ESFP (Extroversion, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
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Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this brief guide, ESFP will be discussed in detail, all the other types of Myers Briggs personality test, meaning of ESFP, famous people with ESFP, as well as suitable career options for ESFPs.
Background of ESFP
ESFP is one of the types of MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) 16 personalities.
MBTI is a personality test available here to administer. MBTI is based on the theory of Carl Jung and was developed by Katherine Briggs and her daughter Myers Briggs.
They developed this 16 personality type indicator on the theory introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung.
This test was originally published in 1962, and since then being used to identify the career preferences.
Initially, it was used to assess which career is best for women during WWII.
MBTI is one of the most widely used personality tests to assess the tendencies of people to work and think in a particular way.
Introduction to ESFP Personality
ESFP is an entertainer personality. They are free spirits and spontaneously get into dancing and singing.
ESFP can be very exciting in different situations, and their feelings are so contagious that they get others into their feelings as well.
They are very generous and have the time and energy which is irresistible.
They love to be in the spotlight and act according to the situations. They can entertain their friends by taking up roles anywhere.
They are extremely social and enjoy the simplest of the joys in life.
They have a good sense of humour and aesthetic style.
They are observant and sensitive to others emotions as well.
They often focus on immediate pleasures and neglect the responsibilities and duties. They are flexible and spontaneous.
What is the MBTI Personality Test?
In MBTI personality test which is based on the psychological assessment, helps the person to decide which career option is best for them.
The personality test is based on the four core ideas and the psychological dimensions introduced by Briggs.
You can also get to know which professions are best for you on the basis of scores you got from here (Myers briggs types).
This consists of 16 personality types and four core domains of personality which lie on the continuum at one side of the continuum are the dimension opposite to the other side of the continuum.
Such as, if Extroversion, which means a person likes to be outgoing and enjoy social gatherings have Introversion at the other side of the continuum.
Either the person lies on one side or the other, which means that anyone domain will be dominant than the other.
According to these scores, the personality types will be extracted, which helps in understanding one’s own personality and preferences in personal and professional lives.
In the age of advancement, people are unable to decide which profession to choose, because there are a number of options available out there and deciding any one profession requires clear thinking.
People get confused when they try to subjectively assess themselves and get biased results.
MBTI personality test will solve the problem for you and it will be a matter of a few minutes that you will get accurate results.
History of MBTI
Katherine Briggs was fascinated and impressed by the work of Carl Jung and his theory regarding personality types.
She came up with the idea to simplify the complexity of the theory and to make use of the significant contribution of Jung to make it understandable for the layman.
This motivation helped her, and she simplified his theory and adapted it into MBTI.
She was enthusiastic about the idea that the regular person must be able to assess his own self.
After the death of Katherine, her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers continued to work on her mother’s passion and became interested in the work.
In the times of WWII, she finally used the theory and developed the MBTI assessment to categorize people into 16 different personality domains.
Core of MBTI (Myers Briggs Personality Theory)
The theory describes four core domains that lie on a continuum where one domain is opposing the other side of the domain.
This is also known as dichotomous domains.
The initial domains are based on the writings of Jung, while the last domain was added by Katherine Briggs.
- Extraversion vs Introversion
- Sensing vs Intuition
- Thinking vs Feeling
- Judging vs Perceiving
Let’s cover these four core domains in detail:
1. Extraversion vs Introversion
This says that the person high on extraversion likes to join people and participate in gatherings.
As well as he feels recharged in the presence of others around.
While the introvert tries to keep to himself and spend alone time, as well as they are quite reflective throughout the day.
2. Sensing vs Intuition
Some people collect the information from the environment directly by their enhanced use of sensation.
They use their five senses to make sense of the world.
While the intuitive is more imaginative, dreamy, and innovative about the surroundings and what they mean.
Other than sensing, people often get confused between the intuitive and observant, which too changes ones personality completely.
3. Thinking vs Feeling
If you consider yourself a thinker, then you must be considering the logic behind everything and go for the right solution.
While feelers use their hearts more than their heads.
The person high on feelings understands the situations on the basis of emotions, and consider others.
4. Judging vs Perceiving
If you have seen someone organized, structured, following schedules then you already have come across the person dominant on judging.
