ENTP?

[Yasmin]

I'm having a bit of an identity crisis. I'm fairly certain that I am XNTP. In every test I've ever taken I score almost perfectly for introversion. The problem is, this may be the situation for practice, rather than preference. I can't tell whether I spend more time alone because of my social anxiety, or if I actually enjoy it. To be honest, I've dealt with loneliness for years. I can't even describe how badly I wish for someone to share my ideas with.

Based on the few ENTP descriptions I've read, there seems to be quite a love for arguing. And that's me. I argue all the time. I'm just not often given the opportunity, seeing as most people confuse a healthy debate for fighting.

I can't take the introversion/extroversion issue in it's simplest form, where do I gain energy, where do I lose it? After a day of school, I do feel drained, but couldn't that simply be my response to the anxiety and awkwardness I feel? In fact, now that I think about it, once I find a group of people, and feel moderately comfortable, I look forward to that class and actually seem energized by it.



Thoughts?

EDIT: I guess I'm just inquiring on the basic differences between ENTPs. I mean, they both use Introverted Thinking and Extroverted Intuition, but in a different order. How can a person really tell?

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

Join a debating club.

 

[s0nystyle]

i have the same problem :/ i can't seem to figure out if i'm an ENTP or an INTP, but at the same time why does it matter? i am who i am and you are who you are.

 

[Yasmin]

Join a debating club.

I am actually planning on doing that. My school's speech and debate club, at least.

i have the same problem :/ i can't seem to figure out if i'm an ENTP or an INTP, but at the same time why does it matter? i am who i am and you are who you are.

You are absolutely correct. I should keep that in mind.

 

[Trebuchet]

Introverts can be lonely.

 

[Razare]

You generally determine E vs I by assessing what gives you energy. If socializing drains your energy, then you're I. If it gives you energy, then you're E.

So if you have a friend or someone close that does not trigger your social anxiety, does talking to them energize you? Do you need a break after socializing because it drains you?

It can be hard to tell even with that, though. Introverts need socializing too... but for me it's more like, I build up so much energy in my long expanses while alone, that I am bursting to share that energy with others who are receptive to it. Socializing releases that, makes me feel better, and then I get to recharge again.

 

[ShipwreckSilence]

You generally determine E vs I by assessing what gives you energy. If socializing drains your energy, then you're I. If it gives you energy, then you're E.

Totally what I was going to add.

I work in a very extroverted field(hair stylist) and often get mistaken for an extrovert because I've learned to act that way but if I'm not careful and overdo it I'll crash. If I don't get enough alone time I get seriously depressed. Being an introvert doesn't mean you don't desire companionship. I love being around people but I enjoy one on one time a lot more than large groups. Part of the reason I can stand doing hair is that the client is the center of attention and not me.

 

[XXXX]

You generally determine E vs I by assessing what gives you energy. If socializing drains your energy, then you're I. If it gives you energy, then you're E.

So if you have a friend or someone close that does not trigger your social anxiety, does talking to them energize you? Do you need a break after socializing because it drains you?

It can be hard to tell even with that, though. Introverts need socializing too... but for me it's more like, I build up so much energy in my long expanses while alone, that I am bursting to share that energy with others who are receptive to it. Socializing releases that, makes me feel better, and then I get to recharge again.

It depends who you're socialising with though doesn't it?

I mean if you're a ENTP then socialising with Si dom's would probably be quite draining even being extroverted due to the antagonistic relationship between the lead functions.

Also as a Ne dom they won't be most stimulated by direct outside interaction like a Fe or Te dom - their dominant function is an extroverted perceiving function, so they'll stimulated by taking in emerging outside information in the present moment.

 

[Yasmin]

It can be hard to tell even with that, though. Introverts need socializing too... but for me it's more like, I build up so much energy in my long expanses while alone, that I am bursting to share that energy with others who are receptive to it. Socializing releases that, makes me feel better, and then I get to recharge again.

That was very well put. I think that might reflect where I'm coming from.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

im in this same identity crisis but for a different reason..i have social anxiety disorder, which ill make a post about soon.. i go to school all day lookin like a weirdo quiet retard, but i get home and im completely different..im 100% introverted, which i dnt think is good..i rely dont know how id act in public or college without anxiety. but i know id be pretty awesome.

 

[nexion]

Introverts can be lonely.

Being alone does not equate to being lonely.

im in this same identity crisis but for a different reason..i have social anxiety disorder, which ill make a post about soon.. i go to school all day lookin like a weirdo quiet retard, but i get home and im completely different..im 100% introverted, which i dnt think is good..i rely dont know how id act in public or college without anxiety. but i know id be pretty awesome.

Wow... I just read up on that, an think maybe I have it too. I've never been to a psychiatrist or anything though.

Yeah, the thing about me, is that I am super extroverted at school and then almost entirely introverted at home... very odd. But I know I am truly an INTP rather than an ENTP. Being extroverted all day is what makes me introverted at home, I think.

The question I have, in light of reading about mental disorders and anxiety disorders, is where is the line between "normal" personality behavior and hatred of social situations and actual mental disorder?

