Introduction to the Enneagram Spectrum of Personality StylesStyle 1: Good Person | Style 2: Loving Person | Style 3: Effective Person | Style 4: Original Person Style 5: Wise Person | Style 6: Loyal Person | Style 7: Joyful Person | Style 8: Powerful Person | Style 9: Peaceful Person The Enneagram (pronounced any-a-gram) is a circle inscribed by nine points. In Greek, ennea means nine and gramma means point. Each point portrays a distinctive personality style that has its own way of viewing, construing, and responding to people and events. Each style has both adaptive or resourceful and non-adaptive or non-resourceful cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies for self-maintenance and enhancement, for interpersonal relating, and for problem solving. In other words, each of these styles has an “upside” and a “downside.” Within all of us, there are certain universal qualities that express the essence of the human person. We prize these essential characteristics as values and strive to realize them in ourselves and in the world. These principles, such as goodness, truth, and compassion, have an adaptive function whereby if we follow them, we will have an objective vision toward ourselves and others, using adaptive cognitive schemas, and we will live in a virtuous state of being with adaptive emotional schemas. If our values and visions are threatened or discounted, we experience vulnerability and may develop a personality strategy to protect our sensibilities and to compensate for characteristics in our selves we fear might be lacking. This personality is usually an overly exaggerated expression of some valued quality of our true person. It attempts to defend and maintain our self in the face of our critics, to appease them, to gain their attention and approval, to win them over to our side, or to defeat them. Personality relies on repetitive thought, feeling, and behavioral patterns giving us a distorted subjective vision with maladaptive cognitive schemas that are driven by maladaptive emotional schemas or vices. When we are functioning from our natural person, our values and vision are clear and our problem-solving capacities are optimal. When we operate from the strategies of our personality, our values are conflicted, our vision is narrow and opaque, and our actions are impulsive, compulsive, scattered, and less effective. Personality Style ONE: The Good Person Core Value Tendency: ONES are attracted to and value goodness. They desire to be good persons, seeking to make the world a better place to live in. They want to realize all of their potentials and help others actualize theirs. They want to be all that they can be and help others do the same. Doing your best and living up to your potentials is what life is all about. Adaptive Cognitive Schema: The objective vision that keeps ONES aligned with their true nature and with reality is the realization that becoming all that they can be, coming to completion, wholeness, and perfection is a continually unfolding process vs a sooner- rather – than – later finished product. As long as ONES are living in accordance with their true nature, allowing the process of organismic selfregulation to occur, they are perfect. They cannot be other than who they are at the moment. Adaptive Emotional Schema: The state that accompanies ONES’ objective paradigm is serenity, a sense of inner wholeness and self support. Those who are serene are at ease with themselves, are relaxed with others, and are in touch with the present moment. Serenity responds where personal intervention is required and acquiesces when letting go is appropriate. Adaptive Behavioral Schemas: The actions that flow from an understanding of perfection as a process and a state of serenity involve a passion and habit for excellence and a desire to do things well. ONES have high principles, high moral standards, and high performance requirements. They are conscientious, dedicated, persevering, reliable, hard working, and industrious. They have a highly developed and practiced intuition for when someone or something is doing what it is supposed to do. A being is good when it is fully itself and when it is fully doing what it is meant to do. ONES constantly compare a present reality to its ideal state. They know what is missing and what should be there. This makes them natural quality control experts. Maladaptive Cognitive Schema: When ONES exaggerate their good qualities, they over-identify with the idealized self image of I am good; I am right. To compensate for a maladaptive belief that they are not good enough, and to keep themselves immune from criticism, they hold unrealistically high standards, trying to be perfect and do most things perfectly in order to be acceptable to others and to themselves. They habitually compare what is to what they think should be and reality falls short of their ideals and absolutes. Maladaptive Emotional Schema: As a consequence of never living up to their idealizations, ONES experience the passion of anger andresentment since no one (especially themselves) ever comes up to their expectations. They are angry because nothing is as right as it ought to be. And they are resentful because they aren’t recognized or rewarded enough for their efforts nor are they accepted for who they are. Life isn’t fair. Maladaptive Behavioral Schemas: Perennially perceiving the world as imperfect, and relentlessly feeling resentment about the shoddy state of affairs, ONES are driven to make things better. They tense their jaws, clench their teeth, bear down, and carry on. They interfere with the natural unfolding of life and events in an effort to make things perfect NOW. The better becomes the enemy of the good. It’s a challenge for ONES to leave things alone and just let them be. What is Avoided: Because they are trying hard to be good, ONES avoid experiencing or expressing their anger. Good boys and good girls shouldn’t be angry. They are either unaware of their anger or are reluctant to express it directly. Since they want to be right, they avoid and protest being wrong. They don’t like to think of themselves as being lazy, irresponsible, sloppy, etc. Defensive Maneuvers: ONES ward off unacceptable impulses and behaviors by doing the opposite of what they are tempted to do. This is called reaction formation. If they are tempted to take it easy, they work harder. If unwanted sexual desires arise, ONES become moralistic and Puritanical. If anger surfaces, they may rely on righteous indignation; that is, they have a right to be angry. Or they may sublimate their anger and wage the cosmic war against crud, crusading against injustice, inexactness, tardiness, sloppiness, etc. Childhood Development: ONES were rewarded for being good and excelling and punished for being bad and performing poorly. They were often “hero” children who did everything right to help out their parents. They hoped their being good would hold the family together. They started out with the sense that everything, including themselves, was fine as it was. But then significant people came along and informed them that their spontaneous responses weren’t O.K. This was the beginning of their “judging mind.” As ONES began to do something spontaneously, the judgment arose: “Is this good enough? Am I doing this right?” Eventually shoulds and abstract idealizations replaced wants and personal values. ONES came to believe they would be somebody if their standards were higher than everyone else’s. And they were nobody or worth nothing if they weren’t perfect. Non-Resourceful State: When ONES are under stress, they do more of the same, that is, they try harder, put out more effort, get more serious, and become more frustrated and resentful. When all their efforts still don’t get them affirmed or don’t satisfy their needs or fill their emptiness, they get discouraged, give up trying to fix things, point their criticisms toward themselves, pull the trigger, get depressed, and lapse into ONES are optimistic.melancholy. Harmonious intimate mutual relationships are what life is all about. generous. In a resourceful place. and appreciative.. They are naturally giving. doing for others what they hope others will do for . They praise others and build them up. since it’s flowing by itself. enabling TWOS to say no as well as yes. Adaptive Behavioral Schemas: The actions that follow from an understanding that love involves an ebb and flow of giving and receiving along with the habit of humility include an exquisite empathic attunement not only to the needs of others but also to their own needs. They operate from the adaptive belief that they are O. TWOS believe they have unlimited resources for serving others that never need replenishing. trying to please others to get them to like them and meet their needs. Being free means TWOS can give or not give. too. In this non-resourceful state they feel misunderstood. and feeling proud of their self sacrificing nature. TWOS are sociable. nurturing. what they