#3 Instinctual Variants
#3 Instinctual Variants
Table of Contents
__I. Basic Information__
IVs describe the strongest instinctual need for an individual and areas of
focus in one's life, and the ordering indicates the
degrees/strength/extent of focus from greatest to least (ex. sx/sp would
be sx > sp > so).
An instinctual variant stacking operates in a way where the dominant
instinct and needs would come first and foremost and the secondary
instinct needs would be of second greatest strength and focus.
Because this is the case, these IV instincts would not be evenly
distributed per fix or per main type + wing.
Self-Preservation
Focused on enhancing and protecting personal safety, security, and comfort.
Priorities: Physical well-being, financial security, mental health
Characteristics: A healthy self-preservation type takes care of practical necessities like paying bills, maintaining the home, and investing in the future. This type tends to be self-sufficient, disciplined, and devoted to self-improvement. “It’s through our self-preservation instinct that we find a more respectful relationship with our bodies."
Weaknesses: An unbalanced self-preservation instinct can lead to a preoccupation with financial and other forms of security and an obsessive relationship with diet and exercise.
Sexual
Focused on creating and maintaining a powerful sense of “sizzle” through intense, intimate interactions and experiences.
Priorities: Intimacy, connection, excitement
Characteristics: Healthy sexual types will often have deep passions, and they aren’t afraid to try new things. The instinct drives them to create truly intimate connections with those they love and to connect with love itself. These types are more in search of chemistry than the sexual act, though they do seek an especially powerful connection with their intimate partners.
Weaknesses: Sexual types practice an exploratory approach to life that can lead to a lack of focus, as well as neediness and promiscuity.
Social
Focused on creating and maintaining relationships to build a sense of personal value, accomplishment, and community.
Priorities: Interpersonal relationships, group participation
Characteristics: Healthy social types typically maintain many friendships, feel a strong sense of social responsibility, and work to protect the group. They have a keen understanding of group dynamics and its emotional currents, and they’re highly adaptive. Redmond says the social instinct drives us to connect with others in ways that help us grow.
Weaknesses: Social types may develop an antisocial “us against them” attitude in an effort to determine who’s on their side. They can maintain a sense of belonging at all costs. Since they thrive on community spirit, they may also overadapt to a group and forget to think for themselves.
__III. The Three Instincts__
Enneagrammer.com:
THE Resource Thread for Instinctual Variants and Stackings
__Self-Preservation__
"The self-preservation instinct is focused on food, shelter, clothing,
time, energy, money and supplies. They are driven by an ongoing search for
survival. This drive is defined by a need for vigilance, aggression and
protectiveness, and a fundamental sense that one needs to fight to
survive. The fear is of annihilation. Anything that could possibly damage,
endanger or exploit the self is of concern. They feel that they must have
an abundance of resources to survive.
The sp instinct searches for survival, and is focused on itself and its
world. An sp-dominant person fears not surviving, and may be fearful of
poverty, annihilation, or mortality. They're usually grounded, serious,
and stable. They may feel that they must make it on their own in order to
survive. The large majority of the population dominates with SP, as it is
the most basic of survival needs."
- "People who have this as their dominant instinct are preoccupied with the safety, comfort, health, energy, and well-being of the physical body. In a word, they are concerned with having enough resources to meet life’s demands. Identification with the body is a fundamental focus for all humans, and we need our body to function well in order to be alive and active in the world. Most people in contemporary cultures have not faced life or death “survival” in the strictest sense; thus, Self-Preservation types tend to be concerned with food, money, housing, medical matters, and physical comfort. Moreover, those primarily focused on self-preservation, by extension, are usually interested in maintaining these resources for others as well. Their focus of attention naturally goes towards things related to these areas such as clothes, temperature, shopping, decorating, and the like, particularly if they are not satisfied in these areas or have a feeling of deficiency due to their childhoods. Self-Pres types tend to be more grounded, practical, serious, and introverted than the other two instinctual types. They might have active social lives and a satisfying intimate relationship, but if they feel that their self-preservation needs are not being met, still tend not to be happy or at ease. In their primary relationships, these people are “nesters”—they seek domestic tranquility and security with a stable, reliable partner."
- Quick note about SP Instinct and Low Sensing:
-
A lot of low Sensing users find themselves not relating much to the
Self-Preservation instinct and mistype themselves as SP blinds
because they find it difficult or do not concern themselves with
taking care of their physical needs, and maintaining security and
resources.
