Although this book was written a number of years ago, more and more today type dynamics is being emphasised on the Psychological Type front. This was always part of Jung’s theory, but only in recent years has it been considered necessary to include type dynamics in the introduction presentations. Jung’s work only considered the four functions: dominant, auxiliary, tertiary and inferior. Now, people like John Beebe are concerned about the hierarchy of all eight functions for each of the 16 types.
The book describes each of the functions and how they manifest in the mental processes of the individual. Then each of the four functions in both their extraverted and introverted forms are described.
The author concludes with a chapter on the value and limitation of psychological type. Jung was very aware of the limitations of his theory. He did not consider it as a way to understand the total individual. Jung didn’t attempt to put his ideas into a test form. The author cautions against using tests in an absolute way. The context of the individual’s life may conceal his or her type. The circumstances of life may be so ingrained that the individual can no longer determine true preferences. The shadow is also discussed and explained. Again this is a very abstract term for most of us to understand as our shadow is part of our unconscious and thus inaccessible to us. If we manage to get a hold of a piece of the shadow, it no longer is part of the unconscious.
In an appendix H.K. Fierz discusses the clinical significance of extraversion and introversion. He theorizes that the schizophrenic is mainly introverted, while the manic-depressive is mainly extroverted. The introvert is subject to peptic ulcers, while the extravert to premature arterio-sclerosis. The introvert lives primarily in his affect and comes into conflict with the outer world. The extravert adapts himself to the external world and neglects the affect.
Finally, there is a satirical look at the eight function types and how they might interact at a formal dinner. These sketches give a rather jaundiced face to each of the types.
A worthwhile book, but not bedtime reading.