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MBTI 4 functions-ENFP / ENFJ

SITE: Anatomy of the Brain

DIFFERENCES
Many ACoAs don’t know or understand that males & females really do think / act differently in certain ways – & not just because of social conditioning. Missing this awareness causes a great deal of confusion & frustration in personal, social & business relationships.

Many studies have looked at what happens in the M vs F brain when we act or think about things. While there are all kinds of variations among each gender, & that our early years (with family, religion & culture) does have a profound effect, we start with differences in bio-chemicals (estrogen vs testosterone) & brain wiring.

EXP: When Cher’s ‘daughter’ had his sex change & added testosterone to the hormonal mix, at first Chaz became more argumentative (& assertive), compared to how he had treated his long-term mate until then. (‘Becoming Chaz‘)

✴︎ Research tells us that some social stereotypes are based on actual biology – BUT have nothing to do with over-all intelligence! – only skills, tendencies & preference.
“Every individual can have both M & F characteristics”, but scientists don’t yet know how much each person has of M or F-like patterns of brain connectivity.
And study results do not apply to individuals but rather to the 2 genders as a whole. Broad indicators can be compared to the biological differences between Introverts & Extrovert.

Other M / F differences relate to:
1. Personality TYPES  // 2. Family ROLES  // 3. Birth ORDER // 4. LEARNING Preferences  …..

NOTE: Since variations in human behavior are dealt with in other posts, this series focuses mainly on physical structures.
SEE: “20  M/F Differences, Backed by Science” 

Some BRAIN MAPPING studies 
• One study at the U of Penn used diffusion-tensor-imaging (DTI) of water molecules in the brain’s white matter, made up of axons – the “wires” that connect neurons. ➡️ Tractographic images of neural connections via DTI

They scanned nearly 1,000 young people (ages 8-22),  mapping neural circuitry, showing all the signals that travel like busy road traffic (connectivity) – focused on the 4 hemispheres, (2 cerebrum & 2 cerebellum)

•  Psychologist Stuart Ritchie’s research at the U of Edinburgh, MRI-scanned over 5,000 men & women (ages 44-77), drawn from 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank‘s long-term bio-med study. The volume of 68 specific areas were examined, including the thickness of the cerebral cortex (wrinkly outer layer important in consciousness, language, memory, perception…..), white matter, resting state connectivity & cognitive testing.

▪︎ Ruigrok et.al. in Germany, studied 2,186 MRI scans (age range 21–90) for sex differences in grey matter (GM) volume, in many parts of the brain. Neither age nor longer education affected their conclusion – that size & quantity of GM was located in different part of the F & M brains.

• Research at Madrid’s Consejo Superior in Madrid looked at the cortex with stereo-logical correlative light & electron microscopy, searching for which structures may underpin M vs F variations in cognitive function (thinking). Differences were found in the density of synapses, which are the junctions between neurons that allow cells to communicate with each other

• A 2013 researchers from UCLA and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid used 3D high-resolution structural brain MRI scans of automated segmentation of the hippocampus. 104 healthy participants (ages 18-27) took a series of IQ tests measuring abstract, verbal & spatial intelligence, along with working memory, executive control, attention & processing speed

• Looking for gender differences re. the prevalence, age of onset, & symptomatology of many neuro-psychiatric conditions, Amber Ruigrok, et.al, at the U of Cambridge in the UK looked at overall brain volume & density, in 6 age-categories (18-59) – of the amygdala, hippocampus, & insula – areas implicated in sex-biased mental illnesses

Male & female brains differ right down to the genetic level. Every male cell  contains a Y chromosome, while F brains usually do not.  😾

M & F brains process the same neuro-chemicals, but in different degrees :
▪︎ serotonin – which, among other things, helps us sit still
(Ms are less inclined that Fs)
▪︎ testosterone – the sex & aggression chemical
(Ms tend to be more physically impulsive & aggressive) 
▪︎ estrogen – a F growth & reproductive chemical
▪︎ oxytocin – a bonding-relationship chemical……
(Ms process less of it)
▪︎ glucose – for thinking, memory & learning
(Fs ‘burn’ more glucose, so their brains heat up more)

NEXT: M-F brains #2

PREVIOUS: NTs Misjudged

CARTOONS from Personality Central

✥ INFP – Overly emotional snowflakes who can’t deal with facts or hard logic

Reality: INFPs are intensely imaginative & passionate, & definitely prefer emotion over logic. But they’re not as fragile as they seem, more than capable of getting things done when needed. While some can wander off into a world of imagination & they loose touch with their own realistic needs, healthy INFPs have a good balance between imagination & determination. They can fulfill ‘”pipe dream” when they believe in themselves.

They can be incredibly resourceful & organized, & will go to any lengths in pursuit of what they believe is right. As highly thoughtful types INFPs are quite focused, often mistype as Js. They have a strong sense of internal morals, & will stand up for their values. Being so clearly aware of their emotions makes them quite capable of handling them – unlike some types who favor logic & are often afraid of their feelings.

