Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes

Enneagram subtypes, also known as instinctual variants, add depth to the nine core Enneagram types. These subtypes reflect our basic human needs and drive our behaviors in specific areas of life.

The Three Subtypes

1. Self-Preservation (SP): This subtype focuses on physical safety, comfort, and well-being. People with a dominant self-preservation instinct are often concerned with health, financial security, and creating a stable environment.

2. Social (SO): The social subtype is attuned to group dynamics, community, and belonging. Those with a dominant social instinct are often concerned with their role in groups, social status, and contributing to their community.

3. One-to-One (SX): Also known as the sexual subtype, this variant focuses on intense personal connections and experiences. People with a dominant one-to-one instinct often seek deep, passionate relationships and are drawn to intense experiences in various areas of life.

Each Enneagram type expresses these subtypes differently, creating nuanced variations within each type. Let’s explore how these subtypes manifest in each of the nine Enneagram types.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Enneagram Type and Subtype

1. The Perfectionist

Self-Preservation One

• Focuses on personal health and cleanliness
• May have strict dietary habits or exercise routines
• Example: Marie Kondo, known for her meticulous organization methods

Recognize them: They’re the ones with the spotless home and impeccable personal habits.

Social One

• Strives to improve society and uphold moral standards
• Often involved in activism or community reform
• Example: Mahatma Gandhi, who led non-violent resistance for social change

Recognize them: They’re vocal about societal issues and often lead community improvement initiatives.

One-to-One One

• Seeks to perfect their close relationships
• May be critical of partners or friends in an attempt to help them improve
• Example: Michelle Obama, known for her strong partnership with Barack Obama

Recognize them: They often give unsolicited advice to loved ones, always with good intentions.

2. The Helper

Self-Preservation Two

• Focuses on meeting their own needs through helping others
• May use nurturing as a way to ensure their own security
• Example: Martha Stewart, who built an empire around homemaking and hospitality

Recognize them: They’re always offering food or comfort items to others.

Social Two

• Thrives on being needed by their community or social group
• Often takes on multiple roles or responsibilities in groups
• Example: Oprah Winfrey, known for her philanthropy and desire to help masses of people

Recognize them: They’re the ones volunteering for every committee at work or in community organizations.

One-to-One Two

• Intensely focused on one or a few key relationships
• May be possessive or jealous in romantic partnerships
• Example: Taylor Swift, known for her intense focus on friendships and romantic relationships in her music

Recognize them: They’re deeply invested in their close relationships and may struggle with boundaries.

3. The Achiever

Self-Preservation Three

• Focuses on personal success and financial security
• May equate self-worth with material achievements
• Example: Elon Musk, known for his relentless pursuit of business success

Recognize them: They’re often talking about their latest accomplishments or acquisitions.

Social Three

• Strives for status and recognition within their community
• May change persona to fit in with different social groups
• Example: Bill Clinton, known for his charisma and ability to connect with various audiences

Recognize them: They’re the social chameleons, adapting their behavior to win approval in different settings.

One-to-One Three

• Seeks to be the “best” in their personal relationships
• May view relationships as a competition
• Example: Tom Cruise, known for his intense on-screen performances and high-profile relationships

Recognize them: They often compare their relationships to others and strive to be the “perfect” partner.

4. The Individualist

Self-Preservation Four

• Focuses on creating a unique, comfortable environment
• May use material possessions to express individuality
• Example: Wes Anderson, known for his distinctive visual style in filmmaking

Recognize them: Their living space is often a carefully curated expression of their personality.

Social Four

• Expresses uniqueness through social causes or artistic movements
• May feel like an outsider in groups
• Example: Lady Gaga, known for her advocacy and unique public persona

Recognize them: They often align themselves with unconventional social groups or causes.

One-to-One Four

• Seeks intense, romantic connections
• May idealize partners and relationships
• Example: William Shakespeare, whose sonnets and plays often focus on idealized love

Recognize them: They’re drawn to dramatic, passionate relationships and may have a “soulmate” mindset.

5. The Investigator

Self-Preservation Five

• Hoards knowledge and resources for security
• May have extensive emergency preparations
• Example: Henry David Thoreau, known for his self-reliant lifestyle at Walden Pond

Recognize them: They often have stockpiles of supplies and extensive contingency plans.

Social Five

• Uses knowledge to secure a place in social groups
• May take on the role of expert or teacher
• Example: Neil deGrasse Tyson, known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public

Recognize them: They’re often sharing interesting facts or explaining complex topics to others.