want to do instead of what they should do. I am therefore I am good replaces I’m perfect therefore I’m acceptable.Interdependence. They believe it is only after meeting others’ needs that their own will be taken care of. and approachable. they turn their attention toward meeting other people’s needs. They also speak up for others. they over-identify with the idealized self image of I am loving. The world doesn’t appreciate or reward their efforts to make things better. they take themselves and the situation less seriously. humility acknowledges limits and sets boundaries. They trust that the universe is unfolding as it should. taken advantage of. TWOS have an intuitive sense for what others need and are feeling. They are not needy. and helpful. The resultant disposition is pride. TWOS are natural listeners and counselors. Resourceful State: When ONES are in a resourceful relaxed state. hoping that what they do unto others will be done unto them. especially the underprivileged and handicapped. They get in touch with their spontaneous playful side. the virtue which realistically estimates what kind and what amount of love another needs in contrast to giving whatever is believed will bring approval to the giver. They do what they find pleasurable and desirable. They naturally move toward people with love and affection. even though they’re not perfect. giving compliments easily. which lies between the extremes of dependence/codependence and an exaggerated independence. It’s O. Trust allows them to go with the flow and not push the river. Adaptive Emotional Schema: The state that accompanies TWOS’ objective paradigm is humility.K. They notice what’s right and what’s there instead of what’s wrong or what’s missing. accepting and present to whatever is. seeking to make the world a more loving place to live in. TWOS become compulsive helpers. Adaptive Cognitive Schema: The proper understanding of freedom enables TWOS to live within the natural laws and limits of reality. victimized. Maladaptive Cognitive Schema: When TWOS exaggerate their loving qualities. considerate. TWOS are proud of their giving nature and seek to be important is people’s lives in order to feel worthwhile. friendly. Acting as a reality principle. I am helpful. Maladaptive Emotional Schema: Perceiving themselves as helpers in a needy world. TWOS give strokes to get strokes. Maladaptive Behavioral Schema: Perceiving the world as needy. top Personality Style TWO: The Loving Person Core Value Tendency: TWOS value and are attracted to love.K. To compensate for their maladaptive belief that others will not meet their needs. is the mature stance of adults. They want to be generous persons. receive or not receive. They lighten up instead of getting heavier. They feel fulfilled being able to give to others and are supportive.. but they are needed. It will continue to run smoothly even when THREES are not working. Resourceful State: When TWOS are in a resourceful relaxed state. accomplishing goals. but choose to suppress them since their job is to lighten other people’s burdens not encumber them with their own needs. they become more helpful and travel around the “rescue triangle. Adaptive Cognitive Schema: Hope is the principle and attitude THREES have to keep them living in the real world. they do more of the same. They then lose touch with their gentleness and compassion and become hard and tough to protect their selfesteem. it’s hard for TWOS to move against people in anger or confrontation. They allow others to be more autonomous and don’t foster their dependence on them. artistic. The most effective way to function is in harmony with these natural. . they first assume the role of rescuer. that is. Now able to say to themselves I am special. they get in touch with their own needs. When they don’t get the affirmation they need and believe they deserve. What is Avoided: Because they strive to be loving. and social norms and processes. cultured self and capacities. They put their needs on the table and negotiate getting them met. and charming to get attention and win affection. and competence. It’s conflictual for them to give negative feedback because they don’t want to hurt others. They allow others to give to them freely without doing anything to earn their love. jaded and distrustful of others and become a persecutor. They learned how to be sweet. They want to be productive persons. Childhood Development: TWOS got approval for helping and giving and not asking for much in return. To think about themselves or to express their needs would be selfish. such as developing their creative. Habitually moving towards people. Defensive Maneuvers: TWOS avoid their needs by repressing them so that they are not even aware of them.” On this non-resourceful journey. TWOS came to believe that their own needs wouldn’t be met until they first met other people’s needs. They became the parent in the family to hold things together. leaving them alone to stand on their own two feet. Directly expressing their own needs met with indifference. They are reluctant to heed their own agendas. industriousness. feelings. funny. or fall flat on their face. They are very vulnerable to rejection and not being appreciated for what they do for others.them. Entropy won’t occur the instant THREES take time off. personal. They become bitter. they feel victimized and play the martyr. reproaching others for not appreciating and caring enough for them. You’re nobody unless somebody loves you and you’re somebody when you’re needed. wants. and desires. They can say “no” even though they feel guilty. cute. or abandonment. they believe they are lovable just because they are. Hope believes the cosmos works effectively within and according to its own laws. The cosmos is an orderly harmonious system and THREES work to keep it running smoothly. Or they may be aware of them. The TWOS’ task is to rescue. top Personality Style Three: The Effective Person Core Value Tendency: THREES are attracted to and value efficiency. disapproval. They find other ways of expressing themselves besides giving. Non-Resourceful State: When TWOS are under stress. working effectively is what life is about. making others feel guilty and desiring to get even with them. TWOS avoid their own needs. It’s also difficult for TWOS to move away from people. seeking to make the world a more efficient place to live in. Bringing projects to completion. They learned that being pleasing and altering themselves to meet others’ needs was a good way to survive and get their needs met. I am therefore I am loving replaces I give in order to be accepted. and feelings. Assuming the role and persona others wanted them to be increased their recognition. they over-identify with the idealized self image of I am successful. falling into Type A behavior. Their motto is: In life there are no failures. it’s good. and prestige. role. shake more hands. They don’t undertake projects unless they sense they can complete them. interests in a chameleon-like manner to keep up with whatever image is currently popular. enthusiastic. Their worth derived from what they did instead of from who they were. overly efficient. and working efficiently and single mindedly toward them. they do more of the same. THREES are motivated and motivating. neglecting themselves. and personas. THREES believe they are above normal protocols and are not constrained by the laws and conventions that others live by. or marketing it with external images. Looking good. and preferences. Their energy goes into their image. They are pragmatists. It’s important to them to look good not to feel good. What is Avoided: Since they strive to be successful. When this doesn’t work. and self confident. getting ahead. careers. they turn off their smooth running machine and stop. Being good salespeople. driven to succeed and climb the ladder of status and prestige. only learning experiences. exaggerating. Maladaptive Emotional Schema: Perceiving themselves as successful entrepreneurs. easily assessing a situation. and resigning . numbing. They are good team people and effective managers. and advertise themselves more. avoiding responsibilities. Work takes precedence over self. THREES remain true to themselves and their commitments vs assuming whatever appearance they believe will make them look successful in the eyes of others. They can translate ideas into workable saleable systems. to espouse values that get unfavorable audience response. Being adaptable helped them survive. It’s hard for THREES to stay with their own feelings. roles. Maladaptive Behavioral Schemas: Perceiving the world as disorganized. THREES become workaholics. Non-Resourceful State: When THREES are under stress. Childhood Development: THREES got approval for their achievements. being successful were emphasized in their family. The end justifies the means. Performance and image were rewarded in place of personal disclosure and emotional connections with others. status.Adaptive Emotional Schema: