In daily life, we may have had such moments: showing behaviors or thoughts that are completely different from those on weekdays. For example, you who are lively and extroverted on weekdays will occasionally fall into introverted silence; you who always act intuition will sometimes become extremely rational and pay attention to details. These seemingly abnormal manifestations are likely to be the shadow function and personality in your subconscious mind that is quietly playing a role.
What exactly is the shadow function personality? How is it formed in our character? What impact will it have on our behavior? How can we recognize and use it skillfully? This article will take ESFP personality types as an example to explore these interesting and extremely critical issues for self-awareness in depth, hoping to inspire and help you.
If you don’t know your MBTI personality type yet, you might as well learn about it through the free test provided by PsycTest. MBTI free test address: www.psychtest.cn/mbti/
Warm reminder: This article is suitable for readers who have a basic understanding of Jung Eight Dimensions (MBTI cognitive function). If you have not been exposed to relevant concepts, you can understand what MBTI cognitive functions or search for information on your own to deepen your understanding.
In-depth analysis: What is shadow functional personality?
Shadow functional personality refers to the part of our personality that is opposite to the main functional personality. It is hidden in the subconscious level and usually only surfaces under specific circumstances, such as when we are facing pressure, conflicts, crises, in an environment that does not match our own functional personality, or interact with people who conflict with our functional personality.
To understand the principle of forming a shadow functional personality, you can start from the two dimensions of Jung 8 dimensions and MBTI. Jung’s eight-dimensionality was proposed by psychologist Jung, covering four psychological functions: sensation, intuition, thinking, and emotion. Each function is divided into two directions: extrovert and introvert. MBTI (Miles-Briggs personality type index) is based on Jung’s eight-dimensional theory, and the personality of a person is divided into 16 types. Each type is represented by four letters, which represents the individual’s tendency in four dimensions, namely extrovert (E) or introvert (I), sensory (S) or intuition (N), thinking (T) or emotion (F), judgment (J) or perception (P).
According to Jung’s eight-dimensional theory, a person’s psychological function is composed of four parts, among which the dominant function is the most natural and good at the individual, followed by the auxiliary function, the third function is relatively weak, and the disadvantage function is the least good at the disadvantage. The order and direction of these four functions determine the individual’s personality type. Taking ESFP as an example, the order and direction of its four functions are: extroverted sensation (Se), introverted emotion (Fi), extroverted thinking (Te), and introverted intuition (Ni).
From the MBTI perspective, a person’s shadow functional personality is obtained by replacing the first and fourth letters of its main functional personality with opposite letters. For example, the shadow function of ESFP is ISFJ. This is because the four functional orders and directions of the shadow functional personality are completely reversed from the main functional personality. The four functional orders and directions of ESFP shadow function personality are: introverted sensation (Si), extroverted emotion (Fe), introverted thinking (Ti), and extroverted intuition (Ne).
ESFP’s Hidden Face: Shadow Function Personality Revealed
ESFP is a typical performer-type personality. They are keen on seeking excitement and fun in the external world, are good at using the five senses to feel and enjoy the current life, and are also good at expressing their own values and feelings with the help of emotions. Usually, ESFP is cheerful, enthusiastic, friendly and charming, loves to interact with others, is willing to help and support others, and is tolerant and accepting yourself and others. They are not too obsessed with rules and plans, and tend to live as they please and let nature take their own life.
The shadow functional personality of ESFP is ISFJ, which belongs to the typical protector personality. They prefer to seek security and stability in the internal world, are good at collecting and organizing past experience and information based on memory, and are also good at using logic to analyze and judge their own responsibilities and obligations. ISFJs are usually cautious, serious, loyal and reliable, like to be alone, willing to serve and take care of others, have strict requirements on themselves and others, care about rules and plans very much, act meticulously and follow the steps.
By comparing the correspondence between ESFP’s male surface function and shadow function, the characteristics and advantages of its shadow function personality can be clearly seen:
- Extroverted Feeling (Se) and Introverted Feeling (Si): The extroverted Feeling of ESFP gives them a strong curiosity and desire to explore the outside world. They are willing to try fresh and exciting things, are extremely sensitive to details and changes, and can adapt to the environment flexibly and quickly. Introverted feelings make them full of memories and thoughts about the internal world, tend to relive familiar and comfortable things, respect historical traditions, and be able to maintain order stably and lastingly.
- Introverted Emotion (Fi) and Extroverted Emotion (Fe): Introverted Emotion allows ESFP to have a clear understanding of its own value and feelings, be accustomed to making choices and judgments based on its own preferences and standards, tolerate the personality differences between itself and others, and be able to express yourself sincerely and frankly. Extroverted emotions make them keenly aware of other people’s needs and emotions, tend to act and adjust according to other people’s expectations and regulate their actions and adjustments, attach importance to the harmony of interpersonal relationships, and be able to communicate with others politely and cooperatively.
