In the realm of personality psychology, Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types offers profound insights into how individuals develop and use their cognitive functions. Whether we lean toward sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, these functions exist within us from birth and shape how we process the world. However, developing these functions is a lifelong journey, involving the dynamic interplay between the conscious and unconscious parts of our mind.
In this article, we’ll explore how these cognitive functions develop, how energy plays a role in their use, and what it takes to grow toward a more balanced personality.
The Balance of Conscious and Unconscious Development
Jung’s theory emphasizes that people operate through both conscious and unconscious processes, which must develop in harmony. Cognitive development occurs when an individual moves mental functions—like sensing, thinking, or intuition—from the unconscious into the conscious realm, allowing for more deliberate control over their behavior.
As with physical energy, the energy used in cognitive development is never lost—it is merely transferred between conscious and unconscious processes. When a function is underdeveloped and resides mostly in the unconscious, it drives behavior indirectly. In contrast, consciously developed functions give us the ability to manage and direct energy more intentionally.
How Cognitive Functions Develop Throughout Life
Jung’s typology introduces four key cognitive functions:
- Sensing: Gathering detailed, concrete information from the environment.
- Intuition: Focusing on patterns, ideas, and possibilities.
- Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating information logically.
- Feeling: Assessing emotional values and human impact.
These functions do not develop equally or in isolation. From childhood through adolescence (ages 1–18), the dominant and auxiliary functions—the two primary mental tools each person naturally prefers—receive the most attention. This early development helps children build the skills to interact with their environment and make decisions. Later in adulthood, the tertiary and inferior functions come into focus, encouraging personal growth and balance as people encounter new challenges.
Energy and the Use of Cognitive Functions
One of the most critical aspects of Jungian theory is that using a less-preferred function demands more energy. Imagine a video game where your primary weapon is always ready, but switching to a secondary tool takes effort. Similarly, using your underdeveloped cognitive functions—such as a thinker learning to navigate emotions—requires conscious effort and feels exhausting at first. However, with practice, these functions become easier to access.
Jung’s insight about this process is clear: you must actively use a function to develop it. Even if the function temporarily retreats to the unconscious, prior use makes it easier to re-engage when needed—like inflating a balloon becomes easier after the first attempt.
Development as a Spiral, Not a Straight Line
Rather than developing in a linear or stage-based way, cognitive growth happens in a spiral pattern. Each phase of development is followed by a period of rest, allowing the unconscious to process and integrate new experiences. Growth cycles repeat throughout life, enabling individuals to continually refine their skills and expand their self-awareness.
For example, as a person develops their sensing function, they might initially focus on gathering all available information. Over time, their ability to discern what is relevant improves, leading to more efficient decision-making. Meanwhile, opposing functions—such as intuition—temporarily rest, since the mind cannot fully engage in both modes at the same time.
The Role of Environment in Typological Growth
Although our environment does not determine our type, it shapes how we express our preferences. For example, children learn through imitation, mimicking others’ behaviors before developing their own cognitive functions. This early imitation does not directly contribute to personal growth but sets the stage for future use and development.
In adulthood, we see this pattern reflected in business teams and personal relationships. Individuals gravitate toward familiar functions because they require less effort to use. A balanced personality, however, is not about developing all functions equally but rather about having the flexibility to engage with each function when needed.
Practical Steps for Developing Your Cognitive Functions
If you want to grow your personality and use your cognitive functions more effectively, consider these practical steps:
- Use your functions intentionally.
Engage actively with each function. For example, use your sensing side to gather information or your intuitive side to explore possibilities. - Allow space for decision-making.
For both children and adults, making decisions is the best way to develop cognitive functions. - Teach and recognize different types.
Parents and educators should be aware of typological differences, helping children develop their natural strengths and identify when they are imitating versus genuinely using a function. - Ask reflective questions.
Questions like “Have you considered all your options, or do you want to explore more?” open up the door for both sensing and intuition to play a role. - Practice daily, even for five minutes.
Spending even five minutes a day using a less-preferred function can accelerate development. Time will pass, but functions will only develop if we engage with them intentionally.
The Importance of Managing Tensions and Opposites
A core idea in Jung’s theory is the dynamic tension between opposites. For every preferred function, there is an opposite trying to come to the surface. Personal growth involves acknowledging these tensions and learning to manage them rather than avoiding them. For example, someone with a strong thinking preference may need to embrace their feeling side to grow emotionally and make more balanced decisions.
This balancing act mirrors other aspects of psychological development. While personality grows through continuous use of functions, other aspects—like exploring the external world during youth and turning inward in later life—follow specific life stages. Both internal growth and external mastery are essential parts of a well-rounded personality.
Final Thoughts: Lifelong Growth Through Typology
Jung’s typology reminds us that personal development is a never-ending journey. Although each individual is born with innate preferences, these preferences evolve through continuous use and environmental interactions. The goal is not to develop all functions equally but to become aware of them and engage them intentionally when needed.
Understanding and using these functions allows us to grow, improve decision-making, and achieve greater self-awareness. Growth happens in spirals, with moments of activity followed by periods of rest. Through this lifelong process, we gain the tools needed to navigate life with more balance and flexibility, leading to richer interactions with the world and others.
Reference
Murphy, E. (2021). Type development in childhood and beyond. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 66(5), 1074-1093. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5922.12730
A Two Sided Truth 