レイニンが書いた動員機能

This is the function by which a person estimates him/herself. Psychology has a concept of a reference group - a group of significant people in one's life (first of all parents, then – other respected people) who evaluate him: “you are good” or “you are bad”. Thus he receives energy from the society.

People subconsciously organize their behavior in order to secure positive feedback on this function. Positive self-appraisal is an enormous energy source for a person. When an individual perceives himself as “good”, he or she gets enough enthusiasm, inspiration, and energy for further performance. Function number three provides reasons for good or bad attitude to oneself;〔中略〕In short, it is a double-edged social weapon.

This area can be labeled 'the zone of problems'. It is of great significance to a person and therefore it is a problem. Here people do not understand humor, they are simply not ready to joke about these issues.〔中略〕People tend to simplify and clarify to the maximum a situation when possible. There is no place for taking risks. Usually situation is made clear through simplification: better “in a minus” but clear.

People constantly protect their third function; each person has his own strategy. There are two kinds of protective devices: "in plus” and “in minus”. Thus, answering a question regarding one's health someone can say: “I am absolutely healthy” or, on the contrary: “I am so unwell, it is a surprise I can still walk”.

If a person is successful in the sphere of the third function he or she may flaunt and seek for approval of close ones, because success is a reason for good self-esteem. […] “People really admire me, they need me” (Don Quixote and Zhukov).

When during a lecture a Dumas is asked whether he has read a certain article or book, he instantly feels under attack according to the third function, he thinks he is being accused of incompetence or misunderstanding. He gets defensive: a Dumas, the master of manipulation in the area of relationships, quickly responds: “Sure I have read it, but it does not make any sense”, or: “Yes, I have read it, but it has nothing to do with the subject we are discussing right now.” – even though he/she has never heard of it.