Full Theory Overview

Theory Introduction

All CT Sites: CognitiveType.com / CognitiveTypology.com / Nemvus.com / Vultology.com

There is no single right way to read through all these materials, so feel free to jump around based on what you're most curious about. But before we get into the contents of the theory, the general structure of the theory has to be understood as well as its purpose and design:

• What is Cognitive Typology?
  • Is
    • A Research Project
    • A Jungian Investigation
    • A Field of Study
  • Is Not
    • A Personality Theory
    • A Self-Assessment
    • A Verification of MBTI, Socionics, etc
• Quick Theory Overview
  • Four Layers of Emergence
  • Overview of the Model

As you’ll read above, especially in this article, CT is composed of four interlocking layers: Metabolism, Vultology, Behaviorism and Psychodynamics. It also starts from J-P, then goes to Ji/Je/Pi/Pe, then goes to the eight functions only after that. These types are visually determined, but introspectively determined. And lastly, the model is not all-encompassing of the psyche, but describes one specific aspect of personhood; object management.

Metabolism

We’re now ready to start by taking a look at how information is metabolized. If you’re coming from other systems, you might also want to take a look at these first, to make sure you’re not mixing terms. CT is precise with its terms and excludes a lot of things from the core definition of a function or attitude:

• Redefining “I”
• Redefining “E”
• Redefining “N”
• Redefining “S”
• Redefining “T”
• Redefining “F”
• Comparisons between CT and other models

These links will give you a general overview of how CT views information processing (metabolism):

• Overview of Metabolism
  • Judgment & Perception 
  • The necessity for Associative (N) and Literal (S) Perception
  • The necessity for Animate (F) and Inanimate (T) judgment
  • The necessity for Proactivity (E) and Reactivity (I)
  • The Ne-Si and Ni-Se Oscillations
  • The Fe-Ti and Te-Fi Oscillations
  • Economy (Je)
  • Principle (Ji)
  • Four Function Metabolism
  • Hierarchy
• The Four Energetics (Je, Ji, Pe, Pi)
• The Four Attitudes (N,S,T,F)
• Energetics as Ontological Priorities
• Four Function Quadrants

Some of this material may be outdated, and the CTA below takes priority, in giving us a much cleaner language for describing metabolism:

Cognitive Typology Architecture

If you’d like to dig deep and take a look at the most precise definitions being worked on right now, take a look at the Cognitive Typology Architecture (CTA) being developed. It aims to describe the metabolic processing of the functions by an analogy to computer language:

• Cognitive Typology Architecture (CTA)
  • A Computational Metaphor PT1
  • A Computational Metaphor PT2
• The P Systems
  • Discrete & Continuous
  • Vortical (V) vs Modular (M)
• The J Systems
  • Gravitic (G) vs Radial (R)
  • Mechanistic & Teleological
• P+ (Pe)
  • P+ Information Gathering
  • P+ with a Visual Explanation
• J+ (Je)
  • J+ Procedural Processing
  • J+ with a Visual Explanation
• J- (Ji)
  • J- Definitional Processing
  • J- with a Visual Explanation
• P- (Pi)
  • P- Temporal Contextualizing
  • P- with a Visual Explanation
• V+ (Se)
  • V+ Actuality
  • V+ with a Visual Explanation
• V- (Ni)
  • V- Trans-Locality
  • V- with a Visual Explanation
• M+ (Ne)
  • M+ Potentiality
  • M+ with a Visual Explanation
• M- (Si)
  • M- Locality
  • M- with a Visual Explanation

(This material is still being worked on, but you can ask questions in those threads, if it is unclear.)

Behaviorism

Now that we’ve described the metabolic processing of the types, we move to the next layer of emergence - how that metabolic process creates typical (but not exclusive) behaviors, in statistical manifestation across individuals.

These profiles are written in “pure” and “concentrated” form, decontextualized from any function hierarchy. Rarely will any individual manifest 100% of these traits, but all the traits correlated to the metabolism have been placed here.

When the function is in a hierarchy, the other functions also curb and change the expression of the function. So these profiles best describe individuals of a standard development (l—).

Four Energetics

• Judgment & Perception
• Je - Articulator Function
• Ji - Compass Function
• Pi - Worldview Function
• Pe - Explorer Function
• Conductor & Reviser
• Metabolic Principles (difference between IN and Ni, etc)

Eight Functions

• Fi Behaviorism
• Ti Behaviorism
• Fe Behaviorism
• Te Behaviorism
• Ni Behaviorism
• Si Behaviorism
• Ne Behaviorism
• Se Behaviorism

Emotions

And we can’t leave out the emotional attitudes, which stand outside of type, but minimally inform us about how the emotional system can intersect with the cognitive system:

• Emotional Attitudes
• Seelie
• Unseelie
• Adaptive
• Directive
• Fallen Affect

These behavioral profiles should give you a sense of the flavor of the functions, what is included in their manifest expression and what is not. Notice that compared to other models, Fi is a much more rational process in CT, and is also capable of harmony-seeking - something commonly allotted to Fe only. Emotional attitudes being separated from cognition is a key innovation in CT, that has allowed the breaking of a lot of stereotypes - allowing all types to be agreeable or disagreeable.

