Knowing Enneagram Types can help you understand more about your motives, as well as how you react and interact with others. Knowing what personality type you are according to the widely accepted Enneagram theory is not only fascinating, but it can also give you insight into the reasoning behind your actions.
Determining your Enneagram type is the first step, but it’s also crucial to understanding the options. If you still don’t know anything about Enneagram Types or want to learn about Enneagram Types, the following article will be very helpful for you.
Contents
What Are Enneagram Types?
The Enneagram Types employs many personality types to aid individuals in developing a better understanding of who they are and what drives them. The Enneagram system’s precise beginnings are a little hazy, although scholars have noted that Oscar Ichazo, a South American philosopher, is where it all began in the middle of the 20th century.
The system is described as “a personality theory detailing nine mechanisms through which the psyche creates a worldview and relates to self and others ” in research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers highlight that the theory “proposes that by maturity, people have formed a major personality approach to cope with the external environment” and that psychiatrists have been using the system since the 1970s.
Everyone can identify with one of the nine personality types in the Enneagram system, which Ian Morgan Cron, a psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, bestselling author of The Road Back to You, and host of a podcast, describes as something “we gravitate toward and adopt in childhood as a way to cope, protect ourselves, and navigate the new world of relationships in which we find ourselves.”
According to Cron, each type has “a basic motive” that affects how a person behaves, thinks, and feels every day. According to him, “The Enneagram offers a framework for how we might start living into the highest manifestation of ourselves.” It’s a strong method for personal development and a fantastic tool for changing our connections in all aspects of life.
Enneagrams show conflicting evidence of validity and reliability, according to an assessment of 104 independent studies. Having said that, the review also mentioned that certain research has indicated that the Enneagram can be beneficial for both personal and spiritual development.
To sum up, the term “Enneagram” refers to a system of nine kinds or styles, each of which stands for a certain worldview and archetype that corresponds to the way individuals perceive the outside world, other people, and themselves. As it probes deeper into the fundamental motives, coping strategies, and phobias that frequently hide in the unconscious levels of our personality structure, it is much more than a personality profile that provides insight into key personality features. From your Enneagram core type, we can understand individuation, integration, and growth. Resonance, identity, lens, viewpoint, and style are other terms that can be used to convey the concept of “type.”
Let’s Discover 9 Enneagram Types
Understanding your Enneagram type may reveal a lot about your worldview and underlying demands, some of which you might not even be aware of. As a result of the vast differences in the languages that various types speak, there are countless ways in which we might have communication breakdowns without even recognizing it. The Enneagram types are made to fill up these comprehension chasms.
Self-awareness is one of the most crucial aspects of life; by realizing the viewpoints we bring with us, our strongest assets and weaknesses, we can navigate life with more clarity and assurance. The Enneagram types can assist us in creating a shorthand for demands and emotions we have experienced all of our lives.
If you’re unsure about your Enneagram type, you may find out by taking the exam here. Then, read on to learn more about the main characteristics of each type. You may begin to notice that certain kinds resemble recognized faces or persons you know. We can all recognize ourselves and other people in these underlying desires and anxieties, which is why the Enneagram types are such a useful tool.
Type 1: Perfectionist
You can be Type One if you’ve spent more than five hours in your life tweaking something to make it perfect. More than any other type, others think that there is one proper method for performing every action, and they have a distinct idea of what that proper way should include. A person may struggle to keep their ideas to themselves when they observe someone acting in a way that is different from them, which can give them a reputation for being rigid and authoritarian. However, this tendency is often rooted in a sincere desire to be helpful and get the job done.
People of this type put a lot of pressure on others, but that stress is less than the pressure they put on themselves. If you’re going to do anything, do it correctly, as this personality type also tends to be a perfectionist and workaholic. On the plus side, they approach everything, including goals and relationships, as if it’s their duty to make sure that their loved ones are well taken care of.
People want more than anything to feel like they’ve done a good job, and sometimes they need a gentle reminder that even if they fail or don’t get an A, the world isn’t over. Even if their black-and-white thinking sometimes confuses other types, they are ultimately just trying to improve (and organize!) the world.
- Strengths: Dedicated to helping others and being the best version of themselves.
- Cons: Extremely important, especially your own, tend to perceive everything as black or white.
- Basic obsession: Becoming a failure or not going according to plan.
- Basic aspiration: Moral uprightness or honesty.
Type 2: The Assistant
Type Two, also known as Helpers, are the most relationship-focused members of the Enneagram types. The ability to sense the emotional needs of others is almost a miracle for The Helper, who are actively looking for opportunities to help others. They can put the wants of others before their own to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This type can be extremely unselfish. Many Twos behave this way because they believe that if they switch roles, their loved ones will treat them the same way. If this expectation is unfounded, Two is often injured. Making this need to reciprocate obvious to others rather than hiding their vulnerability is one of Two’s toughest challenges.
