The INTP’s Shadow Functions: An In-Depth Guide

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes react in ways that don’t feel like you? Or why certain situations bring out an unexpected defensiveness, irritation, or even a sense of being lost in your own mind? While your primary cognitive functions shape the way you naturally process information and make decisions, there’s an entire shadow side of your psyche working behind the scenes. These are your shadow functions—the mental processes that operate outside of your conscious awareness but still influence your perceptions, reactions, and personal growth.

Understanding these functions is like shining a light into the unconscious corners of your mind. They are not inherently good or bad, but they often show up in times of stress, conflict, or really deep, almost scary introspection. By learning about them, you can begin to recognize patterns in your behavior, avoid unnecessary projections onto others, and even use these functions as tools for personal development rather than blind spots that trip you up.

But apologies in advance, learning about the shadow functions can feel a bit like being slapped in the face! I know when I researched mine as an INTJ I feel a bit frustrated and overwhelmed. But either way the information is still extremely useful in knowing yourself, getting balanced, and improving your relationships with people of other types!

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Estimated reading time: 25 minutes

What is the 8-Function Model?

The 8-function model—a framework developed by Jungian analyst John Beebe—offers insight into not just the strengths of each personality type, but also the hidden aspects that lie in the shadow of consciousness.

Most people, when learning about Myers-Briggs®, focus on the four-letter type code (INTP) and stop there. Some go further and discover the four primary cognitive functions—the mental tools that an INTP actively uses:

• Dominant (Hero): Introverted Thinking (Ti)
• Auxiliary (Parent): Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
• Tertiary (Child): Introverted Sensing (Si)
• Inferior (Anima/Animus): Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

These functions shape how INTPs analyze information, explore ideas, recall details, and engage (sometimes reluctantly) with the emotional world. However, this is only half the story.

Beneath these conscious functions are four more—the shadow functions. These are the cognitive processes that sit outside of an INTP’s immediate awareness, often surfacing in moments of stress, insecurity, or conflict. They are:

• Opposing Role: Extraverted Thinking (Te)
• Critical Parent: Introverted Intuition (Ni)
• Trickster: Extraverted Sensing (Se)
• Demon: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Unlike the primary functions, which an INTP uses with relative ease, the shadow functions often feel foreign, frustrating, or even antagonistic. When they emerge, they can distort perception, create internal conflict, or lead to misunderstandings with others. However, they also serve a purpose: to challenge, balance, and sometimes even protect the dominant ego from overextension.

John Beebe, the psychologist who developed the 8-function model, described these functions as unconscious aspects of the personality that tend to “fight dirty” when they surface. According to Beebe, “The shadow is the part of us that others see, but we don’t.” In other words, these functions can influence behavior in ways that are obvious to those around us but remain hidden from our own self-awareness.

Why Shadow Functions Matter

At first glance, the shadow functions might seem like obstacles—quirks of the psyche that only cause trouble when triggered. But they are far more than that.

Our primary functions give us confidence and a sense of stability in the way we think, communicate, and engage with the world. However, when life throws us challenges that our dominant functions aren’t equipped to handle, the shadow functions step in, often in unpredictable ways.

For INTPs, this can manifest as:

• A sudden impatience with inefficiency (Te)
• A harsh inner voice critiquing their direction in life (Ni)
• A struggle with impulsivity or feeling out-of-sync with physical reality (Se)
• A deep but unsettling confrontation with their personal values and emotions (Fi)

When these functions appear, they can feel disruptive or even alarming. But they also offer a path to growth. Mark Hunziker, author of Depth Typology, explains that shadow functions can act as a “catalyst for individuation,” pushing us to develop aspects of ourselves that we might otherwise ignore.

Rather than seeing them as weaknesses or signs of failure, INTPs can learn to recognize their shadow functions as warning signals, unconscious guides, or even hidden strengths waiting to be integrated. By doing so, they gain a more complete and nuanced understanding of themselves and develop a greater sense of balance in their cognitive processes.

A Brief Look at the INTP’s Four Primary Cognitive Functions

Before we explore the shadow functions, it’s important to understand the four primary functions that shape the INTP’s conscious mind. These are the mental tools that INTPs use instinctively, forming the foundation of how they process information and make decisions.