✥ ENFP – Over-excitable social butterflies who never stop spewing out about their feelings

Reality: ENFPs’ are the quintessential “idea people”, their (Ne-Dom xx Te-Inf) making them much more comfortable posing questions & debating ideas than talking about their emotions. Although they’re extroverts, they’re actually very introspective, often needing more time alone than other Es, sometimes causing them to assume they’re introverts!

Even though they are in touch with their own emotions, more than anything they enjoy the ability to learn about, explore  & process new ideas & possibilities. Naturally adventurous & innovative, they don’t like doing things ‘by the book’, & may turn down a risk-free lifestyle in favor of new experiences & challenges. They need to follow their inspiration to have a fulfilled life.

✥ INFJ
INFJs can be consumed by an inner vision for their lives. Carl Jung said of their DOM- Ni, that it “moves from image to image, chasing after every possibility in the teeming womb of the unconscious”.
While their dreams & insight should not be stifled, they also need to use their AUX-Fe for balance, by engaging with the outer world

Stereotype #1 :  Psychic & therefore impossible to understand – the rare snowflakes wildly unlike any other type

Reality: Though they’re statistically the rarest type, they’re not the most creative or most individualistic (like INFPs are on both counts).
Since INFJs have (Fe) as AUX, they are very in tune with social norms, & value fitting in with a group over expressing their individuality. And, even though their Function Stack is uncommon, they’re not the misunderstood artists of the world (like INFPs or ISFPs).
INFJs also have powerful intuition, which helps them cmake assumptions about the future, but they’re not psychic. They ‘unconsciously’ collect facts, & then form predictions, which they can’t explain.

Stereotype #2: Natural counselors of the world who want nothing more than to care for & nurture others

Reality: They certainly do care for others, but INFJs can often come off as cold – if you don’t know them well. Although unique & rare, they’re very sensitive to other people’s emotions, which makes them easy to connect with if someone actually makes the effort.
They lead with (Ni- Dom), so they’re much more interested in analyzing big-picture problems than in helping others sort out relationship issues. While they can be empathetic to a fault, they’d rather be evaluating than sympathizing.

✥ ENFJ – Overbearing, emotionally invasive, & never stops probing others about their feelings

Reality: ENFJs are known for their enthusiasm, empathy & outgoing nature (Fe-DOM). They crave harmony in their environment, wanting to make people happy, to feel welcome & understood.  Healthy ENFJs are usually generous with their time, good listeners, inspirational teachers & loyal friends. However, they can get so absorbed in the needs & emotions of others that they may lose sight of their own.

Extremely caring, they’re highly aware of how their actions affect others. But they’re also quite skilled at setting boundaries & respecting the privacy of others. If they push too far or ask highly personal questions, it’s not exploitation – it’s because they can sense something’s bothering you. If you try not to be defensive you may understand that you need their probing. They genuinely want to help resolve a problem & need more info from you in order to do so.

REFERENCES:  infjedi, Heidi Priebe & Psychology Junkie  ➡️ (+ more links)

NEXT: Male vs Feel brains #1

  PREVIOUS: SFs Misjudged

CARTOONS from Personality Central

✥ INTP – Emotionless, socially awkward robots

Reality: INTPs favor objective honesty, so can unwittingly offend, not realizing their delivery is too direct & detached. This upsets the INTP because they actually do care about people, & would rather avoid conflict or hurting someone’s feelings. But – since they express caring by being very honest, if they’re ‘sugarcoating’ something, it’s probably a sign they don’t respect you. INTPs are incredibly deep thinkers, & just as capable of deep emotions as anyone, they just aren’t likely to express their feelings.

Also, INTPs re not normally socially awkward & are quite aware of how others see the.  In spite of being definite introverts, they’re perfectly able to use their extroverted intuition (Ne) to interact with the world. If they avoid it it’s usually because they don’t want to, not because they’re afraid or unskilled. Enjoying being social is not the same as being capable of it. In fact they often have strong emotional ties, & can be very warm with those they care about, with a deep connection to things that make them nostalgic.

✥ ENTP – Lazy, arrogant jerks, don’t finish things & can’t commit to anything

Reality: Although ENTPs are very confident, it’s often expressed in the form of humor, so others feel comfortable, & are very warm with loved ones. Under the bravado, they care about being liked, but also enjoy being the center of attention.

ENTPs do FLIT quickly between ideas, because they naturally see a thousand alternate angles to any statement. Their (Ne) wants to explore every perspective & find an idea’s core truth (Ti). It may seem to others that the ENTP is arguing just for the sake of it, but they’re not trying to be difficult or offend – it’s just a deep need to make sure every ideas / rule stands up to scrutiny.

They’re not always interested in following through on their ideas, but are highly motivated to achieve. Because they see so many different possibilities they can execute the best possible path to a goal, with impressive follow-through when setting their mind to something. 