The state that accompanies THREES objective paradigm is truthfulness. and presenting themselves as efficiency experts. setting goals. Doubting. they convince themselves this is who they really are. they become over-programmed. that is. Defensive Maneuvers: THREES avoid failure by identification with their successful image. They know how to get things done. If it works. are on the go more. They are pragmatic and can compromise to get projects on line and accomplished. work more frenetically. Maladaptive Cognitive Schema: When THREES exaggerate their efficient qualities. take on more projects. and the persona they think others want them to be. THREES avoid failure. It’s conflictual for THREES to do something unpopular. they become more efficient and organized. and projects. desires. their public self. Over identifying with their roles and projects. they intuitively know how to present themselves and their product. and can become workaholics. They are optimistic. the acceptance and expression of their inner self as it actually is without covering. To compensate for their maladaptive belief that they are failures and will be rejected. They have the ability to sense what others want and expect from them and can adapt to fit that image thereby winning people over to their side. Adaptive Behavioral Schemas: THREES have a natural organizational ability. They change appearances. They deceive themselves and others into believing how successful they are. and to keep themselves safe from criticism. They are trustworthy as well as competent. They embrace failure as a natural part of life. Resourceful State: When THREES are in a resourceful relaxed state. I do what I ought to do. participation. Adaptive Cognitive Schema: The objective vision that keeps FIVES aligned with their true nature and with reality is the realization that realunderstanding and wisdom come from experience. being involved with people and the world. Maladaptive Cognitive Schema: When FIVES exaggerate their intellectual qualities. FIVES inner observer or fair witness is well developed allowing them dispassionately and objectively to consider situations and events. They believe the world is depriving and/or intrusive. FIVES are overly sensitive and may exaggerate or misperceive intrusions. This combination makes them good leaders. and revealed (transparent) is just as vital as knowing. so what’s the difference. They are honest and resist changing themselves to manipulate others. To compensate for the maladaptive belief that they don’t know enough to act assuredly and assertively and so are inadequate. They can put together disparate pieces of information into a unified system and distill complex situations into concise insights and pithy statements. This loosens the hold of their image and helps them connect with their true self and with others. and seeing how everything fits together is what life is all about. They cooperate with others vs compete with them. I am therefore I am active replaces I perform and produce therefore I am O. they try to be wise and invisible. They are comfortable with solitude. Adaptive Behavioral Schemas: The combination of an appreciation of wisdom as involvement and interaction along with the state of non-attachment lead to the ability to both detach and be observant and synthetically get the whole picture as well as analytically getting to the heart or essence of the matter. They drop out and turn off. demands. and desires. They show their true colors. they go from exertion to exhaustion.K. seeing. FIVES don’t want to look foolish. their belief is their efforts don’t matter. The detached person takes in just what is needed and lets the rest go. top Personality Style Five: The Wise Person Core Value Tendency: FIVES are attracted to and value wisdom. The energy of life flows freely into and out of the self. They are loyal to themselves and to their values. Having insights. they get in touch with their inner feelings. seen. The world is engaged and joined for the mutual enrichment of both world and self. They trust that others will get things done in their own way and in their own time. Now able to say to themselves I am loyal. They believe if you don’t know what they’re thinking. and revealing. they over-identify with the idealized self image of I am wise and perceptive. They move away from involvement and up into their heads. why bother. They are also loyal to others. they believe they are acceptable as themselves. learning about the nature of things. preferences. FIVES can move ideas and images around in their head facilely. being engulfed and taken over. FIVES don’t want to look foolish. you can’t criticize them. They want to understand the world and make it a more reasonable place to live in. Adaptive Emotional Schema: The state that accompanies the FIVES’ objective paradigm is nonattachment. which is the experience of love as flowing in and out vs being withheld from outside and bottled up inside. They stay with what they believe in vs switching to what is popular. knowledge. . and learning. And being known. In this depressed state. They can communicate clearly and succinctly.themselves to failure. you can’t shoot them down. And if you don’t know their position. As a result they withdrew and began to do everything alone. they remove themselves and retreat further into their heads. They say to themselves: “I am powerful. They set boundaries for themselves directly rather than by withdrawing. time energy. FIVES isolate themselves in their heads away from the intrusions of their feelings and other people. they stay out of the game. Non-Resourceful State: When FIVES are under stress and do more of the same. They distract themselves or space out instead of focusing. They are greedy for knowledge and information to keep them safe and unassailable and are stingy with their ideas. FIVES avoid situations where they don’t know what they are supposed to do. With FIVES. FIVES avoid feeling empty or being emptied. They need to understand something completely before they make a decision and act. feelings. They ask for what they need and let go of what they don’t need. FIVES are afraid of and avoid their feelings and go instead to their ideas. They make contact and get engaged and learn through experience vs vicariously. They move towards and against others as well as away from them. They feel inadequate and unable to influence the situation and so withdraw. They fear pain and avoid it. They also separate one time or period of their life from another. I can do. To avoid feeling empty or drained. It’s also difficult to move toward people and express affection. as coming to them when they needed something and leaving them alone when they were playing contentedly. they felt safer. etc. It’s hard for FIVES to stay connected or be too exposed. They didn’t experience their environment as empathic. That’s why when you ask FIVES what they’re feeling. retreating into the sanctuary and privacy of their minds. Childhood Development: FIVES may have experienced their parenting figures as being either too intrusive or too aloof and depriving. they tell you what they’re thinking. Maladaptive Behavioral Schema: Perceiving the world as depriving and intrusive. They tend to be loners who view life from the sidelines. They become contemptuous of others instead of reaching out to them. They insert themselves in the situation. What is Avoided: Because they want to appear wise and guard their privacy. When they are afraid they’ll be taken advantage of. To survive. they get in touch with their personal power and energy.” They move down into their body and feelings instead of up into their head and thoughts. the rules of the game. By distancing and dissociating themselves from what was going on around them. They separate or compartmentalize their thoughts from their feelings.Maladaptive Emotional Schema: As a consequence of moving away from the world and attempting to live solely from their own resources. FIVES are inclined to move away from the world. The intellectual world became more controllable and secure than the world of feelings and the interpersonal world. what is expected and allowed helps them enter the game. FIVES hold on to what they have and withhold from others lest what they have be taken away from them. . Knowing the guidelines. believing they can change it. It is difficult for FIVES to move against people and confront them to protect their space and ask for what they want. deciding and acting. I am therefore I think and I am connected replaces I think therefore I am and I think in order to figure out how I’m supposed to be and how I’m supposed to get connected. and feeling greedy and avaricious about this uncaring state of affairs. Defensive Maneuvers: FIVES ward off uncomfortable feelings and situations through isolation and compartmentalization. Resourceful State: When FIVES are in a resourceful relaxed state. out of sight tends to be out of mind vs making the heart grow fonder. Operating from a scarcity