This goes for those who are rather inattentive to these physical/material concerns - such relating to low sensing in MBTI and Socionics, Abstraction in 3D Psyche, 3/4F in Attitudinal Psyche.
Self-Preservation isn't just about material resources and physical security. Protectiveness over self, establishing boundaries, desiring stability, focusing on self and its needs. "Both on a physical level (lifestyle, comfort, resources, etc.), and to a lesser extent, on a mental and emotional level as well. Striving for independence and autonomy." "A common defense tactic of Sp to keep away from draining situations/people is to build up "walls", remaining distant and impersonal until it can fully trust the other person."
__Social__
"The social instinct is focused on relationships with others and more
importantly, on who is doing what with whom. They are driven by an ongoing
search for others, akin to the herd instinct in animals where there are
safety and security in numbers. This drive involves a sense of needing to
belong, in particular to belong to a group, with a need for prestige and
status. Their fear is of not belonging. They feel they must know what is
going on with others to survive.
The so instinct searches for community and belonging in the greater world.
An so-dominant fears loneliness, alienation, or inferiority. They may be
personable, cooperative, or superficial. They feel that they need a sense
of belonging in order to get along in life."
- "Just as many people tend to misidentify themselves as Sexual types because they want one-on-one relationships, many people fail to recognize themselves as Social types because they get the (false) idea that this means always being involved in groups, meetings, and parties. If Self-Preservation types are interested in adjusting the environment to make themselves more secure and comfortable, Social types adapt themselves to serve the needs of the social situation they find themselves in. Thus, Social types are highly aware of other people, whether they are in intimate situations or in groups. They are also aware of how their actions and attitudes are affecting those around them. Moreover, Sexual types seek intimacy, Social types seek personal connection: they want to stay in long-term contact with people and to be involved in their world. Social types are the most concerned with doing things that will have some impact on their community, or even broader domains. They tend to be warmer, more open, engaging, and socially responsible than the other two types. In their primary relationships, they seek partners with whom they can share social activities, wanting their intimates to get involved in projects and events with them. Paradoxically, they actually tend to avoid long periods of exclusive intimacy and quiet solitude, seeing both as potentially limiting. Social types lose their sense of identity and meaning when they are not involved with others in activities that transcend their individual interests."
__Sexual__
"The sexual instinct is focused on having a partner or mate. They are
driven by an ongoing search for intimate bonds and one to one
relationships. This drive is akin to the mating instinct. It is
representative of the masculine and feminine energies and the issues of
strength and beauty, which are the very qualities that determine the
strongest and most desirable mates. Their fear is of being undesirable.
They feel they must be attractive and bonded to survive
The sx instinct searches for intimacy, and is focused on intense
connections. An sx-dominant fears incompleteness, loss of connection, or
lack of desirability. They may be intense, playful, or impulsive. They
feel that they need a strong bond or "other half" in order to get along in
life. The sx instinct should not be confused with the physical act of sex
or sexual desire itself."
- "Many people originally identify themselves as this type because they have learned that the Sexual types are interested in “one-on-one relationships.” But all three instinctual types are interested in one-on-one relationships for different reasons, so this does not distinguish them. The key element in Sexual types is an intense drive for stimulation and a constant awareness of the “chemistry” between themselves and others. Sexual types are immediately aware of the attraction, or lack thereof, between themselves and other people. Further, while the basis of this instinct is related to sexuality, it is not necessarily about people engaging in the sexual act. There are many people that we are excited to be around for reasons of personal chemistry that we have no intention of “getting involved with.” Nonetheless, we might be aware that we feel stimulated in certain people’s company and less so in others. The sexual type is constantly moving toward that sense of intense stimulation and juicy energy in their relationships and in their activities. They are the most “energized” of the three instinctual types, and tend to be more aggressive, competitive, charged, and emotionally intense than the Self-Pres or Social types. Sexual types need to have intense energetic charge in their primary relationships or else they remain unsatisfied. They enjoy being intensely involved—even merged—with others, and can become disenchanted with partners who are unable to meet their need for intense energetic union. Losing yourself in a “fusion” of being is the ideal here, and Sexual types are always looking for this state with others and with stimulating objects in their world."
