized; where the rules and procedures
frequently change, their work is often interrupted, they are criticized
for “lacking vision” or “resisting change,” and they are not recognized
for their substantial and consistent work for the organization. ISTJs
and ISFJs are quite uncomfortable with unsubstantiated, sweeping
statements that lead to decisions at work. ISTJs tend to be more
distressed when a system is involved and ISFJs when people will be
affected. However, both types find it stressful to do tasks that require
Intuition, especially when they have insufficient time to think things
through.The teacher quoted earlier in this chapter described as
stressful “writing narrative reports, constant interruptions, figuring
out what to do with unplanned time.”
Introverted Sensing types find an overwhelming workload to be the most
important stressor in their work environment. Having too much to do
inevitably affects their ability to live up to their own high standards
of performance. One ISTJ said that his strong work ethic forced him to
complete his work, but, as a result, he had no time for other things.
For other Introverted Sensing types, not having sufficient information
to do a good job is equally stressful. One ISFJ teacher cited the
following as work stressors: “working with students when I’m not clear
on who they are and the new material I’m supposed to teach them.”
A source of stress mentioned frequently by ISTJ women is dealing with
incompetence at work. Having too much to do appears to be secondary to
this stressor for them. One ISTJ woman provided the following very
detailed description of work stress, which incorporates many of the
issues mentioned by other Introverted Sensing types:
Back-to-back meetings.
Having to deal with meeting or workshop details while also having to
lead a discussion that is hypothesis-like or strategic in nature.
Having to check sloppy work of others or deal with another department that maintains low standards.
I have to watch myself because I tend to “fix” others’ incompetencies.
Too much interacting with people can also be stressful for ISTJs and
ISFJs, especially if a great deal of talking occurs.They are likely to
view too much talking and too many meetings as wasting time they could
be devoting to accomplishing things. The same impatience relates to
being interrupted when they are concentrating on tasks, and to lack of
followthrough by co-workers. In fact, anything that prevents or slows
achieving closure in their areas of responsibility creates stress for
Introverted Sensing types.
In a work situation in which the particular stressors for Introverted
Sensing types continue over long periods, ISTJs and ISFJs may respond
quickly and intensely to the triggers described here. This increases the
likelihood that their subsequent demonstrations of “grip” behavior will
be frequent and pervasive.When persistent stress causes them to be
chronically in the grip of inferior Extraverted Intuition, they are
likely to lose touch with their natural talent for assessing reality and
their practical grasp of problems.They may become habitual “naysayers,”
spreading doom and gloom throughout the workplace.
The Form of the Inferior Function
Younger Introverted Sensing types, like other Introverted types, report
becoming more sociable, outgoing, or outspoken as part of their grip
experience.This is especially true for young men, and to a lesser extent
for young women. “I’m more outspoken and friendly,” said a 21-year-old
male ISTJ about his grip experiences. “I’m also more into people’s needs
and how they feel. I guess I’m more of a ‘people person.’”An ISTJ young
woman said,“I’m more sensitive and understanding, more outspoken and
outgoing.” Introverted Sensing types often report that their increased
sociability occurs in social situations in which they feel comfortable.
An ISTJ is his mid-thirties said he becomes “outgoing, daring, dancing
the gorilla dance, whereas I’m usually reserved and calculated.”This is
stimulated by festive, comfortable occasions with family and friends.
Some young Introverted Sensing types, however, report going too far,
becoming loud and obnoxious in social situations.
ISTJs and ISFJs of all ages also report a high frequency of becoming
more withdrawn, angry, irritable, and pessimistic when in the grip.
However, there are some notable differences by auxiliary function and
gender.
ISTJ and ISFJ men tend to report becoming angry, while women report
withdrawing from others. ISTJ women report becoming both pessimistic and
scattered, while ISFJ women mention becoming more irritable, emotional,
and worried.
Introverted Sensing types’ characteristic task orientation and calm
attention to responsibilities begin to disappear as they move further
into the grip. “I feel like I’m in a fog of sand and can’t absorb
details around me,” said an ISTJ. As their hold on their dominant and
auxiliary further diminishes, command over dominant Introverted Sensing
is lost. If this state persists, the qualities of inferior Extraverted
Intuition manifest in a loss of control over facts and details,
impulsiveness, and catastrophizing. For ISTJs, tertiary Feeling combines
with inferior Intuition so that the negative possibilities are focused
on important relationships with loved ones. The tertiary Thinking of
ISFJs contributes the “logic” used to support negative possibilities
regarding career, money, natural disasters, and so on.
Two qualities of the negative, inferior forms of Extraverted Intuition
(loss of control over facts and details, and catastrophizing) are
reflected in Jung’s (1976a) description of the inferior function of
ISTJs and ISFJs:
Whereas true
extraverted intuition is possessed of singular resourcefulness, a “good
nose” for objectively real possibilities, this archaisized intuition has
an amazing flair for all the ambiguous, shadowy, sordid, dangerous
possibilities lurking in the background.
