Enneagram Typing: My Next Stop

Enneagram / /

Naturally I could not limit myself to the MBTI, Socionics, and Neuro-PQ! Next on my list of typology subjects to explore in greater depth was my enneagram typing.

Trying Typing with Online Tests

Over a few months’ time I took a number of online assessments of my type. There was never a problem identifying my main enneagram type. Without a doubt I am a One. I was almost positive that I was a 1w2. Figuring out the tritype and instinctual variant was a bit more problematic. I wavered between 2w1 and 4w5 for my heart center; and was all over the map on the third element, the head center. In no particular temporal order, tests I took yielded the following results (with correct typing highlighted):

Enneagram Test Results

As can clearly be seen, trying to type oneself with online tests produces results which are neither accurate nor consistent. What to do? I discovered that there are people who do enneagram typing via personal interview.

Trying Typing with Personal Interview

Enneagram

It just so happened that I was already familiar (on Twitter and Facebook) with someone who does enneagram typing. Indeed, I had watched on YouTube as Kat Passionate typed Jack Oliver Aaron of the World Socionics Society. What did I have to lose? My head center preference (5, 6, or 7) was testing all over the place, aside from being consistently among my lowest scores. So, I arranged with Kat for an interview at True Generations.

Early in April 2020 we did the interview through a Facebook Messenger audio call. I really enjoyed speaking with Kat, who is warm and enthusiastic. As an interesting side note, she suffers from fibromyalgia–as I do–and we were able to share some thoughts on that as well as my enneagram tritype. After a lengthy discussion of my attitudes and behavior, we reached a viable conclusion as to my enneagram type: 1w2 2w1 6w5 sx/so.

As a follow-up to the interview, Kat shared a number of resources that helped me understand my type, tritype, and instinctual variant better. I am very glad to have settled on a typing that I feel is accurate for me.

Type Me: Inconsistent

Jungian Typology / /

An Offer I Could Not Refuse

A recent post by Ana Sitnina of Encyclopedia Socionika to the World Socionics Society FaceBook group to which I belong offered to type me (or others) at no charge. I quickly responded with questions about the procedure, which involved:

  • Downloading a questionnaire
  • Videotaping myself as I answered the 41 (actually 42) questions
  • Uploading my video to YouTube with relevant links to the group making the offer
  • Posting the link to my video back on FaceBook
  • Waiting for the results

Never one to refuse an offer which could result in greater self-understanding, I taped the video that evening and provided the appropriate links. Then I waited with bated breath for the analysis.

A(nother) Result I did Not Expect

Report

After several days I received the report on my results on FaceBook. Click here to read the report. Here is a link to my video on YouTube, which provided the basis for the analysis.

Since I type myself (and have elsewhere been typed) as EII (Ethical Intuitive Integrator), I was surprised to see myself typed as SEI (Sensory Ethical Integrator).

Reaction

I can make sense of some of the aspects of the interview which created the impression of high Fe. For instance, I found the process of answering questions from a list–with no interaction–both awkward and amusing, so I laughed a lot while making the video. Nevertheless, I remain unconvinced that I am a sensory type (although Si would be slightly more likely than Se). I also apparently displayed alpha quadra values in the video, whereas in “real life” I consistently identify with delta quadra values.

Ms. Sitnina inquired about my previous typing, so I told her I believe I am an EII. In addition, I shared a link to my blog post detailing my experience with previous typing interviews. She responded:

Thank you for your time and answers =) I have looked at the link – I find it interesting that first Jack’s typing was Si-lead.

I understand how easy it can be to see lead Fi – in the beginning we were thinking ESI, as you do produce a lot of Fi and it’s clearly very strong. There is also, for us, a very noticeable Se, so EII was ruled out. As we proceeded with the video, it became clearer that Fe is still preferred ethics, despite a major Fi input, and also that Se is something you don’t value, despite being good and confident at it. The preference of Si over Se was also very clear, even with two sensorics present. Also instances of NeTi ruled out ESI completely. But because of both ethics and both sensorics present, it wasn’t a very straightforward one = )

~Ana Sitnina

My response to Ms. Sitnina’s first point is that Si lead was the element about which Jack was least certain in my first interview with him. I agree that Fi is strong for me, but I also value it. That would not be the case for an SEI. Fe is pretty strong for me as well, but I do not value it. Ms. Sitnina is correct that I do not value Se.  In addition, I also do not enjoy using it.

Rationale

I am not certain whether I should attribute these typing discrepancies to different analytical systems (schools of socionics), typing procedure (interview vs. questionnaire), or socionists. Perhaps my own “performance inconsistencies” are the cause. In any case, I conclude that the “best fit” socionics type for me still is Ethical Intuitive Integrator…at least for now.

Could I Be an Introspective ENFP?

Jungian Typology / / 
Is it possible?
    Could I be
An introspective
    ENFP?

Exploring My Type in Cognitive Personality Theory

Read All About It

As I continued to explore the field of typology, I discovered Cognitive Personality Theory. CPT is an approach to Jungian psychology developed by Harry Murrell, and it differs from both MBTI and Socionics.

First, I watched a number of the videos on Harry’s YouTube channel to familiarize myself with the basic concepts of CPT. Next I purchased and read his eBook. Some aspects of the theory made a lot of sense to me. For example, Harry postulates that the auxiliary to the dominant function has the same orientation—extraverted or introverted—as the dominant. On the other hand, CPT defines ‘extraversion’ and ‘introversion’ differently than MBTI-related typologies, which created some confusion.

