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Help: ENFP or ENTP 7w8?

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#1 ·
Especially you ENFP 7w8 / ENTP out there. I need help sussing out as to what I may be? Perhaps you could help give me an insight (from paragraphs written below).

A few years back, when I decided to entertain the idea of the functional stacking, I have been consistently typed as ENTP, and I thought that was that. But recently, a friend of mine would always bring this topic up every time we meet. As a self-proclaimed ENTP herself, she pointed out that I may be a mistyped ENFP. It brought up old wounds in that I thought I didn’t fit both perfectly and that it didn't make perfect sense.

I decided to do a collection of myers-briggs/Jungian personality tests again one night. All the tests consistently came up as ENTP. I tried to back it up by revising the Ti/Te Fi/Fe functions, as I know that I have a very strong Ne, but I still have inconsistencies relating to that.

I have an apparent disregard to emotions and I view them as a weakness. I grew up in a household which had a relatively toxic power-dynamics and emotional play. I liked discussions, but whenever I voiced my opinions where it mattered, it was always accused as an attempt of disharmony/argument, so I mostly lived inside my head.
However, it was easy for me to see the core problem and the clear way forward, and I was always interested in cognitive science/neuroscience in how it could contribute to human behaviour. I spend a lot of time trying to work out models to formulate a basis for healthy family relationships – summarizing in simple diagrams.

It was only recently when I was divorced from that environment that my independence grew, other parts of my personality started to show up, and I became more vocal with my thoughts. I didn’t have a strong foothold in emotional conduct, but I was a known as ‘the visual artist’ in any school I went to. I went to do a post-grad in mechanical engineering, because I wanted to challenge myself and had a deep interest in physics. Systems and creating new systems excite me, and I plan to pursue programming/comp-sci in independent learning because I want to. Competence was also very important to me, but I was also very passionate.

The reason why I brought this up is because the apparent subjective nature of Fi makes it unreliable for me to assess if it was stronger against my evidences in Fe. In discussing article pieces about morality, I am very flexible in that I appear to not have any strong internal values and work towards what is the beneficiary way forward – I suppose until it hits you? Primarily siding with reason for my decisions, emotions always acted as a barrier, but only recently did I saw the contextual value in it and that it should not be completely discounted.

So I looked into Ti-Te. I wrote my thoughts down a lot and have sometimes sought for purpose and efficiency in any new strategies I uptake, with some model constructed to understand things holistically and back up my argument. But again, I also think of systems and identify logical fallacies in arguments for the fun of it. I live and thrive off projects and experimentations whether it is using my artistic or technical skills, and I’ve frequently pulled people in to collaborate with me because heck, it’s fun – and if it lands somewhere, great.

I did a classical and intuitive enneagram test, which was new to me. It resulted in 8w7 and 7w8 respectively – an apparently statistically common enneagram between ENTPs. I relate more to the latter as I hated power control but often see it necessary in structures. Perhaps this explains why I’m stuck between the ENTP-ENFP dichotomy.
 
#2 ·
I’d go with ENTP from everything you’ve said. A well developed one who has learned the value of Fe. Emotions aren’t seen as a barrier for ENFPs against reason, instead we include the emotions into the decisions. And there are strong emotions involved with growing up for us. What do you think though? Why does your friend think you are a ENFP? Why have you felt in the middle yourself? The Ne is very clear and it seems you have some Te developed too, to me, actually— and maybe that’s where you are feeling in-between the two types?
 
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#3 ·
So a lot of your post here has me leaning toward Ti as your aux, especially your second to last paragraph.

The shared Ne between entps and enfps make us extremely open to, and curious about new topics. An Fi enjoys these curiosities by reflecting on them and figuring out how these new discoveries fit into their internal values. This can include a ton of research, however it doesn't HAVE to.

A highlight of ENTPs that I have noticed are two things: when discussing controversial topics, entps tend to have a lot of fun arguing. Playing devils advocate and being extremely stern about how they communicate, and how others communicate toward them. They love using vast stores of research to discredit others, however they love it even more when someone else has done just as much research and can argue back by logical means.

The Ti makes an ENTP more confrontational than an Fi user.

An Fi may love debates, but we are more sensitive toward hostile environments. It is easy for us to either get too heated ourselves, or to feel as though the argument is too heated and disconnect from it. This is something that ENFPs usually have to work on. Although it is a hurdle that most of us cross pretty early on.

A Ti does far more research than an Fi. When a Ti is intrigued, they will delve into every single knook and cranny they can find, and learn the topic inside out. When learninf new tasks, they may be more inclined to research first, expirement later. An Fi is inclined to research, however not nearly as intensely. I belive most of us just need enough knowledge in order to host a philosophical debate within ourselves, whereas a Ti needs as much knowledge as is out there. IVE seen that Tis can be far more competitive and intolerant of others. However, that may just be personal bias. In-fact, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt.