Loss of Control over Facts and Details
Effective dominant Extraverted Intuitive types are comfortable glossing
over facts and details as they focus on the complexities of an engaging
new idea. Their strength lies in emphasizing generalities; the
particulars can be dealt with later. In the grip of inferior Extraverted
Intuition, however, Introverted Sensing types’ relationship to details
becomes problematic. As they begin to lose trust in dominant Sensing and
auxiliary Thinking or Feeling, ISTJs and ISFJs have difficulty
attending to relevant factual information and arriving at rational
conclusions.
On the last afternoon of a difficult training session, an ISTJ imagined
that a small group exercise in which trainees practiced their
presentation skills was preparation for each class member to give a
presentation to the entire class. He became anxious and agitated as the
time to return to the workshop room approached. He later admitted that
he did not feel adequately prepared to present the material publicly and
feared he would be humiliated.What he failed to recognize was that no
such activity was listed on the schedule (Sensing data) and that with
only sixty minutes left in the workshop, thirty-five people could not
possibly make presentations (Thinking judgment). His general anxiety and
fatigue at the end of a stressful day contributed to his abandonment of
his Sensing and Thinking functions.
Impulsiveness
Flexibility and adaptability are assets to effective dominant
Extraverted Intuitive types. These qualities permit them to manage the
multiple activities and interests characteristic of their operating
style.
As expressions of inferior Extraverted Intuition, however, these same
qualities take on an aspect of thoughtlessness and impulsiveness, not
unlike the qualities ISTJs and ISFJs project onto dominant Extraverted
Intuitive types. When they experience a gradual slide into their
inferior function, Introverted Sensing types may become
uncharacteristically spontaneous, sometimes to the point of later
judging themselves irresponsible and reckless.
One ISFJ reported giving in to the urge to leave work in the middle of
the day and go to the movies. An ISTJ made a spur-of-the-moment decision
to buy a new computer before thoroughly researching the options. He
returned the computer later, assessing the purchase as rash and foolish.
Introverted Sensing types may experience increasing lack of focus,
confusion, anxiety, and even panic, even though their demeanor remains
calm and seemingly unperturbed.Their uncharacteristic spontaneity,
however, may come out in snappishness and terse, hurtful comments to
others, or in out-of-character behavior. After being divorced by his
wife of twenty years, an ISTJ dated forty different women in six months.
It was as if his inexperienced Intuition went haywire and his tertiary
Feeling judgment was unequal to the task of deciding among the
overwhelming relationship possibilities available.
Catastrophizing
Whereas effective dominant Extraverted Intuitive types thrive on the
exciting possibilities the future will bring, Introverted Sensing types
in the grip of inferior Extraverted Intuition anticipate the future with
fear and trembling. As their descent into the grip proceeds, they
become ever more negative, less willing to tolerate the unfamiliar, and
more wildly imaginative about disastrous outcomes. One ISFJ described
this as “awfulizing.”
In its full-blown state, inferior Extraverted Intuition anticipates all
the catastrophes that might happen in an unsafe, threatening world and
focuses on dire possibilities in the future. (Remember that the other
Introverted perceiving types, the Introverted Intuitive types, focus on
negative realities in the present.) ISTJs and ISFJs imagine that
anything not previously experienced—any unfamiliar place, any new
activity—will provoke horrifying consequences. In the full grip of their
inferior function, even familiar, previously safe areas may be
reassessed as fraught with danger. This level
of catastrophizing is the hallmark of inferior Extraverted Intuition.
“I start imagining a lot of terrible things that could happen,” said an
ISTJ.“If I tell anybody what I’m thinking, the usual response is,‘you
worry too much,’ or ‘don’t think about that.’ I appear emotional, not my
usual controlled self. I am not being realistic, which I always pride
myself on being, but borderline ridiculous,” she concluded. An ISFJ
school choir director is usually in a good mood when she awakens—except
when a choir performance is scheduled for that day. On such occasions,
she experiences a general feeling of dread and impending disaster, even
though there is no specific content associated with her forebodings.
After having knee surgery, which resulted in a good deal of pain and
immobility, an ISTJ was convinced that he would never feel any better:“I
couldn’t stop expressing my pessimism and was a real pain to one and
all. Before that I’d always been a pretty optimistic person.” In fact,
research evidence supports this ISTJ’s experience. ISTJs and ISFJs are
among the types most frequently treated for chronic pain.
An increase in fatigue and stress often lowers Introverted Sensing
types’ tolerance and patience in the face of others’ inattention to or
denial of important facts and details. A full-blown exhibition of
negative possibilities is likely to ensue. One ISFJ said, “I am given to
very sarcastic humor, slashing and unpredictable explosions of cold,
hard statements about here-and-now reality. I get stubborn and let loose
a negative barrage covering all the bad consequences of what is being
proposed.”
