• Accepting-Producing Characteristic of Functions

    Accepting-Producing Characteristic of Functions


    Partial translation from: http://socionic.ru/index.php/2010-10...11-06-22-16-57
    Notes: Accepting functions are 1, 3, 5, 7 (Leading, Mobilizing, and their polar opposites Ignoring and PoLR); producing functions are 2, 4, 6, 8 (Creative, Suggestive, and their polar opposites Demonstrative and Role).


    Accepting elements "reflect, take snapshots, reproduce the reality and provide objective information to the psyche. This is always something that exists in the external world outside of the psyche. It is a reflection of the objective world and a reflection of oneself as a particle of this objective reality. It should be noted that the accepting element always has a sense of empathy or some kind of feeling of unity with what it reflects. Accepting elements perceive and accept that which exists outside." Thus this information is received as objective reality, that can be perceived, reproduced and used.

    "Communicative efficiency of an element is that which gets extracted from information received via accepting method. This element can be called creative because it draws from the information that was received via accepting method a particle that has not existed and does not exist in the objective world. This is its conclusion, its conception of this given aspect of the objective world; conception of how this aspect is and how it should and can be.

    Producing elements possess inherent instrumentality rather than empathy. Their creativity is that which the individual extracts from the information that was procured by accepting element. This, on the one hand, is a subjective adaptation of the individual to the objective reality, but on the other hand - creative realization."

    Thus, we have two properties of the element: on one hand, reflection and reproduction of a particular aspect, and on the other hand, production of new element based on information provided by objective reality. The raw materials are supplied to the "factory" from which the product is derived.

    It would be wrong to consider accepting elements to be absolutely accepting, and productive elements - exclusively producing. "Undoubtedly, producing elements take into account the relevant aspects of reality. That is they do not only produce, but to some extent also reflect picture of reality. " Each element is a combination of both properties: in accepting element acceptance prevails while in producing element - production, creativity. What is then the difference between these elements?

    Products of the accepting aspects are based on modeling, construction based on the known elements. The functioning of these aspects is evaluated in terms of accuracy. This is reproduction based on already known designs, this is a constructor in which the details, the building blocks are particles of objective reality, perceived as a given. Creative work of the producing elements is production of something qualitatively new; invention with parts of improvisation; because an analogue does not exist what the end result will be is not always known. To some extent, this creative work is taken by the individual as very personal, as if it is a criteria of measure of his personality. A "hit" or negative information applied to this element is more unpleasant than if it is applied to accepting element. In case of accepting element such hit is perceived with surprise, with bewilderment. "I have been stacking these cubes well, how could anything negative have resulted?". In producing creative work, each cube is one's own personal creation, one's child, into which the person imparts a part of himself. Based on accepting elements the individual feels a sense of responsibility, while based on productive elements he is much less sure and does not agree to responsibility but will agree to carry out duties. Based on accepting elements we are inclined to talk about shortcomings; based on producing - about merits.


    Strong mental accepting aspect

    This is the most powerful and conscious accepting element. The amount of information received by this aspect is greater than information received by any other aspect. This information is seen most profoundly and in most "differentiated" form. A person receives and processes this information very naturally and so quickly that he himself does not take note of it but simply arrives at possession of already processed information. The ease of obtaining and successfully using information received by this elements is the result of the person constantly watching it, knowing the information channels and ways to influence society. In this element a person has a clear sphere of interests. Taking into account his confidence in correct understanding of what is happening around this aspect, a person is not shy about displaying it. Due to the ability to separate the important from the unimportant, the knowledge of the best standards pertaining to this element, a person easily tolerates criticism of others directed at this element and will himself confidently criticize others in this aspect.

    Absolute memory - the ability at any moment to remember that which was seen, heard, understood, and done on this aspect. Therefore, the information pertaining to this aspect is the first thing we recall about another person during a meeting (their character, relation, position, etc.).

    This first function is that which man prizes in himself the most. A person will be satisfied with receiving even a little bit of relevant information from the outside world. In the views and activities on this first aspect, the person is not inclined to listen or obey anyone else and will stubbornly defend his views and even attempt to direct others. Relations with other people (society) are determined by the needs of first aspect at the given moment. (Consequqntly, the government system is criticized from point of view of person's first and third elements, which can be used to find type).

    The first function is inclined to be interested in others more than in itself, thus it needs a sphere of activity, people who will listen to it and obey it. And its point of view is indeed worth listening to, because the person recognizes the rights of everyone according go this aspect and will try to not advise anything negative. Following this element people are unlikely to get into conflicts, however, for their close ones "for their own good" they may seek subordination to this aspect.

    Good training for this element is to not rudely negate the values of another but provide help tactfully.

    Summary: 1st function determines the worldview of the person, his "information profession", his image. A person possesses maximum information pertaining to this element, uses it most confidently, one can say that this is the strongest function, a "zone of personal tyranny."


    Strong mental producing aspect

    This element is the second in strength after the first element, but in contrast it is not accepting but producing. According to first aspect, the person performs the role of professional, acts as a conservative and critical user, provider of the best known standards. The second element he uses as a tool to achieve goals set by the first one, and treats this element accordingly. In process of honing and perfecting this instrument (but only in accordance with how the first function dictates) something novel gets invented and discovered, hitherto unknown to mankind. If the first function in Socionics is called the base, the second one is thus called creative. One can use already known methods for purposes of an instrument, but since this is a donor function, the person is thus much more interested to invent something himself rather than to dig around the same old, which he does not strive to remember. If the first aspect is considered to be part of objective reality, the second aspect is considered to be more alike own personal skill, one's quality and creativity. Thus the criticism delivered to the second aspect may be perceived much sharper than on the 1st aspect. It may even evoke a desire to prove that one's rightness by all means necessary. Since we all tend to use ourselves as a standard in judging others, we relate to the manifestations of the second aspect in others as if they were our own, i.e. we suppose existence of creative freedom, demand for a measure of liberty, but categorically do not accept any negligence in this aspects even more emphatically than in the first aspect. We notice with acute sharpness the advantages and disadvantages of others according to this element. When we are asked for help in this aspect, we take it as recognition of our success and provide help readily. Moreover, if no one requires our second aspect there is a feeling of uselessness.

    Good training of the second aspect: avoidance of strongly categorical judgements, unobtrusiveness. Training this function goes easier. Its successful use equates to self-affirmation in society.

    Summary: second function is creative, here a person is able to create something new, unknown to him. This creativity is used to achieve the goal of the first aspect and to assert oneself.

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