1. Dominant Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti) – The Analytical Core

At the heart of the INTP’s personality is Introverted Thinking (Ti)—a mental process dedicated to precision, logical consistency, and conceptual clarity. Ti is constantly deconstructing and refining information, searching for underlying principles that make sense.

• INTPs use Ti to analyze and systematize their understanding of the world.
• They prefer to work through problems independently, relying on their internal reasoning rather than external authority or group consensus.
• Ti naturally questions everything, often breaking down even the simplest ideas to their rawest components.

When Ti is at its best, it allows INTPs to generate profound insights and develop highly refined models of how things work. However, over-reliance on Ti can lead to excessive analysis paralysis, making it difficult for INTPs to take decisive action.

2. Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – The Expansive Explorer

While Ti breaks things down into their most essential truths, Extraverted Intuition (Ne) pushes outward, seeking patterns, possibilities, and alternative perspectives. Ne is what makes INTPs endlessly curious, open-minded, and idea-driven.

• Ne sparks the INTP’s tendency to go down intellectual rabbit holes, connecting seemingly unrelated concepts in fascinating ways.
• It gives INTPs a broad, future-oriented perspective, allowing them to see what could be rather than just what is.
• It loves brainstorming, theoretical discussions, and abstract problem-solving.

Ne makes INTPs mentally agile and innovative, but it can also pull them in too many directions at once, leading to restlessness and a lack of follow-through.

3. Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si) – The Archivist of Experience

Introverted Sensing (Si) operates in the background, helping INTPs track details, recall past experiences, and maintain a sense of stability. Unlike dominant Si users (like ISTJs or ISFJs), INTPs do not rely on Si as a primary function, but it still plays an important role.

• Si helps INTPs store and retrieve information in an organized way, contributing to their vast mental libraries of knowledge.
• It alerts INTPs to internal bodily needs (hunger, exhaustion, health concerns), though they often ignore these signals in favor of intellectual pursuits.
• It provides a sense of continuity and internal structure, reminding the INTP of personal lessons learned from the past.

Because Si is a tertiary function, INTPs may struggle with routine, structure, or consistency, though they often appreciate these things when they are imposed externally.

4. Inferior Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe) – The Elusive Connector

At the bottom of the INTP’s primary function stack is Extraverted Feeling (Fe)—a process that’s all about group harmony, emotional expression, and interpersonal connection. While Fe is nearly unconscious for INTPs, it’s still something they value and aspire to use well.

• INTPs may feel awkward in social situations, unsure of how to express warmth or emotional support.
• Fe helps them pick up on social dynamics, though they may struggle to navigate them smoothly.
• When Fe emerges, it can manifest as sudden bursts of emotional intensity, sometimes surprising even the INTP themselves.

Fe is an INTP’s Achilles’ Heel, but developing it can help them improve relationships, express appreciation more easily, and balance their natural detachment with warmth.

An Introduction to the INTP’s Shadow Functions

Now that we understand what shadow functions are and why they matter, let’s take a closer look at how they manifest in the INTP personality type.

Each of these shadow functions plays a different role, sometimes undermining the INTP’s natural tendencies, other times emerging as a defensive mechanism. While they are not the core drivers of an INTP’s psyche, they still exert influence in subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ways.

The Opposing Role: Extraverted Thinking (Te) – The Frustrated Enforcer

As an INTP, your dominant function—Introverted Thinking (Ti)—is an inwardly focused, precise process that wants to understand how everything works in order to grasp a sense of accuracy or truth. It operates on principle-based reasoning, breaking ideas down to their core components before reaching a conclusion. Ti works best in the realm of theoretical refinement rather than practical execution.

However, standing in stark contrast to this is Extraverted Thinking (Te)—the INTP’s Opposing Role function. Te is the function of efficiency, structure, external organization, and quick decision-making based on measurable results. Unlike Ti, which carefully constructs an internal framework of truth, Te is focused on imposing order on the outside world, enforcing rules, and executing decisions quickly.

Since Te is in the Opposing Role, INTPs often resist or feel uneasy about its influence, whether in themselves or in others. It can emerge as a defensive, argumentative voice when the INTP feels pressured or when their Ti-driven approach is challenged.

