Are you a Sensor or an Intuitive? How to Find Out

Have you ever noticed that you struggle to find common ground with either Sensing or Intuitive personality types? In the Myers-Briggs® system, Sensors have an “S” as the second letter of their type code (for example: ESFJ) while Intuitives have an “N” as the second letter of their type code (ENFJ). The Sensing/Intuitive preference is confusing for a lot of people, especially because Intuition is often defined in Western culture as a kind of emotional awareness of how people are feeling (which in Myers-Briggs is more related to the Feeling preference).

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years of studying Myers-Briggs® personality theory is that a lot of sensors are getting mistyped as intuitives. This is kind of sad because knowing about personality type really can’t help you if you’re looking at the wrong information. Tests ask questions like “Do you focus on all the details or the big picture?”, or “Are you fascinated by possibilities?”. These poorly-worded questions are meant to determine if you have a sensing or intuitive bent, but any sensor or intuitive could answer yes to these questions because they all focus on details, some just focus on concrete details, some focus on conceptual details. Some focus on immediate possibilities, others focus on abstract possibilities. We need a better way of determining what types we are. Also, keep in mind that every single person uses intuition and sensing. We just want to figure out what someone’s first preference is.

Think of it this way. You have two hands. You favor one over the other, but you still use the other hand! In the same way, we all use Sensing and Intuition. One is more natural and more comfortable for us to use, and the other is more uncomfortable but we still use it daily. So which preference do you prefer? Sensing or Intuition? Let’s find out!

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.

Предложения

The outdoor sensor arrives fully assembled; just add batteries and mount the sensor on a pole.

Наружный датчик приходит полностью собранным; просто добавьте батареи и установите датчик.

While the color sensor actually takes the picture, the monochrome sensor is capturing depth information.

В то время как датчик цвета фактически делает снимок, монохромный датчик собирает информацию о глубине.

The sensor may be, for example, a glucose sensor.

Сенсор может представлять собой, например, сенсор глюкозы.

With larger sensor, sensor manufacturers can utilize more advances technologies that are not possible or expensive to implement in smaller sensors.

К крупному сенсору производители могут применить больше технологических достижений, которые невозможно либо дорого внедрить в небольшие датчики.

Such a sensor may contain or consist of sensor leak detection, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, sensor malfunction, or any other possible sensor.

Подобный датчик может содержать или состоять из датчика обнаружения протечки, температурного датчика, датчика давления, датчика неисправности или любого другого возможного датчика.

The primary sensor 110 can be embodied as an optical sensor, an electrical sensor and/or a pressure sensor.

Основной датчик 110 может быть реализован в виде оптического датчика, электрического датчика и/или датчика давления.

A capacitive sensor is a type of proximity sensor which detects nearby objects through electrical field generated by the sensor.

Емкостной датчик – это тип датчик, который обнаруживает близлежащих объектов через электрическое поле, создаваемое датчика.

The sensor unit includes a pressure sensor 62 and temperature sensor 63 (also in or adjacent to this air path).

Блок датчиков содержит датчик 62 давления и датчик 63 температуры (также в или рядом с этим воздушным трактом).

In non-limiting embodiments, the sensor module 614 includes a first sensor 702 and a second sensor 704.

В соответствии с неограничивающими вариантами модуль 614 датчика включает в себя первый датчик 702 и второй датчик 704.

Ничего не найдено для этого значения.

Предложения, которые содержат sensor

Результатов: . Точных совпадений: . Затраченное время: мс

Documents

Корпоративные решения

Спряжение

Синонимы

Корректор

Справка и о нас

Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900

Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Теперь стало намного проще добавлять функции искусственного интеллекта в ваш проект благодаря более совершенным инструментам, но, как мы убедились при испытании платформы машинного обучения Edge Impulse на плате XIAO BLE Sense, это по-прежнему требует определенных усилий, и кривая обучения может оказаться выше, чем некоторые ожидают.

