Loops and Grips
Note: If you're new to MBTI, or the word “cognitive function” doesn't mean anything to you, I recommend reading this Cognitive Functions 101
As a quick recap, you use four functions: Two perceiving functions and two judging functions. The most healthy way to use these functions is this: You use your dominant first, your auxiliary to support your dominant, your tertiary to balance your auxiliary, and your inferior to balance your dominant
Now, there are a few problems you can have with that: 1. Your tertiary function has the same E/I orientation as your dominant – your auxiliary function doesn't. So your tertiary might be more within your comfort zone 2. Sometimes your auxiliary function doesn't work in a given context. Usually your tertiary function is there for exactly that: to help your auxiliary function. But there's a possibility you stop using your auxiliary function completely
...And that's what is called a loop
Here's how it works: You use your dominant first, skip your auxiliary, and use your tertiary instead
The problems: 1. You can't use your tertiary as well as you use your auxiliary. It's usually more of a double-checking-function or a “backup” to your auxiliary; you can't use it well without it 2. It means that you either only use extroverted functions or only introverted functions. You need both – since you cant only live in your head or only live outside your head 3. A function axis is supposed to work together. But in a loop, there's nothing to balance out your tertiary function
Example of a loop
A healthy INTP uses Ti-Ne-Si-Fe, in that order. An INTP in a loop uses Ti-Si. An ISxJ has Si as a dominant function, and Ne as an inferior function. Si prefers structure, routine, and repetition. However, a healthy ISxJ will be able to balance that with their Ne – that's how they're able to deal with new situations, even if they don't enjoy them
An INTP in a loop, on the other hand, doesn't use Ne – Their Si is completely unbalanced. They will convince themselves that they're alright with the situation they're in, and avoid anything that might change it. At the same time they'll get more and more stressed; they'll ruminate about past mistakes they've made when they were in the situation they try to avoid. At the same time, they'll get anxious about any indication of change.
Social isolation is a great (and for an INTP, common) example for that. An introvert who is isolated for a long time is prone to looping, as their extroverted auxiliary function isn't necessarily needed:
-INTP gets isolated and stops using Ne –> gets comfortable with the isolation –> stresses out over any indication that the isolation might end, e.g. gets annoyed or angry at people trying to talk to them –> possibly ruminates about embarassing things they have done in the past, further convinving them to stay isolated
Solution: Overcome the initial distress and start socializing again. However, the longer someone has been in a loop, the less likely they are to do that.
So, skipping your auxiliary function in favor of your tertiary function is called a loop.
You can also skip your dominant function in favor of your inferior function. That is called a grip
Let's use another example: An IxFP has dominant Fi and inferior Te. ExTJs, who have dominant Te, are often good at organizing and efficiency. They make good leaders. They see their goals first, but their Fi can help them consider moral values as well.
An IxFP in a grip has two disadvantages: 1. They're not good at using Te; they're not good at being efficient 2. They skip their Fi – so their inferior Te stays unbalanced
A good example would be an IxFP who don't see any results regarding their values. IxFPs have a strong moral compass, but due to low Te, they're not the best at acting towards what they consider “right” in an organized way. So what happens is:
-IxFP feels strong about something –> gets impatient when they don't see quick results, or when their values are violated –> starts micromanaging people, tunnel vision (the only thing they see is their goal), wants things to be done their way –> Because they don't double-check with their Fi-values, is likely to lash out at people. Yells at others for doing things “wrong”, blames other people for inefficiency
Both a loop and a grip are vicious cycles – the problems caused by the loop/grip reinforce the avoidance of your higher functions