From Self-Discovery to Self-Mastery: An Ultimate Guide to Carl Jung’s 8 Cognitive Functions

How To Develop Your Perception and Make Better Decisions

Look around you.

Everyone has a different approach to life — the way we process information, and the way we make decisions. Renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung popularized a model to explain these different life approaches, calling them the 8 cognitive functions. Imagine each function as a character in a video game. In the game, we naturally gravitate toward our favorite characters and “level up” with them as we play. The same idea applies to life. We prefer using different cognitive functions based on our life experiences, strengths, and weaknesses.

These preferences make up our cognitive function stack and determine how we solve problems, overcome roadblocks, and achieve goals.

Here are the 8 cognitive functions we all use to understand the world and make decisions:

1. Introverted Thinking: Analyzing and leveraging precise thought to make better choices.
2. Extraverted Thinking: Strategic decision-making, garnering resources, and measuring progress.
3. Introverted Intuition: Observing patterns, seeking different perspectives, and understanding the meaning behind things.
4. Extraverted Intuition: Exploring new possibilities and ideas to see what emerges.
5. Introverted Feeling: Tuning into one’s values, inner harmony, and how we feel about a particular thing.
6. Extraverted Feeling: Building relationships, unification, and creating harmony within each social dynamic.
7. Introverted Sensing: Reviewing past experiences to maintain stability and consistency.
8. Extraverted Sensing: Immersing oneself in new experiences and engaging with the present moment.

In this article, I’ll cover each one in detail and provide tips on how to develop them.

1. Introverted Thinking

Do you need to gain leverage using a framework?

Jung believed that Introverted Thinking helped people make calculated decisions through deep analysis. Its main job is to create accurate mental models that represent the world around you. It’s like a cartographer that builds a detailed map of the terrain, using it to navigate challenges and goals.

People with strong Introverted Thinking are skilled at using precise thought, understanding complex information, and finding holes in logic.

How To Harness the Power of Introverted Thinking

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “analyzing adept” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to use technical expertise to solve a problem. They use intense analysis to make sure all the puzzle pieces fit together. Think Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Sherlock Holmes, and Neo from The Matrix.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Think like a scientist: Form a hypothesis, test it, and reflect on the results. How accurate was your hypothesis?
2. Define the problem: Use a dictionary to define at least 10 words that are key to understanding your problem. Bonus points if you read the etymology and identify related words.
3. Deconstruct and leverage: Separate a problem into 5–10 aspects. Now, what’s the smallest thing you can adjust that would create the biggest overall improvement?

2. Extraverted Thinking

Do you need to measure data and construct a plan to make progress?

Jung believed that Extraverted Thinking helped people make decisions based on empirical evidence and logical principles. Its main job is to organize people and resources to achieve a set goal. It’s like a military general leading a mission, organizing troops and resources to complete each objective.

People with strong Extraverted Thinking know how to achieve goals through level-headed leadership, and enforce rules to maintain order.

How To Harness the Power of Extraverted Thinking

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “strategizing commander” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to decisively plan and organize things to reach a goal. They know how to take command of a situation and take proper action. Think Steve Jobs, Leila Hormozi, Kevin O’Leary, and Harvey Specter from Suits.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Streamline: Look at common tasks you do throughout the day. Now turn them into processes that you can templatize and streamline for the future.
2. How-to steps: Choose a problem or situation. Break it down into steps, and explain exactly how to do each part so that someone else would have no questions.
3. Organize and prioritize: Organize an event or party by listing the top priorities and creating a timeline of tasks that need to be completed.

3. Introverted Intuition

Do you need to generate insights by shifting perspectives?

Jung believed that Introverted Intuition allowed people to perceive the underlying patterns behind information or events. Its main job is to uncover deeper insights and connections that are not immediately apparent to the conscious mind. It’s like a deep-sea diver looking for treasure in murky waters, noticing subtle patterns and signals that reveal golden insights.

Someone with strong Introverted Intuition can often anticipate future events thanks to their advanced pattern recognition skills, and they’re skilled at using symbolism and metaphor to solve problems.

How To Harness the Power of Introverted Intuition

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “visioning mystic” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to access the unconscious mind or symbolism for guidance. They “peek behind the curtain” to see the deeper meaning behind things. Imagine Nelson Mandela, Emily Dickinson, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Marvel’s Matthew Murdoch.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Points of view: View your problem from different perspectives: Someone who’s already solved it, your “future self,” or an expert you admire.
2. Meditation and solitude: This will give you a deeper understanding of your inner world, leaving space for intuitive insights to emerge.
3. Turn your problem into a metaphor: Write a short story that metaphorically represents your problem or situation. This will help you explore different perspectives and solutions.

4. Extraverted Intuition

Do you need to brainstorm new ideas and shake things up?

Jung believed that Extraverted Intuition is a way of perceiving the world that is oriented toward the external environment. Its main job is to explore the widest range of possibilities and opportunities. It’s like a spiderweb, with each new thread representing a possibility or idea.

Someone with strong Extraverted Intuition can make connections between these threads, weaving together a web of new insights and possibilities.

