{"id":13305,"date":"2020-01-01T22:18:23","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T21:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=13305"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:23:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:23:38","slug":"the-seven-psychological-functions-and-the-seven-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/the-seven-psychological-functions-and-the-seven-types\/","title":{"rendered":"The Seven Psychological Functions and The Seven Types"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u200bIn this \u200barticle I will describe how the seven psychological functions relate to each other and to the seven energies and types. It is perhaps the most important topic in psychosynthesis typology because it explains how the \u201cunderlying functions\u201d, according to Assagioli, create the seven types.<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\u200bThe Seven Types and the underlying functions<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

By Kenneth S\u00f8rensen, chapter three from <\/span><\/span><\/strong>The Seven Types, Psychosynthesis Typology<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a> . <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Download the chapter as a pdf including references.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Identity<\/a><\/p>\n

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From a psychological, not cosmological, perspective, the seven energies and types emerge from seven psychological functions that are inherent in every person. The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung proposed a model of four psychological functions that is still widely used today, especially in the field of differential psychology. These four functions are thought, feeling, intuition and sensation, and Jung suggested we process how we understand ourselves and the world through these four functions. Accordingly, the functions can be seen as intelligences or tools of awareness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Carl<\/span><\/span> G. Jung (1875-1961)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In contrast to Jung, the model I use for the Seven Types is based on the work of Assagioli and, more specifically, his Star Diagram (\u200bDiagram1).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Assagioli suggested there are seven psychological functions that provide the intelligence and processing skills that the conscious self needs to navigate life. (By \u201cself\u201d I am referring to the conscious \u201cI\u201d, which is the self-aware consciousness in all humans.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Assagioli writes the following about the functions as they relate to the self or “I”: “In reality, all functions are functions of a living, self-conscious being and thus of an ‘I’. It is the ‘I’ that feels and thinks, that imagines, desires and wills above all that wills.” (1967b)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One could write an entire book about the seven functions, because they have such a complex nature and interplay, so I will only cover the most important aspects of the functions as they relate to the seven types.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(For more on this topic, see my MA dissertation <\/span><\/span>Integral Psychosynthesis<\/span><\/span><\/a> (S\u00f8rensen, 2008) and Assagioli’s The Act of Will, particularly his descriptions of the Star Diagram and the ten psychological laws.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Assagioli (1967b) seems not to have described the exact nature of the psychological functions, but he quoted Jung in the following way:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b”We admit that we do not know what these functions really are. We should like very much to know into what primitive elements feeling, for instance, could be resolved. But despite our ignorance of ultimate principles, we deal with these functions as if they were clearly definable organs of the mind.”<\/p>\n

\"Assagioli<\/p>\n

Diagram 1. Roberto Assagioli’s Star Diagram<\/strong><\/p>\n

The functions are, according to Jung, \u201corgans of mind\u201d, and we might also call them seven types of intelligence. Indeed, neuropsychology, which has evolved tremendously since Assagioli, offers further insight, suggesting that the functions could be best described as seven brain centres <\/em>or neural networks<\/em>. Indeed, fresh insights are emerging all the time, with a great deal of ongoing scientific research into the nature of the imagination and the will. (See results for Imagination<\/a> and Will power<\/a>\u200b)\u200b\u00a0<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

A quick online search on the nature of imagination and the brain, or on any of the other psychological functions, will generate a wealth of information. In particular, the award-winning UCLA professor Dario Nardi, in his book Neuroscience of Personality<\/em> (2011), offers some very interesting material on how the Jungian types and functions are related to the different centres of the brain.<\/p>\n

The key idea to grasp is that the psychological functions are receivers <\/em>and transmitters<\/em> of the seven energies (Table 1).<\/p>\n

\"seven<\/p>\n

Table 1. \u200bThe Seven Psychological functions and the transmitting energies<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200bWill transmits dynamic energy, feeling transmits sensitive energy, and so on. So we can state that the seven energies are received by the seven psychological functions, which then distribute the energies and their qualities in various ways to create an \u00a0 individual\u2019s unique personality.<\/p>\n

