Enneagram of Personality

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One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Enneagram
Enneagram figure (click the numbers for type profiles)

The Enneagram of Personality—usually known simply as the Enneagram—is an application of the Fourth Way enneagram figure in connection with personality issues, including nine types.[1] This is now the best-known use of this particular enneagram figure.[2] The term "enneagram" derives from two Greek words, ennea (nine) and grammos (something written or drawn). The enneagram figure consists of a nine-pointed diagram, usually within a circle.

The Enneagram of Personality is mostly taught and understood as a psychospiritual typology (a model of personality types) [3][4] but is also presented in ways intended to discover and develop higher states of being, essence and enlightenment.[5] Each Enneagram personality type expresses a distinctive and habitual pattern of thinking and emotions. The behavioral characteristics of the personality types are less distinctive. By recognizing their personality pattern a person may be able to use the Enneagram as an effective method for self-understanding and self-development.[6]

The term Enneatype rather than "Enneagram personality type" is used in some publications. The Enneagram of Personality is being applied in many varied fields including business, psychotherapy, organizational development, career coaching, the arts, health care, parenting, education, and spiritual growth.

Contents

[edit] Enneagram figure

Don Riso has claimed that the enneagram figure possibly originated around 2500 BC.[7] The figure is usually composed of three parts, the circle, the inner triangle and a hexagonal "periodic figure". According to esoteric spiritual traditions,[8] the circle symbolizes unity, the inner triangle symbolizes the "law of three" and the hexagon represents the "law of seven". These three elements constitute the enneagram figure.[9]

[edit] Development

[edit] G. I. Gurdjieff

The enneagram figure was first brought to the attention of the modern world by G. I. Gurdjieff, though first published by P.D. Ouspensky, a student of Gurdjieff, in 1947 in In Search of the Miraculous. Although Gurdjieff used the figure to describe possibilities of human development, his concept of it was principally related to the symbolic communication of ancient knowledge and the "self-work" process through which people can acquire insight rather than to the categorizing of personality styles.[10][11]

[edit] Oscar Ichazo

Oscar Ichazo assigned what he referred to as ego fixations to each of the nine points of the enneagram figure (which in his early teachings is usually called an enneagon). With a number of other dimensions of personality mapped with the enneagram figure, Ichazo's Enneagon of Ego Fixations formed the principal basis of the Enneagram of Personality as it is now usually understood. The modern Enneagram of Personality teachings, however, are derived more directly from Claudio Naranjo who had studied with Ichazo in Chile.

Ichazo, from the 1950s, taught a program of self-development work that he calls "Protoanalysis" which uses the ennegram figure among many other symbols and ideas. Ichazo founded the Arica Institute which was originally based in Chile. The contemporary Arica School offers programs around the world in various aspects of Ichazo's work.

[edit] Claudio Naranjo

Claudio Naranjo, a Chilean-born, American-trained psychiatrist who extensively explored the theories of personality, studied with Ichazo in Chile. He then took Ichazo's teachings and further developed them, articulating nine personality types in Western psychological terms. Naranjo then brought his understanding of the Enneagram system to Berkeley, California, where he taught it to private students in the context of his own program of self-development work in the early 1970s.[12]

Based on material first taught by Claudio Naranjo, authors such as Helen Palmer, Don Riso, Russ Hudson, Patrick O'Leary, Richard Rohr and Elizabeth Wagele began to publish the first widely read books on the Enneagram of Personality beginning in the 1980s and 1990s.

[edit] Nine personality types

According to Enneagram of Personality theory, the points of the enneagram figure indicate a number of ways in which nine principal ego-archetypal forms or types of human personality ("Enneatypes") are psychologically connected.[13]

People of each Enneatype are usually referred to after the number of the point on the enneagram figure (Eights, Fours, Sixes etc.) that indicates their particular psychological space and 'place' of connection to the other types. They are also often given names that suggest some of their more distinctive archetypal characteristics.[14]

Brief descriptions of the nine Enneatypes are as follows:

[edit] Ones

Characteristic role: The Reformer[15]
Ego Fixation: Resentment[16]
Holy Idea: Perfection[17]
Basic Fear: Being corrupt/evil, defective[18][19]
Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced[18]
Temptation: To be hypocritical or hypercritical of others
Vice/Passion: Anger[20]
Virtue: Serenity[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Four (Angry, critical Ones suddenly become moody and irrational like unhealthy Fours)[18]
Security/Integration point: Seven (Objective, principled Ones become more spontaneous and joyful like healthy Sevens)[18]

