Type Matrix
Type Matrix is an illustrated diagram used to describe an individual's NXT personality type, encompassing all components described within NXT Class, Origin, Rhythm, and Energy.
Overview
The Type Matrix above is an example of an individual's NXT personality type. It consists of a detailed diagram that represents all aspects of an individual's personality. When viewed as a whole, the Type Matrix may seem rather complicated. Hence, a comprehensive explanation is provided for each component of the Type Matrix to offer more clarity and understanding.
As seen in the example, the diagram consists of many elements that are used to explain the unique parts of your personality. To truly understand your Type Matrix, it is important to understand what each component comprises, as well as what they mean.
Functions
Beginning with the most important component, the Type Matrix displays the four main Cognitive Functions of an individual. 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.
The Cognitive Functions are sequenced in a "Z" shape, reflecting the priority order of these functions for an individual. The top left function is the Dominant Function, followed by the Supportive Function on the top right. The bottom left function is the Inspiring Function, while the Vulnerable Function is on the bottom right.
The Dominant Function is the function that an individual prioritizes the most, having the largest influence on the person. The Supportive Function is the subsequent function that is prioritized and serves to support the Dominant Function.
The Inspiring Function is the function that although disregarded at times, induces excitement and inspiration when the individual successfully utilizes it. Lastly, the Vulnerable Function is the function that is highly sensitive and causes the individual to feel vulnerable.
One thing to note is that the Dominant and Vulnerable Functions always come in a pair as they share the same axis. For example, the diagram above shows that the Dominant Function is Extraverted Thinking (TE). Automatically, the Vulnerable Function is the opposite, Introverted Feeling (FI). The same is true for the Supportive and Inspiring Functions.
Hence, below shows which of the Cognitive Functions pair with one another to form an axis:
- Extraverted Sensing (SE) with Introverted Intuition (NI)
- Extraverted Intuition (NE) with Introverted Sensing (SI)
- Extraverted Thinking (TE) with Introverted Feeling (FI)
- Extraverted Feeling (FE) with Introverted Thinking (TI)
Shapes
Next, two different shapes encompass the four Cognitive Functions: squares and circles. These shapes are based upon which Type Focus the Cognitive Functions are categorized. Circles represent Observing Functions, while squares represent Deciding Functions.
As the example shows that the top left shape is a square, the Dominant Function is a Deciding Function, making the archetype a Decider. Automatically, the Supportive Function would be of the opposite Type Focus, making it an Observing Function.
As mentioned above, the Dominant and Vulnerable Functions are of the same axis, and as such, share the same Type Focus. Such is true for the Supportive and Inspiring Functions too. If the Supportive Function is a circle, the Inspiring Function will be a circle as well.
The background of the shapes also helps depict whether the functions are Hero Functions or Shadow Functions. Hero Functions are functions one naturally prefers and prioritizes, which comprise the Dominant and Supportive Functions. On the other hand, Shadow Functions are functions one naturally disregards and would rather avoid, which comprise the Inspiring and Vulnerable Functions.
The top two functions are one's Hero Functions, with shapes that have a transparent background. In contrast, Shadow Functions are the bottom two functions, with shapes that have a darkened background.
Color
The color of the Type Matrix reflects the color of the archetype's village, which is also one's Type Nature. The Type Nature comprises both an individual's Type Outlook, either Sensing (S) or Intuition (N), and Type Tactic, either Thinking (T) or Feeling (F).
Below is the list of colors along with their corresponding functions, as well as their Type Nature:
- Green: Factual Application (ST) = Sensing (S) + Thinking (T)
- Blue: Awesome Aspiration (SF) = Sensing (S) + Feeling (F)
- Red: Theoretic Innovation (NT) = Intuition (N) + Thinking (T)
- Yellow: Imaginative Inspiration (NF) = Intuition (N) + Feeling (F)
Brackets
The lines connected to the four shapes represent an individual's Type Drive. Each individual will have four Type Drives: Reflecting (R), Analyzing (A), Directing (D), and Interacting (I). The difference is in the sequence of priority among the four Type Drives. The Type Drive that is prioritized will be conducted more often.
If you are unfamiliar with the Type Drives, below is a quick summary of which functions pair together to form the four Type Drives:
- Reflecting (R) = Building (SI & NI) + Evolving (TI & FI)
- Analyzing (A) = Exploring (SE & NE) + Evolving (TI & FI)
- Interacting (I) = Exploring (SE & NE) + Leading (TE & FE)
- Directing (D) = Building (SI & NI) + Leading (TE & FE)
The first Type Drive of each archetype is fixed based on the Dominant and Supportive Functions. However, the order of the subsequent Type Drives is dependent on each individual. For example, both individuals might have the first Type Drive of Directing, but one can have Interacting as their second Type Drive, while the other might have Reflecting as their second Type Drive.
The sequence of the Type Drives can be identified through gaps of the brackets. The first Type Drive is always the top bracket, where it is fully connected. The second Type Drive is the bracket with the smallest gap, followed by the third Type Drive with a slightly larger gap, and the final Type Drive with the largest gap.
