Thinking—Logical, Analytical, and Outcome Oriented (or so the rumor goes)
Ever wonder what all the fuss was about when it comes to being analytical? Some folks are very basic in their use of thinking—-meaning they are quick to see gaps or problems and they think their job is done. A more complex use of thinking is to begin with a perspective of multi-variate factors and exploring the underlying and intersecting systems in a situation. It isn’t so much about finding the gaps as understanding the logic of factors, or as Jung put it, “following its own laws, [Thinking] brings the contents of ideation into conceptual connection with one another” (pp:830, page 481). You have these ideas that you connect in a way that seems logical.
Judging functions serve to provide a way to evaluate information and experiences so there is a basis for action or conclusion. While the completeness and quality of all decisions begin with the kind of information that is used which the perceiving functions provide, the judging processes provide the framework for decisions that are predictable and probable from situation to situation. No one decision or judging process is complete in and of itself; inherently biased in the approach it takes, each judging approach uses criteria, rationale, and “rules” of deciding that are inherently limited within the perspective of that particular kind of judgment. For this reason, it is proposed that only when all forms of judging are utilized is it possible for have a sound and complete judgment about a situation.
“Thinking” is as the label suggests, a deliberate logical and analytical approach to making decisions. Seeking to establish methods in decision making that produce reproducible results which can be verified, giving a perspective of objectivity to the judging method. Thinking peels away layers of causes and possible linkages to get to the root cause or foundational principle in a situation, and then reorganizes the factors into a logical system that can be followed by any observing or participating individual. The quality of the analysis is contingent on the skill of the analyst at looking at pros and cons of possible options for either understanding what may be going on in a situation or what to do about a situation.
As easily as people breathe, Thinking processes critique to find gaps and errors in a process and quickly seek to remedy the problems with productive and effective solutions. Thinking is highly valued in Western culture. Educational systems invest a large number of resources to each how to be analytical and systematic in problem solving. For this reason, individuals sometimes are less clear if this is a preference or a learned approach to decision making. A clue of this being a preference is the strong tendency to find what is wrong to have the energy to do what is right in a situation. Those who prefer Thinking in its various forms are attracted to words like analysis, causes, principles, evidence, logic, formula, systems, procedures, objectivity, organized, structured, results or outcomes, decisive, methodical, plan, skeptical, critiquing, and frameworks.
Te – Extraverted Thinking
Logical structure and order that leads to results
When Te is a preferred process, individuals quickly find what is out of place and how to put it in place in a rational way that produces a probable outcome. The driving principle of this judging mental process is to find an effective, efficient, and provable path in a situation that results in an “appropriate” outcome. Often engaging in debate as a way to test the logic of a situation, Te wants to create a logical order that is systematically applied and can be objectively verified. Having a passion for objectivity, Te gets energized when discussing how to make sense of a situation and articulating a logical path for a productive result. Organizing tools such as charts, matrices, sequences—numerical or alpha are used to verify the objective treatment of the problem or situation at hand.
Individuals with this as a strong process enjoy careers that involve Management of processes or people in most industries, Engineering, Business Development, Planner, Attorney, Medical and Health Management, and roles where organizing and prioritization are key features to the work.
As a general rule for those individuals for whom Te is not preferred but activated, this mental process provides a basis for organizing tasks and materials through dialog and discussion for working through situations. Te wants to insure that decisions have a reasonable basis and are built on an ordered, logical process. While urges for efficiency are aspects of this function, it is most energized by effective outcomes in a situation.
Ti – introverted Thinking
Analysis for Precision and Completeness
When Ti is a preferred process, individuals are analyzing elements in a situation in terms of their logical interdependent relationships within a system or theory of how and why things work as they do. The driving principle for this judging mental process is to find the most comprehensive, precise, and logically consistent perspective on a situation. Typically individuals with this as a strong process are insistent on exact and precise language about all the elements of a situation and an analysis that is comprehensive so that there are no loose ends. While finding the root causes of a situation, they are unlikely to feel compelled to explain how the analysis was completed as having found the primary cause or principle is satisfying and fulfills the need.
Individuals with this as a strong process enjoy careers in Science, Teaching in Higher Education, Engineer, Technician, Laboratory or Technical related careers, Mathematics and Physics are of natural interest and any role where analytical problem solving involves complex challenges.
As a general rule for those individuals for whom Ti is not preferred but activated, this mental process provides a drive for finding out “why” in a situation. Ti promotes the desire to figure things out for its own sake and to feel that a thorough approach to solving a problem has been utilized. Usually when we feel we have internally settled on a workable framework that explains what we are experiencing, we have used Ti. A self-determined, methodical approach to expedient and resourcefully find a reasonable solution or course of action is often the by-product of using this process.
These serve very different practical purposes for the individual. And like all mental functions are developed from simple to complex forms. When you are expressively critiquing you’ve activated Te and when you are passionate about a precise element of language you are actively using Ti. And the two can get into an argument—-within your own personal efforts to make sense of a situation!!
And just as these forms of Thinking provide insight into choices and options, the role of Feeling judgments can be as valuable and provide a special kind of wisdom, which I’ll cover in the next blog. And it is in my view, the more we know about how we can use these forms of judgment, and the more intentional we can become about using them, the greater the opportunity for making a sound judgment......which is why all four judging functions are reported in the Pearman.
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