The Enneagram versus the Jungian Types as defined in the MBTI
Many wonder if the nine types of the enneagram and the Jungian types can be correlated. In some online enneagram discussion forums, there are often obsessive attempts to correlate enneagram types and the Jungian types as defined by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, or systems that have evolved from the MBTI, such as Socionics or The Big Five. In my opinion, this is a ticket for a quick bus trip off a cliff and into the abyss of insanity.
While the types of the enneagram and the Jungian types may have some common elements, they are different systems measuring different things. The Jungian types measure conscious preferences in 4 specific areas. The enneagram is all about unconsious motivations. Yes, there are tendencies for certain Jungian types to be certain enneagram types, but it is possible for any given enneagram type to contain representatives of just about all of the Jungian types.
If that isn’t confusing enough, consider that the definitions of the functions, as used by the Jungian typologies are different from the common definitions of the words. To understand the Jungian types, you must thoroughly study the use of the words they use to define the functions, and exactly what they mean by those words.
Enneagram and MBTI: Definitions
Introversion-Extroversion
Let’s start with the definitions of the words “introvert” and “extrovert,” which represent the first pair of Jungian functions. The Cambridge Dictionaries Online define “introvert “ as “someone who is shy, quiet and unable to make friends easily,” and “extrovert, extravert” as “an energetic, happy person who enjoys being with other people.”
Compare those definitions to the definitions offered by the Myers Briggs Foundation:
“The first pair of psychological preferences is Extraversion and Introversion. Where do you put your attention and get your energy? Do you like to spend time in the outer world of people and things (Extraversion), or in your inner world of ideas and images (Introversion)?
“Extraversion and Introversion as terms used by C. G. Jung, explain different attitudes people use to direct their energy. These words have a meaning in psychology that is different from the way they are used in everyday language.
“Everyone spends some time extraverting and some time introverting. Don’t confuse Introversion with shyness or reclusiveness. They are not related.”
By the MBTI definitions of introvert and extrovert, a person can be a friendly introvert or a shy extrovert. This is very different from the commonly-used, dictionary definitions of the words.
Sensing-iNtuiting
Next, in the Jungian system, comes the distinction between the functions of Sensing (S) and iNtuiting (N). This is another area in which the common definitions and usage of the words are very different from usage in the type descriptions.The Cambridge Dictionaries Online defines the word “sense” as “an ability to understand, recognize, value or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste and feel…” or as “a general feeling or understanding: ‘Did you get any sense of how they might react?’ or ‘The helicopters hovering overhead added to the sense of urgency.’”
The dictionary definition of “intuition“ is “(knowledge obtained from) an ability to understand or know something immediately without needing to think about it, learn it or discover it by using reason… ‘I can't explain how I knew - I just had an intuition that you'd been involved in an accident.’”
In real speech, people often use the words “sense” and “intuition” interchangeably. For example, people often say “I just sensed that something was wrong,” in the same way as intuition is used in the above example, “I just had an intuition that you’d been involved in an accident.” In fact, the term “sixth sense” is often used to talk about intuition.
I recently purchased Tom Condon’s Intuition Training CD set, and he talks about intuition as being in touch with gut feelings and inner knowing. However, as defined by the Jungian typology, gut feelings fall clearly in the domain of the Sensing function.
The Jungian functions have more to do with how one pays attention to sensory information: “The second pair of psychological preferences is Sensing and Intuition. Do you pay more attention to information that comes in through your five senses (Sensing), or do you pay more attention to the patterns and possibilities that you see in the information you receive (Intuition)?”
Sensing is a present orientation to sights, sounds, smells, and bodily feelings. Intuition refers to how one makes sense of these sensations, in terms seeing patterns and possibilities. The iNtuiting function has more to do with the past or future, than with the present.
Thinking-Feeling
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“Don’t confuse Feeling with emotion. Everyone has emotions about the decisions they make. Also do not confuse Thinking with intelligence.”
Judging-Perceiving
The definitions of the fourth pair of functions, Judging and Perceiving, are where things really get confusing. The judging function has nothing do with actual judging, or being judgmental. The perceiving function has little to do with being perceptive. This pair is all about how people interact with the world. But don’t take my word for it. According to the wise folks at the Myers & Briggs organization: “This fourth preference pair describes how you like to live your outer life--what are the behaviors others tend to see? Do you prefer a more structured and decided lifestyle (Judging) or a more flexible and adaptable lifestyle (Perceiving)? This preference may also be thought of as your orientation to the outer world.
