4 Types That Mistype as the ENFP

When interacting with other typology enthusiasts, I always keep in mind that someone’s self-proclaimed personality type may be wrong. It’s not that I openly question them, or immediately doubt them, but I can’t immediately assume that they’re typed correctly either, else I’d risk integrating inaccurate data into my understanding of the types. Any data I gather has to tested, compared, and carefully considered against everything I know to be accurate in real life and in theory. This holds the truest when it comes to certain personality types, the most desirable ones.

When perusing the ENFP section on a site such as Reddit, I know I’m extremely likely to interact with mistypes, because many people hold the ENFP personality type in high regard. Any personality type that’s highly regarded or idolized draws in mistypes. (I feel less suspicious when visiting the ESFP or the ISFJ subreddits, because these types are much less desirable, although mistypes still occur.)

Of course, like I mentioned, I don’t think it’s fair to call people out for a potential mistype, especially when you barely know someone. The internet doesn’t reveal everything, and at times, seems to bring certain cognitive functions to the forefront that otherwise don’t hold a such a dominant position in the subject’s real life. The internet is often used as an outlet for lesser developed functions, because it’s safe and anonymous. Personality theory represents a journey, and it’s natural for there to be mistypes along the way.

All that aside, a few years ago, I started a series about mistypes, but I took the opposite approach than the one I typically see. Instead of writing about what a specific personality type will mistype as, I decided to write about all the personality types prone to mistyping as a specific personality type. Using this format, I’ve written about the INFJ, INTJ, INFP, and INTP. Now, in this article, I intend to discuss which personality types I would expect to be inadvertently masquerading as ENFPs.

The 4 ENFP (Ne-Fi-Te-Si) Mistypes

1. ESFP (Se-Fi-Te-Ni)

It’s extremely common for ESFPs to mistype as ENFPs, primarily due to misconceptions about sensors and misconceptions about Extraverted Sensing (Se) specifically. For instance, SPs types, like the ESFP, often get hung up on the athletic stereotype, since athleticism is often attributed to Extraverted Sensing (Se). Of course, ESFPs are dominant Se users so they must be perfectly coordinated, and amazing athletes…right? Wrong. Se doesn’t always manifest as being athletic. In my experience, men are more likely to relate to that stereotype than women, but there’s no hard and fast rule here. Some ESFPs may be athletic, but others may not be. Se is a way of thinking, just like all the other cognitive functions. It shouldn’t be dumbed down to mere athleticism or physical skill.

Beyond that, ENFPs are typically described as more open-minded and creative than the ESFPs, which is a generalization that gets taken way too far. For instance, open-minded has a few different meanings and contexts, that don’t always apply to even the ENFPs, such as being accepting of others. ESFPs and ENFPs can be equally open-minded in that. As for creativitiy, ENFPs are certainly creative types, but creativity is a very broad word that can manifest in different ways, and be sourced from different cognitive functions. Many ESFPs are creative and identify as such. This creativity can manifest is traditional art forms, ingenuity, story-telling, etc. In addition, I’ve actually seen some people describe sensors as generally sticking to the familiar, while intuitives pursue the unknown. That point is laughably untrue. ESXPs are often adventurous types, seeking new experiences.

Bottom line: An ESFP that doesn’t fit the dumb jock stereotype, viewing themselves as creative, intelligent, and open-minded, will often mistype as the ENFP.

Related Articles: 6 ESFP Stereotypes, What Extraverted Sensing Isn’t, Exploring Extraverted Sensing, The Value of Extraverted Sensing

2. ESFJ (Fe-Si-Ne-Ti)

This is another extremely common mistype, for a couple of different reasons. See, people often make the mistake of assuming that ESFJs are extremely rigid types, being SJs and all. However, according to Jung, extraverts are, as a whole, adaptable, since they’re focused on and reacting to the external world. ESFJs typically adapt very well to people and groups. They’re often more concerned with accommodating others or supporting their community than they are adhering to a specific structure or routine in their personal lives. Many ESFJs willingly disregard their routines in order to fulfill an external expectation or connect with their people.

ENFPs are known for being optimistic and friendly, but many ESFJs are similar, being known for their charisma and ability to connect with others. In addition, the ESFJ’s tertiary Ne can show up pretty strong, giving them a general optimism for the future and an eye for possibilities, especially where these possibilities pertain to people and relationships. They can possess a wit, and quirky sort of humor that many people assume indicates higher Ne.

Related Articles: 8 ESFJ Stereotypes, Introversion vs. Extraversion, The Cognitive Functions In Each Position: Ne and Si

3. ENFJ (Fe-Ni-Se-Ti)

ENFJs and ENFPs have no cognitive functions in common, but they share three out of the four general dichotomies. Both are extraverts, intuitives, and feelers. Therefore, this mistype is likely to come about primarily due to not understanding the cognitive functions, and viewing themselves as more adaptable, like a perceiver. Of course, I discussed in the previous section how extraverts in general are adaptable, so I won’t repeat myself here. Although, I will say that the ENFJ may actually be more perceiver-like, due to their sensing function being Se and not Si. Se adapts to the current reality, and the lack of Si will make them less attuned to forming consistent routines.

So, all an ENFJ would have to do is evaluate themselves as an extravert, intuitive, and feeler, under the general dichotomy descriptions, and then identify themselves as more adaptable and spontaneous like a perceiver. Obviously, that’s the manual way, in which the person mistypes themselves. Realistically, it’s more likely that the ENFJ takes a dichotomy based personality test, inputs answers to reflect the above self-assessment, and then gets an ENFP result.

Related Article: Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): What’s the Difference?

4. INFP (Fi-Ne-Si-Te)

To be honest, I’m not sure how often this one happens, but I have seen people identify INFPs as ENFPs, so it’s worth addressing. In typology, cognitive introversion is not the same thing as social introversion. Similarly, cognitive extraversion is not the same as social extraversion. It’s common for the two to sync up, but sometimes a cognitive extravert will identify as an introvert, just like a cognitive introvert might perceive themselves as extraverted. (Note: A healthy individual will actually be ambiverted.) So, an INFP that is well-adjusted, and has good use of their extraverted functions, might appear to be extraverted. The key to determining their personality type will be in figuring out which cognitive function they prioritize overall.

Related Articles: What Is An Introvert REALLY?, What Is An Extravert REALLY?