Intertype Relationship: Kindred

General Description of Kindred Relations

In kindred, or comparative, relations, partners have the same leading function, but opposing creative functions. The common leading function makes establishing a connection and understanding the other person easy, while the different creative functions reflects different ideas about how knowledge and skills should be applied. Spending time together intensifies partners' leading function behavior, which is enjoyable at first, but can lead to exhaustion if goes on for too long. Kindred partners typically find each other engaging company for occasional focused conversations or intense interaction (which may not necessarily appear intense externally, especially for leading Si or Ni types). Partners typically find that their primary goals in life are alike in many respects and respect the other person's basic attitudes, which are quite like their own, even if the details differ.

Informal communication flows easily, but competition for influence may ensue if partners spend too much time in the same group. Partners may have difficulty dividing roles when trying to work together. Neither one is able to be much of an assistant to the other, as there is little if any natural complementarity of behavior. As a result of frustrated "dual-seeking" expectations, partners at work often end up criticizing each other for the very inclinations they share themselves: leading Si types may criticize their kindred partners for laziness, leading Ni types — for taking forever to get back to them about important matters of business, leading Ti types — for being a control freak, or leading Se types — for being on a power trip. This applies equally to identity relations.

Ideological differences based on opposing creative functions can also arise; for instance, an LSI and LII may have similar views, but the LSI might want to "impose his views on others," while the LII is "unwilling to do anything." Or, an ILE and IEE might be interested in the same activity and want to build some kind of community, but the ILE might want to formally establish an organization or administrative center, while the IEE insists on keeping the community movement informal. Or, an SLE might insist on increasing bureaucratic structure in an effort to manage an endeavor, while an SEE insists on exercising personal influence to get things done. Until one of the approaches wins out, or a higher authority puts each person in his or place, the conflict may seem unresolvable.

In an atmosphere where work and cooperation are not expected, these relations can develop into friendship. However, if forced to work too closely together, these types could end up in a battle of equals. They will find the other to match them point for point. Outsiders will try as they may but will have little effect on the ensuing conflict, since the kindreds have almost no communication difficulties and thus will likely know exactly what the problem is. Kindreds have very little pity for each other in general, but when getting along they can connect, finding fondness through the suggestive function and even help the other out a little using their demonstrative function. However, they eventually tire of the demands made on it if they are not sufficiently polite about it.

Overview
Dual
Identical
Mirror
Activity
Kindred
Semi Dual
Look A Like
Illusionary
Super Ego
Contrary
Quasi Identical
Conflicting
Benefit
Supervision
Clubs
Temperaments
Romance Styles
Subtypes
Types
Model A
Functions
Dichotomies
Information Elements
Intertype Relationships
Quadras