Distinguishing Mirror Functions

Read the full Function Theory Guide for more detail, including notes about common typing issues.

Mirror functions possess the same structural framework which might lead to mistyping because the two functions can produce similar behaviors on the surface even when the underlying cognitive processes are quite different.

Mirror functions:

When typing, people often confuse mirror functions because they have not properly understood the concepts of Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, Feeling, OR because they have not understood the distinction between structure and content. (S/N, T/F are fundamental concepts in type theory, so you should understand them well in order to advance your knowledge, read the MBTI Guide).

Mirror functions share the same basic structure but the content or information that they handle is not the same. Just like waving your hand in a mirror, the behavior on both sides can appear superficially the same upon first glance, but the true direction of the movement on each side is actually opposite the other. Similarly, mirror functions share a common objective but they choose opposite methods for reaching that objective.

The lower the position of the function in the stack and/or the more unhealthy the function is, the easier it is to confuse it with its mirror equivalent due to operating more unconsciously.