Blindspots
- "sp blind spot: Neglect of personal needs, disregard of the important role that material goods play in today's society, lack of thriftiness. Recklessness. Workaholism brings about downfall, biting off more than one can chew, dependency that compensates for lack of self-reliance. Not wanting to settle, constant unrest, a hidden insecurity. Ending up broke. Not being able to be alone. Rose-coloured glasses. Not trusting your skills. Unconsciously destroying oneself through affiliations, not coming to terms with oneself and trying to find what you lack within others (and failing because only you can complete yourself). Total exhaustion. Overestimating your resources."
- "so blind spot: Neglect of social groups, detrimental withdrawing tendency or socially antagonistic streak, overemphasis on self or a partnership, lack or altruism, overindulgence, preference of a private setting, pessimism. Self-importance. Obsession/addiction, impoliteness, unrealistic views, misanthropy (!). Snarky, desperate lone wolf. (You and) me against the world. Hatred for social gatherings. Rejecting everyone but expecting help/ pitying oneself when all hell breaks loose. Clingy. Assuming everyone's out there to get them. Isolating self-image from societal context. Too rebellious for their own good."
- "sx blind spot: Neglect of partnership needs, lack of depth in their everyday connections, feeling disjoined from the core of people and life in general despite possessing social grace, a falsely assumed feeling of eerie incompleteness. Romantic unease. A compelling vicious circle of unfaithfulness, a fickle and shy persona, non-assertive approach, not wanting to get to the root of things (–> avoidance of getting “real” or the extreme), love of routine and safety, hypocrisy, accepting the status quo blindly."
From CP Enneagram:
Subtypes of the 1
- Self-Preservation One: “Worry”
Self-Preservation Ones are the true perfectionists of the three Ones. They express the passion of anger through working hard to make themselves and the things they do more perfect. In this subtype, anger is the most repressed emotion; the defense mechanism of reaction formation transforms the heat of anger into warmth, resulting in a friendly and benevolent character. - Social One: “Non-adaptability”
Social Ones (unconsciously) consider themselves to be perfect; they express anger through focusing on being the perfect model of “the right way” to be. They have a teacher mentality that reflects an unconscious need for superiority. In the Social One, anger is half-hidden—there’s a transformation of the heat of anger into cold. This is a cooler, intellectual personality type in which the main theme is control. - Sexual One: “Zeal” (countertype)
Sexual Ones focus on perfecting others; they are more reformers than perfectionists. The only One who is explicitly angry, they act out anger through their intense desire to improve others and get what they want. They feel entitled in the way a reformer or a zealot can feel entitled: they believe they have a right to change society and get what they want because they have a higher understanding of the truth and the reasons behind “the right way to be.” The countertype of the Ones, they are more impulsive and outwardly angry—they go against the “counter-instinctive” tendency of the One to repress anger and impulses.
Subtypes of the 2
- Self-Preservation Two: “Privilege” (countertype)
Self-Preservation Twos “seduce” like a child in the presence of grown-ups as a way of (unconsciously) inducing others to take care of them. Everyone likes children, and the SP Two adopts a youthful stance as a way of getting special treatment well beyond childhood. As the countertype, it’s less easy to see pride in these Two because they are more fearful of and ambivalent about connecting with others. The title “Privilege” reflects this Two’s desire to be loved and prioritized just for being who they are, not for what they give to others. Related to the youthful stance, these Twos are playful, irresponsible, and charming. - Social Two: “Ambition”
The Social Two is a seducer of environments and groups—a powerful, leader type whose pride manifests as a sense of satisfaction in the conquest of an audience. This is a more adult Two in whom pride is the most obvious; the Social Two cultivates an image of being an influential, supercompetent person worthy of admiration. The name “Ambition” reflects this person’s desire to “be on top,” and as a result of this lofty position, receive advantages and benefits. This Two “gives to get” the most and always has a strategic angle when expressing generosity. - Sexual Two: “Seduction/Aggression”
One-to-One Twos seduce specific individuals as a way of getting needs met and feeding their pride. Similar to the “femme fatale” archetype (and male equivalent) this Two employs the methods of classical seduction to attract a partner who will meet all their needs and give them whatever they want. The name “Aggressive-Seductive” suggests a character who is appealing, but who also wants to wield some power. Energetically like a force of nature, this is a person who becomes irresistible, who inspires great passions and positive feelings as a way to meet needs in life.