I STRONGLY encourage you to read through this source:


http://mbti-notes.tumblr.com/theory

It is the most indepth and clear cut functions article I have ever found. Focus on the auxilary and tertiary functions. And really take note of how you handle your thoughts and emotions when in "crisis." A lot of sources talk about how the functions look when they work together in a perfectly healthy manner. However, this source takes into account the negative sides of each function, and that makes it much easier to discern our own type.

No one can figure you out better than you will be able to. So good luck and I hope this helps!

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#4 ·
@pocketDrop. Although I am an example of a ENFP research fiend. I haven’t met ENTPs who top me on that....
my interest in Viking for instance.10 years of research currently. I learn old Norse. I read archeology dig treatments. I have a bookshelf with the best of the best books about the subject. A dig is often 12 pages, I will read one every day. This is just a hobby... you see my point. I haven’t met a ENTP to top me on research... my high school ENTP best female friend was close, though.
 
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#6 ·
Like I said, grain of salt.

I've only become friends with one ENTP, so aside from just regular theory (which I'm sure OP has read through a lot of) I don't have too much to go on. My ENTP buddy does far more research than me when it comes to anything concrete, and when it comes to learning a new skill. I tend to pick things up faster than him, but he usually ends up surpassing me in skill because of this distinction. I do top him on research toward abnormal topics though lol. I guess it is it kindof an innaccurate way to tell between the two, because no matter what, the introverted judging function will always do a ton of research if interested. Perhaps there is just a notable pattern in what the Ti and Fi are more or less interested in?

Hopefully I didn't give the impression that ALL entps are one way and ALL enfps are another. I meant to make it more clear that my rambling was very subjective.. my bad!

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#5 ·
Your post didn't show me any sign of Fi, so if you are an ENFP there would have to be some kind of discomfort with Fi for you not to show it which is a very dangerous line for an ENFP to be walking.

The issue with having an ENTP friend type you is that they cannot compare themselves to you. I can only assume that your friend sees differences between the two of you and is interpreting that as being down to functions rather than life experience, quirks or mental development stage of your life. Comparing yourself to other ENTPs can both reaffirm and confuse things further. I honestly think though that if you feel uncomfortable reassessing your type when you felt comfortable as an ENTP then there is a lot of truth to that alone. If it feels like you are forcing another type then there's no need to try and rationalise why that type doesn't work if you can trust your gut. I decided calling myself an ENFP just felt better than INFP so I decided instead of overanalysing my type I'd stick to ENFP. Wearing that label for a time allowed me to realise all of the ways in which that label was really the only option for me, the introspection and answers came to me over time.
 
#8 ·
I am not an expert on MBTI but I have the same problem of typing myself between INTJ type 9w1 or INFJ. I did a lot of research too, checked many youtube videos on Fe vs Fi, still I am a bit confused. My conclusion is maybe I am in the grey area, and when I want to understand myself I look at INTJ and INFJ explanations :)
 
#9 ·
Hey all!

Thanks for replying, and thanks for the article! I will look into it in greater depth later. I suspect the root of most of my confusion may be because of Ne, which likes to explore all possibilities – a preference to keep things open-ended so to speak.

With respect to confusion in Ti and Te usage: It is because I explored both. Having spent years in tertiary education that taught both the value of Te (through some practical-orientated subjects) and the power of Ti (in more theoretical subjects), I couldn’t say I exhibit one or the other based on the description. In addition to scientific methods being heavily biased towards Te, and critical philosophy towards Ti, there is a mix.

With respect to Ti vs Fi in debating environments: Honestly, I apply to a little bit of both. I do like to explore the alternative perspective to see the consistency of the statement, so I often employ logic as much as I can (I am prone to fallacies too). I’m not shy to point out inconsistencies and confront sensitivities, which may be attributed to 7w8 flair. I often see emotions/charisma get in the way of manipulating the environment, buying its way in to collective “rationality”, stirring it away from the truth. It’s frankly annoying. I grew up in this environment, and charisma was one of the easy ways to gain the upper hand in the conversation, resulting in some form of autocracy.

Characteristically, a lot of my arguments always end up feeling open-ended without a conclusion, because there’s always an understanding that all factors are not considered – or that we have not reach that point yet. However, I am averse to hostile discussion environments as well. I make it a point for people to respect discussion spaces and exercise some level of empathy to encourage their voicing their views. Nothing good comes out of destructive conversations, usually when people get emotionally riled up and offending people. The point which conversations become hostile though is relative. I’ve moved around the world a lot to know that this limit is relative.

