ENTJ Personality Type and Their Cognitive Functions
ENTJ Personality Type and Their Cognitive Functions
Cognitive functions explained
Cognitive functions are a key part of the personality test. In essence, the test suggests that the personality has several key aspects that compose cognitive functions. These cognitive functions can be focused outwards (extroverted) or inwards (introverted).
These cognitive functions are also placed into order from dominant to auxiliary to tertiary to inferior. The list shows, in decreasing order of capability, each personality's ability to interact with the world and make decisions.
The dominant function is the primary and prominent aspect of the personality, whereas the inferior function is often a point of weakness and not consciously thought of by the individual.
Often, the inferior function shows a point where the personality has the capacity for development to be more well-rounded and balanced. The auxiliary function can play a supporting role in the personality and is the second strongest influence. The tertiary function is less influential in the day-to-day but can become more apparent when under stress.
ENTJ Cognitive functions
Dominant
The most preferred cognitive function for an ENTJ is the extraverted thinking function. This is known as the Te function. Te is an efficiency and progress-focused decision-making process.
The ENTJ relies on the Te thinking process for when a decision is needed in the moment. They’re less likely to think deeply about a decision before going ahead with it, and their solutions are often very effective and efficient.
However, they’re potentially missing other good solutions with their self-assured attitude that their chosen solution is the best in the moment. It can sometimes lead to regrets after later self-reflection.
Auxiliary
The second most common function is introverted intuition for an ENTJ. This is a future-focused decision-making type where the ENTJ trusts their instincts and pushes for a quick change.
Introverted intuition is known as Ni, and is the way that an ENTJ is likely to perceive their inner world. This, as an auxiliary cognitive function, often means that the ENTJ is looking at the information presented to them as a web-like map, which can be incomprehensible to anyone but them.
This data network is placed slightly outside the conscious mind and can create a constantly manipulating and moving worldview for an ENTJ. They struggle to rest and deliberate on a decision, often pushing forward as quickly as possible.
Tertiary
The tertiary function for an ENTJ is extraverted sensing. This is an outward sensory focus that allows the ENTJ to see the beautiful parts of life and causes them to thrive on adventure. They often enjoy novel experiences and will surround themselves with beautiful things or people. ENTJs live in the moment and love to seek out new sensory experiences. This is known as Se.
Inferior
Unsurprisingly, the ENTJs weakest cognitive function is introverted feeling. This can be a difficult area for ENTJs because they struggle to connect emotionally with themselves and others, and they often aren’t able to distinguish how their emotions play into their decision-making.
This can make the ENTJ come off as standoffish to others who aren’t able to see how the emotional state of the ENTJ can play into their decisions and outward personality. Introverted feeling (Fi) is able to help ENTJs assess situations to see how they line up with their personal beliefs and core values.
For an ENTJ, the Fi might be seen as a gut instinct or an instinct that isn’t very easily distinguished but can still be felt. It might come into play when a decision seems logical but still gives the ENTJ a bad feeling.
But, because of the inferior ability of an ENTJ to listen to this feeling, they’re likely to go ahead with the decision first. This often leads to them not considering how a decision might affect others, or give an impression that doesn’t line up with their own sensibilities and values.
Processes from cognition
These cognitive functions work together to form a pattern of processes. In the leading role, the Te function causes the ENTJ to work as efficiently as possible, often organizing and systemizing to make sense of the world as it’s presented to them.
Ni is the supporting role and is the ENTJs ability to look ahead to see likely outcomes and effects from any one decision. This is their ability to foresee implications or transformations that are coming from the decision as they make it.
The third cognitive function Se acts in the role of relief, meaning that it’s how ENTJs feel, as they’re in the immediate context of the decision. This is often the cognitive function used in times of stress as it relates to the ENTJ's ability to experience and understand their experiences as things are happening to them.
Finally, Fi acts as their aspirational cognitive function, where ENTJs are able to consider the importance of each decision and how they connect with their values, beliefs and self-worth. As this is an inferior sense in ENTJs, it can often give the impression that their decisions are only made for themselves and can feed into the narcissistic and arrogant stereotypical image of an ENTJ personality.
Summary
These cognitive functions are how the key personality traits of an ENTJ work together to understand the world and how they interact with others and themselves to make sense of the world. An ENTJ may often need to work on their Fi cognitive function to come off as less of a narcissistic personality and to show off their leadership skills.