This is the basic theoretical foundation of the Seven Types from a \u200bpsychological point of view. Put more simply, rather than offering metaphysical explanations, we can take as our starting point the self-evident fact that we all possess will, feelings, thoughts, imagination, logic, passion and the ability to act. You will have noticed that the names I am using for the functions are not exactly the same as those used by Assagioli in his Star Diagram (See Table 2).<\/p>\n

I have good reasons for proposing these alternative names, all of which is in keeping with Assagioli\u2019s original concepts. Let me clarify this point.<\/p>\n

\"Names-seven<\/p>\n

\u200bTable 2. Different names for the psychological functions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Higher and normal psychological functions<\/strong><\/h1>\n

One point at which I differ from Assagioli is that I use the term \u201clogic\u201d in place of \u201cintuition\u201d. This might seem strange, so let me start by acknowledging that intuition can be described validly as a psychological function, however it can also be noted that intuition is a transpersonal function that exists beyond the range of the normal personality.<\/p>\n

Also, in his book Psychosynthesis Typology, <\/em>it can be seen that Assagioli doesn\u2019t include an intuitive type in his list of seven types (See Table 2), which might seem strange because he surely acknowledges that there is an intuitive type. I suggest there are several reasons for this apparent discrepancy, and let me offer my take on it.<\/p>\n

Assagioli was clear in discriminating between the normal psychological functions and the higher spiritual functions, which is a distinction he discusses many times. For example, he states:<\/p>\n

“This personal self is the human core at the ordinary level, the level of personality. It is the centre of our ordinary psychological functions: mind, emotions, sensation, imagination, etc. Likewise, at our higher human level there is an entity that is at the centre of the higher functions \u2013 artistic inspiration, ethical insight, scientific intuition. This is our real core: it is there in all of us, but the personality is generally not aware of it at the ordinary level.” (Miller, 1973)<\/p>\n

According to Assagioli (1965: 17-18), artistic inspiration, ethical insight and scientific intuition are higher superconscious functions \u2013 something he defined in his first book Psychosynthesis<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\"Roberto<\/p>\n

\u200bRoberto Assagioli (1888-1974)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200b”From this (superconscious) region we receive our higher intuitions and inspirations \u2013 artistic, philosophical or scientific, ethical \u201cimperatives\u201d and urges to humanitarian and heroic action. It is the source of the higher feelings, such as altruistic love; of genius and of the states of contemplation, illumination, and ecstasy. In this realm are latent the higher psychic functions and spiritual energies.”<\/p>\n

These higher functions are higher aspects of the normal functions, so they are not something completely different, they are just natural developments, or higher potentials, which emerge when we awaken to the level of the soul. In Assagioli\u2019s words (Rosenthal, 1973):<\/p>\n

“\u2026each function has a lower and a higher aspect. The mind has a lower aspect\u2014purely analytical, critical, while its higher aspect is reason and the higher mental activities. The same with emotion: there are primitive, coarse emotions and there are refined feelings. And the will: there is a strong imperative, selfish will and the good will, the Will-to-good. Thus each function should be developed to the highest level of possible expression.”<\/p>\n

When I discuss the lower, or normal, psychological functions below, I will suggest for each of them what I consider the associated higher function to be.<\/p>\n

Now back to intuition. Assagioli clearly discriminates between \u201cday-by-day intuition and real spiritual intuition\u201d (1965: 217, 220; 1983: 41)\u200b<\/sup><\/a>, and he places real intuition in the transpersonal arena as a higher function. (For a full discussion of this see my compilation of quotes about intuition by Assagioli<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Furthermore, in a highly illuminating dialogue with the Canadian psychosynthesist Martha Crampton (Crampton, 1966), Assagioli states that intuition is a stage of consciousness rather than a particular type, and this makes sense because, when writing about the types, Assagioli (1983) explains that there is an intuitive expression of each of the types:<\/p>\n

“There is mathematical intuition scientific intuition; the intuition of the inventor or the technician; the aesthetic intuition; the philosophical intuition; the mystical intuition. Intuition as a function is beyond or above \u2014 any typological difference, but it operates differently according to the psychological types.”<\/p>\n