Whereas the person high on perceiving, they consider things as open, flexible and easy-going.
MBTI says that you are either on one side of the continuum or the other.
Ones you will be tested on MBTI, your scores will give you your four preferences using four initial letters, such as “ESFP”, which shows Extroversion, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving as dominant types.
16 Myers and Briggs Personality Types
As discussed before, the MBTI gives 16 personality domains, based on four domains of personality.
These four domains combine in 16 different ways and describe the type of personality according to their preference.
Someone more on judging is more organized, and plan ahead and maybe not comfortable with being spontaneous.
There is a good piece of writing which extends the learning.
MBTI talks about the interaction of four core domains between then, which gives an extended version of one’s personality.
This understanding regarding oneself is fruitful in a way of deciding the career, and right profession.
The person gets to know the flavours of his personality.
Whereas there are a lot of other tools available for the personality assessment, such as enneagram, and Big Five, but they just give a brief idea about personality.
Following are 16 MBTI domains, for details please follow the links below:
- ENTJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
- INTJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
- ENTP (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)
- INTP (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ENFJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
- INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
- ENFP (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
- INFP (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ESTJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
- ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
- ESFJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
- ISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
- ESTP (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ISTP (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
- ESFP (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ISFP (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
- ENTJ: This type shows the capabilities of being a passionate, energetic, logical commander
- INTJ: This type shows the innovation, and logical thinking to keep things in structure while keeping the focus to oneself.
- ENTP: They are innovators and come up with unique solutions to the hurdles.
- INTP: This type of personality can be more logical and innovative and creative in their solutions.
- ENFJ: More inclined towards humanity and keeps up the value system, while keeping themselves organized.
- INFJ: They are more organized in their thinking patterns as well as creative and achieve well when being alone.
- ENFP: They feel more energized when surrounded by others, stay in in touch with the feelings of others around, and are flexible in their planning.
- INFP: These personalities are driven by values and beliefs.
- ESTJ: They are passionate and hard-working; they make sure to get the results.
- ISTJ: They are organized, responsible and are fixers of catastrophes.
- ESFJ: They consider the feelings of others and try to fulfil their responsibilities.
- ISFJ: These are the ones, consider taking care of others around and follow the tradition and prove loyalties.
- ESTP: They are energetic and make sure to get the results they desire.
- ISTP: They are good at solving the problems and practical in their approach.
- ESFP: They are good to have in the surroundings to keep people energetic and entertained, they love life.
- ISFP: They are the ones who enjoy being in the moment with them and are passionate.
Famous People with ESFP Personality Type:
The famous people identified with ESFP personality type are:
Elvis Presley
Pablo Picasso
Ronald Reagan
Bill Clinton
Career Choices for ESFP Personality Type:
The career choices suitable for ESFP on the basis of their dominant personality clusters are acting, psychologist, lawyer, human resource, musician, fashion designer, comedian and sales representative.
ESFP is one type of personality among 16 different types introduced by MBTI. ESFP is more outgoing, energetic in social gatherings, and sensitive to others’ feelings while staying flexible.
The strengths of ESFP are being bold, original, aesthetic, practical, observant, and have excellent people skills.
While there weakness is that they are overly sensitive, avoids conflicts, gets easily bored, poor planners and are not focused.
The 16 types discussed above can be assessed using the self-assessment questionnaire available here.
If you’ve enjoyed the ”ESFP (Extroversion, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”25 Amazing ESFP Anime characters” too.
Frequently Asked Questions for ESFP Personality Type
How rare is Esfp?
ESFP are not very rare and is the third most common type of personality.
Who is an Esfp compatible with?
ESFP is compatible with ISTJ or ISFJ.
Are Esfp selfish?
ESFP are sometimes selfish, and their only focus is to grab the attention.
Are Esfp loyal?
ESFP are fun-loving and affectionate, and enjoy the relationships.
Please feel free to ask questions and give feedback in the comment section below.
References
Recommended Readings
ESFP: Understand And Break Free From Your Own Limitations
The Presenter: Your Guide to the ESFP Personality Type
ESFP: Understanding & Relating with the Performer: MBTI Personality Types
