There are 11 pairs of traits that describe 16 socionic types. They are formed as a result of filling the blocks of functions corresponding to them with information, which are formed using the properties of the IM. Like properties, all traits are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary:
In the socionic environment, type traits are conventionally referred to as Reinin traits – in honor of the socionist who was able to mathematically justify their existence. However, based on his logic, many believe that there are fifteen pairs of Reinin traits. This is a mistaken belief, as these traits are not simply arbitrary. They are formed from the properties that underlie the functions of Model A. Therefore, if we proceed from this, we will only get eleven pairs of traits: there is no basis to assume that the remaining four pairs work as they were invented by Aushra and her followers. We call them false Reinin traits.
Each type trait is a set of combinations of certain function properties and aspects. For example, we classify half of the types as logical: this is when strong functions work with aspects of Logic and weak functions work with aspects of Ethics in Model A (we can say that such types have a “strong Ti”). Similarly, we identify carefree types: these are types where tracking aspects of Si and Ne are combined with insulating aspects of Se and Ni. Thus, we can represent all Reinin traits through a combination of properties and aspects.
The primary type traits include Static/Dynamic, Rational/Irrational and Introverted/ Extraverted, while the secondary traits include Carefree/Farsighted, Yielding/Obstinate, Tactical/Strategic, Emotivist/Constructivist, Intuitive/Sensing and Ethical/Logical. The tertiary traits include Decisive/Judicious and Merry/Serious.
Based on the properties from which the traits originated, we can depict the connections that arise between them. Thus, three pairs of primary function properties formed three pairs of primary type traits – this is our axis of symmetry, which is involved in the formation of secondary and tertiary traits: to the left of it are the traits that were formed by filling the function blocks with irrational information aspects, and to the right are those that originated from rational ones. By clicking on the image, you can see the names of all these pairs of traits. For more information on understanding this scheme, please read the corresponding article on our website.
Each type is characterized by one of the traits from the presented pairs (there will be a total of eleven). It should be understood that the combination of two independent traits always determines another trait related to them. For example, a rational dynamic must necessarily be an extravert, while a rational static is an introvert.
To correctly determine the socionics type, it is necessary to correctly determine the type traits. Typing should start with secondary and tertiary traits – their manifestation is more obvious to us. Other traits are often useful when we have narrowed down the circle of suspected types to two and want to figure out the difference between them.
For example, during typing, we discovered strong Sensing, inert Ethics and loading introverted Intuition (Ni). Thus, we arrived at two possible types – Zhukov and Hugo. They differ within the traits Static/Dynamic and Rational/Irrational, meaning they have different mental and accepting functions. Knowing the differences between these traits, it will be easy to distinguish between these two types.