Since humans began to gather in groups, the need to understand one another has emerged. This understanding includes various personality types. The Enneagram classification is one of several categorization systems that encompass different dimensions such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, geometry, and mathematics of personality. The term “Enneagram” consists of two parts: “Ennea,” meaning the number 9 in Greek, and “gram,” meaning a geometric figure. It includes nine personality types, which are the result of extensive research and studies.
In short, the Enneagram is primarily divided into three sections, and the relationships between personality types in terms of geometry are complex. For example, interpreting the marriage of a woman with a dominant personality type 3 and a man with a dominant personality type 8 can be very complicated. However, in this article, we will provide a brief explanation of the characteristics of each personality type.
Characteristics of Enneagram Types
In this section, the characteristics of the Enneagram types will be explained.
Perfectionist
- These individuals are perfectionists and are always seeking the best.
- They view everything with an idealistic perspective and do not consider the possible outcomes for achieving these ideals.
- They are harsh and inflexible critics of themselves and others.
- Occasionally, they may exhibit nervous and illogical behaviors, which they consider logical because they become anxious when things are not perfect.
Helper
- These individuals are constantly looking to help others and act like rescuers.
- Since their mental space is always focused on helping others, they tend to forget and neglect themselves in order to take care of others, which creates expectations of self-sacrifice.
- In extreme situations, these individuals not only sacrifice their own well-being but also the comfort and welfare of their family members to help others.
- People with this personality type are often utilized in situations of danger or when benefits for type 8 individuals are to be gained.
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Success-Oriented
- These individuals are always striving for success and the best, although they have subtle differences from type 1, the perfectionists. In type 1, a person is perfectionistic about their own desires, while in type 3, a person focuses on the desires of others and society, often due to a difficult childhood and strict parents.
- These individuals are intellectually exploited and are driven to meet the needs of society.
- They constantly think about what actions they should take to appear successful and be approved by others.
Introverted
- These individuals often prefer solitude and enjoy working alone, immersing themselves in their own thoughts. This personality type contrasts with type 2.
- Emotional matters are very important to them, and if something doesn’t align with their emotions, they will abandon it.
- If their tendency to isolate themselves becomes excessive, they may lean toward depression and could even contemplate suicide.
- Normally, they possess a great deal of creativity.
The Observer
- This personality type is the quietest and least conspicuous.
- Their behavior is thoughtful, and it is not easy to stir their emotions.
- They are introverted, but unlike type 4, which involves withdrawal and avoidance, type 5 individuals tend to have an avoidant, reclusive nature.
- Many philosophers and intellectuals, like Nietzsche, have this personality type because the way they choose to live gives them more opportunities for deep thought and reflection.
- They analyze and investigate everything, which makes it difficult to gain their attention for marriage.
- They often delay some tasks because they want to consider all aspects before proceeding.
The Loyalist
- Despite their power and high status, they are always seeking a support system, such as a person, belief, or ideology, to rely on and remain loyal to.
- These individuals are slow to trust, but once they do, they are fully loyal, even if it means harm to themselves.
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The Adventurer
- This personality type is pleasure-seeking and thrill-seeking, constantly chasing excitement.
- Normally, they try to make the most of every situation and enjoy it to the fullest.
- These individuals are carefree and tend to make choices that offer high benefits, leaving them with many options. For example, they might buy an SUV to enjoy both the features of a regular car and the options available in off-road vehicles.
- In extreme cases, they may become overly seeking of novelty and superficial, engaging in reckless behaviors like divorce, infidelity, or addiction.
- These individuals crave the freedom to choose and cannot be forced to do something they are not inclined to.
Leader or Power-Seeker
- These individuals act with power in most areas and complete their tasks thoroughly.
- Management is an inseparable part of their behavior, and their actions are strategic.
- They naturally take control in group settings and lead the crowd, persuading others with logic and reasoning to follow them.
- In extreme or negative cases, these individuals can become controlling and domineering.
- In positive cases, they gather the collective energy in one direction and prevent the wastage of resources.
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Mediator
- Individuals with this personality type are constantly striving to establish peace and harmony within a group.
- They work hard to keep the group calm and prevent anything from creating tension.
- These individuals have a calm and gentle demeanor and are fond of peace.
- In the negative spectrum, they tend to withdraw from their own position and disregard their own interests. This trait, over time, causes them distress and leads to procrastination.
- Because they are constantly trying to sacrifice themselves, their mind and psyche are out of sync, and they often experience internal struggles.
- By neglecting themselves, they gradually become frustrated and lose their vitality.
- To avoid creating tension, they tend to prioritize second-rate tasks over those with higher importance.
Each of these personality types has both positive and negative dimensions. In positive instances, they are helpful, while in negative ones, they can be damaging. However, with proper management and full understanding of them, one can make use of their positive aspects. Moreover, these personality types exist relatively within all individuals, with one of them being more prominent in each person. Therefore, one cannot fully understand people solely through this typology.