The Myers-Briggs Personality Types In a Loop, Part 1: The Extraverts

Terms like “loop” and “grip” get thrown around casually when discussing personality type theory, and this blog is no exception to that. In past articles, we have generically talked about loops, and even covered certain ones in depth. However, we would like to start giving this subject some more attention, starting with a two part series that provides a basic overview of each loop. In part one of this series, we will cover how each extraverted Myers-Briggs personality type acts in a loop. Part two, covering the introverted loops, will be published in the near future.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Discussing loops requires discussing cognitive functions, and the cognitive function stack. If you’re unfamiliar with either, you may end up a bit confused. If that happens (or if you want to run this rabbit trail preemptively), be sure to check out What are the Cognitive Functions?

So, What Is a Loop?

One’s cognitive function stack is ordered in such a way that the attitude of each cognitive function alternates going down the function stack. In other words, if your dominant (or first) function is introverted, your auxiliary (or second) will be extraverted, and then your tertiary (or third) will return to being introverted. People argue about the validity and/or necessity of the function stack being that way, but practically speaking, having it that way depicts balance. Too much introversion is a bad thing, just like too much extraversion. We all need both.

So, with that being said, a loop is an imbalanced state in which an individual fixates on their tertiary function, and “loops” between it and their dominant function at the expense of their auxiliary function. In other words, the second function is being under-utilized, because the person is primarily utilizing their first and third functions. To be clear, a loop is an imbalanced state, which means that it’s an unhealthy state. You can exist in a loop for a substantial amount of time, but it will prevent you from being the best version of yourself. (For more information, check out Can a Loop Be Healthy?)

For the record, we want to clarify that the Myers-Briggs theory doesn’t actually define whether the tertiary function is introverted or extraverted, so the premise of a loop doesn’t exist within MBTI. In other words, we don’t think loops are actually a part of the Myers-Briggs theory/MBTI. If you have an official source that states otherwise, let me know. However, we at Practical Typing subscribe to the Grant Model, and see loop theory as a useful tool that describes common tendencies within the 16 personality types. 

What Causes Loops?

As stated above, in a loop, one’s auxiliary function is being avoided, or skipped over. This can happen for a couple of different reasons: (1) underdevelopment, or (2) stress/failure.

1. Sometimes, people have easier access to the cognitive functions that share the same attitude as their dominant function. In other words, an introvert might have an easier time using their tertiary function because it is also introverted. Typically, teenagers lean heavily on their first two functions, and don’t begin to develop their tertiary function until adulthood (around early 20s). However, in some instances, a teenager may develop their tertiary instead of their auxiliary, resulting in the need to develop their (underdeveloped) auxiliary function later on.

2. Stress is typically tied to grip states, but it can also cause loops. Looping can actually be a precursor to gripping, or even go hand-in-hand. So, if while in a state of stress, the auxiliary function fails to do its job well, the individual may lose faith in that function and choose to fall back on their tertiary instead, ultimately triggering a loop.

How Each Extraverted Myers-Briggs Personality Type Acts In a Loop

Now, with all that information out of the way, we’re going to give a brief overview of what each extraverted loop looks like, but with a cognitive function first approach in mind. In other words, we’re going to be grouping the overviews together by tertiary function or fixation, since the symptoms of a loop will be similar between those who share the same tertiary function. As mentioned earlier, we intend to cover individual types more in depth in future articles.

Tertiary Se Loops: ENTJ (Te-Se) and ENFJ (Fe-Se)

In this loop, the ENTJ and ENFJ skip over auxiliary Ni, and fixate on Se instead. Fixating on Se causes these types to look for immediate, short term solutions at the expense of the future. This can take the form of immediate gratification, indulging in whatever they want whenever they want, or just impulsively reacting to a situation without taking time to evaluate the long term implications. Either way, they fixate on the present and are unable to look far beyond it.

Until they can escape the loop, they will lose all the benefits of Ni, resulting in an individual that’s likely to be mistaken for an unhealthy ESXP. In other words, they will become impulsive, overly-indulgent, dismissive of future consequences, unable to enact solutions that solve the real problem, short-sighted, and too reactionary.

For the ENTJ, this loop may involve reacting impulsively to assert control over a situation, or prove that no one else can control them. This can lead to situations where they do something rash in order to prove a point in the short term at the expense of their long term security. For instance, they may take an extreme action like quitting a good job because they didn’t want to do something their boss told them to do. Yes, in that immediate moment they proved that they can’t be controlled, but they lost a good job over something petty.  ENTJs in a loop may react angrily if unable to get the response that they want, which may prompt further impulsive action. They are more likely to make enemies, and ruffle feathers.

For the ENFJ, this loop may make them overeager to solve any perceived relationship problems, or react to any potential threats to their community/loved ones. ENFJs in a loop may also find themselves needing an excess amount of interaction with their community, in addition to constant excitement. They will have more of compulsion to push people together and push people to interact, trying to force relationships to happen now, instead of slowly building stronger relationships over time. This may lead to shallow superficial relationships instead of strong deep ones.

Related Article: ENTJ vs. ESFP: Differentiating Their Loops

Tertiary Ne Loops: ESTJ (Te-Ne) and ESFJ (Fe-Ne)

In this loop, the ESTJ and ESFJ skip over auxiliary Si, and fixate on Ne instead. Fixating on Ne typically results in someone who latches onto new ideas or possibilities too quickly, without taking care to evaluate them properly. They may latch onto one idea, only to discard it shortly thereafter in favor of something else. They may be prone to starting too many projects, or getting involved in too many things, leading them to feel overwhelmed or pulled in too many directions at once. Looping on Ne may also provoke them to jump to wrong, or even paranoid, conclusions too quickly.

