Type Comparison: SEE (ESFp) and ESI (ISFj)

Socionics Characteristics

Observable Differences in Behavior

  1. When planning to complete something, SEE are more likely to focus their attention on the goal itself, overlooking and deprioritizing the individual actions needed to reach that goal. On the other hand, ESI tend to focus their attention on the each action; i.e., they're focused on how each decision and choice is being made (towards reaching the goal), in a step by step process.
  2. ESI are able to change and make adjustments to their goals more easily than SEE (depending on how progress is being made, etc.). SEE on the other hand, prefer to stick with their original goals.
  3. SEE tend to judge their available options by how likely the option will help them reach their goal. If a choice no longer helps SEE reach their goals, it will be dismissed and discontinued. On the other hand, ESI prefer to continue pursuing their current option, opting to adjust their ultimate goal in order to fit the current choice.
  4. When solving a problem, SEE rely more heavily on their generalized past experiences than ESI. SEE are inclined to use already prepared, preformulated methods and processes to solve a problem.
  5. When solving a problem, ESI are more inclined (than SEE) to solve it by relying predominantly on only the presently available information. Essentially, ESI will develop a process or method uniquely fitted towards the present problem, and this method is designed using the present conditions and information.
  6. SEE are more likely (than ESI) to seek new and novel experiences rather than returning to something already lived through. They will generally only re-read a book, re-watch a movie, or revisit the same place if they have forgotten it or are hoping to learn something new from it.
  7. ESI are more likely than SEE to use "emotional anchors" that resonate with their internal emotional condition. These emotional anchors could be a book, a movie, a place, a song, etc. ESI use these anchors to strengthen their inner emotional state and thus will repeat the experience: e.g., re-reading a book, re-watching a movie, continually going back to a place to experience the emotions associated with it.
  8. ESI' psychic energy more often flows outwards, whereas with SEE, their psychic energy more often flows inward.
  9. SEE' energy levels tend to improve when they're alone whereas ESI' energy levels increase when they're interacting with larger groups.
  10. ESI' energy levels tend to decrease when they're alone whereas SEE' energy levels will decrease when they're interacting with larger groups of people.
  11. With regards to energy levels, ESI tend to have higher energy levels than SEE.
  12. SEE are more often focused on their thoughts and feelings where as ESI are more often focused on their surroundings.
  13. ESI tend to be more active and initiating with others where as SEE tend to be more passive and less initiating.
  14. SEE often have a smaller, closer network of friends where as ESI often have a wider network of friends.
  15. ESI are often more cognizant of their outwards appearance and are thus better at presenting themselves than SEE.
  16. SEE are generally better at concentrating on specific tasks for longer periods of time than ESI.
  17. ESI often prefer to work with others in a team where as SEE often prefer working alone.
  18. SEE tend to plan ahead, making decisions early. On the other hand, ESI tend to prefer a wait and see, more spontaneous approach.
  19. ESI are relatively more flexible and tolerant than SEE.
  20. SEE are relatively more rigid and stubborn than ESI.
  21. ESI are comfortable making changes and adjustments to their decisions quite frequently. SEE, on the other hand, prefer to not make changes to their decisions.
  22. SEE tend to put more effort than ESI into finishing any new project they start.
  23. ESI tend to start more tasks and other projects than SEE, but the ESI are less likely to complete all of them.
  24. SEE tend to have stiffer more angular movements. ESI tend to have more relaxed fluid movements.
  25. ESI tend to have a more democratic leadership style than SEE.
  26. SEE tend to have a more authoritarian, hierarchical leadership style than ESI.
  27. ESI have a relatively higher stress tolerance than SEE. SEE often struggle with continually changing situations more than ESI do.
  28. SEE pay more particular attention to aspects of a situation or plan that are insufficient or lacking. This can be interpreted by others as SEE having a negative assessment of various situations and events (.e.g, "the glass is half empty). On the other hand, ESI pay more attention to what is actually present in a situation, and this can be interpreted as an affirmative or positive manifestation of the surrounding world, situations, possibilities, and prospects (e.g. "the glass is half full").
  29. When assessing an option or available choice, ESI tend to focus more on how the choice could benefit them (what it would potentially yield) than SEE would. On the other hand, SEE would be more cognizant of the potential risks and potential losses that may accompany the decision that ESI may unconsciously minimize.
  30. When developing a plan of action or process, ESI tend to see themselves as "within the process"; they are immersed in it. Often because of this, they have more difficulty managing several plans at once. On the other hand, SEE tend to place themselves "outside of the process"; they dissociate from it. For them the process or situation is something external from themselves.
  31. When working on a project, SEE experience more discomfort (than ESI) if the project does not have a clearly delineated end-goal or result. This happens because SEE have more difficulty monitoring and understanding how the project is developing than ESI because they are outside of the process.

Compare/Contrast Sociotypes