Perceiving: Data Gathering

Perceiving: Data Gathering Concepts

If your Leading Function is Sensing or iNtuition, this means you are a “Perceiving Dominant” Style Type.  The Perceiving Functions (of Sensing and iNtuition) are concerned with taking in trusted information, and retrieving that information when we need it.

There are many examples of Perceiving Functions in action.  The following relate directly to the four (4) Perceiving Functions in the theory of Psychological Type.

• Engaging the five senses fully – seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching things. This encapsulates Extraverted Sensing (Leading Function for ESTP and ESFP).
• Recalling something from memory, using past experience to inform your current reality. This encapsulates Introverted Sensing (Leading Function for ISTJ and ISFJ).
• Reading, having hunches about things, an internal vision, knowing without knowing. This encapsulates Introverted iNtuition (Leading Function for INTJ and INFJ).
• Imagining what could be and connecting seemingly disparate things and information. This encapsulates Extraverted iNtuition (Leading Function for ENTP and ENFP).

The Perceiving Functions (which we all have and use – it’s just a question of whether they are in a Leading or a Supporting position in our psychological make up) are concerned with absorbing and retrieving information.

Perceiving: Data Gathering Examples

Perceiving refers to your preference for Sensing or iNtuition.  Perceiving is all about bringing in and retrieving information.  Consider when you are observing, reading, recalling, imagining  – these activities are all concerned with absorbing life and information (not making decisions based on that information).

When you are taking in style information, including input, ideas and inspiration – whether it’s putting together an outfit, understanding a new style concept, or going out on a shopping expedition –  your Perceiving function will be at play.

Examples of the Perceiving function in a style scenario include (but are far from limited to):

• Luxuriating in the way a garment feels on the body (Se)
• Reflecting on what you wore for a similar situation (Si)
• Getting an image or vision of how an outfit might look (Ni)
• Brainstorming ideas for news way to wear existing garments (Ne)

There are limitless ways you can draw on your preference for Sensing or iNtuition (whichever appears in your Type Code – S or N) in relation to your style. Anytime you are taking in information regarding your style – from reading to remembering, to touching and dreaming up new possibilities – you are engaging your Perceiving function.

Perceiving Function Metaphors

One of these Perceiving Functions will be your Leading OR your Supporting Function.

For all 20 metaphors for the Perceiving Functions, refer to Module 6.

Perceiving Dominant Style Types

The eight (8) Perceiving Dominant Style Types are:

1. ESTP – their Leading Function is Extraverted Sensing (Se)
2. ESFP – their Leading Function is Extraverted Sensing (Se)
3. ISTJ – their Leading Function is Introverted Sensing (Si)
4. ISFJ – their Leading Function is Introverted Sensing (Si)
5. ENTP – their Leading Function is Extraverted iNtuition (Ne)
6. ENFP – their Leading Function is Extraverted iNtuition (Ne)
7. INTJ – their Leading Function is Introverted iNtuition (Ni)
8. INFJ – their Leading Function is Introverted iNtuition (Ni)

Judging Dominant Style Types

So in turn, this means if you are not a Perceiving Dominant Type, you must be a Judging Dominant Type.

The eight (8) Judging Dominant Style Types are:

1. ISTP – their Leading Function is Introverted Thinking (Ti)
2. ISFP – their Leading Function is Introverted Feeling (Fi)
3. ESTJ – their Leading Function is Extraverted Thinking (Te)
4. ESFJ – their Leading Function is Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
5. INTP – their Leading Function is Introverted Thinking (Ti)
6. INFP – their Leading Function is Introverted Feeling (Fi)
7. ENTJ – their Leading Function is Extraverted Thinking (Te)
8. ENFJ – their Leading Function is Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

We’ll be looking into the Judging Dominant Style Types a little later in this module.  So if you are a Judging Dominant Style Type, the Perceiving function is your Supporting Function as we discussed in Module 6.