To build my case for Fi, introverted feeling gave me the impression of authenticity and personal agency, which I do admire and respect. I’m deeply committed to philanthropic causes and stuck around for so long because it’s a community built around engineers and passion towards driving a positive impact in society. I am usually very relaxed morally, and I engage in morally controversial topics because it’s invigorating. But when I saw a relative getting bullied by my group of friends, or when my sister was exercised authority on her, I was quick to come to their defence. Though both situations didn’t lead me to somewhere favourable, I was proud of it. This is what I mean by subjectivity of Fi. It only pops up when I’m strained, if I do have it.

I don’t doubt the capability of an Fi-aux user to research deeply into a topic, and I welcome that :)

Anyway, I’ll give that article a read.
 
#13 · (Edited)
To build my case for Fi, introverted feeling gave me the impression of authenticity and personal agency, which I do admire and respect. I’m deeply committed to philanthropic causes and stuck around for so long because it’s a community built around engineers and passion towards driving a positive impact in society. I am usually very relaxed morally, and I engage in morally controversial topics because it’s invigorating. But when I saw a relative getting bullied by my group of friends, or when my sister was exercised authority on her, I was quick to come to their defence. Though both situations didn’t lead me to somewhere favourable, I was proud of it. This is what I mean by subjectivity of Fi. It only pops up when I’m strained, if I do have it.
If you were an ENFP then it really should be almost as natural as Ne to you. It should probably be something which you are conscious of using too. I believe I utilise Ti whilst strained too. I find it an accomplishment. But Fi should never be a strained function if you are an ENFP.

Coming to the defense of someone though would not be a Fi specific thing, even if it is against the "group". I've seen Ti users with strong morals who often go to the defense for others so it's hard to call this out on being "Fi". On the surface Fi and Ti can seem very similar and I honestly believe that what you are talking about is a combination of Ti and Fe. I know two ENTPs who are activists, charity workers, they don't need Fi to find motivation for that. They are compassionate but when they talk about what they care for it's obvious that they do so with Ti.

You say that you are "relaxed morally", and I can't imagine an ENFP who is relaxed morally. That to me sounds like proof of you being an ENTP. Morals are at the heart and soul of an ENFP, it's very personal and a part of their identity and in some ways it is either all in or all out when it comes to morality. That's not to say that ENFPs can't be objective and removed from discussions about morality but from my experience when ENFPs talk about morally controversial topics it's often to push an agenda of their own or to judge others based on their own internal rhythm of right or wrong but ENTPs do it because it's fascinating to them and they have a passion of recognising the bigger and the smaller issues and nuances of a topic. ENTPs are more likely to point out that "X might be the right thing to do but it comes with this whole host of other ambiguous issues" whereas an ENFP would be more pushing for "Yeah, but X is the right thing to do and that's what matters most."
 
#11 · (Edited)
It's a branch of practical philosophy, which are mostly boring to study, but are immediately applicable to the contextual society around you and your personal belief on how a person should conduct in the personal level, contributing to a bigger scale of how a community should conducts. It's a fun topic to talk about, especially because it lays out what should be internally understood as an expectation, which is different from person to person. While you want to respect a spectrum of ideas, you're also contesting those which could fall to places which are less than ideal.

Anyway, tl;dr because I can't make a perfect coverage of what ethos involve, it's exciting to talk about - because you could identify where someone stand, compare where you are, where they or you could theoretically fall in less than ideal conditions, identify problems and work towards a solution/understanding.

I can't lie that I love brainstorming for a solution.

Could you make what type I am now? :p enfp 7w8 kek
 
#12 ·
Dont forget, both Tis and Fis spend a lot of time sorting out their personal ethics and morals. So what may seem as feeling subjects, may very well be a subject of interest for a Ti. Tis simply tend to use a more objective, logical means of sorting the personal values, whereas Fis are very subject. Fis also show very intense emotion and may feel personally attacked if any of their core values are challenged. The Ne enables us to explore different angles, however at least for myself, I need to find the time to do so on my own terms. Otherwise, I react very emotionally. When that happens, no amount of logic or reasoning will be able to change my viewpoint. However, I will be able to be reached through empathy.

A Ti however, will not respond emotionally when challenged. They will back their own views and opinions with the many facts they have researched and stored. If anyone else brings research to the table (and that research is just as in-depth as the Tis), they are more easily swayed. They will not be able to be reached through empathy if it is abstract and lacks logic/reasoning.

I will say again, as I said to begin with, take this with a grain of salt. However, I do feel that what I just described is very accurate. Where do you feel you stand between the two?

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