Decoding Intuition: Psychiatrist Carl Jung's Take On This Mysterious Human Ability

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was influential in shaping our understanding of intuition.

He believed that it's a cognitive function we use to perceive and process information. It works beyond the surface level, allowing us to see patterns and connections that our senses might miss. Intuition can be seen as a form of advanced pattern recognition that operates at an unconscious level.

It's like a radar that picks up signals, processing them without us even realizing it.

How Intuition Works In Our Everday Lives

Everyone's had an encounter with their intuition.

Perhaps you've experienced a flash of insight while exploring different solutions to a problem. Or maybe you had a "gut feeling" that someone is having a bad day. These experiences come from our intuition, which is picking up on subtle cues that our conscious mind may not be aware of.

And Jung believed this ability could be oriented toward the inner or outer world.

He called them:

• Introverted Intuition: Focuses on internal perception and insights to understand the deeper meaning behind things.
• Extraverted Intuition: Focuses on seeking new possibilities and outer experiences.

Here's a deeper dive into each.

Introverted Intuition: How To Solve Problems Through Pattern Recognition, Perspectives, and Metaphor

Jung believed that Introverted Intuition allowed people to perceive the underlying patterns behind information or events.

Its main job is to uncover deeper insights and connections that are not immediately apparent to the conscious mind. It's like a deep-sea diver looking for treasure in murky waters, noticing subtle patterns and signals that reveal golden insights.

Someone with strong Introverted Intuition can often anticipate future events thanks to their advanced pattern recognition skills, and they're skilled at using symbolism and metaphor to solve problems.

Harness the Power of Introverted Intuition

Its character archetype is the "visioning mystic," as personality type expert Matt Sherman calls it.

It's easy for this character to access the unconscious mind or symbolism for guidance. They "peek behind the curtain" to see the deeper meaning behind things. Imagine Nelson Mandela, Emily Dickinson, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Marvel's Matthew Murdoch.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to tap into this perspective and become a better problem-solver:

1. Points of view: View your problem from different perspectives: Someone who's already solved it, your "future self," or an expert you admire.
2. Meditation and solitude: This will give you a deeper understanding of your inner world, leaving space for intuitive insights to emerge.
3. Turn your problem into a metaphor: Write a short story that metaphorically represents your problem or situation. This will help you explore different perspectives and solutions.

Extraverted Intuition: How to Solve Problems Through Innovation and Exploration

Jung believed that Extraverted Intuition is a way of perceiving the world that is oriented toward the external environment.

Its main job is to explore the widest range of possibilities and opportunities. It's like a spiderweb, with each new thread representing a possibility or idea.

Someone with strong extraverted intuition can make connections between these threads, weaving together a web of new insights and possibilities.

Harness the Power of Extraverted Intuition

Its character archetype is that of the "innovating explorer," as personality type expert Matt Sherman calls it.

It's easy for this character to think outside the box and quickly generate possibilities. They create change and shake things up. Imagine Tony Stark, Edward Morra from Limitless, Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, or Patrick Jane from the Mentalist.

Here are 3 strategies you can use to tap into this perspective and become a better problem-solver:

1. New ways: Expose yourself to new situations, ideas, and people. This will broaden your horizons and give you a more explorative perspective on the world.
2. Brainstorming: Generate a wide range of possibilities for any given problem. Use a mindmap or create a list of possibilities.
3. Concoctions: Combine ideas or things you usually wouldn't. For instance: Come up with 10 new recipes using ingredients that you normally wouldn’t pair together.

This mysterious human ability can give us a sense of direction and guidance, helping us to navigate unknown terrain.