EGO AND PERSONA

Due to the dominance of Te/Fe, EJs construct a persona that facilitates the achievement of outer rewards. EJs like to see themselves (and be seen) as being good at managing and influencing situations to get desirable outcomes. They tend to be the more competitive types and prone to social comparison. They are more likely to use success in the outer world to measure self-worth and thus more likely to care when they don’t perform well in public life. This often leads them to place too much emphasis on their extraverted judging behaviors and then neglecting to attend to their inner life.

Of all the types, EJs tend to identify most with the persona because the dominant-inferior conflict encourages them to do so. On one hand, dominant Te/Fe wants to justify doing what is necessary to maximize the rewards of public life in the outer world. On the other hand, inferior Fi/Ti requires them to pay attention to private life for the sake of their personal well-being. Since the inferior function is easy to disregard for long periods of time, EJs easily get too extreme in their dominant Te/Fe behaviors, even mindlessly chasing after ultimately unsatisfying successes or validations. Without enough introverting, EJs eventually get trapped in a constant craving for outer rewards because they cannot conceive of any other way to feel good about themselves.

If compartmentalization between public behavior vs private life becomes too extreme, problems start to appear:

• ExTJs end up with an “impenetrable” persona, projecting to the world that they are strong, capable, and responsible, to maximize efficient results. They don’t want to feel weak, slow, or helpless, so they conceal these dark aspects even from themselves, sometimes to the point of blocking off all inner life from conscious awareness. In the extreme, they believe that outer rewards matter more than inner integrity, so their values become distorted as the end justifies the use of any means. They might believe that others are selfish when they make emotional decisions, casting harsh moral judgments upon those they disapprove of, even as they themselves are emotionally driven to get what they personally want, all the while not seeing the hypocrisy due to poor Fi development.
• ExFJs end up with a “pleasant” persona, projecting to the world whatever they think is most likely to be seen as acceptable or praiseworthy so as to reap the rewards of belonging or status. They don’t want to be seen as unacceptable, unworthy, or undesirable, so they conceal these dark aspects even from themselves, sometimes to the point of sacrificing personal well-being. In the extreme, they believe that how one is perceived matters more than what one really is, so they fail to develop genuine strength within, feeling increasingly conflicted and ashamed about how much they feel compelled to sacrifice. They might believe that asserting themselves is selfish or disruptive, even as they allow others more leeway to be selfish, all the while not seeing the double standard due to poor Ti development.

The more extreme dominant Te/Fe behaviors become, the closer one inches toward inferior grip because of the cognitive discomfort that occurs when what one does publicly is so at odds with what one does (or wants to do) privately. The pressure of always having to be “on” in public and having no private “off” space builds up until it eventually leaks back out in unconscious ways.

• Unhealthy ExTJs often live double lives. They are able to justify all manner of behavior that they know is unsavory as long as it is dubbed “private” and never publicly caught -> corrupt Fi.
• Unhealthy ExFJs often live incongruent lives. They are able to justify all manner of behavior that they know is incongruent with their desires as long as they avoid feeling judged as inadequate -> deformed Ti.

For EJs to become aware of the persona, they must stop over-extraverting. When they finally understand the value of inner life, the gaping disconnect between public and private becomes more obvious to them.

• ExTJs must realize that behavior should NOT always be driven by extrinsic standards and results. Without honoring intrinsic motivation, it isn’t possible to feel a genuine sense of personal integrity when making decisions. Choosing the path of personal integrity may lead to outer failure at times, but it is rewarded with inner depth of character -> healthy Fi.
• ExFJs must realize that behavior should NOT always be driven by social affirmation or rewards. Without honoring inner life, it isn’t possible to feel genuinely congruent when making decisions. Choosing to act in accordance with personal preferences may lead to conflict at times, but it is rewarded with inner strength of character -> healthy Ti.

By developing the introverted functions, EJs achieve better psychological balance, bringing the private and the public closer together. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve Te/Fe rewards in the outer world, it is important to realize that, in order to maintain psychological well-being, this drive ought to be balanced with the equally important need to honor one’s own inner life.