✥ INTJ – Logical robots, narcissistic know-it-alls who think everyone else is their intellectual inferior

Reality: Yes, INTJs are definitely aware of their own intelligence – but they’re also radically open-minded – so they’ll listen to another’s point of view, even if they don’t automatically agree with it. Wanting to understand the world, they constantly take in new information, deciding how each piece fits into the puzzle their mind is assembling. Intensely strategic & visionary, they favor rational thought over their own emotions, & confused by people who do the opposite. They’re boldly honest & put off by social niceties that get in the way of the truth.

They’re also capable of caring about & connecting with people, & feel like they’re helping when teaching what they know. While they prefer logic, they do have feelings – which they can be in touch with – they just prefer to ignore them. A with INTPs, INTJs are honest & direct with people they care about, & because they consider it an insult to have messages “sugarcoated” for them, they refuse to do this for others.

✥ ENTJ – Emotionless monsters who will betray or squash anyone on their way to the top

Reality: ENTJs are usually extremely driven, competitive & confident. Though they certainly are alpha dogs, they take social relationships very seriously, & never want to tarnish their good name by going against their word. They’re at ease in power positions, but not good at understanding others’ emotions – impatient with feelings, extraneous details & anyone contradicting their plans. This can intimidate many people, especially anyone more soft-spoken & gentle.

Confidence & Superiority are not the same thing. ENTJs are very concerned with how others see them, not wanting to be thought of as cold.  While skilled at controlling a group, they’re also willing to understand other’s ideas & views – as long as they’re not clouded by emotions or too many details that get in the way of the big picture.
Surprising to many, they can stick up for the underdog, & often go to great lengths to ensure they treat everyone ‘fair & square’, strongly defending those they care about. If an ENTJ is told they’re being harsh & insensitive, they’ll try hard to adjust their behavior.

REFERENCES:  infjedi, Heidi Priebe & Psychology Junkie  ➡️ (+ more links)

NEXT: NFs misjudged

PREVIOUS: Misjudged STs

CARTOONS from Personality Central

🧩 Each type is given a range of labels – but some fit better than others. And each has its share of annoying stereotypes. Some are legitimate, but most are entirely false

✥ ISFP – Painfully shy airheads, superficial & flakey

Reality: ISFPs lead with a process called Introverted Feeling (Fi), so they tend to hold their emotions close & their values closer. They’re easily affected by injustice & harsh words, & cry more easily than other types, much to their own dismay.  Psychologist Paul D. Tieger notes that ISFPs are “highly sensitive & loving… feeling everything personally & deeply.” This makes them passionate about the welfare of troubled & struggling people or animals, but can be misconstrued as weakness.

Highly observant & highly analytical – they’re even apt to confuse themselves with Intuitives. ISFPs are extremely introspective, & of all the Sensor types, may be the most intuitive & spiritual. Being observant of their surroundings & often very intelligent, they live so much in their head that others can easily miss how insightful they really are.
Though they may always seem to be off in la-la land, their mind is always reeling – constantly processing what’s going on around them & what it all means at deeper levels.

✥ ESFP – Shallow, self-absorbed party animals only interested in a good time

Reality: Called ‘The Entertainer’, ESFP enjoy making people laugh, with a natural enthusiasm & charisma that draws people in – but can make some people jealous of their charm & outgoing good-humor. While some ESFPs do really crave attention, many  see opportunities for fun & excitement everywhere, & don’t want anyone to miss out.
Just because they live in the moment doesn’t mean they miss what is going on around them. They can care very deeply for their loved ones, & will go to great lengths to make them happy.

Some ENFPs are actually on the quiet side, who’d rather be in the background. Most are incredibly emotionally intelligent – very aware of their own feelings, can dissect other people’s motives & desires with incredible accuracy, AND use that info effectively. They can pick up on things others may miss – because they’re missing the outside function of Perception (Ne).

✥ ISFJ – Uptight, neurotic motherly type, desperate to grab a partner & have a family as fast as possible

Reality: ISFJs are very uncomfortable with uncertainty, so always want to know what to expect. They avoiding risks, keep their life in order, & are very protective of loved ones. This can make the average observer tell them to ‘loosen up & enjoy today”, which is not helpful.

Though ISFJs do tend to make excellent parents, they’re are not all eager to jump into a family, & many take their time to get there. Their first function is a perceptive one (Si), which means their feelings come second to their interests. Above all else they want to keep the peace while maintaining traditions. They want a warm environment, and are willing to bend to accomplish that

Because they aren’t dominant judgers (J-DOM), as a rule this type isn’t neurotic. On the contrary, they’re more often type B personalities – they’re more interested in harmony than getting exactly what they want.

✥ ESFJ – Shallow, petty gossip hounds, only caring about the latest dirt

Reality: ESFJs lead with extroverted feeling (Fe), usually warm & compassionate, they’re strongly driven by a desire to make others happy. Very sensitive to praise & criticism, they’re “anxious to conform to all legitimate expectations”.

