Enneagram

 

The Enneagram is a human personality model based on nine interconnected personality types. It is a system that combines ancient spiritual wisdom with modern psychology to provide insights into different individuals' motivations, fears, and desires.

The word "enneagram" comes from the Greek words "ennea" (nine) and "gramma" (something written or drawn).

Concepts and Components:

The nine personality types: The Enneagram identifies nine distinct personality types from 1 to 9. Each type has a unique set of characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

Wings: Each personality type has two adjacent types called "wings." A person's wing is thought to influence their core type, creating a more nuanced and unique personality.

Triads: The nine types are grouped into three triads based on their primary emotional orientation: Head (Types 5, 6, 7), Heart (Types 2, 3, 4), and Body (Types 8, 9, 1).

Levels of development: Within each type, there are nine levels of development, ranging from healthy to unhealthy expressions of the type's traits.

Integration and disintegration: Each type has paths of integration and disintegration, indicating how they behave when growing and under stress, respectively.

Origins and Authors:

The Enneagram has a complex history, with its origins tracing back to multiple sources, such as the teachings of the Desert Fathers, the Sufi tradition, and the Kabbalah. The modern Enneagram we know today was developed in the mid-20th century by Bolivian-born philosopher Óscar Ichazo and further refined by Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo.

Relation with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):

While the Enneagram and the MBTI are personality typology systems, they have different focuses and approaches. The MBTI is based on Carl Jung's theories of cognitive functions and categorizes people into 16 types based on their preferences in four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. Conversely, the Enneagram focuses on core motivations and fears, providing insights into an individual's emotional and psychological dynamics. Although some correlations between the two systems can be found, they are not directly related and offer different perspectives on personality.

Professional Reputation and Results:

The Enneagram has gained popularity in various fields, such as personal growth, business, counseling, and spiritual development. Many people find it helpful in understanding themselves and others, improving communication, and promoting self-awareness. However, it is essential to remember that the Enneagram is a tool and should be used alongside other assessments and professional guidance.

Criticisms:

Lack of scientific validity: Critics argue that the Enneagram lacks rigorous scientific research to support its claims and relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and subjective interpretations.

Over-simplification of human personality: Some critics contend that dividing people into nine distinct types oversimplifies the complexity of human personalities.

Potential for self-limiting beliefs: Categorizing oneself into a specific type can lead to self-limiting beliefs and behaviors based on the traits associated with that type, potentially hindering personal growth and development.

Despite these criticisms, the Enneagram remains a widespread personal and professional growth tool. It is essential to approach the Enneagram with an open mind and use it as a starting point for self-exploration and understanding rather than an absolute measure of one's personality.

The Enneagram consists of nine interconnected personality types, each with unique characteristics. Here, we will describe the nine types and their associated factors, including their primary motivations, basic fears, and key traits. Additionally, we'll provide an example of a hypothetical individual's Enneagram results.

 

Type 1 - The Perfectionist (or The Reformer)

Primary Motivation: To be good, ethical, and morally upright

Basic Fear: Being corrupt or imperfect

Key Traits: Responsible, disciplined, orderly, critical, and principled

 

Type 2 - The Helper (or The Giver)

Primary Motivation: To be loved and appreciated

Basic Fear: Being unloved or unwanted

Key Traits: Caring, generous, people-pleasing, empathetic, and possessive

 

Type 3 - The Achiever (or The Performer)

Primary Motivation: To be successful, admired, and respected

Basic Fear: Being worthless or a failure

Key Traits: Driven, adaptable, image-conscious, goal-oriented, and competitive

 

Type 4 - The Individualist (or The Romantic)

Primary Motivation: To be unique, authentic, and understood

Basic Fear: Having no identity or personal significance

Key Traits: Sensitive, introspective, moody, creative, and self-absorbed

 

Type 5 - The Investigator (or The Observer)

Primary Motivation: To be knowledgeable and competent

Basic Fear: Being helpless or incapable

Key Traits: Analytical, detached, private, curious, and independent

 

Type 6 - The Loyalist (or The Skeptic)

