---
# System prepended metadata

title: Trying to understand socionics
tags: [Book]

---

# Trying to understand socionics
### An informal analisys onto the Socionics Theory of Personality Types from the eyes of a complete begginer

*by Vitor Luis*

:::warning
:::spoiler
<br>

So recently I got back to my research on the Socionics theory of personality types and I found out a lot of stuff.
I had a [notion page](https://www.notion.so/Trying-to-understand-socionics-952b746ac89c4908b41ee3bab10a0512) (which you can access here) about it too, and I got a lot of information on that page, but I figured HackMD is better for me because it's easier to edit and take notes, so I decided to just move the research I had on that to here and continue to document my discoveries in here.
:::

When studying about **Carl Jung’s theory of personality types** (mainly because MBTI is bullshit), I was presented with **socionics**, which apparently had a lot to do with Jung’s theory but a lil bit different. So, out of curiosity, I decided to take a look into it.

I’m not intending to dive too deep into this, ‘cause I am already deep enough knowing about **MBTI**, **Enneagram types**, **wings**, **tritypes**, **instinctual variants** and **Jung’s theory**, to the point I downloaded a PDF of Jung’s **ACTUAL BOOK** about personality types.

Oh, and if anyone is curious, my type is **INFJ 5w4 sp/so 549 IN(F)** (yes I’m an INFJ) (no I will not elaborate this over here. Maybe in the future… *maybe*)

## Background

Socionics is based around Jung’s psychological functions theory, but also incorporates something called **“Information Metabolism”** (wtf), a theory made by this dude, **Antoni Kępiński**, that basically associates **psychological processes** as the biological processes of **energy metabolism.**:

- There is a "control center" (the ego/self) that governs overall information processing and decision making, like the nucleus of a cell.
- There are functional structures shaped by past experiences that maintain order and filter/process information, like the endoplasmic reticulum. These include emotional complexes and value systems.
- Information/stimuli are taken in from the environment, filtered and processed based on these structures and value systems, and decisions are made, like a cell taking in nutrients.
- Useless information is eliminated, like waste products.
- There is a boundary, like the cell membrane, that distinguishes the self from the external world.
- The process aims to maintain a stable sense of reality and order, through interaction with the environment. Too much disconnect can lead to a distorted sense of reality.

Ok, reading through this makes me think this Kępiński’s theory actually kinda makes sense, it’s a weird analogy, yes, but it kinda works and it’s pretty interesting.

Now if you don’t know about Jung’s theory, or just need a refreshing, I have it all summarized in another page so it doesn't interfere in this page.

## Theory

### Information Elements
From what I read, Socionics It’s not so different from **Jung’s theory** or **Myers Briggs’ theory**. It uses the same principles of different functions that represent different aspects of the psyche, but unlike Jung, it describes as 8 different “**Information Elements”**.(wtf)

Also, each element has a different symbol for them… like an actual drawing representing it:

|Figure|2-letter|Name|1-Letter|Gulenko's Name|Description|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_f.gif)|Se|Extroverted Sensing|F|Force|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/se)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_s.gif)|Si|Introverted Sensing|S|Senses|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/si)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_i.gif)|Ne|Extroverted Intuition|I|Ideas|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/ne)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_t.gif)|Ni|Introverted Intuition|T|Time|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/ni)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_p.gif)|Te|Extroverted Logic|P|Pragmatism|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/te)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_l.gif)|Ti|Introverted Logic|L|Logic|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/ti)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_e.gif)|Fe|Extroverted Ethics|E|Emotions|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/fe)
|![](https://wikisocion.github.io/_images/Symbol_r.gif)|Fi|Introverted Ethics|R|Relations|[Description](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements/fi)

:::success
### &#x24D8; Important
The description collumn leads you to the sociotype.com website. The descriptions are a bit long and, depending on which function is the element in, it behaves differently. so if you want to know more about them, just click the links.

I'll explain It better later
:::

Now, you may be wondering, “who the hell is this Gulenko” guy?”. Honestly the only thing I know is that he was important for the socionics theory and that he renamed the Elements (I’m gonna call them like this for short) like what’s shown on the table. Other than that I have no idea who this guy is.

