Introverted ENTP?

[Kora]

I know, it's called Extraversion for something but... today I was searching through the types for seeing which would fit better some characters, and giving a deep look into the ENTP... I think it describes me very well. I sometimes think I'm more of an Ne user than a Ti (despite I score very high on both), and I really really dislike doing things just 'because I should'. I also love arguing and 'playing' with other people's mind's (there's nothing funnier for me than when I tease my ISTP friend), but only when I feel just like that.
I'm also like a INTP, geekly and stand-aloneish, and like to analyze things.

I wouldn't worry too much, but I'm sure that part of my Introversion comes from social anxiety. Maybe it's just a psicological issue that inhibits my Extroversion? I do admit that sometimes I like being the center of attention, but also like to watch things from an outer perspective.
Also, I noticed that I try to overcome that 'social anxiety' by acting like a fearless Extrovert. If they know about MBTI in my school, they would type me as an ENTJ, for sure. I try to cover my fear of rejection on being like a nazi (the kind of girl who yells 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING, FUCKTARD?!' when someones try to tease me), but also have 'charmed' other people by my quick wit and that I'm not scared of anyone (in theory). Even, someone told me that I 'was cool because I always say what I think about other people'.

Could I be an E, after all? I don't know... I always feel insecure about other people. Even right now I feel afraid that I'll look like an idiot by posting this and probably I'll regret this... but I'm curious.

 

[edcoaching]

Extraversion-Introversion have nothing to do with shyness. the type concept is where you get your energy. From people and activities (E) or from solitude and reflection (I).

So, you can be a shy Extravert who hangs with just a few friends but still hates to be alone. Or, you can always be doing things--tinkering, cleaning, biking, etc. rather than sitting still for stuff. AND you can be a social Introvert who loves people but can only handle so many for so long before being totally drained.

One tie-breakerL: how long could you go on silent retreat? Many I's could spend days at a secluded cabin, and go back again and again. Many E's would love a few hours or even a day and would then be ready for action again.

I for example prefer Introversion but love talking to people in elevators just to see their reactions...

 

[redacted]

Introverted ENTPs are totally possible (as long as you're not using the same definition of introverted that MBTI uses). My brother is one, for example.

The E in ENTP just means you are an Ne dom. Ne doesn't necessarily have to focus on people.

 

[animenagai]

Introverted ENTPs are totally possible (as long as you're not using the same definition of introverted that MBTI uses). My brother is one, for example.

The E in ENTP just means you are an Ne dom. Ne doesn't necessarily have to focus on people.

you reckon? isn't it a bit odd to say that he's an Entp while being introverted? isn't that by definition contradicting? i could see him being an ENTP with a strong I side (say 60:40 split), but introverted altogether?

 

[Jack Flak]

There are different kinds of Extroverts, and the ENTP is probably the most reserved of all on average. I could say more, but I refuse.

 

[Kora]

So, you can be a shy Extravert who hangs with just a few friends but still hates to be alone. Or, you can always be doing things--tinkering, cleaning, biking, etc. rather than sitting still for stuff. AND you can be a social Introvert who loves people but can only handle so many for so long before being totally drained.

One tie-breakerL: how long could you go on silent retreat? Many I's could spend days at a secluded cabin, and go back again and again. Many E's would love a few hours or even a day and would then be ready for action again.

I like social interaction, and I have two or three friends which I always talk in MSN, and can last hours and hours with some short breaks, and if I let some days pass without talking to them I miss them. But IRL I can only stand about five hours before needing doing things alone.
I'm not sure what would that mean.

Introverted ENTPs are totally possible (as long as you're not using the same definition of introverted that MBTI uses). My brother is one, for example.

The E in ENTP just means you are an Ne dom. Ne doesn't necessarily have to focus on people.

I see. I scored highter Ti than Ne in the test, but actually I think I use more my Ne, with the Ti axis. The problem is that my tertiary is for sure Si, since my Fe is nothing more than my Ne.

Thanks for the answers, I'm still unsure so I'll think about all this and try to observe how I behave about this.

 

[mlittrell]

with mbti, there isn't too big of a distinction (except in extreme cases) between I and E. For example, if I read the INFP profile, there is a whole lot that applies to me. This may be true because of the fact that I have the same funtions of an INFP but a different orientation. Ex. ENFP (Ne, Fi, Te, Si) INFP (Fi, Ne, Si, Te). So really unless your an extreme of one or the other, you will find that both the INTP and the ENTP profile might fit you quite nicely. This is why a lot of times ill use the syntax XNTP or XNFP.

 

[redacted]

you reckon? isn't it a bit odd to say that he's an Entp while being introverted? isn't that by definition contradicting? i could see him being an ENTP with a strong I side (say 60:40 split), but introverted altogether?

