Thanks Arctures for your kind introduction to the board. I am excited to become a part of it!
I think that you made an outstanding point regarding temperament (I..j vs. E..p) being perhaps a larger indicator of where one may stand regarding each type. Only after one's temperament and type are determined, can someone determine which of the two subtypes (for that given type) fit properly. So I agree with you completely!
In my case, I feel that my core way of viewing life is from more of an Ij standpoint. While I am very flexible and open with others, even more importantly than this, I certainly have the need to follow an internal code of values and ethics in the way that I treat others and (to a certain extent) expect others to reciprocate in kindness and respect. I might not show this value-based code to the world at all times, but believe me that it is so deeply rooted in me that I can get hurt/offended if I am not treated in a somewhat-similar manner.
So I can relate to
being that type of 'role' function that almost instinctively is thinking about how I can authentically be myself in a sincere and compassionate way. It is completely second nature, and I am not sure that I even have to consciously try to make this happen. It just does.
That being said, I still think that I am an
subtype (to supplement my I..j style). I find myself to be a relatively extroverted introvert/introtim. I can be very open, flexible, even a bit zany/goofy when I am with others who I feel comfortable with (keyword here is 'comfortable' for sure). I like to talk about ideas, theories, and daily stuff with others, and can loosen from my
core. As long as the comfort is there, I can switch into more of this expansive
side. Yet, if something changes that makes me lose that comfort/connection, I can go inward and retreat with a heightened sensitivity (
) and brood about how I may (or may not) have been mistreated.
So in a nutshell, I think that what you said is so right that in my case, I still live with a
ego block/core that is typical of an INFj. Yet at the same time, as more of an outgoing/extroverted introvert I probably hang out more on the
side rather than the
side, which gives me the subtype that I have.
Does all this make sense from a classic Socionics perspective? What do you think?