Return

Well, that was an interesting 19 days! I had some health issues which I've been working on - had to go on a restrictive diet that knocked me out flat for a while. I needed this month to focus on my health and it's been an amazing experience, but I'm ready to get back to 2BiaT. My next post will be next Monday - I'm looking forward to finishing the series on personality that I had to interrupt for my little experiment.

See you soon!

Hiatus

I've been struggling with health issues for decades and it's finally gotten bad enough that I must do something about it. Enter the GAPS diet; super restrictive (literally, nothing but bone broth, meat, and well cooked veggies for the first stage), and long lasting. It will probably take a minimum of a year to get my innards back in shape. Even though I knew I had to do this I put it off and put it off for years because it's soooo depressing (although now that I'm on it and my taste buds have changed I find I'm actually quite enjoying my food!)

One of the downsides is the sheer amount of time required to prepare my food... and also the lack of energy since I started a little over a week ago. So I'm going to take a little break. I really don't want to - I have a whole series of posts on the four functions and concepts related to them. I was hoping to just power through and get them out but that's hard when you don't have any energy.

Hopefully it will only for a few weeks but it may last longer. In the meantime, I hope your life is awesome! See you on the other side.

Glossary: Extroversion

A personality type characterized by a focus on the external world; they gain energy by being with people but lose it when they’re alone. They're outwardly directed - that is, observable to others - and broad in scope. The libido of extroverted people generally flows outwards to the outer world. This often results in a person who is talkative, outgoing, assertive, and social. They're energetic people who generally take the lead in social situations. They're outwardly directed, characterized by a concentration of interest on objects as opposed to their reaction to the object, and are strongly influenced by external reality. (Also referred to as “extraversion.”)

Extraversion is characterized by interest in the external object, responsiveness, and a ready acceptance of external happenings, a desire to influence and be influenced by events, a need to join in and get “with it,” the capacity to endure bustle and noise of every kind, and actually find them enjoyable, constant attention to the surrounding world, the cultivation of friends and acquaintances, none too carefully selected, and finally by the great importance attached to the figure one cuts.

“Psychological Typology,” CW 6, par. 972.

The extravert’s philosophy of life and his ethics are as a rule of a highly collective nature with a strong streak of altruism, and his conscience is in large measure dependent on public opinion.

“Psychological Typology,” CW 6, par. 972.

He has no secrets he has not long since shared with others. Should something unmentionable nevertheless befall him, he prefers to forget it. Anything that might tarnish the parade of optimism and positivism is avoided. Whatever he thinks, intends, and does is displayed with conviction and warmth.

“Psychological Typology,” par. 973.

He lives in and through others; all self-communings give him the creeps. Dangers lurk there which are better drowned out by noise. If he should ever have a “complex,” he finds refuge in the social whirl and allows himself to be assured several times a day that everything is in order.

“Psychological Typology,” par. 974.

Adjustment is not adaptation; adaptation… requires observance of laws more universal than the immediate conditions of time and place. The very adjustment of the normal extraverted type is his limitation. He owes his normality… to his ability to fit into existing conditions with comparative ease. His requirements are limited to the objectively possible, for instance to the career that holds out good prospects at this particular moment; he does what is needed of him, or what is expected of him, and refrains from all innovations that are not entirely self-evident or that in any way exceed the expectations of those around him

“General Description of the Types,” CW 6, par. 564.

The extravert’s tendency to sacrifice inner reality to outer circumstances is not a problem as long as the extraversion is not too extreme. But to the extent that it becomes necessary to compensate the inclination to one-sidedness, there will arise a markedly self-centered tendency in the unconscious. All those needs or desires that are stifled or repressed by the conscious attitude come in the back door, in the form of infantile thoughts and emotions that center on oneself.

