Myers-Briggs Dominant-Tertiary loops (Extroverts)

Stress is a human condition most of us know all too well. Input and circumstances beyond our control can negatively impact relationships, career moves, and even our health — but did you know that it can alter your personality?

According to the Myers-Briggs personality type theory, periods of high stress or unusual circumstances may cause individuals to use their cognitive functions differently. For an introduction to cognitive functions, click here. When talking about stress and personality, there are a few different theories in the type community about shadow selves and shadow functions. Before wandering down that rabbit hole, let’s look at a more universally accepted cognitive pattern: the dominant-tertiary loop.

This loop occurs when an extroverted personality depends solely on the two extroverted functions in their cognitive stack (the first/dominant and the third/tertiary) and an introverted personality depends solely on their two introverted functions. For example, an ENFP’s cognitive stack is: Ne, Fi, Te, Si, so a dominant-tertiary loop would be depending on Ne and Te to run the show, completely bypassing Fi. In this cognitive loop, the secondary function is always ignored, leading to a host of problems (as you can imagine).

For the eight extroverted types, facing an event or situation that’s too heavy to process emotionally, mentally, intuitively, or practically will cause them to spiral into a dominant-tertiary loop. Normally the second function acts as a side-kick to the dominant function, so when this process is ignored for a long period of time chaotic and unhealthy behaviors emerge.

Here’s how the dominant-tertiary loop plays out for extroverts.

ENFP (Ne-Te)

An ENFP’s secondary function is Introverted Feeling (Fi). In stress, if there is an emotional matter that’s too heavy for Fi to process, an ENFP may neglect using it entirely. These events might include the death of a family member, a terrible breakup, a personal tragedy, or repetitive abuse.

Without Fi, ENFPs jump from their dominant Extroverted Intuition (Ne) to their tertiary Extroverted Thinking (Te) function. Ne is full of ideas and Te is keen on efficient action. But remember, Te is not a well-developed function for the ENFP, so the way it is expressed in a loop is often sloppy, inconsistent, excessive, or ill-timed. ENFPs in a Ne-Te loop appear on the outside to be a productive member of society: they are going to work, to the gym, ticking things off a to-do list… it’s a fast and impressive pace but not a sustainable one.

For anyone who knows an ENFP, they will quickly realize that this busy work is not full of their usual warmth. They might act stubborn and mercilessly logical as Te causes them to focus on the wrong things at the wrong times. Because Fi is their usual meter for empathy, generosity, and authenticity, when Fi is bypassed, these characteristics are hard to find in an ENFP.

Not surprisingly, this loop is not sustainable. Due to the high amounts of stress in living this way, an ENFP will almost certainly come out of this pattern of living heavily and emotionally. In order to break free, they need to focus on engaging Fi again and get in touch with their morals by processing their life emotionally. The suppressed process will eventually burst through the floodgates and although it will be unpleasant at first, in a short while it should feel like a breath of fresh air. 

ENTP (Ne-Fe)

An ENTP’s secondary function is Introverted Thinking (Ti). In stress, an ENTP will be actively looking for new, creative solutions. If Ti does not provide effective solutions to the problem(s) at hand, an ENTP will turn outward for more options and input. When looping between Ne and Fe, they might find themselves obsessing over other people’s opinions and striving to be liked and accepted.

The healthy default mode for ENTPs is to take in information with Ne and bring those things to Ti for analysis and guidance. When an ENTP chooses to forgo their Ti function, decisions seem overwhelming and nearly impossible to make. ENTPs will take in information from Ne and then use Extroverted Feeling/Fe to decide on the next course of action. Because Fe isn’t a well developed function for ENTPs, this will quickly manifest as a high sensitivity to criticism and a tendency to read into other people statements and actions. Being so hyper-focused on receiving approval from others, ENTPs may lose confidence in their own voice.

In order to pull themselves out of this loop, ENTPs need to look inward and begin activating Ti once again through objective analysis. At first the use of Ti might feel forced if the ENTP has been living in a Ne-Fe loop for a significant period of time. But by exercising this mental muscle again, they will gradually learn to trust and rely on their own judgment. Once this self-trust is reestablished, an ENTP will be returned to a healthy mental state.

