Daily Magic: Learning and the Eight Mental Functions

Magic is about making things happen using mysterious forces.  We all accept that behind the magician’s act are “knowable” steps to repeat the magical moment.  We are actually all using magic on a daily basis.  We can describe and detail how our brain works right down to the molecules of chemistry interacting. However, how and why it works they way it does is a mystery. Nothing is more magical than learning.^[1]

The urge to learn is natural to our existence.  However, learning isn’t necessarily easy and requires work.  We have known for 60 years that learning which results in behavior change requires steady work, constant reinforcement, regular practice, and stimulus control (both external and internal management of distractions). Psychological type has taught us that there are different and equally effective ways to approach learning efforts.  However, not all approaches are equally useful and equally important at all times.^[2]

We become more powerful learners when we use more tactics on a more frequent basis.^[3]  Therefore, if you like to deeply analyze a topic before you try out an idea, you will find that serves you some of the time.  If you are a trial and error kind of learner where you throw yourself into a situation and figure it out, you will find this doesn’t work in all situations.  If we look at the eight mental functions (Te, Ti, Se, Si, Ne, Ni, Fe, Fi) and associated learning tactics, we would find that all of the tactics are useful as noted in the table below.  As is natural to our type, we over rely on some tactics and rarely use the others.  Insight number one is we need to start practicing other tactics on a more frequent basis than we do now.

Eight Mental Functions and A Small Sample of Learning Tactics

Mental Function	Typical Tactic
Introverted Sensing (Si)	Repetition of details. Relying and using experts.
Extraverted Sensing (Se)	Trial and error.  Trusting hands-on experience.
Introverted Intuiting (Ni)	Imagining the use of new information. Playing mentally with ideas.
Extraverted Intuiting (Ne)	Talking out possible implications of new information. Synergizing.
Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Creating analytical maps of key concepts. Reasoning deductively.
Extraverted Thinking (Te)	Debating information pros and cons of ideas and information.
Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Drawing relational mind maps showing connections. Evaluating.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)	Explaining the use and value of information once learned.

 

Neuroscientists have discovered that when we become intentional about the things we want to do, our brain gets busy figuring out how to get to the desired result.  When we pose a question to our brain and instruct it to take some time to figure out a best solution and then go about the other things we need to do, our unconscious programs go to work.  In a study of 55- year-olds who had been diagnosed with the same health issues and who had been given the same rehabilitation, it was discovered that while everyone had health improvements, a sub-group was having extraordinary health outcomes.  Researchers followed up and discovered a difference between those who were having basic versus those with extraordinary improvement.  Those who were having extraordinary improvement reported they did the rehab to enable them to enjoy their grandchildren. Everyone else said they did the rehab because the physician ordered it.  In other words, the intention made the difference. When we tell our brain our larger intentional purpose, it takes heed and maximizes the outcomes.

Notice that everyone in the study was engaged in behavior to improve their well-being.  Those who had a more personally meaningful reason and were intentional about their futures had better outcomes.  Intentions matter!  At the core of the book, YOU: Being More Effective in Your Type is the summary of key research findings related to the growth and development of each of the sixteen types.  The learning needs are as different as the personal attributes of each of the types.

Scientists have discovered that if we imagine a place we like or look at pictures of people or places we find enjoyable, our brain acts as if we were actually there.  The hormones that cut cortisol, calm the nervous system, and provide for renewal of our physical systems happens when we actively imagine and visually call upon images.  In order words, the brain does not know the difference between being “there” and imagining being there. Consequently, various brain programs kick in to reduce stress and restore well-being, which also boosts our focus.  The pragmatic value is that we can use our imagination to improve focus.

Jung had these insights 100 years ago.  What neuroscientists verified with concrete, hard scientific methodology today, Jung hypothesized from his extensive work and observations of others.   If we act with intention and trust our mind, remarkable things can happen.  If we use our imagination, we can transform our physical being.  What is astonishing is that even though we have more science and evidence, we have fewer clear answers as to why and how it works.

