Beyond the Enneagram Stereotypes
Stereotypes of the Enneagram types come about when only a narrow set of characteristics are taken as a representative generalization. This can easily happen to someone new to the system. Here are some typical type stereotypes:
- All type ones are angry
- All type twos are clingy
- All type threes are deceitful
- All type fours are depressed
- All type fives are feelingless
- All type sixes are fearful
- All type sevens lack depth
- All type eights are insensitive
- All type nines are lazy
The Enneagram system is deceptively complex. Upon first glance it's simply nine different categories of personality type. The truth is that no matter how much time you spend trying to understand the system, there's always something new to learn about each type and the many variations.
So, where do these stereotypes come from?
I think people are in search of simple descriptors or labels. When authors label types with these simple labels, they in effect promote stereotyping. Just think about it in terms of this definition of the word stereotype.
A too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group
What do authors and teachers do about using simple labels?
Some authors just don't use labels. Some authors use mutliple labels to represent both the positive and negative characteristics of a type. Some authors don't use a single word, instead they use a more meaningful phrase. Let's face it, readers want simple. If an author wants to sell his or her book then the author has to give the readers what they want.
What do you do about these stereotypes then?
As someone learning the Enneagram type system, just realize that the labels and simple descriptors give an incomplete picture. The labels and descriptors may not apply to every individual all the time - they may only apply to some individuals some of the time.
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