> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.descentpress.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Fourth function
- URL: https://www.descentpress.com/index/fourth-function/
- Published: 2026-09-05T04:40:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-11T20:10:09.000Z
- Description: Fourth function — Descent Press Index (entry forthcoming).
- Author: Jae Botávn
- Tags: #index, #Import 2026-09-04 23:45

## 1\. Etymology

**Fourth function** is Sharp’s alternate name for the **[inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/)**—the least differentiated of the four psychological [functions](https://www.descentpress.com/index/function/), opposite the superior or primary function.

---

## 2\. Plain summary

In Jung’s typology the **fourth** is the inferior: same rational/irrational nature as the superior’s pair-mate (thinking↔feeling; sensation↔intuition), behaving like an autonomous [complex](https://www.descentpress.com/index/complex/), marked by [affect](https://www.descentpress.com/index/affect/), resisting integration, mischievously influencing the superior most of all.

This Index stub is a Pattern A hub: full exposition, examples, lexicon quotes, and stamped concordance sit on [inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/). Readers landing here should cross immediately.

**Examples (exhaustive house list for this Index lemma — common fourth-function motifs named across Jung’s essays and standard Jungian lexica; not a claim that Jung’s CW contains only these):**  
synonym of [inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/); opposite superior/primary; same nature class as superior’s pair; autonomous-[complex](https://www.descentpress.com/index/complex/) behavior; [affect](https://www.descentpress.com/index/affect/) on activation; resists integration; thinker tripped by feeling; sensation blind to intuition; etc. (see parent lemma).

---

## 3\. Academic elucidation

Hub entry only. Authority and §5 sample: [inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/). Samuels redirects *inferior function* to typology.

---

## 4\. Lexicon

**Sharp (1991)**

> Fourth function. See inferior function.

(Sharp, 1991)

**Samuels, Shorter & Plaut (1986)** — *inferior function* redirect:

> inferior function See TYPOLOGY.

(Samuels, Shorter, & Plaut, 1986) — see [inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/) and [typology](https://www.descentpress.com/index/typology/).

---

## 5\. CW concordance — sample, not exhaustive

> This term is used to denote the function that lags behind in the process of differentiation. … These functions may properly be called inferior in a psychological but not psychopathological sense, since they are in no way morbid but merely backward as compared with the favoured function.  
> (Jung, 1921/1971, CW 6, p. 623, ¶763)

> Although the inferior function may be conscious as a phenomenon, its true significance nevertheless remains unrecognized. … the inferior function undergoes a regressive development; it reverts to the archaic stage…  
> (Jung, 1921/1971, CW 6, pp. 623–624, ¶764)

> Closer investigation shows with great regularity that, besides the most differentiated function, another, less differentiated function… is constantly present and is a relatively decisive factor… (auxiliary / path toward the inferior).  
> (Jung, 1921/1971, CW 6, pp. 565–566, ¶¶666–668)

---

**See also:** [inferior-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/inferior-function/); [function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/function/); [typology](https://www.descentpress.com/index/typology/); [auxiliary-function](https://www.descentpress.com/index/auxiliary-function/); [affect](https://www.descentpress.com/index/affect/); [complex](https://www.descentpress.com/index/complex/).

## References

Jung, C. G. (1971). Psychological types \[Definitions / Principal and Auxiliary Functions\]. In H. Read, M. Fordham, G. Adler, & W. McGuire (Eds.), *The collected works of C. G. Jung* (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.) (Vol. 6, pp. 565–566, 623–624, ¶¶666–668, 763–764). Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1921)

Samuels, A., Shorter, B., & Plaut, F. (1986). *A critical dictionary of Jungian analysis*. Routledge.

Sharp, D. (1991). *Jung lexicon: A primer of terms & concepts*. Inner City Books.