Approach
Cognitive functions are descriptions of how the mind works. They converge on a given phenomena by interacting in different ways. By using this definition of cognitive functions, I am separating the function (how the mind works) from the behaviour (one of the consequents). What we see on the surface is a reflection of the mind’s processes.
I will first define what the function is, explain what it is about, and how it interacts with its dual function. I will refer back to the stereotypes above and clarify what went wrong, or what was insufficiently described. By taking this approach, I am minimising any form of prejudice that we might bring over from the descriptions of 16 stereotypes. We should not feel pressured to conform our description of the cognitive functions to these stereotypes. Any parallels in descriptions should not coincidental.
Introduction
Se has two components: extroversion and sensing. An extroverted function is a function that diverges from the subject. A sensing function is a function that concerns sensory data. Combining both, Se is a divergent function that concerns sensory data.
Psychostatic Description
What does it mean for a cognitive function to be extroverted? Extroversion means divergent from the subject. What it is that diverges depends on whether it is a perceiving or judging function. For the former, it is objective information (external to the subject). For the latter, it is subjective information (“processed” by the subject).
Se is an extroverted perceiving function. What diverges from the subject is objective, sensory data from the external world. Think of lines diverging from a single point towards the outside, where the lines represent sensory data and the point represents the subject:
The lines are diverge from the subject. It represents the subject’s attentiveness to its immediate environment — it is seeking out sensory data, unlike its introverted counterpart (Si) which seeks to condense sensory data into a single impression. Se divergence is not selective (that would be a judging function) — every bundle of sensory data is as good as the other. As a perceiving function, Se unconsciously seeks out sensory data without a designated reason, although this reason can be subsequently given by Ni. It is useful to describe extroverted perceiving functions as scouting functions — their mode of operation is to seek out and gather, not to process or collate.
Implications
Due to the process of divergence, Se is very reactive to its immediate environment and spot details with extreme clarity. Similar to how Ne seeks out and gathers real world patterns, Se users scout out sensory data without being aware that they are doing so. Hence, Se users are known to be very physically attuned and “grounded” in reality.
This is why Se is always associated with pleasure-seeking — Se users seek diversity of physical experience, especially intense, extreme variants. This is not to say that Se users are all desperadoes and daredevils; it is ultimately up to the choice of the agent. What can be said is that given apt opportunities, Se users prefer acquiring new experiences than mulling over what is known, such as sightseeing, tasting exotic dishes and listening to new beats.
Se users are more likely to have detailed memory of events, but at a lower range than Si users. They may remember these details as a narrative or as manifestations of an underlying principle (Ni), but physical features and specifications are always what comes to mind first. The Se user might remember the most insignificant details of an event, but not how the event impacts him/her (ala Si).
Psychodynamics: Si-Ne axis
While Se is a divergent function concerning sensory data, Ni is a convergent function concerning patterns. A convergent function starts from the external world and condenses towards the subject. An introverted intuitive function condenses sensory data from the external world into a single, underlying pattern. Note that the Ni user is equally unaware of the process of pattern formation, just as the Se user is unaware of the gathering of sensory data.
Se pairs with Ni. The subject seeks out and gathers sensory data from the external world through Se. Because sensory data is being unconsciously gathered, sensory data cannot be condensed into an impression (Si), nor can patterns in the world be gathered (Ne). In other words, it is impossible for Se to work in tandem with Ne and Si. Therefore, the only possible pairing partner is Ni.
The Se-Ni relation is antithetical — an increase in priority in convergence diminishes priority in divergence. The more the subject gathers sensory data, the less it converges on a single pattern to explain them. This is simply because a subject cannot perceive two contrasting types of information at the same time — s/he has to prioritise over the other, lest s/he be driven to insanity. The stronger the Se, the weaker the Ni, vice versa.
In the Se user, sensory data is being gathered without discrimination. However, as time goes, the Se user has a diverse set of physical experiences that can only become relevant through an underlying narrative. The role of Ni acts as a counterbalance to Se’s objective operation— by stringing up disparate events into a single narrative, Ni helps the Se user to explain and keep track of the sequence of sensory details. A helpful analogy of a best-fit line: Se gives points on a plane, while Ni forms the line relating the dots. This not only allows the Se user to make sense of his/her pile of sensory data, but also gives the Se user a continuous identity among discrete moments.
In the case of Se dominance (Se over Ni in priority), gathering sensory data (points) take primacy over the formation of an underlying explanation (best fit line). Ni takes a supportive role in helping the Se user to keep track and expect future sensory data. In the case of Ni dominance, forming explanatory models (best fit line) takes primacy over sensory data (points). Se takes a supportive role in supplying Ni new sensory data for falsification and predict future events.
Implications
A Se-dominant subject priorities the seeking out and gathering of sensory data over the formation of explanation to string sensory data together. This means that physical awareness is the primary mode of the Se-dom’s contact with the world. Therefore, it is natural that they prefer relying on the immediacies of the world than the patterns they find in the world. As a result, Se-doms prefer to trust their senses (“You have to see it to know it”) than what is abstract (scientific theories, philosophy). They are dispositionally geared towards sensory novelty and worldly exploration.
However, the reality is that Se and Ni, as counter-reactive functions, are supposed balance each other out. In the case of an unhealthy Se-dom, his/her over-reliance on sensory data leads to an immense distrust of abstractions and narratives. It is not the case that Se-doms trust only what is shoved in their faces; they feel that abstractions and theories are potentially deceptive because they can never be empirically certain. They feel that relying on abstractions more likely leads to falsity and manipulation, and are likely to come up with their own conspiracies as a substitute for accepted narratives. Indulgence in sensory certainty, in this respect, leads the unhealthy Si-dom to become paranoiac and hallucinatory — a nihilistic retreat to conspiracy theories and fiction, only to ironically lose touch with the external world.
The Se-doms need to realise that this is simply an exaggeration — not all mainstream narratives are made to control the pursuit of new experiences. Rather than resting in certainty only in their experiences of the world, they have to realise that there are legitimate meanings underlying these experiences that must be mined out through reflection. Only by ditching their unwarranted trust in their here and now can they seek to achieve reconcile the their experiences and abstractions.
Summary
- Se is a divergent function concerning sensory data.
- Se seeks out and gathers sensory data in their immediacies.
- Se and Ni are antithetical in priority and counter-balance each other.
- Ni is necessary to keep Se relevant to the user and keep track of past and future experiences.
- Se-doms: Do not rely too much on your senses.
