Now The Personality Will Unfold
Truth in Myth
Where have you heard or seen echoes of your personality?
Today I’m going to start the series about personality. The context chosen is the work of C.G. Jung. He was not confined by the European cultures but foraged in the world. He came back with in depth observations some of them refined by his attention to mythology. Why mythology?
Because mythology speaks deeply about who and what we are and reflects our various facets.
In Depth Information
Jung organized a personality typology which is complex and deep, although, given the basic elements, at first look it may seem simplistic. It is not. Future posts will provide specifics. If you wish greater detail there is a wealth of information online. Googling The Personality Typology of C.G. Jung will open it. If you wish to get specific information on yourself, then google The Myers Briggs Type indicator. It is a test you can take online and it is not very expensive. It will explain a lot to you.
The General Structure
Lets look first at the overall structure of the typology. There are two Attitudes which are introversion and extraversion. You may not need basic information to begin to open your understanding. We talk a lot about introverts and extraverts.
And then there are the four paired functions of Intuition-Sensation and Thinking-Feeling. Now you will require more explanation.
Visual Instruction
But first let’s look at the basic construction which can be done visually. One way to look at it is that the attitudes give a context. If the focus is inward to the self, we are generally looking at an introvert. If the focus is outward to the other we are looking at an extravert. Those attitudes help shape the functions and give a context.
The Personality Wheel – The Rising Wheel of Life
The functions come in pairs. Picture a wheel with two lines drawn all the way across but at right angles to each other. Stand the wheel on edge and put it in water. Make sure it floats half way submerged. What is above water is in consciousness, what is below is in the unconscious. Each function sits on the rim of the wheel. The one which is most out of water is our primary function. The one which is still in consciousness but not as high out of the water is less developed and is the auxiliary, Then you can see the other two functions are in the unconscious.
I’ll go into the descriptions of the functions in more detail in other posts but we’ll stick to the basics for now.
The Four Functions – In Thumbnail
Intuition – Seeking possibilities is paramount and logic and reality are considerably less important. The person wants novelty and is not detail oriented. OMG! Sounds like a recipe for floundering without any focus. Except there is a logic and a focus. Also, it has help and structure from the other functions.
Sensation – This one is especially interesting. Jung defined it but could not grasp it. Partly because it was the function buried most deeply in his unconscious. This person is reality oriented but logic is clearly secondary. They tend to be very conventional but are sensual at the same time. I think you can see that may contribute an irrational element. I believe there is a moderator variable here which is undefined. That means a variable, the form of which may severely affect the outcome and direction of this personality type.
Thinking – This one is easy and you certainly know a thinking type. They are very logical, rational, factual and systematic. Think of a very focused scientist or technician. Almost everything is intellectually considered. Feelings are their opposite and so feelings don’t count for a whole lot. It’s not that these people have no feelings, it’s just that they don’t count for much. If they have guidance from a loving partner it helps a lot.
Feeling – Surprise! This is the other end of the thinking-feeling dimension and a lot of it has to do with feelings. Whether they are introverted or extraverted they tend to be people oriented and especially they seek to create harmony. They are rational in a different sort of way. You really want them to organize the party since everyone will come away happy.
On the Horizon
Shortly we begin with the attitudes. Look for friends, family and yourself.