Even though they do have values of their own, they look outside of themselves for matching feelings of morale & acceptance, & mirror the values of those around them. So they’re more likely to be a product of their environment than other types.
EXP: If education, analytical analysis or personal growth were highly valued in their upbringing, they would take on any of those values with a passion.

ESFJs are only as petty as the people around them – their natural first instinct is to be supportive & inclusive to a fault. They care about others, & very much want to please, actually making them one of the least shallow types.

REFERENCES:  infjedi, Heidi Priebe & Psychology Junkie  ➡️ (+ more links)

NEXT: Misjudged NTs – Part 2

PREVIOUS: MBTI 4 Functions (#4b)

CARTOONS from Personality Central

🧩 Each type is given a range of labels – but some fit better than others. And each has its share of annoying stereotypes. Some are legitimate, but most are entirely false

✥ ISTP – Daredevil adrenaline-junkies who live, breathe & sleep extreme sports

Reality: Although ISTPs are highly sensory-oriented & very in touch with their physical surroundings, they’re also extremely introverted. They enjoy being in their mind & love to learn. Their first mode of information processing is introverted thinking (Ti), so they’re much more interested in discovering how things work than in simply experiencing them.

They like to see all the pieces of a puzzle before making a decision, especially for big life choices. If they’re in a crisis they can act quickly, thanks to auxiliary Se, & can finish a task using “shortcuts” that doesn’t line up with bureaucratic rules.
Some do love extreme sports, but many are too rational to justify the risks of such activities – they prefer staying safe rather than harming their livelihood, at the mercy of their auxiliary function.

✥ ESTP – Too impulsively manipulating to be reliable or faithful

Reality: ESTPs tend to live in the moment & enjoy taking advantage of current opportunities, dislike routine, sitting still & making long-term decisions that can limit their options. They see what they want & go for it – so that when your interests align with theirs, nobody will be more devoted or attentive.
They care about how others see them, want to be liked, & don’t enjoy doing harm. They value their friendships deeply, & their extroverted feeling (Fe) keeps them in line, based on how their actions affect others.

They can certainly be impulsive, but only take the chances they want to. Once they make a commitment to someone, they’re often quite good at seeing it through. They mean “I don’t want a relationship,” but they also mean it if they say “I do”.

Mature ESTPs are responsible, capable & fearless, & not the type to forever sit in an office. They need to experiment & go on adventures, so tying them down will only cause frustration & resentment. But they’ll benefit from open-minded people who can help them find strategies for choosing & reaching long-term goals.

✥ ISTJ – Boring workaholics, unbearably rigid & set in their ways

Reality: ISTJs lead with the Perceiving function of Introverted Sensing (Si), so they like routine & knowing what to expect. The more they repeat the same process successfully, the more they like to incorporate that process into their routine. However, they be adventurous, going through spurts where they do try new things unusual things. They can also be innovative, but very cautiously & meticulously.

Although they do enjoy tried-and-true ways (practical) more than experimental ones, many ISTJs are incredibly analytical. They’re always taking in new facts & measuring them against each other for practicality & efficiency. If a new method beats out an old one, they have no trouble accepting it.

They can be seen as rigid because they work so hard to accomplish their goals, which also comes from caring deeply about providing for people they love. Many have a unique, offbeat senses of humor, & very capable of being entertaining.

✥ ESTJ – Bossy know-it-alls who only want to control everyone

Reality: ESTJs lead with Extraverted Thinking (Te). Neuroscience Dario Nardi says they’re more interested in results than in procedures. As natural leaders & supervisors they easily see errors & delegate the work work to correct & complete taks, driven by goal-achievement.

They actually care deeply about the people they’re close to, & always want to help others get the best results possible. Although ESTJs do tend to err on the side of being meticulous & bossy, they very much want to protect & provide for loved ones. Because they can often see when others are making mistakes, they feel the need to step in & take care of things for them. They’re is not malicious or spiteful – they simply see the most efficient way to do something & want to share.

REFERENCES:  infjedi, Heidi Priebe & Psychology Junkie  ➡️ (+ more links)

NEXT: SFs Misjudged

PREVIOUS: ESFP & ESFJ

CHARTS below:
All SARCASTIC Functions 

Modified from VERYWELLmind

ENFP = The CHAMPION (Review)
Strengths: caring, empathetic, enthusiastic, fun, highly creative, spontaneous & warm – with strong people & communication skills

Weaknesses: can be overly emotional, disorganized, needs approval from others, overthinks, struggles to follow rules, tends to get stressed out easily

DOMINANT = Ne
ENFP’s primary response is generally to focus on the world of possibilities. They’re good at abstract thinking, rather than concentrating on tiny details.
ENFPs are inventive, & focused on the future. They’re good at seeing things as they might be – rather than simply noticing what they presently are. They have a natural tendency to focus on relationships, & can easily find patterns or connections between people, situations & ideas.

AUXILIARY = Fi
As a support to the DOM, Fi is not about ENFP’s internal emotions, even when they experience a deep well of emotions, nor is the focus on logic & objective criteria, but rather on personal values. They have a strong need to be true to themselves & their beliefs. In their ideal world, its values would align with their own.

