Looking like a Feeler

**Stephen** · 06-06-2012 06:50 PM

Yeah, @Rhee hit all the points I wanted to. When one defines "feeler" as "someone who feels," most of us are going to look like feelers, at least some of the time. Remember that MBTI is a watered-down shorthand of Jungian cognitive function theory, so MBTI's descriptor concept, the T/F dichotomies, are not in practice quite what Isabel Briggs-Myers wanted to claim they are in theory in Gifts Differing.

Our feeling function is introverted, and Jung's classical model describes it as subconscious, though other descriptions suggest that in some, both the auxiliary and tertiary functions may have parity. In an ISTJ, it is more natural for us to make our decisions using extraverted thinking, which means we're more comfortable deciding based on facts and precedent. Our introverted feeling function is values based, so we're likely to first be resistant to things that violate our understanding of factual precedent, then secondly sensitive to things that violate our personal values. Either can elicit emotional responses, I'm sure.

What I'm getting at is that you can say "feeler" and mean "conscious Fe user" and you can mean "conscious Fi user." I think these two functions can come across very differently. If an ISTJ seems feelery, they will probably look more like an awkward and still shy with emotional expression INFP than a sedate and openly warm ISFJ.

None of this really matters so much with those who we are close to. I think my girlfriend sees something of a different Stephen than the rest of the world does.

**Kayness** · 06-07-2012 02:11 AM

yes, I see a papa bear while everyone else sees zee Iron Giant.

**niss** · 06-07-2012 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by Rhee

Natural preference in one area doesn't translate to stunted growth in all other areas. Thinkers do experience emotions intensely. Feelers do think logically. Humans are simply equipped to do both.

I suspect that IRL people tend to be more well-rounded in average than we'd think. Type differences are bound to be more emphasized on a site devoted to personality type theories. PerC users are not a good representative sample to begin with, and I think youthful inexperience sometimes leads people to accept oversimplified misconceptions.

Absolutely Brilliant!

**niss** · 06-07-2012 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by sparkles

Does this ever happen? Do you ever look like a Feeler? I don't mean trying to fit into the Feeler world by pretending to have more expressiveness than you really feel. I mean do you ever display a soft spot for the downtrodden, or a desire to help others that is more motivated by compassion than a sense of duty, a weak stomach for ruthlessness, a need to see the best in others, etc.?

Just curious.

The others have answered your questions. I will only add that you need to understand the motivations of the people involved to understand their MBTI type related responses.

**MBTI Enthusiast** · 06-09-2012 12:02 PM

Does this ever happen? Do you ever look like a Feeler?

Nope. This has never happened.

:P

**niss** · 06-09-2012 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by MBTI Enthusiast

Does this ever happen? Do you ever look like a Feeler?

Nope. This has never happened.

:P

Now that brought a smile...

:)

**Owfin** · 06-09-2012 08:56 PM

Not really, no, in fact if my family looked more into cognitive functions (not shallow descriptions, mind you) they'd of probably concluded I was a Thinking dominant.

Now, online, I have been thought to be an intuitive or have more intuition than the average ISTJ... maybe its because I tend to throw out possibilities and that jazz a lot, just not consider it a final answer. I guess that's getting there in terms of Ne usage.