Sensing and intuition

Sensing / Intuition is one of the 4 jungian dichotomies, and one of the 15 Reinin dichotomies. Sensing in socionics is a perceptual quality defined by a focus on the tangible, directly sensible, and visible content of reality. In contrast, intuition means a focus on intangible, indirectly perceivable, and hidden content of reality.

Sensing and intuitive types

Sensing IM types are: SEI, ESE, LSI, SLE, SEE, ESI, LSE and SLI.

Intuitive IM types are: ILE, LII, EIE, IEI, ILI, LIE, EII and IEE.

Using four-letter code: Sensing types have an S, intuitive types an N as second letter.

Theoretical properties

In socionics, two IM elements are sensing ( and ), and two are intuitive ( and ).

IM types which contain sensing elements either on functions 1 and 7, or functions 2 and 8, are called sensing types. Those which contain intuitive elements one of those function pairs are called intuitive types.

Description of the functions

Sensing

Sensing is a mental process (or 'psychic function') that involves focusing on concrete, tangible details that can be directly experienced. Sensing comes in two varieties (extraverted and introverted) depending on whether attention is focused on reality outside the subject or on the subject's impressions of reality.

Half of the socion consists of sensing types. These types have either introverted or extraverted sensing in their Ego block (the first two functions).

Intuition

Intuition is a mental process (or 'psychic function') that involves distancing perception from concrete, tangible details. Intuition comes in two varieties (extraverted and introverted) depending on whether attention is focused on reality outside the subject or on the subject's impressions of reality.

Half of the socion consists of intuitive types. These types have either introverted () or extraverted () intuition in their Ego block (the first two functions).

Typical characteristics of the types

Sensing types

1. More realistic and down-to-earth.
2. Rather notice details than the big picture.
3. More focused on their surroundings, living in the here and now.
4. More naturally comfortable with physical confrontations.
5. Often more interested in practice than in theory.

Intuitive types

1. More idealistic and head-in-clouds.
2. Rather see the big picture than the details.
3. More focused on ideas than on surroundings.
4. Less naturally comfortable with physical confrontations.
5. Often more interested in theory than in practice.

Additional Links

• On the Correct Understanding of Dichotomy Intuition-Sensing by Trehov and Tsypin