That's why I said you have to use different definitions. You can have an ENTP that fits the dictionary definition of introvert.

I see. I scored highter Ti than Ne in the test, but actually I think I use more my Ne, with the Ti axis. The problem is that my tertiary is for sure Si, since my Fe is nothing more than my Ne.

Yeah. Don't put too much weights in the tests. If you think you're an Ne dominant, you probably are.

 

[563 740]

I know, it's called Extraversion for something but... today I was searching through the types for seeing which would fit better some characters, and giving a deep look into the ENTP... I think it describes me very well. I sometimes think I'm more of an Ne user than a Ti (despite I score very high on both), and I really really dislike doing things just 'because I should'. I also love arguing and 'playing' with other people's mind's (there's nothing funnier for me than when I tease my ISTP friend), but only when I feel just like that.
I'm also like a INTP, geekly and stand-aloneish, and like to analyze things.

I wouldn't worry too much, but I'm sure that part of my Introversion comes from social anxiety. Maybe it's just a psicological issue that inhibits my Extroversion? I do admit that sometimes I like being the center of attention, but also like to watch things from an outer perspective.
Also, I noticed that I try to overcome that 'social anxiety' by acting like a fearless Extrovert. If they know about MBTI in my school, they would type me as an ENTJ, for sure. I try to cover my fear of rejection on being like a nazi (the kind of girl who yells 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING, FUCKTARD?!' when someones try to tease me), but also have 'charmed' other people by my quick wit and that I'm not scared of anyone (in theory). Even, someone told me that I 'was cool because I always say what I think about other people'.

Could I be an E, after all? I don't know... I always feel insecure about other people. Even right now I feel afraid that I'll look like an idiot by posting this and probably I'll regret this... but I'm curious.

Sonfabitch, this is totally me. Except instead of an fearless extrovert I've usually tended to just go with quiet introvert (workplace esp.)... I learned after a while it was just easier to keep my mouth shut.

Thanks for starting this thread, Kora.

 

[substitute]

Read around my back issues heh, you'll see I've had much the same story. I've overcome the social anxiety now and am more easily recognizable as a true extravert, but even just 5 years ago you wouldn't have imagined I was the same person. And yeah, it was mainly social anxiety. I preferred being away from people only BECAUSE I had no social skills, so things went wrong. It wasn't because solitude genuinely recharged and energized me like it does for an introvert.

 

[563 740]

Read around my back issues heh, you'll see I've had much the same story. I've overcome the social anxiety now and am more easily recognizable as a true extravert, but even just 5 years ago you wouldn't have imagined I was the same person. And yeah, it was mainly social anxiety. I preferred being away from people only BECAUSE I had no social skills, so things went wrong. It wasn't because solitude genuinely recharged and energized me like it does for an introvert.

For me. it's not so much social anxiety as it is social retardation.

 

[Totenkindly]

So, you can be a shy Extravert who hangs with just a few friends but still hates to be alone. Or, you can always be doing things--tinkering, cleaning, biking, etc. rather than sitting still for stuff. AND you can be a social Introvert who loves people but can only handle so many for so long before being totally drained.

Yup. That's really it.

And sometimes the functions get reversed for whatever reason, in terms of usage at least. Some INTPs have depended on Ne more naturally when they interact with others and keep their Ti very separate from their social interaction (since Ti is more liable to make waves and that can be bad if you are conflict-avoidant because of "nurture" issues). If they also have developed their Fe some, you can get a natural introvert that can do the social thing adeptly... but they get exhausted by the interaction.

I would suppose that ENTPs who are forced to deal with hardcore thinkers and punished for being too N might withdraw and be able to spend lots of time alone, even if they don't prefer it. IN that case, it was the environment that was unsatisfactory, NOT the preference for Ne.

One tie-breakerL: how long could you go on silent retreat? Many I's could spend days at a secluded cabin, and go back again and again. Many E's would love a few hours or even a day and would then be ready for action again.

Yeah, that is what happens with me. It's easy for me to be alone. I'm also the sort of person who never goes into Yahoo Messenger or who always leaves myself invisible... and the few times I forget and start getting peppered by people on my Friends list, I feel smothered and wish I had been invisible... even if I like them.

I for example prefer Introversion but love talking to people in elevators just to see their reactions...

That sounds like a wonderful new game we can play:

1. "I love talking to people in elevators to see their reactions when I <fill in the blank>."

 

[Mort Belfry]

It took me a while to type an ENTP friend of mine because I initiated more conversations with him than vice versa. But he worked on the inwards goods where I worked and this meant he would get random bits of material and package back from merchants.

As soon as he got this stuff the first thing he would do would be make to something out of it. He soon set up an "Arts and Crafts" bin that keep these little treasures for future use. It was the instantaneous way that he manipulated these objects that made me realise he was an ENTP not an INTP.

