It is well known that socionics cannot be applied in practice without knowledge of the types of people around you. It is not surprising that everyone who is familiar with socionics in one way or another strives first and foremost to master the skill of typing. Of course, it is impossible to learn this instantly: it takes a lot of time and effort. But even these factors do not play a key role here. It does not matter how many days you spend learning if you initially choose the wrong course.
That is why, to help the readers of our resource, I decided to write this note. In it, I will present several simple but useful tips that will make it clearer to you what to pay attention to when typing, and what is better to avoid at first in order not to get confused.
First, I would like to remind you that the socionic type is described using eight functions of model A. Each function has a unique combination of seven properties. It is not an easy task to determine the entire function at once: it is easy to mistake a property that is characteristic of several other functions for the function itself. Therefore, at first, you need to learn to see each property separately, and then assemble the function as a whole from their sum.
These properties can be conditionally divided into three groups. The first (Mental/Vital, Accepting/Producing and Ordered/Cluttered) is formed thanks to the fundamental properties of information aspects (for example, Mental/Vital is based on the Static/ Dynamic nature of information). It is quite difficult to determine these properties, as they manifest more in our unconscious internal perception settings. Asking directly about one of them, you are unlikely to get a relevant answer, and deliberately searching for them in the process of work will be an unnecessary waste of effort.
When typing, the second group of function properties is more indicative, in part because they form two pairs of type traits rather than one (for example, the Strong/Weak-pair gives us both Intuitives and Sensors on one hand and Ethics and Logics on the other). It is important to understand that each pair of these properties corresponds to its own stage of information metabolism (perception, processing or assimilation), so they have different planes of manifestation. If you learn to distinguish these stages, it will be easy for you to differentiate their properties.
Let’s start with Tracking/Insulating properties, which are responsible for perception. Thus, with tracking functions, we strive to track incoming information and control its sources. To identify these functions, you need to see what another person will pay attention to first when recalling a situation (for example, a tracking Si will start with their sensations). Their aspects are also often mentioned in the context of control or discomfort (since such information is difficult for us to abstract from). In turn, insulating functions work more like auxiliary ones: the manifestation of this property is difficult to notice directly without reference to the tracking properties of other functions.
I repeat that this only applies to the perception of information: of course, we can talk as much as we want about our insulating functions, but we cannot mention that we track information with them and try to control it.
Another important pair of properties from the second group is Inert/Contact. Since it is responsible for processing (the stage of working with information over time), its manifestation during typing will be most noticeable. Thanks to inertia, we need to allocate additional energy to work with information. As a result, in terms of these functions, we tend to think a lot and delve deeper into the subject (and both valued and unvalued aspects can be addressed equally).
It is important to remember that we can also talk a lot with contact functions: we simply won’t delve deeply into them without a conscious desire to convey something to the interlocutor within their aspects. Often (just like tracking functions in perception), they play a complementary role, only helping to fully reveal the discussed question or topic.
We have one more pair of properties left – Strong/Weak, which is responsible for information assimilation (or in other words, for experience formation). Here, it is important to look at the understanding of information within the aspect that a person possesses. For instance, in the context of strong functions, we often speak confidently, while in weak ones, past difficulties are more likely to be mentioned. Of course, a weak function can also give us confidence, but usually this happens only in cases where the corresponding experience has been gained. In turn, by the weakness of a strong function, we usually mean that it can be improved if desired.
Thus, what can be recommended here is to address these properties only after making sure of the others (including Valued/Unvalued). In our observations, beginners often confuse these properties with Inert/Contact, but with experience, you will learn to distinguish them.
Now we have one more pair of properties left – Valued/Unvalued. It is essential for every typologist to develop the skill of identifying manifestations of at least one or two valued aspects from the beginning of typing. Here, of course, it is important to have appropriate questions. I recommend that everyone try to find them for themselves: ask different people about the same thing and see how they answer (for example, “what is friendship?” or “what is beauty?”). Representatives of types with different values will focus on different aspects of the phenomenon. Answers can also indicate what they are generally interested in or what they are doing. Valued aspects are also vividly expressed in how we perceive the world (for example, some talk about knowledge in the context of understanding regularities, while others – in the context of skills).