Но для обычных задач, таких как распознавание лиц, решение не должно быть сложным в использовании или дорогим, и Пит Уорден (Pete Warden (Useful Sensors)) разработал модуль Person Sensor за 10 долларов, оснащенный модулем камеры, предварительно запрограммированным с помощью алгоритмов, которые обнаруживают близлежащие лица и сообщают результаты по I2C интерфейс.

Технические характеристики модуля Person Sensor:

• ASIC — Himax HX6537-A AI-ускоритель со сверхнизким энергопотреблением с частотой 400 МГц с 2 МБ SRAM, 2 МБ флэш-памяти
• КамераДатчик изображения — 110 градусов FOVЧастота сканирования изображения — 7 Гц без распознавания лицЧастота сканирования изображения — 5 Гц с активным распознаванием лиц
• Датчик изображения — 110 градусов FOV
• Частота сканирования изображения — 7 Гц без распознавания лиц
• Частота сканирования изображения — 5 Гц с активным распознаванием лиц
• Хост-интерфейсРазъем Qwiic для интерфейса I2C до 400 Кбит/сПин-код прерывания, используемый для указания, были ли обнаружены какие-либо люди.
• Разъем Qwiic для интерфейса I2C до 400 Кбит/с
• Пин-код прерывания, используемый для указания, были ли обнаружены какие-либо люди.
• Рабочее напряжение — 3,3 В
• Потребляемая мощностьДо 150 мВт5 мВт для светодиода
• До 150 мВт
• 5 мВт для светодиода

Координаты для распознавания лиц

Вам нужно будет подключить модуль к хост-микроконтроллеру, который либо запрашивает данные, либо использует вывод прерывания, и получить координаты распознавания лиц из области 256 × 256 пикселей, а также достоверность в процентах и то, обращено ли лицо к камере или нет. Никакие данные изображения не отправляются на хост, и поэтому они обеспечивают повышенную конфиденциальность. Примечание. Микроконтроллер Himax предварительно запрограммирован, и вы не можете обновить встроенное ПО или получать обновления.

Пример программы (режим опроса) для Raspberry Pi Pico будет выглядеть так:

Модуль также будет возвращать идентификационную информацию или, другими словами, пытаться обнаружить до 8 разных пользователей, но это не показано в примере выше, и неясно, насколько хорошо это работает. Вы найдете документацию и примеры кода на разных языках, включая Arduino, CircuitPython и Python, на GitHub.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tzPecC7YR_E%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26fs%3D1%26autohide%3D2%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26wmode%3Dtransparent

Модуль Person Sensor указан на Sparkfun за 9,95 долларов США, но на момент написания статьи его нет в наличии и он находится в стадии ожидания.

Выражаем свою благодарность источнику из которого взята и переведена статья, сайту cnx-software.com.

Оригинал статьи вы можете прочитать здесь.

In the personality community, there are a lot of myths and stereotypes related to both sensors and intuitives. Some people perceive intuitives as wrapped up in fruitless fantasies, and some intuitives perceive sensors to be dull or unimaginative. Let’s take a look at how you can REALLY tell if you’re a sensing or intuitive personality type.

To start, we need to understand that there are two different types of sensors and two different types of intuitives. We’ll try to narrow down which style of sensing or intuition you have by going through some questions.

Ask yourself these questions and be as honest in your responses as possible. Remember, at different times in your life you will relate to all of these statements. Your job is to pick the statement that comes naturally to you most of the time. Think about who you are without having to try to be that way.

A) I’m always looking around for exciting adventures and opportunities that I can enjoy right now or soon. I love immersing myself in the details and experiences available to me. I love jumping into new opportunities and finding new ways to experience the world more fully. Sights, sounds, tastes, textures – all of these things capture my attention. I consider myself realistic, observant, and adaptable.

B) I love to “make memories” and create routines and experiences that I can revisit again and again. I notice when things change because I tend to compare what’s happening now with what has happened before. I like to create comfort for myself and others and enjoy a routine that gives me a feeling of comfort and familiarity. I consider myself practical and prepared – I like knowing what’s going to happen and being ready for it.