ENFPs tend to follow their heart, empathize with others, & let their feelings guide their decisions. This is based on their own moral code & what their gut instinct tells them is right, & how they would like to be treated themselves.

They tend to be very considerate of others, & are likely to be highly aware of how they think others see them. It can take them a long time figure out their beliefs, to make sure they feel right. This refining process requires mental solitude, which can make ENFPs seem very withdrawn at those times. Fi highly values authenticity, & is repulsed by anything that seems fake or shallow.

TERTIARY = Te
Less prominently, Ne in 3rd place is very logic-oriented, centered on organizing information & ideas, the side of the ENFP that naturally looks for a better solution to a problem, improve the efficiency of a process, or critique & refine what’s already in place.

When looking at info, ENFPs use Te to efficiently spot connections. EXP: They might ‘think out loud’ when working through a problem, laying out all the facts to form a train of thought that can be easily followed.

ENFPs tend to be balanced between this decisive & efficient way of making decisions, & the pondering, value-driven process of their Fi-AUX. While they prefer to take their time, as long as it doesn’t go against their values they can use their Te to make act when necessary.

INFERIOR = Si
Least preferred, here Si can be used to compare whatever the ENFP is experiencing in the moment with past experiences. In the process, they’re often able to remember emotions, events & physical sensations associated with those events. This also helps to find patterns, which allow them to have certain expectations for or make predictions about similar future events, based on those previous experiences.

However, under-developed, they can have trouble being consistent, reliable, & following thru on their ideas. As they grow & mature, this can greatly improve.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

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ENFJ = The GIVER (ENFJ)
Strengths: empathetic, encouraging, organized, outgoing and warm-hearted, with a wide social circle

Weaknesses: approval-seeking, indecisive, overly sensitive, self-sacrificing

DOMINANT = Fe

AUXILIARY = Ni
As a support to the DOM, Ni ‘pushes’ ENFJs to think about the future rather than the present. They can get so focused on the larger goal that they lose sight of immediate details. Ni makes their internal world very abstract.

While Fe-DOM gathers information about people, Ni is running internally in the background, forming it into constellations of data that merge to become an idea or thought. As they processes it to form impressions, ideas & conclusions, they can spot patterns & make sense of complex or hypothetical data.

TERTIARY = Se
However, Se in 3rd place encourages the ENFJ to stay in the present moment – which can push against the desire of Ni-AUX – but which helps to gather concrete details & sensory input from the environment. Because of this, they’ll often go after novel or interesting experiences & sensations. ENFJs tend to be very aware of their present surroundings, & want to create a pleasant environment for everyone

INFERIOR = Ti
While least preferred, here the Ti helps to organized & enjoy structure as well as careful planning. Sticking to a predictable schedule helps ENFJs feel in control of their world. Bit it may also keep them from having confidence in their own ability to be logical & organized.
— Neglecting this function can lead to relying too much on personal values rather than inclusions facts when appropriate
— Developing it can help them feel more balanced & in control of their decision-making.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

NEXT: —

PREVIOUS: INTJ P / INTJ Functions

CHARTS below: All SARCASTIC Functions 

POSTS modified from VERYWELLmind

INFP = the MEDIATOR (Review)
Strengths: caries for & interested in others, good at seeing the ‘big picture’, loyal and devoted, sensitive to feelings, values close relationships, works well alone

Weaknesses: can be overly idealistic, difficult to get to know, overlooks details, sometimes loses sight of the little things, tends to take everything personally

DOMINANT = Fi
INFP’s primary response to life is with a great depth of feeling, but as introverts they mainly process emotions internally. They have an incredible sense of wonder about the world, with great compassion & empathy for others. While these emotions are strong, they tend not to express them outwardly, so they’re sometimes considered aloof or unwelcoming.

AUXILIARY = Ne
As a support to the DOM, here Ne encourages the exploration of events using imagination & ‘what if’ scenarios, often thinking through  several possibilities before acting. While INFP’s inner life is their main focus, extroverted AUX allows them to interact with others using intuition.  Ne flourishes when given new, interesting ideas to consider, & can find inspiration from the outside.

Ne-Aux paired with Fi-Dom likes to explore a wide variety of values & ideals. EXP: Having discussions with others also open to exploring possibilities of a topic, or by self-expression through various art forms. They focus on the ‘big picture’ that will shape future events, allowing them to be transformative leaders, excited about making positive changes in the world.

TERTIARY =  Si
Less prominently, Si in 3rd place gives INFPs a sense of solidity to their Fi beliefs, providing a structured & detailed inner world. Values that have had enough time to develop produce a solid sense of Right & Wrong.

Much of INFPs ‘understanding’ comes from their real-world experiences, which they highly value. They store interesting facts & vivid memories – associated with strong emotions – in an organized way for future reference. When less stressed, they can replay old events to assess new ones.

INFERIOR =  Te
Usually least preferred, here Te involves organizing & making sense of the world. While this is mainly unconscious, using it is more likely to show up then INFPs are stressed.