Due to the inferior position of Te/Fe, IPs construct a “contrarian” persona that runs counter to what normal Te/Fe would tell them to be. IPs like to see themselves as going against the grain and often overlook/ignore what is expected of them. They tend to be the more individualistic types and prone to ignorance of the outer world. They are more likely to view success in the outer world with suspicion and don’t naturally think about how they are perceived by the outer world. They have a higher chance of displaying maladaptive Te/Fe behaviors due to indulgence of inner life and neglecting/undervaluing the importance of the outer world.

Of all the types, IPs tend to have a problematic persona because of how it interferes with living life well in the outer world. On one hand, dominant Fi/Ti believes that inner life is all there is. On the other hand, inferior Te/Fe requires them to care about living a more successful outer life to bring better extraverted balance to the personality. Since the inferior function is easy to disregard for long periods of time, IPs can get too extreme in their dominant Fi/Ti behaviors, lacking the motivation to be an integral part of the outer world. Without enough extraverting, IPs eventually get imprisoned in a very fixed and static image of themselves, because they cannot conceive of being anything but what they already are.

If neglect of the outer world becomes too extreme, problems start to appear:

• IxTPs end up with an “indifferent” persona, projecting to the world that they do not care about anything but themselves. They don’t want to feel beholden to anything or anyone, so they conceal their insecurities and vulnerabilities even from themselves, sometimes to the point of becoming emotionally void. In the extreme, they believe that they have no responsibility to anything other than themselves, so they don’t realize the true extent of their psychological alienation. They might believe that others are trying to manipulate them into caring or participating, often casting harsh judgments upon those they consider demanding, even as they themselves often manipulate others to get what they want, all the while not seeing the harm done due to poor Fe development.
• IxFPs end up with a “misfit” persona, projecting to the world that they are unique and not subject to conventional existence. They don’t want to feel like just another cog in the machine, so they conceal their yearnings for power and validation even from themselves, sometimes to the point of becoming passive or helpless. In the extreme, they believe that it is impossible to be in the outer world and still maintain personal integrity, so they don’t realize that it is their own cynical judgments that bar them from success. They might believe that their only two options are to escape or sell out, often casting judgment upon those they deem to be moral failures, even as they themselves fail to get anywhere in life, all the while not recognizing that their attempts to feel morally superior just leave them feeling more powerless due to poor Te development.

The more extreme dominant Fi/Ti behaviors become, the closer one inches toward inferior grip because of the cognitive discomfort that occurs when what one is inside is so at odds with how one is viewed from the outside. The pressure of constantly defending inner life from outer intrusion starts to build and eventually leaks back out in unconscious ways.

• Unhealthy IxTPs often live a comfortable but stagnant and detached existence, alone even when in the company of others. The more that they fail to connect emotionally with the outer world, the more that they believe there is nothing for them in the outer world -> severed Fe.
• Unhealthy IxFPs often live an unsettled life of no rules and structures. The more that their goals/ideals seem unreachable in the outer world, the more that they fall into self-critical thought patterns -> derogatory Te.

For IPs to become aware of the persona, they must stop over-introverting. When they finally understand the value of extraverting, the gaping disconnect between what they think they are and what they actually are becomes more obvious to them.

• IxTPs must realize that there is more to life than oneself. Without connecting to something larger than oneself, it isn’t possible to feel love, happiness, or fulfillment. Choosing to care and connect with the outer world may result in living a more messy or complicated life at times, but feeling that one’s existence is positive and appreciated is a reward in itself -> healthy Fe.
• IxFPs must realize that the system is not all bad. Without learning the rules of success in the outer world, it isn’t possible to change it for the better. Choosing to do things by-the-book may result in feeling dull or ordinary at times, but having the power and ability to influence change is a reward in itself -> healthy Te.

By developing the extraverted functions, IPs achieve better psychological balance, as they learn how to offer up the best of themselves to the world. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to have one’s own existence, this drive ought to be balanced with the equally important need to expand oneself into the world.

