Vices + Instincts = Enneagram Subtypes

By Jerome Wagner, Ph.D.

The nine vices that fuel and distort each Enneagram type attempt to serve the three instincts found in each Enneatype but ironically end up corrupting and misdirecting those instincts. Certain words or phrases arise to describe this contaminating combination of vice + instinct for each Enneagram type.

ONE

Vice or passion = anger and resentment

SP Anxiety/ Worry

Anger in the service of self-preservation. Anger is dispersed and partially diffused through anxiety by worrying about survival: health, finances, shelter, occupation, etc. Anger is channeled against the unequal distribution of goods. Everyone should get their due; otherwise, it’s not fair. Anger gets expressed in “shoulds.”

SO Non-Adaptability/Rigid

Anger in the service of belonging. Anger is expressed as righteous indignation; angry virtue. Anger gets frozen in the musculature and becomes rigidity. Anger is channeled into resistance and opposition to injustice – especially social injustice.

SX Jealousy

Anger in the service of intimate relationships. Anger gets infused into love and becomes jealousy: holding on to my loved one and what is rightfully mine and fearing that someone more perfect might come along and steal away the beloved. Reformers are jealous and zealous for the cause.

TWO

Vice or passion = pride

SP Privilege

Pride in the service of self-preservation. Pride of place: I am the center of the family, the privileged child, and so you will take care of me.

SO Ambition

Pride in the service of belonging. I am the center of the group, the Queen Bee. I am important to the group. The group needs me, affirms me, and provides for me.

SX Aggressive/Seductive

Pride in the service of intimate relationships. I am the attractor, aggressor, seducer of the couple. I will win you over through the force and allure of my personality and get you to fall in love with me and then you will want to meet my needs without my having to ask.

THREE

Vice or passion = vanity

SP Security

Vanity in the service of self-preservation. If I own and display the best (designer clothes, nice home, luxury car), I will be OK. I will survive if I look good and others think I’m doing well.

SO Prestige

Vanity in the service of belonging. If I’m on stage, shine, am seen and admired, I will assure my place in the group. I will be recognized and touted in business and social circles – or any circle, for that matter.

SX Masculinity/Femininity

Vanity in the service of intimate relationships. I will make myself attractive to you and you will want to connect and partner with me. I will manifest the qualities of the superman and superwoman valued by my culture. Vanity in the service of procreation. According to evolutionary psychology, what men look for in women are appearances of health; and what women look for in men are signs of being a reliable provider.

FOUR

Vice or passion = envy

SP Tenacity “Sunny 4”

Envy in the service of self-preservation. What I admire and envy in you, I will emulate and cultivate in myself to survive. I will hide my suffering and endure. I will soldier on through my pain.

SO Shame “Sad 4”

Envy in the service of belonging. By being ashamed of my status, inadequacy and inferiority, I will draw you towards me; you will feel sorry for me; and you will bring me into the fold. In comparison to others, I come out on the bottom. I will display my suffering since it makes me special.

SX Competition “Mad 4”

Envy in the service of intimate relationships. I’ll show you. I will out class you. I’m attractive because I’m superior and have elite standards. In comparison to significant others, I come out on top. I will make you suffer.

FIVE

Vice or passion = avarice

SP Castle

Avarice in the service of self-preservation. In my castle I will hoard what I need to survive. My privacy and a secure hiding place from intruders and marauders help me survive. I will collect things.

SO Totem

Avarice in the service of belonging. I will gather within me knowledge of esoteric subjects. I will be an expert in my field and will be sought out. I will collect important people in my tribe and be surrounded by fellow experts, people in the know.

SX Confidence

Avarice in the service of intimate relationships. I will bond with one person that I can totally share myself and my castle with and enjoy an idealistic/romantic relationship. I will collect one person with whom I will feel comfortable and confident.

SIX

Vice or passion = fear

SP Warmth

Fear in the service of self-preservation. My fear leads me to be warm and friendly. Since I present no threat to you, you won’t need to hurt me. I have a fear of not being safe or protected.

SO Duty

Fear in the service of belonging. I fear being thrown out of the group, becoming an outcast. So, I will do my duty, do what I’m told, and follow the rules. This is how I stay a member of the club.

SX Strength/Beauty

Fear in the service of intimate relationships. I’m afraid of not finding a mate. By appearing strong (M) and beautiful/alluring (F), I will appeal to a mate. Also, if I attract a strong and/or beautiful mate, they will keep me safe and secure.

SEVEN

Vice or passion = gluttony

SP Keepers of the Castle

Gluttony in the service of self-preservation. I will gather around me a group of like-minded friends, my extended family. I will feel safe with them. I will also be greedy for new opportunities and advantages to keep hope alive and keep me interested and interesting.

SO Sacrifice

Gluttony in the service of belonging. Paradoxically, I will give up my own pleasure for the sake of my family to keep them around me. When they are self-sufficient, though, I can then indulge my desires and get back to having more fun.

SX Suggestible

Gluttony in the service of intimate relationships. I will attract someone by being blindly in love, optimistic, upbeat, pollyannish, a dreamer, enthusiastic, gullible. I’m open to suggestions. What’s not to love?

EIGHT

Vice or passion = lust

SP Satisfactory Survival

Lust in the service of self-preservation. I know how to survive and will get what I need in order to make it. As a survivalist and can get by on the bare minimum if necessary. I literally have a “lust for life,” and intensity to live.

SO Protector/Friendship

Lust in the service of belonging. I project my own vulnerability onto others and then act to protect the underdog. My aggression is in the service of others and appears as an excess of care. It’s hard not to intensely overreact to injustice. Also, we all survive by having each other’s backs: “a band of brothers;” “the sisterhood of the traveling pants.”

SX Possession

Lust in the service of intimate relationships. I will take over, own you, and own the room. You are “my” spouse, child, business, class, etc. I am a provocateur. My boldness, directness, self-confidence, intensity, and aggression will attract you.

NINE

Vice or passion = sloth

SP Appetite

Indolence in the service of self-preservation. I seek comfort by having my physical needs met. To survive, I numb and distract myself. Resignation and settling replace love and action. I lose myself in things or my own body.

SO Participation

Indolence in the service of belonging. I join groups to distract myself from self-care. If I meet the group’s needs, I trick myself into believing I meet my own needs. I merge with and lose myself in the group. The organization will carry me along.

SX Union

Indolence in the service of intimate relationships. I fuse, merge, become one with another. I lose myself in another person. The other person will provide for me and carry me along. I can also find my purpose through another by supporting their agenda.