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Enneagram Type Determination Test

What is the Enneagram and what is its purpose?

The Enneagram (pronounced “any-a-gram”) is an extremely powerful psychological/personality system unlike any other.  The Enneagram simply reveals the self-inhibiting, unconscious pattern of the mind by which we organize and give meaning to all of our experiences.  If we could understand and learn to relax the self-inhibiting core pattern around which we interpret our life, we could make faster progress in our psychological and spiritual growth and thus lead a life of greater inner peace and happiness.  This unconscious pattern of the mind can be investigated by understanding our Enneagram type.  The Enneagram identifies nine distinctly different personality types, none better or worse than any other, yet each radically different in the way they view the world.  While each of us will identify with certain behaviors from each Enneagram type, everyone has only one type that subconsciously motivates his/her behavior throughout his/her entire life.  For identification purposes, each type is arbitrarily given a number from 1 – 9 (type #1, type #2, etc.).

The basic premise of the Enneagram is that each of us developed one of nine perceptual filters (Enneagram types) in infancy to protect a specific aspect of our Essential Nature (higher, or divine, self) which felt particularly vulnerable or threatened.  Depending upon the temperament of the infant and its relationship to the environment, it became so focused on protecting one of the nine specific aspects of our Essential Nature that an imbalanced, habitual focus of attention was developed.  This one habitual focus of attention (different for each type) is so deeply ingrained in our personality that we are not even consciously aware of it.  By the time we are adults it is an automatic, biased perspective.  Unfortunately, this unconscious, imbalanced focus of attention creates problems for us as we try to live a healthy, balanced life.  Fortunately, this test is designed to help you determine your habitual focus of attention and then you can consciously work on correcting the imbalance if you so choose.

The real purpose of the Enneagram is to help us grow and develop spiritually, ultimately leading to Self-realization through self-inquiry, but even a cursory understanding of the system will help you understand yourself and other people better.  So, whether you are a beginner or experienced self-explorer, the Enneagram has something to offer you!

Test Directions:  

Each Enneagram type is subconsciously motivated differently from every other type in very specific ways.  However, sometimes it is hard to tell your type because two different types can behave similarly even though the motivation behind that behavior is very different.  So, there are 4 parts to this test to make your Enneagram type determination more conclusive.  Once you think you know your Enneagram type you can go directly to the detailed description of your type.  If the detailed description doesn’t resonate with you, you can always come back and complete this test more fully.

Part I is composed of short sentences to help you identify which Enneagram type you might be fairly quickly.  Write down or remember those types you think you might be and go on to Part II.  In Part II you will read about each type at their best and at their worst.  Read about the type(s) you picked in Part I first and then read the other types, if you wish.  In Part III, you will be able to read how each Enneagram type is unique by its grouping into various triads (groups of 3 types each).  If you are unsure as to which Enneagram type you are, Part III should help you clarify it.  Part IV will be even more specific in showing how each of the Enneagram types are similar to and different from each other.  If you still cannot decide after Part IV, then I would suggest you purchase one of the books I recommend in the Resources section of my web site and read a chapter on each of the types in question.  Please allow 20 – 40 minutes to take this test.

Part I                    Brief Descriptions

ONES: Ones are conscientious DO-GOODERS motivated by a desire to live their life the right way, which includes improving themselves, others, and the world around them.  They try to avoid criticism by doing things perfectly.  They have a strong inner critic/conscience and live by their internal dictates of “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts.”  They discipline themselves to do what ought to be done.  They do everything they can to avoid: showing anger, losing self-control, or making mistakes.  Unconscious focus of attention: noticing imperfections; correcting errors; doing a job well; being competent.

TWOS: Twos are friendly GIVERS motivated by a desire to be loved and appreciated for their selfless generosity and helpfulness.  They take pride in their ability to make people feel special and to anticipate and fulfill other people's needs.  They like to express their positive feelings toward others and usually appear cheerful and self-sufficient.  They can be so busy taking care of others that they are often unaware of their own real needs.  They do everything they can to avoid: disappointing others, feeling rejected, and being seen as needy, clingy or possessive.  Unconscious focus of attention: anticipating/fulfilling needs of others; making others feel special; establishing warm, heartfelt connections.