When Te/Fe is auxiliary, IJs often resemble EJs in wanting to facilitate the achievement of environmental rewards. However, being introverted, they are more likely to face difficulties when trying to reconcile who they are and who they want to be. Due to the fact that ISxJs often have difficulty letting go of who they believe themselves to be according to past experience and INxJs often have difficulty letting go of who they believe they ought to be in order to actualize their ideals, IJs often interpret using auxiliary Te/Fe as donning a social mask, i.e., using a persona merely as a means to an end. They tend to be reserved people, only effective when they have to be. As introverts, they need space for private reflection, so they often battle feelings of inertia in terms of wanting to be more successful in their extraverted judging behaviors yet finding it difficult to muster the energy to take the necessary action, perhaps falling into the habit of always having to be compelled into action by outer pressures.

Of all the types, IJs tend to feel most conflicted by the persona because the dominant-auxiliary conflict is closer to conscious awareness (than the dominant-inferior conflict). On one hand, dominant Si/Ni wants to preserve their subjective experience of the world. On the other hand, auxiliary Te/Fe informs them that their subjective perception of the world is inadequate and incomplete. Since the auxiliary function is NOT easy to ignore due to its higher position in the stack, IJs often feel torn between protecting their inner image of the world and acknowledging the possibility that their inner image isn’t properly representative of the outer world. Without enough extraverting, IJs eventually feel as though they are not living up to their full potential, often plagued by unnamed restlessness because they haven’t realized that their inner image of the world is flawed and holding them back.

If poor engagement with the world becomes extreme, problems start to appear:

• IxTJs end up with a “retreating” persona, projecting to the world that they are present only as long as they want to be. They don’t want to feel completely tied to the world, so they make lame attempts to suppress their desire for power or influence, only to have it come out in clumsy or overly aggressive ways. When faced with Te failures, they may try to “reframe” negative outcomes as reinforcing their initial feeling that they should have stayed out of worldly affairs to begin with -> Fi loop.
• IxFJs end up with a “guarded” persona, projecting to the world that their involvement is conditional upon receiving affirmation. They don’t want to feel the sting of inadequacy, so they make lame attempts to suppress their desire for love or affirmation, only to have it come out in clumsy or overly desperate ways. When faced with Fe failures, they may try to “reframe” embarrassing defeats as yet another reason to avoid showing themselves to the outer world -> Ti loop.

The deeper they sink into tertiary loop, the closer they inch toward inferior grip because of knowing that they should/could be more than they currently are. Feeling as though the rewards of the outer world are always slightly beyond reach plagues them with feelings of missing out on a more fulfilling life, so they try to convince themselves that using the persona to get what they want is always “inauthentic” and to be avoided.

• Unhealthy IxTJs often adopt inconsistent standards for Te achievement, sometimes being extremely strict in their standards while at other times feigning apathy, whichever is most convenient for preserving their dignity. Whenever the truth of their incompetence happens to catch up with them, Se/Ne grip strikes.
• Unhealthy IxFJs often adopt contradictory values that sabotage Fe connection, often craving love or affirmation, but living in denial as necessary to avoid confronting their emotional insecurities. Whenever the truth of their inadequacies happens to catch up with them, Se/Ne grip strikes.

For IJs to become more aware of the persona, they must stop over-introverting. When they finally understand the value of being more objective in their perception of the world through auxiliary Te/Fe, they will find it easier to use the persona as a _positive_ tool for integrating well into the outer world (as opposed to framing the persona as self-betrayal).

• IxTJs must acknowledge their desire for power and influence. Without putting oneself to the test out in the world, it isn’t possible to achieve a genuine sense of pride. Choosing to expend blood, sweat, and tears to solve difficult problems may be tiring at times, but the feeling of being engaged and on top of situations is its own reward -> healthy Te.
• IxFJs must acknowledge their desire for love and affirmation. Without contributing of oneself to the world, it isn’t possible to feel a genuine sense of self-worth. Choosing to put oneself on display may be frightening at times, but making the social space to be fully and openly oneself is its own reward -> healthy Fe.

By developing the auxiliary Te/Fe function, IJs achieve better psychological balance, which allows them to feel more at peace in the world. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to preserve what you believe is important about you and your life, this drive ought to be balanced with the equally important need to also be somebody substantial in the outer world.

