What is Looping, and Have I Mistyped Because of It?
In response to an anon I received a few days ago on how to determine what type you are if you are looping. More specifically, if they themselves were a looping INFJ or ISTP.
A loop, by cognitive definition, is when you skip over your auxiliary function, going directly from your dominant to your tertiary, without the auxiliary coming into play at all.
For example, in, say, an INFP. A looping INFP would go from Fi to Si, skipping over Ne completely in the cognitive process to use Si and then Te.
This state of mind is very common, often happening due to stress, internal conflict, or simply because the situation calls for it.
Loops are usually completely normal, and very common. Everyone loops at some point, but it usually happens very briefly(a few minutes/hours). These loops are comfortable and can be even enjoyable for the subjected party, and often come into play for important decision, occasionally increasing efficiency.
However, sometimes, one may go into an extended loop, lasting several days, even months. These types of loops are very unhealthy for the subjected party, often resulting in poor mental health,
When someone talks about loops, the latter(unhealthy) ones are generally what is being spoken of, and will be what I am discussing.
Whether or not you are looping, at least in the sense of an extended and unhealthy loop, is generally pretty self evident if you know what it is.
If you already know your type/functions, either due to typing in a healthy state of mind or by deductive reasoning and knowledge of how the entire function stack works, then the lack/loss of your auxiliary function may come as a bit of a surprise, or as a massive source of confusion.
So, in reference to the original question(s), which is ‘How do I know if I’m a looping (insert Type here), or a looping (insert type here)?’
Four Ways to Determine Your Type while Looping
1. Make sure you are, indeed, looping.
This does seem rather counterproductive, but keep in mind that looping is not the only thing that can mess up your cognitive processes. You could be gripping, or you could have a toxic dominant function, or you could simply be using your functions in an unhealthy manner.
Or you could simply have mistaken one combination of cognitive functions for another, and may need to study cognitive processes and how they work together more.
Before determining your type based on a loop, make sure that there is, indeed, a function ‘missing’ as it were. Otherwise, you could very well mistype, and potentially mess with your cognitive processes by attempting to break out of a nonexistent loop.
2. Examine your dominant function
The obvious question to ask yourself, first, is exactly what you would expect it to be. Which function of the two you think are looping do you use first?
No, not which is strongest. This is a common misconception in MBTI, that the strongest function is your dominant function. However, considering the environmental factors in determining one’s type, it is entirely possible that one may be forced to use certain functions more. (For example, a strong Fe type in an environment where expression of one’s emotions is forbidden/taboo may mistype due to Fe being suppressed.)
So, that misinformation aside, which function do you go to first?
I’ll use the example of a looping INFJ vs. a looping ISTP.
In an ISTP, their primary function is Ti, or Introverted Thinking. When they process something, they do it via their internal logical processes, THEN it goes to Ni.
In an INFJ, their primary function is Ni, or Introverted Intuition. They process things by intuitively extrapolating a conclusion, and THEN it goes to Ti.
This example given, examine yourself and try to think of whether or not you are more comfortable using one function more than another, and which one you use first. Once you’ve got your answer, therein lies your type.
3. Examine your inferior function
The Inferior Function is the fourth in your function stack. Now, normally it is fairly weak due to a lack of use.
However, despite its weakness, it does still work, contrary to popular belief. Though it tends to still be weak when you use it, it serves a purpose.
Now, out of the two functions that are not in the loop(Fe and Se in the previous case of the INFJ and ISTP), which one is weak, and which one is nonexistent?
While looping, one skips over the auxiliary function, therefore it does not come into play whatsoever. It is virtually nonexistent due to the loop.
An Inferior function still works despite its placement, and is therefore stronger than the auxiliary function while looping.
In the case of the INFJ vs. ISTP:
The INFJ would skip over Fe, making it nigh nonexistent, directly to Ti, then Se. Se would still come into play, weakly, but it would very much still be there.
The ISTP would skip over Se, making it nigh nonexistent, directly to Ni, then Fe. Fe would come into play, weakly, but more strongly than Se, because, obviously, Se isn’t there.
The one that is nonexistent is your auxiliary, the one that is weak would be your inferior. If you are unsure what a function looks like when it is nonexistent, I would suggest looking at PoLR descriptions of the two functions you are struggling with understanding.
4. Read up on/examine your Shadow Functions
The Shadow Functions are the four functions not in your primary function stack. They come into play, just like the primary stack, but generally do so entirely unconsciously.
They fall in the same order as your primary function stack, but with introversion and extroversion reversed.
Example: An ISTP would have the primary functions Ti-Se-Ni-Fe. Then, Shadow Functions Te-Si-Ne-Fi.
Put simply, The 5th(Opposing Personality) function works as an unconscious inferior function, or ‘argumentative’ function as it were.
The 6th(Critical Parent) function is actually quite strong, but used entirely unconsciously.
The 7th(Trickster or Point of Least Resistance(PoLR)) function is very, very weak, to the point of nonexistence.
Now, with this knowledge, you can examine your PoLR function. In INFJs, it’s Te, in ISTPs, it’s Ne. Look up PoLR functions and how each function works in that place. You can potentially decide between the two types by determining your PoLR and Critical Parent function, if all else fails.
In addition, and on a final note, please keep in mind that some loops do stem from mental illness. If this lasts for too long or drastically decreases your quality of life, your ‘loop’ may indeed be something else entirely, and it may be in your best interests to seek out psychiatric help. However, as this is usually not the case, don’t stress about it.
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