THREES: Threes are ambitious ACHIEVERS motivated by a desire to be productive, efficient, admired, and successful at whatever they do.  Life is a series of tasks and goals to be completed and they keep pushing themselves to achieve more.  Diplomatic, image-conscious Threes like to shine and want to be esteemed by others.  They are often disconnected from their deeper feelings and can lose an inner sense of themselves.  They do everything they can to avoid: failure and uncomfortable feelings that may arise from slowing down their pace.  Unconscious focus of attention: optimal performance; achieving goals; winning; multitasking; efficient functioning; creating a successful image.

FOURS: Fours are romantic DREAMERS motivated by a desire to understand and express their deepest feelings.  These sensitive individualists want to create something beautiful and unique that will communicate their authentic feelings.  They want to feel special but often feel different and estranged from others.  They long for emotional connection and can become very depressed when feeling isolated.  They do everything they can to avoid: being rejected, abandoned or seen as ordinary.  Unconscious focus of attention: what’s missing, lacking or unavailable; finding true love; yearning and fantasizing about the ideal (relationship, job, self, etc.).

FIVES: Fives are cerebral OBSERVERS motivated by a desire to gain knowledge and be independent and self-sufficient.  They observe life from a distance, guard their privacy and space, and avoid being engulfed by others.  They feel more safe and in control when thinking and analyzing than when in their feelings.  They are individualistic and not influenced by social pressure or material possessions.  They can sometimes feel socially awkward.  They do everything they can to avoid:  intrusive/demanding people, expressing strong feelings, large crowds, feelings of inadequacy and emptiness.  Unconscious focus of attention: observing; analyzing; thinking; guarding their privacy of space and time.

SIXES: Sixes are loyal SKEPTICS motivated by a desire to have security, safety and predictability in their environment as well as feel a sense of belonging.  They live with a constant background of anxiety and fear that something might go wrong or that they’ll be defenseless against some imagined threat.  Some Sixes are phobic and withdraw from fearful situations to protect themselves, whereas others are counterphobic and confront fearful situations head-on, even seek them out.  They do everything they can to avoid:  unpredictability, being helpless in the face of danger, getting stuck in doubt, alienating people they depend on.  Unconscious focus of attention: what could go wrong; potential dangers/threats; who can be trusted/not trusted; looking for hidden meanings/messages; playing the devil’s advocate; being loyal to others.

SEVENS: Sevens are vivacious ADVENTURERS motivated by a desire to be upbeat and on the go, to keep their options open, and to plan for new, exciting experiences.  They view life as a fun-filled adventure, yet they also want to contribute to the world.  Sevens have fantastic imaginations and are constant seekers of excitement.  They do everything they can to avoid: boredom; painful emotions and anxiety; limitations, constraints and restrictions on their freedom; the drudgeries of life.  Unconscious focus of attention: planning for pleasureful activities; enjoying and experiencing life to the fullest; any new, fascinating information; seeing the interconnection and interrelationship between diverse areas of information; being spontaneous and on the go; new, stimulating people and conversations; what I want to enjoy.

EIGHTS: Eights are assertive BOSSES (figuratively speaking) motivated by a desire to be powerful, self-reliant, strong, and to have control over their lives.  Being respected for their strength is more important to them than being liked.  They are no-nonsense, lusty, robust people who go after whatever they want.  They are natural leaders who want to make an impact on the world.  They do everything they can to avoid being: weak, vulnerable, controlled, or dependent on others.  Unconscious focus of attention: wielding power and taking charge; being in control of my space; correcting injustices; protecting the weak/innocent; action and assertiveness.

NINES: Nines are easy-going PEACEMAKERS motivated by a desire to keep the peace, harmonize with others, and create a comfortable life.  These nice people (who can have difficulty saying “No” and making decisions) can easily become distracted and then get off task on the important things they were trying to do.  Although they rarely get angry and will accommodate others to avoid conflict, they can be stubborn and non-commital at times.  They like to merge with others and their environment, and they gain their sense of self through these connections.  They do everything they can to avoid: confrontation, conflict and discomfort.  Unconscious focus of attention: all the things in the environment that beckon attention; keeping life comfortable, peaceful, harmonious, stable; being sensitive to others; doing the less essential, comfortable activities rather than the more important, disturbing ones.

