Have you ever been in a situation where you reacted in a way that surprised you and made you wonder, why did I even do that?
Have you felt the urge to sweep the kitchen even though your significant other just finished because your hawk eyes noticed a missed spot? Or have you been compelled to continue arguing about something you are passionate about, even after the other party seems withdrawn from the conversation?
If thinking about situations like these has kept you up at night, you may have found yourself Googling something like, why am I like this?
Possibly, you have connected the dots that your choices are affected by your personality, and you are acting on some "mysterious" force that motivates your actions. This realization may have prompted another online search, such as, what is the best personality quiz? Many people search for answers about the motives for the decisions they make or the opinions they hold.
Lucky for you, you have arrived at a place to learn about a personality typing system that has gathered a substantial following recently, the Enneagram Personality test.
One of the reasons that the Enneagram test has become so popular is that it acts as a blueprint for the journey of self-exploration. This test not only tells you about your personality, but its dynamic design offers insight into how it tends to change when under stress or during personal growth. It can help you expand your communication skills, understand the motives of people you interact with, and highlight your character strengths and weaknesses.
The History of the Enneagram Test Explained
So, what is an Enneagram assessment? The Enneagram has ancient roots. Its history is traced back to the Greeks — ennea is the root word for 9, and gramma means something drawn or written.
There are traces of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism influences connected with the Enneagram. Many religious and spiritual communities have adopted this practice, and the Enneagram has many spiritual integrations. Over the years, many people have made contributions that have shaped what we know today as the Enneagram.
- Georg Ivanovich Gurdjieff is thought to have reignited this concept in the 1930s.
- The Enneagram was introduced in America sometime in the 1960s by Oscar Ichazo.
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Claudio Naranjo has been credited with introducing the Enneagram concept into psychology.
- Per the Enneagram Institute, Don Riso introduced his version in 1977.
- Don Riso collaborated with Russ Hudson in the 1990s to make additional amendments.
The Enneagram personality test t has sparked the interest of many across varying belief systems, nationalities, and walks of life. Its concepts can be applied to various aspects of our lives, helping us make sense of our personalities and highlighting ways to improve our traits.
Today, the use of the Enneagram has stretched to counseling offices, job interviews, career choices, and programs such as the Enneagram Prison Project. There are a variety of online tests telling you things, such as which donut you are based on your Enneagram number.
Concepts of the Enneagram Assessment
The basis of the Enneagram is that our core motivations, fears, needs, and beliefs determine our personalities. These beliefs affect our actions and decisions. Our emotions considerably drive our personalities.
Truthfully, while it is common to refer to the Enneagram as a personality assessment, it’s actually considered a tool for spiritual development. Unlike many other assessments grounded in personality traits and personality types, the Enneagram is based on spiritual concepts.
Many believe that we are born with a basic personality. Yet, our environmental factors, unique experiences, and developed coping mechanisms impact how that personality develops. Experts agree you should refrain from trying to type juveniles since they are not fully developed. Childhood is associated with many stages of development that may not be true to our basic personality. This is the same reasoning behind not diagnosing young people with personality disorders.
The journey of self-reflection using the Enneagram begins with taking a test.
Many versions of the Enneagram assessment exist; however, they all are structured similarly. It is usually a lengthy test using one of two question formats. In one format, statements are given, followed by a number scale that consists of one end representing a great sense of connection and the other representing no association. The second variation consists of two opposing statements and the test taker marks the one they most identify with.
Each question gives insight into the person’s personality and is weighted towards a particular Enneagram type. The highest ranked type is labeled your basic personality when the score is tallied.
There are various names given to these personality types across the Internet. However, their overall traits remain consistent. These nine Enneagram types are further divided into three triads. These are known as the head triad (Types 5, 6, and 7), the heart triad (Types 2, 3, and 4), and the gut triad (Types 8, 9, and 1, sometimes referred to as the body triad).
- The Enneagram head triad personalities are thought to base their reality upon the emotion of fear. They tend to be very intellectual, often analyzing the world around them.
- The Enneagram heart triad personalities tend to act upon the emotion of shame and rely upon their feelings for most of their reactions and connections.
- The Enneagram gut triad personalities operate upon the emotion of rage or anger and tend to follow their intuition.
Discovering your Enneagram type provides insight into your true being. It gives you a place to start on the path of self-development. This method highlights areas where your traits can be improved and developed.
Discovering where you may lack healthy traits can show you how to grow as an individual.
The Enneagram provides guidance on which areas you are lacking in and how you can change that. We are believed to contain aspects within ourselves from each of the nine personality types.
Using the Enneagram assessment is not a quick fix, however. It can take years of work to find a healthy balance. The objective is to develop each area of personality until you have become balanced, using traits from each to approach life with various tools to help identify the best decisions possible in each situation.