C) I see possibilities and ideas everywhere. In fact, I get so caught up in thinking about potential and ideas that I can forget what’s happening around me. I have impulsive energy to create, explore, innovate, and imagine. I love brainstorming with people, especially about theoretical avenues and hypothetical possibilities.

D) I am fascinated with the meaning behind things. I look for symbolic resonance in situations and shift perspective to see things from numerous conceptual angles. I enjoy complexity and sinking myself into theories and abstract trains of thought. I have an inner vision of the implications of things, so much that it’s hard for me to focus on anything but the future.

Question #2 – Which dimension of time do you enjoy being in the most?

A) I spend most of my time focused on what’s happening right now.

B) I spend most of my time analyzing what happened before and how it relates to right now and the future.

C) I spend most of my time wrapped up in future possibilities, but I feel like I jump around in time all over the place.

D) I spend most of my time thinking about the distant future.

Question #3 – What kind of communication do you prefer?

A) I like direct, realistic communication. Let’s talk about what we can experience, do, and enjoy. I like stories filled with action and excitement and humor is very important to me. I hate it when people take themselves too seriously or beat around the bush.

B) It’s important to me that the person I’m speaking to is making sense and staying on track. I like it when people speak in sequential order and back up what they are saying with facts and specifics.  I enjoy sharing memories and experiences and discussing how we will get things done or specific plans we have. I hate it when people ramble or jump around in time while telling a story. I also tend to get bored in long theoretical conversations that have no practical application.

C) I love conversations that are a constant stream of ideas and perspectives. Sometimes as I’m talking I see connections between ideas and events that seem random to other people but are all connected to me. I love discussing philosophy, theory, hypotheticals, what COULD happen someday. I get bored when people speak in a very linear way. Start with the big picture and if we need more details we’ll fill those in later!

D) I like talking about theories and predictions – what’s most likely to happen in the future? What’s the underlying meaning and implication of current events? I love discussing philosophy or intriguing concepts. I don’t like it when people waste time discussing details or experiences that have no relevance for the future. Big-picture ideas and concepts are what interest me the most. The practical concerns of today tend to bore me.

Question #4 – How Aware of Details Are You?

A) I notice all the details around me without trying. It’s not that I fixate on all of them, I just naturally take them in.

B) I notice when things are out of order or different than they used to be. I’m a focused person so I’d say I’m relatively quick to notice details unless I’m lost in thought.

C) I notice details if they strike me as novel or symbolic in some way. I notice details that have potential. Then I’ll get caught up thinking of the potential and perhaps lose sight of the details.

D) I’m not particularly focused on details. I get caught up thinking about something’s meaning and can forget the physical details entirely. Focusing on concrete details stresses me out.

Question #5 – You go to see a movie. What do you want to discuss afterward?

A) Anything that seemed particularly funny or exciting. I might discuss how the activities in the movie made me think of experiences I’d like to have for myself. I might discuss how things looked or whether the movie was dull or interesting.  I might recall the most vivid, humorous, relatable, or action-oriented scenes.

B) I talk about what happened in the movie, how I experienced it, and any similar situations that it evoked in my memory. If I watched a movie about a relationship I might recall how it made me think of my relationship. If I watched a movie about the military I might recall my own military experiences. I generally talk about what happened in the movie and my values and associations with it.

C) I talk about ideas that the movie gave me that are largely conceptual. What connections were there between the movie and what is happening now in society? What inspirational ideas did the movie give me? What concepts did the movie discuss and how could we extrapolate on those?

D) I talk about what the movie symbolized to me or what the underlying themes were. Did the movie give me any clues about the meaning of things or where things are going as a culture or society? Could I get into the perspectives of the characters I was watching? Did the movie inspire any questions or theories in my mind?

Okay, that’s all the questions for now!

If you mostly selected “A” statements, then you’re likely an SP personality type (ISTP, ISFP, ESTP or ESFP). You are realistic, adaptable, and probably adventurous. Check out more about your brand of sensing here.

If you selected mostly “B” statements, then you’re likely an SJ personality type (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, or ESFJ). You are down-to-earth, focused, and methodical. Check out more about your brand of sensing here.