[edit] Twos

Characteristic role: The Helper[15]
Ego Fixation: Flattery[16]
Holy Idea: Freedom[17]
Basic Fear: Being unworthy of being loved[22]
Basic Desire: To be loved unconditionally[22]
Temptation: To manipulate others in order to get positive responses[22]
Vice/Passion: Pride (specifically, Vainglory, the love of one's own goodness)[20]
Virtue: Altruism[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Eights (When Twos give without receiving back, they become manipulative and angry like unhealthy Eights)[22]
Security/Integration point: Four (Helpful Twos become emotionally strong, caring, and authentic like healthy Fours)[22]

[edit] Threes

Characteristic role: The Achiever[15]
Ego fixation: Vanity[16]
Holy idea: Hope[17]
Basic Fear: Being worthless[23]
Basic Desire: To be valuable[23]
Temptation: To please everybody
Vice/Passion: Deceit[20]
Virtue: Truthfulness[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Nine (Burnt-out Threes start to disengage themselves from their relentless drive to success and look like unhealthy Nine)[23]
Security/Integration point: Six (Once they recognize being on top of everything is not everything, Threes find it comfortable to commit themselves to others, like a healthy Six. The commitment to relationships also allows them to explore their emotions)[23]

[edit] Fours

Characteristic role: The Individualist[15]
Ego fixation: Melancholy[16]
Holy idea: Origin[17]
Basic Fear: Being commonplace[24]
Basic Desire: To be unique and authentic[24]
Temptation: To beat themselves up and withdraw
Vice/Passion: Envy[20]
Virtue: Equanimity[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Two (Disintegrating Fours become dissatisfied like unhealthy Twos)
Security/Integration point: One (Self-actualized Fours are idealistic and progressive like healthy Ones)

[edit] Fives

Characteristic role: The Investigator[15]
Ego Fixation: Stinginess[16]
Holy Idea: Omniscience[17]
Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable[25]
Basic Desire: To be capable and competent[25]
Temptation: To keep the world at bay
Vice/Passion: Avarice[20]
Virtue: Detachment[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Seven (Detached Fives suddenly become hyperactive and scattered like Sevens)[25]
Security/Integration point: Eight (Avaricious and detached Fives become more self-confident and decisive like healthy Eights)[25]

Fives like to use their interests to discover something entirely new. They are able to easily concentrate and they love learning. They value original ideas and are independent thinkers.[15]

[edit] Sixes

Characteristic role: The Loyalist[15]
Ego fixation: Cowardice[16]
Holy idea: Faith[17]
Basic Fear: To be without a support system in an unforgiving world[26]
Basic Desire: To feel safe[26]
Temptation: To question the intentions of everyone around them
Vice/Passion: Fear[20]
Virtue: Courage[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Three (Paranoid, anxious Sixes try to win over others, like unhealthy Threes, to cover up their anxiety)
Security/Integration point: Nine (Positive-thinking Sixes become more peaceful, open and receptive like healthy Nines)

Sixes follow through with their commitments because they are very reliable and trustworthy. They are hard workers and they cooperate well with others. Sixes are also very practical and value quality work.[15]

[edit] Sevens

Characteristic role: The Enthusiast[15]
Ego fixation: Planning[16]
Holy idea: Work[17]
Basic Fear: Boredom[27]
Basic Desire: To experience as much of the world as possible[27]
Temptation: Moving too fast
Vice/Passion: Gluttony[20]
Virtue: Sobriety[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: One (When forced to stand still, Sevens become irritable and impatient like unhealthy Ones.)
Security/Integration point: Five (Confident, experienced Sevens bring a sense of calm to hectic situations like healthy Fives.)

[edit] Eights

Characteristic role: The Challenger[15]
Ego fixation: Vengeance[16]
Holy idea: Truth[17]
Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others, of violation[28]
Basic Desire: To protect themselves, to determine their own course in life[28]
Temptation: To be too self-sufficient
Vice/Passion: Lust[20]
Virtue: Magnanimity[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Five (Eights become withdrawn and isolated like unhealthy Fives in their pursuit of control)
Security/Integration point: Two (Proactive, forward-thinking Eights learn to become helpful and cooperative like healthy Twos)

[edit] Nines

Characteristic role: The Peacemaker[15]
Ego fixation: Indolence, self-forgetting[16]
Holy idea: Love[17]
Basic Fear: Loss and separation; of annihilation[29]
Basic Desire: To maintain inner stability and peace of mind[29]
Temptation: To go along to get along[29]
Vice/Passion: Indifference[20]
Virtue: Right action[21]
Stress/Disintegration point: Six (Nines get more anxious, suspicious, and negative like unhealthy Sixes and may exhibit more aggressiveness)
Security/Integration point: Three (Nines begin to work at developing themselves and their potential and move into greater action in the world, like healthier Threes)