You also need to be able to distinguish between aspects and phenomena that they describe, to correctly understand where the form is and where the content is. For example, a person may talk about politics – an interest typical of decisive types. But in terms of meaning, he will be more concerned with the laws of the organization of society (Ti), rather than the distribution of power (Se) or predictions (Ni). Valuation is not what we look at, but how we do it, what aspect of the phenomenon attracts our attention (it is also important to understand that this is a pure natural interest, not an imposed necessity). Therefore, try to listen not only to what a person is saying, but also how they are saying it. Only by relating the external and internal, you can be sure of your conclusions.
Thus, here are my recommendations:
1. You must learn to ask the right questions: this can only be done through experience. Questions should be open-ended, allowing for different answers. When interpreting the answer, you need to be able to distinguish the topic of the conversation (phenomenon) from what your typed individual is actually saying (information aspect).
2. The first half-hour of the conversation should give you enough information to determine the valued and unvalued aspects. To do this, you need to look at which aspects (within their properties!) the typed individual is expressing interest in, and which ones they are avoiding. Valuation (like inertness) is a property that is noticeable throughout the typing process, so here you need to look not only at specific moments, but also at the “big picture” as a whole.
For example, Hamlet’s musings will be filled with reactions and actions (Fe), whereas Huxley’s musings will be filled with evaluations and attitudes (Fi). If you observe something similar, figure out in what cases the opposite aspect is being voiced, whether it can be explained using other function properties. Sometimes interviews are conducted in such a way that the unvalued aspects can be practically unheard.
3. Then, when more time has passed, try to identify the inert aspects. To do this, you need to pay attention to two things. Firstly, the amount of information: inert functions are thought through and, as a result, expressed more deeply and with more words. Secondly, inert functions are manifested as links within one information property: if you hear Fi, then Fe, then Fi again, all within the same thought – it is likely to be inertness. Contact functions are not as complicated: they see their aspect, notice its side of the phenomenon, and move on.
Suppose, based on how a person describes relationships, you have already identified the valued Fi, and along with it, the valued Te: one of these aspects must be inert (Leading or Mobilizing functions), and the other is contact (Suggestive or Creative ones). Look at which other aspect (Fe or Ti) is important to the person and is expressed in detail – this will be an inert Vulnerable or Ignoring function. However, you will rarely hear about the Role and Demonstrative (unvalued contact) functions, since Creative and Suggestive functions tend to express themselves through themselves.
4. Now try to remember individual thoughts or details voiced by the person, some local manifestations. If you hear that the person is trying to track something (changes – Ni) or control something (influences – Se), that they are trying to keep many ideas (options for events – Ne) in mind or cannot abstract from unpleasant sensations (Si), then it is likely tracking. These can be non-valued functions (Vulnerable or Demonstrative ones), which are not particularly interested in paying attention to such things, but they feel the need for it.
On the other hand, you need to look at the presence of confidence or uncertainty. For example, a person complains about poor imagination (Ne), difficulties with technology (Te), or in relationships with people (Fi), while in other things, they talk about how often they help with work or advice. Usually, a strong function has more objectivity, while a weak function loses confidence in new conditions, facing unfamiliar tasks.
Repeating myself: The biggest mistake that newcomers make is that they, forgetting about the other properties, attribute too much specifically to these two pairs. Try to consider them at the end of typing, when you have already narrowed it down to a few types and only need to figure out the differences between them.
As a result, if you identify at least three properties out of four for one aspect, it will already be enough to stop at one of the eight functions. However, we often find properties for different aspects, so it is more convenient to translate them into Reinin traits. For example, you found inert Ethics and contact Logic, valued Ti, tracking Si and strong Logic: these properties correspond to constructivism, merry, carefree and logic: only the type Don Quixote fits.
So that’s all I wanted to share. I hope this note was helpful!