Sensor vs. Intuitor
The Four inner Preferences – Sensing vs. Intuitors, and Feeling vs. Thinkers can greatly be at odds with one another. Regarding Sensors vs. Intuitors, depending on the strengths of each preference in a person can really create some intense conflict and stress in relationships of any kind.
Sensors like to know why something works and are not comfortable with ambiguity. They like solvable problems that have already been vetted. They generally shy away from unproven theories and concepts. The old-fashioned journalism questions of who, what, where, why, and when is a good way to describe their thought process. Sometimes if paired with the feeling preference it can appear that they enjoy theories and concepts but as soon as certain debates start, they have trouble with enjoying the debate and keeping up with hypothetical examples.
Intuitors are usually quite imaginative and enjoy dreaming about different scenarios, stories, or problems; although NT’s and NF’s differ in the way their imagination functions (NF’s are romantic and dreamy whereas NT’s are experimental and innovative). They tend to live in the grey area and think outside the box. Their abstract minds constantly search for new meanings and are typically reflective. They usually use their gut for decisions and are comfortable with not having a set answer or precedence.
Sensors may view intuitors as being reckless because they do not understand their thought process. It is because sensors have a difficult time interpreting information outside their own world of experience that they may view intuitors as being reckless and foolish. Sensors look for concrete and tangible ways to problem solve, address conflict, and live out their daily life. Intuitors enjoy not having all the answers and approach conflict with different strategies that may be very unconventional.
Some of the reasons why these two preferences can clash in relationships:
- The difference in approaching conflict and how to solve it
- Synthesizing and processing general information
- Belief systems and values
The best way to deal with the opposing preferences is to try and meet at a common ground and seek understanding even if you do not agree with the other viewpoint. This is typically more difficult for sensing types but some intuitive types have difficulty too. Identifying the two inner preferences can be very helpful while interacting with people. One of the reasons why I personally do not suggest for romantic relationships completely oppose each other (i.e. ST types with NF types) is because of how much (more) work it takes on a daily basis to have some level of peace.