Finally, I tried to determine my CPT type. Because CPT is so different from other Jungian typologies, I was struggling to discover where I fit. So what was the solution? Set up an interview with Harry Murrell himself and see what he says.

Let the Expert Decide

Harry interviewed me on June 28. After that, I left the following recommendation on his website:

Talking with Harry is like talking with a really good friend…except the conversation is all about you! I am not usually very comfortable talking to a complete stranger about my inner workings, but Harry made the experience easy. Two hours sped by, and I eagerly awaited the results, which came—exactly as promised—ten days later. The analysis I received was thorough and enlightening, and started me on a process of self-examination…which is ongoing. Getting typed by Harry is well worth the cost! If you are wondering about your type, I highly recommend Harry’s type service.

Harry concluded—initially and finally—that I am an ENT-Fs, also known as the ENFP.

Your Intuition seems both convergent and extraverted in nature, as you seek to encapsulate a broad range of Te responsibilities and simultaneously innovate upon them. Your forward-moving perspective is in keeping with an Intuitive-dominant and the auxiliary to your dominant seems highly objective and rationalistic (Te).

As we explored in our call, it is not unusual for us to identity with the opposite orientation of our cognitive stack as we grow and develop (INFJ in this instance), but any interactions with that particular cognition seem to stem from an Ne centre.

I would say you have a fair amount of axial fluidity between dominant and oppositional functions, and as such there was some difficulty determining whether you were an introspective ENT-Fs or energetic ISF-Tn – on the whole, however, your primary dialogue does seem to be one of abstract interaction with external reality.

~Harry Murrell

Comparing ENFP to Previous Typings

Although somewhat surprised by this analysis, I remembered that I tested as ENFP when I initially took the MBTI decades ago. In addition, I do identify now with the INFJ, as Harry noted. The MBTI Level II that I took last year typed me as an “Emergent INFJ.”

Also, it is interesting that these components of my CPT type are the same as my valued IMEs in Socionics:

  • Dominant: Ne
  • Convergent Auxiliary: Te
  • Divergent Auxiliary: Fi
  • Oppositional: Si

However, they are arranged differently for the EII (my Socionics type):

  • Leading: Fi (R) = 4D, Public, Valued, Strong, Bold, Consistent, Demanding, Stubborn
  • Creative: Ne (I) = 3D, Public, Valued, Strong, Cautious, Variable, Supplying, Flexible
  • Mobilizing: Si (S) = 2D, Private, Valued, Weak, Bold, Variable, Supplying, Stubborn
  • Suggestive: Te (P) = 1D, Private, Valued, Weak, Cautious, Consistent, Demanding, Flexible

For the ENT-Fs in CPT, the Fi divergent auxiliary “performs a much more authoritative role within the stack—the Ne-Te act often at the behest of the Fi….” The characteristics of the leading function in Socionics suggest that it, too, could be described as “authoritative” for me in that system.

Does ENT-Fs (ENFP) Fit Me?

A Lot Like Me

  • Big-picture orientation
  • Future-oriented
  • Natural curiosity
  • Actively creates external organizational structures
  • Often assumes an administrative role within a group
  • Organizes external objects into predictable locations
  • One of the least likely types to read a work of non-fiction and quickly assimilate the information within its pages
  • Possesses an in-depth knowledge across a variety of subjects…and a rich vocabulary
  • Finds conversation an active listening experience to the self
  • Comfortable achieving mastery over otherwise superficial skill sets
  • Highly attuned to my own needs, values, and sense of identity
  • Needs and values [are] in anticipation of a future self
  • Follows emotions that have a more abstract significance
  • Takes a big-picture view of one’s overall emotions to reach an equation for one’s own happiness
  • Idealistic, particularly regarding love and a deeper, more long-term sense of happiness
  • Highly empathetic
  • Not always consciously aware of the emotional order of one’s external world
  • Convergent Te activated when organizing and planning of behalf of a[n]…Fi-related attachment
  • Organizes the external world to promote an internal sense of harmony and mitigate [offensive] human conflict

Somewhat Like Me

  • Preoccupied with new experiences and the observation of patterns in real time
  • Struggles with day-to-day details (details are not my strong point)
  • Remarkably adaptable
  • May often taken an active role in experimenting with different perspectives through spiritual…means
  • Quickly understands a general mechanical infrastructure
  • Extremely theoretical
  • Prone to manipulation by people selling linear and too-good-to-be-true life elixirs
  • Often finds greatest individual happiness placing the needs of others above the self
  • High degree of nostalgia

Iffy

  • Intense desire for new experiences as opposed to what it already known
  • Restlessness of character
  • Highly interested in different cultures and subcultures
  • Natural affinity for time-sensitive action plans
  • Well-suited for management positions
  • More given than other types to forget where I placed an object

Not Like Me at All

  • Struggles with prolonged concentration
  • Turns natural curiosity less toward insight and revelation…, but rather toward the unexplored in the external world (just the opposite)
  • May often taken an active role in experimenting with different perspectives through…psychedelic means
  • ‘Hyperactivity’ (quest to perceive as many things at one time as possible)
  • Constantly seeking new experiences and life philosophies (instead, developing and deepening certain consistent life themes, such as my spiritual life, understanding of self, education, etc.)
  • Various fetishes