 

[BigApplePi]

ENTP versus INTP may be a tough one. Take a look at this. You may see both, but which one is most you?

"Ti involves clarifying definitions to get more precision. This often involves finding just the right word to clearly express an idea concisely, crisply, and to the point. Using Ti is like having an internal sense of the essential qualities of something, noticing the fine distinctions that make it what it is and then naming it."
"Ti involves figuring out the principles on which something works and then evaluating according to these principles and whether something fits the framework or model. Ti ponders the apparent chaos of the world in order to extract from it the universal truths and principles that can be counted on. These principles, once extracted, will provide the logical structure on which to build strategies."

OR

"ETJs love a challenge, especially one that will allow tangible improvement in productivity, efficiency or profitability. They are direct, finding the quickest, most direct path between what is and what should be. ETJs love a problem, especially one that will make full use of their competencies, their logic and sense of order, justice and fair play. Many Te types find competition to be stimulating and fun. Fairness and respecting the same set of rules, so may the best one win. And since they readily acknowledge that there will be a winner and a loser, they would simply much rather be the winner. So they hone their strategies on the fine knife of experience and sharpen their skills to meet the next challenge head on. ETJs love having greater challenges bestowed on them as a result of having successfully met the last, as this attests to their competence and skills."
"Contingency planning, scheduling, and quantifying utilize the process of Te. Te types enjoy making decisions, and the like to be in control of things and value efficiency and effective decision making. They are comfortable in leadership positions and readily accept responsibility for making things happen."

Those quotes are excerpts from Adymus's Cognitive Functions 100:...

 

[DesertSmeagle]

ya. i really dnt know.. i know people like you, who are super extroverted at school, but then they get home and they dont talk and are rely quiet..im the exact opposite...its like with me its social anxiety + school= introversion...i really dnt know how id act at school if i didnt care what people thought of me, which is my goal.

 

[babrock]

I am brand new here but I was wondering the exact same thing. To me as well, it seems largely a matter of the situation as much as predilection.

 

[nexion]

Very much so. For me, it depends on situation, but infinitely more importantly is subject matter. I suppose I need not elaborate on this.

 

[bloozie]

I would consider myself an xNTP also. Although my introversion/extroversion seems to balance out... but I guess it would be dependent on my mood at the time, throughout the year.
Whenever I'm at school, I tend to interact with just about everyone that I see... and this is mostly people whom I see everyday in my classes or just around my major's building. I do this because I get bored of doing the work that I've been working on.

For example, a normal day would consist of sketching, thinking of ideas, and building 3D models.
It may become repetitive, but each problem that needs to be solved is different. And when I begin to get tired of doing one thing, I end up walking around looking at what other people are up to and begin talking to them about their work, solving problems, and critiquing them. I enjoy doing this a lot because it stimulates my mind and gets me to stop thinking about my work... plus it's fun to do.

Hmm, just thinking about this has made me wonder... maybe I am just introverted whenever I'm alone. Of course! But then during the times when I'm alone... either people haven't come yet or I'm in my apartment. But I don't waste my time doing nothing, I'm usually reading through all of my favorite sites, looking for updates that interest me.. only when I'm alone. But whenever I'm around people, I seem to be a procrastinator.

Even right now, I'm talking out loud whilst I'm writing this... does this tell anyone anything about a particular type? I don't know.

As for arguing. I wouldn't call it arguing... but I would consider it to be friendly discussions. I could count at least seven people in my life with whom I am able to have intellectually stimulating conversations with. I don't know how they are able to put up with me, but they do. As for the rest of the people that I manage to speak to during the day, I just talk to them about their work because most of the time it interests me... Unless they come up with a really boring answer to a question of mine, because I end up thinking of random alternative answers that are appealing and interesting to me... usually most of them just kill my imagination.

Also, I tend to notice a lot of things that people don't seem to see.. and I say something about it and the person that I'm with wonder what I'm talking about. I honestly expect people to notice what I notice, but I end up getting frustrated when I have to explain something that was in clear view two the both of us.

Oh yeah, when I'm interacting with people, I'm often smiling or giving them my signature look. (o_O?) Also, I tend to poke fun at them or make random comments and jokes about whatever we are doing at the moment. I even acknowledge the fact that I come off as a jerk most of the time and tell them. I also try to say that I'm sorry for it, but I'm usually laughing and smiling insanely that they give me this look, wondering..."What the frak is this kid on?"... but they smile afterwards and I move on to another victim.

At the end of the day... usually at 10pm or midnight... I'm exhausted. I would say that this stems from me running around like crazy and doing my work. I don't think this would be attributed in part to talking to people... but more like me being tired from the work itself. My usual school hours are from 8am-10pm... or midnight.. Basically putting in 16 hour days... everyday... and I'm not including Finals weeks... with an 's'.

In summation... I really don't know why I think I'm an xNTP.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

well ive come to the conclusion that it really doesnt matter wether ur I or E ....who rely cares? there basically both the same personality wise, exceot ones a little more outgoing than the other. E's are your inventors and I's are your philosophers...or both...ive excepted that i am an Entp at home and an Intp at school...