Program Fe

Program Fe can be compared to the sea. It can be gentle, angry, raging, or frightening—it is always different. The program function is almost beyond the control of the conscious mind; it is "larger" than the person themselves.

Their natural habitat is emotions. They respond emotionally to everything happening around them.

Their emotions are so powerful that they sometimes cannot handle them; a torrent simply washes over them, and that’s it. They may even burst into tears. Emotions override reason, and the person cannot control it. They need to live through these emotions, then catch their breath and resume a normal conversation.

This function is extraverted—they may speak loudly and emotionally without even noticing it. This is often unpleasant for those around them.

They exert a powerful influence on people who attract them, charging others with their energy, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm.

It is important to them that the people around are also emotionally engaged—that there is laughter, jokes, interesting stories, memories, some kind of game, or bright colors. They dislike gloom and despondency. An environment where everyone suppresses their mood, where there is little communication or self-expression, is clearly not for them—you can’t tell what’s on people's minds or what they care about.

Program Fe constantly tracks external cues: intonations, glances, and whether they are welcome or not. They value sincerity and openness in communication. Any "minus" to the program function results in either retaliatory aggression or avoidance of the person. Since Introverted Ethics (Fi) is a suppressed value (located in the restrictive function of the vital block), they are poor at understanding the hidden motives of others and are prone to taking frequent offense.

Because this function is also "inert," they have many emotional "anchors." For instance, they might hear a melody and immediately trigger memories of an event, and all those feelings come rushing back as if it were happening right now. For example, if she broke up with a boyfriend while a certain song played in her headphones and she was crying intensely—years later, if that song plays while she’s on vacation, she might suddenly burst into tears because she immediately plunged back into that state.

Program Fe types (like all program Ethics) belong to the "Guardians" group (one of the four argumentation styles)—they have their own "charter," their own understanding of how one should live in this world. Their speech contains many normative evaluations. There is a sense of "toughness" or rigidity coming from them.

As Rationals, they tend to believe the world is orderly and predictable, with clear, unambiguous rules and standards of behavior. They do not doubt that they are doing everything correctly and see no point in discussing the matter. At the same time, they can show intolerance toward other points of view, closing their eyes to possible discrepancies or flaws.

As Subjectivists, they may allow themselves to do things for which they condemn others.

Program Fe possesses a linear-assertive temperament—they truly exert pressure. With them, you feel a lift as if you’ve been injected with adrenaline. They can even "instill" their desires into another person through sheer will.

As Obstinate and Linear-Assertive types, they control the behavior of those around them without "fine-tuning" the communication. They identify violations immediately and make a remark right away.

• The EIE is an Aristocrat: They monitor the emotional atmosphere of the collective and address the whole group: "What happened here? Why is this person sitting there with such a sour face?" or "Why are you all yelling? Keep it down!"

• The ESE is a Democrat: They control the emotional expression of individuals and address a specific person: "What’s with your face? Why are you so gloomy? Cut it out! Smile!" Conversely, if you are too happy, they might say, "You’re a bit too cheerful. Calm down."

Program Fe is also a need for attention, a thirst for it. These are very talkative, communicative types. In a relationship with them, we are the listeners or the spectators. We watch them in silence and admire them. We do not interrupt their emotional flow. In other words, they are the kings of emotions, and you simply adapt.

One can never have too much attention, but there can be unpleasant attention, unexpected attention, or uncontrolled attention. They cannot stand indifference—they may respond with irritation or dissatisfaction. But they are also offended by the excessive emotionality or bluntness of others; it seems to them that such people are behaving inappropriately, too demonstratively, or too artificially. People near them should be "cooler," more restrained, and able to stay silent and listen.

If both partners are "Passionate" (communication style), they will simply wind each other up. Instead of extinguishing the fire, they throw wood onto it, the fire flares up even stronger, and everything burns to the ground.

As Passionate types, they act first and think later. You might simply get caught in the crossfire. This "clearing of the air" can happen several times a day. They fight, make up, fight again, etc. This is how they discharge and release negativity, provided the partner allows it and accepts these rules of the game.

Program Fe-types state exactly what they want in concrete terms. The key here is not to overthink it. Take everything literally, exactly as you were told. Program Fe-types use their emotions to show exactly and specifically what they want from you. If they want to get closer, they demonstrate positive emotions as brightly as possible; if they want to distance themselves, they show negative ones.

Despite any "dirt" they might pour on you, they feel toward you exactly how they feel. A Program Fe-type, while loving you, can say such nasty things that an outsider might think the couple is on the verge of divorce. But since the Suggestive Fe-type doesn't understand what is happening to their passionate partner at that moment (due to the information being in the Vital ring), they wait with a cool face for an explanation. And the explanation is very clear: "You [string of insults], don't you see how much I love you!"

And on the contrary, if the program Fe-type doesn't like something or is dissatisfied, they will demonstrate negative emotions. They will demonstrate them so clearly that the neighbors, the dog, every living soul, and even the "Cool-blooded" partner will understand them.

You might ask: "Why the hell does the Suggestive Fe need this?" It makes them feel alive. Not like robots with "square heads," but like living beings who, as it turns out, are also capable of feelings, emotions, and experiences.

In this union, the Program Fe can give vent to their feelings without fear of judgment from the Suggestive Fe. The Program Fe is allowed maximum expression in this partnership—the partner just soaks it all in.

Recommendations for interaction: You first need to pull them out of that emotional state. To do this, you must remain cool-headed. Listen calmly, insert small positive remarks so the person doesn't "overboil," and show by example that everything is okay. Do not try to interrupt. It turns out that everything is fine and manageable. A situation that seems like a total crisis to them should be met with: "What? No, you probably misheard/misunderstood. Everything is fine here; we can handle this easily." Then you will have an excellent relationship. They will realize that if they feel heavy-hearted, it’s best to talk to you to relieve the negativity and return to a positive mood.

Vector for growth: They need to learn to track and control what emotions they release to others and in what doses. They should learn to vent their emotions in small portions throughout the day, rather than waiting for the absolute boiling point.

Source: S. Ionkin