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How do you tell the difference between an ENTP and an ESTP?

6K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  Guajiro 
#1 ·
It's harder to differentiate, because I have aspects of both. I'm not very observative and often just think about stuff in my head. However, I don't rely on my hunches, unless I work out the logic behind the hunch or it's an informed guess. Doing things just based on feeling isn't accurate usually. I'm not that observative or that intuitiony.

I need some solid information to differentiate and ENTP and an ESTP - so I can be sure.
 
#2 ·
It depends on the model I think. In MBTI dichotomy it is only N v S and there might only be a very slight difference. The ExTP might have a stronger preference for T than N or S after all.

In the function stacks it is supposed to be Ne vs Se in theory which you would also look to check against inferior Si or inferior Ni.
Summarised and watered down:
  • Ne-Si sees possibilities based on subjective sensory impressions, represses sensory details in favor of said possibilities.
  • Se-Ni sees actual observable reality as it is, represses what everything means* in favor of what actually is.
*means as in, what age-old archetypal roles the subjective intuition perceives to be playing out in the current moment. Not means as in logically means.

I think the function stack theory is a very different model to the MBTI dichotomy and the two should not be mixed up.
 
#3 ·
I'll start with resemblances first.

Both these types are notorious for being living trolls: i.e. provoking people, being rough around the edges and challenging others for their own personal amusement. But this is where the similarities stop.

Se and Ne are very different beasts. ESTPs live in the here and now, ENTPs live in the ''What could be?''. You usually see these differences if, anything, the way they dress. ESTPs usually present themselves in a very lavish, flashy way, always on top of what's stylishly in right now. They don't mince words, they mean what they say and they say what they mean. They simply do not care for abstractions and metaphors, thigns are the way they are and that's it. They act on opportunities as they arise, 'nuff said. No need to justify them, the door was open so they busted through.

With ENTPs, it's a different game. They think they are direct in their communication but don't actually realize how much they go from A to Z while going around several letters of the alphabet over and over again. The trade-off however is that they are usually more thorough than ESTPs in their thinking, like, they actually fractured in every variant. ESTPs hate variants because it wastes their precious time to think about them and holds them back. ENTPs get off on them. Like ''Yeah, but did you consider this and that....?'' That makes them much more thorough thinkers than ESTPs but with the downside being that they are way less pro-active. ENTPs get off on proving others wrong because it gets them thinking. ESTPs will prove you wrong then push you in the right direction.
 
#4 ·
I do both though. I don't give a shit about flashy stuff, though. I like material things, though. I like my computer and I like comfy stuff. Whatever makes life easier. I like proving people wrong, because I feel smart after winning a debate. I also try to push people in the right direction and I found people who are wrong annoying. I think about the future, but I don't think of future obligations and responsibilities. I always avoid it.

Some people type me as an ESTP, because I don't trust hunches. At least, not until I can work backwards and find the logic behind it.

Some people type me as an ENTP, because I have shitty observation skills and lose everything.

What would you say I am?
 
#9 · (Edited)
I need some solid information to differentiate and ENTP and an ESTP - so I can be sure.
Based on Jung sayings, S/N is generally portrayed as a focus on datas vs on how they connect.

I think it's not exactly what's happening. When we see something new, we connect new dots, even when we're on the defensive (introversion). It's always about connecting the dots, but we don't rely on the same strategy.

The common ground, extraversion is that sensors and intuitives will give some credit to what contradicts them. If something unexpected happens, they change their prognosis.

The difference, IMHO, is that the extraverted sensor will think the unexpected as a consequence of the expected, whereas the extraverted intuitive will think it as a cause.

Example. You only know green trees. When you go to the forest you expect to see green trees. But you see pink trees. If you're an extraverted sensor, you'll look for an explanation in the tree (induction). If you're an extraverted intuitive, you'll look for an explanation in the colour (abduction). From my understanding, NEs think out of the box not because they try to connect more dots, instead they end up connecting more dots because they distrust the residuality of a phenomenon. Or rather, they feel threatened by this residuality and so try to anticipate its reoccurence via the colors. If pink/green then trees. Trees are the issue, colors the solution.

What's special about those trees to be pink? Vs what's special about this colour to be reflected by the trees? You can instinctively grasp how the later is a less obvious question to ask. More out of the box. Why would one investigate the color itself since it comes from the tree? Or so most think as we tend to give authority to (and trust) the persistent experience (which becomes the box).

