Insight for Change

Enneagram Brief Descriptions

Following are brief introductory comments about each Enneagram style, including its healthy and unhealthy qualities and usual habits of attention. Some observations about how the dominate U.S. culture matches each types bias is included:

Ones: Healthy Ones have humanitarian natures. They want to do their best, give of themselves and make the world better for everyone. They also allow themselves to have joy and pleasure, accepting their own and others’ flaws with compassion and humor.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Ones are obsessive about what seems wrong and how it should be corrected. They become angry; critical of themselves and others and unable to let in any perspective other than the one they think is right. They can see themselves as alternately bad and good in a black and white world. The usual One attention style fixes on ethics, fairness and “work before pleasure.” They notice what needs improving and feel compelled to act on this perception.

Ones often express their moral intensity through political action. Ideologically, they fall on either end of the political spectrum; however, the prevailing power of the religious right is a cultural embodiment of One-flavored righteousness.

Ones often get a double message in American culture. Calvinism was influential in the founding of America and this mentality supports the Ones’ critical moralistic assumptions. At the same time, Americans value personal freedom, sometimes to a hedonistic degree. From this angle, Ones get the message that their moralism is tiresome.

Twos: Healthy Twos are in touch with their own feelings and easily connect with others in an emotional way. They value themselves and faithfully follow what is in their own heart even as they recognize and support the best in others.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Twos “give to get,” giving other people what they themselves want while hiding their expectation that others will reciprocate. Twos can become controlling, angry and resentful towards those they have over-accommodated. They lose touch with their own real feelings and needs, sometimes becoming indirect, disingenuous and manipulative. The Two attention style fixes on relationships, engagement with others, flattery, pleasing and supporting others selectively, being liked and looking good.

In many cultures the Two persona represents the archetypal female ideal. Being supportive, self-sacrificing and attentive to others are highly valued feminine traits. Male Twos are viewed with more ambivalence and may find that developing their connection to Eight (see Connecting Points) is a natural antidote to a feminized image.

Threes: Healthy Threes are able to tap their creativity and manifest what they want through a combination of visualizing, positive thinking and hard work. They are flexible, willing to share their abundant energy and value the people in their lives. Threes are generally optimistic and able to accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Threes are self-serving and competitive, needing all attention to be directed to their accomplishments – real or manufactured. They become dismissive, aggressive and cutting towards whoever obstructs their positive self-image.

Superficial image management is an overlying goal of American consumer culture. Threes say that their false self is supported by the culture, so much so that it is difficult to feel motivated to change; some even said they needed to go elsewhere to be free of the constant reinforcement. Threes from other countries have mentioned that their personality style feels less unique here. American therapists could also have blind spots about what needs to change when working with Threes.

Fours: Healthy Fours are attuned to the beauty, creative spirit, depth and paradoxes of existence. At their best, they naturally balance the material and spiritual parts of life and allow themselves to be both productive and happy.

When caught in the down side of their personality pattern, Fours can be consumed with what is wrong with themselves, even shamefully withdrawing into despair and depression. They can also split in the direction of believing they are more special than others and not therefore subject to ordinary expectations, over-dramatizing their life as separate from and more difficult than others.

The Four’s attention style is often drawn toward what is missing. They are attracted to depth and are willing to stay with sadness and the darker side of life. Depending on the individual, this can be authentic or more about image. Fours are attracted to what they perceive to be genuine. Many have a distinctive, graceful and artistic manner.

The Four persona represents both idealized and devalued aspects of American culture. Idealized themes that promote a romantic, dramatic life over an ordinary one are reflected in arts, popular music and Hollywood fantasies. Photographs, songs and books about charismatic yet tragic figures like James Dean, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Jim Morrison continue to sell years after their deaths. However, a task and accomplishment-driven culture does not readily value people who search for life’s deeper meanings and embrace a poetic aesthetic style.

Fours, especially as adolescents, can strongly identify with romantic ideals, yet feel badly for being out-of-step with cultural norms. This conflict sometimes exaggerates a Four’s sense of being both special and flawed. It also intensifies their tendency to inhabit exotic fantasies instead of ordinary reality.

Fives: At their best Fives are engaged in their own life through their relationships and work. Doing what they feel passionate about, they are willing to give of their time, knowledge and emotions.

