North, South, East & West - Functional Directions in Socionics
Each function in the individual psyche relates to a North, South, East or West direction. This states how the function physically operates and how it naturally moves. There are two main primary processes: North and South functions, and they are also both introverted functions. The North function, as explained below- is the function that guides the individual in that quadra to grow externally, and connects them to the outside world. It is their strongest function politically. The South function is directed in the opposite way, toward the internal world of feelings and thoughts, and is their strongest function personally. It just seems so ingrained to their natures.
East and West functions are extroverted/external functions, and as far as subjective human beings goes, aren’t as intrinsically important. They are thought of as more as a support system to the primary North/South dichotomy. The east function supporting the north and the west function supporting the south.
North function: This function represents the main objective presence of what the quadra is about, so it is the strongest function in the quadra objectively speaking. Each type in this quadra exudes at the least an *appearance* of strong confidence in this function. It is the function that when followed, moves the entire quadra along in external society.
For Alpha it’s Si, for Beta it’s Ti, for Gamma it’s Ni and for Delta it’s Fi.
South function: This function, opposite of the north function, is the most subjective and subdued function in the psyche. Instead of something that exudes and ‘leakes out’ from the individual (Pointed northwards/upwards) it appears subdued and introverted. It is deeply imbedded into individuals in such a natural, organic way. For example, Galen’s Si/Ashton’s Fi/My Ni/Tcaud’s Ti.
For Alpha it’s Ti, for Beta it’s Ni, for Gamma it’s Fi and for Delta it’s Si.
West function: West functions appear more ‘introverted’ (something that appears naturally embedded in you) than East and North functions but not as introverted as the South function.
For Alpha it’s Fe, for Beta it’s Se, for Gamma it’s Te and for Delta it’s Ne.
East Function: East functions appear more ‘extroverted’ (something that appears to naturally ‘leak out’ from you) than South and West functions but not as extroverted as the North function.
For Alpha it’s Ne, for Beta it’s Fe, for Gamma it’s Se and for Delta it’s Te.
(Btw when I use the word ‘appears’, I mean a physical presence type of appearance, something organic that can be objectively studied, not some mental masturbation thing that’s hard to figure out. It’s something physically within the individuals that you can sense.)
What Insights Can We Garner From This?
Lots. For example, Gammas appear more ‘bad-ass’ and harder than Betas actually, because our Se is West and their Se is East. ESTps are NOT really rambunctious at all, contrary to popular belief. Also our Fe is stronger appearing that Alpha’s Fe. (objectively, as the quadra whole)
This Fe/Fe directional difference in Beta vs. Alpha is *quite* evident when Nick, Gilly, Sean, discojoe, crazedrat or myself lose our temper than when let’s say Vero, Steve, Riddy and Mune do.
Also remember, to think of things in quadras and not individual types when thinking of how the north function is your strongest function objectively. Sure, ESFjs tend to exude lots of Fe, but compared to the other three types, it’s a West function. ISFps don’t really show a lot of Fe in real life, neither do INTjs or ENTps. They are just all more subdued/grounded than that.
Also compare Alpha Ne (East) to Delta Ne (West). Alpha Ne naturally fires off ideas quicker and more childlike than Delta, who is more reserved in how much Ne they give out, but of course they still value it greatly.
Gamma Ni (North) is much more piercing and giving to others, whereas Beta Ni (South) is extremely withdrawn. (Remember this is about real life interactions not the type of strong-as-hell Ni I can give you online. And besides, that’s more Fe anyway)
Beta Ti flows north, something that helps Betas objectively and helps them grasp the real world, whereas Alpha Ti flows south, something that is so neurotically ingrained in their psyches, like when Tcaud posts. (If your primary function is a South function you are going to seem a lot more victim-y than others over all, as you are ‘sucking in’ energy more than pushing it out of yourself. But the East-pointed Se in ISFj will offset this a lot)
But all this is also dependent on whether you’re dealing with an aristocratic quadra or a democratic quadra. North functions in aristocratic quadras (Beta/Delta) are more into projecting their energy and creating power hierarchies than North functions in democratic quadras (Gamma/Alpha). And anyway, it’s very hard for Alpha’s Si to annoy so much as a gnat. Even though it’s flowing North. Si is Si. It’s annoying to Si polrs in a way, but the very nature of it being well Si, means that it won’t be annoying much at all.
So yeah, there are no pretty bows with this. But generally speaking, everything I’ve said is true, and I’m a genius – and you owe me a blowjob and 500 dollars.
Last Note: This also means that objectively as a whole, the most ‘annoying’ functions to everybody in the world are Beta’s Ti and Delta’s Fi. Especially when paired up with Ti+Fe in Beta and Fi+Te in Delta. These four functions in my narcissistic opinion, always cause the most drama on internet message boards and also, in real life as well.