11 Differences Between Si and Se Users

Sometime last year, I wrote an article on the 11 Differences Between Te and Ti Users. That article caught some steam, and someone ended up requesting that we write an article for each of the other dichotomy pairs. Of course, I did intend to do that anyway… but forgot. Heh heh. Anyways, here’s article number two. As before, this article will be dedicated to explaining the differences between Si and Se, specifically high use. In other words, I’m writing this article with the dominant and auxiliary users in mind, which means the ISXJs, ESXJs, ISXPs, and ESXPs. Before I go on though, make sure you check out Introverted Perceiving Functions (Ni/Si) and Extraverted Perceiving Functions (Ne/Se) if you haven’t already to get general overviews of Si and Se.

12/12/2021 Update: If you’re interested in reading the other articles from this series, be sure to check out 7 Differences Between Ne and Ni Users, and 8 Differences Between Fi and Fe.

Shared Characteristics

To be completely honest, these two functions are not nearly as similar as people seem to think. Generally speaking, sensors prioritize concrete information, or what is observable in reality. Sensors want things and people to be straightforward, and will likely have little patience for ambiguity. (Bear in mind, this does not mean that they’re too dumb to interpret said ambiguity.) Also, a lot of definitions list sensors as detail-oriented, but that is incorrect. Both sensor types are not detail-oriented, at least not in the sense that people think. I see a lot of people out there asking if they are an ISTJ or an ISTP. As an ISTP myself working with Ryan (ISTJ) on a daily basis, I can say pretty absolutely that the two of us act completely different and think in opposite directions. I don’t imagine this being any different for the ESFJs vs ESFPs, ESTJs vs ESTPs, and ISFJs vs ISFPs. If you’ve been caught up one of these conundrums, hopefully this article can help you out.

11 Differences Between Si and Se Users

Some of these may be redundant, but it seemed worth the potential repetitiveness for clarity’s sake.

1. Si observes, while Se reacts

The primary drive of dominant Si users, since they are leading with a introverted perceiving function, is to observe. A dominant Si user will sometimes struggle with acting immediately, since they need to internalize first. A dominant Se user will not have this struggle. This may vary a bit more with the auxiliary users, depending on their development of that function. However, generally speaking, any Se user feels a desire to act, while Si users feel the desire to collect information. Si wants to watch, listen and learn. Se wants to learn through experiencing. An Se user’s primary drive is not to internalize sensory information, but to respond to it.

Note: There is this misconception that anyone with good reflexes must have Se. That is absolutely incorrect. Anyone can be trained to react quickly and appropriately under specific circumstances. This point has more to do with default preference and tendency. 

2. Si is conscious observation, while Se can seem more subconscious

Transitioning cleanly into the next point: Si is active, conscious observation. This means that Si users are very intentionally watching and listening for the sake of planning or preparing for the future. They will probably be aware of how observant they are. Why? Because they don’t like surprises. They want to see something coming before it happens, so they can be ready.

Se observation can seem more subconscious. They aren’t as worried about what might happen, or planning out their actions. A lot of Se users view themselves as acting on instinct, versus observation. I spoke to an Se dominant once who believed she was acting on intuition, but she inadvertently described what was essentially hyper awareness. She saw a thing, and reacted to said thing, but on hindsight, she didn’t really realize it was observation, even though she managed to recall what she had seen. To give an example from my personal life, I remember a time when I was walking somewhere with a friend. I walked right into a thick branch that was sticking up out of a fireplace. I immediately jumped over that branch the moment I felt my shin make contact with it. My friend looked at me funny right after it happened, but it took me second to realize what I had just done and why she was looking at me that way. I couldn’t even remember feeling my leg hit that branch. Your average Si user would have consciously seen that branch beforehand and reacted to it intentionally.

Bear in the mind, this doesn’t mean that Se users will never consciously observe.

3. Si is detail oriented, while Se may struggle to recall details

Si users internalize detailed sensory information, and are typically good at remembered said details. This means that when they look back on a past event, they will tend to describe that event in a very specific way. Now, exactly what they recall is going to vary based on what they were paying attention to at the time. Of course, this will vary based on interests, priorities, and etc. (For instance, SFJs tend to remember a lot about people.) Generally speaking, Si users do tend to be good at trivia or recalling random facts, due to their natural tendency to internalize details. The Si dominants especially tend to soak in as much information as possible because they may need it at some point in the future.

Se users are typically only interested in internalizing information that they find immediately useful or relevant. They have Ni working in the background, and Ni doesn’t naturally internalize concrete information. This is why you see Se users mentioning acting on hunches or instincts. Their memory can be more impressionistic, and in the moment. They’ll feel like they “just know” what to do, rather than consciously remembering the facts that are determining their preferred course of action. Therefore, Se users will tend to struggle to recall specific details, unless it’s on a topic that they specifically studied out or concerning a moment that they deemed very important.

4. Si looks to the past to plan for the future, while Se lives in the present

I’m sure just about everyone knows that Si users are past oriented and Se users are present oriented. However, realize that this does not mean the Si users only think about the past, or that they will be stuck in the past. That is unhealthy behavior. Si users will consciously look to the past and to their experiences in order to create the best plan for the future. They will form an image or vision of the future based on their past. (Yes, I used the dreaded “vision” word in relation to something other than the Ni users. -gasp-) What this means is that if they had a positive childhood, they will consciously strive to recreate the example that was presented to them, and weigh their actions and decisions against that model. If they had a negative childhood, they will avoid it, possibly at all costs.