Then they suddenly become very pragmatic & detail-oriented, focusing on logic rather than emotion. Because they’re usually run more by intuition & emotion, INFPs can sometimes struggle to be productive & efficient.
Learning to develop their Te can help them create a better sense of balance.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

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INFJ = THE ADVOCATE (Review)
Strengths : enjoys thinking about the meaning of life, focused on the future, highly creative and artistic, idealistic, reserved, sensitive to the needs of others, values close & deep relationships

Weaknesses: can be overly sensitive, dislikes confrontation, expectations can bee unrealistic, sometimes difficult to get to know, stubborn.

DOMINANT = Ni
INFJ’s primary response is to be highly focused on internal insights. They store information spread out, but with all the pieces connecting to many others. This forms a dense web of knowledge too large to be seen all at once, but can be zoomed in on to show intricate clusters or threads of thoughts.

Ni can give them a dreamlike quality, providing both images or impressions, as well as concrete facts. INFJs may experience their inner world as constantly fluctuating, but once they’ve had an intuition about something, they tend to stick to it tightly, often to the point of being single-minded. This can make them seem stubborn & rigid.

AUXILIARY = Fe
Fe is INFJ’s first extroverted function, so it’s used when dealing with the world, the filter through which communication is receive, & how emotions are processed.

As a support to the DOM, here Fe helps INFJs be highly aware of what others are experiencing, but the price is to be less aware of their own emotions. They’re so tuned into others – they’re afraid of disappointing or hurting everyone. This makes it very hard to say no to people’s requests, even when those are unrealistic or outrageous.

TERTIARY = Ti
INFJs make decisions mainly using DOM & AUX (Ni, Fe) especially when around other people. But when alone, INFJs rely more on their Ti-TER to form ideas or theories based on their own insights.

It helps stabilize the shifting nature of Ni-DOM, & better understand the connections that Ni makes outside their conscious awareness. When stressed, INFJs will use emotion (Fe) to make decisions, especially if it means pleasing others. Under less stress, they’re more likely to rely on their intuition (Ni).them

INFERIOR = Se
Usually least preferred, here Se can help INFJ stay aware of their surroundings, to appreciate beauty, be fully present in the moment, & to stay connection to the physical world. Operating under the radar, it only gives them the minimum input needed for practical tasks.

Unfortunately, INFJs can get overwhelmed if they get too much outside stimulus, or if real world demands their full attention. But Se can also help them stay in the now rather than simply worrying about the future, allowing to enjoy physical activities such as hiking & dancing.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

PREVIOUS: ENTP & ENTJ

CHARTS below: All SARCASTIC Functions 

POSTS modified from VERYWELLmind

ENTP = The DEBATER (Review)
Strengths : creative, enjoys debating, great conversationalist, innovative, values knowledge

Weaknesses : can be argumentative, dislikes routines and schedules, doesn’t like to be controlled, insensitive, unfocused

DOMINANT = Ne
ENTP’s primary response is to take in information quickly. They’re very open-minded, with an entrepreneurial mind, always coming up with new & exciting ideas

Once they’ve gathered information, they can make connections between  complex & interwoven relationships. They’re good at spotting connections that others might overlook, because they focus on possibilities.

 AUXILIARY = Ti
As a support to the DOM, Ti fuels ENTP’s drive for knowledge & general interest in intellectual pursuits, focusing on taking in information about the world around them. They can analyze ideas that Ne-DOM seems to pull out of thin air, all of which they understand, & so can come to logical & objective conclusions.

ENTPs don’t want to just understand that something works – they want to know the why-&-how behind how things tick. When making decisions, they put more weight on rational evidence instead of subjective, emotional information, which helps to make sense of many disparate ideas & pieces of information, balancing out their most fantastical ideas.

TERTIARY = Fe
Less prominently, Fe in 3rd place is the major reason for the drive to use their intelligence & creative problem solving skill – to help others & make the world a better place, rather than for purely selfish purposes.

Because it tend to run in the background, an undeveloped Fe-TER can leading ENTPs to be insensitive to others, even be experienced as aloof or unkind.

But when Fe is developed, ENTPs can encourage they hidden humanitarian side, be social charmers who get along well with others. In social situations, they then can be a more expressive & skilled conversationalist, making it easy for them to convince others to believe in their ideas.

 INFERIOR = Si
Usually least preferred, here Si is centered on understanding the past & applying lessons to current experiences & future events. ENTPs are more likely to focus more on possibilities than actions, without considering how past events & patterns can actually help predict future outcomes in similar situations.

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ENTJ =  The COMMANDER (Review)
Strengths : assertive, good at making decisions, outspoken, self-assured, strong communication & leadership skills

Weaknesses : aggressive, insensitive, intolerant, impatient, stubborn

DOMINANT = Ti
ENTJ’s primary response is
expressed through the way they make decisions & judgments.

They have a tendency to speak first without listening, making snap judgments before really taking in all the information about a situation.

