What does the “N” Stand for within the 16 Myers-Briggs® Character Sorts?

As an MBTI® practitioner, I’m usually requested questions concerning the letter preferences and what they imply. One of many letter preferences that confuses individuals probably the most is the N or S choice. How does this single letter choice form our personalities, our perceptions, and finally, our interactions with the world round us? Be a part of me as we dig into this attention-grabbing matter!

What does the N in MBTI Stand For?

The ‘N’ in Myers-Briggs idea stands for iNtuition. These with a choice for instinct depend on hunches, future prospects, implications, and summary theories. They’re usually seen as imaginative and modern, preferring to focus extra on what could possibly be moderately than what’s.

Folks with an ‘S’ choice desire Sensing. These varieties desire what’s tangible, reasonable, and provable through details and lived expertise. They’re usually seen as grounded and down-to-earth; observant of sensible realities.

Carl Jung, one of many founding fathers of contemporary psychology and an enormous affect on the MBTI®, spoke eloquently about instinct. He described it as “notion through the unconscious… the hunches and inspirations that come to us out of the blue.” For people with an ‘N’ of their character kind, this sort of unconscious, future-oriented pondering is a well-known and comfy means of processing the world.

Estimated studying time: 9 minutes

Examples of Instinct vs Sensation in Motion

Contemplate two people at an artwork museum, one having a choice for Instinct (N) and the opposite for Sensation (S) of their Myers-Briggs character kind.

The Intuitive particular person would possibly have a look at a chunk of summary artwork and instantly begin establishing theories about what the artist was attempting to speak. They could take into account the broader cultural context of when and the place the art work was created and the way it speaks to future societal traits. This particular person is participating their Instinct, tapping into future prospects, and studying between the traces.

In distinction, the Sensing particular person would probably focus extra on the tangible particulars of the art work. They could respect the precise colours the artist used, the feel of the paint on the canvas, or the exact approach employed. They could take into account the art work in a extra literal and present-focused means, appreciating what is correct in entrance of them. This particular person is using their Sensing choice, connecting with the current actuality, and savoring the concrete particulars.

How Instinct and Sensation Affect Choices

Image this state of affairs: Two colleagues, one with an iNtuitive choice (let’s name them Alex) and one with a Sensing choice (we’ll name them Taylor), are confronted with making a strategic resolution for his or her firm.

Alex, leaning into their iNtuitive choice, envisions the long-term implications of the choice. They take note of traits within the trade, potential shifts in buyer habits, and different summary elements. They take into account the choice within the context of future prospects, even when these aren’t instantly obvious.

Then again, Taylor, counting on their Sensing choice, focuses on the information instantly accessible. They scrutinize the present monetary statements, take into account the fast reactions of stakeholders, and look at concrete, observable elements to information their decision-making. They prioritize what’s tangible and actual within the current second.

On this instance, each Alex and Taylor convey invaluable views to the decision-making course of. The iNtuitive strategy anticipates future prospects, whereas the Sensing strategy grounds the choice in sensible, fast realities. Each are essential for balanced, well-informed choices.

The Eight iNtuitive Character Sorts within the Myers-Briggs System

1. INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging): Often known as the “Mystic,” they’re insightful visionaries with a deep understanding of human motivations and a drive to assist others.
2. ENFJ (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging): Known as the “Mentor,” these people are charismatic leaders who effortlessly draw others into their passionate pursuits.
3. INFP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving): The “Dreamer” is imaginative and introspective, guided by a agency set of inside values.
4. ENFP (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving): “Visionaries” are free-spirited and inventive, at all times able to discover new concepts and prospects.
5. INTJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Judging): The “Strategist” is a strategic thinker with an intense foresight into how issues will develop over time.
6. ENTJ (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Judging): Often known as the “Director,” they’re assertive leaders who excel at devising plans and methods.
7. INTP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Perceiving): The “Prodigy” is deeply analytical and fascinated by understanding how theories match collectively.
8. ENTP (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Perceiving): Known as the “Trailblazer,” they’re intellectually fast and revel in innovating and forging new paths in creation.

Variations Between Introverted Instinct (Ni) and Extraverted Instinct (Ne)

Introverted Instinct (Ni) and Extraverted Instinct (Ne) are two distinctly alternative ways during which ‘iNtuitive’ people within the MBTI system understand the world and course of data.

Introverted Instinct (Ni) is targeted inwards, on the interior world of reflections, concepts, and ideas. People with a dominant Ni, corresponding to INFJs and INTJs, are likely to gravitate in the direction of a singular imaginative and prescient or concept. They’ve a knack for seeing the massive image and anticipating future outcomes. This means lends them a way of foresight that may appear nearly uncanny to others. They usually depend on this intuitive understanding to navigate their lives, making choices based mostly on their inner predictions and perceptions. They could generally wrestle to elucidate their insights, as their instinct usually emerges from deep inside their unconscious, making it tough to translate into exterior, concrete phrases.