How Te Shows Up in the INTP Psyche

John Beebe, the psychologist behind the 8-function model, describes the Opposing Role function as a process that emerges when we feel our dominant function is being obstructed or contradicted. In other words, when an INTP feels that their Ti-driven pursuit of logic is being ignored, rushed, or dismissed, Te may surface as a resistant, argumentative force.

1. Resistance to External Efficiency Demands

INTPs love precision, depth, and nuance, but they are not always quick to act. Te, in contrast, demands fast, actionable, and measurable results. Because of this, INTPs may push back against Te-based structures, rules, and efficiency-driven expectations—especially when they feel those expectations do not allow for sufficient analysis or intellectual freedom.

Example:

Imagine an INTP software developer who is carefully refining their code, making sure that every line is optimized and logically sound. Suddenly, a Te-heavy manager (likely an ESTJ or ENTJ) steps in and says:

“Just get it working. It doesn’t need to be perfect—ship it and fix the bugs later.”

To the manager, efficiency and meeting deadlines matter more than absolute logical perfection. To the INTP, however, this feels like intellectual laziness, and Te (Opposing Role) kicks in defensively:

“That’s an absurd way to do things! If we don’t get it right now, we’ll have a mess later! Cutting corners is going to create more problems!”

Here, the INTP isn’t fully embracing Te’s way of operating, but rather using it defensively to push back against external structure, rigidity, and “work for work’s sake”.

“The Opposing Role function often shows up as an argumentative or obstructive force when we feel our dominant function is being ignored.”
— John Beebe

2. The Push-Pull Between Theory (Ti) and Application (Te)

Another way Te manifests as an Opposing Role is in the INTP’s internal struggle between theory and execution. While INTPs love refining ideas and concepts, they may resist moving into action if they feel their theories are not yet “perfect.”

Te, however, demands application, testing, and tangible results. When an INTP feels pressured to turn an idea into something practical before they feel ready, they may react with frustration, procrastination, or outright refusal.

Example:

An INTP spends months developing a complex, elegant business model for an innovative new tech product. They have thoroughly analyzed every possible flaw, downside, and alternative. A business-savvy friend (an ENTJ) says:

“You’ve been working on this idea forever. When are you actually going to start the business?”

The INTP, feeling their Ti-based refinement process is being rushed, may resist the push to take action:

“It’s not ready yet. I need to think through a few more possible variables before I can move forward.”

Te’s voice might chime in internally: “You need to just make a decision already. What’s the point of all this analysis if you never use it?” But because Te is in the Opposing Role, it often comes across as an irritating pressure rather than a tool they naturally wield.

3. Defensiveness Toward Te-Dominant Individuals

Since INTPs are naturally skeptical of rigid structures and enforced rules, they may resist or push back against Te-dominant people (TJ types) who are all about practicality, forward momentum, and checking off the box, dang it!

In conversations, an INTP might react negatively when a Te-user focuses on facts, statistics, or blunt decision-making without considering theoretical depth or minor nuances.

Example:

An ENTJ and an INTP are debating climate policy. The ENTJ pulls up charts, figures, and statistics, quickly asserting a strong, decisive conclusion based on the available data:

“The numbers speak for themselves. We need to implement X policy now. There’s no point wasting time theorizing when the facts are right here.”

The INTP, sensing a lack of deeper theoretical consideration, pushes back:

“That’s an oversimplification. Have you considered the long-term economic ripple effects? What about alternative models that haven’t been tested yet?”

The Te-dominant person sees the INTP as unnecessarily overcomplicating things, while the INTP sees the Te-user as rushing toward a conclusion without properly evaluating all the variables. This is the classic Ti vs. Te clash.

How INTPs Can Integrate Te for Growth

While INTPs may experience Te as an oppositional, frustrating force, acknowledging its value can lead to real growth. Te isn’t inherently bad—in fact, developing a healthier relationship with Te can help INTPs apply their ideas in a real, tangible way.

Here are some ways INTPs can balance Ti and Te for a more effective approach to life and work:

1. Recognizing When “Perfect” Is the Enemy of “Done”

• Not every idea needs to be fully optimized before taking action. Sometimes, progress is better than perfection.
• Tip: Set deadlines for decision-making to avoid endless refinement.