Until they can escape the loop, they will lose all the benefits of Si, resulting in an individual that’s likely to be mistaken for an unhealthy ENXP. In other words, they will become impulsive, erratic, inconsistent, seemingly indecisive, unable to use their experience to make effective decisions, and unable to recognize the implications of their actions.

For the ESTJ, this loop will typically cause them to grasp at ideas to accomplish a specific goal, or grasp at ideas for a new goal. ESTJs in a loop will struggle to commit to one particular path for any significant length of time. It will seem as if they are cosntantly “one upping” a good idea with something better. They will be never satisfied with a current path, always veering to a ‘better’ alternative. What they gain in flexibility is lost in lack of stability. It will be difficult for them to get behind someone’s idea, and they will tend to look like a rogue element, changing things whenever they think they see a better path. In leadership, this makes them difficult to please or follow as directives may change too frequently. They may criticise their subordinates for failing to keep up.

For the ESFJ, this loop will have a relationship focus. For instance, ESFJs in a loop may constantly believe they’ve found a solution to everyone’s problem, but never stick with one possibility long enough for it to work. They may act like a fair weather friend, flitting from one relationship to another, looking to connect with whoever or whatever is currently new or novel to them. They will struggle to put enough time into a single relationship to build it to a meaningful level, focusing on a quantity of people and interactions over quality.

Tertiary Te Loops: ESFP (Se-Te) and ENFP (Ne-Te)

In this loop, ESFPs and ENFPs skip over their auxiliary Fi, and fixate on Te instead. Fixating on Te results in an EXFP that is fixated on control. Ordinarily, ESFPs and ENFPs are easygoing, but in a loop, they become demanding and aggressive, as they attempt to exert control over their environment. This might surface as a sudden desire to optimize their surrounding, or perhaps as a need to force a certain opinion onto others. They may tunnel vision on cold, hard facts, at the expensive of their ideals. Oftentimes in this loop, these types will constantly look like they’re trying to accomplish something, whilst never actually getting anything substantial done.

Until they can escape the loop, they will lose all the benefits of Fi, resulting in an individual that’s likely to be mistaken for an unhealthy EXTJ. In other words, they will become forceful, controlling, abrasive, lacking in empathy, overly-mission focused, out of sync with their ideals, and never slowing down long enough to correct course.

For the ESFP, this loop usually causes them to fixate on their immediate environment. ESFPs in a loop may suddenly feel the need to rearrange (ie: “optimize”) everything around them, or micromanage everyone in their proximity. This is frequently to the detriment or distraction of what actually needs to be accomplished. For instance, it may lead to situations like ignoring a quarterly earnings report deadline in favor of restructuring the seating arrangements in the office to optimize productivity. Now, everyone in the office is unable to work due to their work spaces being shuffled around.

For the ENFP, this loop usually causes them to become unusually argumentative or combative. ENFPs in a loop will try to convince others of certain ideas, or feel the need to change things around them out of boredom (or for the sake of novelty). They have a tendency to get overly stubborn on principle, picking apart another opinion simply on principle. They may get stuck in a “my way is the only way” train of thought. In addition, they may try to use their ability to outlast others in an argument as proof that their idea is better instead of letting the merit of an idea speak for itself.

Related Article: ENTJ vs. ESFP: Differentiating Their Loops

Tertiary Fe Loops: ESTP (Se-Fe) and ENTP (Ne-Fe)

In this loop, ESTPs and ENTPs skip over their auxiliary Ti, and fixate on Fe instead. Fixating on Fe results in an excessive need to garner attention and validation. Looping EXTPs will seek out recognition from others, relying on that for their self-confidence or to validate their thoughts and ideas. As a a result, they often become excessively image-focused. They may resort to extreme, reckless measures to gain attention, or become manipulative. In debates, they may rely on overwhelming their opponent with rapid responses, resulting in arguments that make sense on the surface, but are actually fraught with logical fallacies. In addition, looping EXTPs will be overly sensitive to criticism, which can lead to relinquishing their own valid, logical conclusions for the sake of people’s emotions.

Until they can escape the loop, they will lose all the benefits of Ti, resulting in an individual that’s likely to be mistaken for an unhealthy EXFJ. In other words, they will become people-pleasing, dependent on others, manipulative, overly-sensitive, lacking in objectivity, failing to slow down long enough to think, and unable to rely on their own logic.

For the ESTP, this loop will usually focus on physical acts. ESTPs in a loop may try to impress others with extreme, physical acts, due to an obsessive need to perform. Or, they may be constantly on the go, moving from task to task, never slowing down, in an effort to illicit a specific response. This loop can lend itself to a compulsion to play other people, turning everything into a popularity contest or form of tribalism. They will be quick to try and turn group sentiment against those they don’t like, using whatever status they have within the group as leverage.

For the ENTP, this loop will create a heightened need for others to validate their ideas or ingenuity. ENTPs in a loop may feel the need to constantly produce grandiose ideas or solve people’s problems in extravagant ways. Either instance may provoke ENTPs to reckless behavior to prove their value. They may fall into a cycle of sowing distrust among other people through use of rumors or twisting of facts in order to undermine other people’s positions within the group or to bolster their own. They will be inclined to use wit and making of fun of others to shape group sentiment.