And what biases the extraverted intuitives to distrust this residuality unbiases them in such a way that ultimately they wouldn't betray their principles to indulge in arguments ad frequentia (ad populum, statistical relevance, etc). I think this is the best symptom of all and the reason of the popular see the dot/connect the dot illustration of S/N : The high intuitives are indifferent to the accumulation of evidences. Either a prognosis is always right, or it is wrong. It takes one evidence to defeat or confirm. Though the introvert cherry picks what confirms the prognosis but that's another story (of paranoia and conspiracies). You might have expected a list of detailed symptoms but as an intuitive, all I can provide is all what I trust : principles.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Example. You only know green trees.
Another example : technical language. When someone speaks to an extraverted sensor and suddenly includes an unknown technical word, or many, the extraverted sensor will naturally try to find the use of those words through the rest of the phrase. Have you seen the last shklmlkj of the boss? They'll use the rest of the phrase to get themselves an idea of what that word is. As a result, they quickly adapt and use technical languages without having even bothered to check the definitions. On the other hand, the extraverted intuitive will explore the word in order to guess what's happening. They can't just absorb unknown words that easily. For the sensor-minded, phrases are made of words. For the intuitive-minded, words are made of phrases.

This attitude you can observe it here, with the Jungian technical language. Most people are juggling with those NE, N, SI, F, extraversion, etc, particles without investigating the definitions in depth. Instead they look for global types descriptions and try to categorize those technical words in this context. In the end their perspective of what functions are is symptomatic. It's made of what the tests test. What the personalities describe. So the consistency of the list of symptoms is hardly questionned since those end up defining the technical language.
 
#10 ·
Ask them if they can dance. If the answer is yes, Se is more likely.

Honestly, it should be very obvious. There is more of a self-containment to the ENTP than the ESTP. It's like an ESTP is constantly expanding while the ENTP isn't exactly shrinking, but he/she will fill their space just fine. Hope this helps.
 
#12 ·
ENTPs possess a scattered energy that ESTPs simply don't have. Yes, both can be spontaneous and impulsive, however the ENTP does it in a way that is lighter, more frivolous.

Going off of this, if you bring up the possibility of doing a certain thing (not something like, let's go play soccer, but something more on the lines of, hey let's start a youtube channel together) the ENTP will most likely be more enthused with the idea. Following through with it is a different matter of course...

ENTPs love to play around with ideas and possibilities, in the company of one I thought up a whole "edible bleach business" (don't ask) and if the person were an ESTP they simply wouldn't have thought up of the same quantity and variety of ideas as the ENTP. ENTPs love to develop, and do so very excitedly however in the "development" they are not particularly committed to a single possibility and the ESTP (if they cared) would be more focused during an abstract "brainstorm". But in general, an ESTP would not care as much to dedicate so much energy to thinking about hypothetical scenarios.

From my observation, ExTPs always seem to be itching to get up and do something, however the energy of the ENTP will be more nervous (only in some cases however), while the ESTP will just want to do something.

Also, ESTPs are much more practical and realistic than ENTPs. They also won't be as likely to say they are committed to doing something. (as in, "yeah! we should totally do blah blah") These words coming from an ENTP are much less likely to carry as much weight as an ESTP saying them. Or, in the case of the ENTP it is said more easily.

Also in my experience, ESTPs always just want to do something. I had one who could literally not stand sitting and talking during parties and would always bug us to do something fun with her. ENTPs also love to "do" things however they would just as happily sit and talk with you for a while about random stuff (not for super long, but yeah).



I think the easiest way to tell which one you are is, how much do you enjoy playing around with ideas and possibilities (such as possibilities of what could be done)? How quickly are you to jump onto an idea and say you are committed to it/doing it?

And of course we must not generalize but, I have yet to meet an ESTP who is not active in sports. ENTPs also do sports and are active of course, but the chance is more 50/50. And ESTPs tend to be very dedicated to whatever sport they do, it's not something they participate in casually, and they're usually very good.
 
#14 ·
My take...

Both can be similar but their objective is different. Se is focused "on the object", and Ne is focused "from the object". Both are creative, but it's all about focus. Se focuses on the experience itself, what make's an impact or adds to it is of priority. Ne doesn't really care about the experience, but achieving an "image" that was latent within it. Both can be idea people but I find that Se want's to experience and create the object, while Ne wants to envision and develop from the object.
 