One-to-One Five

• Seeks deep, intellectual connections with select individuals
• May use knowledge to attract romantic partners
• Example: Albert Einstein, known for his intense scientific partnerships and correspondence

Recognize them: They form deep bonds over shared intellectual interests.

6. The Loyalist

Self-Preservation Six

• Focuses on creating a safe, stable environment
• May be drawn to jobs with security and benefits
• Example: Warren Buffett, known for his conservative investment strategies

Recognize them: They often ask “what if” questions and plan for worst-case scenarios.

Social Six

• Seeks safety in group membership and loyalty
• May be drawn to traditions and institutions
• Example: Queen Elizabeth II, known for her dedication to royal traditions and duty

Recognize them: They’re often the most committed members of organizations or social groups.

One-to-One Six

• Seeks security through close relationships
• May test loved ones’ loyalty
• Example: John Lennon, known for his intense relationship with Yoko Ono

Recognize them: They value trust above all else in their close relationships.

7. The Enthusiast

Self-Preservation Seven

• Seeks variety in experiences, especially sensory ones
• May have trouble with delayed gratification
• Example: Anthony Bourdain, known for his adventurous culinary explorations

Recognize them: They’re always planning their next adventure or trying the latest trend.

Social Seven

• Enjoys being the “life of the party”
• May take on the role of entertainer in groups
• Example: Robin Williams, known for his energetic performances and ability to connect with audiences

Recognize them: They’re often at the center of social gatherings, keeping everyone entertained.

One-to-One Seven

• Seeks intense experiences through relationships
• May idealize partners and struggle with commitment
• Example: Marilyn Monroe, known for her charismatic screen presence and tumultuous personal life

Recognize them: They’re drawn to whirlwind romances and may have a “grass is greener” mentality in relationships.

8. The Challenger

Self-Preservation Eight

• Focuses on accumulating resources and power
• May have a “survival of the fittest” mentality
• Example: Donald Trump, known for his business empire and forceful personality

Recognize them: They often talk about “winning” and may have an aggressive approach to business.

Social Eight

• Uses strength to protect and lead their community
• May take on the role of champion for the underdog
• Example: Martin Luther King Jr., known for his powerful leadership in the civil rights movement

Recognize them: They’re often standing up for others and challenging authority.

One-to-One Eight

• Seeks intense, passionate relationships
• May be possessive or jealous in partnerships
• Example: Elizabeth Taylor, known for her passionate relationships and marriages

Recognize them: They have a “ride or die” mentality in their close relationships.

9. The Peacemaker

Self-Preservation Nine

• Focuses on creating a comfortable, peaceful environment
• May use food, sleep, or other comforts to self-soothe
• Example: Bob Ross, known for his soothing presence and peaceful landscapes

Recognize them: Their home is often a cozy retreat, and they prioritize comfort and routine.

Social Nine

• Seeks harmony in groups and may mediate conflicts
• May blend into different social situations
• Example: Dalai Lama, known for his message of peace and compassion

Recognize them: They’re often the peacemakers in group settings, smoothing over conflicts.

One-to-One Nine

• Merges with partner’s interests and desires
• May struggle with asserting their own needs in relationships
• Example: Mr. Rogers, known for his gentle, empathetic approach to others

Recognize them: They often adopt their partner’s hobbies and may struggle to make decisions in relationships.

Subtype Stacking

Subtype stacking refers to the order of preference for the three instinctual drives in an individual. Everyone has all three instincts, but they’re usually prioritized in a specific order.

The Concept of Stacking

1. Dominant instinct: The primary focus and strongest drive
2. Secondary instinct: Supports the dominant instinct, used situationally
3. Blind spot: The least developed instinct, often neglected

For example, a stacking might be sp/so/sx (self-preservation first, social second, one-to-one third).

How Stacking Affects Personality and Behavior

• The dominant instinct colors most of a person’s behavior and concerns
• The secondary instinct supports the dominant one and comes into play in specific situations
• The blind spot instinct is often underdeveloped and may cause difficulties in related areas of life

Example: An Eight with a sp/sx/so stacking will focus primarily on resource accumulation and control (sp), seek intense personal relationships (sx), but may struggle with broader social dynamics and group politics (so).

Understanding subtype stacking provides a more nuanced view of personality, explaining why two people of the same Enneagram type and dominant instinct might still behave quite differently.

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