Discover your Mode of Knowing and Being (your Functional Stack or Personality Type)

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:

Know your Modal Disposition

The Mode State Stage (MSS) model (the MSS-J16) reflects psychiatrist Dr Carl Jung’s four functions (Sharp 12) – feeling, intuition, sensing, and thinking – as quadrants of the circle (for this diagram, see modestatestage.com/mode-state-stage-an-overview) representing the whole of cognition and Jung's psychological functions – otherwise described as personality inclination and mindset. The model also incorporates Jung’s two attitudes, introversion (subject- and inner-world inclination) and extroversion (object- and outer-world inclination). This means that the two attitudes, introversion and extroversion, apply for each mode, or function – for example, introverted feeling and extroverted feeling.

In the Mode State Stage model (MSS-J16), the two attitudes and the four functions, or modes, are represented as the four quadrants of the circle of awareness and functioning, as follows:

• Lower-right quadrant: Feeler (introverted and extroverted)
• Upper-right quadrant: Intuitive (introverted and extroverted)
• Lower-left quadrant: Sensate (introverted and extroverted)
• Upper-left quadrant: Thinker (introverted and extroverted).

The above classification reflects Jung’s eight types, based on combining the previously mentioned two attitudes and four functions.

To these primary modes are added the secondary modes, or functions, possible in each quadrant, for each mode. In the case of the example given, that is, for the feeling mode, the secondary mode could be either intuition or sensation (the two adjacent quadrants). The diagonal quadrant, in this case, thinking, is the least available, or conscious, mode. (Note that this applies for all of the quadrants, so that one’s diagonal mode is one’s least available, or conscious, mode.)

The notation used in the Jungian 8-type personality typology models is expanded here to include the secondary mode, or auxiliary function, resulting in 16 types. Hence, the four types with feeling as the dominant mode are introverted feeling-intuition (IFN), introverted feeling-sensation (IFS), extroverted feeling-intuition (EFN), and extroverted feeling-sensation (EFS).

Thus, the 16 Jungian types for each of the quadrants are as follows (the MSS-J16 personality type model):

• Feeler – lower-right quadrant: IFN, IFS, EFN, EFS
• Intuitive – upper-right quadrant: INT, INF, ENT, ENF
• Sensate – lower-left quadrant: IST, ISF, EST, ESF
• Thinker – upper-left quadrant: ITS, ITN, ETS, ETN

Those who share a primary mode, represented by a shared quadrant of the mode-representative circle, are best positioned to form sustainable close relationships, both romantic and platonic – put another way, they mostly just ‘get’ one another. Thus, we could say that those who share our primary mode are those with whom we have primary compatibility.

We have secondary compatibility with those whose primary mode is in a quadrant adjacent to our primary mode, or quadrant, on the mode-representative circle. Their modes could be said to be complementary to ours, in that communication with them may not be as natural and easy as with those with whom we share a primary mode or quadrant, but communication – while sometimes challenging – is possible, especially when we are aware of our modal disposition. With the added awareness that complementarity is the basis of optimal individual and collective functioning, we are well positioned to people our lives mostly with those in our shared quadrants and complementary modes, and quadrants.

Communication with those in the quadrant diagonal to ours will typically be the most challenging (Pascal 41-43). Yet, communication with those whose mode, or quadrant, is diagonal to ours will be optimized with an awareness of our modal disposition. The potential for constructive communication will be amplified with specific acquired communication skills and the involvement, where and when necessary, of a person from one of our adjacent (or complementary) modes (or quadrants), acting as an intermediary, or ‘personality-complementary intermediary’.

References

Pascal, E. 1994 Jung to Live by

Sharp, D. 1987 Personality Type

Note: The publications in the above 'References' list (and more on personality typology) are available for purchase from the 'Publications' page of the Mode State Stage website.

Mode State Stage, an Overview

Mode State Stage is a new model for understanding ourselves and others. It enables this understanding by combining structure and process. This article is aimed at providing an overview of the model. Each of the elements (Mode, State, Stage) of the model is dealt with, starting with ‘Mode’. Note that all elements, or aspects, of the model will be elaborated in subsequent articles (blog posts).

Mode

Human beings, according to Psychiatrist Dr Carl Jung, typically receive and process information in terms of a primary disposition, or propensity (adapted as a ‘preference’– see ‘Stage’, below) for one of four cognitive modes: feeling, intuiting, sensing and thinking. Thus, people can be grouped broadly according to their primary modal disposition. Note that the modes can be thought of as themes, with many variations on them possible as we add other dimensions to the model; for example, when the dimensions of introversion and extroversion, among others, are added, the number of ‘types’, or characteristic themes, or groups, are multiplied.

We adapt our disposition according to the requirements of our projects, our careers, and our culture, among others. When we adapt our disposition in order to function, our disposition becomes our preference.

People also have a secondary modal disposition, as well as a tertiary modal disposition, adapted as secondary and tertiary preferences. Their least disposed, or adapted preferred, mode of being and knowing (their quaternary mode) is typically opposite to their primary, or preferred, mode of being and knowing.

Mode is the functional element of the model, which is complemented by the process element of the model, the ‘Stage’ aspect.

One way to determine one’s primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary modes is to do a variety of personality typology indicators, or tests, and then combine the results with self-observation. One could do a web search using the following search term, for example, to identify these typology tests: ‘Personality typology tests based on Jung's theory of typology’. Some typology indicators can be found also on the ‘Resources’ page of the Mode State Stage website.

After doing two or more of the various typology tests based on Jung’s theory of typology, combined with self-observation (or introspection), one would be well positioned to identify a common, or recurring, pattern in terms of one’s modal disposition.