When her work situation becomes particularly stressful, another ISFJ’s
recurrent fear is that her most recent promotion will be rescinded, or
that she will receive a letter from her college informing her that her
degree was granted by mistake and they are going to have to take it
back.
One evening in May, an ISTJ returned home tired after a long day of
hiking in the mountains. Distressed to discover that his garage door
would not open, he immediately imagined all the possible negative
effects—he would have trouble getting to work on time, he wouldn’t be
able to go on vacation in the summer, and he certainly could not make it
to his niece’s wedding in August!
Introverted Sensing types report having strange or paranoid thoughts
when they are in this state, feeling overwhelmed and irritable and
imagining that a current stressful situation will go on forever, as will
their inability to handle both the stress and the
situation.Alternatively, they may come up with off-the-wall, unrealistic
positive possibilities when faced with unfamiliar situations.They then
must deal with the extreme disappointment that results when the positive
possibilities don’t materialize.
For example, an ISTJ was quite attracted to a young woman he met and
talked with briefly at a party one evening. He planned to get her phone
number from his friend so he could ask her out. He imagined where they
would go, what they would talk about, and how pleasant their date would
be. On calling his friend, therefore, he was upset to learn that the
young woman was engaged to be married and had left town that morning to
return home to plan her wedding.
One ISFJ’s description of not being herself includes all three forms of inferior Extraverted Intuition:
I
ignore facts and details—create monstrous, horrible outcomes that have
far-reaching impacts (for instance, in my lifetime and my daughter’s
lifetime). I dwell exclusively on these “realities.” I believe that I
need to act right now, this moment (for instance, leave my husband or
quit my job). Generally, I am very loyal and steadfast, however.
Lengthy Episodes in the Grip
The types of episodes described above are experienced by ISTJs and ISFJs
as temporary states during which they are vulnerable to the three forms
in which their inferior function is expressed. However, when
Introverted Sensing types are chronically in the grip of inferior
Extraverted Intuition, inferior function behavior may become habitual.
Their typical hesitation to accept change and their desire for data to
back up decisions may become extreme and take the form of angry
accusations about the disasters others are perpetrating at work or at
home. Their work output is likely to suffer because their judgment about
what to pursue is distorted by being in the grip. Even their typical
calm demeanor in the face of stress is gone, and others are likely to
see their worry, negativity, and catastrophizing most of the time.
Continued stress takes its toll on ISTJs and ISFJs, who are likelier
than other types to report having hypertension or heart disease. Chronic
stress may be more prevalent for these two types because of the
increasingly rapid change that characterizes the workplace and the world
at large.
Leaving a stressful work or home environment may be quite difficult for
Introverted Sensing types because of their natural loyalty, persistence
in spite of adversity, and devotion to duty and responsibility. If they
do recognize the unreasonableness of the demands made on them and manage
to leave bad situations, they may discover a newfound freedom and a
greater ability to accurately assess bad work and home situations.
Chronic grip behavior may lead the individual and others to believe that
he or she is typically sloppy and forgetful of details, impulsive, and
habitually focused on negative possibilities. This was the case in the
last story in the next section, where a supervisor new to a company
clashed with a longtime ISFJ employee who had been in the grip for some
time.
Since the process of becoming chronically in the grip is often gradual,
even people who have known the person in a nonstressed state are likely
not to notice what, in retrospect, will be recognized as a radical
alteration of personality. The person will appear to be a rather
exaggerated, poorly developed Extraverted Intuitive type.
Bear in mind, however, that there are occasions when a lengthy time in
the grip of inferior Extraverted Intuition can stimulate new awareness
and positive growth toward completion and individuation. Remember that
Jung saw the inferior function as the doorway to the unconscious and an
important part of the self-regulating capacity of our psyches.
ESFP’s New Experience or ISFJ’s Worst Nightmare?
Annette,
an ISFJ, and Dan, an ESFP, were having a drink before dinner in a
revolving cocktail lounge at the top of a twenty-story hotel in Texas.
The clear glass walls on all sides of the lounge gave customers a full
view of the city. It was an early August evening. As they talked, the
skies darkened, heavy clouds appeared, and the wind started blowing very
hard.
Dan, leaning against the glass outer wall, said,“Hey, this is great. I can feel the glass vibrating from the wind!”
“Let’s go inside the main part of the restaurant,” said Annette.
“Why would you want to do that? We won’t have the beautiful view,” said Dan.
“I want to move away from all this glass and go into the central part where the restaurant is,” insisted Annette.
Dan was puzzled.“But I don’t understand why,” he said.
