Unknown (UN) 

Center: Purpose
Triads: Memorializing • Escaping • Externalizing

Basic Description
The Unknown instinct (UN) is about feeling truly alive by tracking the missing experiences that can be manifested into reality through purpose exploration. UN is driven by the belief that the present reality is incomplete, and there is always something hidden or waiting to be discovered that can bring new meaning and purpose. For those with Unknown in their stacking, life is about imagining what lies beyond the surface, pulling from past memories of exhilaration and projecting them onto the future in hopes of discovering the ultimate story. UN thrives on the mystery and possibility of the unexplored, always seeking to tinker with what exists to bring something new and transformative into reality.

UN 1st (UN/–/–)
For Unknown dominants, life revolves around tracking the unseen possibilities in their environment and manifesting them into something significant. These individuals are constantly looking for what’s missing or hidden in plain sight, believing that the most meaningful experiences lie just beyond what is immediately visible. UN first types feel most alive when they are escaping the present moment and venturing into the unknown, imagining what could be and working to manifest new realities through their creative exploration.

For these individuals, the present reality often feels dull or incomplete, and they are driven by the exhilaration of imagining new possibilities that can bring fresh meaning into their lives. They are immersed in the idea that something greater is always just out of reach, and their pursuit of aliveness comes from the constant movement toward discovering the next big mystery. UN dominants are often motivated by their desire to escape the ordinary, to uncover the hidden codes of reality that others may overlook.

Their sense of aliveness is found in the chase, where they continuously seek to create new experiences that are inspired by past memories of purpose-filled exhilaration. These individuals often idealize the ultimate story and strive to bring it to life by tinkering with the present reality to create something unexpected and extraordinary.

PSI vs. PIS Stackings
In PSI, Self-Survival supports Unknown by providing the stability and resources needed to explore new possibilities. Individuals ensure their basic survival needs are met so they can focus on the exciting journey of manifesting unknown experiences into reality. Self-Survival offers a grounded foundation that allows them to pursue transformative ideas and tinker with reality without being hindered by immediate survival concerns.

In PIS, Unknown is supported by Interpersonal relationships, where the individual’s emotional connections inspire them to explore new possibilities and mysteries. Relationships act as a gateway to the unknown, helping the individual discover new experiences through their interactions with others. Interpersonal dynamics offer the individual the emotional depth needed to unlock hidden realities and manifest exciting new possibilities in their relational world and beyond.

UN 2nd (–/UN/–)
When Unknown is second in the stacking, it plays a supportive role to the primary instinct, helping individuals explore new experiences and discover possibilities that enhance their core desires. UN second individuals are naturally drawn to tinkering with reality and exploring the unseen, but they don’t need to be constantly immersed in the pursuit of the unknown. Instead, they use their desire for mystery and possibility to fuel their primary instinct, ensuring that they are always open to new experiences that can enhance their broader life journey.

These individuals enjoy the process of discovering the unknown, but they are less likely to be consumed by it. They use their imagination and creativity to bring new meaning into their primary pursuits, often feeling revitalized by the possibility of transforming the present moment into something extraordinary. UN second types often balance their practical goals with their imaginative exploration, ensuring that their pursuit of the unknown enhances their overall life experience.

IPS vs. SPI Stackings
In IPS, Unknown supports Interpersonal relationships, where the individual’s desire to discover new possibilities drives the high from emotional connections. Relationships are supported by the need to explore mystery and transformation, bolstering the union between the self and others. Unknown feeds into Interpersonal dynamics, providing the emotional grounding that helps the individual feel secure in their flexible pursuit of the unseen and unknown with a partner or valued group.

In SPI, Unknown supports Self-Survival, where the individual’s physical needs are explored through multiple potential pursuits of new experiences. They focus on ensuring the ultimate high from securing their bodily well-being is supported by their desire to escape the ordinary and discover what lies beyond the present reality. Unknown provides the SPI a practical framework for manifesting new experiences in a way that enhances their physical survival and bodily existence in their typical zoomed out fashion. 

UN 3rd (–/–/UN)
When Unknown is in the last position, individuals often have a temperamental relationship with new experiences and the desire to manifest the unseen. They may initially feel frustrated with their need to explore mystery or unknown possibilities, often giving up and focusing on more practical matters or relationships. UN last individuals might avoid deep periods of imaginative exploration despite their desire to experience them, feeling more comfortable in the present reality or with concrete concerns.

However, once they learn to integrate Unknown in a way that aligns with their primary and secondary instincts, they begin to see the value of exploring new possibilities. Once they understand how manifesting the unseen can enhance their broader life goals, they find a deep sense of satisfaction in tinkering with reality. They begin to recognize that escaping the present moment and discovering hidden experiences offers a sense of creativity and expansion, helping them navigate life more effectively. UN last individuals often take time to fully embrace their pursuit of the unknown, but once they do, they discover that it provides important context for their other pursuits.

SIP vs. ISP Stackings
In SIP, Unknown is shaped by the individual’s Self-Survival needs, with their focus on the feeling of aliveness from physical well-being driving any pursuit of hidden possibilities. They view their bodily survival as a key part of their instinctual need for the unknown, using their imaginative exploration to ensure that their actions are aligned with their survival needs. Unknown offers a safe place to dig up new explorations that can fit into the day-to-day life focus of the SIP stacking.

In ISP, Unknown supports Interpersonal relationships, where emotional connections are deepened by the less understood pursuit of mystery and transformation. ISPs can use the Unknown instinct to see how relationships can be transformed by the unseen, enhancing the zoomed out nature of this stacking. UN becomes an enticing symbol of the bountiful nature of reality that this center stacking often feels fully alive engaging in. 

Tension & Lines
Unknown is the tension between the existentialism and fortitude instincts. On one hand, these individuals are driven to track the truth of existence to understand how it can be celebrated like the existentialism instinct. On the other hand, they are driven to track ownership, movement, and the physical constraints of the physical world like the fortitude instinct. The tension between these two inner drives creates the specialized focus on the discovery, movement, and wonder of the unknown instinct.

Unknown is connected to, and in turn, comprised of the self-management and self-significance instincts. When one is driven to track their own potential to discover, find wonder, and activate novel experiences, they inherently focus on the strength and vitality it will take to uphold the journey to get there like the self-management instinct – as well as the significance of the journey and why it matters to one’s self concept like the self-significance instinct. The sum of these two connecting instincts, multiplied by the tension between the neighboring instincts are what all culminate together to form the unknown instinct.