What Are the Subtypes?
By Rev. Rhonda Abbott Blevins, DMIN
Author’s note: This article is part of a series entitled “Enneagram 101.”
Previous Post: “Enneagram Arrows Part 2: Integration”
There is much confusion about subtypes in the Enneagram world. With this article, I will introduce the concept of suptypes in Enneagram theory, and dispel a leading source of confusion related to subtypes.
In previous articles, I have introduced the nine core personality types of the Enneagram, and I’ve started uncovering some of the additional influences on our personalities that makes each person so unique, like wings and arrows. Subtypes are one more dimension to become aware of—each of the nine core personality types have three subtypes, resulting in the 27 subtypes of the Enneagram.
A person’s Enneagram subtype is a combination of the primary instinct and passion. Let me explain.
THREE INSTINCTS
Let’s start with the instincts. According to Enneagram theory, there are three basic instincts that have evolved to help us navigate the world and ensure our survival.
First, there is the self-preservation instinct. This instinct is focused on physical well-being and survival needs such as food, shelter, and safety. Individuals who lead with this instinct are often concerned with health, finances, and material security.
Secondly, there is the social instinct. This relates to our sense of belonging and fitting in with our community or group. Individuals who lead with this instinct are often concerned with their social status, reputation, and the opinions of others.
Thirdly, there is the one-to-one instinct (sometimes called the sexual instinct). This instinct is focused on forming intimate connections with others and finding a mate. Individuals who lead with this instinct are often focused on their relationships and might be prone to jealousy or possessiveness.
It is important to note that everyone has access to all three instincts, but one tends to be more dominant than the others. Understanding your dominant instinct can provide insights into your behavior, motivations, and strengths, as well as areas for growth and development.
The dominant instinct, together with the “passion” (sometimes called “vice”) for each Enneagram type, manifests as subtype. The “passion” points to the core emotional-motivational issue for each type. The passions arise out of a sense of lack—of needing or wanting something just out of reach. This sense of lack creates a dilemma or trap around which the structure of the personality forms.
PASSIONS
Here is a brief description of the “passion” for each Enneagram type. And let’s face it, few of us enjoy coming face-to-face with our passion or vice, but understanding these passions, even learning to befriend them, is a pathway to greater freedom and less reactivity.
At Type One, the Perfectionist, the passion is anger/resentment. Ones can be highly critical of themselves and others and may struggle with resentment or frustration when their ideal is not realized.
For Type Two, the Helper, the passion is pride. This pride can manifest as self-inflation and false generosity and may fuel a pattern of self-idealization and grandiosity followed by self-devaluation and self-criticism.
At Type Three, the Achiever, the passion is deceit. Threes may be tempted to present a false image or exaggerate their achievements, hiding their true selves to become what they want to be or believe others want them to be.
For Type Four, the Individualist, the passion is envy. This presents as a painful sense of lack, leading Fours toward longing or dissatisfaction with life. Fours may compare themselves, especially unfavorably, with other people.
At Type Five, the Sage, the passion is avarice. Avarace is a desire to get or to keep; Fives may be overly attached to their resources or knowledge and may struggle to share or to let go of these things.
For Type Six individuals, the Loyalist, the passion is fear. Sixes are prone to anxiety and to tension—they may feel apprehensive in anticipation of recognized and unrecognized sources of danger.
At Type Seven, the Adventurer, the passion is gluttony. We often think of gluttony as overeating, but gluttony in Enneagram speak is a constant craving for more—excessively consuming whatever may bring pleasure.
For Type Eight individuals, the Challenger, the passion is lust/forcefulness. Lust refers to excess and intensity in various forms. Eights may be highly driven by their desires and passions and may struggle to control their impulses.
At Type Nine, the Peacemaker, the passion is sloth/disengagement. Less about inaction, this passion relates more to an inattention to oneself and a deep-seeded inertia when it comes to tuning into what’s going on inside.
SUBTYPES
These nine passions, when combined with the dominant instinct, create the 27 subtypes of the Enneagram. For instance, you may hear someone say, “I’m a self-preservation Four (sp4),” or “I’m a social Seven (so7)” or “I’m a one-to-one One (sx1).”
Subtypes help explain why two people, both Enneagram Nines, may behave quite differently. In future articles, I’ll dig into how these subtypes manifest for each type. But for now, I invite you to consider these two questions: 1) which of the three instincts is strongest for you at present, and 2) how is your passion/vice showing up in your daily life?
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