#16 ·
Both are explorers by nature. ESTP is always ready to respond to their environment, ENTP is always extrapolating ideas based on known information.
It's dangerous to go with stereotypes. I have a (sort of) brother in law that could look like an ENTP based on behaviour. He's a definite ESTP though. He just started a new business with two friends and he's the one that fixes problems. He's fixing practical problems though. He makes sure the designer gets to do their thing, fixes materials, schedules and stuff like that. He has great ideas, but that's not his strong suit. His strong suit is that he gets things done. That's what makes him an ESTP.

On the other hand, I have a friend who is an ENTP who works in a similar way. A few years ago he started a business with a few friends and he was the one that did marketing and staffing. He came with novel ideas for making sure they were noticed and handled a lot of the business side of things. Now that things are running smoothly, he's moved on to new projects.

You could easily describe both with the same words because they do similar things. I have purposely chosen to use descriptions that set them apart.

I have often said that our language isn't equipped to deal with the differences that are present in MBTI currently. We need better language to talk about this, because otherwise you can make an argument for anything. Saying that "you have a lot of ideas" for example doesn't mean anything. An ESTP that has a lot of ideas is just different from an ENTP that has a lot of ideas, even though it can be true for both of them.

So... how to tell the difference? Be honest about yourself. Do you enjoy brainstorming or do you enjoy integrating the ideas of other people? Do you enjoy working in a stressful environment because your brain rewards you for being in a situation where you have to constantly respond to physical stimuli or do you enjoy working in a stressful environment because it gives you a lot of input for new ideas that you could implement?
It can be hard to get a clear answer to questions like this and the internet can be a hindrance more than a help sometimes. Just try to analyze yourself and be honest about what is actually going on inside your head.
 
#20 · (Edited)
ENTP strive to change things, improove the world arround them with new ideas. The point is to discover new possibilities in the world... They have good intuition and the sensation/experience is not as important. They prefer to explore and uncover the hidden possibilities and they hate procedures, routine, activities wich are already familiar and don't hide any new possible meaning are boring to them. Their foccus on the objective world is in the things that "hide" possibilities. "Maybe this, maybe that... perhaps this is because of that... What if blablabla". The sensations are subordinated to their intuitive persuits... sometimes they don't notice they need to eat, because they don't foccus on the strongest sensations. They notice only when they are starving. Unless they are thinking about the possibilities that eating on time could bring to their life... but in that case they are eating on time not because they obbey the sensation of hunger... it is still because of the possibility they envision. But in general, everything that is fixed and repetitive is annoying to them. They don't like to waist too much time thinking about the past, reviewing the facts, searching in their memory for the fixed things that happened just for the sake of it. So this makes a little forgetfull or clumsy with "basic" and simple things - For example, they forget to bring their jacket because they don't "waiste" their time recalling the last time they went without a jacket to that place and it was cold. Because whatever new discovery/hidden possibilty is in their mind is more important. But this can sometimes be more serious like making very sudden and blunt life decisions simply because they are too infatuated with some new possibility they are envisioning... Or taking too much risks in a new business.. being somewhat naive because they might think their new idea is briliant but they forget to consider all the repetitive maintenance and precautions they don't like to think about, and because of that they sacrifice stability for things that are simply too risky. That is how not playing it safe can make them irresponsable.


ESTP strive to experience the world arround them. To live the experience itself. The point is having the experience, right here, right now and experience it to the fullest. They are immersed in the here and now and don't like to plan for the future or waiste time thinking about the possible consequences. Their foccus is on the objective world as well but it is on what is happening... more precisely the strongest sensation is the one that captures them. Sensation being: visual, auditorial, taste, scent, touch, etc.
They also need stimulation and are not the biggest fans of routine but what they truly hate is to be hindered from experiencing things to the fullest in the here and now. Everything that is very annalytical, that makes them think about the future, the implications, thinking about the different perspectives that are possibly driving people to do and say certain things, the outcomes that come from people's perspectives, etc... This makes them feel like they are not living their true life because it's not possible to foccus on your sensations while you are trying to read another person's mind, planing your life for the next 5 years or trying to predict what will happen tomorow.
Sometimes this makes them irresponsable also but in the sense that (for example) going beyond the speed limit is a great experience but if they thought about the long term consequences they wouldn't have to pay that ticket, or have an accident. Or sometimes they are so immersed in the good things in life and suddenly they waisted all their money with good food and clothes, but suddenly they are old and they could have invested the money or simply not spending it.

I hope this gave you a good general idea of the key differences. These are the most proeminet struggles in their lifes. The balancing of their good aspects with the negatives that come attached to their way of being.
Please note that these are just examples. The key of their differences are not the behaviours, but the "Why?". The reason and their motivations are the key to their differences
 
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