Se users tend to think less about both the past and the future. This doesn’t mean that they never have plans or that they can never be sentimental. However, they tend to focus more on the here and now. They want to enjoy the moment, and indulge in the here and now. They will not be interested in planning out the majority of their actions, and will prefer to leave things up to chance. They’ll desire a certain degree of spontaneity or freedom to act without overthinking the consequences of every little thing. In the extreme negative, Se users will never plan for future, resulting in them being stuck in present, or will constantly fail to consider the consequences of their actions, possibly resulting in self-destructive behavior.

5. Si learns from past mistakes, while Se is prone to forgetting past ramifications

Si users are very in tune with internal sensations. Si is a subjective sensory function, meaning they remember their sensory experiences intimately. Ergo, when something goes terribly wrong or they face tragedy, they remember it deeply, in great detail. This may lead them to avoid repeating something at all costs, possibly to their own detriment. However, on a more daily life scale, this can translate to avoiding a certain restaurant because of a negative food experience… even though that restaurant had never failed them before that point.

Se users don’t always remember their past in intimate detail, since they lack the subjective Si memory. It’s kind of like they’re viewing their own memory as a detached third party, which is why it’s objective. They’ll just remember that, for instance, it worked out the last time around. Was it painful for a little bit? Sure. Did it suck? Yeah. But they won’t really remember those personal negative sensations deeply or in great detail.  From their perspective, it all worked out in the end. (IE: I’m still alive, right? I still have all my limbs. 😛 Let’s try it again!) Don’t take this too extreme – tragedy can affect us all.

6. Si will strive to be consistent to recreate desired results, while Se may struggle to do something the same way twice

Si users are the masters of consistency… or at the very least, they desire it deeply. Si users tend to follow routines, and strive to do things the exact same way every time, in order to produce the exact same results. If a process has proven to produce the results they want, they will strive to repeat that routine every time. (Note: SFJs, unlike the STJs, tend to be less concerned about efficiency. A routine is not always efficient.) They tend to write things down in order to document the ideal way to do something.

Se users won’t always remember how they did something the first time…or the second time… or the third time. They’re also less concerned with documenting it, unless for some reason, it’s required. Otherwise, they’ll tend to prefer to “wing it.”. Si users will probably get frustrated with the Se users for an inability to do things consistently (speaking from experience). In addition, Se users may periodically change the way they do things simply because routine eventually bores them.

7. Si painstakingly gathers information in order to make the best decision, while Se prefers to keep their options open

Si users are security-minded. They’re aiming to gather as much information as possible, in order to make the best, most informed and most practical decision. Si dominants specifically may postpone making the final decision for this reason, making them appear to decide last minute. In other words, they’re taking all the time possible to consciously weigh and consider all of their options. Any Si user with underdeveloped or unhealthy Ne will be prone to imagining worst case scenarios and/or considering every likely possibility in order to prepare for the unknown. The Si auxiliaries may be much quicker to make decisions, due to their dominant judging function desiring closure.

Se users may take a long time to make decisions as well, but not because they’re consciously considering all of the possible options or gathering as much information as possible. They typically have a fear of committing to something absolutely and like to leave their options open as long as possible. Sure, there will be instances when they have to research or deeply contemplate a decision.  But typically, they’ve just chosen to not think about it until a final decision is actually required. (I have an inability to actually choose what I want from a restaurant menu until the waiter is staring me in the face… and even then half the time, I’ll produce some random item off the menu that I wasn’t even considering before that moment.  >.>)

8. Si thinks before acting, while Se acts before thinking

With Si users, you get the calculated approach to life. Plan, learn, and then act once prepared.

With Se users, you get the “just do it!” approach to life. Se users will tend to learn in action or as they go.

9. Si wants long term satisfaction, while Se wants immediate gratification

This point draws from a combination of several earlier points. With the sensitivity to subjective sensory experience, Si users tend to be more moderate people, so they can maintain a stable lifestyle in the long run. They tend to be conservative with their money, even if they, for instance, enjoy shopping.

Se users want to indulge and act on impulse. They may struggle with telling themselves “no” when they want something, or denying themselves some physical stimulation or pleasure, because life should be lived to its fullest in every moment. Obviously, an older or mature Se user may learn to be more moderate.

10. Se wants to experience the real world for what it is, while Si wants to experience the world it has created in its mind’s eye

Bothered by the Si/Se swap? Maybe you’re Si. 😛

Anyways, for an Se user, every experience is viewed objectively. They typically approach new experiences without really high expectations, beyond general excitement. They’re not typically imagining out how perfect it’s going to be, or what exactly “perfect” would mean. They’re just excited about the new experience.

Si users tend to set themselves up for disappointment. (No offense, guys.) They tend to have high expectations for what they want to experience on a sensory level. They’re going to be more nit picky, in a sense. (Remember, that intimate memory of theirs.) They typically know exactly what they want.

11. Si wants quality experiences while Se wants new experiences

Anddd last but not least, spinning off of the previous point, Si is going for quality experiences. They are content repeating the same quality experiences, since that guarantees satisfaction. I’ve noticed that Si users tend to be homebodies (exceptions exist). 

On the other hand, Se users specifically want new experiences. They will crave them. If they go without new experiences for too long, they will start to get bored with life or feel unfulfilled.