Having explained why I have not included intuition in my list of psychological functions, why is it that I have included logic? In my view, logic can be considered a different function to thought, which is in keeping with Assagioli\u2019s idea that there are two types of mind: abstract mind, which I term thought, and concrete mind, which I refer to as logic. Logic creates the analytical or rational-scientific type, as we shall see.<\/p>\n

I have also replaced Assagioli\u2019s term \u201cimpulse-desire\u201d with \u201cpassion\u201d for the semantic reason that the word \u201cdesire\u201d often has negative connotations. And I have replaced Assagioli\u2019s term \u201csensation\u201d with the word \u201caction\u201d, which I feel better captures the role of the body in everyday life. I will return to and expand on these points as we now look in detail at each of the psychological functions.<\/p>\n

The seven psychological functions<\/h1>\n

We are now ready to explore each of the seven psychological functions. In doing so, I will be referring to the circle diagram (diagram 2), which numbers the functions and shows how they relate to each other. The first three functions in the list are will, feeling and thought. These three basic, or primary, functions \u2013 of which will is foundational \u2013 combine in different ways to create the other four functions, as we will see.<\/p>\n

But before we proceed, here is a quote from Assagioli (undated 17) that will remind us of the important purpose behind this work:<\/p>\n

\u201cMen still do not know \u2013 or do not want to \u2013 understand and appreciate individuals and groups different from them by nature, quality and function, and this prevents collaboration and mutual integration necessary for the good of all. A great help in implementing that understanding and appreciation is given by the knowledge of the various psychological types and their respective functions.\u201d\u200b<\/p>\n

\"seven<\/p>\n

\u200b\u200bDiagram 2. The circle diagram showing how the psychological functions are related and their respective types<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200bThe psychological function of will<\/h2>\n

The first function is will. The will channels the dynamic energy and its qualities, which manifest as the dynamic type (See diagram 3). The will has received little attention in psychological literature. William James, who wrote The Will to Believe<\/em>, is one exception. Another exception is existential psychology, which emphasises the importance of responsibility and choice \u2013 choice being an aspect of will.<\/p>\n

However, the great psychological pioneer of will is Assagioli, whose book The Act of Will<\/em> is a recognised classic. Accordingly, I have placed will at the top of the circle diagram to emphasise its prominence in the psyche as the directing agent of all the other functions. Assagioli confirms that the will is foundational. He writes (Miller, 1972): \u201cThe will serves, quite simply, as the directing energy for all other psychological functions. <\/em>We find that the discovery of the self is frequently connected with the discovery that the self has a will \u2013 is<\/em> even, in a certain sense, a will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Circle-<\/p>\n

\u200bDiagram 3. Will<\/strong><\/p>\n

The will is often the last function to fully develop, representing as it does the completion of our personality: the will-to-be-yourself. It is through the will that we become independent and able to freely choose how to live our lives. The will is the function that enables us to recognise and choose what is authentic for us.<\/p>\n

Will directs our energies through purpose, choice and decision. To give an example, when we choose to study a particular subject we are using our will to help us decide how we want to invest our mental, emotional and financial energies in order to achieve a goal.<\/p>\n

As our will develops we begin to radiate the qualities of the dynamic energy, such as courage, strength, freedom, focus and discipline. Will is the dominant<\/em> function that underpins the dynamic or will-power type.<\/p>\n

The superconscious aspect of the will is the transpersonal will, which is what Assagioli termed the \u201cWill-to-good\u201d, which is a heroic call to action motivated by altruistic values. When connecting with the transpersonal will of the soul, we develop courage as our primary quality and can be said to be following the Heroic Way to the Soul (Assagioli, Undated: 19-20).<\/p>\n

Do you find it easy to make choices, to stand up for yourself and face conflict? Looking back on your life, did you chose and implement your wishes quickly or did you deliberate at length before acting? Your answers to these questions indicate the extent to which your will function has developed. You can, of course, develop the will further. We will explore how we can develop the functions in a later chapter.<\/p>\n

