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Enneagram Institute
The
Enneagram is a uniquely powerful personality profile
assessment tool that is subtle and complex. It is
the first time, the landscape of human personality has
been completely mapped out-from the high-functioning
states of ego transcendence to the depths of pathology.
Some
describe the Enneagram as "a map of the soul,"
laying out the path each person can take from the outer
layers of the personality to the inner core of their
True Nature. It can be used to develop presence and
awareness, without which, meaningful spiritual development
is not possible.
The
Types
The Enneagram's structure may look complicated, although
it is actually simple. The meaning of the inner lines
will be discussed shortly. The nine types are summarised
as:
1 THE REFORMER
is principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.
A
perfectionist, driven to do the "right"
thing. Often critical of self as well as others, with
stronglydeveloped sense of responsibility. Prone to
repressed anger.
2 THE HELPER
is demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.
A
helper, needing to be needed. Will go the extra mile
to please others at the cost of taking care of self.
Gives and is proud of it, but strings are often attached.
3
THE ACHIEVER
is adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.
An
achiever, efficient, goal-driven and focused on being
a "winner." Concern with appearances-style
over substance-can crowd out friends, family and self-awareness.
4
THE INDIVIDUALIST
is expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
An
individualist, craving self-expression and emotional
depth. Sensitive to beauty and meaning, but prone
to melancholy, feelings of inadequacy, and envy.
5
THE INVESTIGATOR
is perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.
An
observer, perceptive and capable of synthesizing information
in new ways. Protective of privacy and personal resources
and prone to emotional detachment.
6
THE LOYALIST
is engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.
A
team-player-or a rebel-vigilant for threats from the
environment. Loyal and engaging, but full of contradictions
which create self-doubt and indecisiveness.
7
THE ENTHUSIAST
is spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.
An
enthusiast with a perpetual surplus of plans and ideas,
eager for experiences and/or material goods. Habitual
optimism may cover a fear of boredom and pain.
8
THE CHALLENGER
is self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
A
leader, driven to control self and environment, capable
of both domination and protectiveness. Vulnerabilities
and a tender heart are hidden beneath a tough exterior.
9
THE PEACEMAKER
is receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.
A
peacemaker, good at seeing all points of view and
easily distracted from personal needs and priorities.
Avoids direct confrontation but can be passive and
immovable.
More
about types . . . . ?
The
Triads
The
Enneagram is a 3 x 3 arrangement of nine personality
types in three Triads. There are three types in the
Instinctive Triad, three in the Feeling Triad, and
three in the Thinking Triad, as shown below. Each
Triad consists of three personality types that have
in common the assets and liabilities of that Triad.
For example, personality type Four has unique strengths
and liabilities involving its feelings, which is why
it is in the Feeling Triad. Likewise, the Eight's
assets and liabilities involve its relationship to
its instinctual drives, which is why it is in the
Instinctive Triad, and so forth for all nine personality
types.
The
inclusion of each type in its Triad is not arbitrary.
Each type results from a particular relationship with
a cluster of issues that characterise that Triad.
Most simply, these issues revolve around a powerful,
largely unconscious emotional response to the loss
of contact with the core of the self. In the Instinctive
Triad, the emotion is Anger or Rage. In the Feeling
Triad, the emotion is Shame, and in the Thinking Triad,
it is Anxiety or Dread. Of course, all nine types
contain all three of these emotions, but in each Triad,
the personalities of the types are particularly affected
by that Triad's emotional theme.
Thus,
each type has a particular way of coping with the
dominant emotion of its Triad. We can briefly see
what this means by examining each type, Triad by Triad.
In the Instinctive Triad, Eights act out their anger
and instinctual energies. In other words, when Eights
feel anger building in them, they immediately respond
to it in some physical way, raising their voices,
moving more forcefully. Others can clearly see that
Eights are angry because they give themselves permission
to express their anger physically.
For
example, Nines deny their anger and instinctual energies
as if to say, "What anger? I am not a person
who gets angry." Nines are the type most out
of touch with their anger and instinctual energies,
often feeling threatened by them. Of course, Nines
get angry like everyone else, but try to stay out
of their darker feelings by focusing on idealizations
of their relationships and their world.