- Extraverted thinking (Te) and Introverted thinking (Ti): Extraverted thinking enables ESFP to understand the rules and goals of the external world, be accustomed to solving problems and completing tasks in objective and effective ways, recognizes one’s own and others’ abilities and achievements, and is able to implement plans resolutely and decisively. Introverted thinking makes them interested in the principles and logic of the internal world, like to explore problems and create possibilities in a subjective and innovative way, be curious about their own and others’ thoughts and theories, and be able to adjust their views flexibly and openly.
- Introverted Intuition (Ni) and Extroverted Intuition (Ne): Introverted Intuition allows ESFP to be clear and clear about its own vision and goals, and is accustomed to guiding actions and choices through intuition and beliefs, full of confidence in the potential and future of oneself and others, and can focus on realizing ideals in depth. Extraverted intuition makes them open to other people’s ideas and opportunities, are willing to make changes and choices based on other people’s suggestions and feedback, are interested in changes and challenges, and are able to explore possibilities in a diverse and extensive manner.
It can be seen that although the shadow functional personality of ESFP is opposite to the positive functional personality, it has its own unique characteristics and advantages, which can supplement and balance the personality of ESFP to a certain extent and promote it to be more comprehensive and mature. So, when will the shadow function personality of ESFP appear? What impact will it have on them?
Appears: The emergence of ESFP shadow function personality
The shadow function of ESFP is usually manifested in the following situations:
- Faced with negative emotions or events: When encountering negative situations such as stress, conflict, and crisis, ESFP may tend to use shadow functions to deal with and escape. For example, they may become introverted and silent and unwilling to communicate with others; or they may become rational in detail and unwilling to express their feelings.
- In a mismatched environment: If you are in an environment that does not match your own functional personality, ESFP may use the shadow function to adapt and integrate. For example, they may become cautious and unwilling to take risks or become loyal and reliable, unwilling to go against resistance.
- Depending with conflicting personality: When interacting with people who conflict with their own functional personality, ESFP may use the shadow function to communicate and collaborate. For example, they may become polite and cooperate to avoid conflicts and disputes; or become open and diverse, not stubborn and single.
The emergence of ESFP shadow function personality will have the following effects:
- Positive impact: In special circumstances, the shadow function personality can help ESFP better cope with and solve problems. For example, use introverted feelings to review and summarize experiences, or use extroverted intuitive discovery to seize opportunities. In special environments, you can use extroverted emotional care to meet the needs of others, or use introverted thinking to analyze and judge your own responsibilities. In special interpersonal relationships, you can respect others’ opinions through introverted intuitive understanding, or rely on extroverted thinking to complete other people’s plans.
- Negative Effects: However, if the shadow function personality is used excessively or improperly, it may have negative effects on ESFP. For example, you may lose your own unique advantages and become mediocre and boring; or you may violate your own value feelings and become hypocritical and unhappy. Without control and regulation, it may also conflict with the positive functional personality, making ESFP feel confused and confused and unaware of what you really need; or feel anxious and depressed, not knowing what you can do.
Control hidden power: How to use the advantages of shadow function personality
How should ESFP recognize and utilize its own shadow functional personality? The following methods and techniques are available for reference:
- Clear cognition: ESFP can use relevant tests or consultations to understand the types and characteristics of shadow functional personality and the differences with the positive functional personality. This helps ESFP to understand its own personality more clearly, clarify its strengths and weaknesses, and also facilitates discovering the emergence and impact of shadow function personality.
- Acceptance and tolerance: ESFP should not deny or suppress the shadow functional personality, but should accept and respect it. Because this is part of one’s own personality and an opportunity for growth. ESFP can express the shadow-release personality through reflection or sharing, making its application more natural and comfortable, and promotes the healthy and balanced development of the personality.
- Related Observation: Through record review, ESFP can observe and analyze the situation, reasons, and the impact of shadow function personality. This can help ESFP control it more accurately and effectively, and adjust it reasonably and appropriately, so that it can coordinate rather than conflict with the positive functional personality.
- Actively utilize: ESFP can use learning and practice to exert the advantageous potential of shadow function personality. For example, use extroverted intuition to expand innovative interests and hobbies, or use introverted thinking to deepen and improve knowledge and skills. Through challenge attempts, develop the ability level of shadow functional personality, such as using introverted feelings to implement goal plans, or building a network of maintaining relationships with extroverted emotions.
Summary: Embrace the complete self
This article introduces the concept and formation principle of shadow functional personality in detail, deeply analyzes the types of ESFP shadow functional personality, analyzes its emergent situation and influence, and provides methods and techniques to understand the personality of shadow functional personality. Shadow function personality is an important part of a personal personality and a valuable opportunity for growth. ESFP should face up to face, accept, observe, adjust and play the role of shadow functional personality, so that it complements and balances with the positive functional personality, and achieves the perfection and improvement of personality and life.
If you want to have a more in-depth and detailed understanding of ESFP personality, PsycTest provides the ‘ESFP Advanced Personality File’ , which has a more comprehensive and advanced interpretation of ESFP personality types, which can help you further explore the mysteries of ESFP personality.
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