What Are the Nine Enneagram Types?
The Enneagram personality types are categorized into nine main groups. Despite different labels on varying sites, each type is associated with the same specific traits. These are:
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The Perfectionist (Type 1, also known as the Reformer),
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The Giver (Type 2, also known as the Helper),
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The Achiever (Type 3, also known as the Performer),
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The Individualist (Type 4, also known as the Romantic or the Sensitive),
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The Investigator (Type 5, also known as the Observer),
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The Loyalist (Type 6, also known as the Loyal Skeptic or the Skeptic),
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The Enthusiast (Type 7, also known as the Epicure),
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The Challenger (Type 8, also known as the Protector), and
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The Peacemaker (Type 9, also known as the Mediator).
Here is an overview to help you understand what the numbers on the Enneagram personality test mean.
Enneagram Type 1 — The Perfectionist
The perfectionist is a highly ethical individual who seeks perfection. They operate on their own morals and strive to be positive, “good” people who contribute to society. They tend to be mature, punctual, and honest. They often seek to improve the world around them.
The perfectionist falls under the gut triad, which causes them to primarily use their instincts when making decisions. Their motivating emotion is anger. Unfortunately, the perfectionist can be judgmental and impersonal, often being found guilty of hypocrisy and being overly critical.
Type 1 Perfectionists fear being seen as corrupt or as a bad person.
Learn more about Enneagram 1 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 1s here.
Enneagram Type 2 — The Giver
The giver operates from a place of love. They are happiest when they can help others and show love for those around them. They enjoy connecting with others and feel best when able to share their time and energy to help their loved ones. A giver finds special appreciation by feeling loved by others. Their primary motivation is to be liked, so they tend to be people pleasers.
The giver lies under the heart triad, so emotions, particularly shame, drive their primary instinct. Some negative aspects of this personality include increased possessiveness, manipulation, and the giver's tendency to ignore their own needs.
The greatest fear of Type 2 is being unlovable.
Learn more about Enneagram 2 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 2s here.
Enneagram Type 3 — The Achiever
The achiever is a successful being who values personal achievements and feeling accomplished. Their reputation is paramount, and they love to be admired. They thrive on new challenges and the opportunity to realize a dream. They value authenticity and honesty.
The achiever also falls in the heart triad. Shame is their motivating emotion. An achiever may place too much importance on what others think about them. They tend to be workaholics and can be narcissistic, selfish, and hostile.
Type 3 Achievers fear being seen as worthless.
Learn more about Enneagram 3 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 3s here.
Enneagram Type 4 — The Individualist
Uniqueness and authenticity are the leading traits of the individualist. The individualist focuses on creating a distinctive image and loves to stand out in a crowd. Creativity, individuality, and imagination are the hallmark of an individualist.
The individualist completes the heart triad; shame motivates their actions. Undesirable traits of an individualist can include moodiness, jealousy, and self-absorption. They can be plagued with envy and self-doubt, are often abundantly self-conscious, and have issues with melancholy and even, sadly, depression.
Type 4’s fear being insignificant.
Learn more about Enneagram 4 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 4s here.
Enneagram Type 5 — The Investigator
The investigator is a wise and informed individual who is engaged in discovering connections, finding patterns, and loves to learn. They can be found analyzing and processing information and are often inventors.
Led by the head triad, the investigator uses their brain to make decisions and work based on the emotion of fear. Unfortunately, these traits often make the investigator isolated, secretive, and even eccentric. Type 5s tend to be more rare than other Enneagrams.
Type 5 Investigators fear incompetence.
Learn more about Enneagram 5 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 5s here.
Enneagram Type 6 — The Loyalist
Security and safety are the leading motivations of the skeptic. They are detail-oriented, witty, and abundantly gifted as troubleshooters. The skeptic is usually a pillar in the community because they can see the big picture and identify actions that will achieve overall good.
Also governed by the head triad, fear tends to motivate them. Negative traits include dependency, rebelliousness, and anxiety. They tend to see the worst-case outcomes and are indecisive and skeptical.
Type 6 Skeptics fear a lack of safety or support.
Learn more about Enneagram 6 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 6s here.
Enneagram Type 7 — The Enthusiast
The enthusiast can be found seeking adventure and new experiences. Enjoying every ounce of life by exploring new opportunities and finding excitement each day is the hallmark of an enthusiast. They tend to be very energetic, keep themselves busy, are spontaneous, and are known to be the focus of the party.
As the final part of the head triad, Type 7 Enthusiasts are also motivated by fear. They can be plagued by being easily distracted, very impulsive, and tend to fall into escapism.
