Psychology Facts

▲ ESFP - The Performer ▲

ESFP (extraverted, sensing, feeling, perceiving) with ESFP personality types are often described as spontaneous, resourceful, and outgoing.

The ESFP personality type is often referred to as "the performer" or "the entertainer."

They love being the center of attention and are often described as "class clowns."

According to psychologist David Keirsey, the developer of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, approximately 4% to 10% of all people have an ESFP personality type.

Key ESFP Characteristics

They are practical and resourceful. ESFPs prefer to learn through hands-on experience and tend to dislike book learning and theoretical discussions. Because of this, students with ESFP personality types sometimes struggle in traditional classroom settings. However, they excel in situations where they are allowed to interact with others or learn through direct experience.

They figure things out as they go along. ESFPs live very much in the here-and-now and sometimes fail to think about how current actions will lead to long-term consequences. They will often rush into a new situation and figure things out as they happen. They also tend to dislike routine, enjoy new experiences, and are always looking for a new adventure.

They are very understanding. ESFPs are perceptive when it comes to other people. They are able to sense what others are feeling and know how to respond. People tend to find them warm, sympathetic, and easygoing.

They are fun-loving. While ESFPs do not shun the spotlight, they are more interested in simply living in the present and doing what feels right at that moment.

Strengths

Optimistic and gregarious

Enjoys people and socializing

Focused on the present, spontaneous

Practical

Weaknesses

Dislikes abstract theories

Becomes bored easily

Does not plan ahead

Impulsive

Cognitive Functions

Dominant: Extraverted Sensing

ESFPs prefer to focus on the here-and-now rather than thinking about the distant future. They also prefer learning about concrete facts rather than theoretical ideas.
ESFPs don't spend a lot of time planning and organizing. Instead, they like to keep their options open.
they trust their instincts and put trust in their own abilities to come up with a solution. While they are reasonable and pragmatic, they dislike structure, order, and planning. Instead, they act spontaneously and do not spend a great deal of time coming up with a plan or schedule.

Auxiliary: Introverted Feeling

ESFPs place a greater emphasis on personal feelings rather than logic and facts when making decisions. People with this personality type have an internal system of values on which they base their decisions. They are very much aware of their own emotions and are towards others. They excel at putting themselves in another person's shoes, so to speak.

Tertiary: Extraverted Thinking

This function is focused on enforcing order on the outside world. It is centered on productivity, logic, and results. Because this tends to be a weaker aspect of personality, ESFPs may not always feel secure sharing their judgments, especially if they feel it will disrupt the harmony of the group.

Inferior: Introverted Intuition:

While this is the least prominent aspect of personality, this function can help the ESFP spot patterns and make connections in things they have observed.
ESFPs are usually not particularly adept at using logic to sort through abstract concepts, but this sense can sometimes lead to flashes of insight and epiphanies about themselves or the world.

ESFPs You Might Know

Bill Clinton

Pablo Picasso

Ronald Regan

Elvis Presley

Dolly Parton

Nicki Minaj

Hugh Hefner

Steve Irwin

Jamie Foxx

Marie Antoinette

ESFP Careers

Artist

Actor

Athletic

coach

Child care provider

Musician

Human resources specialist

Fashion designer