Sharp, "Jung Lexicon"

This is the extravert’s danger: He gets sucked into objects and completely loses himself in them. The resultant functional disorders, nervous or physical, have a compensatory value, as they force him into an involuntary self-restraint. Should the symptoms be functional, their peculiar character may express his psychological situation in symbolic form; for instance, a singer whose fame has risen to dangerous heights that tempt him to expend too much energy suddenly finds he cannot sing high notes… Or a man of modest beginnings who rapidly reaches a social position of great influence with wide prospects is suddenly afflicted with all the symptoms of mountain sickness.

“General Description of the Types,”  par. 565.

The more complete the conscious attitude of extraversion is, the more infantile and archaic the unconscious attitude will be. The egoism which characterizes the extravert’s unconscious attitude goes far beyond mere childish selfishness; it verges on the ruthless and brutal.

“General Description of the Types,”  par. 572.

Glossary: Introversion

A personality type that’s characterized by a focus on the internal world; introverts tend to gain energy by being alone but lose it when they’re in social settings. Introversion is characterized by an inward direction - it tends to be concealed from others - and a narrow focus; they're generally more interested in depth than breadth. The libido of introverts flows inwards. This often results in a person who is quiet, thoughtful, perceptive, and selective about those they let into their lives. Introverts tend to need less stimulation than extroverts, as well as being generally more self-aware and instropective than extroverts. They are inwardly directed, concentrate their energy on intra-psychic processes, and are oriented to an inner evaluation of experience.

In a large gathering he feels lonely and lost. The more crowded it is, the greater becomes his resistance. He is not in the least “with it” and has no love of enthusiastic get-togethers. He is not a good mixer. What he does, he does in his own way, barricading himself against influences from outside… Under normal conditions he is pessimistic and worried, because the world and human beings are not in the least good but crush him… His own world is a safe harbour, a carefully tended and walled-in garden, closed to the public and hidden from prying eyes. His own company is the best.

- “Psychological Typology,” pars. 976f.

Everyone whose attitude is introverted thinks, feels, and acts in a way that clearly demonstrates that the subject is the prime motivating factor and that the object is of secondary importance.

- “Definitions,” CW 6,769

Always he has to prove that everything he does rests on his own decisions and convictions, and never because he is influenced by anyone, or desires to please or conciliate some person or opinion.

- “Psychological Types,” CW 6, par. 893.

The introverted attitude tends to devalue things and other persons, to deny their importance. Hence, by way of compensation, extreme introversion leads to an unconscious reinforcement of the object’s influence. This makes itself felt as a tie, with concomitant emotional reactions, to outer circumstances or another person.

- Sharp, "Jung Lexicon"

The individual’s freedom of mind is fettered by the ignominy of his financial dependence, his freedom of action trembles in the face of public opinion, his moral superiority collapses in a morass of inferior relationships, and his desire to dominate ends in a pitiful craving to be loved. It is now the unconscious that takes care of the relation to the object, and it does so in a way that is calculated to bring the illusion of power and the fantasy of superiority to utter ruin.

--------------------

These efforts are constantly being frustrated by the overwhelming impressions received from the object. It continually imposes itself on him against his will, it arouses in him the most disagreeable and intractable affects and persecutes him at every step. A tremendous inner struggle is needed all the time in order to “keep going.” The typical form his neurosis takes is psychasthenia, a malady characterized on the one hand by extreme sensitivity and on the other by great proneness to exhaustion and chronic fatigue.

- “General Description of the Types,” par. 626.

The child wants his own way, and under no circumstances will he submit to an alien rule he cannot understand. When he asks questions, it is not from curiosity or a desire to create a sensation, but because he wants names, meanings, explanations to give him subjective protection against the object.

- “Psychological Types,” par. 897.

[I]ntroverts are simply more conservative than not, preferring the familiar surroundings of home and intimate times with a few close friends; they husband their energy and would rather stay put than go from place to place. Their best work is done on their own resources, on their own initiative and in their own way.

- Sharp, "Jung Lexicon"

His retreat into himself is not a final renunciation of the world, but a search for quietude, where alone it is possible for him to make his contribution to the life of the community.

- “Psychological Typology,” ibid., par. 979.