Many Type Twos behave this way because they secretly worry that unless they actively respond to the needs of others and constantly make room for themselves in the lives of loved ones, they won’t belong. . The most important lesson for Two is that they will be loved no matter what they accomplish to deserve. Overall, The Helper is one of the most dedicated and caring personality types and is adamant that relationships are the most important aspect of life.
- Strengths: Service-oriented, welcoming, generous, and caring towards others.
- Weaknesses: Too focused on other people’s needs that they don’t see their own, sometimes assuming a superior understanding of the needs of others.
- Basic phobia: Not being able to love or being a fear.
- Basic aspiration: To be loved.
Type 3: The Achiever
The social chameleons of the Enneagram types, the Type Threes can instinctively read the room and adjust their behavior accordingly. The need to appear successful is a primary need of the Three, and they will go to great lengths to become whatever “successful” means to everyone around them. Many Threes can be found at the top levels of organizations and in positions of power. They are charismatic, goal-oriented leaders. The majority of the Threes are steadfastly dedicated to the path of self-improvement and advancement, constantly striving for growth and inspiring others to do the same.
Because they spend so much time building themselves up for others, Three may have trouble realizing who they really are. The Threes often overlook the importance of just being seen in a particular way that is so important to them
- Strengths: Productive and image-conscious; adaptable and able to excel in practically any setting.
- Cons: Believes that who they are is less important than what they can do and achieve.
- Basic phobia: Fear of being unimportant or useless; disappointing other people.
- Basic aspiration: To be respected and loved.
Type 4: The Individualist
The Fours are motivated by a desire to support and assert their differences. They constantly feel the need to express themselves, whether it’s the way they dress, the people they associate with, their hobbies, or the way they organize their homes. The Fours are committed to doing things their own way and hate anything that might affect their individuality.
The Fours are famous as paternalists, but in reality, they feel things passionately. They navigate life with incredible depth and intensity. They are often very creative and never hesitate to engage with others on a deeper level. The Fours excel at showing the vulnerability and reflection of others, but they struggle with realism. Something about the desk job or sitting down to pay the bill doesn’t appeal to them as much as a late-night impromptu conversation with a stranger or a new book idea.
- Strengths: Creative, responsive, introspective, original, understanding, and empathetic.
- Cons: Tends to be jealous and irritable, desire is always seen and understood.
- Basic phobia: Loss of one’s identity or importance.
- Basic aspiration: Become important because of their experience.
Type 5: The Investigator
Type Fives, the most reclusive of the Enneagram Types, crave independence. The Fives spend their time methodically accumulating whatever they need to survive, whether it’s energy, materials, or information. Fives are often quite solitary, need a lot of alone time to recharge, and prefer their inner world to the outside world.
Fives are very concerned with protecting themselves, and they often put up barriers to prevent others from identifying their weaknesses or things that take away their vitality. It may take some time to get to know Five, but the effort is well worth it. Fives are constantly learning new things to help them understand the world, so they always have something interesting to discuss. Fives can be quite savvy about anything that grabs their attention; learning and accepting the world around them is how they want to live.
Fives always want to spend time for themselves more than anything else. To their friends and family, this may seem like a rejection, but it is almost never personal; they just keep a close eye on their energy levels.
- Strengths: Knowledgeable, inquisitive, perceptive, and analytical.
- Cons: Having trouble connecting with their emotions, really cold and likes to be a loner.
- Basic phobia: Fear of being worthless, helpless, or incompetent.
- Basic aspiration: To be competent and capable.
Type 6: The Loyalist
The Sixes type has the strongest need for safety and the most definite security of all the Enneagram Types. Sixes tend to be troubled by anxiety because they are gifted with seeing danger or failure coming from afar. If they are not constantly alert to external threats, it will be difficult for them to believe that everything will be okay. Other Enneagram Types may find this unnecessary and draining, although it does offer certain benefits. Sixes are said to make up 50% of the population and it is said that they are what sustain all other species.
Sixes tend to fully trust power or rebel against it, which makes their relationship with it fascinating. They find the idea of rules so soothing, and if they don’t like the rules already in place, they’ll make amends and follow them.
As its nickname suggests, Sixes places a high value on commitment and devotion. Earning Six’s trust can take time, but once you do, you’ll have a lifelong advocate.
- Strengths: Always prepared, funny, realistic, and great in a crisis.
- Cons: Can be anxious and prone to self-doubt.
- Basic phobia: Especially defenselessness and abandonment.
- Basic aspiration: To be safe and supported.