### Blocks and Functions
Socionics types have all of the 8 Information Elements inside of them (unlike MBTI whitch originally has only 4), and the types are organized in 4 blocks, each block containing 2 functions. The order of those blocks and functions is this:
- Ego
    - Leading Function
    - Creative Function
- Super-Ego
    - Role Function
    - Vulnerable Function
- Super-Id
    - Suggestive Function
    - Mobilizing Function
- Id
    - Ignoring Function
    - Demonstrative Function



As you can imagine, the order I put is the order of most important block/functions to the least ones. And just like MBTI, the order of the functions is our preference in functions, to the most to least favourite functions.

Now, another thing I had to take a look was the functions in the types' names:
|Letter|Function|type|
|-|-|-|
|S|Sensation|Irrational
|I|Intuition|Irrational
|L|Logic    |Rational
|E|Emotions/Ethics|Rational

|Letter|Attitude|
|-|-|
|I|Introvert|
|E|Extrovert|

Basically, the personality types in Socionics are written differently than MBTI and Classic Jungian (duh, obvously), and I had to learn how to read the type's names so I could understand, at least supperficially, what certain type was about.

> First you put 2 of the functions of the table and then one attitude. The functions are the Leading and the Creative functions respectively, and the Attitude is the attitude of the Leading function. The Creative Function will be the opposite attitude.
> Example:
>:::info
> **LSI:** **L**ogic, **S**ensation and **I**ntroverted
> Leading Function: **Ti** (Introverted Logic)
> Creative Function: **Se** (Extroverted Sensation)
> :::

I did a table of the function order for some types in Socionics as an exercise to understand the function stack and how it works

|Type|ego|super ego|super id|  id |
|-| ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- |
|ILI| Ni Te | Si Fe | Se Fi | Ne Ti |
|IEI| Ni Fe | Si Te | Se Ti | Ne Fi |
|LSI| Ti Se | Fi Ne | Fe Ni | Te Si |

I can deffinately tell that I (kinda) understand how it works now.

Heres the explanation on how it works:

> Let's take that **LSI** example I mentioned earlier.
> :::info
> **LSI:** **L**ogic, **S**ensation and **I**ntroverted
> Leading Function: **Ti** (Introverted Logic)
> Creative Function: **Se** (Extroverted Sensation)
> :::
> Once we have the first two functions, the next two will also be rational or irrational just like the first one, but they'll be opposites. Also, their attitudes will be the same
> 
> :::info
> **Ego** block:
> - Leading: **Ti**
> - Creative: **Se**
> 
> **Super-Ego** Block
> - Role: **Fi** (Rational Function, but it's Emotions rather than Logic )
> - Vulnerable: **Ne** (Irrational Function, but it's Intuition rather than Sensation)
> :::
> Next, The functions from de **Super-id** block will be the same as the **Super-Ego**, but their attitudes will be inverted
> :::info
> **Super-Ego**
> - Role: **Fi**
> - Vulnerable: **Ne**
> 
> **Super-Id**
> - Suggesting: **Fe** (Extroverted Ethics rather than Introverted)
> - Mobilizing: **Ni** (Introverted Intuition rather than Extroverted)
> :::
> And, finnaly, the last two functions will have the same logic as the **Super-Ego** functions
> :::info
> **Super-Id**
> - Suggesting: **Fe**
> - Mobilizing: **Ni**
> 
> **Id**
> - Ignoring: **Te** (Rational, but is logical rather than Emotion)
> - Demonstrative: **Si** (Irrational, but sensing rather than intuition)
> ::: 

The functions in socionics are kinda like MBTI or Jungian, you have a preference on using some functions than others, yada yada, but, there's a bit of a difference. Socionics theory takes more detail on how these functions work.