2. Learning to Appreciate Structure

• While Te-heavy environments (corporate settings, rigid schedules) can feel restrictive, some structure can help INTPs execute their ideas more effectively.
• Tip: Experiment with small routines or productivity systems to balance flexibility with tangible progress.

3. Viewing Efficiency as a Tool, Not an Obstacle

• Te isn’t the enemy—it’s a way to bring ideas to life. When used properly, it can help INTPs turn their intellectual discoveries into something actionable.
• Tip: Practice small applications of ideas rather than waiting until everything is perfectly refined.

The Critical Parent: Introverted Intuition (Ni) – The Harsh Inner Critic

In the INTP’s cognitive function stack, Introverted Intuition (Ni) sits in the Critical Parent (or Senex) position, meaning that it often shows up as an internalized, harsh, and judgmental voice. Unlike the INTP’s auxiliary function, Extraverted Intuition (Ne), which is always expanding ideas and exploring multiple possibilities, Ni is focused, singular, and predictive, narrowing its focus onto one probable outcome or singular truth.

The Critical Parent function is an unconscious process that often appears as self-criticism or condescension toward others or ourselves, especially in moments of stress, uncertainty, or conflict. Because Ni is not an INTP’s natural strength, it tends to surface as a stern, dismissive, and sometimes paralyzing force, questioning the INTP’s direction, vision, or ability to make sense of the future.

How Ni Shows Up in the INTP Psyche

John Beebe describes the Critical Parent function as a voice that “belittles, inactivates, and humiliates.” It is judgmental and harsh, often manifesting as a voice of doubt that challenges the individual’s natural strengths.

For INTPs, this often takes the form of an inner critic that undermines their Extraverted Intuition (Ne)—the function that helps them explore ideas freely and generate new possibilities. Where Ne loves open-ended exploration and multiple possibilities, Ni demands a singular, absolute answer—and it’s often critical of the INTP for not having one.

Here are the most common ways Ni appears in the INTP’s mind:

1. Self-Criticism About Direction and Purpose

While INTPs love exploring ideas and expanding their knowledge, they may struggle with committing to a single path or long-term vision. Because of this, Ni (Critical Parent) can manifest as an inner voice that questions whether they are wasting time or aimlessly drifting through life.

Example:

An INTP might spend months researching different career paths, feeling excited about the possibilities (Ne). But then, Ni kicks in with a critical voice:

• “You’re just wasting time hopping between ideas. What are you actually doing with your life?”
• “You keep collecting knowledge, but does any of it actually lead somewhere?”
• “At this rate, you’ll never have a clear direction.”

This can lead to existential frustration, making the INTP feel like their curiosity and flexibility are weaknesses rather than strengths.

The Critical Parent function manifests as an inner voice that belittles our natural strengths, making us doubt ourselves when we should be embracing our process.

2. Skepticism Toward People Who Are “Too Certain”

Since Ni aims for singular clarity, INTPs may be dismissive or critical of individuals who present a single, definitive “truth” without considering alternative viewpoints.

Because INTPs naturally question everything and prefer to analyze multiple possibilities, they may see Ni-dominant people (like INTJs or INFJs) as narrow-minded or overconfident in their predictions.

Example:

An INTJ confidently asserts in a conversation:

“AI will completely replace creative jobs within the next decade. The patterns are obvious.”

The INTP, sensing the singularity of the statement, may react with Ni (Critical Parent) and push back:

“That’s a ridiculous assumption. The world is way too complex to predict something like that so absolutely.”

Even though the INTJ’s statement is based on their own Ni-informed insights, the INTP may feel that anyone who claims to “know” the future is oversimplifying reality—even if the prediction has merit.

Introverted Intuition (Ni) seeks a singular prediction, while Extraverted Intuition (Ne) generates more and more possibilities. When Ni appears in the INTP’s Critical Parent position, it often leads to frustration with certainty—whether in themselves or others.

3. Paralysis Over Making the “Right” Choice

Since Ni prefers singularity, INTPs may feel overwhelmed by major life decisions. Their natural inclination (Ne) is to keep all possibilities open, but their Critical Parent Ni may insist that they need to find the “one right path”—causing self-doubt and procrastination.

