ESTP

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See also École spéciale des travaux publics. For the Socionics ESTp, see Sensory Logical Extrovert.

ESTP (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception) is an abbreviation used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) publications to refer to one of the sixteen personality types.^[1] The MBTI assessment was developed from the work of prominent psychiatrist Carl G. Jung in his book Psychological Types, which proposed a psychological typology based on his theories of cognitive functions. These theories were based on clinical observation, however, rather than the controlled studies required for acceptance by the modern field of cognitive psychology.^[2]

From Jung's work, others developed psychological typologies. Well-known personality tests are the MBTI assessment, developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, developed by David Keirsey. Keirsey referred to ESTPs as Promoters, one of the four types belonging to the temperament he called the Artisan.

[edit] The MBTI instrument

The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following:^[3]

• How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion or Introversion)
• How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or iNtuition)
• How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)
• How they orient themselves to the external world (Judgment or Perception)

By using their preference in each of these areas, people develop what Jung and Myers called psychological type. This underlying personality pattern results from the dynamic interaction of their four preferences, in conjunction with environmental influences and their own individual tendencies. People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type. Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas that offer opportunities for growth.

The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis of the four "dichotomies" (pairs of psychological opposites). Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred to by initial letters. (N is used for iNtuition, to differentiate it from Introversion). The MBTI is approximately 75% accurate according to its own manual.^[4]

• E – Extraversion preferred to Introversion: ESTPs often feel motivated by their interaction with people. They tend to enjoy a wide circle of acquaintances, and they gain energy in social situations (whereas introverts expend energy).^[5]
• S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ESTPs tend to be more concrete than abstract. They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate realities rather than future possibilities .^[6]
• T – Thinking preferred to Feeling: ESTPs tend to rely on objective criteria rather than personal values. When making decisions, they generally give more weight to logic than to social considerations.^[7]
• P – Perception preferred to Judgment: ESTPs tend to withhold judgment and delay important decisions, preferring to "keep their options open" should circumstances change.^[8]

[edit] Characteristics of ESTPs

Some practitioners have speculated that Madonna is an ESTP.^[9] However, according to the guidelines for the ethical use of the MBTI, only those taking the assessment can identify their own best fit.^[10]

[edit] Myers-Briggs description

According to Myers-Briggs, ESTPs are hands-on learners who live in the moment, seeking the best in life, wanting to share it with their friends. The ESTP is open to situations, able to improvise to bring about desired results. They are active people who want to solve their problems rather than simply discuss them.

[edit] Keirsey description

According to Keirsey, ESTPs, or "Promoter Artisans", are the most adept among the types at manipulating other people. Promoting is the art of maneuvering others to one's position. Concrete in speech and utilitarian in action, they are smooth operators. The ESTP knows everyone who matters and everything there is to do because they are very resourceful, always knowing where the fun and action is. They like to indulge themselves in the finer things in life and to bring other people with them. Their goal in life is to sell themselves and their ideas to others. Dramatic and debonair, they are gifted at earning others' confidence.

According to Keirsey, based on observations of behavior, famous Promoters include John F. Kennedy, Teddy Roosevelt, Madonna, and Donald Trump. For more examples, see Notable Promoters.

[edit] Other characteristics

• Outgoing
• Charming
• Witty
• Fun
• Generous
• Observant
• Socially sophisticated
• Resourceful
• Troubleshooter
• Unpredictable
• Action oriented
• Clever^[11]

[edit] Cognitive functions

Drawing upon Jungian theory, Isabel Myers proposed that for each personality type, the cognitive functions—sensing, intuition, thinking, and feeling—form a hierarchy. This hierarchy represents the person's "default" pattern of behavior.

The Dominant function is the personality type's preferred role, the one they feel most comfortable with. The secondary Auxiliary function serves to support and expand on the Dominant function. If the Dominant is an information gathering function (sensing or intuition), the Auxiliary is a decision making function (thinking or feeling), and vice versa. The Tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary, but it matures over time, rounding out the person's abilities. The Inferior function is the personality type's Achilles' heel. This is the function they are least comfortable with. Like the Tertiary, the Inferior function strengthens with maturity.^[12]

Jung and Myers considered the attitude of the Auxiliary, Tertiary, and Inferior functions to be the opposite of the Dominant. In this interpretation, if the Dominant function is extraverted, then the other three are introverted, and vice versa. However, many modern practitioners hold that the attitude of the Tertiary function is the same as the Dominant. ^[4]

• Dominant Extraverted Sensing (Se)
• Auxiliary Introverted Thinking (Ti)
• Tertiary Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
• Inferior Introverted iNtuition (Ni) ^[12]

[edit] See also

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter
• Artisan temperament
• Promoter (Role Variant)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Keirsey Promoter Artisan (ESTP)
• TypeLogic ESTP
• Personality Page ESTP
• The Myers & Briggs Foundation: The 16 MBTI Types