Auxiliary Function

The auxiliary function is a comparatively developed function that complements, rather than directly opposes, the dominant function. A judging function is typically supported by a perceiving function, or vice versa.

What Is the Auxiliary Function?

In Jungian typology, the auxiliary function supports the dominant function by bringing a different kind of psychological activity into conscious life. It helps prevent the personality from relying on one mode alone.

Judgment and Perception

Jung grouped thinking and feeling as judging functions, and sensation and intuition as perceiving functions. An auxiliary function generally complements the dominant by crossing that divide: a dominant judging function can be supported by sensation or intuition, while a dominant perceiving function can be supported by thinking or feeling.

How It Changes a Type

The same dominant function can produce very different lives depending on its support. Thinking combined with sensation may emphasize concrete organization. Thinking combined with intuition may emphasize theories and possibilities. Feeling supported by sensation may focus on present relational realities, while feeling supported by intuition may recognize developing human possibilities.

Not a Fixed Formula

Later personality systems often specify rigid function stacks. Those systems were influenced by Jung, but their exact formulas should not automatically be presented as Jung’s own complete theory.

Development

A more differentiated auxiliary function can widen perspective without directly attacking the dominant strength. It creates a bridge toward neglected experience and can reduce the strain placed on the inferior function.

Sources

• Jung Lexicon: Auxiliary Function
• Society of Analytical Psychology: Typology

Jung used the auxiliary function to explain why an individual’s conscious orientation is rarely governed by a single function in complete isolation.

Thinking may be supported by sensation for practical organization or by intuition for speculative and conceptual exploration. Feeling may be supported by sensation or intuition.

• The auxiliary is not merely a backup skill.
• It does not directly oppose the dominant function.
• Its order cannot be established reliably from one behavior.
• Popular type systems may define the hierarchy differently.