ESFP (Se-Te)

Very similar to the ENFP, an ESFP will be prone to neglect their secondary Fi function when an emotional matter hits them that’s too heavy to process in the moment. To friends and family, this may look like they are “running” from their problems and into the arms of something exciting, fun, and productive. Fi needs a significant amount of time to come to terms with things like the loss of a loved one, stress in a friendship, an emotional breakup, disappointment in a career field, etc. If an ESFP feels too emotionally spent to take the time to process those things, they may fall into a Se-Te loop.

Se-Te looping together looks like a highly productive and incredibly social member of society working hard and playing hard. This ESFP is busy and will mercilessly grind out their goals: from going to the gym to immersing themselves in a work project. In this loop, an ESFP will make blunt comments and sometimes seem heartless in their matter-of-fact language. This ESFP is dripping with sarcasm (even more than usual) and will often say things to get a strong response from others. Because they’re bypassing Fi, all of their validation needs to come from external sources so they might act out in order to get attention.

After a time, an ESFP will wake up from this season of life suddenly and dramatically. The suppressed processing will eventually bubble to the service and unfortunately, this can be an extremely painful experience for the ESFP. But although it will be difficult, after Fi is engaged again, it should feel like a weight off their shoulders and this type will regain a deep sense of peace and well-being.

ESTP (Se-Fe)

An ESTP’s secondary function is Introverted Thinking (Ti). This function processes information logically and factually, but if there’s a sudden life event or a reoccurring stressful problem that makes the ESTP feel limited or shut down, they may neglect Ti and turn to other cognitive functions for escape and answers. Stressful events like losing a job, being hyper-controlled, or feeling like their current coping strategies aren’t producing desired results can all cause ESTPs to find themselves in a dominant-tertiary loop.

In hopes of shaking things up and creating a different outcome, an ESTP might rely on only their extroverted functions: Extroverted Sensing and Extroverted Feeling. An Se-Fe loop means that an ESTP will be more focused on impressing and pleasing others than anything else. They will clumsily engage Fe and in so doing will seek out validation from others to ensure they’re doing a good job. Instead of enjoying themselves in the moment like ESTPs are so good at doing, they will be become preoccupied with impressing others and will seek out positive reactions as a gauge of success.

In this state they’re bypassing Ti which usually acts as a logical resource to ground the ESTP. Naturally, this loop is extremely stressful and unsustainable. In order to escape the loop, ESTPs should proactively engage in activities which activate Ti, like watching informational videos, reading a book, solving a puzzle, etc. Engaging Ti will remind them that they don’t need to turn to others for validation and this realization will help them become carefree again. This process may initially feel uncomfortable and forced while the Se-Fe loop is breaking down, but when the suppressed functions eventually burst through, the peace of mind will be unmistakable.

ENFJ (Fe-Se)

An ENFJ’s secondary cognitive function is Introverted Intuition (Ni). This function acts as their gut instinct and internal compass. If a major life event causes significant change that is difficult for Ni to process, an ENFJ might turn to their dominant Extroverted Feeling and their tertiary Extroverted Sensing to run the show. Events like a major move, a break up, or a job change could all cause an ENFJ to find themselves neglecting Ni and turning toward this loop.

While relying on Fe and Se, the usually confident ENFJ will gradually become self-conscious and image-obsessed. In this Fe-Se loop these types will seek validation from others and feel insecure when they’re not surrounded by people. Their own sense of identity might become lost in this loop as they pour their attention into their relationships. They want to make others happy and win the approval of their friends and in-so-doing might lose sight of what actually matters to them. Fe leading without Ni input makes for a very people-pleasing ENFJ and Se taking over as an immature function might make for risky social decisions.

If an ENFJ desires to break free of this loop, they will almost certainly do so stubbornly and slowly. They need to start relying on Ni again and use it to trust their gut. To do this they’ll need to intentionally carve out alone time or engage in activities that are true to themselves. They may feel a sense of guilt as they pull away from prior social engagements, but eventually they’ll return to a more confident, self-sustaining state and be so much healthier for it.

ENTJ (Te-Se)

An ENTJ’s secondary cognitive function is Introverted Intuition (Ni). Similar to the ENFJ, if a life event or series of events causes a significant amount of stress that overwhelms the resources of Ni, they may neglect the function and turn toward their more comfortable extroverted alternatives: dominant Extroverted Thinking and tertiary Extroverted Sensing.