And here's a robot we made together named, P.E.N.I.S. Steve 5000.

 

[Mort Belfry]

And here's the same robot advertising Jim's Sexy Toothpaste.

 

[Kora]

My, thanks for all the answers.

Thanks for starting this thread, Kora.

I hope it helps you too.

For me. it's not so much social anxiety as it is social retardation.

But what's the difference, at all?

And sometimes the functions get reversed for whatever reason, in terms of usage at least. Some INTPs have depended on Ne more naturally when they interact with others and keep their Ti very separate from their social interaction (since Ti is more liable to make waves and that can be bad if you are conflict-avoidant because of "nurture" issues). If they also have developed their Fe some, you can get a natural introvert that can do the social thing adeptly... but they get exhausted by the interaction.

Yes, that's what happens to me. If I'd say what I really see and think, probably I'd be always arguing. I rather use Ne for having a smoother way. The problem is that I seem to use my Ne for everything, even for 'systematizing' (gee, did I spell that right?) emotions and feelings, but now that doesn't have anything to do with the issue. Even though, I still use a lot my Ti. TiNe is a great axis for me.

And here's the same robot advertising Jim's Sexy Toothpaste.

Oh boy, lol.

I guess I'll have to watch me more and see what could be my preference.

 

[563 740]

But what's the difference, at all?

After reading Wikipedia's definition of social anxiety, I guess not that much. I don't really get anxious/nervous so much as uncomfortable/awkward. I think part of it is too much Ne; it's running through all the potential scenarios (instead of just the one I'm in) when I'm talking with someone I don't know very well. God forbid someone "surprise" me with small talk - I tend to go totally deer-in-headlights when the cute cashier unexpectedly tries to chat me up. It's like Ne comes up with 3 or 4 responses all at once and none of them can make it out...

 

[The_Liquid_Laser]

I was a shy ENTP growing up, and I thought I was an introvert. I didn't even suspect I might be an extravert until I was in college, and even then it took me a while before I solidly concluded that I am an extravert. I really do get my energy from the outside world, but it took me a while to figure that out since I spend so much time in my head.

 

[563 740]

I really do get my energy from the outside world, but it took me a while to figure that out since I spend so much time in my head.

Heh, I realized yesterday this is probably the case for me as well. It was a gorgeous day and I wanted to go for a motorcycle ride; unfortunately none of my riding friends were around and I ended up just dicking around online all afternoon. I always just blamed it on being lazy but I realized now that I pretty much do need people around to get me started/keep me going on things. Every single home improvement project of mine has gone nowhere fast until my Dad finally said "We'll be there Saturday at 10AM, you'd better be ready to get some work done!"

 

[arcticangel02]

I like social interaction, and I have two or three friends which I always talk in MSN, and can last hours and hours with some short breaks, and if I let some days pass without talking to them I miss them. But IRL I can only stand about five hours before needing doing things alone.
I'm not sure what would that mean.

That's introversion, then. You may not be very introverted, but an extravert would be energised by those hours spent with other people in real life, and might need time alone after a few days of socialising, not a few hours.

Heh, I realized yesterday this is probably the case for me as well. It was a gorgeous day and I wanted to go for a motorcycle ride; unfortunately none of my riding friends were around and I ended up just dicking around online all afternoon. I always just blamed it on being lazy but I realized now that I pretty much do need people around to get me started/keep me going on things. Every single home improvement project of mine has gone nowhere fast until my Dad finally said "We'll be there Saturday at 10AM, you'd better be ready to get some work done!"

Oh yes, I recognise that feeling. Very much me. I'm not very motivated to start things myself unless I'm totally desperate for some external stimulation.

 

[ZiL]

I would suppose that ENTPs who are forced to deal with hardcore thinkers and punished for being too N might withdraw and be able to spend lots of time alone, even if they don't prefer it. IN that case, it was the environment that was unsatisfactory, NOT the preference for Ne.

I'd personally say that you're right on with this. Certain environments cause me to withdraw easily, and they tend to be environments where the Ne/Fe combo I like to work with are not the most expedient...heavy thinkers, heavy judgers.

I only realized I was indeed an extravert recently, and the above is definitely part of that realization - I will withdraw in "hostile" environments, but I don't enjoy withdrawing. I want to be in the action, and when I can't find an inroad I get frustrated.

So basically, yeah, you can be extraverted but fit the pop-psych definition of introvert. Plus, if you've been in an environment that doesn't suit the ENTP personality and your social skills aren't ace, you might have reverted to withdrawing and thus appear more like an introvert.

To experiment, I'd say try to make yourself go out and do some extra activities and talk to more people and see how you react.