The Dual Nature of Extraverted Thinking (Te)

We received an interesting question about one of our fictional character typings the other day which prompted a long email response from Ryan on the subject. Afterwards, we decided to reform it into the article that you’re reading now. The question was essentially, how could Sanji (from One Piece) be an Extraverted Thinking, or Te, dominant and still have been a soft, light-hearted and pleasant child? We’re not going to focus on Sanji specifically in this article, but he (among other characters) will be used as examples to demonstrate the subject matter. (We’ll try to include context so it’s not necessary for you to have seen any of the shows.)

Extraverted Thinking (Te) has been given the reputation of only being controlling, domineering, aggressive, and harsh. Even on this blog, if you read some of our character analysis articles, we use those same descriptors when supporting our points. However, while those can be tendencies of strong Te use, they are certainly not requirements for one to be a Te user. They are merely stereotypical side effects (or “anecdotal evidence”), and as we’ve stated many times, no one has to be the stereotypical version of their personality type. In reality, there’s far more to Te; it has a dual nature, of sorts. So, in this article, we are going to attempt to present a more well-rounded and accurate picture of Te.

What Is Extraverted Thinking (Te)?

It is common for Extraverted Thinking, or Te, to desire external structure. That is why they’re stereotyped as being neat and organized, and known for being controlling and bossy… They want the world around them to be structured, which can require giving direction to the people around them. When you’re looking for a Te user, the thing you must prove is not that they’re bossy or harsh, because that evidence, at best, is anecdotal. You must prove that they want their environment structured or controlled. Notice that high perceivers are known for being content in external chaos, and Fe users are known for being less externally structured than the Te users. Te is the function that is primarily concerned with external systematic structure. (For those who may be wondering, Si needs physical consistency, not necessarily structure.)

External Factors that Affect Te Presentation

1. Extraverted Thinking (Te) Recognizes Authority

Te users, even dominants, do not always have to be in charge. Remember, extraverted thinkers desire external structure. If their need for external structure has been fulfilled, they will feel no need to take charge. Te users will only feel compelled to assert control, and demand structure when structure is lacking. This means that either they have to view the current authority as lacking or ineffective in comparison to themselves. If they view themselves as less effective than the current authority, they will not feel the need to take command. (Obviously, a narcissistic or arrogant Te user may never view the current authority as more adequate than themselves.)

When it comes to children, the first thing to realize is that children are not more capable than their parents. (Please don’t try to pull some special exception to this. We’re speaking generally.) Obviously, children can be rebellious, and believe that their parents don’t know best, but a Te dominant child doesn’t have to be this way. They can be kind and docile.

In the case of Sanji from One Piece, he yields to the structure that is in place because he is not yet capable. Sanji was not in a position that he could assert any kind of dominance, even with his own siblings. (His siblings were superhuman.) Due to his mother’s tampering, Sanji was literally a normal human trying to keep up with superhumans. This put him in a place of inferiority which was compounded by the fact that his siblings reinforced his subservient status, forcing his Te to outlet in a more support-oriented way rather than taking charge. He also really leans into cooking because that’s something he excelled at, and Te wants to be successful. As he matures into an adult, Sanji starts displaying the more stereotypical elements of Te, due to the maturation of his functions as well as his physical abilities and psyche. For instance, once older, he feels far more capable and ergo more qualified to take charge than those in charge around him. Therefore, that more domineering and controlling aspect of Te surfaces. After all, he is not only incredibly talented, but typically being surrounded by a bunch of immature idiots.

2. Extraverted Thinking (Te) Can Mimic Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

We’ve said before that Fe (or Extraverted Feeling) can look like Te. Well, inversely, Te can look like Fe. When they recognize and submit to a hierarchy, extraverted thinkers can become people pleasers and more closely resemble extraverted feelers. Ultimately, this is because, as explained earlier, Te users recognize and value authority because Te values the structure provided by that set up. Many Te users are ambitious, and will work their way up the ladder, ensuring that the hierarchy in place values their efforts and achievements. In more extreme scenarios, this can lead to behavior equivalent to that of a “teacher’s pet”.

A couple of examples of Te dominants in fiction who display this style of behavior are Amy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Carlton Lassiter from Psych. Granted, Lassiter is for the most part in a position of authority, so you see the characteristic Te brashness. However, at times, when certain authorities assert themselves above him, we see him willingly yield and return to a more submissive and supportive role. And of course, there’s Amy who is constantly trying to please her captain so she can be successful and work her way up the ladder.

3. Extraverted Thinking (Te) and Inferior Introverted Feeling (Fi)

This builds off of the earlier point, but inferior or underdeveloped Fi can be prone to adopting the values and traits of others that they deem to be admirable. This is not to say that they lack a moral compass, but rather that it’s simpler and quicker for them to recognize a fully-developed value in someone else and just adopt that. However, really weak Fi might take on a more hypocritical nature, becoming one way around a certain person and a completely different way around someone else. That’s why you may see more extreme or unhealthy Te dominants act extremely controlling and commanding around one person, but then a second later act completely friendly and docile around someone else. It can make them facetious and two-faced, as they cater their identity based on the scenario.

A reasonable example of this behavior (IE: not extreme or technically unhealthy): Sanji idolizes his mother and was more than likely trying to emulate her qualities which would lead to him looking more Fe-esque in his childhood. That goes back to inferior Fi picking up other people’s identities instead of developing their own. When he later works under Zeff (who becomes like a father to him), Sanji takes on a harder persona, because that’s how Zeff is.

A more extreme example can be seen in Teen Wolf with Lydia who is an ESTJ. Earlier on in the show, she’ll act really nice and friendly around certain people, but a complete jerk around others.

In conclusion…

The main point we’re trying to get across here is that Te is not nearly as one dimensional as sometimes it’s presented. Te users don’t have to be (and will not always be) mean and aggressive individuals. Ultimately, Te is authority-focused whether they’re in support of the current authority or trying to take control themselves, which is all due to the fact that they desire structure. If you’re now over there wondering how to differentiate it from Fe, here’s the key. Fe needs social structure, which is why you see Fe users focus on things like manners and harmonious relationships. Whereas, Te users may demand respect which can parallel to manners, but they’re more concerned with physical structure rather than social order, making them far more willing to discard harmony for the sake of achieving that goal.

We hope you found this helpful. Comment below with your thoughts!