Note:  If you identify with each of the Enneagram types in this test you are likely a Nine.

Write down those types from above you think you might be and then go on to Part II.

Part II

Enneagram Type #1 – “I like to be conscientious and do things impeccably”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself a practical, principled person with high expectations of myself.  I may even appear a little self-controlled or uptight at times since I hold myself (and often others) accountable to meet my high standards of competence.  I naturally notice flaws and imperfections in any situation (or person) fairly easily, as well as ways to improve them.  In fact, in my sincere interest to improve a situation, others have told me that I sometimes come across as nit-picking, fault-finding, or even critical.  That is not my intention (usually).  It is just hard for me to see something done ineffectually, incompetently or imprecisely.  When I say I will do something, I make sure it is done correctly and thoroughly.  I appear level-headed, responsible, and fair-minded but most people have no idea that inside I am constantly analyzing my thoughts and scrutinizing my behavior in order to avoid making a mistake, losing self control, or being judged harshly by others.  Although I try not to show it, I can get resentful when others act unfairly, incompetently, or irresponsibly.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #2 – “I like to be loving and needed”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself sensitively attuned to the emotional states, needs, and feelings of others.  It is as if I have an inner antenna that tunes me in to other people’s needs – even people I don’t know.  It is very easy for me to give of myself.  In fact, if I am not careful, I am the type of person that could give too much and then become overburdened, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained from taking care of everyone else but me.  I consider myself a warmhearted, loving, and generous person. It is very important that people feel comfortable coming to me for guidance, advice, and support.  Relationships and love are major priorities in my life and I crave, yet sometimes fear, intimacy.  I appear cheerful, vivacious, and hospitable but most people have no idea that inside I suffer (or have suffered in the past) from well-hidden feelings of loneliness and/or rejection when my efforts to help are not appreciated or wanted.  When I feel totally neglected and/or used I can become very emotionally upset and distraught, inadvertently revealing the extent of my deep disappointment and loneliness I have been trying to hide.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #3 – “I like to be accomplished and admired”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself someone who is strongly motivated by being outstanding at whatever I do.  I place great value on winning and being the best but, since I like to be appreciated and admired, I am also diplomatic and a good team player.  I like to present myself well and make a good first impression.  I usually feel pretty good about myself, have an optimistic, can-do attitude and don’t like to be burdened with others’ negative emotions.  I am almost always busy and at times I have driven myself relentlessly to achieve my goals.  To be honest, I generally am successful at almost everything I do because I have an innate need to be productive and accomplishing.  In fact, if I am not paying attention I can easily become impatient with people who waste my valuable time when I am busy.  I identify strongly with what I do because I believe (or used to) that to a large extent your value is based on what you accomplish and the positive recognition you get for it.  I project an image of self-confidence and self-assuredness but most people have no idea that inside I feel (or have felt in the past) a constant internal pressure to “have it together,” to present myself well, to perform at maximum efficiency all the time, and to not need much help or personal support.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #4 – “I like to be authentic and out of the ordinary”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself a sensitive person with powerful feelings and a rich, creative imagination.  I feel (or have felt in the past) as though I am not like other people and nobody really understands me.  That’s because I seek depth, meaning, and authenticity of feeling and self-expression in my life.  Beauty, love, sorrow, and pain touch me deeply.  I am unusually self-aware and intuitive, sometimes painfully so.  I am very sensitive to critical remarks and often feel hurt at the tiniest slight.  My ideals are very important to me and I won’t compromise them.  I can’t stand insincerity and lack of integrity in others; I try to be as authentic and real as I possibly can.  I don’t like this about myself, but I have a habit (or used to) of focusing on what’s wrong with me rather than what’s right.  I am a romantic at heart and have spent years longing (or used to) for the great love of my life to come along.  Although the quest for emotional connection has been with me all my life I often experience (or used to) a poignant inner sense of disconnection and estrangement from others.  This has led to periods of loneliness, melancholy and depression.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #5 – “I like to be intellectually stimulated and self-sufficient”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself a self-contained, perceptive person with a questioning, analytical mind.  