If you selected mostly “C” statements, then you’re likely an NP personality type (INTP, INFP, ENTP, ENFP) You are visionary, innovative, and adaptable. Check out more about your brand of intuition here.

If you selected mostly “D” statements, then you’re likely an NJ personality type (INTJ, INFJ, ENTJ, ENFJ). You are future-oriented, insightful, and focused. Check out more about your brand of intuition here.

What intuition and sensing really tell us (and why you probably related to more than one option)

Intuition tells us that you look more at the background meaning and future potential of things. You’re more future-oriented than present-oriented and while you can be a little blind to the details you are usually quick to grasp potential and abstract connections.

Sensing tells us that you are more grounded in reality and the present and past. You easily see how things can be used and are more experience-oriented than idea-oriented. While you might forget to see the far-reaching implications of things, you are very aware of what’s needed right now and realistic concerns.

Remember, you use sensing and intuition. At different times in your life, you will probably have experienced all forms of sensing and intuition. As an intuitive, there will be times that you notice details vividly or long for hands-on experiences. As a sensor, there will be times when you’re aware of symbolism, underlying meanings, and far-reaching future implications. The question is, which of these preferences comes to you without trying most of the time? How do you see yourself processing information most naturally?

Find out more about your personality type in our eBook, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type.

Want to find out more? Check out these articles!

A Look at Each of the Myers-Briggs® Personality Types

Here’s What You Wish People Understood About You, Based On Your Personality Type

Here’s the Bad Habit You Need to Break, Based On Your Personality Type

Here’s How You See the World, Based On Your Personality Type

Why Do Sensors and Intuitives Annoy Each Other?

There are multiple answers to this question. But before I get into all the details, I want to clarify that while Sensors and Intuitives CAN drive each other crazy, they can also develop strong and lasting bonds. I’m an INFJ married to an ESTP and some of my dearest loved ones are Sensors. Having an S/N difference is by no means a prescription for bitter, tumultuous relationships. In fact, if anything, Sensors and Intuitives can help balance each other out. Intuitives can help Sensors to see the bigger picture and possibilities beyond the present and Sensors can help Intuitives to see the details, application, and relevant facts in the moment.

What Does Sensing Mean?

Sensing is an information-gathering process that 8 of the Myers-Briggs personality types use. Sensing types gather information about the world around them by focusing first on concrete, tangible details and lived experiences. Sensors focus more on specifics than the big picture and prefer to deal with practical and factual details rather than patterns and theories. Sensors also prefer to attend to life in a step-by-step way and explain things in a linear, sequential way.

If you’re a Sensor, these statements would generally apply to you:

• I pay attention to details
• I’m in touch with physical realities
• I see and notice “little things” every day that other people miss
• I like attending to life in a step-by-step way
• I trust facts and my own lived experiences
• I prefer verifiable information to theories
• I have a talent for living in the moment
• I appreciate a straightforward communication style
• I prioritize being grounded and practical

What’s the difference between a sensor and an intuitive anyway?

Sensing and intuition are both perceiving functions. These functions determine how you take in the information around you.

A sensor relies on his five senses the most. They think about what is happening in their immediate environment; what they can see, smell, taste, and hear. Sensors tend to be very practical, and they like everything they talk about and do to have a real-world application. They are realistic and grounded; more likely to accept things as they appear.  Because of their sensing nature, they are very aware of their environment, and what’s going on around them. When sensors speak, they prefer to speak in a concrete, literal way as opposed to using a lot of metaphors.

There are many varieties of sensors; some will be more logic-oriented (the thinker types) or values-oriented (the feeler types). Some will be more concerned with plans and closure (the J types) or an open-ended schedule and spontaneity (the P types). There are also two different types of sensing; Introverted and Extraverted Sensing. You can find out more about that here.

Intuitive types perceive the world less through their five senses and more through patterns and impressions. They are less aware of the “here and now” and more concerned with future possibilities and meanings. Intuitives are less concerned with what things are than what they mean. They read between the lines and are abstract thinkers. They tend to be more conceptual than practical, and easily get bored with routine. When an intuitive is speaking, you will likely hear lots of metaphor and comparisons and symbolic word usage. When processing information, the intuitive is less concerned with facts than possibilities. What’s around the corner? What does that mean? What is the relationship between this event and that event? They will be more prone to thinking about philosophy, hidden meanings, and will enjoy talking about novel ideas or theories.

