THE INFERIOR FUNCTION

Each type, according to Jung, bas its advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the behavior of the inferior function, which is the opposite of one's best-developed, dominant function. Unless a high degree of consciousness of one's potential weaknesses has been achieved, the inferior function remains primitive, infantile, and tyrannical. It is the door through which "temptation" ordinarily comes; in a time of stress, it can grasp one emotionally. One is in the grip of the inferior function when you project it upon your enemies (who may share the same characteristic). To Jung, it is a part of the shadow and ordinarily will show up in dreams as an enemy or someone who is threatening to you. According to Marie-Louise von Franz (in Jung's Typology), when full consciousness is not developed (which means you are fully aware of your inferior side), the primitive function will often sabotage your conscious aims in life. In a very simplified and non-individualized form, the following are the expressions of the inferior function for each type .....

THINKING TYPES
In general, the inferior function will express itself in disruptive explosive or implosive feelings or in rigid likes and dislikes which are pure prejudice. Extraverted thinking will have as the inferior function introverted feeling, expressed in depressions, fear of being rejected, etc. Introverted thinking types will have as the inferior function extraverted feeling, expressed as black-and-white judgments, a two-valued .world, and a tendency to over dependency and sticky, clingy relationships.

FEELING TYPES
In general, the inferior function will express itself in domineering and dogmatic opinions which run far beyond one's real certitude. Extraverted feeling will have as the inferior function introverted thinking, expressed in over-critical, cynical attitudes; a tendency to classify people rigidly; and getting caught up in a system of thought that one tries to sell. Introverted feeling will have as the inferior function extraverted thinking; which is always overwhelmed with too many ideas, too much material, and is forced to oversimplify any description of social reality.

i:sel: In general, the inferior function will express itself in i:l catastrophic expectation. Extraverted sensation will have as the interior function introverted intuition; which can frighten one with weird vision and fantasies of disaster.

Introverted sensation will have as the inferior function extraverted intuition; which attracts one to far-out apocalyptic groups in the collective world.

INTUITIVE TYPES
In general, will express itself in absorption in the material world, especially in piling up possessions, greed, and pleasure seeking which is compulsive. Extraverted intuition will have as the interior function introverted sensation; which will concentrate on inner feelings and pleasure, but paradoxically ignores real bodily needs until they cry out to be heard. Introverted intuition will have as the inferior function extraverted sensation; which gets strongly attached to having (in contrast to doing and being). Also expresses itself in an inferior grasp of space and time facts.

Individuation calls for one to become fully aware of the inferior function, "the devil speaking" but also where the angels can come in. One cannot simply tackle the inferior function directly, on a conscious level. Here is where Jung's transcendent function comes in, creating or drawing upon uniting or reconciling symbols which allow us to find not perfection, but wholeness or completeness, which help us to find useful ways of expressing the opposites in our lives. Jung's concept of religious experience includes this reconciliation, as we shall see.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INFERIOR FUNCTION

1. The unconscious often speaks to the conscious mind through the Inferior Function. Therefore, it holds the secret key to becoming an integrated, whole person -- a person who can access untapped potentials. 2. You may often tie into an ecstatic experience through the Inferior Functions (especially in the second half of life). 3. When used in a conscious way, its use is generally slow compared to the dominant and auxiliary functions and is not used as competently.

4. 5. 6.

You feel like you are behaving either like a fool or a hero. You can experience either a state of inflation or a state of hopelessness and gloom. It often shows itself as the despised parts of your personality and maladapted (not congruent to the "Me" you consciously know). You often experience a touchiness around someone criticizing any work or behavior which involves this function. You may become paralyzed and send your tyrant out to defend yourself. Your judgment about your ability to use this function competently is not very positive, so you can be easily influenced by others' judgments in matters involving its use. Behavior can become compulsive -- you cannot seem to stop what you are doing even if a part of your conscious mind wants to. You may often feel a tremendous charge of emotions. You may be moody. It is difficult for its opposite function to be usable (example: for a dominant Thinker, when the inferior Feeling function is "in charge", the person cannot think). Often ideas, thoughts, and feelings that surface are not grounded in reality. You are not available to other people for "rational" discussions.

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9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Copyright 1985 Margaret Hanzler. Used with permission by Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Inc.

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WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE INFERIOR FUNCTION

1.

Give it time to function.

2.

Don't attempt work which involves extensive use of this function when you are tired and/or under stress.

3.

Don't expect to use it with the same efficiency as you use your dominant and auxiliary.

4.

Deal with this function with a sense of humor. Observe when old patterns come up and learn to laugh about them. This usually takes away some of the energy invested in the situation and allows you to rebalance. When this happens you can then look at what triggered your habitual response -- what "hooked" you.

5.

Remember when you feel foolish that it is the fool who often finds the treasure.

6.

Ask your dominant or auxiliary function to take a vacation so that your inferior function has time to develop. The more it is developed, the easier it will be for you to use it consciously and the less likely are the chances you will experience it as intruding in "unproductive" ways.

7.

Watch for bodily and/or emotional changes which signal its presence.

8.

Look at your projections -- they often signal a trait about yourself which you are not consciously willing to own, thus setting yourself up for being in the grips of the inferior function. To do this, examine what qualities, values, or principles you see in the other person that bother you. Remember that it is through the inferior function that the unconscious frequently tries to communicate with you concerning matters about which you need to become conscious.

9.

Look at what you envy in others and take self-ownership.

10.

Have dialogues with the parts of you that you dislike. Write down your thoughts and feelings. Getting this objectivity often allows you to become "more conscious."

11.

Be humble -- neither super-critical nor self-pitying.

Copyright 1985 Margaret Hartzler. U~ with permission by Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Inc.