Glossary: Attitude

“Attitude” in Jungian psychology refers to one’s orientation to the world, both external and internal. It deals with libido, or energy; how it’s gained and how it’s spent. Most people are familiar with the two attitudes, introversion and extroversion (or extraversion). An introvert is basically oriented to the inner world and focuses on subjective experience. They gain energy being alone, and lose it when with others. The extrovert is the opposite; they’re oriented to the external, objective world and lose energy while alone but gain it when interacting with others.

I’ve come to think of it as having different kinds of energy sources: introverts are like wells; water slowly fills them up when they’re able to be alone, but when they’re with others, they’re constantly giving away bucketfuls of their inner water until they need to go back to their inner well and let it fill up again. Libido for extroverts, on the other hand, is more like electricity; like generators, they get more and more “electricity” by sparking off others, but lose energy, slowly winding down, when alone.

Attitude is one of the three axes (as in plural for axis, not the thing you chop wood with) that make up Jung's typology of personality. The other two are the rational (thinking/feeling) and irrational (sensation/intuition) functions. One's location on these three axes determines one's "type".

[Introversion] is normally characterized by a hesitant, reflective, retiring nature that keeps itself to itself, shrinks from objects, is always slightly on the defensive and prefers to hide behind mistrustful scrutiny. [Extroversion] is normally characterized by an outgoing, candid, and accommodating nature that adapts easily to a given situation, quickly forms attachments, and, setting aside any possible misgivings, will often venture forth with careless confidence into unknown situations. In the first case obviously the subject, and in the second the object, is all-important.

-“The Problem of the Attitude-Type,” CW 7, par. 62

Introverted attitude: characterized by an inward flowing of personal energy - a withdrawal concentrating on subjective factors. The introvert is usually ...

     a. happy alone with a rich imagination, and

     b. prefers reflection to activity.

     c. Weakness of the introverted attitude includes ...

          (1) a lack confidence in relation to people and things and

          (2) a tendency to be unsociable, shy, and hesitant.

Extroverted attitude: a standpoint characterized by an outward flowing of personal energy (libido) - an interest in events, in people and things, a relationship with them, and a dependence on them. The extrovert is usually ...

     a. motivated by outside factors and greatly influenced by the environment,

     b. sociable and confident in unfamiliar surroundings, less cautious, less fearful, and

     c. likes organizations, parties, and tends to be optimistic and enthusiastic.

     d. Weaknesses of the extroverted attitude include:

          (1) a dependence on making a good impression,

          (2) easily making and breaking relationships,

          (3) regarding reflection as being morbid and avoiding being alone,

          (4) lacking self-criticism, and

          (5) accepting the morals and conventions of the day - conventional.

Problems between introverts and extroverts

     Each type misjudges the other; they tend to notice the negative aspects of the other.

     a. The introvert is seen as egotistical, dull, and self-centered; the extrovert is seen as superficial and insincere.

     b. Our Western attitude is extroverted; value is put on being outgoing which we consider being well adjusted. The East is seen as inscrutable.

     c. Jung says that there is a marked tendency for either type to marry its opposite (each secretly hopes that the other will take care of the side of the life each lacks).

          (1) All goes well as long as both persons adapt themselves to the needs of life.

          (2) But each person speaks a different language - there is a lack of real understanding and a lack of full companionship.

- “Jung's Psychological Types” (philosophy.lander.edu)

People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. If they are inactive, their motivation tends to decline. To rebuild their energy, extraverts need breaks from time spent in reflection. Conversely, those who prefer introversion expend energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again. To rebuild their energy, introverts need quiet time alone, away from activity.

An extravert's flow is directed outward toward people and objects, an introvert's is directed inward toward concepts and ideas. Contrasting characteristics between extraverts and introverts include the following:

Extraverts are action-oriented, while introverts are thought-oriented.

Extraverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, while introverts seek depth of knowledge and influence.

Extraverts often prefer more frequent interaction, while introverts prefer more substantial interaction.

Extraverts recharge and get their energy from spending time with people, while introverts recharge and get their energy from spending time alone.

- Personality type (Wikipedia)