However, they are also be very rational & objective, while being focused on imposing order & standards on the world around them. Setting measurable goals is important to them

AUXILIARY = Ni
As a support to the DOM, Ni is how ENTJs understand their inner world, & dictates the way they store & evaluate information, heavily dictating the path their train of thought will take.  It gives them a future-focus, always considering options & possibilities when approaching a decision. Being forward-thinking, they’re not afraid of change, trusting their instincts – although they will regret jumping to conclusions so quickly

Ni tends to store a great variety of seemingly random info which they can connect up into a coherent web too big to be seen in detail as a whole, but can be zoomed in on to show intricate clusters or threads of thoughts & feelings, changing the perspective on a subject, so that their inner world seems to be constantly fluctuating.

TERTIARY = Se
Less prominently, Se in 3rd place gives ENTJs an appetite for adventure, enjoying playful new experiences & attracted to thrill-seeking activities.

Because of an outward sensory focus, they also appreciate beautiful things in life, often surrounding themselves with things they find attractive & interesting.

They enjoy living in the moment, & are good at dealing with things they can experience & touch, as well as the purely hypothetical.

This is because their Ni-AUX & Se-TER middle preferences, so they can flip back & forth to use each one as needed.

INFERIOR = Fi
Usually least preferred, here Fe focuses on internal feelings & values, helping to see if situations match their values & beliefs, using gut instincts.

Since emotions can be hard for ENTJs to notice, not usually aware of how much feelings effect their decisions. They can get uncomfortable or awkward in settings where some type of emotional response is called for.

If developed Fe-INF can be a good warning system to temper their logical side by listening to the small voice warning about making an unsound choice – instead of using into the first thing hey think of. They need to take the time to consider if their decision lines up with their personal values, or how their actions may affect the feelings of others.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

NEXT: ENFP & ENFJ

PREVIOUS : ISFP & ISFJ Functions

CHARTS below: All SARCASTIC Functions 

POSTS modified from VERYWELLmind

INTP = The THINKER (Review)
Strengths: Independent, logical, objective, abstract thinker, loyal & affectionate with loved ones

Weaknesses: Don’t like to follow rules, hard to get to know, insensitive, prone to self-doubt, trouble expressing emotions

DOMINANT = Ti 
INTP’s primary response is to try to understand how things work. They have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, often breaking down larger things or ideas to find the individual components & see how things go together

They make decisions based on logical analysis, done internally, over time.  Being highly logical, efficient thinkers, they like to have a complete understanding of something before sharing an opinion or taking action.

AUXILIARY = Ne
As a support to the DOM Ne is the main way INTPs take in information. They spend a lot of time thinking about the future, exploring all the what-if possibilities. Using intuition to find patterns & underlying principles, they can form theories & frameworks when talking, writing or creating.

Their insight, imagination & past experiences can lead to a flash of insight or inspiration into a problem. They can seem “rambley” at times, when they jump from topic to topic, as they make connections on the spot, rather than following more linear conversation

TERTIARY = Si
Less prominently, Si in 3rd place gives INTPs a tendency to be very detail-oriented, carefully categorizing all the facts & experiences they’ve accumulated. They compare & contrast new info with what they already know, to make predictions about what they believe will happen next.

Si makes their internal world structured & detailed, which can lead to a strong sense of stability, but can come across as arrogance. It drives them to have a high need for precise language, which helps them express themselves well.  As they get older, their thinking speeds up, so they won’t need to consciously consider every step, unless taking on a totally new problem or task.

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INTJ = The ARCHITECT (Review)
Strengths: Enjoy abstract & theoretical concepts, are good listeners, have high expectations, are hardworking & have self-confidence, taking criticism well

Weaknesses: Can be overly analytical, judgmental & perfectionistic, don’t like to talk about emotions, can be insensitive

DOMINANT = Ni
INTJs use introverted intuition to look at patterns, meanings & possibilities. Rather than simply looking at concrete facts, they’re more interested in what these facts mean.

They enjoy thinking about the future & exploring possibilities. When remembering events, they focus on impressions more than exact details of what happened. They’re good at ‘reading between the lines’ to figure out what something really means

AUXILIARY = Te
As a support to the DOM, Te allows INTJs to operate efficiently in all areas of life. They want order, control & structure in their world, so can be very deliberate & methodical when dealing with problems. When a decision is needed in the moment, they’ll choose what makes the most sense objectively, organizing thoughts to look for cause-and-effect relationships.
Because Te is the primary external function, it is usually the first thing other people will notice about NiTe’s.

TERTIARY = Fi
INTJs do use this function, but because it’s a third preference, they do so to a lesser degree. As a secondary decision-making process it can take longer for them to come to a conclusion than the Te-AUX part of them.
As an internal process, it likes to mull over all the details before deciding, especially since it tells an INFJ how they or others might feel about a potential action.

INFJs who develop this aspect pay more attention to values & emotions.  It can act as a warning system when Te thinks a decision makes sense but Fi knows it’s a bad idea. As a result, they’ll be drawn to people & activities that fit with those values.

