Is My 3-Year-Old Inferior Cognitive Function Really A Blind Spot?

Listen To The "10 Minute Type Advice" Episode: Is My 3-Year-Old Inferior Cognitive Function Really A Blind Spot?

If you’re on a personal growth journey, you’ve likely explored personality types and cognitive functions. One concept that often confuses people is the inferior function—or as we call it at Personality Hacker, the 3-Year-Old function. Many believe it’s a complete blind spot, something we can’t see at all. But is that really true? Or is it simply an area of weakness that we struggle to develop for personal growth?

This question frequently comes up in the Personality Hacker community, and in a recent episode of 10-Minute Type Advice, we addressed it directly. Listener Kay asked:

“The inferior function is often described as a blind spot, but I feel like I can see it clearly. It’s just hard to interact with. Is it really a blind spot, or is it just difficult to incorporate into my life?”

This question strikes at the heart of personal growth—understanding the areas where we feel uncertain and learning how to navigate them effectively.

Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Inferior Function: The "3-Year-Old" in the Car Model

At Personality Hacker, we use the Car Model to explain cognitive functions:

• Driver (Dominant function) – Your strongest and most trusted function.

• Copilot (Auxiliary function) – The best tool for personal growth.

• 10-Year-Old (Tertiary function) – Immature but accessible.

• 3-Year-Old (Inferior function) – The least developed and most unreliable.

Your 3-Year-Old function isn’t completely invisible, but it’s an area where you lack confidence and skill. Imagine a toddler trying to drive a car—it might have moments of clarity, but overall, it lacks control and experience.

For example:

• An INTP (Driver: Accuracy, or Introverted Thinking / Inferior: Harmony, or Extraverted Feeling) might feel emotions deeply but struggle to express them in socially smooth ways.

• An INFJ (Driver: Perspectives, or Introverted Intuition / Inferior: Sensation, or Extraverted Sensing) might have moments of hyper-awareness but struggle to stay consistently present.

So, if we can see our inferior function at times, why do we still call it a blind spot?

Why the Inferior Function Feels Like a Blind Spot in Personal Growth

1. It Contradicts Our Natural Strengths

Your inferior function is the opposite of your dominant function. This means it often brings up perspectives that feel unnatural or even wrong.

For example:

• An INTJ leads with Perspectives (Introverted Intuition), which focuses on long-term patterns. Their inferior function, Sensation (Extraverted Sensing), deals with real-time awareness. Since INTJs prioritize deep insights, they often ignore sensory details, making Sensation a blind spot.

• An ESFP, who thrives on Sensation (Extraverted Sensing), may struggle with Perspectives (Introverted Intuition), finding abstract theories overwhelming.

2. We See It, But We Don’t Trust It

A common mistake in personal growth is assuming that because we notice our inferior function, we’re good at using it. In reality, we often lack confidence in it.

An INTP might feel a surge of emotion (Harmony, or Extraverted Feeling) but dismiss it as illogical. An ENTJ might crave deep emotional connection (Authenticity, or Introverted Feeling) but resist it for fear of appearing weak.

This uncertainty makes us hesitant to use the function effectively.

3. We Misinterpret or Overcompensate

When we do engage with our inferior function, we often swing between avoidance and overuse.

For example:

• An INTP who struggles with social dynamics might suddenly become obsessed with etiquette—following rigid rules rather than integrating social skills naturally.

• An ISTP (Accuracy, or Introverted Thinking / Inferior: Harmony, or Extraverted Feeling) might claim they “don’t care what people think” but secretly feel hurt when excluded.

This overcompensation happens because we’re uncertain about how to use the function properly.

4. Our Minds “Fill in the Blanks”

Just like how our brain compensates for visual blind spots, our mind fills in the gaps left by our inferior function—often inaccurately.

For example:

• An INFJ who struggles with Sensation (Extraverted Sensing) might assume they’re good at noticing details—only to later realize they frequently miss them.

• An ENTP with Memory (Introverted Sensing) as their inferior function might believe they’re good at following routines—until they forget important steps.

Because our minds compensate for weaknesses, we often think we’re seeing the full picture when, in reality, we’re working with a distorted or incomplete view.

How to Develop Your Inferior Function for Personal Growth

1. Recognize Its Influence

Your inferior function is shaping your life—even if you don’t realize it. Ask yourself:

• In what areas do I feel uncertainty or insecurity?

• Do I dismiss this function’s input too quickly?

• Am I overcompensating in some areas?

Recognizing how your blind spots affect your decision-making is a huge step toward personal growth.

2. Engage With It in Low-Stakes Situations

Rather than forcing yourself to master this function overnight, start small:

• INTPs can practice expressing emotions with close friends before navigating high-stakes social situations.

• INFJs can engage their senses in a fun way—like cooking, dancing, or spending time in nature.

By approaching it with curiosity rather than fear, you’ll create new opportunities for personal growth.

3. Accept That Uncertainty Is Part of Growth

Unlike your Driver function, which feels effortless, your 3-Year-Old function will always feel uncertain. That’s okay. The goal is to navigate that uncertainty—not eliminate it. Growth happens in the discomfort of learning.

4. Balance, Don’t Overcompensate

Over-reliance on your inferior function can create stress. Instead of trying to “fix” it, aim for balance.

For example:

• ENTJs don’t need to become deeply emotional decision-makers overnight—they just need to acknowledge when Authenticity (Introverted Feeling) has valuable input.

• ISFJs don’t need to become risk-takers, but they can embrace Exploration (Extraverted Intuition) by trying new experiences in small ways.

Your personal growth comes from integrating all aspects of your personality—not just perfecting the strongest parts.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Your Blind Spot for Personal Growth

So, is your inferior function truly a blind spot?

Yes… and no. You can see it, but often in pieces and with distortion. It’s like trying to look at something in your peripheral vision—you know it’s there, but it’s hard to make out the details.

The good news? With patience, awareness, and intentional practice, you can integrate this function in a way that enhances your personal growth—rather than disrupting it.

Now, we’d love to hear from you! What’s your experience with your inferior function? Do you see it as a blind spot, or do you struggle more with trusting and integrating it? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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