I relish my time alone and prefer for people not to place too many demands on my time or energy.  I identify strongly with my thoughts and have an intense desire to investigate and understand an issue deeply when it interests me.  In fact, it is easy for me to get lost in my interests and be alone with them for hours.  When a situation gets emotionally intense, it is really hard for me to express my feelings in the moment.  I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts.  With my great need for independence and privacy, if I am not careful, I can easily isolate myself from others socially.  I am observant and actually enjoy watching what is going on around me just as much, if not more than, being in the middle of the action.  I project an image of emotional reserve, self-sufficiency, and independence but most people have no idea that I too desire companionship and connection as others do.  The trouble is I fear (or used to fear) that if I get too close to others they may make unreasonable demands of me or, even worse, I may lose my independence and freedom.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #6 – “I like to be loyal and supportive”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself one of the most dependable and loyal people you will ever meet.  Once I have committed myself to a cause (or person) I am able to support it (him or her) through thick and thin.  I seem to have a knack for envisioning impending danger – whether real or imagined!  In fact, I have been told that I get way too fearful and anxious anticipating worst-case scenarios that never happen.  Perhaps it’s true.  I do tend to question what might go wrong sometimes.  When I anticipate something potentially dangerous happening my mind just revs up and I sometimes experience as much anxiety as if the event were actually happening.  I would like for life to be more certain (less unpredictable) and for people to be more trustworthy.  I am compassionate towards others, faithful to family and friends, and hard working.  I am not particularly comfortable being seen as the authority figure because I tend to doubt myself and my capabilities (or used to).  I project a cautious, responsible and reliable image but most people have no idea that I often (or used to) experience feelings of self-doubt, uncertainty, ambivalence and anxiety.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #7 – “I like to be enthusiastic and free to seek new experiences”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I am a lively, idealistic, optimistic person (generally) with a very active mind, especially for exciting and interesting things to do!  I am constantly on the go and always making plans for new adventures.  I seek out diverse and stimulating experiences.  In fact, I have been accused of scattering my energy in too many different directions at the same time.  Actually, I’m just extremely curious and like to do different things that interest me.  I will admit that once I lose interest in something it can be difficult for me to stay with it (but not impossible) because I want to move on to the next appealing activity that has captured my attention.  Because of my inquisitive nature I am quite multi-talented and can do many things well (usually).  I don’t like to let life’s troubles get me down so when other people are unhappy I try to get them to lighten up and see the bright side (I don’t like it when my positivity is misinterpreted as a lack of feeling or depth).  Because I prefer to shift my attention to more pleasant ideas rather than let things get me down (usually), most people have no idea that I’m just as vulnerable to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other difficult feelings as anyone else.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #8 – “I like to be protective and in control”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself a strong, self-reliant, and independent person.  I have no problem taking charge of a situation, making decisions, confronting someone when necessary, or meeting challenges head on.  I often speak in an assertive, no-nonsense manner.  That’s just the way I am but some people seem to take offense to it.  I am caring and protective of those I love and extremely dependable.  In fact, when an injustice has been done against me or someone close to me, I will go to any lengths to fight for what is fair and right.  I respect people who stand up for themselves and I have little tolerance for spineless, weak people.  I have powerful energy running through me so I tend to approach things in an all-or-nothing way.  I don’t trust easily and I instinctively know when someone is lying to me or trying to use, manipulate, or control me.  I demand a high degree of autonomy and I have an especially hard time following orders if I don’t respect the person in authority.  I can present a tough, rugged, fearless image to the world but that’s just my way of protecting myself.  Most people have no idea that underneath all my bravado and self-protective armor there is actually a vulnerable little child that longs for tenderness, closeness, and connection.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Enneagram Type #9 – “I like to be peaceful and create harmony”

Please read the following paragraph as a whole not sentence by sentence.  Does it sound like you?

