Inert functions prefer to deeply process new information – our psyche spends a lot of energy on thinking processes through them. In turn, Сontact functions prefer to quickly digest what has been perceived – superficiality is typical for us through them. Thus, we approach the thinking process constructively through inert functions, while with contact functions we are more consumer-oriented.
There are several points by which these properties should be distinguished. Firstly, we are more talkative through inert functions, as we think a lot about information through them, and we always have something to share. On the other hand, contact functions often seem boring to us, and we easily skip topics related to them. Secondly, as already mentioned, inertia is creativity, so we have more of our own thoughts through these functions, while with contact functions we often operate with what we have heard from others and integrated into our worldview. Thirdly, inertia covers the entire information property, so it often sounds in conjunction: where we hear, for example, inert Ti, there is also inert Te. While contact functions often sound separately.
Inert/contact is one of the most important pairs of properties, so when typing, it is essential to strive to determine it first: to understand on which aspects a person often gets stuck, thinks more about and dives deeper into. However, it is important not to confuse inertia with strength: not to mistake Сreative and Вemonstrative functions for inert ones, and not to mistake contact functions for strong ones.
The inert functions include Leading (1), Vulnerable (4), Mobilizing (6) and Ignoring (7) functions. The contact functions include Creative (2), Role (3), Suggestive (5) and Demonstrative (8) functions. These function properties are the basis for dividing types into two pair of traits: Tactical/Strategic and Emotivist/Constructivist.
Tactical are types with inert Intuition and contact Sensing, while Strategic are types with inert Sensing and contact Intuition.
In turn, Emotivists are types with inert Logic and contact Ethics, while Contructivists are types with inert Ethics and contact Logic.