Recently I came across a post about how each cognitive function might deal with a pen (in thought). It is a very simple concept, which in turn can make it much easier for you to comprehend the differences between each cognitive function.

You can see this as the “pen analogy”, whereby the pen stands for any object/ environment/ circumstance you encounter in your life. Below you can find my version of this analogy.

The scenario: You are facing a pen. What now?

Extroverted Sensing (Se): throwing the pen around, scribbling in different modes of strength unto the page, doing all kinds of stuff with it, bending it, using it for a specific activity, e.g comparing different colors or building a tower of pens or creating a modified pen, testing its strength and durability, probably breaking it in the process

Introverted Sensing (Si): feeling the sensation of the pen and how it reminds you of the feel of pens you have used in the past or other sensations with similar objects; what internal physical feeling it brings up; how the pen feels in your hand, possibly hurting certain areas; adjusting the way you hold the pen or deal with it to optimize your internal sensations

Extroverted Intuition (Ne): brainstorming all the ideas and concepts that the pen evokes in you, making mental connections between the pen and other similar or even far-off objects or ideas, anything that could have some surprising resemblance, e.g imagining flying pens, then linking that to the flying key in Harry Potter, what if the flying keys were flying pens instead, the words from this pen could be like a key to the heart, etc.

Introverted Intuition (Ni): What is the purpose of this pen? How can I use it in the future? Anticipating how you might use this pen in the future or what will happen to it after this scenario. What is the meaning of this object? Why was I given this pen in the first place? How does it relate to my journey and mission in life? Relating it to personal meaning, e.g seeing pens as a recurring personal symbol that shows you are meant to share your voice with the world more.

Extroverted Thinking (Te): what are the common or important facts about pens, e.g how are they manufactured; where was this pen made, what do I know about pens, what kind of data or knowledge that I have could be relevant for dealing with this pen (in an objectively correct or most effective manner), how can this pen be used to increase productivity and efficiency; Does it serve its intended functionality, as in does it write according to external norms and standards of pens

Introverted Thinking (Ti): logically dissecting and analyzing the pen, e.g how does its mechanism work, is it a ballpoint pen or else; how does its structure relate to a certain logical framework; what do I think about the pen, does it fit into a certain category, do I think it is inherently coherent/does this pen’s design and mechanism make sense or should it have been built differently according to my own logical judgment

Extroverted Feeling (Fe): laughs about being handed a random pen “Look at this silly pen, you guys! What do you think we should do with this, haha“, emphasizes a certain emotion or mood that suits the people around and the situation regarding holding this pen, e.g random, surprising situation usually is expected to elicit laughter or surprise; making others feel the (in)significance of the pen through the mood; trying to establish a common mood and behavior for this pen

Introverted Feeling (Fi): How (much) do I like this pen, do I like it or not on a personal level, does it meet my personal standards and requirements of what I personally like in pens. Is this pen how I personally feel like it (or pens in general) should be? Does this other person that I am close to like the pen as well, if not, I might have to reconsider the nature of our relationship (if I like the pen a lot and they don’t).

Here is a short guide how to type yourself.

If you still struggle with determining your type, then Get•Typed by me!