Discover your modal stack, or personality type, in four easy steps (the MSS four-step method), depending on your level of self-awareness – using Dr Carl Gustav Jung's (Jung 1921) four-basic-function/two-attitude model – which in the Mode State Stage (MSS) model equates to four basic cognitive modes (Feeler, iNtuitive, Sensate, Thinker); these are further differentiated by your inner-world (introverted) or outer-world (extroverted) orientation.
Note that in addition to the inner- versus outer-world differentiation (Jung’s ‘Attitudes’, introvert and extrovert), the four basic modes were differentiated further by Dr Carl Jung himself (Jung 1921), and they may be further differentiated by others. In this sense they are similar to primary colours in that they can be further differentiated or specified to provide various hues and tones of personality, and hence individuality.
An implication the ‘initial’ nature of the ‘basic’ modes, or functions, outlined below is that the keywords and key phrases provided below to identify them are of necessity (due to space limitations, among others) limited. Hence, you should regard them as a starting point, not a definitive list, and it is recommended that you expand, or extend, the keywords and key phrases provided with your own exploration and study should you feel the need to do this.
Furthermore, there is no need for a perfect or even close match with the keywords and key phrases provided: they should simply be used as a starting point to determine the relative predominance between the mode or orientation in the left column and that in the right column; in other words, their purpose is to inform your choice between the options (left and right columns) concerned. However, should you feel the need to be further informed in order to choose between the modes, or columns, you should consult additional sources, such as those provided in the ‘References’, at the end of this post.
Also note that the keywords and key phrases in the following tables may be revised, updated, expanded or replaced in subsequent editions of this post. Notwithstanding this, the keywords and key phrases will remain fairly consistent basic representations of the four basic cognitive Modes (or 'Cognitive Functions', in Jung's terminology) and Orientations (or 'Attitudes' in Jung's terminology).
Legal Disclaimer: The MSS four-step method for determining your modal stack and the keywords and key phrases provided should in no way be construed as complete, exhaustive, or definitive: they are guides only, given to aid personal awareness and development. They should under no circumstances be used to replace or substitute guidance by, or the advice of certified, or licensed, medical and mental health professionals and medical or mental health support personnel. If in doubt, contact your medical or mental health professional.
The four steps (in the MSS four-step method) to determining your modal stack are as follows:
Step 1, Mode of perceiving (gathering and prioritizing information, or stimuli). Decide whether you are a Sensate (S) or an Intuitive (N): Choose between the left and right columns, using the keywords and key phrases in these columns to assist you.
| SENSATE (S) | INTUITIVE (N) |
| Keywords: details, experience, facts, grounded, literal, physical, practical, present, senses, tactile | Keywords: future-oriented, ideas, insight, metaphors, patterns, possibilities, potential, symbols, theory, vision |
| Key phrases: accumulate data; accurate at working with data; conscious, present sensory observations: sight, sound, smell, touch, taste; decide based on actual and observable information, facts, phenomena; good at seeing practical applications of ideas and things; grounded in everyday physical reality; prefer experience over words and theory; seek detailed information; value tradition | Key phrases: abstract and theoretical; engage with what is possible and new; envisioning transformations; forming hypotheses, provisional knowledge based on current and previous observations; making plausible connections between ideas and concepts; reading beyond what is immediately available; value mind over experience; work from the big picture to the facts; preconscious knowing |
Step 2, Mode of deciding (judging criteria). Decide whether you are a Thinker (T) or a Feeler (F): Choose between the left and right columns, using the keywords and key phrases in those columns to assist you:
| THINKER (T) | FEELER (F) |
| Keywords: analytical, categorizing, intellectual, objective, rational, truth, structuring, systematizing | Keywords: connecting, personal, subjective, tender-hearted, values-oriented, warmth |
| Key phrases: applying logic; concerned with cause-and-effect relations; conscious, intellectual cognition; impersonal problem-solving; look for rational, objective solutions; organizing for efficiency; segmenting; setting boundaries, guidelines, and parameters; rational analyses of data; make decisions based on logic and objective considerations; value impartiality; value logical consistency; value truth highly | Key phrases: acceptance or rejection; adjusting to, and accommodating others; communications-oriented; concerned with harmony; consider value of maintaining societal, organizational, group values; decisions based on affect (emotion); ethical standards and sentiments; make decisions based on subjective considerations; place high value on relationships; value tact highly; want to be compassionate |
Step 3, Relative mode dominance. Now choose which of the above dichotomies/columns (in Steps 1 and 2, above) is your primary (or predominant) mode, or Function: Sensate-Intuitive (S-N) or Thinker-Feeler (T-F). The stronger of the two is your primary mode; the less strong of the two is your secondary mode. Thus, the second letter of your three letter type code will either be N/S or T/F.