When Te/Fe is tertiary, EPs often resemble IPs in wanting to run counter to what Te/Fe tells them they should be. However, being extraverted, they are more likely to understand some of the benefits of using Te/Fe rather than rejecting it outright. Due to the fact that ESxPs want sensory stimulation and ENxPs want mental stimulation, they often utilize Te/Fe to these ends. For EPs, tertiary Te/Fe can feel like a natural extension of the dominant function, used for efficiently obtaining the rewards of the outer world. Therefore, EPs may superficially resemble EJs during the times that they use Te/Fe to manage or influence situations. However, unlike EJs, EPs are much more likely to use Te/Fe in a self-serving manner because the tertiary function is subservient to the higher individualistic auxiliary function.

Of all the types, EPs tend to have the poorest understanding of the persona because they use Te/Fe to change/shift as necessary in the outer world to get what they want, not realizing that, the more they do it, the weaker their connection to inner life. On one hand, auxiliary Fi/Ti presses them to proceed more authentically and carefully in life. On the other hand, tertiary Te/Fe tempts them with immediate gratification that is difficult to resist. When auxiliary Fi/Ti is poorly developed (which it commonly is), inner life is very pathetic and unstable, which leads to a persona that projects unpredictability or unreliability to the outer world. As an unconscious attempt to fill the void within, it is very easy for EPs to learn how to be whatever/whoever they have to be at any given moment to achieve immediate gratification, easily getting addicted to fast-paced cheats and shortcuts that ironically end up slowing their psychological development. While they are well-attuned to what they want from the outer world moment to moment, they don’t reflect carefully enough about why they want those things and to what end. Without enough introverting, EPs are likely to live chaotic lives, always rushing and leaving messes behind, not feeling limited or bound by anything except their ability to weasel out of facing consequences.

If poor engagement with inner life becomes extreme, problems start to appear:

• ExFPs end up with a “flaky” persona, projecting to the world that they do whatever they want. They can’t handle any negative feelings, so they do what they must to escape them, even if it means being unethical.
• ExTPs end up with a “wily” persona, projecting to the world whatever is necessary to enable self-aggrandizement. They take pride in intellect, so they do what they must to prove their capability, even if it means faking it.

The more that they neglect inner life and its call to authenticity, the closer they inch toward inferior grip because of betraying themselves at every turn. The more that they run from the voices within, the more those voices haunt them and threaten to possess them.

• Unhealthy ExFPs often create a long trail of heartache because of not being true to themselves and their values. When Te shows them undeniable evidence of their failures, they run, deflect, or force situations as they must to dodge blows to their self-esteem (Te loop). Whenever the truth of their pain finally catches up with them, inferior Si/Ni grip strikes.
• Unhealthy ExTPs often create a long trail of destruction because of not caring about the consequences of their actions. When Fe provides them negative feedback about their character, they rationalize, distort, or deceive as they must to preserve their egotistical worldview (Fe loop). Whenever the truth of their vapidity finally catches up with them, inferior Si/Ni grip strikes.

For EPs to become more aware of the persona, they must stop over-extraverting. When they finally understand the value of developing an inner life and how it promotes authenticity, they gain more control over their persona and are thereby able to ensure that it projects an authentic image to the world.

• ExFPs must honor their personal values and boundaries, otherwise, it isn’t possible to feel a genuine sense of integrity. Choosing the right path isn’t always the easiest path, but the reward is getting to feel truly proud of oneself and one’s accomplishments -> healthy Fi-Te.
• ExTPs must examine their impact on the world carefully, otherwise, it isn’t possible to make genuinely intelligent decisions. Choosing to take responsibility for consequences may sting at times, but the reward is learning the lessons that are needed for building great character -> healthy Ti-Fe.

By making sure that auxiliary Fi/Ti and tertiary Te/Fe work well together, EPs achieve better psychological balance that allows them to live positively, authentically, and productively in the world. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to seize the moment, this drive ought to be balanced with the equally important need to make sure that your seizing does no harm to yourself or others.