Reading people is a universal skill, but which personality type is best at reading people? To read someone is to interpret a complex array of signals they emit. This includes decoding nonverbal cues, gauging intentions and emotions, analyzing behavior patterns, and understanding subtle changes in tone and expression to form a comprehensive understanding of a person’s thoughts and motivations.
It’s how we get someone’s “vibe” or judge what kind of person they are. We have extroverted functions to thank for this ability to read others.
Every type has extroverted functions, so naturally every psychological type can read people in their own way. For example, intuitives may read others more cognizantly, feelers emotionally, and sensors based on appearance and body language.
In this article we will explain the nuance between each type and how they read people, and which type is best! Let’s get started.
Observation Functions & People Reading
Observer functions like Ne and Se are ways that we process external information.
Extroverted Intuition (Ne)
Extroverted Intuition (Ne) shines in uncovering people’s true intentions, often before they’re explicitly stated. This function helps Ne users tap into universal archetypes. NT types will distill patterns within the behavior of individuals and societies, and turn them into laughable, relatable memes on 4chan. Additionally, NT’s can get a good or bad vibe from a new person from the get-go. Essentially asking themselves “What does this person gain by being my friend?”
NF types, on the other hand, might use it to create believable characters in their writing, drawing from their ability to identify real intentions and true feelings. This skill proves invaluable in various scenarios, from navigating office politics to understanding a partner’s needs in a relationship. While not infallible, Ne users often pick up on subtle cues that others overlook, giving them a distinct advantage in interpersonal interactions.
Extroverted Sensing (Se)
Sensors such as the ESFP and ESTP may not be the most intuitively inclined, however don’t discredit them. Extroverted Sensing (Se) is a determinant of real time analysis. Sensors make good detectives and interrogators. Have you ever seen those Body language analysis videos? Do they break eye contact when telling a lie? Do they cross their arms when you bring up a touchy subject? Do they bite their nails or slouch, suggesting nervous behavior?
Apart from law enforcement, they also make great comedians & this is due to their keen observation skills. Stand up legends like Chris Tucker use impersonations to spread laughter.
Judging Functions & Reading People
Judging functions are the ways that we make decisions. Fe users use making others feel good as a primary motivating factor in their decision making. Te users will focus more statistics & rationale.
Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
Extroverted Feeling (Fe) is the cognitive function most closely associated with “reading people” in the traditional sense. Fe users excel at discerning others’ emotions and group dynamics, often picking up on subtle shifts in a room’s atmosphere. This skill allows them to navigate social situations with ease, adapting their behavior to maintain harmony. For example, an ENFJ might instinctively know when to lighten the mood during a tense meeting or offer support to a struggling team member.
Fe users are naturally attuned to sociability, often serving as social glue in various settings. Their ability to read and respond to others’ emotional states makes them effective mediators and leaders. While this skill can be honed, Fe users often display an innate talent for understanding and managing group emotions, making them invaluable in team environments.
Extroverted Thinking (Te)
Extroverted Thinking (Te) offers a unique approach to reading people, focusing on tangible metrics and social structures. Te users excel at recognizing hierarchy and consensus, quickly gauging who holds influence in a group. For instance, an ENTJ might swiftly identify key decision-makers in a business meeting. Te also sharpens awareness of social class and status, helping users navigate professional and social circles effectively. This function thrives on statistics, using data like crime rates or voting patterns to understand societal trends.
Te users might apply concepts like “you are the sum of the five people closest to you” to assess personal growth opportunities. They value “good company”, or “the right people”, often curating their social circle based on perceived competence and success. While not traditionally associated with emotional intelligence, Te’s analytical approach provides valuable insights into human behavior and social dynamics.
How The People Reading Functions Combine
Ne & Fe (Alpha)
Alpha types blend Ne and Fe to anticipate others’ needs with uncanny precision. They often “type” people using frameworks like love languages, giving them unique insights. Their Ne spots patterns in behavior, while Fe tunes into the room’s emotional frequency. This combo makes them adept at reading both individuals and group dynamics, skills necessary for family gatherings and church bible studies.
Se & Fe (Beta)
Beta types excel at reading their surroundings and others’ comfort levels. They’re acutely aware of the experiences they provide, always aiming to create a positive atmosphere. Like Alphas, they’re socially savvy, but with a more immediate focus. Betas seek to find common ground among diverse values, using their Fe to build consensus, skills necessary at your local LGBTQIA2S+ rally and latest music and arts festival.
Se & Te (Gamma)
Gamma types are masters of nonverbal cues, picking up on body language, tone, and physical presence. They live in the moment, focusing on how they and others present themselves visually. Their Te often assesses others’ self-respect as a key indicator. Gammas might also use statistics to categorize people, always aware of social hierarchies. These skills serve them well in comedy clubs, rock bars, and entrepreneurial ventures. They can thrive in high-energy environments like open mics or even unconventional settings like biker gatherings, where their ability to read and adapt to intense social dynamics gives them an edge.
Ne & Te (Delta)
Delta types are highly selective about their social circles, often using status as a key factor. They anticipate others’ desires and intentions, always considering what’s socially desirable. Their Ne helps them read between the lines, while Te analyzes hierarchical structures. Deltas might also employ alternative typing systems, like zodiac signs, to gain insights into people’s personalities. Skills necessary for navigating corporate networking events, book clubs, and Guatemalan ayahuasca retreats.
Personality Types Best At Reading People
When pondering which personality type is best at reading people, we find a more nuanced truth: each type brings unique strengths to this universal skill. The key lies in our extroverted functions, those outward-facing cognitive processes that help us decode the world around us.
Whether it’s Ne’s pattern recognition, Se’s real-time analysis, Fe’s emotional attunement, or Te’s structural awareness, every type has tools to interpret others’ intentions and behaviors. While some may excel in certain aspects, like Fe users in emotional landscapes or Se users in physical cues, the ability to read people isn’t exclusive to any single type.
Instead, it’s a testament to the richness of human cognition and our shared capacity for social understanding. Ultimately, the best readers of people are those who recognize and develop their natural strengths while remaining open to different perspectives.
