The study of personality has been a central focus of interest for psychology. It is an abstract concept that is difficult to define, although it is known that there are different types and styles.
One of the most notable interests in the field of psychology has always been the study of personality. Thus, scientists have tried tirelessly to establish appropriate classifications to identify the different types of existing personality. This interest has also gone beyond mere curiosity.
In fact, knowing the different personality classes that individuals can show is necessary in the approach to psychological therapy, in criminal proceedings, in education, etc. That is, this area of psychology has enormous importance and has numerous applications beyond theory.
- We recommend you read: “The 5 types of character of the human being (and their distinctive features)”
What is personality?
First of all, the question arises: what is it that we call personality? Well, this can be defined asa series of ways of thinking and acting, which mark important differences between individuals. Our personality determines how we relate to others, what skills we show, how we reason, the habits we follow, etc. As we see, although the term personality is more than familiar, its definition is not easy at all, since it permeates the entire reality of the person.
Many authors have tried to find the definitive definition of personality. However, there is no one more correct than others. Despite the different nuances that we can find in each proposal, the truth is that the concept of personality always has a series of essential characteristics common to all of them.
Personality always encompasses characteristics of the person that remain relatively stable over time and that are also consistent, which means that they do not vary depending on the situation. Therefore, knowing an individual’s personality style can help make certain predictions about her behavior in the future. In addition, the concept of personality encompasses all the functions and behaviors of the person, in a way that allows us to recognize the distinctive aspects of each individual compared to others.
The two core characteristics of this construct that we call personality are, as we have been saying, distinctiveness (allows one individual to be differentiated from the rest) and persistence (it remains stable over time). This makes the personality keep a special link with the construction of the person’s identity. Our personality style will determine a set of traits that are integrated as a whole, allowing the person to be given that continuity and coherence in their behavior.
As we have already mentioned, our way of behaving tends, in general, to repeat itself over timetag. However, this does not mean that we always act identically in all cases. Personality determines our general tendency, although there will be other variables that modulate our way of acting before the events that are presented to us. Although when we are born we have innate temperamental characteristics, it is true that our environment and circumstances will end up shaping our personality.
Although numerous classifications have been proposed to determine the existing personality types, here we will see one of them. Particularly, in this article we are going to review the proposal of the enneagram of personality.
- We recommend you read: “Histrionic personality: definition, and its 14 characteristic traits”
What types of personality exist?
Due to the abstract nature of the concept of personality, it has not been easy to analyze it scientifically and many classification proposals have been madetag. In this article we have decided to focus on a very interesting one: the enneagram of personality. An enneagram is a circular geometric figure, which has nine points. Each of them is what is known as an enneatype.
This form has been used as a graphic element to illustrate this curious classification of personality. In this way, the different categories, which total nine, refer to different behavioral tendencies that can be observed in people. Thus, each individual can fit into one of the nine enneatypes proposed by this model. Let’s get to know each of them.
1. Enneatype 1: Perfectionism and Idealism
These types of people tend to allocate their energy to the pursuit of their idealstag. To achieve this, they try to keep their attention on those aspects that are really important to them, trying not to disperse.
Individuals with this type of personality tend to guide their lives according to ethical values such as integrity, justice or truth, and they do everything possible so that these are really applied in their daily lives. For example, they may refuse a large salary if they feel that their work may be detrimental to others. On a professional level, these people tend to carry out their duties with great care and attention, as they are perfectionists and disciplined.
2. Enneatype 2: Tendency to help
These individuals stand out for their ability to attend and respond to the needs of otherstag. These are people who place interpersonal relationships above everything else, giving special importance to values such as love or friendship.
They are usually people with a marked sensitivity to the needs and discomfort of others. They tend to act out of kindness and show remarkable emotional intelligence. This type of personality makes them carry out activities of a supportive and altruistic nature, turning the bulk of their energy to others.
3. Enneatype 3: Organization
People who fit this profile usually allocate their time and energy to achieving goals and projectstag. In general, they are skillful when it comes to organization, which added to their creativity, makes them talented in all the companies they start.
Usually, these individuals have very clear life goals and large doses of motivation and self-confidence. They also tend to have good social skills, making them good communicators and attractive to others. All this means that they can become great leaders, since they spread their security to others.
4. Enneatype 4: Artistic sensitivity
People who fit this enneatype usually have great sensitivity to capture the beauty in the environment and in the people around themtag. In addition to their great aesthetic sense, they usually show a strong sensitivity towards their own inner experiences and also easily capture the feelings of others.
These types of individuals tend to be intense and passionate, feeling somewhat different from others. Therefore, they usually show a tendency to introspection, sometimes finding it difficult to communicate successfully with others.
5. Enneatype 5: Observation
People who fit this profile usually enjoy learning and gaining new knowledgetag. They do not usually feel comfortable being the center of attention, preferring to stay in the background. These individuals are characterized by their great independence and enjoy carrying out activities that enrich their knowledge, such as traveling, studying languages, participating in seminars, training in their professional field, etc.
They are people who, in general, tend to be somewhat flat or indifferent at an emotional level and tend to perceive reality from strictly rational and logical positions. However, they tend to show a calm attitude and know how to listen to others when they need it.
6. Enneatype 6: Collaboration and adherence to norms
People who fit this profile are those who have a strong sense of duty and responsibilitytag. They are individuals who are firmly committed to their projects and always deliver what they promise. Having a great attachment to the rules, they can become blocked or feel insecure in non-regulated scenarios. When there are no clear rules, they can feel uncertainty and therefore feel fear and doubt.
They are often individuals with insecurities and fears, so taking refuge in following the rules is a kind of strategy that prevents them from facing them. Despite this, they usually work very well in a team, are friendly with others and are always cooperative. Although they do not like leadership, they enjoy feeling part of social groups, both on a personal and professional level.
7. Enneatype 7: Optimism
Those who have this personality style tend to show a positive attitude towards life, which they often spread to others. These are individuals with enormous vitality and joy in all aspects of their lives. These types of people live life with great hope and passion. They enjoy the pleasures of life, such as traveling, eating, interacting with others, undertaking projects, etc.
In general, they are proactive, dynamic people in constant search of personal growth. They feel emotion for the little things and continue to surprise themselves with the smallest details, which gives them a feeling of enormous gratitude towards life.
8. Enneatype 8: Justice
People with this profile are characterized by their great decision and firmness in the face of lifetag. Thus, they are willing to act according to the values they believe in without being intimidated. These types of individuals have highly assimilated values related to justice, so they always try to act to combat unfair situations in favor of the weakest. Complex situations are for them challenges to overcome, which is why they get involved without hesitation in this type of cause from an authentic vocation. In addition to all that has been said, they are usually very practical people who seek to act to obtain results without digressing too much.
9. Enneatype 9: Mediation
People of this type are usually skillful when dealing with situations of tension or conflicttag. They always act guided by the desire to achieve peace and harmony. In situations of rupture, they always act as a connecting thread and a key point for reconciliations.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