Subtypes of the 3
- Self-Preservation Three: “Security” (countertype)
The Self-Preservation Three has a sense of vanity for having no vanity. This Three also wants to be admired by others, but avoids openly seeking recognition. Not just satisfied with looking good, the SP Three strives to be good. They are determined to be a good person—to match the perfect model of how a person should be. Being the perfect model of quality implies virtue, and virtue implies a lack of vanity. SP Threes seek a sense of security through being good, working hard, and being effective and productive. - Social Three: “Prestige"
Social Threes focus on achievement in the service of looking good and getting the job done. They act out vanity through their desire to be seen and have influence with people. They enjoy being on stage in the spotlight. Social Threes know how to climb the social ladder and achieve success. These are the most competitive and most aggressive of the Threes. They have a driving need to look good and possess a corporate or sales mentality. - Sexual Three: “Charisma”
Sexual Threes focus on achievement in terms of personal attractiveness and supporting others. In this Three, vanity is not denied (as in the SP Three) nor embraced (as in the Social Three), but is somewhere in between: it’s employed in the service of creating an attractive image and promoting important others. These Threes have a harder time talking about themselves and often put the focus on others they want to promote. They put a lot of energy into pleasing others and they have a family/team mentality.
Subtypes of the 4
- Self-Preservation Four: “Tenacity” (countertype)
The Self-Preservation Four is long-suffering. As the countertype of the Fours, SP Fours are stoic in the face of their inner pain and they don’t share it with others as much as the other two Fours. This is a person who learns to tolerate pain and to do without as a way of earning love. Instead of dwelling in envy, SP Fours act out their envy by working hard to get what others have and they lack. More masochistic than melodramatic, these Fours demand a lot of themselves, have a strong need to endure, and have a passion for effort. - Social Four: “Shame”
The Social Four suffers more, feels more shame, and is more sensitive than the other two Fours. Envy fuels a focus on shame and suffering as they employ a strategy of seducing others into meeting their needs through an intensification of pain and suffering. They experience a sense of comfort in feeling melancholy. Envy also manifests in lamenting too much, taking on the victim role, and focusing on a sense of their own inferiority. Social Fours don’t compete with others as much as they compare themselves to others and find themselves lacking. - Sexual Four: “Competition”
Sexual Fours make others suffer as an unconscious way of trying to rid themselves of painful feelings of deficiency. In denying their suffering and being more shameless than shameful, they express their needs more and can be demanding of others. In seeking to be the best, they express envy in its manifestation as competition. They express “an envy that wants,” unconsciously turning their pain at inner lack into feelings of anger about not getting what they need from others.
Subtypes of the 5
- Self-Preservation Five: “Castle”
The Self-Preservation Five expresses avarice through a focus on boundaries—a need to be “encased” in a sanctuary where they feel protected from intrusion and have control over their boundaries. SP Fives have a passion for being able to hide behind walls and know that they have everything they need to survive within those walls. They are the least expressive of the three Fives and they try to limit their needs and wants so that they can avoid being dependent on others. - Social Five: “Totem”
The Social Five expresses avarice through a need for “super-ideals,” relating to others with common interests through knowledge and shared values (rather than emotional connection). In this Five, avarice is connected to knowledge. Needs for people and for the sustenance that relationships provide get channeled into a thirst for information. “Totem” refers to a passion for high ideals, the need to idealize experts and seek knowledge connected to whatever ultimate values this Five adheres to. Social Fives engage in a search for the ultimate meaning to avoid experiencing life as meaningless. - Sexual Five: “Confidence” (countertype)
Sexual Fives express avarice through a search for ideal exemplars of absolute love. This is a Five with a romantic streak. The name reflects their need to find a partner who fulfills an ideal of trust. The most emotionally sensitive of the Fives, they suffer more, resemble Type Four more, and have more overt desires. They have a vibrant inner life that may be expressed through artistic creation but are still cut off from others in many ways.
