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
Si has two components: introversion and sensing. An introverted function is a function that converges towards the subject. A sensing function is a function that concerns sensory data. Combining both, Si is a convergent function that concerns sensory data.
Psychostatic Description
Let’s narrow down from this broad definition. What does it mean for a cognitive function to be introverted? Introversion means convergent on the subject. What it is that converges 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).
Si is an introverted perceiving function. What converges is objective, sensory data from the external world. Think of lines converging from the outside towards a single point, where the lines are sensory data and the point represents their convergence:
It is crucial to understand that the lines are not converging towards the subject (that would be Se), but towards a point. This point is condensation of sensory data. It is also important to note that the Si convergence is not selective (that would be a judging function) — it does not privilege a type of sensory data over another. Rather, as a perceiving function, Si unconsciously sweeps up sensory information from the external world and mashes them together into an impression. This means that Si users cannot specify physical features of sensory data as Se users can, but produce concentrations of sensory data that are clear and confused.
Implications
Due to the process of convergence, impressions often escape articulation and rational thought. Similar to the premonitions of introverted intuition (Ni), Si users are unaware of the process by which impressions are generated. Hence, impressions form their default mode of contact with the external world.
This is why Si is always associated with memory. However, since memory is a general term that describes a mental faculty concerning remembrance, the equation of Si=memory is not true. It is also not true that impressions= memory; a mental faculty cannot be equivalent to a compression of sensory data. The most we can say is that because impressions are the inexpressible, non-rational agglomerations of sensory data, they form the unquantifiable part of memory.
When a Si user tries to remember a past event, they do not remember the specific details of the event (Se). They may remember the connections between events (Ne), but the impression that the event makes on the Si user is the one that comes to consciousness first. In turn, the Si user remembers what the event made him/her feel, but not what made him/her feel that way.
Psychodynamics: Si-Ne axis
While Si is a convergent function concerning sensory data, Ne is a divergent function concerning patterns. A divergent function stems from the subject and goes outward towards the external world. An extroverted perceiving function gathers patterns in the external world. Note that the word “gather” does not imply free agency — all perceiving functions are non-rational (cannot be articulated) and escape the user’s awareness. The Ne user is equally unaware of the process of gathering, just as the Si user is unaware of the convergence of sensory data.
Si pairs with Ne. Because sensory data converges in the Si subject, patterns cannot converge for him/her (Ni). Because sensory data is being unconsciously converged, sensory data cannot be gathered (Se). In other words, it is impossible for Si to work in tandem with Ni and Se. Therefore, the only possible pairing partner is Ne. However, the Si-Ne relation is antithetical — an increase in priority in convergence diminishes priority in divergence. The more the subject seeks out impressions, the less it gathers pattern in the world. 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 Si, the weaker the Ne, vice versa.
In the Si user, sensory data is being narrowed into an impression. However, as time goes, the Si user collects a cluster of individual impressions that are ultimately removed from the external world. The role of Ne acts as a counterbalance to Si’s subjective function — by conferring relations in the external world, Ne helps the Si user to draw connections between impressions. A helpful analogy: Si forms points on a plane, while Ne gives the line relating the dots. This not only allows the Si user to make sense of his/her library of impressions, but also keeps Si relevant to the external world.
In the case of Si dominance (Si over Ne in priority), forming impressions (dots) take primacy over relations. Ne takes a supportive role in helping the Si user form more impressions. In the case of Ne dominance, gathering relations from the external world (lines) take primacy over impressions. Si takes a supportive role in helping Ne keep track of the relations s/he has found.
Implications
A Si-dominant subject priorities formation of impression over the gathering of patterns. This means that impressions are the primary mode of the Si-dom’s contact with the world. Therefore, it is natural that they prefer relying on their impressions of the world than the patterns they find in the world. As a result, Si-doms prefer to trust what is familiar (based on their impressions of the world) than what is new (based on what the relations in the world are). They are dispositionally geared towards comfort and harmony.
However, the reality is that Si and Ne, as counter-reactive functions, are supposed balance each other out. In the case of an unhealthy Si-dom, his/her over-reliance on impressions leads to an immense distrust of patterns in the external world. It is not the case that Si-doms avoid new things because fear what is new; they feel a lack of control over what is not subjective to them. They feel that seeking out new patterns will only lead to unclarity and chaos, and thus destabilise their psyche (saturated with impressions). Indulgance in familiarity, in this respect, leads the unhealthy Si-dom to become robotic and repetitive — a solipsistic retreat to the inner world, only to be consumed by it.
The Si-doms, then, need to realise that this is simply an exaggeration — forming new relations are as necessary as forming impressions. Rather than seeking comfort in their impressions of the world, they have to seek out new patterns in the world in order to form newer, richer impressions. Only by ditching their unwarranted trust in their impressions can they seek to achieve harmony in their psyche. No one truly understands everything, and that’s okay. Sometimes, we stand to gain from seeing what is alien to us.
Summary
- Si is a convergent function concerning sensory data.
- Si forms clear but confused impressions, which are abstract and subjective.
- Si and Ne are antithetical in priority and counter-balance each other.
- Ne is necessary to keep Si in touch with and relevant to the world.
- Si-doms: Do not take too much comfort in what is familiar.