I consider myself an open-minded, accepting person who likes to keep the peace and avoid conflict.  Generally, people tell me I’m easy to be around because I’m patient, agreeable, listen well, and I’m open to the perspectives and points of view of others.  It is very important to me to maintain peace, harmony and stability within my environment and relationships.  I try to avoid conflicts as much as possible.  My ability to be open and receptive to others is a blessing but sometimes it can make it hard for me to know my own priorities and what I want, especially when I'm with others (9s often identify with all the other types in this paragraph test!).  I don’t like expectations or pressure put on me and if people try to tell me what to do or control me, I can be quite stubborn.  When this happens, I may outwardly agree with what someone says (to avoid a conflict) but I’ll do what I want.  I very rarely get angry but when I do I tend to blow up.  In general, I don’t call personal attention to myself because I prefer to blend in and harmonize with others.  Most people have no idea that I often feel ignored, overlooked or neglected as a consequence.  It is as if my wants, opinions, and feelings are not important.  The “at my best” and “at my worst” columns below do, have, or could describe me quite well.

Part III       Getting to know the types better

There are several ways to group the nine Enneagram types to show how they are similar to and different from each other.  In this section I will explain the most common groupings so that you can get a better understanding of each Enneagram type.

THE CENTERS OF INTELLIGENCE

The most common grouping is by the three triads which relate to the three centers of human intelligence – feeling (heart), thinking (head) and instincts (gut).  Since there are 9 Enneagram types, 3 types belong to each center.  The Enneagram indicates that people are primarily driven by an imbalance in one of these three centers, causing an imbalance in their personality.  Twos, Threes, and Fours are all imbalanced in the feeling center in fundamental ways; Fives, Sixes, and Sevens are all imbalanced in the thinking center in fundamental ways; and Eights, Nines, and Ones are all imbalanced in the instinctual center in fundamental ways.  Each type develops as an attempt to compensate for this imbalance.  Understanding how you’re imbalanced is key to discovering how you can most effectively move toward personal growth.

The Feeling Types                 The Thinking Types               The Instinctual Types

Type Two                                Type Five                                 Type Eight

Type Three                               Type Six                                   Type Nine

Type Four                                Type Seven                              Type One

Type 2, often called The Helper or The Giver.  Their self-image is presented outwardly to others.  Twos maintain an image of being completely loving, selfless people.  They focus their attention outward on others by getting other people to like them and want them in their lives.  They try to be caring and of service to others so they will not experience their underlying feeling of SHAME.  They focus on their positive feelings for others so that they can convince themselves that they are good and loving.  They try to hide and repress their negative feelings as much as possible, such as resentment, when they feel unappreciated for all they’ve done for others.  As long as Twos get positive emotional responses from others, they feel valuable and loved; if they don’t they feel rejected and lonely.

Type 4, often called The Individualist or The Romantic Dreamer.  Their self-image is presented inwardly to themselves.  By contrast, Fours focus their attention inwardly on an idealized, romanticized self-image of who they would like to be.  But they can never quite measure up to their ideal fantasy self and thus suffer from feelings of inadequacy and melancholy.  They attempt to avoid underlying feelings of SHAME by focusing on how unique, special and “different” they are from others.  As a result of wanting to be unlike anyone else, they often feel estranged and disconnected from others.  They don’t want life to be drab or ordinary so they focus on their creativity and individuality as a way of dealing with their shameful feelings.  Fours are the type most likely to succumb to feelings of inadequacy.

Type 3, often called The Achiever or The Performer.  Their self-image is presented both inwardly (to their self) and outwardly (to others).  They focus their attention outwardly to get positive feedback and admiration from others and they focus their attention inwardly to create a “winning” self-image that others will adore.  They primarily seek value for their accomplishments.  They try to deny their SHAME and seem to be out of touch with underlying feelings of inadequacy, always wanting to look “on top of their game.”  They try to become what they believe a successful, valuable person is like.  They often drive themselves relentlessly to be outstanding at whatever they do to stave off feelings of SHAME and fear of failure.