Introverted Instinct (Ni) at Work: A Easy Instance

Think about a younger little one named Lily. Lily’s mom has at all times been a cheerful particular person, the lifetime of the social gathering, continually laughing and making everybody round her smile. Nonetheless, Lily begins to note delicate modifications in her mom’s habits – a sure tiredness in her eyes, a faint tremble in her laughter, and intervals of silence that weren’t attribute of her. Whereas others round her see the identical cheerful particular person they’ve at all times recognized, Lily, along with her Introverted Instinct (Ni), senses a deeper, unseen concern. She can not articulate her issues, as they don’t seem to be based mostly on any concrete, expressible observations, however moderately a “intestine feeling” – an intuitive understanding that goes past the evident. Lily’s Ni permits her to understand that her mom is, in truth, scuffling with a private concern, an understanding that she arrives at effectively earlier than anybody else within the household involves an identical realization.

Here’s a record of Myers-Briggs® character varieties the place Introverted Instinct (Ni) performs a major position:

1. INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging) – These people are deep thinkers with a knack for deeply empathizing with others. Their major perform is Introverted Instinct, which permits them to understand patterns and long-term prospects.
2. INTJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Judging) – These people are modern downside solvers. Their dominant Ni helps them to check future implications of their actions, making them extraordinarily strategic and forward-thinking.
3. ENFJ (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging) – These people have Extraverted Feeling as their dominant trait, however their auxiliary perform is Introverted Instinct. This aids them in understanding and guiding others in the direction of a better calling.
4. ENTJ (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Judging) – These people are natural-born leaders with Extraverted Considering as their major perform and Ni as their secondary perform. This permits them to check future prospects and develop methods to attain their objectives.

Extraverted Instinct (Ne) is rather more outwardly centered. People with dominant Ne, corresponding to ENFPs and ENTPs, have a broad, expansive strategy to instinct. They excel at brainstorming and are in a position to see a number of prospects and views in any given state of affairs. They thrive within the realm of hypothesis and revel in taking part in with concepts, usually leaping from one to a different in speedy succession. In contrast to their Ni counterparts, Ne people are energized by the exterior world, and their instinct is stimulated by their interactions with their environment. They’re sometimes open-minded, versatile, and enthusiastic about exploring a number of pathways.

Let’s think about knowledgeable storyteller named Deion. Deion has an uncanny means to spin tales that captivate his listeners, unfurling a story tapestry that’s wealthy with surprises, twists, and turns. His talent lies not merely in his command over language, however extra particularly in his means to check a plethora of potential storylines and characters. When offered with a primary plot, he doesn’t see a linear narrative however moderately an unlimited panorama of prospects. As an illustration, when given the premise of a knight rescuing a trapped dragon, Deion doesn’t merely narrate a simple story of heroism. As a substitute, he envisions a number of distinctive situations — the knight and dragon turning into associates, the dragon refusing rescue in favor of self-reliance, the knight realizing he’s the actual ‘monster’ within the story. Deion’s Extraverted Instinct (Ne) is on full show as he explores these prospects, giving his tales an unpredictable and intriguing edge. His instinct is stimulated by the world round him, drawing inspiration from his interactions, conversations, and experiences, and transposing them into his storylines. This means to breathe life into a large number of views, prospects, and situations is the hallmark of Extraverted Instinct at work.

Here’s a record of Myers-Briggs® character varieties the place Extraverted Instinct (Ne) performs a major position:

1. ENFP (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) – These people are heat, enthusiastic and fiercely individualistic. Their major perform is Extraverted Instinct, which permits them to attach disparate concepts, discover numerous prospects and see potential in others.
2. ENTP (Extraverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Perceiving) – These are fast thinkers who thrive on innovation. Their dominant Ne helps them to assemble a psychological playground the place they will freely navigate amongst concepts and prospects.
3. INFP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) – These people have Introverted Feeling as their dominant trait, however their auxiliary perform is Extraverted Instinct. This aids them in increasing their inner worth system to incorporate new prospects and views.
4. INTP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Considering, Perceiving) – These people are philosophers and designers of concepts. With Extraverted Instinct as their secondary perform, they’re glorious at seeing patterns and prospects within the exterior world.

Ne and Ni: Variations in Orientation

Though each Introverted and Extraverted Instinct enable people to understand past the fast, tangible actuality and into the realm of summary theories and potential prospects, they differ of their orientation. Whereas Ni-types (NJs) are likely to give attention to a singular, deep perception, Ne varieties (NPs) need to discover a broad array of prospects.

What Are Your Ideas?

In conclusion, whether or not you’re an intuitive or a sensor, extraverted or introverted intuitive, these insights into your character may also help you to know your self extra deeply. It might additionally provide help to with communication. I’ve written articles about communication between these two varieties right here: The Secrets and techniques to Communication Between Sensors and Intuitives.

I hope this exploration of instinct has offered invaluable insights into your personal cognitive preferences. Now, I’d love to listen to from you. Have you ever recognized whether or not you’re a Sensor or an iNtuitive? How does it affect your every day life, your decision-making, your interactions? Please share your ideas and experiences within the feedback part!

Different Articles You Would possibly Get pleasure from:

Why Sensors and Intuitive Drive Every Different Loopy

What’s a Sensor, and The best way to Inform if You Are One

The Resolution-Making Blind Spot of Each Myers-Briggs® Character Sort

References:

MBTI® Handbook: A Information to the Growth and Use of the Myers-Briggs Sort Indicator® Instrument by Isabel Briggs Myers, Mary H. McCaulley, Naomi L. Quenk, Allen L. Hammer (CPP, Inc. 1998)

Items Differing by Isabel Briggs Myers (CPP, Inc. 1980, 1995)