7 ENTP Functions Explained for Cognitive, Shadow and Sarcastic

ENTPs do effectively handle most types of life challenges. So, they still function when they have a certain amount of stress hanging over them. ENTPs tend to thrive when they face difficulties, and they tend to see challenges as new opportunities to learn and grow as people.

However, when an ENTP can no longer approach overwhelming amounts of stress with this mindset, then they start experiencing problems. These issues start occurring when the ENTP undergoes a substantial amount of stress that would be overwhelming for just about anybody else. When people experience too much pressure, they go into their shadow functions, which makes them act very abnormal. While it can take a lot of stress to cause an ENTP to do this, they are still capable of becoming overwhelmed and acting abnormally.

To help you understand how ENTPs act when they are in their shadow functions, we’ll first take some time to explain the standard features of a healthy ENTP.

#1 ENTPs and the Extraverted Intuition Function

The primary cognitive function of an ENTP is called Extraverted Intuition, also known as Ne. ENTPs see the world using their extraverted intuition, meaning they can comprehend many various possibilities when they see a problem. That means ENTPs are excellent critical thinkers, and they can see all sides of the situation. ENTPs can comprehend a lot of things that other people might not see as quickly as they do.

Another thing the ENTP’s extraverted intuition does when it’s healthy provides the ENTP with an odd, silly sense of humor. ENTPs do enjoy making others laugh, especially when they are happy themselves.

#2 ENTPs and the Introverted Thinking Function

The next most crucial function used by ENTPs is known as Introverted Thinking or Ti. ENTPs use this aspect internally to consistently examine their environment so they can make sense of their surroundings. They use this information to create a web of information in their head, networking the way the world works. Since this is an introverted function, ENTPs typically have a difficult time explaining to other people the way they make logical maps in their heads. However, this is what they do to make sense of the world when they are healthy.

#3 ENTPs and the Extraverted Feeling Function

ENTPs use Extraverted Feeling, or Fe as their extraverted feeling function. Most ENTPs learn how to use this function as they age, so younger ENTPs aren’t as good at using this function as older ENTPs. Extraverted feeling deals with how the ENTP handles emotions, and as the age, ENTPs learn how to understand other people’s emotions. They become more empathetic as they age, and it helps them demonstrate their charisma around others. ENTPs, as they age, start learning how to say the right things to people, and they also know how to make people react and respond the way they want them to after time.

#4 ENTPs and the Introverted Sensing Function

The fourth function that ENTPs rely on is known as Introverted Sensing or Si. However, most ENTPs never fully develop this function, so it couldn’t be considered one of their strengths. However, they do nevertheless possess this skill. Introverted sensing relies on remembering issues from the past, including routine, society, and what feels normal. However, this function never fully develops in ENTPs because they have a strong desire to try new things. ENTPs are not always happy bogged down in a routine, so they have conflicting issues with their Extraverted Intuition mixing with their Introverted Sensing. When an ENTP is stressed out, however, you may start noticing their Introverted Sensing function appear in their actions more than usual.

#5 The Strengths of an ENTP Personality

ENTPs are incredibly energetic and enthusiastic people when they are happy. Most people are drawn to their charisma and magnetism, two characteristics that usually make ENTPs excellent leaders. ENTPs are always interested in trying new things, so if they think a significant change is needed somewhere, they have no problems pushing for that. The healthy ENTP is also interested in focusing on self-improvement, and they don’t enjoy just staying as they are. To an ENTP, one of the most important things you can do in life is to grow and become a better person. ENTPs are very good at seeing all sides of a situation, and they can comprehend concepts that many other people find stressful.

#6 When an ENTP Experiences Stress

When an ENTP gets stressed out, then his or her shadow functions will start to emerge. You’ll notice them relying more on Introverted Sensing, something we mentioned above. Stress can make the ENTP feel overwhelmed and make them act differently. They don’t enjoy the minute details of things since they tend to see the bigger picture when they scrutinize life. When there are too many details, it can become difficult for the ENTP to get anything accomplished. During this type of situation, an ENTP will often shut down.

While under stress, ENTPs also act sensitively to hearing any criticism about themselves. While you may not be used to them working emotionally, they can start using their feelings too much when they are overly stressed. ENTPS also wind up acting when they are stressed out, and they tend to overindulge in things like drinking, overeating, exercising, or any type of task that can take their mind off of things. It can be challenging to get them to break these habits when they feel overwhelmed.

#7 When an ENTP Uses Their Shadow

When ENTPs are healthy, they tend to rely on their dominant function, which is usually their Ne. However, when they become overly stressed, they start using their shadow function, which is Ni. An ENTP in shadow won’t use the normal mind road maps and patterns to figure out the way life works. Instead, when an ENTP is stressed out, he or she will abnormally use hunches or emotions to figure things out, and they aren’t very successful at doing this. When ENTPs are in this mode, they follow their gut feelings and look for theories that resemble paranoia instead of their usual logical thought process.

ENTPs in their shadow mode question things regularly, and then second guess themselves, which often prevents them from getting anywhere. As such, people can find them toxic to be around when they are stuck in a rut like this. That’s because ENTPS will start doubting their friends, families, and loved ones in ways that seem abnormal when they are using their shadow function.

The ENTPs auxiliary function shifts from Ti to Te when they are in shadow, moving them into extraverted thinking. When an ENTP is healthy, he or she tends to look for information to process and facts to analyze, acting logically rather than relying on emotions. However, when an ENTP is in shadow, they’ll start looking at other ways to get down to the truth. When they stop analyzing the world in their usual way, they can become overly harsh and blunt when they talk to others. They’ll start acting aggressively to try and move things along. When in shadow, ENTPs have difficulty learning from the mistakes they make, and instead, they become obsessed with a fear of failure. They will get extremely frustrated if things don’t go well. So, they’ll start acting impatiently with others, and they won’t be as empathetic to friends and family.