How To Harness the Power of Extraverted Intuition

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “innovating explorer” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to think outside the box and quickly generate possibilities. They create change and shake things up. Imagine Tony Stark, Edward Morra from Limitless, Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, or Patrick Jane from The Mentalist.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. New ways: Expose yourself to new situations, ideas, and people. This will broaden your horizons and give you a more explorative approach to the world.
2. Brainstorming: Generate a wide range of possibilities for any given problem. Use a mindmap or create a list of possibilities.
3. Concoctions: Combine ideas or things you usually wouldn’t. For instance: Come up with 10 new recipes using ingredients that you normally wouldn’t pair together.

5. Introverted Feeling

Do you need to stay true to yourself?

Jung believed that Introverted Feeling helps people make decisions based on how it emotionally impacts them. Its main job is to make sure your actions are aligned with personal feelings, values, and beliefs. It’s like a moral compass that guides your decision-making in the direction of authenticity.

People with strong Introverted Feeling are highly attuned to their own emotions and, as a result, can empathize with the emotions of others.

How To Harness the Power of Introverted Feeling

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “resonating soul” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to tap into their personal feelings, values, or their conscience. They’re emotionally intelligent. As a result, they have a deep connection to their inner world and will fight for what they believe is right. Imagine William Shakespeare, Harriet Tubman, Marilyn Monroe, and Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Uncover core values: Identify 5 things that matter to you. Ask yourself for each one, “What does this thing give me?” Or ask, “Why does this matter?” Once you’re unable to dive deeper, you’ve uncovered your core values.
2. Values-based decisions: Practice making decisions based on what’s most important to you.
3. Walk a mile in their shoes: Try to imagine a person’s inner world based on how they speak and act. What does this reveal about their values, emotional state, or intent?

6. Extraverted Feeling

Do you need to build trust in your relationships and create harmony?

Jung believed that Extraverted Feeling helps people make decisions based on how it emotionally impacts the collective group. Its main job is to establish harmony and consensus within social dynamics. It’s like a thermostat, regulating the emotional temperature of a room to make sure everyone’s comfortable.

People with strong Extraverted Feeling are sensitive to social cues and skilled at navigating complex social situations.

How To Harness the Power of Extraverted Feeling

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “unifying envoy” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to proactively support others. They’re socially intelligent. As a result, they tune into the emotional climate of a group and find ways to build positive relationships. Imagine Steve Harvey, Gal Gadot, Sofia Vergara, and Jamie Fraser from Outlander.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Make an introduction: Think of 2 people and find a way to connect them. Make sure the connection is a win-win.
2. Help without expectation: Go out of your way to help someone in need. It can be as simple as holding the door open.
3. Match the energy: When socializing, try tuning into the emotional states of others. Practice matching their energy.

7. Introverted Sensing

Do you need to stabilize a situation with predictable standards or rules?

Jung believed that Introverted Sensing helps us process information through past experiences and sensory awareness. Its main job is to call on our experiences, memories, and sensations for guidance. It’s like a time capsule that preserves important moments, details, and facts for future decisions.

People with strong Introverted Sensing are great at extracting lessons from the past, establishing habits, and maintaining consistency.

How To Harness the Power of Introverted Sensing

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “stabilizing guardian” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to use their personal history and sensory awareness as a source of inner wisdom. They conserve the lessons of the past, stabilize the structural integrity of a system, and maintain order. Imagine Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett, Marie Kondo, and Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Memory recall: Imagine a recent experience. Try to recall as much detail using all your senses: taste, touch, sound, sight, and smell.
2. Historic wisdom: Think of a problem. Ask yourself: “When was a previous time I experienced a similar situation?” Use your past experiences to make a decision.
3. Install better habits: Reflect on negative or mediocre habits preventing you from accomplishing a goal. Now, replace them with better ones (or simply remove them altogether).

8. Extraverted Sensing

Do you need to immerse yourself in an experience and be adventurous?

Jung believed that Extraverted Sensing helps us perceive the world by engaging with the present moment. Its main job is to focus on external stimuli and sensory information in the immediate environment. It’s like a camera lens, constantly capturing details from the external world.

People with strong Extraverted Sensing are great at exploring new environments, engaging in physical activities, and adapting to new experiences.

How to Harness the Power of Extraverted Sensing

Personality Type Expert Matt Sherman refers to this function as the “engaging adventurer” archetype.

It’s easy for this person to troubleshoot and respond quickly to changing situations. They’re often practical, action-oriented people who prefer to focus on the present situation (instead of fixating on past experiences or future possibilities). Imagine Alexander the Great, Frank Sinatra, Angelina Jolie, and Serena Williams.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to develop this cognitive function:

1. Sensory acuity: Try noticing every single detail in your immediate environment. You can do this as you’re talking to people, or when you’re by yourself.
2. Resourcefulness: When something breaks, try fixing it with the tools you currently have.
3. Solve local problems: It’s wise to solve smaller problems before taking on the big ones. Is there any immediate challenge that needs to be overcome?

Next Steps:

If you want to learn more about this type of work, check out Matt Sherman.

He’s an expert at using Jungian cognitive functions and character creation to help people solve problems, overcome roadblocks, and achieve their goals.

And if you enjoyed reading this, be sure to follow me on Twitter. This is where I curate my curiosity and share my insights.