ENTP

ENTPs are defined by the functional stack:



Dominant: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)

Auxiliary: Introverted Thinking (Ti)

Tertiary: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

Inferior: Introverted Sensing (Si)

The ENTP is an extravert (E) who likes to remain open (P).

ENTP’s Jungian pair partner = ENFP

ENTP’s dominant function opposite = ESTP

ENTP’s shadow opposite or functional opposite = ISFJ

ENTP’s mirror opposite = ESFP

ENTP’s complementary opposite = INTJ

One of the two ‘extraverted intuitives’, ENFP is the other. The ENTP comprises 4.5% of the population and is the 8th largest group [x].

[NOTE: The following type description is excerpted from my Function Theory Guide. Please consult the guide if you need more detail and tips regarding type assessment at mbti-notes.tumblr.com/theory. Please consult the Type Development Guide if you need to address negative or dysfunctional aspects of personality type at mbti-notes.tumblr.com/development.]

The process of personality development is heavily influenced by learning and environmental factors, so remember that each person is a unique example of their type. Generally speaking, the dominant and auxiliary functions are the main sources of prominent personality characteristics. How well/poorly a particular individual uses their dominant and auxiliary cognitive functions determines whether they should be classified as a “healthy”, “mature”, or “immature” example of their type. If a person frequently exhibits troubling or dysfunctional behavior, it is likely that they are suffering from tertiary function loop and/or inferior function grip, perhaps in ways that distort normal/typical type expression.



Dominant Ne:

Ne is a perceiving function that relies on abstract possibilities

Ne generates ideas about what things can be, then transforms them

Ne uses novel ideas to promote a sense of hope and optimism

The following are common characteristics of Ne dominants:

ENTPs are naturals at using unconventional ideas/approaches

Healthy ENTPs are open, encouraging, experimental, innovative

Mature ENTPs are known for being a positive force for change. They are trendsetters, catalysts, and agents of progress. At their best, they love a new idea and seek out the best ideas for moving forward, often inspiring people to make the world around them a better place.

Immature ENTPs display the negative aspects of Ne due to excessive desire for hopefulness. They tend to be scattered and unpredictable, avoid facing the negative, choose the wrong path and miscalculate outcomes, or get taken by impractical ideas that lead to failure despite good intentions.

Auxiliary Ti:

The auxiliary cognitive function is a key indicator of personality growth as well as developmental problems. Failure to develop the auxiliary function properly during the teenage years often leads to psychological issues or maladjustment. The following are common characteristics of auxiliary Ti:

Healthy Auxiliary Ti expression:

displays good sense when making judgments/decisions

frank and honest about own flaws, mistakes, shortcomings

willing to examine own problematic beliefs/judgments

works hard to resolve flaws in knowledge/reasoning/judgment

uses skills and intelligence in positive ways (to solve problems)

Immature Auxiliary Ti expression:

very quick to jump to oversimplistic conclusions

overconfident/arrogant about own intelligence

emotionally void; criticizes/nitpicks everything out of boredom

twists logic to justify self-serving decision making

condescends to anyone perceived as “unintelligent”

Maladjusted / Dysfunctional ENTPs:

When dominant and auxiliary development problems become too severe and/or a person experiences traumatic stress that remains unresolved, they tend to exhibit more and more problematic behavior over time. Negative personality characteristics are often expressed through tertiary function loop and inferior function grip. The following are common tertiary Fe loop and inferior Si grip characteristics that make ENTPs seem maladjusted and out-of-character:

Tertiary Fe loop:

can’t admit that own poor judgment caused bad outcomes

difficulty being resolute without some external help/validation

uses charm or humor to deflect attention from shortcomings

fishes for praise, agreement, or affirmation to deflect criticism

wants to be taken seriously but won’t be serious when it matters

cites “expert” facts/opinions for convenience rather than truth

makes unfair/condescending social comparisons to feel superior

provokes or manipulates people’s emotions for self-centered gain

Inferior Si grip:

solitary, anxious, apprehensive, irritable

feels different, misunderstood, underappreciated

compulsive, pedantic, nitpicky about insignificant details

obsesses about issues/problems that can’t be changed

ruminates about a past event/mistake/regret (fears repeating it)

feels unmoored/uprooted; fears losing things of great (sentimental) value

gets sick easily when stressed and irrationally fears illness/disease

drowns in hopelessness, pessimism, lack of will

time passing or unresolved issues seem like omnipresent threats

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