Example:

An INTP is considering two different job offers:

1. A stable but less exciting job in academia.
2. A riskier but potentially fulfilling opportunity in creative writing.

At first, Ne is excited about the possibilities of both—but then Ni (Critical Parent) emerges:

• “What if you’re making a huge mistake? What if you choose the wrong one and regret it for the rest of your life?”
• “You should already know exactly what you want by now. Why don’t you?”

This kind of paralysis can make INTPs hesitate indefinitely, fearing that any choice they make will close off future possibilities.

How INTPs Can Integrate Ni for Growth

Although Ni (Critical Parent) can feel like a harsh voice, it also gives valuable insights when integrated consciously. Instead of fearing or resenting Ni’s influence, INTPs can learn to use it as a tool for deeper self-awareness and long-term vision.

1. Accept That No One Has a Perfectly Clear Path

• Instead of feeling ashamed for lacking a clear long-term direction, recognize that most people don’t have one.
• Ni is not about having everything figured out instantly—it’s about developing trust in intuition over time.

2. Use Ni for Strategic Thinking

• While Ne is great for exploring, Ni can help INTPs narrow things down when necessary.
• Tip: When overwhelmed with options, ask: “Which of these feels the most deeply right to me?”

3. Recognize That Some Certainty Is Necessary

• While INTPs are naturally skeptical of definitive statements, there are times when commitment to a single path is needed.
• Tip: Set a time limit for decision-making so that you don’t get trapped in over-analysis.

The Trickster: Extraverted Sensing (Se) – The Chaotic Disruptor

And now it’s time to move on to the mischievous Trickster position. The Trickster is an archetype of disorder, mischief, and unpredictability, often manifesting in moments of high stress, conflict, or confusion. Unlike the INTP’s tertiary function, Introverted Sensing (Si), which gives them a stable internal reference point based on past experiences, Se is hyper-focused on the immediate present, real-time awareness, and physical interaction with the external world.

Since Se is not a conscious or well-developed function for INTPs, when it emerges, it tends to disrupt their usual way of thinking, causing sensory overload, impulsive decisions, or distorted perceptions of reality. The Trickster function also tends to trap others in double binds, meaning that when INTPs unconsciously use Se, they might unintentionally create confusing or contradictory situations—often to escape pressure or regain control in an interaction.

How Se Shows Up in the INTP Psyche

Mark Hunziker, in Depth Typology, describes the Trickster function as a force that undermines rules and structures, sometimes playfully, sometimes chaotically. It is not an evil function, but one that can make things feel irrational, inconsistent, and disorienting.

For the INTP, Se is not a conscious tool—it tends to surface when they are caught off guard, backed into a corner, or under extreme pressure. Instead of providing clear sensory awareness like it would for an ESTP or ESFP, Se can feel like sensory chaos, leading to clumsy actions, distorted perceptions, or unexpected risk-taking behaviors.

Here’s how it typically manifests:

1. Sensory Clumsiness and Lack of Physical Awareness

INTPs often struggle to react to their physical environment. Because Se is in the Trickster position, they may be oblivious to real-world details, sometimes resulting in misjudged distance, neglect of physical needs, or a struggle with hands-on tasks.

Example:

An INTP is so deep in thought about theoretical physics that they don’t notice their coffee cup sitting precariously close to the edge of the table. When they reach for a book, they knock the cup over, spilling coffee everywhere.

At that moment, Se might surface in frustration:

• “How did I not see that?”
• “Why am I so bad at handling simple physical things?”

Because Se is unconscious, the INTP might blame external factors rather than recognizing their own lack of sensory attention.

When Se is in the Trickster position, reality can feel unpredictable, and the INTP may struggle with spontaneous, real-world adjustments.

2. Impulsive Decisions Under Stress

Most of the time, INTPs want to analyze situations before acting. However, in moments of extreme pressure or emotional overload, Trickster Se can take over, leading them to act rashly, make impulsive decisions, or be reckless in a way that would normally make them cringe.

Example:

An INTP, exhausted from overthinking a major life decision, suddenly books a last-minute, expensive vacation with no prior planning. Instead of carefully considering the financial or logistical consequences, they throw caution to the wind and act purely on impulse—a behavior completely out of character for them.