The tactics and actions described above work as methods to maximize our energies and restore our well-being.  What is abundantly clear is that when we feel energized and well, we are better able to learn and perform in our day-to-day tasks.  As noted earlier, the brain likes to be efficient with using its resources. This is why habits are so powerful and difficult to break.  We build neural networks with our behavior when we repeat an action—a thought, a word, and action—it becomes a part of our personal operating program.  This is why many goal-setting programs don’t work: they completely ignore the power of the brain’s insistence on efficiency and comfort.  We are wired to seek comfort, avoid pain, and find the efficient path to achieve both.  This is why people ride the escalator into the gym when they could have walked.

Our psychological type is a mental habit that is deeply programmed into our way of operating. Left to its own devices, it hums along just fine—except when it doesn’t and when you come upon a challenge that simply demands more than what is typical.  To build the capacity to meet overwhelming demands, we need to slowly use more of our resources so that over time we have literally created additional pathways of action.  One of the remarkable benefits of psychological type as a framework is that it outlines eight kinds of mental resources all of us have and can gain access to in intentional ways.

Research using international samples underscores work I’ve been doing for some time to help individuals learn and use all of their mental functions. It enhances the flexibility necessary to enable individuals to agilely shift as the demands of a situation occur.  I’ve found that when asked, the vast majority of people can identify ways they demonstrate the use of the eight functions on a daily basis and can differentiate between what is required and what feels more natural to them.  The greater the spread between what feels natural and what must be demonstrated consumes more energy because of strain.  The strain then reduces available energy to flex and gain access to available psychological resources.^[4]  For example, imagine that an individual very naturally relies on Extraverted Intuiting and the current work-related demands are requiring persistent use of Introverted Sensing.  This could cause a great deal of strain and stress.  Recognizing this is going on is the first step toward addressing it constructively.  Intentionally using tactics for renewal and restoration is a second vital step for well-being.

We can describe the most minute chemical details of what is happening in our brain and body when we do certain things. However, why and how all this works is a mystery.  What is unambiguously true is that by intentionally using a variety of strategies, we can activate and use more of our brain’s resources to help solve complex problems and restore ourselves when needed.

As noted earlier, magic means moving, changing, or creating by using mysterious means.  When we use the tactics identified in the table above, and use more of them, we are increasing our knowledge, our behavioral range of options, and boosting our overall well-being.  When we make some of the following actions part of our daily routine, we are building our learning capacities and in effect becoming learning magicians!  In the book YOU: Being More Effective in Your Personality Type, the specific action learning tips needed for the growth for each type are provided.  Each type has a dominant function which drives the individual. Understanding it is critical to the learning needs of each type.  (See the chart at the end to connect the four-letter type code with the dominant function noted below.)

 Eight Mental Functions and Some Daily Magic for Learning

Mental Function	Daily Tactic
Introverted Sensing (Si)	At the end of each day, summarize specific new insights from the day
Extraverted Sensing (Se)	Test yourself on at least one new idea a day—practice!
Introverted Intuiting (Ni)	Actively imagine doing something with an idea
Extraverted Intuiting (Ne)	Reach out to a friend to share an idea that bubbled up
Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Look up one critique of something you heard today
Extraverted Thinking (Te)	Ask a friend to share their pro/con reaction on a topic of the day
Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Draw a mandala, as you reflect on a key topic of the day
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)	Share with a friend how information can be used in some personal way

Development is about learning.  If we truly want to leverage the knowledge we’ve gained since Jung outlined psychological type, and maximize the insuring knowledge that neuroscientists have provided, there is no reason we can’t use some daily magic to boost our learning and enrich our life.

For overall connections, see the dominant function and four–letter code links below:

Mental Function	Associate Type Code—-Mental function is Dominant for:
Introverted Sensing (Si)	ISTJ, ISFJ
Extraverted Sensing (Se)	ESTP, ESFP
Introverted Intuiting (Ni)	INFJ, INTJ
Extraverted Intuiting (Ne)	ENFP, ENTP
Introverted Thinking (Ti)	ISTP, INTP
Extraverted Thinking (Te)	ESTJ, ENTJ
Introverted Feeling (Fi)	ISFP, INFP
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)	ESFJ, ENFJ

 

Using type effectively, means knowing that all functions are available for use and can be engaged with intention.

Roger R. Pearman