Why These Conversation Styles Can Cause Annoyance

Sensors enjoy discussing facts and details from their lived experiences. Intuitives enjoy discussing possibilities and theories that could potentially happen. Immediately you may see a clash in conversation when Sensors and Intuitives are sitting at a table together making conversation.

Often what happens is that the outnumbered party (either Sensor or Intuitive) politely listens to whatever the majority is discussing, gradually tuning out more and more as they focus on their preferred thought patterns. At the end of the social engagement, the outnumbered party may walk away feeling bored and discontented.

A Caveat: There are times when sensors enjoy more intuitive-style conversation and vice versa. As sensors and intuitives reach mid-life and beyond they typically develop more interest in their non-preferred preferences and have a higher tolerance for discussion in those areas. At the same time, they will likely feel a little underwhelmed if they are always outnumbered by people with an opposite preference.

Table of contents

• Why can Sensors and Intuitives drive each other crazy?
• What Does Sensing Mean?
• What Does Intuition Mean?
• An S/N Example From My MBTI® Certification:
• Why Do Sensors and Intuitives Annoy Each Other?
• Sensors Focus On What Is Known While Intuitives Focus On What Is Unknown
• Why These Conversation Styles Can Cause Annoyance:
• The Sensing/Intuitive Difference in Relationships:
• So Can Intuitives and Sensors Have Happy Relationships?
• Figure Out What Your S/N Interests Are:
• Sensing and Intuition in Arguments or Education:
• How Sensors Can Understand Intuitives (and Cope with Differences):
• How Intuitives Can Understand Sensors (and Cope with Differences):

Estimated reading time:

It all boils down to perception. So before we go into the struggles these types have in understanding each other, let’s look at what Sensing and Intuition actually are.

What Does Intuition Mean?

Intuition is also an information-gathering process that 8 of the Myers-Briggs personality types use. Intuitives gather information about the world around them by focusing first on the overall picture, hunches, and possibilities beyond the facts. Intuitives look for patterns and hidden meanings and project what could or will happen in the future.

If you’re an Intuitive, these statements would generally apply to you:

• I focus on possibilities and ideas for the future
• I see patterns and meanings
• I get hunches “out of nowhere”
• I prefer imagining more than dealing with facts
• I look at the big picture more than the details
• I prize symbolic meaning and metaphors or analogies

An S/N Example From My MBTI® Certification

When I was getting certified as an MBTI® practitioner the instructor used an exercise to demonstrate the differences between Sensors and Intuitives.

First, he separated the sensors and intuitives into two separate tables. Next, he projected a picture of a painting onto the wall and asked all of us to look at it for ten seconds. The painting showed a busy, cluttered room with a man holding a marionette puppet. There were a lot of things to look at in the picture and ten seconds wasn’t nearly enough time to note them all.

After ten seconds, the instructor turned off the projection and turned the lights on. Each table was supposed to write down what they noticed about the picture and discuss it amongst themselves.

Finally, it was time to present our thoughts. The instructor started with the Sensors (a table of about eight individuals). They immediately started listing off details – a collection of numbers they’d seen, the variety of colors in the painting, the other toys that were laid out in various corners of the room. During the ten seconds, all of them had focused primarily on collecting facts and details about the painting as if they were going to be tested on their memory after the ten seconds were over.

Next, he asked the intuitive table (where I was) what we noticed about the picture. We talked about how we saw the puppet master as a symbol for God and we were trying to figure out whether he was good or evil. We noticed the window and wondered what was outside the window and whether the toys wanted to escape the room. We had been completely blind to many of the details the sensors had noticed, instead focusing on symbolic meanings or hidden messages.

This example is just one of the ways that a Sensing or Intuitive difference can show up in daily life. Sensors and Intuitives can drive each other crazy because they see and interpret things differently. Yet Sensors and Intuitives need each other for these very same reasons.