Bringing Back the list so no one forgets it

- Ego
    - Leading Function
    - Creative Function
- Super-Ego
    - Role Function
    - Vulnerable Function
- Super-Id
    - Suggestive Function
    - Mobilizing Function
- Id
    - Ignoring Function
    - Demonstrative Function

The Ego functions describe the aspects of information that a person is more confortable and understand more easily, and also the most common States of Mind and behavior styles when they interact with other people, and certain perspectives that they might have about stuff. 

The Super-Ego functions are also used often, but only for purposes established by the Ego block, and when people force a person to use their Super-Ego functions it can cause distress and disappointment because the psyche can't channel enought energy to the Super-Ego to achieve lasting results.

### States of Mind
Ok, now what are those "*States of mind*" that exist in socionics?
Is basically how one acts when "using" an element, and it enters in this state.
Here's a description from wikisocion
> "*When a person is “using” an element he naturally goes into a corresponding state of mind, which is reflected in his body language and vocabulary, and tends to have a similar effect on the people around him, who will react based on which function that element occupies in their Model A, with interest (Ego), amusement (Super-Id), boredom (Id), or irritation (Super-Ego), etc.*"

Also, reading it, I realized that functions and elements are separate things (duh, it should be obvious at this point), but it was not! From what I could understand, the function is like what that element does to a person depending on where is inserted

Think of it like this
```python
class ModelA {
    def LeadingFunc(el Element):
        stateOfMind.enter(Element)
        stuff = processStuff(Element)
        return stuff
    def CreativeFunc(el Element):
        stateOfMind.enter(Element)
        stuff = processStuff(Element) + LeadingFunc() #I guess, idk that's not the point of the analogy here
        return stuff
    ...
}

person = new ModelA()

person.use.LeadingFunction(Ti)

#so deppending on what function you put in, you'll have a different effect on your
#body language and it'll have a simmilar effect on other people around you!
```
:::success
### :bulb: **Note.**
If you understand programming, you'll understand this, but in case you don't... go study programming on your own. Not only you'll understand this when you get back here, but also it is a really good skill to have if you master it. Trust me, it's worth studying programming.
:::

The information elements have **themes**, which are like what that element is about. The functions are how those elements and themes are used for in order to "*metabolize*" information and to make conclusions out of these thoughts. And depending on which function you are using, not only you'll process stuff differently, but you enter in a speciffic **state of mind**, that is reflected on your body language and may even contagiate other people around you.

**OK THAT WAS ACTULALLY ABSURD OMG!!! I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HAVE TO USE MY KNOLEDGE ON <ins>PROGRAMMING</ins> TO REALIZE STUFF ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY AND IT ACTUALLY MAKING SENSE**... maybe... probably... **BUT STILL.**

Also, here's a description of all elements [themes](https://wikisocion.github.io/content/elements.html#information-element-themes) and [states of mind](https://wikisocion.github.io/content/elements.html#states-of-mind) for you to read if you're interested.

## Smal Groups
Just like MBTI, Socionics types can be grouped in different groups that share similar traits. On MBTI the groups are the **Analysts**, the **Diplomats**, the **Sentinels** and the **Explorers**, each of them containing 4 types that share common traits.

Well, what if I told you that socionics has **5 DIFFERENT WAYS** to organize the types. Like, there are 5 different systems with 4 groups EACH.


Small Groups names|Group 1|Group 2|Group 3|Group 4|
-|-|-|-|-
**Quadras**|Alpha|Beta|Gamma|Delta
**Clubs**|Researchers|Socials|Pragmatists|Humanitarians
**Temperaments**|EP|EJ|IP|IJ
**Communication Styles**|Business-like|Passionate|Cold-blooded|Sincere
**Romance Styles**|Aggressor|Victim|Caring|Childlike


---
# Links, sketches and other unnorganized shit here
To study the IEI:
- [pdb commentary](https://www.personality-database.com/comment/9339356?profileID=52324)
- [sociotype.com](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/types/IEI-INFp)

About information elements
- [wikisocion](https://wikisocion.github.io/content/elements.html#:~:text=States%20of%20Mind,Super%2DEgo%2C%20etc.)
- [sociotype.com](https://www.sociotype.com/socionics/information_elements)