Interesting model of personality types.
Not sure how it's useful.
Shared by a friend who's big into psychology.
I suspect I'm a reformer, though I didn't take the test.
Check it out here
The Enneagram is a personality typing system that describes nine distinct and interconnected personality types. It is used as a tool for personal growth, self-awareness, and understanding human behavior. Each of the nine types represents a different way of thinking, feeling, and acting, and the Enneagram provides insights into the motivations, fears, and desires that drive each type.
Origins and History
Ancient Roots
The origins of the Enneagram are somewhat unclear, with influences from various ancient spiritual and philosophical traditions, including Sufism, Christianity, and early Greek philosophy. The symbol of the Enneagram itself, a nine-pointed figure within a circle, has ancient roots, though its exact origin is debated.
Modern Development
The modern Enneagram system was largely developed in the 20th century by figures such as George Gurdjieff, a mystic and spiritual teacher, and later by Oscar Ichazo, a Bolivian spiritual teacher, who formalized the system and associated the nine points with specific personality types. Claudio Naranjo, a Chilean psychiatrist, further expanded and popularized the Enneagram by connecting it with modern psychology and bringing it to the West, where it gained widespread attention in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Nine Enneagram Types
Each Enneagram type is associated with a specific set of core motivations, fears, and desires. Here’s a brief overview of the nine types:
Type 1: The Reformer (The Perfectionist)
- Core Motivation: A desire to be good, ethical, and right.
- Core Fear: Being corrupt, evil, or defective.
- Basic Desire: To be virtuous and to live with integrity.
- Key Traits: Principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.
Type 2: The Helper (The Giver)
- Core Motivation: A desire to be loved and needed by others.
- Core Fear: Being unwanted or unloved.
- Basic Desire: To feel loved and appreciated.
- Key Traits: Caring, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.
Type 3: The Achiever (The Performer)
- Core Motivation: A desire to be successful and admired.
- Core Fear: Being worthless or a failure.
- Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile.
- Key Traits: Ambitious, adaptable, image-conscious, and driven.
Type 4: The Individualist (The Romantic)
- Core Motivation: A desire to be unique and true to oneself.
- Core Fear: Being insignificant or without identity.
- Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance.
- Key Traits: Sensitive, expressive, introspective, and dramatic.
Type 5: The Investigator (The Thinker)
- Core Motivation: A desire to understand the world and be competent.
- Core Fear: Being overwhelmed, helpless, or incapable.
- Basic Desire: To be capable and knowledgeable.
- Key Traits: Perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.
Type 6: The Loyalist (The Guardian)
- Core Motivation: A desire for security and support.
- Core Fear: Being without support or guidance.
- Basic Desire: To feel secure and supported.
- Key Traits: Committed, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.
Type 7: The Enthusiast (The Adventurer)
- Core Motivation: A desire to experience joy and avoid pain.
- Core Fear: Being deprived or trapped in pain.
- Basic Desire: To be happy and satisfied.
- Key Traits: Spontaneous, versatile, scattered, and distractible.
Type 8: The Challenger (The Protector)
- Core Motivation: A desire to be strong and avoid vulnerability.
- Core Fear: Being controlled or harmed by others.
- Basic Desire: To protect themselves and determine their own path.
- Key Traits: Self-confident, decisive, confrontational, and protective.
Type 9: The Peacemaker (The Mediator)
- Core Motivation: A desire for inner peace and harmony.
- Core Fear: Conflict, disconnection, and fragmentation.
- Basic Desire: To be at peace with themselves and others.
- Key Traits: Receptive, reassuring, complacent, and resigned.
The Enneagram Structure
The Circle and the Nine Points
The Enneagram symbol is a circle with nine points, each representing one of the personality types. The points are connected by lines, which indicate relationships and potential areas of growth or stress between the types.
Wings
Each Enneagram type is flanked by two neighboring types, known as wings. A person's dominant type may be influenced by one or both of their wings, adding complexity and nuance to their personality.
Arrows
The lines connecting the points on the Enneagram indicate how each type may behave under stress or in growth. For example, under stress, a Type 1 may exhibit characteristics of a Type 4, while in growth, they may exhibit characteristics of a Type 7.
Uses of the Enneagram
Personal Growth
The Enneagram is often used as a tool for self-discovery and personal development. By understanding their Enneagram type, individuals can gain insights into their motivations, fears, and habitual behaviors, helping them to grow and improve their relationships and well-being.
Relationships
The Enneagram can be used to enhance interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy and understanding. Knowing the Enneagram types of others can help individuals communicate more effectively and navigate conflicts.
Spiritual and Psychological Growth
The Enneagram is sometimes used in spiritual and psychological practices to explore deeper aspects of the self and to work through challenges like emotional blocks or unhealthy patterns.
Work and Leadership
In professional settings, the Enneagram can be applied to leadership development, team dynamics, and conflict resolution by helping people understand different working styles and motivations.
Conclusion
The Enneagram is a powerful and insightful system for understanding personality and behavior. By categorizing people into nine types, each with its own set of motivations, fears, and desires, the Enneagram provides a framework for personal growth, improved relationships, and deeper self-awareness. Whether used in personal, spiritual, or professional contexts, the Enneagram offers valuable insights that can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious life.
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