Difference between base/demonstrative and suggestive/polr explained
I think I finally got a really good grasp on the exact differences between these functions and the nature of conscious/unconscious so I'd thought I'd share. You probably already know the basics so I won't go there. Lets use LII and ILI as an example.
LII has all the conscious functions of ILI as his unconscious functions and vice versa. When a Ti seeking type ask LII to explain a concept, the LII will do so throughly because he is always "aware" of the existence of this function and its uses. When you ask ILI for an explanation to a statement or claim he made, he will give you strange looks and be baffled that you do not understand because this is something that comes so easily and naturally for himself that he doesn't realize others might not have this same ability. The same could be said LII's Ni. Knowing the future impact of the decisions of himself and others is something he has always been able to do since day one so he is oblivious that not everybody else has this same ability.
You can also observe this in LSE vs SLE. Complaining to LSE about not having enough willpower to do something will not register to him and he'll tell you to just suck it up and go do it. Do the same to SLE and he'll provide you a story about what keeps him going in life.
Now lets look at polr and suggestive functions. The polr is conscious a function, so we are aware of this function and thus our deficiencies with it. When others verbalize this function and bring it to our attention this causes irritation because when already know what they are trying to say but we simply lack the innate, unconscious ability to make use of any of that information. However, it is a misconception that we want absolutely nothing to do the polr. Ni polrs will still seek someone who is imaginative and punctual, Ti polrs will still admire people with a strong sense of logic, Se polrs will still be attracted to motivated individuals, etc. We become comforted and even perhaps aroused when we see people skillfully using this function as if its no big deal. LII becomes inspired by ESEs undefeatable optimism and "We can do it!" attitude, for example.
The opposite is true for the suggestive function. The suggestive function is unconscious, so we are blissfully unaware of how our weakness with this function negatively impacts us. Because of our ignorance with it we approach it with curiosity, like a young kid trying to learn more about the world. We accept instruction on how to use this function because we are always trying to learn more about it. When we see people using this function naturally through the demonstrative function it leaves us feeling inadequate because we want to understand how they are able to use it so skillfully yet they don't bother to teach us how to so. It kind of of feels like entering a new job where everybody else knows what to do but we are left uninstructed and twisting in the wind.
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Originally Posted by Muddytextures