Figure Out What Your S/N Interests Are

This is the part of the article where I remind you that all of us have access to both Sensing and Intuition. Just as we all have a preferred and non-preferred hand, we all have preferred and non-preferred preferences. A sensor still uses intuition, but they just prefer the world of sensation and blend into it more adeptly. An intuitive still uses sensation, but they just prefer the world of intuition and blend into it more adeptly.

I’m right-handed, but I type using both my right and left hands. In the same way, I’m an intuitive, but I use intuition and sensation frequently – I just blend into the intuitive world more easily.

We all have sensing and intuitive things we enjoy:

My ISTJ father-in-law loves science fiction and fantasy movies that deal with fictional universes and unknown, theoretical possibilities.

My ENTJ neighbor enjoys doing yardwork and making his lawn look beautiful.

My ESTP husband enjoys thinking up possibilities for his dream house, even if those possibilities aren’t attainable at the moment.

I (an INFJ) enjoy baking and experimenting with ingredients to come up with new pie and cake recipes.

I often connect with my Sensing husband by taking road trips with him or doing physical activity like hiking or ping-pong. When we’re driving, hiking, or otherwise physically engaged, he’s more open to discussing theories, possibilities, and strategies. Likewise, if I’ve had my intuitive needs met during my alone time, I’m much happier to focus on the facts and details my husband wants to talk about.

You can find out a lot more about Sensors and Intuitives and relationships (with tips for dealing with the differences) in my article: When Sensors and Intuitives Fall in Love.

Sensing and Intuition in Arguments or Education

The S/N preference can also create struggles and opposition in arguments or in education.

When a Sensor argues a point or educates an individual, they focus on solid facts or lessons they’ve learned from firsthand experience.  When they explain something, they explain it linearly, starting at the beginning and leading up to the main point.

When an Intuitive argues a point or educates an individual, they focus on connecting the dots, explaining those connections, or dealing with new theories. They tend to start with the main point when discussing something, rather than explaining the step-by-step history of how they got to that main point.

Thus, in arguments, or in student-teacher relationships, there can be frustrations with these differences.

Intuitives may be skeptical of the Sensor’s firsthand experience, and Sensors may be skeptical of the Intuitives pattern-finding. Intuitives may not trust the facts that the Sensor is presenting, and Sensors may not trust the new, unlived information that the Intuitive is using to strategize their plans. Intuitives may get bored with the detailed, linear information that the Sensor is using to describe something, while Sensors may get confused with the “start at the end, then explain the details later” speaking style that Intuitives use.

How Intuitives Can Understand Sensors (and Cope with Differences)

• Realize that they usually will need to hear the details and facts in order to invest in the big picture
• Affirm and enjoy the perceptions and insights of the sensors you love
• Try not to overwhelm them with theoretical possibilities and ideas. Try to stick to one at a time if possible.
• Realize that they are seeing another “side of the coin.” Take their perceptions seriously. But also realize that your perspective is valuable and make sure you’re balancing both.
• Focus on the real, the practical, and the immediate. Don’t overlook immediate concerns that are important to the sensor.
• Realize that they are more likely to see the details and nuances of something than the big-picture impression. The details are meaningful and significant to them.
• If you’re in a relationship with a Sensor, check out When Sensors and Intuitives Fall in Love: A Guide to a Thriving Relationship

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you have any tips for fellow Sensors or Intuitives? Let us know in the comments!

Other Articles You Might Enjoy

Why Judgers and Perceivers Drive Each Other Crazy

Here’s How You Use Your Intuition, Based On Your Personality Type

Your Biggest Relationship Fear, Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

