Everyone says the difference between 4 and 3 is the 3 doesn’t allow their feelings to get in the way of their work or doing whatever they set out to do and will put them on a back burner and ignore them, sometimes never going back to resolve the issue. But do you think a 3 core / fix could be overemotional and unable to ignore their emotions in order to achieve things? Or is this impossible?
It is indeed one of the main differences between 3s and 4s. An healthy integrated 3 will actually understand their feelings are important and need to be taken into account a minimum when achieving anything remotely important or "big" to them. Tho, if they are healthy they are unlikely to reach emotional outbursts since that would mean there was a lot of repression and an inability to communicate them very well, which are not the healthiest adaptation methods. So, they would rather ponder and come back with it in a collected manner (adapted and proper control), all while actually be true and authentic about their feelings.
However, it is true for average 3s that they would do anything to repress and hide their TRUE feelings, as a mean to keep tight control over the image they want to project. I insist on "true feelings" vs "expression of feelings". 3s seek to control the image they project, and so they are aware the display of certain emotions can be favorable to their image as much as some could be "bad", for a lack of better word. Therefore, it is unlikely to see a 3 suddenly burst out of emotions or be unable to control how they feel within, but it is very likely they'll be very expressive especially with Fe.
In fact, 3s whole personality has been built around controlling their inner authentic emotions and actually anything within them that could be seen as "undesirable" (3w2 > 3w4). Also, shame is the One Emotion they have specifically built against, and I can tell you they rather disintegrate to 9 directly when facing it than just live through it.
On the other hand, 4s will not repress their true feelings. In fact, their whole personality revolve around indulging in the core of their feelings. They withdraw to better feel whatever they are feeling and then react as a mean to express and taste the most possible the authenticity of those feelings, as a mean to project their most raw ("unique and authentic") self which is the image they seek to show and incarnate.
Therefore, as a reactive type, 4s will not fret to demonstrate outburst of emotions since this raw expression is believed to be the sole and true way of being authentic and so, unique. While 3s are competency types, so control is extremely important compared to 4s. They want to keep an image, therefore emotions are played with as a tool, but authentic feelings are the opposite of "controlled", thus why they are repressed and 3s are unlikely to burst out or have a turbulent display of inner emotions. Even 3w4 will control their w4 reactions, since 3 is still the central goal and this means controlling how their authenticity will appear (ironically).
However, the other fixes can really make things difficult for some 3s sometimes. I had a client recently who was 3w2 (likely ENFJ... or ESTP) with a 6w7 and 1w2 fixes (and So/sx), and at some point they actually "exploded" because of some people in the group doing (questionable) pranks. But it wasnt going against their 3 core image at first. They felt justified (1w2 fix saying hi) about it and thought other would feel similarly about the situation than them. So they joined the group when there was enough people gathered at the same place and then 3w2 did let them know a piece of their mind... They were pissed. A lot. But, the group started laughing when they exploded, because it was way too much. And of course, 3w2 didnt expect it would turn this way, at all.
I can tell you tho the client was totally perturbated and destabilized with the group's reaction. They went from confident and expressive to doubtful and absorbed, almost apathetic for a brief moment (meeting 9 dis point). They felt confident because of Fe + Soc + 6 + 1 fix beliefs, that what they were disclaiming was Right and for The Greater Good, totally Common Sense even, so how could their reaction be "exaggerated"? They were justified. But it was over the top.
The intensity of their reaction wasnt justified, even tho the feeling and concern they had were. This is where their 3 core mechanisms got hit hard.
When i talked to them they were nervous and felt they screwed up big time. Their image was shattered in little pieces, tho they couldnt admit it at this very moment. They kept trying to justify their reaction at first, in a desperate attempt to preserve their image (likable, good, rightful and correct). But they knew they kinda screwed up and eventually their worries surfaced up. They went as far as believing people would not like them anymore, and it really seemed to concern them. They felt they had to apologize themselves to the group even tho they still felt morally justified and didnt really think they should have to (and they werent necessarily wrong about this situation either, but their reaction was overboard). I heard they apoloigized but they admitted it was to preserve some image, which is big Soc 3 Fe mood there. They learned from it tho, so it was a good thing people didnt react as they wanted them to.
In any case, despite 3s hard maintenance and tight control over their emotions, the fixes, cognitive function and even IVs can make them react intensely to some situation. But the 3/fix component will do anything in their power to restore or manipulate their image in any given situation to make them be seen as whatever the 3 wants to be seen as. But will it be authentic? Like their apology, it can be done by "principle" but not truly felt, and that's why 3s have for challenge to deal with authenticity vs inauthenticity. They have to learn the image they project doesnt mean they Are what they project.
So, it's important to notice why and what makes the person react. Is it an image concern or a head or gut concern? So you can look for the right type to explain the reactivity or lack thereof. When it will come to image, 3 component will manipulate their feelings to make them fit whatever they feel they need to. 4s wont. They'll be blunt about feelings, but you'll notice there is a strong concern for being "uglily authentic".
Lastly, to sum up shame types, they are usually called "emotional type" too, because all their strategy revolves around how they manage and indulge their emotions. 2s by complying and sharing only the desirable ones (positive outlook), 3s by repressing(/controlling) and then asserting whatever they think the feelings tell them they need or want onto others, and 4s by withdrawing to seize the feeling and then reacting to show off their "authenticity". This is what defines them at their very core and thus why 3 bursting out and indulging their authentic feelings is unlikely, but not impossible. It all depends if their authenticity actually guarantees them a desirable image, until they mature and learn to dissociate from their image. 4s on the other hand need to learn not everybody needs to know every single whereabouts of their feelings to make them "truly authentic".
Anyway, I hope it could answer your question uwu ~☆