Note, if you are having difficulty deciding which is your primary mode, think about the mode (table column) that is most challenging for you in your everyday life: this is your quarternary, fourth, mostly least conscious and therefore least optimally functioning mode. Your quarternary mode is the mode next to your primary mode in one of the tables above. So, for example, if your primary mode is Thinking (T), your quarternary, mostly least optimally functioning, mode is Feeling (F), and vice versa; alternatively, if your primary mode is Sensing (S), your quarternary, mostly least optimally functioning, mode is Intuiting (N), and vice versa.
Hence, there are four possible primary modes, each with two possible secondary modes. For example, if you chose 'Thinker' (T) over 'Feeler' (F) as your dominant mode, you will be left with either 'Sensate '(S) or 'Intuitive' (N) as your secondary mode (or function).
The following table shows the primary (bold style) and secondary mode possible combinations – you could also tick, or check, the cells (or blocks) of the tables below, that apply to you:
| THINKER-SENSATE (TS) | THINKER-INTUITIVE (TN) | INTUITIVE-THINKER (NT) | INTUITIVE-FEELER (NF) |
| SENSATE-THINKER (ST) | SENSATE-FEELER (SF) | FEELER-SENSATE (FS) | FEELER-INTUITIVE (FN) |
Step 4, Outer- vs Inner-world Orientation (extrovert vs introvert). Next, decide whether you are an introvert (lowercase 'i' before or after the modal letter or combination of letters) or an extrovert (lowercase 'e' before or after the modal letter or combination of letters): Choose between the left and right columns using the keywords and key phrases in those columns to assist you:
| EXTROVERT (e) / OUTER-WORLD ORIENTATION | INTROVERT (i) / INNER-WORLD ORIENTATION |
| Keywords: action-oriented, approachable, expressive, jovial, outgoing, open, sociable | Keywords: calm, contemplative, private, quiet, reserved, retiring, solitary, shy |
| Key phrases: energized by being with people; act first and reflect later; object-orientated; ‘with it’, or influenced by trends; comfortable in large gatherings | Key phrases: comfortable being alone; prefer fewer, deeper relationships; value time alone; subject-orientated; uncomfortable in large gatherings; passive disposition |
After adding your dominant inner-/outer-world orientation, or attitude, extrovert (e) versus introvert (i), you will have a three-letter code, e.g. NTi (introverted Intuitive-Thinker) or TNe (extroverted Thinker-Intuitive), resulting in 16 modes, or types.
The following tables show the primary and secondary mode possible combinations with your dominant orientation added. You could also tick, or check, which of the 16 modes (cells, or blocks, of the tables, below) apply to you:
Introverted Modes (or 'Functions):
| THINKER-SENSATE introverted (TSi) | THINKER-INTUITIVE introverted (TNi) | INTUITIVE-THINKER introverted (NTi) | INTUITIVE-FEELER introverted (NFi) |
| SENSATE-THINKER introverted (STi) | SENSATE-FEELER introverted (SFi) | FEELER-SENSATE introverted (FSi) | FEELER-INTUITIVE introverted (FNi) |
Extroverted Modes (or 'Functions):
| THINKER-SENSATE extroverted (TSe) | THINKER-INTUITIVE extroverted (TNi) | INTUITIVE-THINKER introverted (NTi) | INTUITIVE-FEELER introverted (NFi) |
| SENSATE-THINKER extroverted (STe) | SENSATE-FEELER extroverted (SFe) | FEELER-SENSATE extroverted (FSe) | FEELER-INTUITIVE extroverted (FNe) |
If you are unsure of your self-assessment, do other personality inventories, and use them to answer or check your selections in the tables above. However, be sure to verify the relative strength of your two dichotomies N/S vs T/F, per Step 3, above.
Now that you know your modal stack, including your inner-/outer-world orientation, you can use this information to position yourself optimally for success, fulfilment and wellbeing in all areas of your life.
Information on how to do this is available in previous posts, and more will become available in subsequent posts.
References
Jung, Dr Carl Gustav. Psychological Types. Translated by Shaun Maley.
Pascal, Eugene. Jung to Live By. Souvenir Press, 1994.
Sharp, Daryl. Personality Types: Jung’s Model of Typology. Inner City Books, 1987.
Note: For more information on the publications in the above 'References' list (and for more on personality typology), see the 'Publications' page of the Mode State Stage website.
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