Se vs. Ne: What’s the Difference?

Extraverted Sensing (Se) and Extraverted Intuition (Ne) are the two extraverted irrational functions according to Carl Jung. The Se preferring users are the SP types (ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP), and Ne preferring users are the NP types (ENTP, INTP, ENFP, INFP). However, this article will be primarily aimed at the dominant users (ENXPs and ESXPs). Surprisingly, these two cognitive functions have a good deal of overlap, given that they’re both extraverted perceiving functions. As a result, many SPs mistype as NPs, and even the occasional NP mistypes as an SP. In this Se vs. Ne article, I’m going to discuss how these two cognitive functions can seem similar, but more importantly, the differences between them.

Se vs. Ne: Beware of Bias

If you’ve been exploring Myers-Briggs theory or the cognitive functions for any length of time, I’m sure you’re aware of the intuitive bias within the community. Therefore, the SP types are far more likely to mistype as their NP counterpart than the reverse. Some people get mixed up by the stereotypes, while others develop a bias (whether conscious or subconscious) towards being an intuitive. It’s easy for that to happen when certain types are consistently presented as more desirable. However, as I’ve stated many times, intuitives are not inherently better, smarter, more creative, or more desirable than sensors. They’re just different. If you’re reading this article to settle a typing dilemma, try to approach it with an open mind.

Se vs. Ne: Defining These Two Cognitive Functions

These days, I prefer to reference Carl Jung’s original descriptions in order to start out with a solid, core understanding of each cognitive function. Many of the stereotypes and tropes can be logically traced back to the core descriptions. However, detached from the core, the stereotypes cause issues, because types are not defined by surface level traits. They’re defined by the “why” behind those traits. So, I’m going to share some quotes from Jung on the core nature of these cognitive functions before diving into individual similarities and differences.

Please bear in mind while reading this that Jung speaks about the cognitive functions as if they’re in the dominant position, so some of this will not apply to auxiliary use. In other words, this article is primarily directed at the ENFP, ENTP, ESFP, and ESTP.

Extraverted Sensing, or Se, According to Carl Jung

Extraverted Intuition, or Ne, According to Carl Jung

Se vs. Ne: The Similarities

1. Both NPs and SPs can be open-minded

People like to generalize Ne to open-minded, but in a certain respect, Se can be very similar. As extraverted perceiving functions, both Ne and Se prioritize external perception rather than judgment. People with these two functions in the dominant position are generally open to new things, and may struggle to limit themselves. Although, bear in mind, when using the term “open-minded”, people often think of someone who is accepting of others. That type of open-minded is not limited to any particular personality type.

2. Both NPs and SPs can be classically extraverted

Generally speaking, when healthy, both ENXPs and ESXPs will be spontaneous and socially extraverted. Yes, social extraversion is different from cognitive extraversion, but the healthy variants of these personality types should be agreeable and friendly individuals. These days, it’s quite common to find socially introverted variants of all the extraverted personality types, especially with the rise of the internet. People often like to make ENXPs the most introverted extraverts, but there are ways for every extraverted type to isolate now. EXFJs can limit social activity to internet groups. ENXPs can find their new and interesting information online. ESXPs can play first-person shooters. EXTJs can go assert their authority on Reddit. These are just examples, of course.

3. Both NPs and SPs can be creative, intelligent, scattered, etc.

I’m just throwing this last one in for good measure to hit some of the main stereotypes all at once. People tend to liken ESPs to the dumb jocks of this world, while ENPs are the creatives. This overly broad generalization is incorrect. There are different types of creativity, sourced from different things. Any personality type can be creative, just like any personality type can be academically or classically intelligent. In addition, ENPs often get associated with being “scattered” but that’s honestly a fairly common descriptor for any extraverted perceiving type (NP or SP).

Se vs. Ne: The Differences

1. Se seeks stimulation, while Ne seeks novelty

This is the basic concept. Pure Se wants to feel alive via all the senses. This doesn’t mean that they’ll be adrenaline junkies or that they’ll always be physically adept. Rather, they’ll seek out activities that provide stimulation for sake of stimulation. They’ll enjoy experiences as they are, without allowing past experiences to detract from the current one. Each one is fresh, new, and able to be enjoyed.

Ne, on the other hand, is specifically seeking novelty, which means their fulfillment is coming primarily from something new. Don’t get me wrong – Se enjoys new too, but Ne is quick to bore of things that are no longer new. This is why Ne is often associated with diverse hobbies, jumping down Wikipedia, rabbit trails, and etc. Ne will keep traveling to new things, rather than fully experiencing the current ones.

2. Se seeks new experiences, while Ne seeks new possibilities

As mentioned, Se seeks new experiences, because each new experience brings new sensations. They want to experience all life has to offer, which inherently means experiencing new things.
That’s why these types are known for being adventurous. Jung actually describes Se types as making little use of their experiences, because they’re not proactively using the experiences (for security, like Si does), but rather using the experiences as a way to find new ones.

In contrast though, Ne enjoys things for the new possibilities that they represent, rather then for what the thing is in and of itself. This is why Ne users are more prone to being dissatisfied with something, once they realize it’s not living up to all of the possibilities, or that it no longer holds any new possibilities. I heard an ENTP once talk about spending all her time anticipating a vacation, that by the time the vacation finally started, she was bored.

3. Se aligns with what is, while Ne aligns with what’s new

Jung describes Se users as being very realistic, and that’s true. Bear in mind though, auxiliary Se (in the ISFPs and ISTPs) is subservient to that dominant function. ISFPs are often idealistic, because of Fi, so the “realism” is more watered down. Dominant Se users, however, naturally strive to adapt to the world around them. This can have a feel of “making the most out of what you have”. Jung describes these types as being capable of great generosity, as they essentially provide others with lavish experiences as byproducts of seeking their own.

In contrast, Ne is known for curiosity and imagination, because Ne is specifically seeking out what is new. Jung describes Ne as being a concrete form of intuition, which sounds contradictory, but it’s because the intuition is reactive to what’s going on around them, or in relation to external objects. This can look like being quick to adopt new technologies, in order to learn the full extent of what’s now possible, or perhaps seeing several different possible paths to grow/expand their business. With Ne, there is a greater need to perceive the new possibilities, as the sustaining quality of their life, which results in the curiosity and the imagination that Ne is known for.

In Conclusion…

I could have gone much farther into the differences that one typically observes between these personality types, but my goal was to focus specifically on core Jungian differences between Se and Ne. There are several more differences that can be extrapolated out from these basic concepts, which you can check out in this older article: EXFP/EXTP: Am I an Ne dom or an Se dom? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Reference Book:

Psychological Types (The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Vol. 6) (Bollingen Series XX)