Subtypes of the 6
- Self-Preservation Six: “Warmth”
Self-Preservation Sixes express the passion of fear through a need for protection, for friendship, and for banding together with others. In seeking protective alliances, SP Sixes endeavor to be warm, friendly, and trustworthy, which is why they bear the name “Warmth.” This most “phobic” of the Sixes has difficulty expressing anger, feels uncertain, and engages in a lot of self-doubt. For SP Sixes, fear manifests as insecurity, and they focus on relationships as a way of feeling safer in the world. - Social Six: “Duty”
Social Sixes express fear through a need to deal with anxiety by relying on abstract reason or ideologies as a frame of reference. Obeying authority through knowing what the rules are helps them to feel safe in the world. Unlike the SP Six, this Six has more certainty and can be “too sure” of things as a way of dealing with the anxiety of uncertainty. Social Sixes focus on precision and efficiency. They adhere to whatever the guidelines are as a form of having a protective authority. - Sexual Six: “Strength/Beauty” (countertype)
Sexual Sixes express fear by going against fear—by becoming strong and intimidating. Trusting themselves more than others, these Sixes have the inner programming that when you are afraid, the best defense is a good offense. They take on a powerful stance, both in what they do and how they look, as a way of holding the enemy at a distance. Their anxiety is allayed through skill and readiness in the face of an attack.
Subtypes of the 7
- Self-Preservation Seven: “Keepers of the Castle”
The Self-Preservation Seven expresses gluttony through making alliances and creating opportunities for gaining an advantage. Pragmatic and self interested, these Sevens find safety through networking and being alert to opportunities that support their survival. The name “Keepers of the Castle'' refers to their way of establishing a partisan network of allies through which they create safety and satisfy their needs. Cheerful and amiable, they have a love of pleasure and tend to get what they want. - Social Seven: “Sacrifice” (countertype)
As the countertype, Social Sevens go against gluttony through conscientious efforts to be of service to others. Conscious of wanting to avoid exploiting others, they have a need to be good and pure and to sacrifice their own needs in supporting the needs of others. They have a passion for being seen as good for the sacrifice of their own desires. They express an ascetic ideal and make a virtue of getting by on little. They express idealism and enthusiasm as a way of making themselves feel active and valued in the world. - Sexual Seven: “Suggestibility”
Sexual Sevens express gluttony through a need to imagine something better than ordinary reality. Gluttons for things of a higher world, they are idealistic dreamers with a passion for living in their imaginations. Sexual Sevens look at things with the optimism of someone who is in love; they see the world through rose-colored glasses. “Suggestibility” refers to being somewhat naive and easy to hypnotize. Light-hearted and enthusiastic, they focus on exciting possibilities and pleasurable fantasies, and they believe they can do everything.
Subtypes of the 8
- Self-Preservation Eight: “Satisfaction”
Self-Preservation Eights express the passion of lust through a focus on getting what they need for survival. SP Eights have a strong desire for the timely satisfaction of material needs and an intolerance for frustration. SP Eights know how to survive in difficult situations and feel omnipotent when it comes to getting what they need. They are the least expressive and the most armed of the three Eight subtypes. - Social Eight: “Solidarity” (countertype)
Social Eights express lust and aggression in the service of others. A social antisocial person, this is the countertype of the Eights, a helpful Eight who appears less aggressive and more loyal than the other two Eight subtypes. The name “Solidarity” emphasizes their tendency to offer help when people need protection. - Sexual Eight: “Possession”
Sexual Eights express lust through rebellion and the need to possess everyone’s attention. Sexual Eights are intense, charismatic characters who want to have control and influence. Instead of seeking material security, they try to get power over things and people. The name “Possession” refers to an energetic takeover of the whole scene—a need to feel powerful through dominating the whole environment.
Subtypes of the 9
- Self-Preservation Nine: “Appetite”
Instead of feeling an ongoing connection to their feelings, desires, and power, Self-Preservation Nines focus on merging with physical comforts and routine activities, such as eating, sleeping, reading, or doing crossword puzzles. SP Nines are practical, concrete people who focus on everyday things rather than abstractions. - Social Nine: “Participation” (countertype)
Social Nines fuse with groups. They act out laziness when connecting with their own inner life by working hard to be a part of the different groups in their lives. Fun-loving, sociable, and congenial characters, Social Nines can be workaholics, prioritizing the group’s needs above their own. This high level of activity makes them the countertype of the three Nine subtypes. - Sexual Nine: “Fusion”
Sexual Nines express the passion of laziness by merging with the important people in their lives. Sexual Nines unconsciously take on the attitudes, opinions, and feelings of others, because it can feel too hard to stand on their own. These Nines tend to be kind, gentle, shy characters who are not very assertive.
