Red or Orange? A cognitive function thought experiment.

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:02]Hi, this is Shane Star and it's been a while since I've done a video and I'm going to be talking about something that's been on my mind um quite a bit for years actually and I've come at from a bunch of different ways and we're going to try again tonight.

[00:00:23]So, we're going to play a game called What Cognitive Function is at play? And I'm going to look at a couple of definitions that are commonly accepted. And your job, if you're watching this video, is to guess which cognitive functions I'm describing in these two distinct descriptions.

[00:00:53]you'll probably get them right if you're an expert. If you're not, we'll see.

[00:00:58]Okay, so here we go.

[00:01:02]So, this first function, it's an information gathering cognitive function that compares and contrasts current data with vivid memories, lived experiences, and established internal standards.

[00:01:22]It could be seen as an internal library of physical data preserving stability and using this information to predict outcomes.

[00:01:35]So when using this function, the person doesn't just see an object.

[00:01:43]They instantly feel impressions, memories that the object triggers. And in doing so, it connects the past to the present and also the present to the future because it uses the past to predict the future. It evaluates current environments by automatically checking them against past precedents to identify subtle updates, inconsistencies, or changes. So, what does this look like in real life? Um, you notice if something is different, if you work in an office space, even if the person meticulously tried their best to make everything exactly the same as it was before they got there, the first thing a user of this function will do is they'll sit down, say, "Someone's been at my desk."

[00:02:43]you know, they'll know they they're tuned into those fine details at work.

[00:02:49]They're masters of attention to detail.

[00:02:52]They are detail oriented. They're meticulous. They absorb and retain highly granular records of physical environments, facts, and routines, making them these people really exceptionally reliable in both simple and complex situations, personal events, um work related matters, the whole thing. And because they find security in past data, they default to these strategies, systems, traditions that they have timetested to be reliable. That brings them security.

[00:03:40]They develop highly specific tastes in food, objects, routines um clothing, dress you could say. Um they have a unique tendency to find meaning in revisiting particular places, you know. um whether it be through a familiar story or a precise location, they'll get a flood of memories. Um I know this from experience. Um you get in a specific place and you remember, you know, maybe a tree that was there and it brings back memories that you had forgotten that you even had and it instantly brings you right back to that moment. In in this way, time for users of this function is almost like a tapestry as opposed to a river in that, you know, you could say a totem, but you know, a location, an object, a thing can bring you right back to that point in time as if you were reliving it.

[00:04:52]So with this function, these people can really track what's gone wrong in their lives or with situations historically.

[00:05:06]And they can use this information to proactively isolate vulnerabilities against chaos, against unpredictability.

[00:05:15]And in doing so, again, it brings them to a better um place with regards to personal well-being and security. What does this look like? I'm going to go through the the top four function spots in um in Youngbased systems. Um it'll be different for socionics. More on that in a moment. But um in in the dominant first slot, these users of this function are going to be highly organized, very attentive to detail, highly reliable, never late, always on time, always dependable, deeply protective of historical lessons and institutional customs as well. Okay, these are going to be people like myself in a lot of ways, you know, never late to work, going to church every Sunday without fail. You feel bad, you're going. You feel good, you're going. It's raining, you're going. It's a great day and you have the day off, you're still going. Um, these people are attached to their routines. That's the leading function. Now if it's in the creative function these people are similar but they'll use stored historical context practical systems and routines again and rules to systematically organize not just their own lives but also other people teams goals um groups of people whether they be social or workrelated. Okay. In the third spot, um this will be the sixth spot in socionics, the tertiary function or the mobilizing function. Users of this function will be very well they'll they'll sort of have their own little personal brand of this function. They'll rely on really um in I I would I would just say personal histories, their their own little um unique branding and and way of using routines in a kind of simplistic way to ground their abstract theories. and they they usually use time-tested routines to sort of decompress, de-stress, and they take pleasure in in those types of activities. You know, kind of like having that one drink of wine when you get home from work or something like that. Okay. Okay. And then finally in the inferior function users of this um function but in the inferior spot or the suggestive spot in socionics it would often lead to a rejection of routine or a a neglect of attention to detail. These are people with you know grand ideas but they forget the details. Um not so reliable.

[00:08:40]um time, um being punctual, um being attentive to duty, attention to detail, that kind of stuff stresses them out. They're not that good. They need someone else to provide that structure for them. So, that's the first function.

[00:08:58]And I I'm guessing if you're watching this video, you have a pretty good idea what function I'm talking about. So, now here comes the second function.

[00:09:09]Let's see if you can guess what this one is. This function is not about structure, routine, attention to detail, punctuality, or any of that.

[00:09:24]This functions more about physical comfort, harmony, internal sensations. This is the kind of person who can tell they're getting sick a day before they have any symptoms. This is the kind of person who automatically tracks hunger, fatigue, pain, um their sense of balance. Um it's a very aesthetic function. Um certain smells, certain objects can give them pleasure or displeasure. They're very picky with regards to their spatial comfort. Um, they need to maximize pleasure, minimize any extrrenuous work or discomfort.

[00:10:13]They're looking for a stressfree, chill, relaxed state. Okay. Um, they just want to relax. That's the second function. Um, what does it look like in practice? Um the first word that comes to mind is laziness. You know um in contrast to the first function you know that's really highly attuned to to details and fixing details that that bother them and um making sure they're on time no matter what um rain or shine making sure they uphold their routines. People of this second function that I'm discussing, they will forego routine in the name of comfort. Oh, it's raining today. I think I'm going to skip church. Oh, I'm not feeling that good. I think I'll call in sick to work. They they don't really need me anyway. Um, very relaxed, chill.

