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Mental Mechanisms

Carl Jung devised the theory of psychological types. His goal was to reveal the mental mechanisms at work within us.
Now that you’ve taken the personality assessment,
let’s take a closer look at these mental mechanisms.

Download Personality Academy Worksheet

Carl Jung devised the theory of psychological types. His goal was to reveal the mental mechanisms at work within us.
Now that you’ve taken the personality assessment,
let’s take a closer look at these mental mechanisms.

Download Personality Academy Worksheet

Carl Jung devised the theory of psychological types. His goal was to reveal the mental mechanisms at work within us.

reveal Jung's mental mechanisms

Now that you’ve taken the personality assessment,
let’s take a closer look at these mental mechanisms.

Download Personality Academy Worksheet

General Orientation – Extraversion and Introversion
General Orientation – Extraversion and Introversion
Extraversion: describes an outward orientation toward people and things.

Extraverted Orientation

Extraverts tend to speak freely about whatever is on their mind. They develop their thoughts by talking through them with others. Extraverts gain energy from chatting with or being around others.

Introversion: describes an inward orientation toward ideas and concepts.

Introverted Orientation

Introverts can be territorial with their mental space and personal space. They typically reflect before sharing their thoughts. Introverts gain energy from quiet time alone or with close company.
Extraversion: describes an outward orientation toward people and things.

Extraverted Orientation

Extraverts tend to speak freely about whatever is on their mind. They develop their thoughts by talking through them with others. Extraverts gain energy from chatting with or being around others. 

Introversion: describes an inward orientation toward ideas and concepts.

Introverted Orientation

Introverts can be territorial with their mental space and personal space. They typically reflect before sharing their thoughts. Introverts gain energy from quiet time.
Modes of Operation – Planned and Spontaneous
Modes of Operation – Planned and Spontaneous
Planned: describes a more structured way of operating within the world.

Planned Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who have a preference for operating in a planned manner find comfort in following routines and schedules. They have an innate drive to make decisions as soon as possible and bring things to closure.
Spontaneous: describes a more “see what comes” way of operating within the world.

Spontaneous Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who have a preference for operating in a spontaneous manner find schedules and routines restricting. They have an innate drive to keep options open. They crave variety and flexibility and may change their minds often.
Planned: describes a more structured way of operating within the world.

Planned Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who have a preference for operating in a planned manner find comfort in following routines and schedules. They have an innate drive to make decisions as soon as possible and bring things to closure.
Spontaneous: describes a more “see what comes” way of operating.

Spontaneous Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who have a preference for operating in a spontaneous manner find schedules and routines restricting. They have an innate drive to keep options open. They crave variety and flexibility and may change their minds often.
Information Gathering – Hands-On and Theoretical
Information Gathering – Hands-On and Theoretical
Hands-On: describes a concrete way of gathering information, using the 5 senses.

Hands-On Processing of Information Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer hands-on gathering of information using their five senses focus on the present moment and proceed one step at a time. They appreciate clear objectives and tangible results.
Theoretical: describes an abstract, intuitive way of gathering information, using insights and patterns.

Theoretical Processing of Information

Individuals who prefer theoretical gathering of information by means of insights focus on future possibilities and pull from all directions at once to see the big picture. They appreciate opportunities to be creative and use their imagination.
Hands-On: describes a concrete way of gathering information, using the 5 senses.

Hands-On Processing of Information Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer hands-on gathering of information using their five senses focus on the present moment and proceed one step at a time. They appreciate clear objectives and tangible results.
Theoretical: describes an abstract, intuitive way of gathering information, using insights and patterns.

Theoretical Processing of Information

Individuals who prefer theoretical gathering of information by means of insights focus on future possibilities and pull from all directions at once to see the big picture. They appreciate opportunities to be creative and use their imagination.
Making Decisions – Objectively and Subjectively
Making Decisions – Objectively and Subjective
Objective: describes a decision-making mode that is based on logic and impersonal facts.

Objective Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer making decisions objectively seek clarity and have a sincere need to evaluate and improve. They cannot help but point out flaws or inconsistencies. They are able to detach from their emotions to make decisions.
Subjective: describes a decision-making mode that is based on values and personal impact.

Subjective Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer making decisions subjectively seek harmony and need to know that others care how they feel. They have strong empathy for others. They consider their own emotions and the feelings of others in making decisions.

Objective: describes a decision-making mode that is based on logic and impersonal facts.

Objective Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer making decisions objectively seek clarity and have a sincere need to evaluate and improve. They cannot help but point out flaws or inconsistencies. They are able to detach from their emotions to make decisions.
Subjective: describes a decision-making mode that is based on values and personal impact.

Subjective Jungian Mental Mechanism

Individuals who prefer making decisions subjectively seek harmony and need to know that others care how they feel. They have strong empathy for others. They consider their own emotions and the feelings of others in making decisions.

Everyone possesses both mechanisms, extraversion as well as introversion, and only the relative predominance of one over the other determines the type.
Carl Jung
Psychological Types p.4
Outer circumstances and inner disposition frequently favor one mechanism and restrict or hinder the other.
Carl Jung
Psychological Types p.6
Everyone possesses both mechanisms, extraversion as well as introversion, and only the relative predominance of one over the other determines the type.
Carl Jung
Psychological Types p.4
Outer circumstances and inner disposition frequently favor one mechanism and restrict or hinder the other.
Carl Jung
Psychological Types p.6

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