“Because it’s August—we’re in Texas, the wind is blowing hard, those
clouds look ominous, and it’s tornado season!” she declared vehemently.
Replied Dan, “But if there’s a tornado, this is a wonderful place to watch it from!”
Return of Equilibrium
Introverted Sensing types tend to make excellent use of their knowledge about their inferior function reactions.
Both male and female ISTJs and ISFJs consistently report that they need
time alone in order to regain their equilibrium, but how they use that
time may differ by auxiliary function and gender. For example, female
ISTJs report wanting to reflect on, reframe, and solve the problem
(auxiliary Thinking) that caused their stress. An ISTJ woman said,“I
think logically— or decide what the possibilities might be. Once I’ve
accepted them, I’m prepared, even for the negative ones.” Another ISTJ
said she needs “some quiet time, and then for someone to slowly ask me
questions and slowly play back what they’re hearing from me. I also need
acknowledgment that I’m struggling—someone else who can label my
plight.”
For one ISFJ woman, the helpful “alone” time is spent “rehashing how I
would have handled the situation (in my mind), relive it a better way.
Analyze why I was reacting the way I did.” Both auxiliary Feeling and
tertiary Thinking are called upon to aid her in this process.Another
ISFJ perhaps uses both auxiliary Feeling and tertiary Thinking to
“figure out how I got to not being myself in the first place.”Yet
another ISFJ engages auxiliary Feeling when she “reads materials that
are personally moving—that
is, spiritual things to get back in touch with my feelings.”
It is interesting to note that female ISFJs (in contrast with male ISFJs
and male and female ISTJs) want the support and reassurance of others
(auxiliary Feeling) after they spend some time alone. It is also
interesting that male and female ISTJs and male ISFJs typically cite
physical exercise as important in aiding their return to normal, but
female ISFJs rarely mention it —although some describe using deep
breathing to calm themselves down. The natural pathway out of the
inferior function for Introverted Sensing types seems to be through
their auxiliary Extraverted Thinking or Feeling. This may take the
general form of engaging in physical activity with others or perhaps
changing their environment. ISTJs report using their Thinking to remind
them of what is real—that they can take control and that things always
work out. ISFJs find it helpful when they (with great difficulty) talk
to someone and reveal their irrational fears, and then receive quiet
reassurance.
As with other types, ISTJs and ISFJs report needing to “hit bottom”
before they can extricate themselves comfortably from a grip experience.
One ISFJ used the metaphor of being sucked into a whirlpool. “The worst
thing to do is fight it,” he said.“That will guarantee you’ll drown.
Instead, you have to let yourself be drawn into it and pulled all the
way down to the bottom.Then you will emerge alive.”
Introverted Sensing types also report needing others to take them
seriously, not to patronize them or judge them as irrational. Being
allowed to vent with an active listener who resists offering solutions
is useful. Unobtrusive help with some of the overwhelming details
contributing to the Introverted Sensing type’s fatigue and stress is
also welcome.
Knowledge from Grip Experiences
In addition to learning to recognize and avoid the stress and fatigue
that may lead to a grip experience, Introverted Sensing types, even
prior to their midlife development, are able to broaden their
perspective and become more accepting of others’ different approaches to
life tasks. They report a greater willingness to consider what is
important to themselves as well as to others in deciding what goals to
pursue and how to use their time. This inclusion of a range of
possibilities and other ways of doing things enables them to benefit
from their Intuition, as well as to accept and
use theories and hypotheses they might otherwise reject as unrealistic.
When stress either at work or at home is extreme and persists over time,
Introverted Sensing types may persevere longer than some other types
before they consider leaving the stressful situation.They are likely to
believe that the stress they are experiencing is uniquely theirs and
that others in the same situation are handling things much better.They
may see that their opposite types at work (ENTPs and ENFPs) seem to
thrive on stress, change, and upheaval and thus may view themselves as
weak and inadequate. It may take a crisis situation such as becoming
physically ill, having an emotional breakdown, or being confronted by
family members for them to recognize that they are in a habitually
out-of-character state. Only then might they realistically assess the
role of their environment in their plight and consider a drastic change.
Summary
In the grip of inferior Extraverted Intuition, Introverted Sensing types
lose control over facts and details, become impulsive, and
catastrophize about the unknown, especially the future. Auxiliary
Thinking or Feeling aids their return to equilibrium. ISTJs use
objective analysis to begin to control their anxious imaginings, while
ISFJs solicit the reassurance of trusted companions and friends to
modify their perceptions.
As a result of important bouts with inferior Extraverted Intuition,
Introverted Sensing types recognize and incorporate a broader, more
flexible perspective into their lives.They are better able to stand back
from the absorbing tasks and responsibilities of daily living and
consider what is most important to them. Often the awareness involves a
renewed appreciation of family and other close relationships.
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Originally Posted by Rim 
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