To the outside, an ENTJ looks efficient and successful in a Te-Se loop. Extroverted Thinking/Te is great at getting things done and Extroverted Sensing/Se isn’t afraid to take bold risks and jump straight into action. Because the Se function is normally well-developed in ENTJs, they themselves may not notice they’re looping at all. If anything, they will begin to feel extremely exhausted as they stretch their time and mind too thin — that’s the siren that something needs to give. Because Ni acts as an ENTJ’s gut instinct, without its wise and perceptive input, an ENTJ will come across as more assertive and aggressive than usual. They may appear hard-headed or even slightly reckless as they work to achieve their goals.

In order for an ENTJ to break free of this loop, they’ll need to spend time introspecting. This practice is something an ENTJ will consider a waste of time but it’s absolutely crucial to achieve psychological balance. Activities like reading, writing, or conversations with close loved ones may be especially painful if an ENTJ has been in a Te-Se loop for an extended period of time. The deeper they go in the process of re-engaging Ni (and potentially even tapping into their Inferior Fi function), the more likely it is that they will unearth unpleasant memories and come to tough realizations. ENTJs are masters at selectively focusing their attention on productive things, but this habit will only work to hurt them in the long run. Although this internal work might be long and painful, once an ENTJ goes to this place they’ll begin to feel more rested and at home in their minds once again.

ESFJ (Fe-Ne)

An ESFJ’s secondary function is Introverted Sensing (Si). This practical side of them dips into old stories and memories as a way of navigating through new situations. At the core of the ESFJ is a desire to please people and serve others well, so if this type feels like they are falling short of that mission, they may bypass Si and turn exclusively toward their extroverted functions for help.

You can spot an ESFJ in a dominant-tertiary loop because they will quickly become over-committed. As they turn to Extroverted Intuition/Ne to give them more ideas on how to please or serve their loved ones, that energy will be embodied as chaotic and scattered. ESFJs will become exhausted as they go above and beyond for the people around them. Typically realistic, balanced types they become overbooked and unable to say no. As Fe seeks to please people, Ne feeds the dominant function more ideas on how to do so. Without Si tempering and calming the ESFJ, they’ll quickly become worn down in a Fe-Ne loop.

In order to emerge on the other side of this cognitive state, the ESFJ needs to start relying on Si again and use it to analyze the past. This is best achieved by spending time in isolation where they can realize their mistakes and rationally adapt to them. They may feel uncomfortable setting boundaries with loved ones again, but doing so is necessary if they hope to return to a healthier place.

ESTJ (Te-Ne)

An ESTJ’s secondary cognitive function is Introverted Sensing (Si). This function manages a world of memory and practical information. If an ESTJ feels a significant amount of stress to come up with a new answer to an old problem, they may neglect Si and turn to their less-developed tertiary function, Extroverted Intuition (Ne), for ideas and novelty.

In a Te-Ne loop, the typically direct and commanding ESTJ will become more chaotic than usual. Their choices will look more sporadic and spontaneous as they lean into their less-developed Extroverted Intuition/Ne function to help them make decisions rather than their more grounded, practical auxiliary Introverted Sensing/Si function. The ESTJ in this cognitive loop tries to see things from every angle and as a result, will feel incredibly unsettled.

Due to the high amounts of stress in this loop, an ESTJ will want to come out of it quickly and return to their usual means of attaining results. In order to do so, they will need to start relying on Si again and use it to analyze the past. Are there practical examples of other people solving similar issues that could be replicated in this situation? To answer this question, the ESTJ may need to carve out alone time to re-engage Si and trust the tried-and-true and practical again. They may feel uncomfortable structuring their lives like they used to, but doing so will help them feel more grounded in their choices and content in their lives.

Extroverts Looping

If you’ve read through all the types in this article, you may have recognized a pattern when it comes to extroverts falling into and emerging from a dominant-tertiary loop. Extroverts by nature feel more comfortable in the world of ideas, thoughts, people, and senses outside of themselves. In times of stress, it is understandable that they would shift to total reliance on these external means to solve tough problems and help them navigate stressful life seasons. But in order to be complete and well-rounded as people, extroverts and introverts alike need to balance the world outside and inside themselves. By intentionally engaging and trusting the less natural world, every MBTI will be journeying toward personal wholeness and peace.