THE 9 ENNEAGRAM TYPES (IN BRIEF)

Source

Source: These types are related to MBTI for a guide but they are not accurate 'matches'; they are suggestions.

1. THE REFORMER

ISTJ, ESTJ

The Rational, Idealistic Type:

Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic

Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective

Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced

Key Motivations: Want to be right, to strive higher and improve everything, to be consistent with their ideals, to justify themselves, to be beyond criticism so as not to be condemned by anyone.

Fictional character examples:

Atticus from To Kill A Mockingbird

Elinor from Sense And Sensibility

Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey

Laura from Lark Rise to Candleford

2. THE HELPER

ESFJ, ENFJ, ISFP, ESFP, ENFP, ISFJ

The Caring, Interpersonal Type:

Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive

Basic Fear: Of being unwanted, unworthy of being loved

Basic Desire: To feel loved

Key Motivations: Want to be loved, to express their feelings for others, to be needed and appreciated, to get others to respond to them, to vindicate their claims about themselves.

Fictional character examples:

Jane from Jane Eyre

Prince Caspian from The Chronicles of Narnia

Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey

Peter Parker from Spider-Man


3. THE ACHIEVER

ENTJ, ENTP

The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type:

Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious

Basic Fear: Of being worthless

Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile

Key Motivations: Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.

Fictional character examples:

P.T. Barnum from The Greatest Showman

Emma Woodhouse from Emma

Harry Selfridge from Mr. Selfridge

George Warleggen from Poldark

4. THE INDIVIDUALIST

INFP, INFJ

The Sensitive, Introspective Type:

Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental

Basic Fear: That they have no identity or personal significance

Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance (to create an identity)

Key Motivations: Want to express themselves and their individuality, to create and surround themselves with beauty, to maintain certain moods and feelings, to withdraw to protect their self-image, to take care of emotional needs before attending to anything else, to attract a "rescuer."

Fictional character examples:

Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables

Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre

Marianne from Sense And Sensibility

Jo March from Little Women


5. THE INVESTIGATOR

INTP, INTJ, ISTJ, ISTP

The Intense, Cerebral Type:

Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable

Basic Desire: To be capable and competent

Key Motivations: Want to possess knowledge, to understand the environment, to have everything figured out as a way of defending the self from threats from the environment.

Fictional character examples:

Sherlock from Sherlock Holmes

Caroline from Poldark

Mr. Darcy from Pride And Prejudice

Violet from Downton Abbey

6. THE LOYALIST

ISFJ, ISTJ

The Committed, Security-Oriented Type:

Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious

Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance

Basic Desire: To have security and support

Key Motivations: Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.

Fictional character examples:

Demelza from Poldark

Colonel Brandon from Sense And Sensibility

Susan from The Chronicles of Narnia

Matthew from Downton Abbey


7. THE ENTHUSIAST

ESTP, ENTP, ENFP, ESFP

The Busy, Variety-Seeking Type:

Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered

Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain

Basic Desire: To be satisfied and content—to have their needs fulfilled

Key Motivations: Want to maintain their freedom and happiness, to avoid missing out on worthwhile experiences, to keep themselves excited and occupied, to avoid and discharge pain.

Fictional character examples:

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride And Prejudice

Theodore Laurence from Little Women

Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair

Fisher Bloom from Lark Rise to Candleford

8. THE CHALLENGER

ESTJ, ENTJ

The Powerful, Dominating Type:

Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others

Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)

Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.

Fictional character examples:

Lady Mary from Downton Abbey

Ross Poldark from Poldark

Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With The Wind

Scrooge from A Christmas Carol


9. THE PEACEMAKER

ISFP, INFP

The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type:

Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent

Basic Fear: Of loss and separation

Basic Desire: To have inner stability "peace of mind"

Key Motivations: Want to create harmony in their environment, to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them.

Fictional character examples:

Jane Bennet from Pride and Prejudice

Dwight Enys from Poldark