Feelings of boredom, sadness, and pain are terrifying to enthusiasts, so they tend to avoid them by staying on the go.
Learn more about Enneagram 7 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 7s here.
Enneagram Type 8 — The Challenger
The challenger is a strong, authoritative leader who stands by their convictions. They tend to be powerful, assertive, and protective, often feeling like the defender of those they care about. The challenger loves having control. It makes them happy to seek improvement in anything that they do.
The challenger is motivated by the gut triad. Their primary emotion is anger, which can make them insensitive and combative. Challengers are never surprised when they find themselves in an argument and are pretty headstrong regarding their beliefs.
Type 8 Challengers fear being controlled.
Learn more about Enneagram 8 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 8s here.
Enneagram Type 9 — The Peacemaker
The peacemaker is a soothing and tranquil being. They strive for calm and harmonious interactions and usually can keep a group working together without confrontation. A peacemaker is very tolerant and accepting, often finding that others will seek solace by sharing their thoughts and issues. They are inclined to float with the current rather than take the lead.
Another branch of the gut triad, peacemakers are interestingly motivated by anger. Despite thriving in calmness, when peacemakers are overwhelmed by withheld emotions, they often have explosive anger outbursts. Other negative traits include passivity, disconnectedness, and even neglectfulness at times.
Type 9 Peacemakers fear confrontation.
Learn more about Enneagram 9 here, discover its strengths and weaknesses in the workplace here, and check out some famous Enneagram 9s here.
Is There More to Enneagram Types?
Once you identify your primary Enneagram personality type, there are other distinctions to detect.
One of these is the Enneagram wing. For example, suppose your basic personality is 9, the peacemaker. In that case, your wings will be the adjacent numbers on the Enneagram wheel. In this case, the wings are 8 and 1.
Of these two wings, the one you scored second-highest on the test will be your primary wing. You will likely take on traits from this wing, especially during times of intense feeling.
In our example, let's say the Enneagram 9 person scored higher on Enneagram 1 (the perfectionist) than 8. This person will primarily exhibit the traits associated with a peacemaker but will often incorporate characteristics from the perfectionist, particularly when stressed. This would be called an Enneagram Type 9 with a 1 wing, or 9w1.
Another layer to explore is the concept of Enneagram subtypes. These subtypes—Self-Preservation, One-to-One, and Social Instincts—describe how each personality type is shaped by instinctual drives. Every Enneagram type is expressed in three distinct ways based on these instincts, creating a total of 27 Enneagram subtypes.
For instance, a Type 9 with a Social instinct might focus on maintaining group harmony, while a Self-Preservation Type 9 may prioritize personal comfort and security.
These wings and subtypes add nuance to your Enneagram type, helping you understand how your personality shows up in different contexts.
What Enneagram Type Am I?
While you could read each Enneagram type's descriptions and guess what you believe is your dominant type, the only way to know for sure is to take an assessment. We each have characteristics of all nine types, so simply reading about them might not allow you to objectively “decide who you are.”
Additionally, because Enneagram Theory is based on concepts that may be perceived negatively, it can sometimes be difficult for people to “claim” such traits. For example, who wants to admit they are motivated by anger, shame, or fear? Yet, according to Enneagram theory, it is the very acceptance of these emotions as part of who we are that helps people move towards personal growth.
That said, here’s a quick overview of the three Enneagram Triads and the nine Enneagram Types so you can see it all in one spot.
Enneagram Heart Triad
The Enneagram Types in the heart triad are motivated by shame.
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Needs: Love
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Fears: Being unlovable
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Values: Connection
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Needs: Validation
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Fears: Being worthless
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Values: Success, reputation
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Needs: Attention
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Fears: Being insignificant or common
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Values: Uniqueness
Enneagram Head Triad
The Enneagram Types in the head triad are motivated by fear.
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Needs: Knowledge
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Fears: Incompetence
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Values: Learning and inventing
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Needs: Trustworthiness
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Fears: Insecurity
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Values: Bravery
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Needs: Excitement
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Fears: Facing their feelings
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Values: Living life to the fullest
Enneagram Gut Triad/Body Triad
The Enneagram Types in the gut triad are motivated by anger.
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Needs: Control
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Fears: Being out of control
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Values: Seeking self-improvement
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Needs: Harmony
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Fears: Conflict
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Values: Peace and acceptance
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Needs: To be a good person
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Fears: Corruption, being seen as bad
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Values: Perfection, honesty
How To Read The Enneagram Chart
The Enneagram assessment will identify your primary personality type by identifying your number. Each Enneagram type has an associated description to identify traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
As we mentioned, some just read the descriptions of each personality type rather than taking an actual Enneagram assessment. They try to remain open and decide which description resonates the most within themselves. Many say that you will know when you read the description you belong to because it will cause you to feel emotional or perhaps give you the chills.
