The Difference Between INTPs and ENTPs INTPs primary and secondary functions
are ‘Ti Ne’ while ENTPs are ‘Ne Ti’. The functions are flipped.
ENTPs take in data and manipulate it to construct frameworks and patterns and form connections.
Their box is always open, and new ideas are always emerging as they go through the world.
For them, Introverted Thinking is a filter that removes the crazier ideas… but there’s
still a chance that some crazy ideas get shared. This is because of their Extro verted Intuition.
They are the people that want to “bounce ideas off of you” because they want to talk
through an idea as part of their assessment. This is all part of their thinking process.
INTP, on the other hand, are forward thinking.
They have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and learning.
All other functions serve this logical data driven ‘Ti’. They then also talk it through
using their Ne, but it has already gone through the reality filter ‘Ti’. They can
easily ramble about their observations and how they fit into the mentally vetted theory.
Actually, both INTPs and ENTPs ramble. An INTP and ENTP can have a never-ending conversation
about two or more topics simultaneously. It’s likely that the INTP would be talking about
observations, and the ENTP is talking about theories. It can even get as ridiculous as
talking about the dinner menu, and comparing the size and quality of apples since the 1950’s.
Their tertiary and inferior functions are also flipped:
For ENTPs, they have ‘Fe Si’, and INTPs have ‘Si Fe.’
Introverted Sensing, as a tertiary function, allows INTP to store all of their interesting
facts in their head in an organized way. It means that when they are going to talk or
write on a specific topic, they can open up their organized file for something, and articulate their
thoughts in precise, organized language. Fe is their last function and they are not
typically as readily able to deal with emotions, even when compared to their ENTP brethren.
This final function is how ENTPs can make an INTP feel like an outsider.
For ENTPs, ‘Fe Si’, makes them more expressive during their conversations.
They can read a person or a room much more easily, and can be quite convincing when they want to be.
They are open and goofy in public, whereas INTPs are only goofy in safe-places.
You can tell the difference between an ENTP and an INTP in conversations
because although they both value themselves for their use of theories and possibilities,
they approach social interaction differently. For ENTPs,
They feel valued when other people participate in their theories and visions for how a
logical system will develop. (NeTi) Since they're extroverts, they’ll create
the context for you to socialize with them. For example, an ENTP might approach an INTJ
with ‘Ne Ti’ statements, like… “I think this career path has
potential for you!” (NeTi) Here the ENTP is using ‘Ne Ti’
and hoping the INTJ would respond with rational thoughts(Te) about their own potential(Ni).
The INTJ, whose primary and secondary functions are ‘Ni Te’, might respond to the ENTP with:
“Based on these metrics, I should be at this point in my career in 10 years!” (NiTe)
At this point the ENTP will attempt to logically evaluate(Ti) the INTJ’s rationale(Te).
ENTPs run around doing this all day because people that have strong perceptions of their own
potential(Ni), can take the ENTPs’ comments and discover that there’s a variety of different paths
that they didn't see possible(Ne). For INTPs,
They feel valued when other people seek them out for their ability to analyze and apply structured
logic to new situations or ideas. (TiNe) Since they're introverts, they want to be
included in social interactions rather than create the context for themselves.
For example, let’s say an INTJ approaches the INTP. The INTP would want someone to
approach them with TeNi statements like… “Based on these metrics, I could get a
better deal from this than that!” (TeNi) At this point, the INTJ is presenting the
INTPs with a rationale for something the INTJ wants to achieve(TeNi).
The INTP’s response would be: “Your reasoning seems to contradict
itself here(Ti). Have you thought about these other possibilities?(Ne)”
Here the INTP is considering their own potential(Ni)
and then critiquing(Ti) the INTJ’s rationale and the different paths the INTJ could have(Ne).
The INTP is constantly doing this because people that have effective methods(Te) can
provide the INTP with mountains of data and research to confirm or deny theories that
the INTP is currently considering. (TiNe) In sum, ENTPs will expect you to have potential
and critique your rationale, while INTPs expect you to have rationale but will critique your
potential. They both do this because they want a person that has a good eye for facts and data
to value and confirm their theories. ENTPs have very dynamic personalities
and are constantly in a flow state. If not, they will get everybody depressed
by endless debates that lead nowhere. At their best, they will brainstorm and
energize everyone with out-of-the-box ideas and create visions that are exciting and inspiring,
so much so that it motivates people to run and test it right away. They are regarded as
very innovative and breath-holdingly bold. INTPs are very reflective and knowledgeable.
They remember every single word you’ve said, and can quote you from a dialogue that took place
a month ago. They are very stimulating and encourage intellectual conversations
that exchange knowledge and ideas comfortably. Their curiosity and originality stand out.
While ENTPs and INTPs have similar minds, the main difference is their communication style!