Trouble differentiating between the PE functions in myself
Alright so a little background before I start
I’m an ExTP, 7w8 sp/sx (the standard issue)
This has been confusing me for, like 2 years
Se and Ne in the dominant spot and Ni and Si in the inferior (demon and that stuff too)
When i read about Se I notice a lot of the same things, paying attention to your environment, physically attuned, et cetera
I read about Ne and it’s pretty consistent as well, branching off and seeing numerous angles and possibilities without necessarily taking action
However the core issue is differentiating between the two within myself
I’ve got ADHD, which is pretty Ne within itself (combined type) as well as oppositional defiant disorder (leaning into mild conduct disorder) which if you aren’t familiar, is excessive irritability with authority figures and being told what to do, argumentative and provocative behaviors. You can see why I’d initially select the type characterized as argumentative and rebellious at first.
Additionally, my IQ is ~130 (This is not to brag, nor is it related to the types itself, but it’s a lot harder to find relatable definitions of Se when you’re somewhat normal or smart because it’s consistently stereotyped as a lack of thought and low intelligence, which is obviously not true)
I’m finding myself in a little gray area, I relate to both functions pretty strongly however I cannot find which one is my core operating system (dominant function)
For SE:
I’m observant, I notice small changes in hair clothing and other things, I can notice subtle shifts in body language and tone which makes me good at talking to people, I often don’t consider consequences (future me can deal with that), I’m good at shifting subtle things to make situations work in my favor, I’m a solid networker and generally pretty social (but I can be pretty awkward from time to time), I like to DO things such as boxing, going to the gym, going to parties, et cetera. My parents can sometimes warn me about going to this place or that place, telling me about the possible risks such as kidnapping or whatever, and I always bring them to reality. I can also hear small noises and other shifts pretty easily, which is effective when I’m talking to people or doing something
TLDR: I can read people, I’m fairly realistic, I don’t like sitting in my room browsing this sub all day, and I can shift small things in my favor, and I’m observant
For NE:
I can branch out off ideas (this looks like this which reminds me do this, do you ever wonder about this and that? Maybe I’ll do this soon), plan lots of activities and procrastinate action, maladaptive daydream (however the gap between what I see in movies and imagine frustrates me, leading to me taking more action, although usually smaller), I like having future options and possible things to do, and I enjoy researching lots of unrelated topics (like typology) however they usually apply to ME. When I was younger I was a lot nerdier, I was somewhat aggressive but generally just a verbally provocative kid. Real nerdy, didn’t like sports much (especially team ones). I did my fair share, but boy did I suck. Sometimes I thought of myself as physically lacking when it comes to ability. I gather knowledge on lots of topics or save how to videos “just in case”, and I can think of various solutions to a problem rapidly. When it comes to jokes, my quick wit comes from my ability to make rapid associations to reach an appropriate response, which makes me capable of responding to others. I can also sometimes miss things right in front of me (ironic since I’m observant) like wondering where my AirPods are when they’re in my pocket, glasses on my face.
TLDR; I’m heady, make rapid associations between various topics, I was not a physical kid and was nerdy, and plan a lot of things I don’t do, and I’m clumsy
Other unrelated things:
- sport anxiety, not trying at practice out of fear of looking incompetent, this went away in boxing because it’s solo, but I don’t know if it’s a lack of se (faith in my body) or overvaluing how I’m perceived physically (se+fe) considering I also care a lot about my looks (but I’m pretty lazy about it)
- superficial, not totally, but I value looks a LOT (I’m a teenage boy so this isn’t a plot twist)
- I don’t like looking at other people’s things, for example, the yachts in Monaco
- I value aesthetics
- resourceful, quick witted, clever, somewhat survivalist (I don’t live in the woods, I just manage in most situations I’m in)
- sometimes I rely on my friends for future insights or need constant reassurance, lots of paranoia for the future, particularly focusing on worst case scenarios (not a main character feature, but it happens)
- indulgent, when I vape I take as many big hits as I can, I eat as much of a food I like as I can, generally if I like something I squeeze out as much of it as I can
- when it comes to conflict, I’m generally confrontational but if I can’t win, I avoid (Goliath can take the ego boost)
Now
How can I detect whether it’s extroverted sensing or extroverted intuition within myself?
Both functions are frequently misrepresented, with every witty character typed as an ENTP and every bully ESTP
Posted Sep 6, 2026, 3:24 AM UTC