INFERIOR = Se
Even though this is often the least developed function, it does still exert some influence. It allows people to process information through their senses. When activated, INTJs can sense that they’re living in the moment, energized by the world around them.

As a least preferred function, it is not as strong but SE provides a concrete side that lets the ISTJ connect to the world around them. But it can can easily them drained if they have to actively engage with the people or the world around them for long periods of time.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down

NEXT: INFP & INFJ

PREVIOUS : ESTP & ESTJ

CHARTS below: All SARCASTIC Functions 

POSTS modified from VERYWELLmind

ESFP = The PERFORMER (Review)
Strengths – enjoys people & socializing, focused on the present, gregarious, optimistic, practical

Weaknesses: dislikes abstract theories, easily bored, doesn’t plan ahead, impulsive

DOMINANT = Se
ESFPs primary response is to focus on the here-&-now, rather than thinking about the distant future. They prefer learning about concrete facts rather than theoretical ideas.

ESFPs don’t spend a lot of time planning & organizing, wanting to keep their options open. When solving problems, they trust their instincts & their own ability to come up with a solution. While generally reasonable & pragmatic, they dislike structure, order, plans or schedules, acting spontaneously

AUXILIARY = Fi
As a support to the DOM, when making decisions – Fi places more emphasis on values that come from within, rather than logic & facts. ESFPs can experience deep emotions, but they’re mainly interested in following their own moral code & gut instinct that tells them what’s right, often based on how they themselves want to be treated.

They’re great at putting themselves in another person’s shoes, giving them empathy & consideration for others. It can take them a long time to mull over their own beliefs to make sure that’s right, which requires mental solitude. Fi generally puts great value on authenticity & is repulsed by anything that seems shallow or fake.

TERTIARY = Te
Less prominently, Te is a very logic-oriented way of problem solving. In 3rd place it’s focused on enforcing order on the outside world, centered on productivity & results. It helps ESFPs to look for a better solution to a problem, improve the efficiency of a process, or critique & refine what’s already in place.

This allows them to balance between a quick, decisive & efficient way of making decisions as well as the pondering, value-driven decision making process of their Fi. But because TERS tends to be a weaker aspect of personality, ESFPs may not always feel secure sharing their conclusions or beliefs, especially if it will disrupt the harmony of the group.

INFERIOR = Ni
Usually least preferred, here Ni Ni allows them to pull from every area in their brain to find valuable data, that helps ESFPs spot patterns & to make connections between things they’ve observed.

ESFPs are not usually very good at using logic to sort through abstract concepts, Ni can involve mentally jumping around, which can sometimes lead to flashes of insight & epiphanies about the themselves or the world. Ni might give them the sense that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Overuse of an inferior function can be very draining, & can be unhealthy when constantly given priority over other functions.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

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ESFJ = The CAREGIVER (Review)
Strengths : dependable, enjoys helping others, kind, loyal, organized, outgoing, practical

Weaknesses : approval-seeking, needy, overly sensitive to criticism

DOMINANT = Fe
ESFJ’s primary response is to make decisions based on personal feeling, emotions & concern for others. They tend to think more about the personal impact of their decisions rather than use objective criteria.

They usually evaluate people & situations using ‘gut feelings’, often making snap decisions as a result. They’re quick to share their emotions & opinions. This can be great in some ways, since it helps them make choices rather quickly. Negatively, it can also lead to making harsh judgments of others

AUXILIARY = Si
As a support to the DOM, Si focused ESFJs on the present rather than on the future. They’re interested in concrete, immediate details of any situation, rather than abstract or theoretical information

While Fe gathers information about people, Si is running in the background to keep track of these facts in an organized way – like in a filing cabinet or very organized library. Si helps ESFJs remember data that’s important to them, which allows them to determine if things are right or wrong – based on Fe’s observations.

TERTIARY = Ne
Less prominently, Ne in 3rd place fuels ESFJs instincts about the world around them,. It helps them make mental connections & find creative solutions to problems, exploring possible options. Ne can find patterns that provides insights into people & experiences, allowing them to navigate unfamiliar situations & see potential in others. Ne also helps keep their Si-AUX in check, so that when they use it the ESFJ doesn’t get too set in their ways, which may lead to isolating themselves.

INFERIOR = Ti
Usually least preferred, here Ti can provide the ability to be organized, wanting to plan things out in advance, which helps them feel more in control of the world around them.

ESFJ can analyze complex information, but as the INF, it’s often a point of weakness, especially when making sense of abstract or theoretical concepts.

Ti-INF combined with Si-AUX encourages ESFJs to examine & analyze information collected by Fe-DOM, with Ti checking to see if their ideas or opinions stand up to scrutiny. Since Ti is the weakest function, they might have trouble coping when asked to analyze complex theoretical problems in their head, such as intricate math equations.

See: INTERNAL WORLD (scroll down)

NEXT: ENTP & ENTJ