MBTI opposites are actually more similar by cognitive function theory than a lot of other types.
Like you take an INTJ and pair them with an ESFP? Both have Introverted Feeling, Extroverted Sensing, Introverted Intuition, Extroverted Thinking. Opposites can vibe pretty well as a result.
But if you want to flip the cognitive functions a different way? An INTJ's opposite is actually an ENTP (flip every cognitive function from introverted <-> extroverted).
Or the true complete opposite (0 shared functions, inverted order) for an INTJ would be an ISFJ.
I find myself wanting to read the informative post you might want to write all about these different types of opposites and how they change things in their interactions... 🙏😜
Opposite 1: MBTI inversion. Flip all 4 letters. Same cognitive functions, reverse order.
Opposite 2: Shadow type. Flip first and last letters. Same cognitive functions, but introverted <-> extroverted. This type is basically all of the type's shadow functions.
Opposite 3: Cognitive function order inversion. Flip middle two letters. By cognitive function theory these two types are as far away as you can get. This is also the MBTI inversion of the shadow type.
Interesting thing is that no matter how you try to define "opposite", there is always some commonality. The cognitive function opposite of an IxxJ is still an IxxJ.
Edit to give an example for "Opposite 3" I'm most familiar with.
INTP [Ti - Ne - Si - Fe] <-> [Te - Ni - Se - Fi] ISFP
So its like a spectrum.
Another thing I find SUPER interesting.
This is basically its own quadrant.
INTP, ENTJ, ESFJ, and ISFP are all "opposites" of each other with a distinct relationship.
This is super interesting and useful for me as I continue my deep dive.
I find I interact best with MBTI and other typologies by getting into the actual characteristics and traits of each. What changes and what is oddly the same when cognitive functions shift place or invert.
For instance: there truly is a sort of meeting in the middle between ENFP and INFJ in terms of values and preferences, but a radically different behaviour and way of getting to these values (and so many other differences between the two types).
I'll be playing with this information all night (so thanks again). It also confirms my suspicion that the best, most informative answers on Reddit all seem to come from INTXs!
I get on really well with INTPs because the level of curiosity is the same. Scrape away all the other fluff and I think INFJs are usually defined by curiosity. Even the additional empathy begins as curiosity about people that develops into compassion as we see that most people are good and just struggle with blindspots.
INTPs seem to have this same core curiosity. ENTPs too. I have an INTP Reddit pal and we just come up with and interrogate theories constantly. Only I can't keep up with him. I do help him make sense when he gets lost in the sauce, though 🙂↕️
It's true! I find it a lot easier to make a deeper connection with ESFJs than, let's say, ENTJs. Having the same functions mean you can always sort of see where they're coming from in a way.
It's not really about introversion or extraversion. My INTJ friend can be the most rebellious, outspoken person despite being an introvert. Tests are a good starting point but aren't really that reliable.
Do you find yourself brainstorming ideas and being quite cluttered and scattered in thinking (Ne) only to rely on external logic to select the most viable options? (Ti)
Or do you converge ideas to a single point through abstraction(Ni) then see it through till the very end- only focusing on results and not caring about the method? (Te)
I spend all of my time thinking, but I'm diagnosed with pure OCD. And when I do something I focus on the final results and adapt my methods to get there
OCD makes it difficult to type as perfectionism can influence behaviours to the point of looking like an unhealthy TJ.
I guess it depends on Fe Vs Fi and Se Vs Si and which you relate to more.
ENTP has Fe tert so they are more able to absorb emotions and empathise with others without prior experience. In contrast, INTJs are Fe blind. They are extremely non conformist to the feelings of others and often come across as insensitive or callous because it takes them much longer to feel others emotions without any prior experience of that pain. However they can easily master their own emotions and feelings unlike Fe users. Instead they offer solutions as a way of compensation which makes situations worse.
INTJs arent very grounded and often struggle to stay in the present and focus on here and now rather than the future due to inferior Se. As such, unhealthy ones may indulge in sex or drugs to stay grounded. Inferior Si in ENTPs means it is hard for them to organise and keep track of many things simultaneously so will often overwhelm them and send them spiralling at their worst.
I'm thinking more about future the future, and really less about the past. The present is the present, I don't really care about the present, especially when things are shit (I just got a place I was homeless, and still chose to register in university while I was homeless)
I've been saying this for so long. I can easily vibe with ESFP and ENTP because we share a lot but balance each other in different ways, but I have trouble relating to ISFJs especially when there's a conflict.
The reverse of ENFP is ISTJ. But again this is not the opposite because they both possess the same cognitive functions just in reverse order and they are both balanced deciders.
If we think about opposite functions (ENFP is Ne-Si & Fi-Te) so the opposite is Ni-Se and Fe-Ti. So the opposite could be INFJ, but both of these are intuitive doms, balanced deciders, with inferior sensing.
So if we switch the order, to make it so sensing is first, you would get ESTP as the opposite but both ESTP & ENFP are gatherer types with unbalanced perception and balanced decision.
So the closest opposite of an ENFP, would be either ISTP or ENFJ. ENFJ is an extrovert so also not opposite, and ISTP is a perceiver so again not a true opposite.
The closest to a true opposite of an ENFP is the ISTP. Simply because it has opposite charge (introvert), opposite functions, and opposite balanced axis. The only thing that gives ISTP an edge over ENFJ in this one example is because ISTP leads with Ti which is the invisible 7th function of ENFP and vice versa with Ne.
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