No-Bullshit Descriptions of the Personality Types; part one...
So, as I promised (a few posts ago) I’ve begun my own type descriptions for each of the sixteen types, and, as I said I would, I’ve started with my own type…
… the ENFP… the Inspirer, Idealist Champion, Psychologist, NeFi, Intuitive Ethical Extravert or the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (for the sake of ease, I’m calling this guy the ENFP)… all terms used to roughly define a group of  traits (some of which are wrong) bunched into a personality type characterised primarily by their two strongest cognitive functions; Intuition and Feeling.
Now be warned, this is the moment when I become iconoclastic… ENFPs are not what much of the typology community things them to be, and a lot of people who type themselves (or internet test) as ENFP are in fact not. ENFPs are not laid-back care-bear mermaids driven by the need to smile and gush giggles and hugs in all directions, they aren’t “ditzy blondes”. ENFPs aren’t party animals in constant need of sensory action and to be surrounded by people.
So if that is what an ENFP is not, then what is an ENFP? Well, I have a PhD in ENFP, so lets get down to my highly professional, in-depth description…
ENFPs are quirky individuals with a predisposition towards abstract thought who are motivated primarily by a need to engage in new ideas and projects; these (often novel) ideas and projects continuously change as the ENFP becomes convinced of their competency on the subject, or simply gets bored. They are innately fueled by an energetic curiosity which often makes them appear to others as spontaneous and distracted; especially in regards to routine work which can seem like complete anathema for many ENFPs. The ENFPs extraverted intuitive nature often makes them intelligent, quick-witted and keenly perceptive of possibilities in situations and people alike. Because of that powerful extraverted intuition; ENFPs are very good at understanding and “bouncing around” multiple viewpoints, even if those viewpoints might seemingly conflict in the view of other people.
As highly intuitive people; ENFPs are capable of focusing their imaginative power on a single meaning and are usually capable recognising symbolism and generating personal meanings from it. They also have prophetic moments where they subconsciously realise intangible signs and can accurately guess how a situation will unfold. Nevertheless, the extraverted side of their Intuition dominates their personality, and it’s rare for ENFPs to consciously focus or respect their Introverted Intuitive side.
An ENFP’s curiosity often leads them to be interested in other people. Typically seen by others as friendly, open and warm; ENFPs are usually eager to interact with a variety of different people. Their accepting nature often leads others to feel comfortable around them, and connected to them. At the same time, however, ENFPs can often picky about who they choose to acquaint with and can simply avoid people they perceive as boring or of whom they are unsure about. Nevertheless, the idealistic, ethical and very (very, very, very) romantic nature of an ENFP is only shared with a few people - those select few who they actually opens themselves up too. An ENFPs sensitivity is likely to be
seen more through action than it is in words and outward displays of direct emotion. Nevertheless, the ENFPs sensitive side can be unwillingly apparent to others through subtle hints in an ENFPs facial expressions and body language. Unless ideals or people very close to the ENFP are threatened they remain strongly adverse to aggression, awkwardness and conflict, and will to great lengths to avoid it.
ENFPs are highly perceptive of the emotional states of other people and typically also have a highly dramatic side and can enjoy “putting on a performance” for others. With those traits it’s possible for ENFPs to be highly emotionally manipulative, but typically a strong code of ethics prevents them from being too manipulative. Although they don’t always focus on it, ENFPs are also capable of creating a positive emotional atmosphere, but dislike being relied on by others to do it. ENFPs are rarely effected by the negative emotions of people around them (excepting those closest to them), and will quite often “look on the bright side” of even the bleakest of situations. They can also be “willingly ignorant” of social customs and norms, vocally criticizing what the ENFP views as fake and pointless.
ENFP’s prize empirical thinking and will usually seek logical explanations for the questions often raised by their intuitive overdrive. They also place a high value on factual knowledge in regards to subjects that interest them (which is an ever-expanding category) and often place an emphasis on appearing intelligent and knowledgeable to others. ENFPs typically enjoy impersonal intellectual sparring and are talented at finding and pointing out the flaws in other people’s reasoning. However, despite prizing it, organisational logic isn’t an ENFPs strong point; they have a certain admiration for efficiency, productivity and organisation but secretly hate that they themselves are typically incapable of it over any measurable duration. An ENFP’s use of logic is often overshadowed by their personal ethics, which gives them a tendency to try and make their subjective opinions appear like objective facts.
ENFP’s often forget important parts and details of internal structural concepts and systems and have a difficult time making sense of them to others. They also tend to doubt their own ability to make a correct logical statement or decision and therefore tend to look externally for “facts”. Typically ENFPs have an unconscious habit of placing themselves and others into various “groups”, based on interest, political and social affiliation, etc. There is a habit for ENFPs to keep their contacts in each of these groups separate from each other, perceiving possible tensions or clashes, and will often also keep their “other interests” unknown to members of different interest groups. Hypocritically, ENFPs greatly dislike being labelled or affiliated by others in a grouping - often fearing that they will view the ENFP as a group member and not an individual - something ENFPs often do to others.
Despite often being inward-focused and sometimes even broody, ENFPs have a tendency to be unaware of their own health and comfort. This is especially true when distracted by something new; in times of amusement ENFPs are perfectly capable of ignoring the fact they’re hungry, they haven’t slept (or showered) for two days, their bladder is about to explode and the fact that their shift at work starts in ten minutes. Due to their energetic and variety-seeking nature they usually have a love/hate relationship with familiarity and security; meaning that they secretly desire both but are generally incapable of achieving it for themselves. This love/hate relationship also shows in their often inconsistent and varying moods, another trait many ENFPs wish they didn’t have. In their quiet states ENFPs do have a tendency to reflect on their past, but generally neglect to remember past events as they happened, often omitting important peculiarities better remembered.
It is typically extremely difficult for ENFPs to take in the physical world as it currently is, as it is natural for their mind to start generating possibilities and ideas almost instantaneously. ENFP also dislike being confrontational and direct with others, but can become very aggressive and confrontational if they feel they are being pushed and can’t find an escape. In those situations however, an ENFP will usually keep looking for a way out. Despite their unease with confrontation, ENFPs do have a competitive streak and will occasionally strive to show competence and capability in areas when directly challenged, or when they perceive that they are being challenged (which is far more likely). Lack of self-motivation and tendency towards procrastination are major challenges for most ENFPs and once again they are capable of being motivating themselves, but only occasionally for for a short duration. Outside attempts at motivating the ENFP will generally result in them being aggressive and confrontational, as previously mentioned.
ENFP’s Cognitive Functions
Extraverted Intuition (Ne) - The strongest and most preferred function - Ne exhibits the ENFP’s most characterising traits.
Introverted Feeling (Fi)Â - Strong and second most preferred function for the ENFP.Â
Extraverted Thinking (Te) - Middling strength, but still a preferred function of the ENFP.
Introverted Sensation (Si)- Middling strength, but unconsciously preferred by the ENFP.
Introverted Intuition (Ni)Â -Â Strong, but ignored by the ENFP in preference for Ne.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)Â - Strong, but only occasionally used, typically in support of Fi and Ne.
Introverted Thinking (Ti)Â - Weak, underused and mistrusted.
Extraverted Sensation (Se)Â - Weak, typically negative and destructive.
…well, that’s it for now! Whose next?
Ciao.
Dr Op.
prguitarman
snowghoul
pixelskylines
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