What is the Enneagram?

The enneagram is a model that structures human personality based on 9 different types of functioning that relate to the direction of three centers of intelligence (mental, emotional, and instinctive) that we all have. Each enneagram type is based on unconscious fears, desires to compensate them, and expresses a unique way in which the three centers of intelligence interact with each other.

The assessment analyzes your personality with a neighboring group participation system (the wings) and several levels of healthiness at the heart of each type (which can lead towards an integration or a disintegration type). Thus, two people of the same type, depending on how they manage their compulsions and the degree of influence of neighboring types, can be very different.

What differentiates the types?

An enneagram type is not defined by the personality traits that are generally attributed to it (especially since these traits can be very different depending on one's level of healthiness), but above all by its avoidance compulsion. This is the root of an enneagram type. From this compulsion are deduced the centers of attention and motivation, the vices and the defense mechanisms.

The compulsion is not always easy to identify, especially since, most of the time, humans are influenced by it on an unconscious level. The precise purpose of the enneagram is to help us become aware of this trait in order to help our personal development.

Can a person have multiple types?

No, not typically. Most people will score strongly on one or two numbers, typically the second number becoming the wing. When a person from an enneagram type masters the underlying compulsion, they are able to develop the positive qualities of all types and create a positive influence on both themselves and others.

However, you can absolutely have personality traits from different Enneagram types, and it is often the case! We can all develop all the personality traits of all the types, without being a part of those types. Especially when we are “healthy” when we are more “masters” and at peace with ourselves.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Assessment:

This specific link below will take you to an assessment that is translated into English, Spanish, and French. The results that are given are thorough and comprehensive and also give you data on which wing you are, which is important to your overall result. The website also reviews which center you have; this information will be of use to you when you read the descriptions below. 

Once you have your result, you can review the type descriptors below. These descriptors are based on psychoanalytic theory, which will be unique from any other description you may find online. 

Take the Enneagram