mentality. FIVES learned to keep their feelings and thoughts to themselves. They rationalize or trivialize to avoid being assertive. FIVES experience the passion of avarice. They get into planning instead of doing. EIGHTS avoid any kind of weakness. They enjoy exerting energy. “Vengeance is mine. Adaptive Emotional Schema: Innocence is the attitude that flows from the EIGHTS’ objective paradigm and keeps EIGHTS connected to their better self. Becoming overbearing and intimidating to get heard and get their way. magnanimous. While it is easy for EIGHTS to express their anger. Maladaptive Behavioral Schema: Perceiving the world as hostile. Justice means EIGHTS don’t have to enforce or vindicate the laws of the universe. On the lookout for challenges and injustices. EIGHTS do everything with intensity. they survive by being strong. they grab as much as they can. to others. protecting the weak. What is Avoided: Since they need to feel and appear strong.Personality Style Eight: The Powerful Person Core Value Tendency: EIGHTS are attracted to and appreciate power. doing your own thing. They are slow to show their feminine. assertive persons. and not have their needs met. take charge attitude toward the world. hostile. and that they are going to be affronted and taken advantage of. act on their own. love hard. not listened to. and empowering the disenfranchised. and embarrassment. so live it with all the gusto you can. straightforward. They work hard. Adaptive Cognitive Schema: The objective principle that keeps EIGHTS aligned with their real self and with reality is the realization that the laws of the universe are inherently just and that what goes around. Going beyond assertion. energized by a challenge and appreciating a good contest. they find it difficult to move towards or away from others. they can become bullies. They are self confident. They desire to be strong. For fear they are not going to get what is their due. good leaders. Innocence is the disposition of not harming. and fierce. independent. who use their strength and influence to make the world a more just place to live in. they move against others in aggressive intimidating behaviors. they over-identify with the idealized self image of I am powerful. Innocence experiences each moment freshly. in a way that is challenging and up-building while not being punitive or tearing down. sadness. You only go around once in life. EIGHTS can move against others to get what they need and to protect their territory. To compensate for the maladaptive beliefs that they are going to be neglected. They value equity. and to reality. comes around. Adaptive Behavioral Schemas: Forceful actions that follow from a proper understanding of justice and from an attitude of innocence are tempered by a compassionate concern for oneself and others. . EIGHTS experience the passion oflust. play hard. grabbing. etc. To show weakness or inadequacy would give others power over them. Maladaptive Cognitive Schema: When EIGHTS exaggerate their powerful qualities. they find it difficult to express their tender warm emotions or their fragile feelings like fear. tough. Being comfortable with moving against others. They use their power to protect and aggrandize themselves vs building up their community. gentle side. and get things done. EIGHTS can tell the truth. the equal distribution of power. I can do. saith the Lord” vs saith the EIGHT. They can take charge. and show a concern for the underprivileged and disenfranchised. protecting your own is what life is all about. tell it like it is. self-assured. Justice will out and the universe will ultimately be fair. Being your own person. EIGHTS develop a forceful. and uncaring. expressed by the attitude of why would you want to harm anyone and why would anyone want to harm you. they become overly offensive. Maladaptive Emotional Schema: As a consequence of perceiving the world as hard. compassionate. approaching life and expressing love as a childlike response to the current situation without cynical judgments or jaded expectations. kindly. and feeling lustful and intense much of the time. I shall fear no evil. get depressed. they may turn their power against themselves. Assuming an attitude of innocence. for symmetry and by convention.com/enneagram-styles/ Structure The Enneagram’s structure may look complicated. they try to be tougher. Childhood Development: Some EIGHTS may have had caretakers who were aggressive or abusive. In touch with their tender gentle side. They simply deny any presence of what they consider to be weakness. they are compassionate toward themselves and others.enneagramspectrum. The remaining six points are connected in the following order: One connects with Four. They may feel inadequate and unable to influence the situation. Draw a circle and mark nine equidistant points on its circumference. They understood they had to stand up for their own rights and not count on others to do so for them. Non-Resourceful State: When EIGHTS are under stress. they believe that the world is just and that justice will come about without their having to seek vengeance. sensitivity. and so they learned how to fight by imitating them. though I walk through the Valley of Darkness. Eight with Five. beat up on themselves. Mistrusting incompetent authorities. The nine points on the circumference are also connected with each other by the inner lines of the Enneagram. and withdraw. Resourceful State: When EIGHTS are in a resourceful relaxed state. they implode their energy and isolate themselves. etc. Four with Two. They personify the saying: There is nothing stronger than true gentleness and nothing gentler than true strength. Six. and Seven with One. The meaning of these inner lines will be discussed shortly. although it is actually simple. with nine at the top. Designate each point by a number from one to nine. Instead of exploding. EIGHTS felt secure when they were in control. Two with Eight. They trust others and respect their rights as much as they demand respect for their own rights.Defensive Maneuvers: EIGHTS ward off any tender feelings or manifestations of weakness by denial. They debunk and put down any show of sentimentality. http://www. then so be it. Each point represents one of the nine basic personality types. If their influence doesn’t work on others. They learned that the world was a hostile or unjust place and the way to survive was to be tough and make sure you were treated fairly. I am therefore I am powerfully present replaces Yeah. They learned they had to stand up to people. If they had to seek vengeance or get even to maintain the balance of power. such as kindness. etc. The Enneagram . They may exaggerate their independence even more and not let others support or comfort them. These six points form an irregular hexagram. and Nine form an equilateral triangle. for I am the meanest SOB in the valley. more in control. more aggressive. they use their power to build others up and help them vs intimidating or debunking them. considerateness. They may intellectualize instead of sympathize. It will help you understand the Enneagram if you sketch it yourself. Note that points Three. suffering. error. Five with Seven. 5. you will see that just as each has unique capacities. (For more about the developmental patterns of each personality type. Although their identity is still very fluid. While all the personality types have unique assets and liabilities. numbers provide an unbiased. Thus. see the related section in the type descriptions inPersonality Types and in The Wisdom of the Enneagram. but why this is so. Unlike the labels used in psychiatry. You may feel that your type is “handicapped” in some way. although one of them should stand out as being closest to yourself. you may not be happy being a particular type. The numerical ranking of the types is not significant. It also seems to lead to certain unconscious orientations toward our parental figures. 1. The Enneagram uses numbers to designate each of the types because numbers are value neutral— they imply the whole range of attitudes and behaviors of each type without specifying anything either positive or negative. by the time children are four or five years old. shorthand way of indicating a lot about a person without being pejorative. and unhealthy traits that make up your personality type. If some types are more esteemed in Western . at this age children begin to establish themselves and find ways of fitting into the world on their own. As you learn more about all the types. we still do not know. 4. some types are often more desirable than others in any given culture or group. with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. Not everything in the description of your basic type will apply to you all the time because you fluctuate constantly among the healthy. This is your basic personality type. No type is inherently better or worse than any other. In any case. this inborn orientation largely determines the ways in which we learn to adapt to our early childhood environment. each has different limitations. the overall orientation of our personality reflects the totality of all childhood factors (including genetics) that influenced its development. It is common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types. 