Introduction
Type Perspective is the subsequent topic to Type Focus. If you are new to this topic, do refer to the Introduction of Type Focus to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Type Perspective.
Overview
As mentioned previously in Type Focus, an individual's observations and decisions are both influenced by the four primal human desires. Specifically, variety and certainty are the primal human desires that influences one's observations, forming Explorers (X) and Builders (B).
This section, Type Perspective, will delve into the classification of Explorers (X) and Builders (B), as well as how they examine the world and make observations. Although everyone has the desire to Explore and Build, each individual will naturally prioritize one over the other. This preference determines their Type Perspective.
Individuals who are Explorers (X) will prioritize the discovery of anything new. On the other hand, individuals who are Builders (B) will prioritize the perfection of what is known.
Explorer
Explorers (X) are individuals who prioritize the desire for variety. As such, they tend to focus on expanding knowledge, most noticeably by prioritizing the pursuit and discovery of what is new, all of which contribute to a life of variety.
These individuals have an Exploring Function, either Extraverted Sensing (SE) or Extraverted Intuition (NE), as their Dominant or Supportive Function. Those who have it as their Dominant Function have Explorer as their Class, while those who have it as their Supportive Function have Explorer as their Subclass.
Builder
Builders (B) are individuals who prioritize the desire for certainty. As such, they tend to focus on refining knowledge, most noticeably by prioritizing the organization and perfection of what is known, all of which contribute to a life of certainty.
These individuals have a Building Function, either Introverted Sensing (SI) or Introverted Intuition (NI), as their Dominant or Supportive Function. Those who have it as their Dominant Function have Builder as their Class, while those who have it as their Supportive Function have Builder as their Subclass.
Mechanism
For those who are new to Jungian typology, a Cognitive Function is a specific psychological pattern that utilizes varying cognitive processes to achieve a desired purpose. There are a total of eight Cognitive Functions, each prioritized differently among different individuals.
Under Type Perspective, the Observing Functions are categorized into Exploring Functions and Building Functions as described above. Depending on which Type Perspective one prioritizes, it will fall among an individual's top two functions. In turn, the Type Perspective that is disregarded will fall among the bottom two functions.
For example, the Specialist archetype is of the Builder Class. As such, the Specialist has a Building Function (SI) as its Dominant Function. Since the Dominant and Vulnerable functions are polar opposites, the Vulnerable Function of the Specialist will be an Exploring Function (NE).
In contrast, the Advocate archetype has Explorer as its Subclass. As such, the Advocate has an Exploring Function (NE) as its Supportive Function. Since the Supportive and Inspiring Functions are a pair of opposites, the Inspiring Function of the Advocate will be a Building Function (SI).
To summarize, the top two functions in an archetype determine an individual's Class and Subclass. In the examples above, the Specialist (STBV) has Builder (B) as its Class, and the Advocate (NFLX) has Explorer (X) as its Subclass.
Related Topics
Read next part → Explorer [Type Perspective]