Compound Functions

But what about the “shadow functions” you ask? Sorry, but the CT model doesn’t have shadow functions, as it’s not an 8 function model. Here are a few reasons why:

• Axes Exclusion Hypothesis

However, the model does have something we call “Compound Functions” which are emergent effects of two functions working together, which “cover” the territories of the unavailable functions. These are not “real” functions, but are instead two-function collaborations:

• Compound Functions
• IF
• IT
• IN
• IS
• EF
• ET
• EN
• ES

That sums up the behavioral profiles in isolation. But nobody exists as the isolated components of cognition. They all exist in a hierarchy. If you wanna see how these elements come together into type-specific profiles, visit this link and see if we have a profile written for your development:

• Type Profiles

If you’ve been typed in CT, and don’t relate to these behavioral profiles, or have questions about how you fit into your type, visit this FAQ link:

• FAQs & Typing Clarifications

Vultology

Now we turn to vultology, and to understanding how it’s theoretically linked to, and emergent from, that real-time cognitive processing. For an explanation of how vultology rises out of cognitive processing, these articles are the best. Click the “next” arrows on the page, to read them all sequentially.

Codifier 1 Series

• Introversion and Extroversion
• Judgment
• Perception
• Ji Compass
• Pe Explorer
• Je Articulator
• Pi Worldview
• Se
• Ne
• Ni
• Si
• Te
• Fe
• Ti
• Fi

After this initial explanation of how cognition gives rise to vultology, we’re in a position to learn more keenly how to identify these vultologies reliably. 

There’s a big gap between knowing, in principle, how a function looks, and being competent at identifying them within all the noise variables that exist in real world settings. This takes a lot of hours of practice, but the following guides are great place to start:

• 2018: The Definitive Vultology Series

Codifier 1.5 Series

This series shows the Codifier 1.5 signals being enacted:

• 2019: 10 Signals Series

Codifier 2.0 Series

• 2020: How to use the Codifier 2.0

This shows the Codifier 2.0 updates, with GIF examples. The codifier gets refined as we learn get better at narrowing down the relationship between vultology and psychology. We’re currently on Codifier 3.0 but the information in Codifier 2.0 is still meaningful and valuable to have. This article on the evolution of the code into its present form is important:

• Moving from 2.0 to 3.0

And this wiki page houses the new Codifier 3.0 signals, with GIFs for each one:

• Vultology Code 3 (current)

Codifier 3.0 Series

For the latest information, the 2022 Lecture Series is the place to go:

• Introversion & Extroversion
• Judgment & Perception
• Four Energetics
• Judgment Functions (Candid vs Measured)
• Perception Functions (Grounded vs Suspended)

In addition to these videos, the Codifier 3.0 signals are also explained through these pages:

Energetic Signals by Strength:

• Je Strength Levels
• Ji Strength Levels
• Pi Strength Levels
• Pe Strength Levels

Function Axes Signal Differences:

• Fe/Ti vs Fi/Te Signals
• Ne/Si vs Ni/Se Signals

Function Signals by Strength:

• Fi/Te Strength Levels
• Ti/Fe Strength Levels

Advanced Look: Static Tension Variants

• J: Mouth Tension Variants
• P: Ocular Tension Variants

This series has also started the first ever deep-dive into the 16 type vultologies. These links below make use of the 16 Definitive Vultology threads that they are reviewing:

• • Video: Identifying TeSi Vultology
  • Video: Identifying NiFe Vultology
  • Video: Identifying SiTe Vultology
  • Video: Identifying FeNi Vultology
  • Video: Identifying SeTi Vultology
  • Video: Identifying TiSe Vultology
  • Video: Identifying NeFi Vultology
  • Video: Identifying FiNe Vultology
  • Video: Beta & Delta Psychology
  • Video: Identifying TeNi Vultology
  • Video: Identifying NiTe Vultology
    (more coming soon)

These videos and threads will present you with the best info we have so far on specific type developments. To go further, and attain mastery of vultology requires hours of hands-on training through a vultology class, which you can sign up to at this link (if the class signups are open).

Psychodynamics

Psychodynamics, or “Mythology,” is the fourth and last layer of emergence of the model, and is the most closely tied to depth psychology. It deals with the way the archetypes and symbols of the psyche constellate in a particular person, based on their type.

Quaternity

The quaternity refers to the four archetypes created by the four energetics, as Child, Prince, King and Senex. Each function has the corresponding essence of that archetype:

• Pe as Puer/Puella
• Ji as Prince/Princess
• Je as King/Queen
• Pi as Senex/Crone

For example, a Je-lead like a TeSi naturally comes with King/Queen energy. They emit that energy, and the archetype is existent in their embodiment. For them, integrating the Child archetype corresponds to integrating their tertiary Pe (Ne, in the case of a TeSi).

The eight functions also have slightly different archetypal flavors on these four, which manifest in specific myths such as:

• Te Mythology
• Fe Mythology
• Fi Mythology
• Ti Mythology
• Se Mythology
• Ne Mythology
• Ni Mythology
• Si Mythology

In this manner, therapists can guide people through a psychological journal, by confronting and accepting these elements of oneself, which brings me to:

Integration

Integration is the act of bringing unconscious functions into consciousness, and having them integrate into the core personality. In CT, development allows for the potential for all four functions to be conscious, denoted by the label “llll”, or any such combination. No development is seen as innately superior to the others, but each are a way of specializing one’s focus. These articles discuss this process, how it happens, and how to go about changing it, if desired:

• Developments
• Integration
  • Aspects of Integration 
    • From Fantastical to Actual
  • Stages of Integration
    • Stages of Conscousness Thread
• CT Modulation Experiment Guides (member-initiated experiments *)
  • Azenta’s Modulation Tips (member-initiated experiments *)

* These documents are listed for informational purposes only. Please speak to your healthcare provider before attempting any therapeutic interventions. CognitiveType.com is not responsible for any effects which may result from the application of these ideas.