Program Function

Every individual is a micro-society in miniature, possessing a unique foothold in the world and an evolutionary role that no one else can fulfill. We all have an innate freedom of will and a distinct identity, yet whether this potential truly unfolds depends on the development of the Program Function (the first function in Model A).

The Program Function serves as the absolute core of the personality, shaping an individual’s entire worldview. It is the primary vehicle for self-expression and for tackling life’s global challenges. In fact, the essence of Model A is the fulfillment of this specific function’s goals, with all other functions acting in a supporting role.

The Filter of Reality

The Program Function acts as a primary filter through which all incoming information passes. It defines how a person perceives and conceptualizes the world. This processing often happens so naturally that the individual may not even realize they are wielded this innate strength.

Rational Functions: If the program is rational, the individual forms rigid requirements. The world mustcorrespond to their internal logic or ethics; they can become a "hostage" to their own program.
Irrational Functions: If the program is irrational, the individual forms rigid needs. For instance, Introverted Sensing creates a hunger for diverse sensory experiences, while Extroverted Intuition demands a constant flow of new information and possibilities to feed the imagination.

Tireless Efficiency and Professional Foundation

In the aspect of their Program Function, a person is capable of working tirelessly and effectively. It is their natural "battery." Because developing this function exponentially amplifies personal potential, it serves as the ideal foundation for choosing a profession or a lifelong hobby. While a person might feel they aren't "doing enough," they are often performing work of a scale and character that the average observer—or even the individual themselves—cannot fully grasp.

Psychological Properties: Confidence and Aggression

The Program Function possesses two critical behavioral traits:

Unshakable Self-Sufficiency: When a person is confident in their "program," they become effectively immune to external feedback. They may ignore both the compliments and the criticisms of others, as their internal conviction is so absolute that outside opinions lose their significance. While this provides great stability, it can lead to a refusal to adapt to situations where their position might be objectively inadequate.
Defensive Aggressiveness: Despite its strength, the first function is highly sensitive to restriction. When a person is "suppressed" or "oppressed" regarding their base aspect, it triggers a powerful negative response—ranging from cold aggression to uncontrollable emotional outbursts or hysteria.

Conclusion: The Path to Individuality

One's true potential is not guaranteed; it must be reclaimed. A person can either allow their Program Function to dominate and lead their life, or they can fail to exercise their will, becoming a mere "cog" in social programs. To master the Program Function is to move from being a component of the mass to becoming a fully realized individual.

How to Determine a Type When It Doesn’t Manifest Through Its Creative and Leading Functions

Sometimes it is difficult to determine exactly what type is standing before you when that person is in a state of boredom or lethargy, wanting for nothing and showing no initiative. This happens to everyone when they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. People want to be where they are needed—where they can operate through their leading functions.

If an ILI is asked to criticize a system that is already perfectly fine-tuned, they won’t find it interesting to take on. If an IEI enters a collective where everything is already harmonious and everyone is friendly, they will grow bored. A LSE might arrive to optimize production, only to find it running perfectly, and so on. When a person is bored, their sense of purpose fades and they sink into "hibernation"; this means there are no problems nearby that they actually want to solve.

Sometimes things go so far that Ethicians, out of boredom, begin creating conflicts out of thin air just so they can skillfully resolve them. Logicians may tear down what they logically built only to rebuild it from scratch, just to avoid dying of boredom.

This is why we always need people around us who will "throw" the right problems our way. Ethicians reconcile people, Logicians solve problems, Intuitives invent, and Sensors manifest ideas into reality. If you are bored—find the right people. If you are facing a dormant type, you must wake it up to discover who they truly are. At that point, you can begin experimenting with different information aspects.

Source: S. Ionkin