The SLI Handbook

About This Document

This document is intended to serve as a digestible and easy to follow description of an SLI. Everything written is taken directly from Aushra’s description and translated into an easy to understand format. My hopes are that this document will help others to develop their understanding of the type as well as reach a higher level of understanding within Socionics. I intend on covering more types in a similar fashion in the future - Hopefully helping as many people as possible develop a more accurate picture of each type.

Before I begin I must first give special thanks to Javier_MF and Crunchy for proof-reading and helping in the creation of this document and ensuring that everything written is factual and accurately described. This document has been transcribed from the original Google Doc, into Albatross for easier access to the information within.

The Superego Block

[Ni-Role + Fe-PoLR]

The Superego Block is an informational block. This means that it is purely objective and does not produce anything new. It seeks to consume information on the functions [Ni-Role + Fe-PoLR] within it. It is able to identify problems but is unable to produce any solutions to said problems. The mind starts here, and moves to the Ego Block.

Ni put simply is processes through time. SLIs have Ni in their Superego Block making them traditionalists. They do not know how to adapt to the movement of time, or use their time effectively. This manifests as a desire for repetition and predictability in events, especially within the realm of emotions.

The SLI is irritated by inconsistencies and irregularities in Ni and Fe. Here is an example Aushra gave of how NiFe Superego may manifest:

“For example, a religious SLI does not go to church because many people who supposedly go there to pray (which is the only reason one is supposed to go to church) instead look at others and gossip. This is not allowed and is seriously annoying.”

The SLI prides themselves on their own ability to “Respect others emotions” believing that respecting someone’s emotions is respecting them as an individual. This is how they determine a person’s value.

Their emotions take a long time to manifest. They fear recklessly expressing their emotions, believing that if they wait for the correct time and place, it can be done so harmoniously. Therefore they tend to hide their own emotions beneath a mask of aloofness. Each segment in an emotion must have a logical justification behind it.

They seek to remain calm in every circumstance and feel anxious around people with unpredictable emotions. The SLIs emotions are in contrast perfectly predictable, because it always manifest in situations that are deemed appropiate.

Situations where they impulsively express their emotions are to be avoided at all costs. The SLI considers this incredibly embarrassing and tactless. It is worth noting that the SLI doesn't necessarily believe expressing ones emotions is bad, but are very normative with when and how it is appropiate to do so. Overly dramatic displays in settings the SLI deems inappropiate are usually very uncomfortable.

In Socionics, a lot of people believe that the SLI is a grumpy and gloomy type. However, this is untrue; the SLI wishes to avoid disrupting the status quo of emotions. If the SLI finds themselves in an environment where positive emotions are the norm, it is not uncommon for them to come across as polite and even slightly cheerful.

However their mask of aloofness never fully comes off, even in laughter. The SLI enjoys being goofy when occasions allow them to. Their sense of humor is often subtle yet very keen - they enjoy making others laugh.

The Ego Block

[Si-Base + Te-Creative]

The Ego Block is the SLIs area of complete confidence. Problems found in the Superego are resolved using The Ego Block. The SLI intentionally influences the external world using the functions [Si-Base, Te-Creative] within this block. The Ego Block is part of the SLI’s Mental Ring, making the functions within it conscious.

The SLI is excellent at understanding the space around him and the sensations it provides. They know how to make others feel comfortable and are able to come up with ways to improve both their own sensory experience as well as the experiences of others.

The SLI is fully confident within their own aesthetic tastes. The way they perceive and understand art and their environment is dictated entirely by themselves without pressure to conform to other people’s tastes. It’s difficult to change their minds without concrete evidence and examples, it remains impossible to make them abandon their opinions through force or pressure. This applies not only to art, but also everyday comforts. They take responsibility for the aesthetic and sensorical comfort in all environments they find themselves in.

However putting these ways into action is a different matter entirely. The Ego Block is more inclined to critique others on their irrational and irrelevant activities. In situations where the SLI only has himself to worry about, they can come across as lazy and unmotivated. They however demonstrate an innovative spirit when taking care of their loved ones.

They are resourceful and are able to thrive even in situations where most others would struggle. They take great pride in their ability to accomplish work and tasks that nobody else can accomplish.

The SLI is quite innovative. Although they are never in any rush to implement their ideas unless they are certain that it will indeed bring material benefit for them to do so. The SLI detests wasting its energy. In matters relating to work, they seek to accomplish the tasks expected of them - no more, no less. They are very economical and precise with their actions. From the outside, it often seems that their results outrageously exceed the amount of energy the SLI put in.

The Super-Id Block

[Fi-Mobilizing + Ne-Suggestive]

The Superid Block is where the SLI seeks feedback and praise from its environment for its use of the functions [Fi-Mobilizing + Ne-Suggestive]. Here they are capable of torturing both themselves as well as others in order to receive love and attention.

The SLI struggles to evaluate their own potential and how to utilize it. They do not know what they’re good at and what they’re needed for. The SLI is individualistic in the sense that they believe that everyone is different and have their own unique individual needs. It is uncommon for them to judge a book by its cover, and will generally be tolerant of individual differences. Aushra described:

“SLI does not tolerate equating people in anything. There has to be a different approach to each individual.”

They respond well to input regarding their potential and how to utilize it because they themselves seek to understand it. With proper input and guidance on what areas they excel in and what areas they are lacking, the SLI is able and willing to work to develop themselves. The SLI is often surprised and confused that others may consider them capable, or that others are not capable of doing the same things they are.

They are unaware of how to close psychological distance between others and themselves. They are also utterly unaware of what makes them likeable/unlikeable and they are sensitive to information regarding this. For this reason they never feel as though they have a solid grasp on how their friends truly feel about them. The SLI needs a lot of positive reinforcement that they are indeed loved and valued, but will never ask for this directly if they can avoid it.

The SLI lacks understanding of how they feel about their friends. They can tolerate a lot of mistreatment and disrespect from their friends, because they are usually not even aware of it happening.

The Id Block

[Se-Ignoring + Ti-Demonstrative]

The Id Block is the individual’s self-realization in its environment. This is the block that the SLI explores and demonstrates its capabilities to the external world. They try to prove their usefulness to society with the functions [Se-Ignoring + Ti-Demonstrative] within this block. It is worth noting that the SLI does not innovate or create anything new with this block; this is where the individual submits to their environment, or the will of society.

The SLI tries to appear modestly stylish with their fashion sense. They avoid flashy clothes that make them stand out or look not “normal”. They believe that subtlety is key when it comes to the way they dress. They enjoy giving gifts as they are a subtle and indirect way of showing care for someone else. While usually not particularly attentive to their aesthetics, they will usually have a general style they prefer to dress in.

The SLI is good with money in the sense that they are stingy. Spending any significant amount of money is something the SLI needs to psychologically prepare themselves for. They do not buy something unless they have a specific need for it.

The SLI prides themself on their independence; the lonelier they are, the more they will flaunt their independence. Similarly, they will demonstrate their fearlessness to others, that they can easily handle what others perceive as dangerous.

If the SLI encounters a situation where someone is trying to refute something that the SLI considers factual, the SLI does not argue. They proudly demonstrate their understanding of logical concepts, and they excel at teaching and explaining, but in arguments, they simply prefer to leave. It is not rare for an SLI in an argument to claim that they “have no time for it” or that they “don’t care”, distancing themselves from the situation.