Well hello, everyone! I've been lurking on these forums for quite some time, wishing I could have some people to talk with about this typing system, so I guess it's about time I got an account! haha. I'm impressed by many of the insights people have here into intertype dynamics and how the functions manifest. It looks like you have lots of entertaining discussions. I've been reading about socionics for over a year and eventually typed myself as SEI Fe-subtype. I'm a little shy in real life, but I'm a little more bold online since I don't have to talk in person
I guess I'll tell a story about how I got fascinated by Socionics, for anyone who'd like to read. Apologies if it gets long but I'll try to keep it short- At first I slowly discovered I was an ISFP by the MBTI theory. I studied all the functions and the system for a year before I decided. It was not my favorite type (didn't rub my ego, I wanted to be a cool INTJ or something!! hah ), but it did seem most accurate. I've always had an easy time using aesthetic/physical details to impact the emotional states of others just as I want to (especially through artwork).
I had the pleasure of meeting an ENTP friend for a while, and I was so suprised by how much I enjoyed his company! I actually remember thinking "it's like the information he gives me is just exactly like what I was looking for!! He automatically expounds upon multiple theories and supports them all with clear, concrete, objective reasoning. Every curiosity I voice gets explained-at least partially-by him. I never feel bored by him, and at the same time I don't feel frustrated/overwhelmed by him because he helps organize the ideas in my head." After considering it carefully, I realized what I found so interesting about him was his use of Ne supported by Ti. Also, even though emotional expression was supposed to be a weaker function for those types, I felt like his Fe was actually really endearing, but I couldn't put my finger on why at the time.
Well, sadly I was overly shy/insecure back then, and I felt like eventually he would realize I'm not as smart as him and get sick of me. So I didn't reciprocate his attentions much at all. Eventually he gave up trying to keep in contact with me, and I could tell it was very frustrating for him to put so much effort into a connection only to get none back...honestly, I really feel like I was a bit of a jerk for not reciprocating!! I still kick myself for it, from time to time
...Later I discovered Socionics. At first, I thought I must be an ESI because of all the false information about how there's this 'J/P switch for ALL introverts when converting between MBTI and socionics. But the ESI description just didn't seem to sit right with me. Finally I found an article written for one of the Socionics websites about how introverts actually don't have to switch the J/P in all cases, and how to tell if you were a rational ('j') or irrational ('p') type. I'm not sure how to find that article again, but I remember how it said that irrational types experience conflict between their thinking and feeling, while rational types experience conflict between their sensing and intuition. Knowing this, it became clear to me that I was still a 'p' type, because my thinking and feeling are always warring in my head While my sensing and intuition are usually in harmony.
Finding this out, I read more about my sociotype and how we were supposed to experience duality with ENTp types...it was like deja vu, as if I was reading about what happened with my old ENTp friend, everything from the way his Ne and Ti benefited me, to feeling like I wasn't 'good enough' for him (because apparently, the introvert often feels like the extrovert dual is way out of their league at first). Also I finally understand why the ENTp's expression of Fe is so appealing to me. They're basically asking for the warmth and affection that I so naturally want to express
Another thing I loved about socionics was the description of caregiver (Si ego) types. I'd always fantasized about finding a guy who would like me comforting and relaxing him physically and emotionally. I've been in a close relationship with an aggressor (SEE), a fellow caregiver (LSE), and a victim (IEI), but never a childlike type! I didn't know it was even possible to find someone who would thrive off of my desire to just soothe him whenever possible. The victim and agressor were outright repelled by me when I tried to soothe or comfort them during their vulnerable moments, and the caregiver didn't really react much either way. I can see why Si treatment can be perceived as patronizing, but of course all I wanted was to make them feel good...it was very discouraging to be recieved so negatively. Don't we all want to find someone who values the expression of affection that comes most naturally to us?? It's so good to realize that's a possibility for me.
So for me, this typing system resonated pretty strongly! I realize that not all dual relations are as idyllic as they are sometimes exaggerated as being, and I've made friends with some ENTp types that I didn't jive with, at least not much. Also, I've had very good friendships with people of all types, even my conflictor types! although those have been more challenging than most. Still, the socionics theory really resonated with me, especially the whole concept of duality and romance styles.
Anyways, so that's how I became really interested in Socionics! Thank you if you read all of this, or part of it. It's nice to meet you all and I hope you all are enjoying your time on the forums!