[edit] Centers of intelligence

 This article is missing information about the three centers, following the removal of uncited, copyrighted content, copied verbatim from internationalenneagram.org. This concern has been noted on the talk page where it may be discussed whether or not to include such information. (August 2009)

[edit] Relations between types

[edit] Wings

Each Enneagram type may be influenced by the types on either side of it (adjacent to it). These two types are known as wings of the type, and may or may not color the expression of a given individual's personality type or core point. The circle of the Enneagram symbol suggests that the types or points exist on a spectrum, rather than as distinct types or points unrelated to those adjacent to them. Thus, an individual may be said to have a core point and one wing, two wings, or both wings that influence but do not change that person's core type.[7][30]

[edit] Stress and security points

The lines with arrows between the types add further meaning to the information provided by the descriptions of the types. Sometimes called the security and stress points, or points of integration and disintegration, these connected points also contribute to the expression of a given individual's personality. Thus, each person actually has five points that potentially contribute to the make-up of his or her personality: the core type, the two types that are connected by the two lines to the core type, and the two wings.[31][32]

[edit] Instinctual subtypes

Each of the Enneagram personality types can also be further subdivided into one of three categories or subtypes. These three sub-type categories correspond to one of three different ways the instinctual energy of the type may express itself. These three sub-type categories or types of energies are self-preservation, one-to-one (also called sexual), and social. On the instinctual level of being, humans may internally stress and externally express the need to protect themselves (self-preservation), to connect with important others or partners (one-to-one), or to get along or succeed in the group (social).[33] From the point of view of Enneagram subtypes, there are actually 27 personality types because individuals of each Enneagram type may express themselves primarily as a self-preservation subtype, a one-on-one subtype, or a social subtype.[34]

Each individual has some functionality in all three subtypes, but one subtype usually dominates a personality, sometimes with a second nearly as well developed, and the third often markedly less developed.[35]

[edit] Directional scales

The Enneagram types have also been mapped to Karen Horney's "Three Trends" (Moving Towards, Against, Away from), in two dimensions of "Surface Direction" and "Deep Direction"[36][37] (which also are roughly similar to FIRO and other Two-factor models of personality). Each type, on the surface, moves one way but, underneath, can move a different way. This is claimed to determine both behavior and motivations.

Surface Direction→

Deep Direction↓

 − Against
(confronting)		 0 Away
(withdrawing)		 + Towards
(embracing)
+ Towards
(Approval Seeking)		 3 9 6
0 Away
(Ideal Seeking)		 1 4 7
− Against
(Power Seeking)		 8 5 2

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Almaas, A. H. (2000). Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas. Shambhala. ISBN 0-936713-14-3. 
  • Bartlett, Carolyn (2008). The Enneagram Field Guide: Notes on Using the Enneagram in Counseling, Therapy and Personal Growth. ISBN 978-0979012549. 
  • Beesing, Maira (O'Leary, Patrick; and Nogosek, Robert J.). The Enneagram: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Dimension Books. ISBN 978-0871932143. 
  • Daniels, David; and Price, Virginia (2000). The Essential Enneagram: Test and Self-Discovery Guide. HarperSanFrancisco. ISBN 0-06-251676-0. 
  • Hurley, Kathleen V. (1993). My Best Self: Using the Enneagram to Free the Soul. HarperOne. ISBN 85-7272-066-9. 
  • Ichazo, Oscar (1982). Interviews with Oscar Ichazo. Arica Press. ISBN 0916554023. 
  • Maitri, Sandra (2001). The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine Faces of the Soul. Tarcher. ISBN 1-58542-081-6. 
  • Maitri, Sandra (2005). The Enneagram of Passions and Virtues: Finding the Way Home. Tarcher. ISBN 1-58542-406-4. 
  • Naranjo, Claudio (1990). Character and Neurosis. Gateway Books & Tapes. ISBN 0-89556-066-6. 
  • Naranjo, Claudio (1990). Ennea-type Structures: Self-Analysis for the Seeker. Gateway Books & Tapes. ISBN 978-0895560636. 
  • Naranjo, Claudio (1995). Enneatypes and Psychotherapy. Gateway Books & Tapes. ISBN 0934252475. 
  • Naranjo, Claudio (1997). Transformation Through Insight: Enneatypes in Life. Hohm Press. ISBN 0934252734. 
  • Palmer, Helen (1988). The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life. Harper & Row. ISBN 0062506730. 
  • Palmer, Helen (1996). The Enneagram in Love and Work: Understanding your Intimate and Business Relationships. HarperOne. ISBN 0-06-250721-4. 
  • Riso, Don Richard; and Hudson, Russ (1996). Personality Types. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0395798676. 
  • Riso, Don Richard; and Hudson, Russ (1999). Wisdom of the Enneagram. Bantam. ISBN 0553378201. 
  • Rohr, Richard (2001). The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. Crossroad. ISBN 0-8245-1950-7. 
  • Wagele, Elizabeth; and Baron, Renee (1994). The Enneagram Made Easy. HarperOne. ISBN 0-06-251026-6. 
  • Wagele, Elizabeth; and Baron, Renee (1995). Are You My Type, Am I Yours? : Relationships Made Easy Through The Enneagram. HarperOne. ISBN 006251248X. 
  • Wagele, Elizabeth (1997). The Enneagram of Parenting: The 9 Types of Children and How to Raise Them Successfully. HarperOne. ISBN 0062514555. 
  • Wagele, Elizabeth (2007). Finding the Birthday Cake; Helping Children Raise Their Self-Esteem (An Enneagram book for children). New Horizon Press. ISBN 978-0-88282-277-8. 
  • Wagele, Elizabeth; and Ingrid Stabb (2010). The Career Within You. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-06-171861-8. 
  • Riso, Don Richard; Hudson, Russ (2000). Understanding the Enneagram; the practical guide to personality types. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-61800415-7. 