3. their consciousness has developed sufficiently to have a separate sense of self. This is one area where most all of the major Enneagram authors agree—we are born with a dominant type.Your Basic Personality Type From one point of view. People do not change from one basic personality type to another. since no type is inherently masculine or feminine. Everyone emerges from childhood with one of the nine types dominating their personality. The descriptions of the personality types are universal and apply equally to males and females. Several more points can be made about the basic type itself. There is a discussion of the overall theory in Understanding The Enneagram (67-70). 6. 2. with inborn temperament and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants of our type. Furthermore. Subsequently. for one reason or another. it is not better to be a Nine than a Two because nine is a bigger number. average. the Enneagram can be seen as a set of nine distinct personality types. A larger number is no better than a smaller number. Type Two is generous. self-controlled. The ideal is to become your best self. demonstrative. innovative. Type Six is engaging. dramatic. Keep in mind that these are merely highlights and do not represent the full spectrum of each type. Type Five is perceptive. not to imitate the assets of another type. and temperamental. secretive. will identify your basic personality type for you. anxious. and isolated. responsible. and suspicious.society than others. not because of any superior value of those types. which of the following word clusters would come closest? The Enneagram with Riso-Hudson Type Names These one-word descriptors can be expanded into four-word sets of traits. versatile. and image-conscious. our questionnaire. Type One is principled. and confrontational. excelling. decisive. it is because of the qualities that society rewards. the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). . willful. and scattered. This short section is included so that we can have a basic understanding of the types in our discussion without having to go to the longer descriptions in the next section. to put it differently. driven. Identifying Your Basic Personality Type If taken properly. which of the following nine roles fits you best most of the time? Or. people-pleasing. and possessive. if you were to describe yourself in a few words. Type Eight is self-confident. purposeful. As you think about your personality. and perfectionistic. self-absorbed. acquisitive. Type Seven is spontaneous. Type Three is adaptable. Type Four is expressive. Each type results from a particular relationship with a cluster of issues that characterize that Center. The Centers The Enneagram is a 3 x 3 arrangement of nine personality types in three Centers. it is Fear. complacent. and three in theThinking Center. Likewise. The Centers of the Enneagram The inclusion of each type in its Center is not arbitrary. largely unconscious emotional response to the loss of contact with the core of the self. these issues revolve around a powerful. personality type Four has unique strengths and liabilities involving its feelings. the emotion is Shame. but in each Center.Type Nine is receptive. the Eight’s assets and liabilities involve its relationship to its instinctual drives. and so forth for all nine personality types. and in the Thinking Center. There are three types in the Instinctive Center. Of course. reassuring. the emotion is Anger or Rage. as shown below. For example. the personalities of the types are particularly affected by that Center’s emotional theme. which is why it is in the Instinctive Center. three in the Feeling Center. In the Instinctive Center. In the Feeling Center. all nine types contain all three of these emotions. and resigned. which is why it is in the Feeling Center. Most simply. The Dominant Emotion of each Center . Each Center consists of three personality types that have in common the assets and liabilities of that Center. and personal characteristics are. Fours attempt to control their shame by focusing on how unique and special their particular talents. They would like to direct these energies according to the dictates of their highly developed inner critic (superego). Thus. Fives hope that eventually. They also want to convince themselves that they are good. Nines deny their anger and instinctual energies as if to say. Center by Center. they immediately respond to it in some physical way. they will be able to rejoin the world and participate in it. often feeling threatened by them. Fours highlight their individuality and creativity as a way of dealing with their shameful feelings. moving more forcefully. they involve themselves with increasingly complex inner worlds. Fives become secretive.Thus. In the Instinctive Center. and are potentially the most out of touch with underlying feelings of inadequacy. Nines get angry like everyone else. Twos attempt to control their shame by getting other people to like them and to think of them as good people. loving people by focusing on their positive feelings for others while repressing their negative feelings (such as anger and resentment at not being appreciated enough). feelings. In the Thinking Center. In other words. Threes learn to cope with shame by trying to become what they believe a valuable. Fives have fear about the outer world and about their capacity to cope with it. Instead. Eights act out their anger and instinctual energies. they cope with their fear by withdrawing from the world. We can briefly see what this means by examining each type. “What anger? I am not a person who gets angry. Ones attempt to control or repress their anger and instinctual energy. but try to stay out of their darker feelings by focusing on idealizations of their relationships and their world. although Fours are the type most likely to succumb to feelings of inadequacy. Of course. romantic fantasy life in which they do not have to deal with whatever in their life seems drab or uninteresting to them. . Threes learn to perform well. Thus.” Nines are the type most out of touch with their anger and instinctual energies. to be acceptable. As long as Twos can get positive emotional responses from others. each type has a particular way of coping with the dominant emotion of its Center. In the Feeling Center. Threes try to deny their shame. They feel that they must stay in control of themselves. isolated loners who use their minds to penetrate into the nature of the world. especially of their instinctual impulses and angry feelings at all times. but they never feel they know enough to participate with total confidence. as they understand reality on their own terms. successful person is like. Others can clearly see that Eights are angry because they give themselves permission to express their anger physically. raising their voices. when Eights feel anger building in them. the source of their strictures on themselves and others. Fours also manage their shame by cultivating a rich. even outstanding and are often driven relentlessly in their pursuit of success as a way of staving off feelings of shame and fears of failure. they feel wanted and are able to control feelings of shame. do not stop merely at thinking about these options. loss. pursuing one experience after another. In the vast majority of people. while the so-called second wing always .” and proponents of the socalled two-wing theory believe that both wings operate more or less equally in everyone’s personality. and keeping themselves entertained and engaged with their many ideas and activities. which causes them to be the most out of touch with their own sense of inner knowing and confidence. There is disagreement among the various traditions of the Enneagram about whether individuals have one or two wings. Your basic type dominates your overall personality. Sevens keep their minds occupied with exciting possibilities and options— as long as they have something stimulating to anticipate. elements to your total personality. most people have a dominant wing. while the wing complements it and adds important. if you are a personality type Nine. in most cases. sometimes contradictory. Strictly speaking. Sixes may also respond to their fear and anxiety by impulsively confronting it— defying their fear in the effort to be free of it. everyone has two wings—in the restricted sense that both of the types adjacent to your basic type are operative in your personality since each person possesses the potentials of all nine types. Sevens. Unlike Fives. For example. Thus. But no matter how many security structures they create. To cope with these feelings. however. while others are strongly influenced by