ENTP vs ENFP – Two Distinct Breeds of Extraverted Intuition

Similarities and Differences

The ENTP and ENFP are similar in many ways. They both share the same dominant trait of Extraverted Intuition (Ne). The difference lies in their second cognitive function, The Supporting Role, which creates two unique types, as similar as they may seem to be on the surface.

Similarities – Extraverted Intuition as the Dominant Function

• Relaxed, nonjudgmental, non-aggressive look and demeanor.

• Person is easily intrigued, starts new things very easily, and always has energy for new beginnings.

• Relaxed posture and open and easy-going look most of the time.

• Very often enthusiastic, but rarely physically robust or vigorous.

• Like to have spontaneous moments rather than traditional / planned situations or “proper” behavior.

• Spontaneous behavior and the absence of social masks serves to convey one’s “true” self to others. A concern with “proper” behavior only serves to mask the true self.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) implies a rejection of the Intraverted Sensing (Si) in one’s behavior. Therefore, Ne types try to interest others with thoughts, insights, and a particular vision of things and not through material means or by exerting a direct physical or visual impact on others.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) types “drop out” of situations (and their eyes glaze over and stop “seeing”) because they generally are abstracted from physical stimuli and are thinking about intangible characteristics of the situations they are in. The eyes remain open, but the visual stimuli is not reaching the conscious mind.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) implies an ability to recognize and develop high-potential situations, people, and ideas – hence the innate enthusiasm, openness, and the ability to become intrigued and intrigue others. Ne implies attentiveness to the unseen essence of things, and Ne types want to have their essence come through to others.

Differences – Intraverted Thinking vs Intraverted Feeling as the Supporting (Auxiliary) Function

ENTP – The Visionary

• Explorer Inventor
• Enthusiastic Innovator
• Inventor
• One exciting challenge after another
• Progress is the product
• Relationships are just another challenge
• Answer the questions and question the answers
• Precocious Planner

Explorative; lighthearted and detached curiosity; focused on interests and ideas; usually upbeat and good-natured.

The theme for ENTPs is inventing, finding ingenious solutions to people and technical problems.Their talents lie in developing ideas into functional and innovative applications that are the first of their kind. They thrive on finding new ways to use theories to make systems more efficient and people better off. They have a hunger for new projects.

ENTPs have faith in their ability to instantly come up with new approaches that will work. Engineers of human relationships and systems as well as in the more scientific and technological domains.

ENTPs tend to smile the same way most of the time, and don’t use all the muscles of their face. This shows that they are little concerned with being agreeable or emotionally involving others. ENTPs have a more distant and detached look than ENFPs.

• Ti seeks precision, such as the exact word to express an idea. It notices the minute distinctions that define the essence of things, then analyzes and classifies them.

Ti examines all sides of an issue, looking to solve problems while minimizing effort and risk. It uses models to root out logical inconsistency.

ENFP – The Inspirer

• Discoverer Advocate
• Journalist
• Champion
• Giving life an extra squeeze
• People are the product
• You can never be too close
• Pied Piper

Playfulness; tinge of irony; acceptance; frivolous; warm curiosity about people and relationships.

The theme for ENFPs is inspiration, both of themselves and others. Their talents lie in grasping profound significance, revealing truths, and motivating others. They are very perceptive of others’ hidden motives and purposes. ENFPs are Interested in everything about people and their stories, as long as they are genuine.

ENFPs have a contagious enthusiasm for “causes” that further good and develop latent potential and the same zeal for disclosing dishonesty and inauthenticity. They are often moved to enthusiastically communicate their “message.”

ENFPs tend to have a wide, “sincere,” likable smile and to show a wide range of facial expressions. ENFPs have softer expressions than ENTPs, often tilt their head a bit to the side to show their interest in people.

ENFPs reflect their mood on their face more than ENTPs. At the same time, they are usually somewhat emotionally subdued and do not show powerful passions in their face or movements.

• With a supporting tole of Intraverted Feeling (Fi), ENFPs are attuned to other people’s feelings and sentiments and are generally aware of people’s emotional response to them.

They feel responsibility for the emotional climate of situations they are in and soften these situations by being emotionally open and showing their inner feelings on their face.

Fi filters information based on interpretations of worth, forming judgments according to criteria that are often intangible.

Fi constantly balances an internal set of values such as harmony and authenticity.

Attuned to subtle distinctions, Fi innately senses what is true and what is false in a situation.

Related articles

• Personality Types – Clarifying, Breaking it Down, and Making Sense of it All (backwardstimemachine.wordpress.com)
• Being Divergent in a Team Atmosphere, Without Having to “Walk the Plank” (backwardstimemachine.wordpress.com)
• Understanding Personality (using MBTI) better through the Jungian Cognitive Processes (purplexdme.wordpress.com)
• I am an ENFP (tiffanylin1689.wordpress.com)