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Palmer, The Enneagram, Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life, pp.10-11
  2. ^ Maitri, The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram, p.7
  3. ^ Maitri, The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram
  4. ^ Riso, Personality Types
  5. ^ Naranjo, Transformation Through Insight
  6. ^ Daniels, The Essential Enneagram, p. 1
  7. ^ a b Riso, Wisdom of the Enneagram, p.19
  8. ^ Palmer, The Enneagram, p.36
  9. ^ Wagele, Enneagram Made Easy, pp.1–11
  10. ^ Palmer, The Enneagram, Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life, p.xii
  11. ^ Maitri, The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram, pp.4-5
  12. ^ Riso, Wisdom of the Enneagram, p.24
  13. ^ Daniels, The Essential Enneagram
  14. ^ Baron, Renee (1998). What Type Am I: Discover Who You Really Are. New York, NY: Penguin Books. pp. 162. ISBN 0 14 02.6941. 
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Riso, Don Richard (author) and Hudson, Ross (editor) (1997). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin (Trade). pp. 18.  Revised edition. See Google book search
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Riso, Don Richard (author) and Hudson, Ross (editor) (1997). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin (Trade). pp. 39.  Revised edition. Originally from Oscar Ichazo's Ennagram of Ego Fixations. See Google book search
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i Riso, Don Richard (author) and Hudson, Ross (editor) (1997). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin (Trade). pp. 39.  Revised edition. Originally from Oscar Ichazo's Ennagram of Holy Ideas. See Google book search
  18. ^ a b c d Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type One". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeOne.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  19. ^ All the web pages cited at the Enneagram Institute (for details of types One to Nine) feature material taken from Riso, Don Richard and Hudson, R (1999), The Wisdom of the Enneagram: Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types, Bantom USA, ISBN 0553378201.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i Riso, Don Richard (author) and Hudson, Ross (editor) (1997). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin (Trade). pp. 38.  Revised edition. Originally from Oscar Ichazo's Ennagram of Passions. See Google book search
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Riso, Don Richard (author) and Hudson, Ross (editor) (1997). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin (Trade). pp. 38.  Revised edition. Originally from Oscar Ichazo's Ennagram of Virtues. See Google book search
  22. ^ a b c d e Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Two". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeTwo.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  23. ^ a b c d Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Three". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeThree.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  24. ^ a b Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Four". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeFour.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  25. ^ a b c d Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Five". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeFive.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  26. ^ a b Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Six". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeSix.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  27. ^ a b Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Seven". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeSeven.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  28. ^ a b Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Eight". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeEight.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  29. ^ a b c Staff (1998). "Enneagram Type Nine". The Enneagram Institute. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typeNine.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-19.  From Wisdom of the Enneagram.
  30. ^ Wagner, Wagner Enneagram Personality Style Scales, p.26
  31. ^ Riso, Wisdom of the Enneagram, p.87-88
  32. ^ Wagner, Wagner Enneagram Personality Style Scales, p.30
  33. ^ Palmer, The Enneagram in Love and Work, p. 29
  34. ^ Maitri, The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram, pp. 263-264
  35. ^ Riso, The Wisdom of the Enneagram, pp. 70-71
  36. ^ A Directional Theory of the Enneagram, originally published in Enneagram Monthly, January 2000.
  37. ^ Karen Horney's Three Trends, from Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles

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