their basic type and show little of either wing. They may even begin to doubt the very people and beliefs that they have turned to for reassurance. we have also encountered some individuals who seem to have both wings. Sevens have fear about their inner world. deprivation. and your personality as a whole can best be understood by considering the traits of the Nine as they uniquely blend with the traits of either the One or the Eight. (For example. and general anxiety that Sevens would like to stay clear of as much as possible. this is not what is usually meant by “having two wings.Sixes exhibit the most fear of all three types. Sixes have trouble trusting their own minds. The Wing No one is a pure personality type: everyone is a unique mixture of his or her basic type and usually one of the two types adjacent to it on the circumference of the Enneagram. you will have likely have either a One-wing or an Eight-wing.) Observation of people leads us to conclude that while the two-wing theory applies to some individuals. largely experienced as anxiety. Sevens can be found staying on the go. One of the two types adjacent to your basic type is called your wing. relationships. However. Sixes still feel doubtful and anxious. Your wing is the “second side” of your personality. As much as possible they attempt to actually do as many of their options as they can. they believe that a Nine would have roughly equal amounts of his or her Eight and One wings. In our teaching experience over the years. They might turn to philosophies. savings. Sevens feel that they can distract themselves from their fears. or any combination of the above. beliefs. There are feelings of pain. and it must be taken into consideration to better understand yourself or someone else. authorities. so they are constantly looking outside themselves for something to make them feel sure of themselves. jobs. The Levels account for differences between people of the same type as well as how people change both for better or worse. they are a way of conceptualizing the underlying “skeletal” structure of each type. attitudes. In the course of teaching the Enneagram in workshops and Trainings.” And in individuals who have been pursuing psychological and/or spiritual work. Thus. As pioneering consciousness philosopher Ken Wilber has noted. and has been subsequently developed with Russ Hudson in the last ten years.” since the two terms represent the same concept. That structure is the continuum of behaviors. however. The Levels are an important contribution not only to the Enneagram but to ego psychology — and the personality types of the Enneagram cannot be adequately explained without them.remains operative to some degree. the Enneagram is reduced to a “horizontal” set of nine discrete categories. The Levels of Development provide a framework for seeing how all of the different traits that comprise each type fit into a large whole. We will continue to investigate this idea in our work with our students and colleagues.) It is therefore clearer to refer simply to a type’s “wing” as opposed to its “dominant wing. Even so. and motivations formed by the nine Levels of Development which makes up the personality type itself. the best way to understand the influence of your wing is to read the full descriptions of your type and its wings in Personality Types. with contradictory behaviors and attitudes often part of the picture. We do not know. But by understanding the Levels for each type. Without the Levels. (For example. necessary to identify your basic type before you can assess which wing you have. many people in the latter half of their lives have reported the development of their so-called “second wing. Twos with Three-wings are noticeably different from Twos with One-wings. defenses. By including . The Levels of Development There is an internal structure within each personality type. the dominant wing is far more important. we have seen evidence that this is true. one can see how all of the traits are interrelated—and how healthy traits can deteriorate into average traits and possibly into unhealthy ones. This discovery (and the working out of all the traits that comprise each type) was made by Don Riso in 1977. One other observation about wings is worth mentioning. You can also read the descriptions of the two types adjacent to your basic type and decide which best applies to you. the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator may also indicate your wing. Besides indicating your basic type. It is. of course. and while Twos with Three-wings have a One-wing. the types can seem to be an arbitrary collection of unrelated traits. They are the only Enneagram teachers to include this important factor in their treatment of the Enneagram. whether these students were merely seeing all of the positive potentials of the nine types unfolding in them as they matured—their second wing being one of the other seven types—or whether this was a specific development of the second wing type. they can also help therapists and counselors pinpoint what is actually going on with clients and suggest solutions to the problems they are having. it is not nearly as important as the Three-wing. without the Levels. the Levels. understanding this distinction is crucial. while at other times they are more anxious. the healthiest traits appear first. Healthy Level 1: The Level of Liberation Level 2: The Level of Psychological Capacity Level 3: The Level of Social Value Average Level 4: The Level of Imbalance/ Social Role Level 5: The Level of Interpersonal Control Level 6: The Level of Overcompensation Unhealthy Level 7: The Level of Violation Level 8: The Level of Obsession and Compulsion Level 9: The Level of Pathological Destructiveness . they are shifting within the spectrum of motivations. This is important because. or unhealthy range of functioning. It may help you to think of the continuum of Levels as a photographer’s gray scale which has gradations from pure white to pure black with many shades of gray in between. reactive. In other words. To understand an individual accurately. and defenses that make up their personality type. but goes far in explaining many different. more free. Further. resistant. at the top. average.) The continuum is comprised of nine internal Levels of Development—briefly. emotionally volatile and less free. You have probably noticed that people change constantly—sometimes they are clearer. and emotionally available. a dynamic element is introduced that reflects the changing nature of the personality patterns themselves. for example. The continuum for each of the personality types can be seen in the following diagram. it is necessary to perceive where the person lies along the continuum of Levels of his or her type at a given time. with the Levels. On the continuum. Understanding the Levels makes it clear that when people change states within their personality. important elements within personality. traits. so to speak. As we move down the continuum in a spiral pattern. grounded. two people of the same personality type and wing will differ significantly if one is healthy and the other unhealthy. however. (In relationships and in the business world. and three Levels in the unhealthy section. one must assess whether a person is in their healthy. there are three Levels in the healthy section. three Levels in the average section. a “vertical” dimension is added that not only reflects the complexity of human nature. we progressively pass through each Level of Development marking a distinct shift in the personality’s deterioration to the pure black of psychological breakdown at the bottom. Level 6. click here. Understanding the Enneagram. and anxiety increases. including in our relationships. The more we move down the Levels. One of the most profound ways of understanding the Levels is as a measure of our capacity to be present. significant psychological shifts occur as is indicated by the title we have given to it. If this activity does not satisfy the person. By this Level. andThe Wisdom of the Enneagram. creativity. 45-51.The Continuum of the Levels of Development At each Level. There is therefore the possibility of “not doing” our personality and of gaining some real distance the negative consequences of getting caught in it. where their behavior will become more intrusive and aggressive as they continue to purse their ego-agenda. bringing real peace. As we become more present. we find that we respond as needed to whatever life presents. Directions of Integration (Growth) and Disintegration (Stress) . and other positive qualities to whatever we are doing. the Level of Overcompensation. and the person is increasingly disruptive. the Level of Interpersonal Control. we see our personality traits more objectively and the Levels become a continuous guide to self-observation. regardless of the impact on people around them. see Personality Types. we discover that we are freer and less driven by compulsive. unconscious drives and therefore able to act more effectively in all areas of our lives.) For an expanded example of the Levels for Type 8. 