Comparative Analysis of the Psychological Function Se through Affordance Theory and Phenomenology

An attempt to create an unofficial supplementary version of this psychological function explanation article

Based on this, the attempt is to incorporate philosophy and academic theory to conduct a detailed comparative analysis.

Perhaps it will deepen our understanding in some way?

In MBTI and Jungian psychology, Se (Extraverted Sensing) is often explained as a "function that perceives reality through the five senses." However, this explanation alone makes it difficult to see "what Se is actually doing."

In recent cognitive science and philosophy, there are theories that can serve as references for understanding Se. These are Gibson's Affordance Theory and Phenomenology.

Of course, these are theories from different fields and were not created to explain Se itself. However, by comparing them, the characteristics of the psychological function known as Se become more concrete.

What is Se?

Jung positioned Se as a psychological function that directs attention toward concrete facts of the external world and sensory reality.

What Se focuses on includes:

• Events currently occurring

• Colors, sounds, and textures

• The movement of people and objects

• Space and distance

• Bodily sensations

and so on.

What is important is that it receives reality itself first, rather than "meaning" or "interpretation."

What is Affordance Theory?

Psychologist James Gibson believed that people do not perceive objects themselves, but rather "what can be done in that environment."

For example, when looking at a chair,

• it is furniture

• Made of wood

Prior to such knowledge

• can be sat on

• can be carried

• can serve as a step

—such action possibilities (affordances) are perceived.

In other words, perception is not merely the passive reception of information from the world, but the function of directly discovering 'how the body can interact with the environment.'

What is Phenomenology?

Phenomenology is a philosophy developed by Husserl and Merleau-Ponty.

The question phenomenology asks is, 'How does the world appear to us?'

Here, theories and preconceptions are set aside, and the experience itself is carefully described.

Merleau-Ponty further considered that humans experience the world through the body, emphasizing 'embodied perception.'

Commonalities between Se and Affordance Theory

1. Directly grasping reality

Both prioritize perception over concepts.

Se first looks at reality.

Affordance theory first looks at action possibilities.

Both take the 'world before one's eyes' as the starting point, rather than 'theories in the head.'

2. Emphasizing the current situation

Se handles information of the 'here and now'.

Affordances are also determined by the current environment and the current body.

Rather than speculating about the future, attention is directed toward the possibilities that exist in this very moment.

3. Connection to the Body

Se has a strong connection to bodily sensations.

In affordance theory as well, the affordances perceived by humans change.

• Whether a child or an adult will bump their head on a low table

• Whether a healthy person or an elderly person finds a ramp or stairs easier to climb

• The skill level of a beginner versus an expert (such as the difference between a soccer novice and a professional)

As these examples show, if the body or the individual acting as the subject changes, the world that is perceived also changes.

4. Perception Directly Linked to Action

Se excels at perception that is linked to action.

For example, in sports:

• The trajectory of the ball

• The opponent's center of gravity

• Open space

One instantly grasps changes in the situation and moves the body accordingly.

This can also be considered a state of rapidly detecting affordances.

Commonalities between Se and Phenomenology

1. Emphasis on Experience

Both place greater importance on experience than on theory.

Phenomenology considers 'how the world is experienced'.

Se also receives the reality that is experienced first, rather than abstract meaning.

2. The body becomes the center of perception

Merleau-Ponty considered the body not as a tool for understanding the world, but as the point of contact with the world itself.

This overlaps well with the image of Se interacting with the world through the body.

However, the three are not the same theory

While they share many commonalities, the subjects they deal with are different.

In other words,
Se explains 'cognitive/physical ability',
affordance explains 'environment',
and phenomenology explains 'experience'.

Can Se be considered an 'ability to discover affordances'?

They cannot be completely equated.

However,if we view Se as a cognitive function that quickly discovers and utilizes affordances in the environment,many of its characteristics can be explained.

For example, people with dominant Se are

• tools that can be used,

• dangerous places,

• open spaces,

• opportunities,

• paths where one can move their body,

and the like, which they find easily and instantaneously.

This can be described as a state of efficiently exploring the action possibilities of the environment.

Se is broader than affordance theory

However, Se cannot be explained by affordance alone.

Se also includes

• perception of beauty

• acuity of the five senses

• sense of presence

• sense of rhythm

• adaptation to speed

• athletic ability

and so on.

On the other hand, affordance theory focuses primarily on action possibilities, or 'what can be done.'

Therefore, it is more appropriate to consider affordance theory as a theory that explains a part of Se.

Differences from Phenomenology

Phenomenology analyzes 'how the world is experienced.'

Se, meanwhile, is a cognitive function that determines 'how reality is perceived and linked to action.'

In other words, phenomenology explains the structure of experience, while Se explains the workings of cognition.

Integrating the three

The three theories are not in conflict. They each explain different layers.

Thinking of it this way,

• affordance theory is the 'world'

• Se is a 'cognitive function'

• Phenomenology is 'experience'

explains, and the three are in a complementary relationship.

Conclusion

Se cannot be captured by the simple explanation that it is a 'function with sharp five senses'.

When compared with the affordance theory of cognitive science, Se can be understood as a cognitive function that discovers action possibilities existing in the environment and connects them to physical actions.

Furthermore, by adding phenomenology, Se is positioned not as mere information processing, but as part of an 'experience of directly engaging with the world through the body'.

By incorporating such perspectives, Jungian Se can be understood as a richer concept that is also connectable to modern cognitive science and philosophy.

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