1. Thinking Versus Feeling The Rational Functions associated with Judging Reality Psychology of Personality Module 2: Lesson 5

2. Remember the Cognitive Preference, Judging? We assess and make decisions based on the situations we encounter through Judging! Jung determined that the cognitive functions associated with Judging are THINKING and FEELING Jung labeled these the Rational Functions, not because they are superior in any way, but because they require an evaluation or decision of some kind. We Think OR Feel THEN we make a decision!

3. MBTI: ThinkingOf the 16 personality types laid out by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 8 will have the letter T (for Thinking) in their four letter code. Some Type Examples: INTJ, ENTJ or INTP types will tend to make assumptions and decisions using logical thought processes---objective reasoning. For instance, cause and effect relationships might take preference when determining why some behavior occurred rather than exploring the subjective feelings or intentions of those under scrutiny. For some dominant thinkers, feelings may be considered simply an obstacle to more desirable outcomes. This may make them come off to feeling types as unfeeling and callous, when in truth they simply see this way of reasoning as more desirable for everyone as objectivity to them equals fairness. They may insist that feelings are useful only to the extent that they form opinions and logic is the necessary tool for seeking valid solutions and reaching conclusions. On the other hand, some thinkers with a strong preference for intuition may more readily consider and notice that others feelings are important, yet without trying to end up trivializing them as they have a hard time applying them to the decision making process- - failing to see how they fit logically. Other qualities of thinking and how much one relies on this function across settings will be influenced by the other preferences that make up ones personality type. Overall, someone with a strong preference for thinking will have a much lower preference for feeling when making decisions and judging the situations they encounter.

4. MBTI: Feeling Of the 16 personality types laid out by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 8 will have the letter F (for Feeling) in their four letter code. Some Type Examples: An ISFJ, ESFP, or INFJ will all tend to rely on feeling processes when making decisions and forming assumptions, though, they may not be aware they are doing so. While there is nothing inherently wrong with basing decisions on feelings, our culture often places greater value on logical and scientific thinking processes over emotional ones. Unfortunately, this means a large percentage of the populations innate way of processing information and coming to conclusions is indirectly discounted. Due to this cultural trend, a dominant feeler may experience their own way of reasoning as a thinking rather of feeling process or at least refer to it as such without knowing the qualitative differences between the two. When asked or prompted to engage in thinking related activities, they most likely call upon their feeling processes of judgment since they are second nature to them. Conversely, when formally taught the steps of objective logical analysis regardless of subject, the feeler most likely experiences the process as unnatural or foreign as it goes against their innate logic. They might also fail to see the point in this type of processing and have a hard time using it if not given the opportunity to explore the deeper meaning behind it or apply the process to a topic that they feel strongly about. Nevertheless, feeling was considered by Jung as one of the rational functions as it still involves making a judgment. The feeling preference will differ from type to type in terms of how much emphasis they place on the feelings of others versus their own personal feelings. Both factors tend to be considered by a feeler but one or the other usually has more of an influence. Overall, someone with a strong preference for Feeling will have a much lower preference for Thinking when making decisions based on the situations they encounter.

5. The Primary Distinction Between T & F (T) Thinkers tend to use a logical process that is objective, analytical and removed from the situation, people, or events concerned preferring to determine things through cause and effect. (F) Feelers tend to have a more sensitive and empathic approach that takes into consideration how others feel with a reliance on emotional cues and responses. Remember, everyone engages in both thinking and feeling processes. Likewise, since thinking and feeling are both cognitive functions used to make judgments and decisions, they tend influence one another and cannot be distinguished from one another in a clear cut way.

6. More Simply Put..