136-66. For example. is simultaneous with being more present and awake in our minds. at Level 5. we become less fixated in the defensive structures of our personality and are more attuned and open to ourselves and our environment. Anxiety is increasing. hearts. we become caught in more compulsive. (For more. and automatic— and we consequently have less and less real freedom and less real consciousness. compassion. 465-93. the movement toward health. As we move down the Levels. the person is trying to manipulate himself and others to get his or her psychological needs met. up the Levels. he or she may deteriorate to the next state. strength. When we are less identified with our personality. As we become more present. a map that we can use to chart where we are in our psycho-spiritual development at any given time. 421-6. and bodies. We see our personality objectively in action rather than “falling asleep” to our automatic personality patterns. reactive. joy. actualizing the positive potentials in all nine types. destructive actions which are ultimately self-defeating. Our personality becomes more defensive. By contrast. the more identified we are with our ego and its increasingly negative and restrictive patterns. As we move “up” the Levels. and focused on getting his needs met. This invariably creates interpersonal conflicts. the person has also fully identified with the ego and does not see himself as anything more than that: the ego must therefore be increasingly defended and inflated for the person to feel safe and to keep their identity in tact. ) Likewise. 47-52. In other words. (You can remember this sequence if you think of the numerical values diminishing as the types become more stressed and reactive. 413-8. Further. and a stressed out Three will act out like a Nine. This is called the Direction of Integration or Growth. as indicated by the lines of the Enneagram from your basic type. different situations will evoke different kinds of responses from your personality. see Personality Types. The inner lines of the Enneagram connect the types in a sequence that denotes what each type will do under different conditions. Again. This second line is called the Direction of Stress or Disintegration. The Direction of Disintegration 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 9-6-3-9 . an Eight will act out under stress like a Five.As we have seen with the Levels of Development. a Five will act out like a Seven. an average to unhealthy Four will act out their stress like an average to unhealthy Two. the sequence is 96-3-9: a stressed out Nine will act out like a Six. and a Seven will act out like a One. the sequence of the types and the arrangement of the inner lines of the symbol are not arbitrary. You will respond or adapt in different directions. For a longer explanation and examples. (An easy way to remember the sequence is to realize that 1-4 or 14 doubles to 28. on the equilateral triangle.) You can see how this works by following the direction of the arrows on the following Enneagram. One line connects with a type that represents how a person of the first type behaves when they are moving toward health and growth. The Direction of Stress or Disintegration for each type is indicated by the sequence of numbers 1-4-28-5-7-1. a stressed out Six will act out like a Three. This means that an average to unhealthy One under stress will eventually behave like an average to unhealthy Four. There are two lines connected to each type. Thus. 1-4-2-8-5-7 —and the sequence returns to 1 and begins again. we see the flexibility and dynamism of the Enneagram. an average to unhealthy Two will act out under stress like an Eight. the nine personality types of the Enneagram are not static categories: they reflect our change over time. and that doubles to 57—or almost so. and they connect with two other types. The other line goes to another type that represents how the person is likely to act out if they are under increased stress and pressure—when they feel they are not in control of the situation. You can see how this works by following the direction of the arrows on the following Enneagram. the sequence is 9-3-6-9: an integrating Nine will go to Three. the sequence for the Direction of Integration is 1-7-5-8-2-4-1: an integrating One goes to Seven.The Direction of Integration or Growth is indicated for each type by the reverse of the sequences for disintegration. an integrating Three will go to Six. Both directions can be shown on one Enneagram by eliminating the arrows and connecting the proper points with plain lines. an integrating Eight goes to Two. an integrating Seven goes to Five. an integrating Two goes to Four. and an integrating Six will go to Nine. Thus. On the equilateral triangle. an integrating Five goes to Eight. Each type moves toward integration in a direction that is the opposite of its unhealthy direction. The Direction of Integration 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 9-3-6-9 . The Direction of Integration 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 9-3-6-9 It is not necessary to have separate Enneagrams for the Direction of Integration and the Direction of Disintegration. and an integrating Four goes to One. Ultimately. and the least developed on the bottom). integrating what each type symbolizes and acquiring the healthy potentials of all the types. The Three Instincts The three Instincts (often erroneously called “the subtypes”) are a third set of distinctions that are extremely important for understanding personality. and least developed—produces what we call our “Instinctual Stack” (like a threelayer cake) with your dominant Instinct on top. you must take into consideration the basic type and wing as well as the two types in the Directions of Integration and Disintegration. while every human being has all three of these instincts operating in him or her. The ideal is to become a balanced. The factors represented by those four types blend into your total personality and provide the framework for understanding the influences operating in you. While we have all three Instincts in us. and a social instinct (for getting along with others and forming secure social bonds). the goal is for each of us to “move around” the Enneagram. as well as a third Instinct that is the least developed—a real blind spot in our personality and our values. We each have a self-preservation instinct (for preserving the body and its life and functioning). one of them is the dominant focus of our attention and behavior— the set of attitudes and values that we are most attracted to and comfortable with. and at the same time. Which Instinct is in each of these three places—most. We each are endowed with specific instinctual intelligences that are necessary for our survival as individuals and as a species. Thus. We each also have a second Instinct that is used to support the dominant Instinct. the next most developed Instinct in the middle. the types in both your Direction of Integration and your Direction of Stress or Disintegration are important influences. A Two has either a One-wing or a Three-wing. no one is simply a personality type Two. The personality type we begin life with is therefore less important ultimately than how well (or badly) we use our type as the beginning point for our self-development and self-realization. To obtain a complete picture of yourself (or of someone else). “virtue”) of each as needed. our personalities largely determine how each person prioritizes these instinctual needs. For example. Each of the types of the Enneagram symbolizes different important aspects of what we need to achieve this end. middle. a sexual instinct (for extending ourselves in the environment and through the generations). These instinctual drives profoundly influence our personalities. our personality causes us to be more concerned with . and the Two’s Direction of Disintegration (Eight) and its Direction of Integration (Four) also play important parts in his or her overall personality. A major aspect of human nature lies in our instinctual “hard wiring” as biological beings. fully functioning person who can draw on the power (or from the Latin.The Direction of Stress 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 9-6-3-9 No matter which personality type you are. those primarily focused on selfpreservation. shopping.one of these instincts than the other two. We call this instinct our dominant instinct. Identification with the body is a fundamental focus for all humans. but if they feel that their self-preservation needs are not being met. serious. and we need our body to function well in order to be alive and active in the world. energy. In a word. the Instinctual Variants Questionnaire (IVQ). these people are “nesters”—they seek domestic tranquility and security with a stable. Combining our Enneagram type with our dominant