Have you ever had this experience: on weekdays, you are a quiet, responsible and considerate ISFJ, but in some special situations, you seem to be ‘possessed’ by another self, doing some behaviors that you feel unfamiliar with? In fact, this is your shadow function and personality that is quietly working.
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What is Shadow Function Personality? What is Jung Eight Dimension + MBTI? Why does the shadow function personality of ISFJ appear at a specific moment and show different characteristics? Next, this article will answer you one by one.
Warm reminder: This article is suitable for readers who have a basic understanding of the concept of Jung Eight Dimension (MBTI cognitive function). If you have not yet understood the relevant concepts, you can read this article or search for information by yourself.
What is Shadow Function Personality?
Shadow Function Personality refers to another set of personality traits that are hidden deep in the individual’s heart, deliberately hidden or rarely displayed under normal conditions, but when they encounter pressure, are in a crisis situation, or when the inner defense mechanism is weakened, they will involuntarily emerge and affect the individual’s behavior, thinking and emotional patterns. It is like a part hidden under an iceberg, and is the ‘other side’ in the individual’s subconscious that is not fully recognized and accepted.
The famous psychologist Jung proposed that everyone has such a shadow. It is not entirely negative, but contains the unintegrated and suppressed primitive impulses, emotions, and qualities that do not conform to social norms and individual ideal self-image, which are an important part of the individual’s psychological growth process.
In the MBTI personality system, each personality type has a corresponding shadow function personality. Taking ISFJ as an example, their shadow function personality is ESFP . On weekdays, ISFJ shows calmness under the leadership of introverted feelings (Si), attention to details, and considerate and understanding brought by the assistance of extroverted emotions (Fe). But once they face a specific situation, they may reveal the impulse dominated by ESFP-style extroverted sensation (Se), pursuit of current stimulation, and self-centeredness dominated by introverted emotions (Fi). Behind this phenomenon is closely related to the operation of Jung’s eight-dimensional function and the complex relationship between personality types.
Jungian eight-dimensional + MBTI is a tool that combines Jungian psychological type theory with MBTI personality type theory, which can help us understand our own and others’ personality traits and the interactions between different personality types. Jung’s eight-dimensional + MBTI divides personality into four dimensions, each dimension has two extremes, forming a total of 16 personality types. Each personality type contains four functions, namely the dominant function, the auxiliary function, the third function and the fourth function, arranged according to different priorities. Each function has two directions: inward and outward. This provides us with a strong theoretical framework for in-depth analysis of ISFJ and its shadow function personality ESFP.
Why is the shadow function of ISFJ personality ESFP?
Under the theoretical framework of Jung’s eight-dimensionality, personality types are shaped by four key functions, namely dominant function, auxiliary function, third function and fourth function, and each function has two tendencies: introversion and extroversion. This difference in functional combination and tendency creates 16 different MBTI personality types, and ISFJ and ESFP show a significant correspondence and contrast relationship in functional configuration.
Comparison of dominant functions
- ISFJ’s Introversion Sensation (Si): The dominant function of ISFJ is Introversion Sensation (Si). This makes them rely heavily on the experience and memories accumulated in the past, as if they are building a ’treasure house’ filled with past experiences in their hearts. Faced with various situations in life, they are accustomed to retrieving similar past experiences from this ’treasure house’ as a basis for judgment and action. For example, when choosing a new job, they will focus on the similarity between the job and the previous job in terms of processes, environment, etc., and prioritize familiar areas, because familiarity means predictability and security.
- ESFP’s Extrapolation Feeling (Se): In contrast, the dominant function of ESFP is Extrapolation Feeling (Se). Their attention is highly focused on the current external environment, and they are full of strong curiosity and desire to explore everything new around them. Just like an explorer who always maintains keen tentacles, he will not miss any opportunity to experience and feel directly. When facing new jobs, ESFP values the instant experience brought by the work more, such as whether the work environment is interesting and whether it can provide a variety of practical opportunities. The current stimulation and fun are far more important than future planning and past experience.
Comparison of auxiliary functions
- ISFJ’s Extraverted Emotion (Fe): As an auxiliary function, Extraverted Emotion (Fe) allows ISFJ to be good at perceiving other people’s emotional changes and strive to create a harmonious and harmonious external atmosphere. They always pay attention to the needs and feelings of the people around them, and often suppress their own personal needs in order to maintain collective harmony. In teamwork, when there is a disagreement, ISFJ usually prioritizes the ideas of others, trying to coordinate the parties and avoid conflicts.
- ESFP’s introverted emotions (Fi): The auxiliary function of ESFP’s introverted emotions (Fi) makes them pay more attention to their inner emotions and values. The real feelings in their hearts play a key role when making decisions. Although ESFPs are good at socializing, they stick to their principles in terms of core values and personal emotions and will not easily follow the trend. For example, in social situations, if an activity violates their inner values, ESFP will decisively refuse even if the people around you are actively participating.