[00:11:16]Um, not so anal OCD as the first one.

[00:11:23]Okay. Okay. So, what does this look like in a leading function? This would be total mastery over physical comfort and bodily needs. Um, they know what makes them feel good. They know um exactly the environment to provide for themselves.

[00:11:42]They detect minor physical changes instantly.

[00:11:47]and they are very sensitive to anything that disrupts their inner peace. That can be a smell, that can be a noise, that can be a color, that can be um a person they don't like. I mean, anything can be can mess up the whole thing.

[00:12:09]Think of a an athlete, a basketball player who notices shoelace is partially untied and he can't make a shot until until he gets that homeostasis just right. Okay. Um, in the creative spot, um, this person would use comfort as a tool to care for others. They would um you know cook, clean, um help help with comfort to improve the morale of other people. You know, they they use it not so much for themselves but but for others, but it's that same making a cozy nice um atmosphere and environment, you know, not too hot, not too cold, pleasant smelling. um nice and relaxing and chill. Okay. Um what would someone with the third function look like using using this? Um this person again like my shoelace example, they would need a baseline of comfort in order to be productive. Um it if something isn't um conducive to their comfort, it disrupts them entirely. They can't really function without a certain thing being in place. You know, I I'm thinking of um Good Fellas.

[00:13:42]What What brings the guy down who would have went down anyway, but um his his um helper couldn't fly without her lucky hat. And that was that. And and it's just like, dude, what what does your hat have to do with this? That's my lucky hat. I never fly without it. Um that's like indicative of this function in your third slot. um they they might need gentle reminders to to take care of themselves, to eat, sleep on time, to to get enough rest, to take care of themselves. Um maybe, you know, they're they're going to have a a a feeling of the function, but they they're not as good at it as they think they are.

[00:14:33]Um and then last but not least, dysfunction in the inferior slot would be um simply someone who craves all these things, the comfort and the coziness and and the the physical homeostasis that makes them feel good, but they're unable to provide it for themselves. They adore high quality food, warmth, love, relaxation, but they need someone else to to give that to them. They they're not producers of this. That's, you know, why it's a suggestive function. So, it's it's it's um filled by other people, not not themselves. So um people users of this function in the inferior slot would um this would be fifth slot in socionics but they would be deeply grateful when someone fixes their physical environment. Okay. So um yeah there it is. Those are the two functions. So where are we at with regards to these functions? which one is which? And if you're an expert in both MBTI and socionics, you're going to know the answer. If not, um, drum roll, here we go.

[00:15:58]These functions are one and the same.

[00:16:02]I've described introverted sensing.

[00:16:05]First, from an MBTI perspective, secondly, from a socionics model A perspective.

[00:16:13]And this exercise offers a clue if not a significant reason for many problems with typing. Typing you know other people typing oneself. Um I mean I'll use myself as an example here from an MBTI perspective.

[00:16:36]this internal sensing is um it it's strong enough to strongly consider if not solidify as my leading function. That's how strong that first description fits me. you know, the attention to detail, the punctuality, the um love of routines, the the flood of memory and and past references from objects, places, things, or or people.

[00:17:10]It It's very descriptive, spot-on, and describes me to to a tea. And it I would say it's it's a leading candidate for for my lead function in MBTI.

[00:17:24]But when I consider SI from the socionics perspective, just that whole chill, relaxed and let's just call it what it is. Um basically lazy that doesn't fit me at all. That that could be my vulnerable function almost. I mean if not if not the polar function at the very least it would be unvalued.

[00:17:50]Okay. So you know maybe ignoring function or something but it's not it there's no way you know when you compare and let let's bring it to the to the surface. When you compare an MBTI ISTJ to a socionics ISTP with all the function slots in the same place, those two characters are not the same person. One is punctual, attention to detail, highly organized, um routines you can set your clock on.

[00:18:31]The other person's chill, um, relaxed, lazy, not very punctual, not very attentive to, you know, the only routine they're going to have is video games when their friends call. You know, you're not talking about the same person, but on paper, if you look at the function slots, it's the same person, but it's not.

[00:18:56]So again, I've seen little bits of criticism of of my own typing journey here and there. It's like, yeah, this guy thinks he's one type, he thinks he's another. Let let me say it one more time. I've never been confused about who I am and what my personal characteristics are. Going all the way back to 2019 when I first started this journey, seven years later to now, the picture really hasn't changed. What has changed is my undying devotion to whatever system I'm considering myself in. And therein lies the problem because if we're looking at SI, it's like in one system that would be my leading function. In another system, as I said, I could consider that as a possible polar function in the other system and at the very least it's unvalued. So let me zoom back out to the larger problem and that is until we have a set standard of definitions and I mean precise scientific mathematical definitions of the functions which lead to more precise descriptions of each of the 16 types.

[00:20:24]We're we're going to have problems um epitomized by my own journey but shared by many others. A lot of people keep quiet about their own struggles on this.

[00:20:34]I haven't um but we we will until until we come up with a single standard in typology.

[00:20:42]We're going to continue to encounter problems in typing ourselves and others accurately. That's all I have for tonight. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a good one. Peace out.