Your
Basic Personality Type
From one point of view, the Enneagram can be seen
as a set of nine distinct personality types, with
each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. It
is common to find a little of yourself in all nine
of the types, although one of them should stand out
as being closest to yourself. This is your basic personality
type.
Everyone
emerges from childhood with one of the nine types
dominating their personality, with inborn temperament
and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants
of our type. This is one area where most all of the
major Enneagram authors agree—we are born with
a dominant type. Subsequently, this inborn orientation
largely determines the ways in which we learn to adapt
to our early childhood environment. It also seems
to lead to certain unconscious orientations toward
our parental figures, but why this is so, we still
do not know. In any case, by the time children are
four or five years old, their consciousness has developed
sufficiently to have a separate sense of self. Although
their identity is still very fluid, at this age children
begin to establish themselves and find ways of fitting
into the world on their own.
Thus,
the overall orientation of our personality reflects
the totality of all childhood factors (including genetics)
that influenced its development.
More
on Enneagram Types
Type
One
The Reformer
The principled, idealistic type. Ones are conscientious
and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong.
They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change:
always striving to improve things, but afraid of making
a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious,
they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into
being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have
problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best:
wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally
heroic.
Type
Two
The Helper
The caring, interpersonal type. Twos are empathetic,
sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous,
and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering,
and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven
to be close to others, but can slip into doing things
for others in order to be needed. They typically have
problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging
their own needs. At their Best: unselfish and altruistic,
they have unconditional love for others.
Type
Three
The Achiever
The adaptable, success-oriented type. Threes are self-assured,
attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and
energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly
driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised,
but can also be overly concerned with their image and
what others think of them. They typically have problems
with workaholism and competitiveness. At their Best::
self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role
models who inspire others.
Type
Four
The Individualist
The introspective, romantic type. Fours are self-aware,
sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest,
creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious.
Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable
and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt
from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems
with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity. At
their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able
to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
Type
Five
The Investigator
The perceptive, cerebral type. Fives are alert, insightful,
and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus
on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent,
innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied
with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become
detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically
have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation.
At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their
time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way.
Type
Six
The Loyalist
The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable,
hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent
"troubleshooters," they foresee problems and
foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive,
and anxious—running on stress while complaining
about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also
reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have
problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best:
internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing
themselves and others.
Type
Seven
The Enthusiast
The busy, productive type. Sevens are extroverted, optimistic,
versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited,
and practical, they can also misapply their many talents,
becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined.
They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but
can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the
go. They typically have problems with impatience and
impulsiveness. At their Best: they focus their talents
on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous,
and satisfied.
Type
Eight
The Challenger
The powerful, aggressive type. Eights are self-confident,
strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking,
and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering.
Eights feel they must control their environment, especially
people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating.
Eights typically have problems with their tempers and
with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their
Best: self-mastering, they use their strength to improve
others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.
Type
Nine
The Peacemaker
The easy-going, self-effacing type. Nines are accepting,
trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic,
and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along
with others to keep the peace. They want everything
to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can
also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and
minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems
with inertia and stubbornness. At their Best: indomitable
and all-embracing, they are able to bring people together
and heal conflicts.
What Next?
Now that you have a basic idea of the Enneagram personality
typing system, and an idea of what your Enneagram type
may be, we recommend that you go on to take the full Riso-Hudson
Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). This scientifically
validated test is much more accurate in determining your
Enneagram type than the short test you have just taken,
and it also provides you with a complete description of
your Enneagram type, as well as complete descriptions
of the other types. You can see how much more extensive
these complete descriptions are by comparing this sample
description to the brief type descriptions provided with
the free Enneagram test.
If
you feel confident that you know what your Enneagram
type is, we recommend that you explore the Instinctual
Variants of the Enneagram types. Our Instinctual Variants
Questionnaire (IVQ) is the world's first and most complete
online test for this aspect of the Enneagram personality
system. The Instinctual Variants explain a great deal
of the differences within each Enneagram type and provide
important insights into relationship compatibility.
More
. . . . ?
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