The contrast and complementarity of overall functions
From the perspective of overall functions, the functional model of ISFJ tends to maintain harmony and stability of the external environment based on internal experience; while ESFP acts based on the instant experience of the external world and follows the inner emotional value. When the ISFJ is in a stressful or crisis situation, the opposite functions that are usually suppressed by the dominant function begin to seek expression. The originally overlooked desire for direct experience of the external world (extroverted sensation Se) and the attention to one’s own inner feelings (introverted emotional Fi) gradually emerge, thus showing the personality traits of ESFP. This is like a person who lives in a rigorous and regular environment for a long time, when extremely tired or depressed, he will suddenly desire an unplanned and exciting adventure to release the suppressed energy in his heart.
In addition, in the Jungian eight-dimensional + MBTI personality type conversion rules, by replacing the first letter of a personality (representing introversion or extroversion) and the fourth letter (representing perception or judgment) with the opposite letter, you can get the shadow personality. According to this rule, the first letter ‘I (introversion)’ of ISFJ becomes ‘E (extroversion)’ and the fourth letter ‘J (judgment)’ becomes ‘P (perception)’, which just gets ESFP, which also explains the relationship between the two from another perspective.
What situations trigger ISFJ’s shadow function personality?
- Long-term high-pressure environment: When ISFJs continue to be under high-intensity work pressure, such as facing long overtime, complex and urgent tasks, and cannot rely on their familiar experience and stable environment to deal with it, they may suddenly break their daily self-discipline and restraint. The original regular pace of life was disrupted, and I began to pursue things that could quickly bring pleasure, such as excessive indulgence in entertainment activities, overeating, etc., showing an ESFP-like indulgence.
- Major life changes: When encountering major life setbacks such as death of relatives, breaking relationships, unemployment, etc., the stable order built in ISFJ’s heart for a long time is broken. The emotional support system and life patterns they have always relied on collapse instantly, and at this time, the hidden self-centered tendency that may appear on weekdays. When communicating with others, you may no longer be as considerate as you normally would, but instead immerse yourself in your own pain and pay less attention to others’ feelings.
- In a strange environment: When ISFJ is in a completely unfamiliar cultural environment or social circle, the original experience and traditions cannot provide effective guidance for it. In this situation where there is a lack of familiarity and security, they may become impulsive. For example, when traveling in a foreign country, we changed our previous cautious travel style and blindly followed the trend to participate in some adventurous activities without considering potential risks.
How does ISFJ live peacefully with its own shadow function personality?
Since the shadow function of ISFJ is ESFP, this makes in some cases ISFJ exhibit behaviors and attitudes that are very different from usual. for example:
- Indulgence: ISFJs are usually self-disciplined, but are affected by shadow functional personality and may over-pursuing stimulation, happiness and satisfaction, and ignore consequences, responsibilities and rules.
- Impulsive: They are usually cautious and rational, but under the influence of shadow function personality, they may become as they please and act impulsively without considering the long-term, plans and goals.
- Self-centered: ISFJs are generally caring and considerate of others, but once the shadow function personality appears, they may become selfish and ignore other people’s feelings, needs and opinions.
These behaviors and attitudes may cause trouble, conflict, conflict, and even harm to ISFJ itself and the people around me. So, how should ISFJ coexist peacefully with its shadow function personality? Here are some suggestions:
- Recognize your own shadow function personality: ISFJ needs to understand the specific situation of your own shadow function personality, including how it affects your behavior and attitude, the situation it appears, and the needs it wants to express. In this way, ISFJ can better understand its inner world, effectively control emotions and impulses, reasonably regulate stress and respond to crises.
- Adopting one’s own shadow functional personality: ISFJ should not deny, suppress or resist its own shadow functional personality, but should accept, understand and tolerate it. It is important to understand that shadow function personality is not a negative existence, it is just another side of itself and has value and significance. You should learn to live in harmony with it, rather than confrontation or escape.
- Balance your own shadow function personality: ISFJ needs to explore appropriate ways to allow shadow function personality to be moderately exerted and satisfied, and avoid excessive suppression or release. For example, within a safe, reasonable and healthy range, try new, interesting and creative things, exercise and enjoy the feeling of extroverts (Se); in due time, bravely express your true thoughts and feelings, so that introverts (Fi) are respected and recognized; when necessary, take decisive, effective and powerful actions to show and apply extroverts (Te); in your spare time, explore profound, abstract and meaningful topics, and inspire and nourish introverts (Ni).
If you want to have a deeper understanding of ISFJ personality traits, you can read ‘ISFJ Advanced Personality Archives’ .
Conclusion
The shadow function of ISFJ is ESFP, which reflects the inner complexity of the individual and is also an opportunity for personal growth and improvement. ISFJ should learn to recognize, accept and balance their shadow functional personality, so that their personality will be richer, more diverse and harmonious.
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