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.
Share:
What's the REAL difference between "Introverts" and "Extraverts?"
Are "Thinkers" Rational, and "Feelers" Irrational?
90 comments
Haha. That s true. I m INTJ and I find that a lot of typical sensor talk is really boring and I just start to think of other stuff. I ve gotten quiet good in pretending to go along when I really need to but especially small talk is unbearable to me.
It s difficult to find someone who is on the same wavelength.
I am a male ENTJ n 90% of the people in my life are Sensors. I do find the 10% intuitive so in line with my worldview that I like discussing business ideas with them n not with the Sensors, this is because imagination is very key to me. My family is all sensor type n so r most of my friends(Esfp). As I have grown older(now 31), I just can’t seem to relate to this 90% in my life as they seem more interested in drama, parties, who did what n who is who. They are more concerned about the Now and the past that I find myself bothered by their approach to life. Recently I fell out with a friend(an ESTJ) of more than 16yrs, our values n approach to life had changed. We are clearly on different pages as our understandings have drifted. I couldn’t understand why he was willing to conform n yet there was much more to do n achieve. I could clearly ‘see’ where we needed to be bt he was more interested in the spirit of social indulgence. May be its the ENTJ in me n the ESTJ in him, either way such a small difference in life approach tore a brotherhood into pieces n being an ENTJ I can’t seem to shake the personality difference. This was before I got to understand that he was estj n I was entj. As for my family, it is always best for me to shut the mouth as 9/10 of conversations end with me being a villain. My point is that we shouldn’t take the conflicts n differences btwn sensors n intuitives lightly. As an intuitive, I can say that intuitives need to learn what’s best for them in the world of sensors n sensors need to be aware of what’s best for them in the world of intuitives. Intuitives do find challenges with coping with what sensors call reality n the opposite is true for sensors. We just need to know these differences exist n know that conflict is possible when it comes to personal views n values. Personally my complaint abt sensors is that I find them slow n very low on imagination n I could say the sensors in my life find me to be one with my head up in the clouds, that I oppose what is logic to them. Either way I think it is a matter of perspective. Advice to Intuitives, please withdraw where necessary n always make several attempts to get your abstract views understood. As for the Sensors, we hear you loud and clearly, it’s just we don’t know how best to make you “see” from our vantage. We ask that you are not quick to judge/percieve us as wierd or difficult, God knows we try so hard to relate with you on all personal levels.
-A proud Intuitive
Great insight. I’m an intuitive in an extended family of sensors. They outwardly call me the hippy, the weird one, etc. I have become very quiet and put on an act to fit in. I get anxious before I get with any family. If I tried to explain the difference between us, they would say something snide or dismissive and go back to their conversation. I can certainly hold my own with them, having had lots of practice in the world around, but it often feels like I’m just marking time. I try to keep my side of one-on-one conversations short. If I get excited about a topic the other person zones out or cuts me off. It’s sad and I feel very much alone in my family. Always have.
in 100% agreement with you. I am an INTJ female and people don’t seem to understand there is a marked difference between just trading information they have studied from philosophers; scientific findings e.t.c and true intuitive discourse.
A lot of people are great knowledge machines- but they can’t extrapolate information they have learned to draw their own conclusions about the future- unless of course they have read someone else’s (credited and, in the sensor’s opinion, thoroughly supported) opinion on the future.
They can only understand it through past or present experiences- these experiences either lived personally or provided through the context of someone else’s knowledge. They usually can’t take that final step, using past information to pit it against varying potential future paths, before doing what I call “short-circuiting”: giving you a wishy-washy answer that barely answers the question, if it does at all, before changing topics to those that they feel more comfortable in.
questions I like asking : In your opinion, how soon will someone have to start insisting their child will need to learn mandarin in the upcoming decades. ex: 3 decades from now- should a person insist that their child should learn mandarin/ business Chinese in order to be competitive in the working world?
or
The most perfect form of Christian government would be anarchy- Discuss! (No one told me this nor did I read it elsewhere- I opined it myself. Sensors seem to be able to handle these types of questions more. But the discussions can still be quite short lived )
This comment is super insightful to my world, thankfully I live in a family of intuitives, so random “what if” conversations come up a lot. My brother (an INTP) is a philosophy major and while that’s not my area of interest per say, I absolutely LOVE the random philosophical conversations we have, simply because it’s fun and makes me think (which I love to do) – an INTJ