Type 5, often called The Observer or The Thinker.  They escape inwardly due to being fearful of certain aspects of the outer world.  Fives have anxiety about the outer world and their ability to cope with it.  They attempt to compensate for the imagined loss of stable inner guidance by trying to mentally figure everything out on their own.  Thus, they cope with their FEAR and ANXIETY by escaping inwardly into their minds, withdrawing from the world, and reducing their personal needs.  Subconsciously, they experience the world and other people as overwhelming and threatening so they tend to retreat from the world to feel secure.  They spend a great deal of time studying, thinking and preparing to do, hoping that they can learn something well enough or master some skill that would allow them to feel safe enough to come out of hiding and interact with the world.  Thus, Fives tend to observe the world from a detached, cerebral, outsider stance.

Type 7, often called The Adventurer or The Epicure.  They escape outwardly due to being fearful of certain aspects of their inner world.  By contrast, Sevens have anxiety about their inner world and their ability to cope with it.  Thus, they cope with their FEAR and ANXIETY by escaping outwardly into life, keeping themselves constantly busy with stimulating activity, as if appearing to be afraid of nothing.  Whereas Fives are afraid of the outside world and retreat into their minds, Sevens fear the emotional pain and anxiety inside themselves and so they flee out into the world of activity.  They overextend themselves with more activities and experiences than they can assimilate.  They unconsciously attempt to keep their minds occupied with exciting options, possibilities and future plans as a way of avoiding the underlying ANXIETY and FEAR.  Sevens feel secure as long as they are in motion and have trouble being quiet or alone for long.

Type 6, often called The Loyal Skeptic or The Troubleshooter.  They escape inwardly to avoid external threats and they escape outwardly to avoid internal fears.  Sixes have difficulty trusting their own thinking.  They feel as though they lack inner guidance that they can count on so they feel anxious inside and escape outwardly into external activity and anticipation of the future like Sevens.  Sensing the lack of inner guidance they seek guidance from others.  So, they align themselves with people they think they can trust and who will allow them to feel more secure in the world.  But, ironically, they can become fearful and doubting of whether they can truly trust their allies and supporters to be reliable so, like Fives they escape inwardly again.  They are looking for outer support to become independent and self-reliant, but ironically they become dependent on the very person or people from whom they are trying to find independence.

Type 8, often called The Boss or The Asserter.  Aggression is directed outward against the environment (i.e. other people).  There is little repression of inner impulses.  When they are upset or angry they let you know it!  Eights focus their attention outward in an expansive, vital way and have trouble relating to the world because they seek to resist or control their exterior environment.  Eights don’t want to be affected by the external world so they repress fear and vulnerability in themselves.  They use their aggressive energy to dominate their world and maintain control over their immediate environment.  It is as if an Eight subconsciously thinks, “Nobody is going to harm me.  I’m going to keep my guard up and be tough so that nobody can take advantage or hurt me.”  In repressing their soft side and maintaining a confrontational stance, Eights can lose the ability to be close to others or to trust anyone.

Type 1, often called The Perfectionist or The Do-Gooder.  Aggression is directed inward against themselves.  By contrast, Ones direct their aggression inward rather than outward like Eights.  For Ones there is great repression of inner impulses.  Ones have trouble relating to the world because they are resisting and controlling their inner environment, particularly their instincts and aggressions.  Ones want their inner life to be orderly and consistent so they try to repress all parts of themselves that don’t conform with their ideals.  They get angry with themselves in an effort to keep themselves in line but they can also be aggressive with others when they feel that their self-control is being threatened by another’s behavior.  Ironically, the more Ones try to control themselves, the more obsessive and out of control they get.

Type 9, often called The Peacemaker or The Mediator.  Aggression is directed both outward and inward at “threats.”  Nines tend to deny their aggression, as if they don’t have any.  They have trouble relating to the world because they resist both the external environment and their internal fears and anxieties.  Nines do not want certain inner feelings and thoughts to disturb their equilibrium.  They want their reality to be peaceful and free of conflicts and problems.  So, like Ones, they suppress powerful instinctive drives and emotions.  At the same time, Nines hold a strong ego boundary against the outer world because they don’t want to be hurt, like Eights.  To keep their outer and inner worlds calm and harmonious they repress their anger and aggressive feelings but in the process they also repress their sense of self, their own identity, their own individuality.  Nines try to control the world passive-aggressively – by ignoring whatever parts of it make them feel uncomfortable.

