ENFP vs INTP (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENFP vs INTP personalities from the MBTI types. We will do that by initially describing both personalities in-depth including their four cognitive functions.  This will follow up by comparing and seeing how these personalities are similar and different from each other. 

ENFP vs INTP

 If we consider ENFP vs INTP  and compare them, we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive types, like to explore new theories and ideas, are open to change and dislike structure/routine. However, they have differences as well. ENFPs like spending time with other people, are emotional, and openly expressive. Compared to them, INTPs like spending time alone, are logical and more reserved. 

MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions

 Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types, approaches personality to be composed of four cognitive functions that govern how people think, process, and make decisions. The top two cognitive functions play a dominant role in guiding a person’s personality. Whereas, the latter two play less of a role. However, they still have some impact or influence on how a person behaves in certain situations. ENFP and INTP are two personality types out of the 16 types. Their cognitive functions are discussed in detail as follows.

ENFP: The Champion (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

The ENFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a unique personality. It generally describes people who are enthusiastic, imaginative, flexible, innovative, creative, empathic, and value their independence. Up to 5 to 7 percent of people are estimated to have the ENFP personality type.

Four Cognitive Functions of ENFP

Four cognitive functions that guide how ENFP personality type processes information includes:

• Extraverted Intuition

ENFPs are open to new challenges and possibilities. Their focus is more on abstract ideas rather than concrete ones. So, they mostly try to imagine what the future may hold. Their tendency to understand things in terms of possible ideas rather than how they actually might exist enables them to detect patterns or relationships among people, ideas, and the world.

• Introverted Feeling

ENFPs put a high value on their emotions and feelings whenever they make decisions. In other words, rationality/objectivity or logic is not their first go-to option when deciding any course of action. Consequently, they try to understand how they and other people feel. This makes them naturally empathic. Furthermore, they prioritize their values and try to make decisions that are in line with it.

• Extraverted Thinking 

Apart from feelings, ENFPs do try to give due value to logic and thinking as part of their ‘self’. Their focus is on trying to organize, link, and spot connections among ideas. Thus, they may tend to lay out information, so that each of their thoughts is linked to each other. 

• Introverted Sensing

Whenever they are interacting with people or new things, ENFPs may try to relate, connect, and compare present experiences with past experiences. Their focus is to find any commonalities or patterns between the two. This is because doing so can help them predict or expect what the future may bring. Thus, memories, feelings, and thoughts related to the past play an important role in their life.

INTP: The Thinker (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

The INTP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are reserved, quiet, analytical, and not very social. They like pondering on how things work and coming up with new ideas and solutions. Most of their time is spent in their inner world rather than in the external world. 1-5% of people have an INTP personality type in the world.  

Four Cognitive Functions of INTP

Four cognitive functions that guide how INTP personality type processes information includes:

• Introverted Thinking

INTPs are mostly focused on understanding how things work. They think in parts rather than whole i.e. they break down complex ideas into simple parts to thoroughly understand something before taking any action or making an opinion.

• Extroverted Intuition

INTPs are imaginative and able to utilize their past experiences in present decisions. They are future-oriented and think about ‘What if scenarios’. They also have the ability to identify patterns and gather insight into something by thoroughly going through it in their mind. 

• Introverted Sensing

INTPs are careful, attentive to detail, and categorize all incoming information into simplified yet understandable categories. They are able to compare new information with the old one to make a judgment or prediction about how the future will play out. 

• Extroverted Feeling

This is the weakest part of INTP’s personality. They can be social and connect with others if they are comfortable. However, for stressful situations, they withdraw, prioritize logic over feelings, and have difficulty connecting with others.   

A Comparison of ENFP and INTP

Personality: ENFP vs INTP

ENFP is considered a very imaginative, innovative, energetic, and spontaneous personality. They are always in search of new ideas and are pretty accepting of multiple perspectives. They are considered risk-takers who make use of every opportunity life throws at them. Their approach is people-centered, caring, and empathetic. However, they dislike getting into detail and following through with commitments as they easily get distracted by the next exciting challenge.

INTPs are reserved personalities who are not easy to know. They rely on logic, are happy with intellectual discussions, and struggle with understanding emotions.  They dislike routine, mundane tasks, and mostly do only those things that interest them.

Workstyle: ENFP vs INTP

Both ENFP and INTP personalities have different working styles in their workplace.

Due to their good interpersonal skills, warm attitude towards others, and good people reading skills, ENFPs contribute a new perspective and creative problem-solving to the office team. If they are elected as leaders, they are caring and thoughtful but not good at devising work systems or dealing with bad news. They also don’t like rules and regulations or strict structures in work proceedings which explains why they dislike being controlled by the management.  They prefer flexibility, innovation, stimulation, and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.

In the workplace, INTPs are analytical, critical thinkers, serious, and good decision-makers which adds balance to their team. They dislike people who are not proactive and annoy them with questions. They like through arguments, independence, freedom of thought, speech, and action. They do not however like details and trivialities that are not related to the main goal.  

Conflict: ENFP vs INTP 

Attitude towards conflict and its management by both personalities can vary.

ENFPs usually avoid conflict and try to resolve the matter peacefully and warmly. They dislike injustice/ unfairness and strive for harmony. Their language during conflicts is emotionally loaded. Furthermore, they can easily open up about themselves in such situations.

INTPs on the other hand like rational arguments as they see it as a chance to have an intellectual discussion. They can make hard decisions when required by supporting it with logic and evidence. Generally, they are easy-going but do not tolerate anyone violating principles. Here, they shift from their quiet & reserved self to an outspoken person who enjoys the drama but never lets emotions rule him/her. So, others see them as cold and insensitive. However, at the end of a conflict, INTPs withdraw to their own world, forget the conflict ever happened  and move on.

Interpersonal Skills: ENFP vs INTP

The interpersonal skills of both ENFP and INTP are similar in some respects and different in others. Particularly, the manner of relating to others, perceiving other people, and how others perceive them is distinct for both personalities.

ENFPs are usually outgoing, happy, positive, and hopeful in the presence of others. At times, they can be sensitive and take criticism seriously. They may have a need to be liked and approved by others. People perceive them as likable, genuine, and fun to be around. They are usually emotionally expressive and can be found at the center of dramatic situations. However, they try to keep the environment light for other people to feel comfortable. They can be future-oriented, open to possibilities, and driven to care about other people in many situations. 

On the other hand, INTPs are quiet, reserved, skeptical, and self-sufficient type of people who do not let anyone get too close to them. Their manner of communication is direct, logical, and devoid of any emotional component. Consequently, they do not get emotionally manipulated by others. Because of this, people perceive them as harsh, cold, and aloof. 

If you’ve enjoyed the ”ENFP vs INTP” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ENFP vs ESFJ” and ”ENFP vs ISTJ” too.

 FAQs: ENFP vs INTP

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENFP vs INTP  personality types. we found that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive types, like to explore new theories and ideas, are open to change and dislike structure/routine. However, they have differences as well. ENFPs like spending time with other people, are emotional, and openly expressive. Compared to them, INTPs like spending time alone, are logical and more reserved. 

I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊

Citations

https://www.verywellmind.com/enfp-an-overview-of-the-champion-personality-type-2795980#:~:text=The%20ENFP%20personality%20type%20is,charming%2C%20energetic%2C%20and%20independent.

https://www.verywellmind.com/intp-introverted-intuitive-thinking-perceiving-2795989

https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/intp

https://www.crystalknows.com/personality-type/relationship/intp-enfp