Of the four dichotomies, the largest discrepancy lies in the difference between Sensors and Intuitives. Whereas there is an approximate 50/50 split in the population between the other preferences, a full 70% of the population prefers Sensing versus only 30% favoring Intuition.
When you distill it down, the difference between Sensors and Intuitives is this: Sensors prefer reliability of information, and Intuitives prefer speed and depth of insight. This ends up manifesting itself a couple of unique ways. First, Intuitives learn to trust pattern recognition to help them understand information quickly and see things that aren’t ‘there’. Basically, they extrapolate large amounts of information from only a few data points.
Sensors, of course, have this same ability. But they don’t trust it, and so they don’t hone it. Instead, they trust reliable information – things that can be verified in the Real World. Therefore, they become masters of historical information – their own history as well as other people’s. They also become fantastic at manipulating objects in real time. There is no need to question reality when it’s right there in front of you. Reality is reliable. Speculation isn’t.
Second, how they see information informs how both these preferences see time. If real, reliable, solid information is what you choose to focus upon, then the here-and-now context becomes far more important, as well as past information (which used to be the here-and-now context). Sensors can’t rely on what hasn’t happened yet, so the future becomes far less interesting. On the other hand, Intuitives are already comfortable seeing what ‘isn’t there’ – as in, they’re comfortable theorizing and speculating on what could be in both the here-and-now as well as into the future. The past doesn’t really hold their interest any more than a reference point for future predictions.
Third, these differences alter both values and basic interests. For Sensors, values surround things like family, tradition, getting into action, old friends, etc… these are all rooted in the known and knowable, and therefore can be trusted. For Intuitives, values focus more on the cerebral – possibilities, memes, paradigms, perspectives and concepts. Conversation will generally revolve around these things, with little interest in small talk.
Both Sensors and Intuitives have an important role. Sensors often “hold down the fort” – uphold infrastructures that keep us going as a society. Intuitives are generally the “trailblazers” – coming up with new ways of looking at and doing things which fashion new technologies and paradigms. It makes sense that fewer Intuitives would be needed – too much innovation and everything collapses. But without innovation, the world stagnates.
Understanding and appreciating these differences is how we cooperate to create both a stable system as well as pathways to whole new worlds.
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90 comments
You just explained my entire failed marriage. Today he tells me the divorce was final last Wednesday. News to me. Knowing for a long time I would be so much better off by myself than between all his rocks and hard places, and still, even now, sitting here seeing more than one easy way to tweak a few things and have a good shot if we tried it again. But I can’t be the only one tweaking or researching how our personalities clash and how to avoid it. It happens so fast that, as intuitive as I am, I could not see exactly who or what ignited the fire. Blazes. Just sudden blazes. So I searched and searched and found so many answers and understand him so much better. If he could do the same instead of assuming every time I grate his nerves or pull in another direction that I am purposely being selfish because I just don’t care then we could be a part of this amazing evolutionary process. He blows up every time I even hint at solutions. We have a toddler. She will be 2 in 6 days. I would humble myself and understand even the most horrible traits in someone for her. What ego? Who cares? He won’t even listen to me attempt to explain something he misunderstood. Even though it could and would make him see that in no way was my intention what he thought it was. Because it wasn’t!
But the commitment to his first and only perception of things must be a very strong. How terrible it would be for the cog to turn. The awful fear and insecurity of making the time and space in your being to truly comprehend that there could be some other truth present that you initially failed to see. That you couldn’t see because you were too scared to even consider it. There could be a pink elephant in the room that you just haven’t tuned your senses to yet, an elephant that could wipe away your anger, indignation, and your constant and exhausting need to defend your ego against an imaginary foe. But he would rather lose his family and no longer live with his 2 year old daughter than even think of another way to see. That might mean he was wrong the first time and everyone knows being wrong is the worst thing that can possibly happen to a person.I still have no idea which one I am. I have taken every personality test known to man and have gotten probably ever single result there is. So frustrating not knowing yourself. I think there must be a separate group for those like me who would literally be split 50 percent between every trait.
There’s a perception that Sensors get things done and Intuitives don’t. But, I think that’s mostly tied to the existing (and majority rules) shape of society’s framework, which is Sensor preferenced with all its moving parts and details — similar to what appears under a car’s hood.
An Intuitive preferenced society would most likely evolve such that it didn’t need all the moving parts and consequent labor intensity.
I agree my fiance is a sensor and when she’s silly it can really lift my mood even though I’m thinking about all these existential things. I also sort of need her to kick me in the ass and get me to do the dishes and drink water. I am extremely grateful to her for that.
ENFP and INTJ are a theoretical best match. I am INTJ and I was hoping to find a nice ENFP. As it turned out, I’m with a nice INFJ and it’s wonderful. We resonate.