When Fives are caught in their defensive pattern, they get trapped in loneliness. They avoid having to give to or be touched by others and hoard what they have acquired. Their attention is geared toward maintaining privacy and observing the external world. They spend a lot of time gathering information, which seems to provide them safety by allowing them to know more than others.

The Five introspective style is out of sync with the aggressive, busy, forward-moving aspects of American culture. The Five’s mental acuity – while a strength – can set them apart socially and their other gifts may be overlooked and undervalued. The marketing of “Social Anxiety Disorder” by the pharmaceutical industry reflects this bias. This trend encourages clinicians to diagnose normal children who have the characteristics of Fives and give them medication to become more extroverted.

Sixes: At their best, Sixes have an acute mental clarity and are highly perceptive. They have excellent accurate intuitions about situations and people. These abilities lend themselves to skillful problem solving and a creative vision of shared possibilities.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Sixes chronically interpret the motivations of others as being malevolent. They can withdraw into paranoia, become accusatory and not follow through on their commitments to themselves or others.

The Six attention style sorts for danger. They are also loyal, possess an offbeat sense of humor and are aware of things that others overlook. Prone to doubt, they can see the other side of any assertion. They question authority, but seek a competent authority to believe in anyway. Sixes manage fear in two, seemingly contradictory, ways: by being phobic and avoiding what scares them or by becoming counter-phobic and challenging their fears. Most Sixes live on a continuum between these two poles.

The prevailing American culture certainly has a fearful streak, but “positive thinking” is part of our idealized image of mental health. Popular psychology also promotes the notions that negative thoughts are unhealthy and being optimistic is ideal. Sixes are well aware of this cultural bias and how their own style differs: “When I imagine the worst thing that can happen and I can accept it, it gives me the courage to proceed. It’s actually a good thing.” The pressure to think positive directly opposes the Six’s core strategy.

Sevens: Healthy Sevens have a joyful, enthusiastic sense about life, are attracted to beauty and have an expansive sense of possibility. They value other people and are unusually accepting and tolerant.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Sevens are self-doubting, anxious and manage their fears by obsessively focusing on their own interests and plans for future pleasures. They see others as narcissistic extensions of themselves, either as companions or audiences. If others limit the Sevens they become a source of irritation.

The Seven attention style fixes on positive futures. They have a quick mental energy that helps them connect ideas and see the big picture. They easily engage others with their active, charming, entertaining relational style. American culture amplifies the persona of the Seven with messages about staying young, having fun, and denying limits. The idea that shopping is patriotic, for instance, rationalizes addiction and encourages people to medicate their pain.

Eights: Healthy Eights are magnanimous, sharing their power and energy in a community spirit. They are natural leaders who want the best for everybody and act from high ethical values. They are also unguarded, allowing themselves to share the tender side of their heart.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Eights can be overpowering and insensitive to others and aggressive about taking what they impulsively desire. They ignore the impact of their bullying behavior on others even as they deny their own vulnerability. The Eight attention style fixes on power, overt control, excess, strength, and justice.

The prevailing American culture has a love affair with the energy of Eights, particularly as a male Archetype. Americans applaud figures like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood playing roles of protective vengeance. Eights say they feel the culture rewards aggression and supports their strong persona: “I never feel like a victim, I’m effective, and I feel society likes this about me.” While this is true for both sexes, female Eights often feel pressured to temper their aggression and channel their energy through an acceptable feminine image. It is more common for female Eights to develop the altruism of Two and the introversion of Five (see Connecting Points) at an early age.

Nines: At their best, Nines harmoniously connect with others in a way that allows everyone to feel valued. They do this without losing sight of their own contribution and importance.

When caught in their unhealthy pattern, Nines merge with others and lose their sense of self. They feel angry at being overlooked but mask it by being agreeable. Their anger comes out in passive-aggressive ways; by not following through, letting others down in a disengaged, even pleasant style. The Nine attention fixes on finding peace and comfort, identifying with all points of view and avoiding conflict.

American culture rewards ambitious and competitive behavior. Individuals who are articulate and definite about their interests are thought of as intelligent, strong and possibly leaders. Nines, who tend to seek consensus and can be passive about fulfilling personal goals, can be devalued and seen as weak. Nine women, on the other hand, may merge with traditional female roles and be accepted by the culture, even to their own detriment.

c. Carolyn Bartlett, excerpted and modified from The Enneagram Field Guide, Notes on using the Enneagram in Counseling, Therapy and Personal Growth