Introverted Intuition

What is Intuition (In general)?

Your intuition is your brain's unconscious thoughts that do not use logic. Instead, intuition relies on your instincts. For example, there are days when you feel as if you can lay out all the possibilities in front of you, or you may have a hunch on one particular outcome.

According to MBTI cognitive functions, there are two types of intuition that people subconsciously use in their lives. Introverted intuition and extroverted intuition.

No one uses only Ni (introverted intuition) or Ne (extroverted intuition) after all, intuition comes in a spectrum. However, it's easy to determine whether you rely on one or the other, especially if you're aware of your thoughts.

Vocabulary Refresher

Dominant function = The function that is the most familiar to you. Your strongest trait that comes naturally, even when you don't notice. INTJ and INFJ have dominant introverted intuition.

Auxiliary function = Second function that polishes throughout your adolescence. Your dominant function's right-hand supporter. ENFJ and ENTJ have auxiliary introverted intuition.

Tertiary function = Third function that develops throughout your adulthood. A bit weak when young but healthy when working together. ISFP and ISTP have auxiliary introverted intuition.

Inferior function = The last function that is your unhealthiest. But this function can be reliable if you're aware of it and attempt to work with it. ESFP and ESTP have inferior introverted intuition.

Introverted Intuition

Ni-dominant users have likely struggled to find the words they want to say. Ni users quickly gather their thoughts and choose one option. Perhaps they have a particular outfit in mind they want to wear, or they know which friends to trust with a deep secret.

Explaining the thought process causes headaches for Ni-dominant and Ni-auxiliary users, as they have to retrace their thought process to come to any conclusion. It's like trying to find a path of rocks in a crowded forest.

Ni-users may have a hunch about a person's true intentions or predict it will rain even though the forecast says cloudy.

Before we move on, a quick reminder about Ni users. They're not psychics, they're prone to having limited insight that could be wrong. Not all Ni-users will read your palms or predict your demise with tarot cards.

Ni Users and Their Ni.

The following personality types are most likely to have Ni: INFJ, INTJ, ENFJ, ENTJ, ISFP, ISTP, ESFP, ESTP.

Anyone with the personality types INFJ or INTJ has had Ni since childhood. They were likely dreamy and ambitious children. Living in their oddly specific imagination, and are more likely to dive into their introverted hobbies like reading or photography. Later in life, they use their other functions to work around their fast-paced thoughts and singular conclusions.

ENFJ and ENTJ personality types have auxiliary Ni. Meaning they begin to have quicker thought processes in their teenage-early adult years. ENFJ and ENTJ use their dominant function (Fe and Te, respectively) and their newfound Ni to work toward a singular goal in mind.

ISFP and ISTP have tertiary Ni, meaning they can be healthy or unhealthy if untouched. If this trait is unhealthy, ISFP and ISTP users may feel uncomfortable with Ni, as their dominant/auxiliary functions typically focus on the present. Ni is a function that focuses on the future, as it's goal-oriented and comes up with a single conclusion. With Ni in the picture, ISFP and ISTP users may become scared of their future and are prone to withdraw emotionally and mentally.

If healthy, Ni can act as insight, while the first two healthier functions focus on the present and accept what happens next.

ESTP and ESFP have an inferior Ni function, meaning it's more likely to be unhealthy. Extremely unhealthy Ni looks like using your first two functions to indulge in distractions, as your Ni creeps up on you in your worst moments. Bad Ni looks like an existential crisis, all while keeping up the façade of being "the coolest, most chill person alive". Mental breakdowns and self-doubt for being judged in public will be commonplace.

Being in touch with Ni gives meaning to ESTP and ESFP's lives with meaning and purpose. They'll know that having fun and exploring are important, but stepping back to think is also just as important.