The second Type Drive must either connect to one's Dominant or Supportive Function. As such, it cannot be opposite of the first Type Drive. For example, if the first Type Drive is Directing, the second Type Drive cannot be Analyzing. Similarly, if the first Type Drive is Interacting, the second Type Drive cannot be Reflecting. The opposite is also true. As for the third Type Drive, it can either connect to the first or second Type Drive.
From the example above, the individual has Directing as the first Type Drive, followed by Interacting as the second Type Drive, as depicted by the bracket having the smallest gap. The third Type Drive is Reflecting, with the medium-sized gap, and the final Type Drive is Analyzing, having the largest gap.
Although not illustrated in the Type Matrix, the sequence of the Type Drives also determines one's Type Styles. If you are unfamiliar with the Type Styles, below is a quick summary of the Type Styles and their corresponding Type Drives:
- Reserved (RA) = Reflecting (R) + Analyzing (A)
- Spontaneous (AI) = Analyzing (A) + Interacting (I)
- Expressive (ID) = Interacting (I) + Directing (D)
- Structured (DR) = Directing (D) + Reflecting (R)
Referring to the previous example, the individual has Directing (D) as the first Type Drive, followed by Interacting (I). This forms the Expressive (ID) Type Style as the first Type Style. Subsequently, the third Type Drive is Reflecting (R), which combines with Directing (D) to form a Structured (DR) Type Style as the second Type Style.
Arrow
The arrow in the middle points to the individual's Type Variant. The Type Variant describes the variation among individuals of the same archetype. Each archetype has four Type Variants:
- Explorer (X) - SE or NE
- Builder (B) - SI or NI
- Leader (L) - TE or FE
- Evolver (V) - TI or FI
The Type Variant is derived from the sequence of one's Type Drive. When Type Drives combine, certain functions are used more frequently. For example, when Directing combines with Interacting, Extraverted Thinking (TE), which is a Leading Function, is utilized by both the Type Drives. This causes traits of the Leading Function to be more prominent among this individual.
Due to the varying sequence of the Type Drives, different individuals may utilize certain functions more frequently compared to others of the same archetype, even if the function is not necessarily a function that one prioritizes, in other words, Shadow Functions.
This explains why certain individuals still behave differently even though they share the same archetype, or for example, why certain Builders seem to be behaving like Explorers at times.
However, there are a few premises that determine which function becomes an individual's Type Variant:
- The function must be either of the two functions utilized twice among the first three Type Drives.
- If there is a Shadow Function among the two functions utilized twice, it takes precedence and becomes the Type Variant.
- If there are no Shadow Functions, the first function that is utilized twice takes precedence and becomes the Type Variant.
Referring to the example above:
-
The sequence of the Type Drives is Directing, Interacting, Reflecting, and lastly, Analyzing. Directing and Interacting causes the Leading Function (TE), to be utilized twice, while Directing and Reflecting causes the Building Function (SI), to be utilized twice. As such, the two possible Type Variants are either Leader or Builder.
-
As the Leading Function (TE) and Building Function (SI) are both Hero Functions for this archetype, the second premise regarding Shadow Functions does not apply in this context.
-
As Directing and Interacting are the first two Type Drives, the Leading Function (TE) is the first function to be utilized twice. As such, the Leading Function (TE) takes precedence over the Building Function (SI). Hence, this individual is of the Leader Variant.
The Type Variant and sequence of Type Drives can be translated into one's Type Code as seen below:
- L-DIRA
Leader (L) Variant, having Directing (D) as the first Type Drive, followed by Interacting (I), Reflecting (R), and Analyzing (A).
The code above makes up the second part of one's Type Code. If you are new or unfamiliar with this, you can head over to Type Code to learn more about the full code and what each letter represents.
Edges
Lastly, the edges on the Type Matrix represent the Energy Density of one's Observing and Deciding Functions. The Energy Density can be either Solid Energy (O), embodying characteristics of firmness, or Fluid Energy (F), embodying characteristics of flexibility.
The solid lines represent Solid Energy, while the dashed lines represent Fluid Energy. From the example above, this individual has Fluid Observing Functions, but Solid Deciding Functions.
Conclusion
To put it all together, let's look at the example Type Matrix again. The Type Matrix can be broken down into:
-
Functions:
Dominant - Extraverted Thinking (TE)
Supportive - Introverted Sensing (SI)
Inspiring - Extraverted Intuition (NE)
Vulnerable - Introverted Feeling (FI) -
Shapes:
The top left shape is a square, representing a Deciding Function and a Decider archetype. TE and SI are Hero Functions, while NE and FI are Shadow Functions. -
Color:
Green represents the combination of Sensing (S) and Thinking (T), forming Factual Application (ST). -
Brackets:
The individual has Directing (D) as the first Type Drive, followed by Interacting (I), Reflecting (R), and Analyzing (A), as seen from the increasing gap size of the brackets. -
Arrow:
The arrow points at TE, which represents that the individual is of the Leader Variant (L). -
Edges:
The dotted lines represent Fluid (F) Observing Functions, while the solid lines represent Solid (O) Deciding Functions.
With all that, one can comprehensively understand one's NXT personality type through the Type Matrix.
Related Topics
Read next part → Archetype [Type]