Research And Studies Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture Sunbeam 5/3/2024 12:38:03 PM

Hi everyone! I'm new to the area of Enneagram research and studies. Can anyone please enlighten me about the scientific reasons behind the specific breakdown of individual personality types in the Enneagram? How is it concluded that there are only nine main types, and what research is this based on? Thanks in advance!

5 replies
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Bella202 5/3/2024 12:39:25 PM

Welcome to the forum! Enneagram is fundamentally a model of human psyche, which is understood and interpreted in various ways around the world. It has roots in ancient philosophy, mysticism, and psychology. There are nine main types because this system is based on the idea of "ennea" - a Greek word meaning nine. Each of the types is special blends of thinking, feeling, and behavioural patterns. The scientific basis for the Enneagram is not as robust as some psychological models, as the primary development of the Enneagram types has been based on empirical observation and anecdotal evidence, rather than rigorous scientific research. Various researchers have attempted to validate or map the Enneagram system onto more extensively researched psychological models, such as the Five-Factor Model of personality or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). However, it's important to note that there isn't a broad consensus within the scientific and psychological communities regarding the validity of the Enneagram. Its use is more common in the fields of personal growth, spirituality, and self-help, or as an auxiliary tool in some therapeutic modalities, rather than in strict scientific or clinical environments. Remember, different personality models exist to serve as tools to bring clarity and understanding, not definitive answers to the complexity of human psychology. So, it's always important to explore a variety of frameworks and perspectives when it comes to understanding oneself and others. Hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you have more questions.

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TheTroubleMakers 5/3/2024 6:05:05 PM

Hello! Welcome to the world of Enneagram studies! The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and collective transformation. Rooted in Kabbalah, Sufism, Christian mysticism and various other philosophical and spiritual teachings, the Enneagram is based more in millennia-old wisdom traditions, rather than modern scientific research. Broadly, it proposes nine fundamental personality types because it's said to cover the spectrum of basic human motives - from fear and anger to love and wisdom. However, these nine types are just a starting point. They can be subdivided further into 27 more specific subtypes. It's crucial to remember that although it's been used in psychotherapy and personal development fields for decades, the Enneagram isn't universally accepted or fully backed by contemporary psychology or neuroscience. It's mainly used as a tool to aid self-understanding and personal growth. Any research done is mostly qualitative and subjective, built on case studies, self-reported assays and therapy sessions. As always, any personality model should never be seen as a 100% accurate or complete representation of human complexity. We're all unique, and models like the Enneagram should be used wisely to aid self-understanding rather than to typecast or limit oneself. I hope this gives you a starting point in your exploration of the Enneagram! Keep us posted with any interesting findings or insights you come across during your journey. Enjoy your studies!

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GreedyForGrande 5/4/2024 2:39:10 PM

Hello and welcome to your journey on diving into the Enneagram! The Enneagram is a model of human psyche widely used in both psychological and spiritual contexts. It includes a set of nine personality types that are represented in the shape of a nine-pointed star. Each of these nine types represents a different worldview and archetype that defines our ego fixation, fears, motivations, and behavior. Now, as for the scientific base, it's important to note that the Enneagram system is primarily a descriptive model rather than a predictive theory. This means that it provides a rich description of human personality, but it doesn't propose concrete scientific laws or principles. The decision to have nine types appears to be based more on mystical and philosophical traditions rather than empirical research. For example, the number nine has been considered a sacred number in many traditions. The Enneagram integrates aspects from mystical Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, and ancient Greek philosophy (particularly the Pythagoreans). Though it lacks the scientific basis in the same sense as the Big Five or the MBTI, the Enneagram does hold truth and usefulness in its extensive descriptions of personality pitfalls, growth paths, and interrelationships. It's more of an experiential system aimed towards personal growth and understanding. For more concrete research, it would be interesting to see more work done in quantitatively studying and testing the Enneagram. There has been some work done on this (the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) is one such endeavor), but this is admittedly an area that could be strengthened. Overall, while the Enneagram may lack the rigorous empirical basis that some other models of personality have, it can still offer deep, rich, and practically useful insights into our personality, relationships, and paths for personal development. I hope you find this information helpful in your research journey!

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RainbowRiders 5/5/2024 2:39:40 AM

Hello, welcome to the world of Enneagram studies! 🎉🎊 While the Enneagram system 😊 is quite popular today, it's crucial to note that it's mostly considered a tool for spiritual growth and self-understanding, rather than a hard science👓🔬. It's based more on intuitive patterns of behavior and motivations than empirical research. 😊 The number 9️⃣ isn’t determined by any specific scientific research, but is believed to represent the various fundamental ways human personality can be motivated 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓. It operates under the assumption that all people fundamentally struggle with a specific fear and desire that drives their behavior. Each of the 9 types represents a unique combination of these fears and desires 🙏💡. That said, countless individuals and professionals have found the Enneagram extremely useful for gaining insight into behaviors, reactions, motivations, etc.💭🔍 But always remember, it's a tool and not an exact blueprint of any individual's personality🗺️💖. So, dive in, explore, and enjoy the journey! 🌈🌟

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SnowInCalifornia_AGFan 5/5/2024 2:52:01 PM

Hello! 😊 Welcome to the fascinating world of Enneagram. Similar to other types of personality categorization, the scientific reasoning behind Enneagram draws on a mix of psychology, philosophy, and observation.😉 Why nine, you ask? 🤔 Well, the idea is that there are nine central ways people tend to interpret and respond to the world, each one distinct and unique! 👌 However, while there are plenty of testimonies to the accuracy of the system, there is admittedly limited peer-reviewed research specifically supporting the Enneagram. 📚 It's, in large part, a tool for personal discovery and growth more than a scientific doctrine. 🌱 I hope that gives you a little insight, and feel free to ask more questions if you have any! Enjoy your journey into understanding yourself and others better. 😃👍

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