SOCIAL STYLES

 Another way of organizing and understanding the Enneagram types is by Social Style.  There are 3 fundamental ways in which people pursue their desires or react to stress in order to get their primary needs met (those needs, of course, are directly linked to the center of intelligence the type is in).  People will either use: (1) an assertive style, (2) a withdrawn style, or (3) a dutiful style.

The Assertives:

The assertive types insist that they get their needs met.  Their style is active and direct.  Threes, Sevens, and Eights are the go-getters and doers of the Enneagram because they have lots of energy to make things happen.  They are action and future-oriented and feel as though others move too slowly.  Assertives are self-referential meaning they feel anything of any consequence happening is in relation to them.  They are ego-oriented.  All three of these types repress the Feeling Center of Intelligence and consequently have difficulty processing their feelings.

Threes 

Sevens 

Eights 

The Dutifuls:

The dutiful types all try to earn something (by pacifying their superego, the part of the mind that acts as the conscience) to get their needs met.  These three types feel the need to be of service to people.  Ones, Twos, and Sixes are the servants, advocates of causes and committed workers on others’ behalf.  They are highly compliant to their superego meaning that they try to obey the internalized principles, dictates, and rules of behavior that they learned in childhood.  They often respond to the many requests people make of them with a feeling of personal obligation to assist.  All three of these types repress the Thinking Center of Intelligence and consequently have difficulty thinking productively.  When we think productively we gather facts and sort, prioritize, and analyze them to come to a conclusion.  We are also open-minded to new ideas.

Ones may be surprised to hear that they repress the thinking center since they think all the time.  But, more accurately, they often think nonproductively by overanalyzing their thoughts, behaviors, or comments to death to see if they made any mistakes or said something foolish.  They can also be somewhat closed-minded, although they usually don’t see it that way.  Unfortunately, their strong inner critic can cause them to be so black and white in their thinking that they often dimiss others’ logical and rational arguments to uphold their own dogmatic beliefs and principles.

Twos repress the thinking center by being unable to follow their own plan or stick to their own schedule without being waylaid by others.  Their inability to set boundaries with people about the amount of time they give to others reflects a repressed clear thinking center.  Since their interest is in creating warm connections and helping others, they see dealing with people with logic and objectivity as cold and heartless.  They can also easily alter their thinking and personality to get someone they like to like them.

Sixes

The Withdrawns:

The withdrawn types all withdraw to get their needs met.  They disengage from others to get what they want.  These three types tend to daydream and fantasize easily; their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and impulses are always spontaneously bubbling up into their consciousness awareness.  This makes them very imaginative and often creative and/or inventive.  Fours, Fives, and Nines all move away from engagement with the world when they are under stress or, at the very least, they will escape into their imaginations and “zone out” for solace.  All three of these types repress the Instinctive Center of Intelligence and consequently have difficulty getting out of their imaginations and taking action.

Fours withdraw into a romanticized and idealized fantasy world where they like to imagine what kind of a life they would prefer to be living rather than the real one they actually have.

Fives withdraw into a cerebral haven where they can concentrate on their intellectual pursuits –  researching, problem solving, and synthesizing complex information.  They think in-depth and are able to concentrate so intently that they can block out other perceptions.

Nines withdraw into a safe and carefree inner sactum where they can keep their peace of mind and entertain comforting thoughts about themselves.  Nines can have problems concentrating because their attention can easily get distracted and drift off when they become bored or anxious.

When the 3 Centers are overlaid with the 3 Social Styles we get an accurate, succinct description of each type’s core motivation and style.  Recall that Feeling types wanted ATTENTION in childhood, Thinking types wanted SECURITY in childhood, and Instinctual types wanted AUTONOMY in childhood.  Thus.......