Type 7: The Enthusiasts
Seven wishes to be free and happy more than anything else. The term “never a boring moment” perfectly describes people who go to work because they are constantly on the lookout for new activities and adventures. They have an unbridled passion for the present and boundless excitement for life, and they are never happier when they can act on their impulses as they arise. However, getting people to stay around during less enjoyable times is more difficult. It can be difficult to deal with anything unpleasant or dull because their positive outlook tends to deliberately reject negative emotions, poor interactions, and conflict.
For this type, commitment may be challenging. Sevens naturally like to leave their options open in case something better presents itself, which can be irritating for anybody attempting to make firm arrangements with them. Sevens typically leave a trail of unfinished tasks in their wake; they are undoubtedly more concerned with the process than the final product.
- Strengths: An adventurous person who enjoys trying new things and organizing entertaining events.
- Cons: Has trouble setting boundaries and tends to push oneself too, has trouble doing enjoyable activities to distract themselves from discomfort within.
- Basic phobia: Imprisoned or suffering.
- Basic desire: To be content and happy.
Type 8: The Challenger
Protector is another name for the Type Eights, and it’s a fitting nickname. The conflict is not at all difficult for eight people, who may even purposely seek it out for entertainment. Eights like to engage in heated discussions and disagreements with others because it is a kind of game for them and has no negative consequences. This rough and messy style may be challenging for more conceivably conflict-averse personalities, but it turns out that the Eights have some strong skin of their own. Type Eights have strong guts and often act without thinking ahead. Chances are they’ll start shooting and figure out better elements later, if at all.
Eights often feel the need to show strength to the outside world, finding it difficult to appear vulnerable or show weakness. When they make a mistake, they may find it difficult to apologize because it conflicts with their self-image. Regardless of nuance, the Eights tend to bully their more reserved colleagues, but on the other hand, they can take direct criticism better than others.
Winners often make good use of their strong personalities and are in a special position to be invincible against the weaker ones. A person of this type has a strong sense of justice and enjoys nothing more than standing up on behalf of the oppressed against bullies and oppressors.
- Strengths: Very assertive, outspoken, protective, and commanding.
- Cons: Confrontational, constantly wanting to be in charge, and always having their way.
- Basic phobia: Fear of being damaged or under the power of others.
- Basic aspiration: To control oneself and to protect others.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Nines, peacekeepers of the Enneagram types, are most attracted to inner and outer harmony. Nines are incredibly good at making connections with others, emphasizing or downplaying different aspects of their personality depending on who they’re talking to. As a result, Nines are usually quite approachable and easy to talk to. Because of the deeply warm atmosphere and support they radiate, it is often said of the Nines that they can sometimes feel more like settings than individuals.
This has a price; Sometimes the Nines are so focused on keeping peace with others that they lose sight of their own needs, wants, and personalities. Nines can quickly lose themselves and apply whatever shape is most convenient for others if they lack focus.
Also, because they have trouble setting boundaries and are inherently empathetic, 9-year-olds can become exhausted with those who need their help. Nines often try to avoid conflict, even if it means giving in to someone. The most beneficial thing a friend of Nine can do is to actively ask how they are feeling and encourage them to voice their wishes as Nines is so good at hiding their requests that Others may not even know they are causing damage.
- Strengths: Positive, relaxed, and agreeable.
- Cons: Can become too comfortable and throw a tantrum when things are kept on hold for too long.
- Basic phobia: Being cut off, alone, or lost.
- Basic aspiration: To live in a peaceful and stable world, both internally and externally.
The Three Enneagram Types Triads
According to Gregory, there are several classifications that can be used to describe how similar Enneagram types are. Enneagram’s triads – body or intestines, heart, and head – are among the most popular or best known, according to her.
Body Or Gut Triad
Types 8, 9, and 1 make up this trio. Their traits are all associated with action and rage. Because this trio relies on their bodies to understand and solve problems by acting on and listening to the impulses in their gut, Gregory calls it the “instinct” triad.
Heart Triad
These three types – Types 2, 3, and 4 are all linked to emotions and shame. According to Gregory, “they are worried about their self-image and want to develop a version of themselves that is liked and accepted.” These people, according to Cron, might be highly emotional and always react by feeling something.
Head Triad
Types 5, 6, and 7 which are all linked to thinking and worry, make up this triangle. According to Gregory, who adds that these people are strategic and require assistance calming their brains, they may overthink in an effort to find stability and direction. These people, according to Cron, are continually overthinking and have a propensity for repression.
Conclusion
There are many ways to discover your personality. Identifying Enneagram Types is the most effective and popular way because you can do a self-assessment to determine which Enneagram Types you belong to. Besides, you can also determine your personality by studying cheek group, and zodiac, and currently very popular is determined through Intuition. Learning about yourself helps you a lot in developing your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses, and how to overcome your barriers. We hope that the information we provide in this article can help you better understand Enneagram Types.