I thought to myself, why is it the case that conversations with certain peoples just click, it’s like we get ourselves. Even in matters of the religion, the approach of certain people appeal to certain others. Yet to some, it’s illogical or too complicated.
What could explain this phenomenon from a personality perspective?
I think those cognitive functions might tell a lot more than we think. Now, I’m not saying I’m the first to see this, but I really can’t unsee it.
According to the 16 personalities archetypical classification, certain groups have the exact same cognitive functions but stacked differently. My hypothesis (which might already be established or debunked) is that these types with the same cognitive functions, although stacked in different ways, still have the most resonance with one another.
I came to this epiphany while reading Lauren Sapala’s book The INFJ Writer (because I’m an INFJ who wants to be a better writer) and Firefly Magic. And while some of the things she mentioned don’t align with my principles and values, I gained a lot from reading her books. What struck me was how she spoke from her heart, as an INFJ, we know when someone’s speaking or writing from their hearts, I don’t know how but we just feel it. Lauren has an entrepreneurial side which I thought was odd for an INFJ, but she clearly explained why and how in her other book Firefly Magic and it clicked.
The INFJ’s shadow self1 is the ESTP: The Entrepreneur! Both types have the same underlying cognitive functions,2 and when either types decide to use and/or mature in their secondary and inferior functions, they resemble one another.
The section where this idea clicked was when she talked about the concept of an Inner Prostitute:
Firefly Magic, Pg 49
Your inner prostitute appears whenever it’s time to activate your personal power and will support you as you learn how to say “yes” when you mean yes, and “no” when you mean no. Our inner Prostitute gently moves us back into alignment with our integrity whenever we feel like we might have fallen out of balance.
Forget what could be inferred from the term, the bolded clause hooked me and my brain directly went to the “shadow self” concept I read elsewhere (can’t remember).
The NERIS model classifies personalities into 4 broad groups: Analysts, Diplomats, Sentinels, and Explorers.
I conjured up a new grouping based on resonance:
| Category (dummy group names) | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Intellectual (Analysts) | Dominant logic with hidden hearts | INTJ (Ni>Te>Fi>Se), ENTJ (Te>Ni>Se>Fi) |
| Dominant hearts with hidden logic | ISFP (Fi>Se>Ni>Te), ESFP (Se>Fi>Te>Ni) | |
| Inspirational/Counsellor (Diplomats) | Dominant hearts with hidden logic | INFJ (Ni>Fe>Ti>Se), ENFJ (Fe>Ni>Se>Ti) |
| Dominant logic with hidden hearts | ISTP (Ti>Se>Ni>Fe), ESTP (Se>Ti>Fe>Ni) | |
| Logisticians (Sentinels) | Dominant logic with hidden hearts | ISTJ (Si>Te>Fi>Ne), ESTJ (Te>Si>Ne>Fi) |
| Dominant hearts with hidden logic | ENFP (Fi>Ne>Si>Te), INFP (Ne>Fi>Te>Si) | |
| Logicians | Dominant logic with hidden hearts | INTP (Ti>Ne>Si>Fe), ENTP (Ne>Ti>Fe>Si) |
| Dominant hearts with hidden logic | ISFJ (Si>Fe>Ti>Ne), ESFJ (Fe>Si>Ne>Ti) |
I hypothesize that individuals in these groups tend to resonate with one another as they can see and understand each other’s viewpoints.
For example, myself being an INFJ, I noticed I had good relationships and resonate with ISTPs, ENFJs, and ESTPs more than other types. I noticed also, in religious matters, conscious logicians tend to resonate with one another’s viewpoints.
Now I’m not saying each types get along with ONLY those in their group, rather they get along the most with those in their group. This includes people they make friends with, and extends to who they might prefer as ideal partners.