State

We participate in various endeavours, activities and projects throughout our lives – at this point, it may be useful to jump ahead and read the ‘Stage’ section, below, before picking up again from the following sentence (since ‘State’ is adapted to the ‘Stage’ concerned). To do so, we need to move into other modes of perceiving, of knowing and, hence, of being, that do not reflect our dispositions, or most comfortable, modes of operating and being. This switching of modes to deal with the tasks at hand is referred to in the Mode State Stage model as ‘State’, or ‘stage-adapted ‘mind State’. Specifically, it refers to one of the four ‘mind states’, which are characterized by ‘feeling’, ‘intuition’, ‘sensing’ and ‘thinking’, corresponding to its structural ‘Mode’ element of the model.

Thus, when we move out of our primary Mode (or disposition) to perform a function or fulfil a role, as required in our everyday functioning, we are adapting our modal disposition to perform the function or fulfil the role concerned. In doing so, we adopt the required mind state.

When the mind states concerned have become entrenched, or we have adapted our modal compositions, or dispositions, to our roles or cultures, among others, on a fairly consistent basis, they become our modal preferences.

While this adaptation is inevitable and indeed required by us, the Mode State Stage model proposes two forms of complementing our dispositional make-up for optimal functioning, as the preferred means to achieve this (to be explored further in subsequent articles, or blog posts):

1. Relational complementarity, with human relationships and interactions deliberately cultivated to complement our modal composition, i.e. our primary, secondary, tertiary and especially quaternary modes, and

2. Skills development, with learned skills aimed at enabling functioning in our secondary, tertiary and especially our quaternary modes.

Long-term adaptation, or prolonged mind-state adaptation of our modal dispositions, in the Mode State State model, comprise hyperflexions (flexion beyond normal limits), which are not sustainable without harmful systemic effects.

Where modal adaptation is required, complementing our dispositional composition with selected individuals (on the basis of their complementary modal dispositions) and learned skills can reduce the stress involved in adopting a secondary, tertiary or quaternary mind state suited to responding to the stimuli presented through circumstance and the environment, among others.

Stage

The stages that human beings broadly move through in their endeavours, projects and processes have also been typically grouped into four stages, or phases – for example, in the traditional project management process, comprising the four stages ‘initiation’, ‘planning’, ‘execution’ and ‘closure’. These human endeavours, or developmental and creative processes, are also referred to conceptually as the ‘evolutionary development process’ or ‘natural creative process’. For example, when constructing a building, we typically move sequentially through these stages; yet there is often some back and forth involved between the stages, as necessitated by the factors involved; for example, insufficient planning may require ‘going back to the drawing board’, i.e. going back to the planning (or envisaging) stage to make refinements.

Other names are sometimes given to these stages, including ‘generating’ (initiating), ‘structuring’ (planning), ‘constructing’ (execution), and ‘finishing’ (closure).

In the Mode State Stage model, these stages have been renamed as follows: identification (identifying), envisagement (envisaging), establishment (establishing) and confirmation (confirming). These stages can also be observed, for example, in research projects where a problem is identified (problem identification, hence ‘identification’), a hypothesis is formed (hypothesis formation, hence ‘envisagement’), research is carried out (experiments, studies or other relevant research type, hence ‘establishment’), and the findings are confirmed (data analysis, reporting the findings, for example in articles and theses, hence ‘confirmation’).

Diagram 1, below, provides a visualization of the four Modes (the quadrants Feeling, Intuition, Sensing, and Thinking) and Stages (the Mode-corresponding segments of the evolutionary development-, or natural creative process-representative infinity symbol) of the Mode State Stage Model.

Diagram 1 Copyright notices:
1. The infinity symbol within Diagram 1 is subject to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License: http://getdrawings.com/vectors/vector-file-free-download-12.png
2. Diagram 1 is subject to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://modestatestage.com

Diagram 2, below, provides the added visualization of the State (the outer rotational 'dial' segments Feeling, Intuition, Sensing, and Thinking) elements of the model. Note that the State (or mind State) dial (the outer circle) can be rotated around the Mode and Stage elements for the sake of adaptation to the task, event or culture (among others), preferably for short periods, rather than for longer periods.

Diagram 2 Copyright notices:
1. The infinity symbol within Diagram 2 is subject to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License: http://getdrawings.com/vectors/vector-file-free-download-12.png
2. Diagram 2 is subject to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://modestatestage.com

The evolutionary development process, otherwise referred to as the natural creative process, comprises the Stage element of the Mode State Stage model. In this model, the process is envisaged as an upward-spiralling infinity symbol (in Diagrams 1 and 2, above, the break in the infinity symbol between the last stage (confirmation) and the initial stage of the elevated, subsequent first stage (initiation) of the evolutionary development process represents an evolution of the previous level of the process.

Thus, in the Mode State Stage model, represented in a two-dimensional visualization (Diagrams 1 and 2), the evolutionary development process comprises alternating, interconnected counter-clockwise (right half) and clockwise (left half) loops. However, in a three-dimensional visualization (not represented in this article), the loops are upward spirals. Both visualizations comprise transposing (midway through the process and at the midpoint of the modal quadrants) loops/spirals with the right half of the circle forming the matrix for the left half, and in the case of a three-dimensional visualization, the initial whole forming the matrix for the subsequent level, or evolution, of development.

With our knowledge of our modal dispositions and the stages of our various endeavours, together with relevant supplementary tools (selected interactions and learned skills), we are well positioned to make effective (mind-state) adaptations where required, while limiting the harmful systemic effects of prolonged adaptation.

When we have this self-awareness, or self-knowledge, along with our personalized supplementary tools, we are able to reduce conflict and live healthier, happier lives.

The acquisition, impacts and effects of this self-knowledge and the development of supplementary tools will be explored in future blog posts.

References

Note: All of the publications in the above 'References' list are available for purchase from the 'Publications' page of the Mode State Stage website.