Jung's Function-Attitudes Explained notes, part 3

Jung's Function-Attitudes Explained by Henry L. Thompson Ph.D.

Jung's beginning work revolved around focus of energy. "Was it on the object (the external world)... or was it on the subject (the internal world)...?" The focus of energy is called the "attitude-Type" of a person. Jung thought it was biological and even exists in babies.

 

Extroversion

Those with a extroverted preference focus on the outer world/"object." Extroverts are "externally focused and driven." Little energy is left over for internal focus. They're often (not always??) energized by spending time around others and get bored or drained when they spend time alone. They tend to think out loud and discuss thoughts with others. Extroverts also tend to be verbally fluent. "What you see is what you get."

 

 

 

"Now, when orientation by the object predominates in such a way that decisions and actions are determined not by subjective views but by objective conditions, we speak of an extroverted attitude. When this is habitual, we speak of an extroverted type. If a man thinks, feels, acts and actually lives in a way that is directly correlated with the objective conditions and their commands, he is extroverted." - Jung, 1976

 

 

 

Introversion

 

In Jung's typology, introverts focus their energy internally, mostly to thoughts and feelings, AKA to the the "subjective." The outer world has little importance/meaning and will drain introverts who are in it for long. "Introverts value their alone time" and often prefer to work alone. They are reserved and prefer extroverts to answer first. "Why-didn't-I-say-that syndrome." Take time to answer. Reflect on questions before answering. 

"Although the introverted consciousness is naturally aware of external conditions, it selects the subjective determinants as the decisive ones. It is therefore oriented by the factor in perception and cognition which responds to the sense stimulus in accordance with the individual's subjective disposition." - Jung, 1976

 

 

Attitude Compensation

 

While, for example, an extrovert will be consciously focused externally, they will also be unconsciously focused internally. "If this process becomes unbalanced, neuroses and physical symptoms may develop." People who are extroverted to an extreme will put too much control (or attempts to control) on the environment around them, including people in it. It's important for a person to have a balance between the two. We naturally go back and forth between extroversion and introversion, getting uncomfortable when in the wrong zone for too long.People can have different levels of introversion/extroversion.