Functional Analysis of the enfp

Extraverted iNtuition

The physical world, both geos and kosmos, is the ENFP's primary source of information. Rather than sensing things as they are, dominant intuition is sensitive to things as they might be. These extraverted intuitives are most adept with patterns and connections. Their natural inclination is toward relationships, especially among people or living things.

Intuition leans heavily on feeling for meaning and focus. Its best patterns reflect the interesting points of people, giving rise to caricatures of manner, speech and expression.

Introverted Feeling

Auxiliary feeling is nonverbally implied more often than it is openly expressed. When expressed, this logic has an aura of romance and purity that may seem out of place in this flawed, imperfect world. In its own defense, feeling judgement frequently and fleetly gives way to humor. ENFPs who publicize their feelings too often may put off some of the crowd of friends they naturally attract.

Extraverted Thinking

Thinking, the process which runs to impersonal conclusions, holds the extraverted tertiary position. Used on an occasional basis, ENFPs may benefit greatly from this ability. Less mature and lacking the polish of higher order functions, Thinking is not well suited to be used as a prominent function. As with other FP types, the ENFP unwary of Thinking's limitations may find themselves most positively mistaken.

Introverted Sensing

Sensing, the least discernible ENFP function, resides in the inner world where reality is reduced to symbols and icons--ideas representing essences of external realities. Under the influence of the ever-present intuition, the ENFP's sensory perceptions are in danger of being replaced by hypothetical data consistent with pattern and paradigm. When it is protected and nourished, introverted sensing provides information about the fixed. From such firm anchoring ENFPs are best equipped to launch into thousands of plausibilities and curiosities yet to be imagined.

Perhaps the combination of introverted Feeling and childlike introverted Sensing is responsible for the silent pull of ENFPs to the wishes of parents, authority figures and friends. Or perhaps it's the predominance of indecisive intuition in combination with the ambiguity of secondary Fi and tertiary Te that induces these kind souls to capitulate even life-affecting decisions. Whatever the dynamic, ENFPs are strongly influenced by the opinions of their friends.

Enfp Career Choices

ENFPs are effective in occupations involving a lot of intellectual work that is focused on humanities and social science and requiring creativity. For example they make good life coaches, social workers, psychologists, addiction rehab counsellors, and other mental and community care staff. They are also successful in teaching humanities and social science – related subjects. As well they succeed as journalists and in various occupations requiring good communication skills.

ENFP Learning Style (How ENFPs acquire, memorize and recollect information)

An ENFP’s interest in studying something is driven by the search for solutions to people-related issues, as well as the relevance and usefulness of what they learn to other people. The more positively they think that people will respond to the subject, the greater the ENFP’s interest and enjoyment in it, and the greater their desire to apply what they learn.

ENFPs easily grasp material, especially if a large portion of it is devoted to the topic’s relevance or connection to the behavior or actions of people. They are good at remembering theoretical material, especially when it actively engages their feelings. ENFPs can also easily grasp a significant amount of information lacking strong conceptual connections. Whether or not material is presented in a systematic and logical way is not of great importance to them. ENFPs strive to define their feelings toward the information that they are receiving.

ENFPs are able to learn independently. Even so, they are generally active communicators in the learning process, and group work is favorable. They like to discuss the topic of study and seek feedback on their work. They learn well through active learning methods like debates, contests, and educational games.

ENFPs are able to work with material they have learned well in a variety of ways. They are able to effectively apply it in different projects and develop it creatively beyond what they have been taught. They get excited and absorbed working with material they have learned and understood well, and really enjoy it.

ENFPs do not always evenly distribute their effort when learning and studying, and may put off work until the last minute.

An ENFP’s learning is improved when:

The subject engages their feelings

Visual aids and active learning methods such as debates, contests and educational games are used

The given topic is one they enjoy

The material is presented from varied viewpoints or using various examples (improves retention)

An ENFP’s learning is hindered when:

The material is purely logical or is not centered around human issues

The material does not engage their feelings