Some easy ways to identify a sensor or an intuitive

– Sensors tend to be practical and down-to-earth.
– Intuitives tend to be imaginative and innovative
– Sensors focus more on the present (today, this week) or the past than the future.
– Intuitives focus more on the future than the present or the past.
– Sensors prefer to talk about what is happening or what has happened. They are more concerned with the details and will have more descriptive or literal details in their conversation.
– Intuitives prefer to talk about what things “mean” or symbolize. They are more concerned with the overall big picture and can gloss over a lot of the sensory details.
– Sensors prefer to speak literally.
– Intuitives prefer to speak metaphorically.
– Sensors will get bored more quickly talking about theoretical or abstract concepts.
– Intuitives will get bored more quickly talking about day-to-day, practical topics.
– Sensors like to “do” things. They aren’t likely to sit and just think or daydream. They’re more likely to be working on a project, playing a game, watching a movie, cleaning, building, always “doing”.
– Intuitives like to analyze. They want to think, reflect, study, experiment, innovate. They can be action-oriented, but that action almost always lines up with their future-oriented vision.
– Sensors tend to think, speak, and do things in a linear fashion. A leads to B which leads to C.
– Intuitives like to start a story or project with the “big picture” in mind and then fill in with details as necessary.

As far as how these two types get along, sensors may really enjoy intuitives and vice versa. We can all get along and appreciate each other, but there usually is a tendency for us to see each other in a light that is clouded by our own preferences.

Negative Perceptions Sensors Have of Intuitives

• “Head in the clouds”, not practical enough
• Unrealistic in their goals or visions
• Too theoretical and ethereal
• Difficult to pin down
• Too many pictures or ideas and not enough facts
• Unaware of their surroundings

Negative Perceptions Intuitives Have of Sensors

• Lacking imagination
• Uncreative. Too focused on surface details
• Constrained by the present
• Lacking vision and big-picture focus
• Too many facts and not enough pictures or meanings
• “Armchair philosophers”

Is One Preference Better Than the Other?

In a lot of typology forums and groups, you will hear or read biases. Intuitives may think they are the superior types; deeper, and more intellectual. Sensors may think they are superior; more practical and focused on what’s really important right now. No preference is better than another. We need both intuitives and sensors to have a world that functions and progresses in a healthy way. Both types have their strengths and weaknesses. The intuitive can appreciate the physical awareness and detail-oriented nature of the sensor. They can appreciate their down-to-earth demeanor and rich memory of past experiences. Sensors can appreciate what intuitives bring to the table; a rich imagination, endless possibilities for the future, and deep intellectual insights. The sensor can help the intuitive to access their least preferred functions and have a balanced approach to life; and the intuitive can do the same for the sensor. Relationships and friendships between both types can be extremely beneficial.

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The Sensing/Intuitive Difference in Relationships

In relationships, the Sensing/Intuition difference can be a difficult hurdle to jump at times. The Intuitive wants to discuss a theory or concept while the sensor wants to discuss their experiences that day or some facts and details. Over time both partners can feel like they’re running out of things to talk about.

The Sensing/Intuition difference can also create issues where both partners enjoy different types of activities.

As an INFJ, I enjoy playing strategy games (which make use of introverted intuition’s strategic nature) but my ESTP husband prefers speed-based games (which make use of his sensing ability to rapidly respond to current details and facts).

As an Introverted Intuitive, a fun night for me could involve reading C.S. Lewis and theorizing about what he wrote. I might also enjoy coming up with business plans that I can implement to create long-term rewards. My ESTP husband would rather play beat saber with me, swap massages, or watch “Fixer Upper” and talk about ways we could improve our home.

My attention is drawn to the theoretical. I like toying with concepts, strategies, and as-of-yet unlived possibilities. His attention is drawn to the experiential, practical, and tangible.

How Sensors Can Understand Intuitives (and Cope with Differences)

• Realize that they’re more interested in possibilities and theories than pre-existing facts and details.
• Understand that they don’t tend to explain or perceive things in a linear, sequential way. They tend to see things in connected bundles instead.
• Realize that they are more likely to see the big picture than the details. If they can’t connect something to a bigger picture or possibility, they may have a hard time being interested in it.
• Affirm and enjoy the perceptions and insights of the intuitives you love
• Realize that they are seeing another “side of the coin.” Take their perceptions seriously. But also realize that your perspective is valuable and make sure you’re balancing both.
• If you’re in a relationship with an Intuitive, check out When Sensors and Intuitives Fall in Love: A Guide to a Thriving Relationship

Sensors Focus On What Is Known While Intuitives Focus On What Is Unknown

Sensors enjoy discussing facts, details, and experiences. If you’re at a table of sensors, chances are they’ll be discussing the events of the week, their personal experiences, relationships, and stories from their lives. They may switch to talking about the details of their experiences – recipes they love, the best kind of bell peppers to use in a stir fry, or their plans for a work project they’re working on (these are all examples, but the specifics will vary). They may remark on the details of the room they’re in – quickly noticing if something has been moved or redecorated.

