Feist−Feist: Theories of
Personality, Seventh
EditionII. Psychodynamic
Theories- Jung: Analytical
Psychology
© The McGraw−Hill^125
Companies, 2009Sensing
The function that receives physical stimuli and transmits them to perceptual con-
sciousness is called sensation.Sensing is not identical to the physical stimulus but
is simply the individual’s perception of sensory impulses. These perceptions are not
dependent on logical thinking or feeling but exist as absolute, elementary facts
within each person.
Extraverted sensingpeople perceive external stimuli objectively, in much the
same way that these stimuli exist in reality. Their sensations are not greatly influ-
enced by their subjective attitudes. This facility is essential in such occupations as
proofreader, house painter, wine taster, or any other job demanding sensory dis-
criminations congruent with those of most people (Jung, 1921/1971).
Introverted sensingpeople are largely influenced by their subjective sensations
of sight, sound, taste, touch, and so forth. They are guided by their interpretation of
sense stimuli rather than the stimuli themselves. Portrait artists, especially those
whose paintings are extremely personalized, rely on an introverted-sensing attitude.
They give a subjective interpretation to objective phenomena yet are able to com-
municate meaning to others. When the subjective sensing attitude is carried to its ex-
treme, however, it may result in hallucinations or esoteric and incomprehensible
speech (Jung, 1921/1971).
Intuiting
Intuitioninvolves perception beyond the workings of consciousness. Like sensing,
it is based on the perception of absolute elementary facts, ones that provide the raw
material for thinking and feeling. Intuiting differs from sensing in that it is more cre-
ative, often adding or subtracting elements from conscious sensation.
Extraverted intuitive peopleare oriented toward facts in the external world.
Rather than fully sensing them, however, they merely perceive them subliminally.
Because strong sensory stimuli interfere with intuition, intuitive people suppress
many of their sensations and are guided by hunches and guesses contrary to sensory
data. An example of an extraverted intuitive type might be inventors who must in-
hibit distracting sensory data and concentrate on unconscious solutions to objective
problems. They may create things that fill a need few other people realized existed.
Introverted intuitivepeople are guided by unconscious perception of facts that
are basically subjective and have little or no resemblance to external reality. Their
subjective intuitive perceptions are often remarkably strong and capable of motivat-
ing decisions of monumental magnitude. Introverted intuitive people, such as mys-
tics, prophets, surrealistic artists, or religious fanatics, often appear peculiar to peo-
ple of other types who have little comprehension of their motives. Actually, Jung
(1921/1971) believed that introverted intuitive people may not clearly understand
their own motivations, yet they are deeply moved by them. (See Table 4.1 for the
eight Jungian types with some possible examples of each.)
The four functions usually appear in a hierarchy, with one occupying a supe-
riorposition, another a secondary position,and the other two inferiorpositions.
Most people cultivate only one function, so they characteristically approach a situa-
tion relying on the one dominant or superior function. Some people develop two
functions, and a few very mature individuals have cultivated three. A person who has
Chapter 4 Jung: Analytical Psychology 119