The next step is to identify your wing.
Once you find your primary number on the Enneagram chart, you will see associated lines and arrows connecting your type to other types. One of these is the direction of disintegration or stress, and the other indicates the direction of integration or growth.
- The stress arrow goes in order from 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 and 9-6-3-9.
- The growth arrow goes in order from 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 and 9-3-6-9.
These lines help you identify traits you may take on during stress or growth. An unbalanced or “unhealthy” individual will take on negative traits during these times. The inverse is true for a balanced or “healthy” person.
Sometimes our score is not easily interpreted.
There may not be a clear primary type due to similar scores in multiple types. This lack of clarity in the results may indicate that an individual has not spent enough time understanding themselves, so they have difficulty answering the questions. Or inversely, an individual may have done quite a lot of spiritual or developmental work, allowing them to find balance in their decisions and emotions.
While we are thought to have a primary type from birth, our perceptions change with new experiences and revelations. We are also affected during monumental life shifts like a breakup or losing a loved one.
Why Should I Take the Enneagram Test?
You may wonder, what are the benefits of taking an Enneagram assessment? When it comes down to it, there is always the what's in it for me?
Luckily, the Enneagram is helpful in a multitude of ways.
First, identifying your personality type provides a starting spot for you to begin your journey of self-awareness. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses can indicate areas where you are doing well and those where you can improve. Knowing where you excel can help you feel pride and encourage you to develop these strengths further.
Meanwhile, illuminating habits that are not beneficial can help you focus on which skills need a bit more work.
According to the Journal of Adult Development, “findings suggest that Enneagram Intensive trainings may be beneficial for promoting psychological growth and ego development.”
Also, knowing your personality traits can help you gain mindful control over your emotions. You may be able to process your feelings and where they root. The concepts of the Enneagram provide explanations as to why our traits seem to change during stress or growth.
Visualizing our common reactions brings awareness to our emotions; we can change our responses with practice.
Our communication skills are greatly elevated once we see that many people operate based on their personality type. We can understand why the person we are dealing with acts the way they do and realize some of the motivations from which they operate.
How can I apply Enneagram concepts to my own life?
The Enneagram typology is helpful in many ways. Not only does it boost our communication skills, help us process our emotions, and lead us on the path of self-awareness. Other applications include:
- Some counselors and therapists have begun to implement these typologies into their therapy. As individuals, information about our Enneagram type can be used to improve our mental health.
- Claudio Naranjo held a theory that the nine Enneagram types could be linked to a related personality disorder.
- It can help us understand our coping mechanisms and how to better take care of ourselves. Understanding our fears and motivations can even help us become more organized.
- We can better understand those around us, so our compassion grows. This information can also help improve our relationships with others. On a less "serious" note, knowing a person's Enneagram can even make it easier to select the perfect gift.
- Knowing our strengths, weaknesses, and preferences can help us identify career opportunities that may best align with our capabilities and values.
- Some businesses have begun to implement the Ennealogy concepts into the hiring process—taking advantage of the opportunity to hire someone who best fits their needs based on their personality traits.
- Research suggests that there are connections between physical health and Enneagram types.
Caution! How NOT To Use The Enneagram
While the Enneagram is quite a helpful resource that can be used as a tool, it is also possible to use it as a weapon. Suppose you choose to identify someone's personality and seek to use their negative traits against them. In that case, you may cause damage to the relationship. Use this tool to grow, not highlight someone's faults.
Another pitfall to avoid is using your results to rationalize poor behavior or harmful actions. Some people use their type as a shield against criticism and may even choose it as an excuse not to grow as an individual. Or they may decide not to experiment with new prospects that might present themselves because it's "not in agreement" with the description of their type.
Most importantly, personality and motivational factors are complex and nuanced. The more self-development you pursue, the more it will make sense to you. No one test or explanation can give you 100% of the picture. It is essential to remain open to learning and becoming your best version at any opportunity.
The Bottom Line
The essence of the Enneagram assessment is identifying the starting point on an endless journey where one becomes self-aware. It can highlight your strengths to celebrate and identify areas for improvement, with the ongoing objective of finding overall balance.
Take the time to learn about each Enneagram number and its corresponding traits to apply this to your interactions with the people around you. Awareness that our personalities fluctuate based on our experiences, developmental stages, and how much work we've put into our self-awareness is crucial.
We are unfinished, glorious pieces of art, still finding our way across the canvas of life.
If you are ready to become the most exceptional version of yourself, taking our Enneagram assessment is the perfect place to start. Once you get your results, you can access our growing database of self-improvement and personal development articles, tools, and exercises.