instinct yields a much more specific portrait of the workings of our personality. so this does not distinguish them. When we apply the distinctions of these three instincts to the nine Enneagram types they create 27 unique combinations of type and dominant instinct that account for differences and variability within the types. Self-Preservation types tend to be concerned with food. and physical comfort. decorating. The Enneagram Institute offers an online test. for helping people determine not only their dominant instinct. The following are brief descriptions of the three instincts: Self Preservation Instinct People who have this as their dominant instinct are preoccupied with the safety. still tend not to be happy or at ease. health. and the like. temperature. money. and well-being of the physical body. Most people in contemporary cultures are not faced life or death “survival” in the strictest sense. Further. Moreover. In their primary relationships. but also their Instinctual Stack. medical matters.” But all three instinctual types are interested in one-on-one relationships for different reasons. The IVQ also provides a detailed personality profile derived from the combination of the test taker’s Enneagram type. and introverted than the other two instinctual types. . are usually interested in maintaining these resources for others as well. Self-Pres types tend to be more grounded. they are concerned with having enough resources to meet life’s demands. Their focus of attention naturally goes towards things related to these areas such as clothes. practical. and Instinctual Stack. housing. comfort. Sexual (aka “Attraction”) Instinct Many people originally identify themselves as this type because they have learned that the Sexual types are interested in “one-on-one relationships. our Enneagram type flavors the way in which we approach our dominant instinctual need. We call these combinations the Instinctual Variants. particularly if they are not satisfied in these areas or have a feeling of deficiency due to their childhoods. thus. The key element in Sexual types is an intense drive for stimulation and a constant awareness of the “chemistry” between themselves and others. wing. This tends to be our first priority—the area of life we attend to first. by extension. But when we are more caught up in the defenses of our personality—further down the Levels of Development— our personality most interferes with our dominant instinct. They might have active social lives and a satisfying intimate relationship. reliable partner. seeing both as potentially limiting. Moreover. . and emotionally intense than the Self-Pres or Social types. They tend to be warmer. you may be curious about the personality types of others. By studying the descriptions in Personality Types. Typing Yourself and Others Once you have taken the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator to discover your dominant type. Social types adapt themselves to serve the needs of the social situation they find themselves in. Thus. and socially responsible than the other two types.” Nonetheless. Sexual types seek intimacy. Social types seek personal connection: they want to stay in long-term contact with people and to be involved in their world. and The Wisdom of the Enneagram. we might be aware that we feel stimulated in certain people’s company and less so in others. They are also aware of how their actions and attitudes are affecting those around them. while the basis of this instinct is related to sexuality. wanting their intimates to get involved in projects and events with them. Since you will usually not be able to administer the RHETI or IVQ to business associates or to strangers. and can become disenchanted with partners who are unable to meet their need for intense energetic union. Sexual types need to have intense energetic charge in their primary relationships or else they remain unsatisfied. Understanding the Enneagram.Sexual types are immediately aware of the attraction. and perhaps also the Instinctual Variants Questionnaire to further refine your understanding of the Enneagram types. There are many people that we are excited to be around for reasons of personal chemistry that we have no intention of “getting involved with. or lack thereof. charged. meetings. If Self-Preservation types are interested in adjusting the environment to make themselves more secure and comfortable. many people fail to recognize themselves as Social types because they get the (false) idea that this means always being involved in groups. Social (aka “Adaptive”) Instinct Just as many people tend to misidentify themselves as Sexual types because they want one-on-one relationships. Social types lose their sense of identity and meaning when they are not involved with others in activities that transcend their individual interests. whether they are in intimate situations or in groups. or even broader domains. and parties. more open. Paradoxically. they actually tend to avoid long periods of exclusive intimacy and quiet solitude. between themselves and other people. you will. In their primary relationships. Losing yourself in a “fusion” of being is the ideal here. engaging. Further. and tend to be more aggressive. and Sexual types are always looking for this state with others and with stimulating objects in their world. They are the most “energized” of the three instinctual types. They enjoy being intensely involved—even merged—with others. Social types are highly aware of other people. they seek partners with whom they can share social activities. The sexual type is constantly moving toward that sense of intense stimulation and juicy energy in their relationships and in their activities. it is not necessarily about people engaging in the sexual act. Social types are the most concerned with doing things that will have some impact on their community. competitive. you might wonder how you can become more skilled at discovering which type someone else is. enneagraminstitute. you might keep several points in mind. Many elements must come together before you can be sure that you have typed someone accurately. including ourselves.com/how-the-enneagram-systemworks/#sthash. we are always on thinner ice than when we use the Enneagram to deepen our own self-knowledge. No one approaches others without some sort of mental categories. Although the Enneagram is probably the most open-ended and dynamic of typologies. Thus. while there can be no simple explanations for persons. however. You may be able to figure out the types of a few close friends rather quickly. We automatically perceive people either as male or female. This is a subtle undertaking because there are many subtypes and quirks to each personality type. and so forth. it is unrealistic to think that anything as interesting (or as insightful) as the Enneagram will not be used for better understanding others. of course. The Enneagram is useful because it indicates with startling clarity certain constellations of meaning about something that is essentially beyond definition: the mystery that we are. In the last analysis. we categorize people all the time. and especially its underlying motivations— before you can determine someone’s type reliably. It is necessary to see each type as a whole— its overall style. there is really no secret about typing people. . In fact.dpuf . attractive or unattractive.See more at: https://www. Different types can sometimes seem similar. You must learn which traits go with each type and observe how people manifest those traits. Moreover. Either state is normal. As you do so. some healthy and some unhealthy.” Despite the subtleties and complexities involved. Individuals are understandable only up to a certain point beyond which they remain mysterious and unpredictable. become more adept at typing people.BQMSSl11. Nevertheless. more appropriate to apply this material to ourselves than to type others while we avoid looking at our own lives. it is still possible to say something true about them. when we diagnose others. It takes practice to learn to identify the various “symptoms” of each type and to see larger “syndromes. this does not imply that the Enneagram can say all there is to say about human beings. approach to life. Remember that you are like a beginning medical student who is learning to diagnose a wide variety of conditions. It is. It is not always apparent which type someone is. It is not only honest to be aware of this. the Enneagram helps us to do that—and only that. it is useful to have more accurate and appropriate categories for everyone. and it takes time and study to sharpen your skills. particularly if their motivations are not taken into account. black or white.in time. friend or enemy. This is why it is not sufficient to focus on a single trait in isolation and make a diagnosis based on it alone. or you may find it difficult to categorize people and not know where to begin. good or bad.
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