Primary Motivation: To have security and support

Basic Fear: Being abandoned or unsupported

Key Traits: Responsible, cautious, committed, anxious, and suspicious

 

Type 7 - The Enthusiast (or The Adventurer)

Primary Motivation: To be happy, satisfied, and content

Basic Fear: Being deprived or trapped in pain

Key Traits: Spontaneous, fun-loving, versatile, scattered, and impulsive

 

Type 8 - The Challenger (or The Protector)

Primary Motivation: To be powerful and in control

Basic Fear: Being harmed or controlled by others

Key Traits: Assertive, decisive, confrontational, protective, and dominating

 

Type 9 - The Peacemaker (or The Mediator)

Primary Motivation: To maintain peace and harmony

Basic Fear: Loss of connection or fragmentation

Key Traits: Easygoing, supportive, accommodating, conflict-avoidant, and passive

 

Example Enneagram result: 

In this hypothetical example, let's consider a person named Sarah. After completing an Enneagram assessment, she discovers she is a Type 2, The Helper, with a strong 3 wing (Type 2w3). This means that Sarah's core personality is driven by the desire to be loved and appreciated, while her adjacent wing, Type 3, adds ambition and adaptability to her profile.

As a Type 2w3, Sarah will likely be warm, empathetic, and generous in her relationships. She enjoys helping others and often goes out of her way to support her friends and family. However, her Type 3 wing makes her more image-conscious and success-driven than a typical Type 2, as she also seeks admiration and respect from others. In times of stress, Sarah may move towards the disintegration point of Type 8, becoming more assertive and confrontational. Conversely, when she experiences personal growth, Sarah may move towards the integration point of Type 4, embracing her authentic emotions and developing a stronger sense of identity.

It's important to note that Enneagram results should be taken as a starting point for self-exploration and understanding rather than an absolute measure of one's personality. By learning about her Enneagram type, Sarah can gain insights into her motivations, fears, and strengths. This knowledge can help her better understand her behavior patterns, improve relationships, and work on personal growth.

Sarah can also explore the other aspects of the Enneagram, such as her triad (in her case, the Heart triad), which can provide further insights into her emotional orientation. Additionally, she can examine her levels of development within her type to identify areas where she may need to grow or where she is already thriving.

Enneagram results can offer valuable insights into an individual's personality, motivations, and fears. These insights can foster personal growth, improve communication, and enhance relationships. It's essential to approach the Enneagram with an open mind and use it as a tool for self-exploration and understanding rather than a definitive label or categorization of one's personality.

 

Resources

 

•       Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (1996). Personality types: Using the Enneagram for self-discovery. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

This book provides an in-depth overview of the nine Enneagram personality types and offers guidance on using the Enneagram for personal growth and self-discovery. 

• ·   Palmer, H. (1991). The Enneagram: Understanding yourself and the others in your life. HarperSanFrancisco.

Helen Palmer's book explores the Enneagram's psychological and spiritual dimensions, offering insights into the types' motivations, fears, and potential for growth. 

• ·    Naranjo, C. (1994). Character and neurosis: An integrative view of personality through the Enneagram and psychodynamic theory. Gateways/IDHHB Publishing. 

Claudio Naranjo, one of the key figures in the development of the modern Enneagram, connects the Enneagram system to psychodynamic theory and explores the neurotic aspects of each type. 

• ·         Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (2003). Understanding the Enneagram: The practical guide to personality types. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

This practical guide provides detailed descriptions of the nine types, including their wings, levels of development, and paths of integration and disintegration. 

• ·         Chestnut, B. (2013). The complete Enneagram: 27 paths to greater self-knowledge. She Writes Press. 

Beatrice Chestnut's book extensively explores the Enneagram, including the subtypes, which are based on the three instinctual drives: self-preservation, social, and sexual (one-to-one).

These sources comprehensively understand the Enneagram's history, development, and practical applications. By exploring these books, you can gain a more profound knowledge of the Enneagram system and how it can be used for personal growth, self-discovery, and improved relationships.