Later, they may look back and think:

• “What was I thinking? That was completely irrational.”
• “That didn’t feel like me at all.”

Because Se is rarely under conscious control, these impulses are often random, extreme, and poorly thought out, leading to regret or confusion once the INTP returns to their usual logical state.

3. Distorted Perceptions of Sensory Reality

Since INTPs do not naturally engage with Se, their perception of real-world events can sometimes be inaccurate or skewed. They may misinterpret social cues, misunderstand physical dangers, or struggle to recognize changes in their surroundings.

Example:

An INTP at a party fails to notice that their sarcastic joke has made someone uncomfortable. When later confronted about it, they are genuinely surprised:

• “Wait, I didn’t even realize they were upset.”
• “Are you sure they were actually offended, or are you overreacting?”

Because Trickster Se doesn’t give them clear, real-time social awareness, INTPs may dismiss or doubt the validity of physical or emotional cues that seem obvious to others.

They may also fail to recognize danger in their environment, assuming they are more aware than they actually are. For example:

• Walking into traffic while absorbed in deep thought.
• Misjudging how fast a car is moving when crossing the street.
• Failing to notice that they left the stove on.

These lapses aren’t about intelligence—they are simply a result of Se being an unconscious, unreliable function for INTPs.

4. Projection and Mistrust of Se-Dominant Types

Because INTPs do not trust Se, they may project negative traits onto Se-dominant types (like ESTPs and ESFPs), seeing them as:

• Reckless or shallow (“They just act without thinking—do they even have a plan?”)
• Overly aggressive (“Why are they always pushing for immediate action?”)
• Too focused on the moment (“They don’t think long-term at all.”)

This projection happens because Se is the INTP’s Trickster function, meaning that they tend to see it as chaotic or unpredictable—even in people who use it well.

How INTPs Can Integrate Se for Growth

Since Trickster Se not a natural strength, the goal is torecognize when it’s distorting perception or causing impulsive behaviors.

1. Build Sensory Awareness Through Small Habits

• Set reminders to check surroundings (e.g., “Where are my keys?”).
• Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present in the moment.
• Spend a little time each day in a physical activity (yoga, walking, dancing) to develop body awareness.

2. Slow Down Impulsive Reactions

• When feeling overwhelmed, take a pause before making decisions.
• Ask: “Is this a reaction, or is this something I truly want?”
• Write down impulsive thoughts before acting on them.

3. Recognize and Appreciate Se in Others

• Instead of dismissing Se-dominant people, try to learn from their adaptability.
• Trust that not everything needs to be overanalyzed—sometimes, real-world experience is the best teacher.

The Demon: Introverted Feeling (Fi) – The Hidden Abyss

The Demon feels like the most unconscious and foreign of all the cognitive functions. The Demon function, according to John Beebe’s 8-function model, represents the most repressed and shadowy part of the psyche—an aspect of the self that feels alien, destabilizing, and sometimes even self-destructive.

Fi, at its core, is the function responsible for deep personal values, emotional integrity, and a subjective sense of what matters to you as an individual. It is concerned with what feels personally right and meaningful, often working independently of external validation or logical analysis. It doesn’t care what other people think, it wants to be true to the self.

However, because INTPs prioritize logic (Ti) over emotions (Fi), their relationship with Fi is uneasy at best and antagonistic at worst.

When Fi emerges in the INTP’s psyche, it often does so in distorted, volatile, or exaggerated ways—leading to sudden emotional outbursts, existential crises, or even a deep sense of internal shame and worthlessness.

How Fi Shows Up in the INTP Psyche

Mark Hunziker, in Depth Typology, describes the Demon function as an aspect of the personality that we project onto others—meaning we tend to see it in other people before recognizing it in ourselves. It also represents a source of ego destruction, surfacing when our usual coping mechanisms fail.

For INTPs, this means that Fi can manifest in two primary ways:

1. As a hidden, painful self-judgment (“Do I even matter?” “Am I a good person?” “Does anything I do actually mean anything?”)
2. As a projection onto others who strongly use Fi (“They’re just being irrational and selfish.” “Why are they being so subjective??” “They’re making decisions based on feelings instead of logic—that’s ridiculous.”)