The psychological function of feeling<\/h2>\n

Our feelings are manifestations of our sensitivity to psychological atmospheres. Our feelings register whether we find something pleasant or otherwise, and they help us to discern changes in the psychological atmosphere. We are each able to register and discern some feelings more easily than others. Indeed, we each experience and express feelings and emotions in different ways in line with whichever of the seven energies is most dominant in us \u2013 in this way we could each be said to be a different \u2018feeling type\u2019, i.e. a dynamic feeling type, a sensitive feeling type, and so on. Consider your own emotional atmosphere: are you mostly calm, intense, hypersensitive, moody, joyful or controlled? Your answer will suggest which of the seven energies you are most attuned to through the feeling function.<\/p>\n

Feeling (Diagram 4) is where we find the depth and grounding required to be at peace with ourselves so we can enjoy our own company and the company of others. Feeling connects us to our emotional needs, helping us to be open and receptive, connecting us to the outside world so we can empathise with what is happening around us.<\/p>\n

Through feeling we access the inner worlds of others, and even with nature itself. The feeling function enables us to understand others\u2019 needs and to empathise. Feeling provides a kind of instinctive ability to know what\u2019s happening with those we are close to.<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/strong>\u200bDiagram 4. Feeling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feeling\/emotion is the dominant<\/em> function underpinning what I have termed the sensitive type and what Assagioli terms the \u201clove type\u201d. According to Assagioli (1983: 30): \u201cThe emotions, as we might expect, become the centre of attention and of vital energy for the majority of those who belong to the love type.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feeling function provides access to the sensitive energies of love. There are normal and higher aspects to this function. In this regard, Assagioli differentiated between normal love and a higher altruistic love, or ethical insight, which is the superconscious aspect of the feeling function. It is also important to note that all seven functions manifest love in their own way; this is because \u2013 as can be seen in the circle diagram \u2013 all of the functions are linked to the feeling function, which is the function most directly linked to the energy<\/em> of love<\/p>\n

When you develop the feeling function, you radiate empathy, care, warmth and social understanding, all of which are qualities associated with the sensitive energy. Can you detect others\u2019 feelings and empathise with them? Are you easily able to discern which atmospheres and social settings you prefer to be in? Your responses to these questions will indicate the extent to which you have developed the feeling function<\/p>\n

The psychological function of thought<\/h2>\n

Through the function of thought we register information about ourselves and the world (\u200bDiagram 5). Thought organises knowledge into concepts and categories and helps us to orientate ourselves to reality. (Sadly, the education system is often only focused on developing the functions of thought and logic, while neglecting the other functions.) \u00a0With thought we can reflect on our experiences, weigh up pros and cons, and develop opinions about the world. Thought helps us to assess the information we receive from our other primary functions so we can gain perspective. Thinking enables us to interpret reality based on the knowledge we acquire through learning.<\/p>\n

Thought provides an overview and an inner map so we can act intelligently in the world. Thought makes it possible to communicate and share our experiences through language. Using thought, we are able to hear other people\u2019s ideas and experiences, reflect on them and compare them to our own.<\/p>\n

According to Assagioli (Undated 21), thought is an energy: \u201cCreative thinking is a definite stage in objectifying ideas and higher concepts; and because thought is an energy we can use its power to develop the qualities, the attitudes, and the conditions that we think should prevail. If we use thought consciously and creatively, we can bring about changes in ourselves and our lives, as well as in our environment and in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\u200bDiagram 5. Thought<\/strong><\/p>\n

The thought function differs from the logic function: thought works with broad categorisations and networks of ideas, whereas logic has a single focus on detail.<\/p>\n

Thought is the dominant function that underpins the mental (activepractical) type. According to Assagioli (1983: 39) \u201cthe fundamental quality characterising this type is intelligent activity\u201d, which means the function of thought operates by receiving and expressing the mental energy.<\/p>\n

The superconscious aspect of the thought function is genius or philosophical inspiration.<\/p>\n

We each think in unique ways and it is possible to discern our own particular thinking style, for example our style might be quick, detailed, direct, associative or methodical. When we develop this function, our mind will emanate intelligence, clarity, insight and flexibility, all of which are qualities of the mental energy.<\/p>\n

Does new knowledge come easily to you? Do you enjoy studying? Are you a skilled communicator? Your responses to these questions will indicate the extent to which you have developed the thinking function.
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