Sensing-Perceivers (ESFPs, ESTPs, ISFPs, ISTPs) will focus on taking action and experiencing the world around them in an immersive way. Adventure, opportunities, and rich experiences call to them with urgency. Thus they enjoy brainstorming fun activities that can be enjoyed in the moment or amping up the moment by listening to music, creating or tasting delicious foods, or making a game out of something. SPs like spontaneity and a casual but exciting lifestyle.

Sensing-Judgers (ESTJs, ESFJs, ISTJs, ISFJs) will focus on stability, routine, and tying up loose ends. They often enjoy recalling their experiences in vivid detail and learning about other people’s experiences. They enjoy perfecting the details of their lives. Conversation topics with SJs might include discussing the best way to refinish the floors in their home, things they’ve learned from past relationships, the best gardening technique for growing tomatoes, or productivity tips for balancing work and family life (these are all examples, the specifics will vary). For the Sensing-Judger, sharing life experiences and perfecting the details of their lives with factual, practical advice is crucial.

Intuitives enjoy discussing theories, concepts, and possibilities. If you’re at a table of Intuitives, chances are they’ll be discussing their ideas for the future, theories about something abstract, or examining a concept from multiple angles. Their discussion will be focused on what has inspired them – whether that be a concept, symbol, or idea. Rather than reflecting on past experiences, they’re more likely to focus on things that could happen in the future. Rather than focusing on details of what is known, they’ll focus on theories about what is unknown. Their conversations moves quickly, each intuitive seeing meanings and making associations without the need (or desire) for a linear, step-by-step explanation.

Intuitive-Perceivers (ENFPs, ENTPs, INFPs, INTPs) will focus on generating multiple possibilities and alternatives and exploring them out loud. They are more interested in creating new possibilities than narrowing them down. They can almost instantaneously see random connections between one thing and another. For example, they may be able to immediately crack a joke about how political parties are like the various foods at the snack table. They are typically lively, spontaneous, and curious; interested in life-changing transformations, ideas for the future, and possibilities they can imagine pursuing at any moment. They might discuss three new business ideas at once, an off-the-wall approach to dealing with tensions in the family, or brainstorm ideas for how to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Intuitive-Judgers (ENFJs, ENTJs, INFJs, INTJs) will focus on grand patterns, themes, and systems in order to understand the meaning behind things. They are interested in narrowing down possibilities and theories in order to find the one truth of what “will” come to pass. They often ask penetrating, thought-provoking questions and have a future-oriented focus on what will likely happen someday. Strategy, future-forecasting, and philosophical thought often draw them in. They will often try to turn small talk into a discussion of a bigger picture idea or meaning. They might discuss the long-range implications of the current political climate, discuss unseen issues in a relationship that others haven’t noticed, or debate the meaning of life itself and how different religions tie into that.

So Can Intuitives and Sensors Have Happy Relationships?

Absolutely! The truth is, we’re all (at times) interested in sensing or intuition – sometimes both at once! We just need to make sure that our preferred preference (either N or S) is satisfied on a regular basis. If you’re a Sensor married to an Intuitive, make sure you have other Sensors you can talk to and swap facts and experiences with. Spend time getting hands-on experiences and doing things that inspire you whether that be growing a kitchen garden or playing soccer with your friends. If you’re an Intuitive married to a Sensor, make sure you have other Intuitives you can talk to and theorize with. Spend time strategizing, exploring abstract ideas, imagining, and brainstorming ideas for your future (even if some of them may be “unrealistic”).