Here’s how this often plays out:

1. Emotional Outbursts That Feel “Not Like Me”

Since INTPs don’t regularly engage with Fi, they may not recognize or process their emotions in a healthy way. Instead of gradually acknowledging their feelings, they often repress them—only for them to explode in rare but intense emotional outbursts.

Example:

An INTP has been bottling up frustration about being overlooked at work. Normally, they brush it off logically (“It’s fine. I don’t care about recognition.”). But one day, when a colleague gets credit for their idea, Demon Fi erupts:

• “Why does no one appreciate what I do?!”
• “I’m nothing more than a cog in the machine!”
• “Why do I even bother when no one cares?!”

The INTP might shock themselves with the intensity of their emotions. Afterward, they often feel deeply embarrassed or regretful, thinking:

“That was so unlike me. I lost control.”

The Demon function can feel like an alien force that overtakes us, disrupting our usual sense of control.

2. Existential Crises and a Sense of Meaninglessness

Since Fi is responsible for deep personal values and purpose, INTPs may struggle with feelings of emptiness or nihilism—especially when their logical pursuits (Ti) stop feeling fulfilling.

Example:

An INTP who has spent years in academia or intellectual study suddenly starts feeling like none of it matters. A wave of Demon Fi despair sets in:

• “I’ve spent my whole life thinking, but what have I actually done?”
• “What’s the point of any of this? Do I even care about what I’m doing?”
• “Am I just hiding behind analysis to avoid dealing with my own emotions?”

In these moments, the INTP may feel completely disconnected from their identity, questioning whether they’ve been pursuing intellectual goals for their own sake or simply out of habit.

This dark night of the soul can lead to:

• Avoidance of deep emotional topics (“I don’t want to think about this. It’s pointless.”)
• Detachment from personal relationships (“I don’t even know how to connect with people anymore.”)
• Attempts to intellectualize emotions instead of feeling them (“Maybe I should just read philosophy about existentialism instead of actually processing these feelings.”)

When the Demon function surfaces, it often forces us to confront truths we’ve been avoiding about ourselves.

3. Dismissing or Criticizing Fi Types (Feeling-Perceiving Types)

Because INTPs do not trust Fi, they may project their negative relationship with it onto Fi-dominant individuals, like INFPs, ISFPs, ENFPs, or ESFPs.

They might see Fi users as:

• Overly emotional or illogical (“They make decisions based on feelings instead of facts.”)
• Self-absorbed or morally rigid (“They only care about their own values, even if they don’t make sense.”)
• Too concerned with meaning and authenticity (“Why does everything have to be about self-expression and personal fulfillment?”)

Example:

An INFP talks about their passion for a cause, saying,
“I don’t care if it’s profitable or practical—I just want to do what feels right.”

The INTP, feeling unconsciously triggered by this Fi conviction, responds with sarcasm or dismissal:

• “Right, because doing what ‘feels right’ has always worked so well throughout history.”
• “That’s not how the world works. You can’t just ignore logic because of a gut feeling.”

While the INTP may believe they are simply correcting an irrational statement, what’s actually happening is a projection of their own struggles with Fi—their own unresolved fear of emotions and personal meaning.

How INTPs Can Integrate Fi for Growth

Although Fi in the Demon position may not be a natural strength for INTPs, they can still develop a healthier relationship with it—leading to a greater sense of inner stability, emotional intelligence, and personal fulfillment.

1. Acknowledge That Emotions Are Valid (Even If They Don’t Seem Logical)

• Instead of dismissing emotions as irrational, try to observe them without judgment.
• Tip: Journaling feelings (without analyzing them) can help INTPs recognize emotional patterns.

2. Define Personal Values (Without Overanalyzing Them)

• Ask: “What truly matters to me beyond logic?”
• Make small choices based on personal meaning, not just intellectual interest.

3. Respect Fi Users Instead of Dismissing Them

• Instead of seeing Fi users as “illogical”, recognize that they have a different form of intelligence—one that sees many shades of emotional nuance and human experience in the same way Ti sees many nuances in logic and theoretical data.
• Learn to ask questions instead of arguing when confronted with deeply personal beliefs.

What Do You Think?

Was this article eye-opening? Confusing? Frustrating? All of the above? Let us know in the comments! I’d love to hear your experiences!

Explore more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube!

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