“Everyone extraverts some of the time. This pair describes whether you extravert (act in the outer world) when you are making decisions or when you are taking in information.
“Some people interact with the outside world when they are taking in information. Whether they use the Sensing preference or the Intuitive preference, they are still interacting in the outside world.
“Other people do their interacting when they are making decisions. It doesn’t matter whether they are using a Thinking preference or a Feeling preference; they are still interacting in the outside world.
“Everyone takes in information some of the time. Everyone makes decisions some of the time. However, when it comes to dealing with the outer world, people who tend to focus on making decisions have a preference for Judging because they tend to like things decided. People who tend to focus on taking in information prefer Perceiving because they stay open to a final decision in order to get more information.
“Sometimes people feel they have both. That is true. The J or P preference only tells which preference the person extraverts. One person may feel very orderly/structured (J) on the inside, yet their outer life looks spontaneous and adaptable (P). Another person may feel very curious and open-ended (P) in their inner world, yet their outer life looks more structured or decided (J).
“Don’t confuse Judging and Perceiving with a person’s level of organization. Either preference can be organized.”
Clear Enough?
Are you clear on the definitions of the functions? Good. Now let’s look at how the Jungian functions correlate, or don’t correlate, to the Enneagram Types. Oh, and by the way, the Socionics people take issue with the distinction between Judging and Perceiving in the Jungian functions, and have come up with their own definitions. You can find out about Socionics here: http://socionics.com/main/types.html.Correlating the Enneagram Types to the Jungian Function Pairs
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Once the definitions are understood – how the functions are defined in the MBTI and how the characteristics are defined in the enneagram, some likely correlations can be made.
Don Riso and Russ Hudson, in Personality Types, pp 441-443, (copyright 1996) make the following possible correlations:
Type 1 – Extroverted Thinking
Type 2 – Extroverted Feeling
Type 3 – no corresponding type
Type 4 – Introverted iNtuiting
Type 5 – Introverted Thinking
Type 6 – Introverted Feeling
Type 7 – Extroverted Sensing
Type 8 – Extroverted iNtuiting
Type 9 – Introverted Sensing
Type 2 – Extroverted Feeling
Type 3 – no corresponding type
Type 4 – Introverted iNtuiting
Type 5 – Introverted Thinking
Type 6 – Introverted Feeling
Type 7 – Extroverted Sensing
Type 8 – Extroverted iNtuiting
Type 9 – Introverted Sensing
If you follow this link, there are tables of type correlations from Riso and Hudson, and as well several other enneagram scholars. You will see that there has been no shortage of attempts at correlating the 4-letter Jungian type descriptors with enneagram types.
Click here for the Lifexplore Type Correlations Chart.
However, these correlations don’t really work, as each enneagram type may have characteristics of several Jungian types, and each Jungian type may have characteristics of more than one enneagram type.
Here are some brief description of the 16 Meyers Briggs types:
MBTI 4 letter type descriptions from Personalitytest.net.
It is a bit easier to see the correlations when, instead of using the 4-letter Jungian type, we take the Jungian functions are taken on their own, as in the list from Personality Types, posted above. Everything depends on how the functions are defined, though, and you can link to various definitions of the Jungian functions here:
Famous Types Function Wikipedia article on Jung and his typology.Lifexplore Jungian function descriptions.
For the purpose of this essay, I will be using the descriptions of the 8 function pairs as described by Mark Bruzen at: www.geocities.com/player2000gi/jungian_functions.htm.
“Introverted Sensor - They work on the specific and the detailed. Seek to be thoroughly aware of all facts before coming to decisions. Not open to new understandings, they are comfortable within tradition and the established. They enjoy being in control and well prepared for whatever life may bring.”
MBTI 4 letter type descriptions from Personalitytest.net.
It is a bit easier to see the correlations when, instead of using the 4-letter Jungian type, we take the Jungian functions are taken on their own, as in the list from Personality Types, posted above. Everything depends on how the functions are defined, though, and you can link to various definitions of the Jungian functions here:
Famous Types Function Wikipedia article on Jung and his typology.Lifexplore Jungian function descriptions.
For the purpose of this essay, I will be using the descriptions of the 8 function pairs as described by Mark Bruzen at: www.geocities.com/player2000gi/jungian_functions.htm.
“Introverted Sensor - They work on the specific and the detailed. Seek to be thoroughly aware of all facts before coming to decisions. Not open to new understandings, they are comfortable within tradition and the established. They enjoy being in control and well prepared for whatever life may bring.”
This description seems to correlate best to enneagram Type 6 even though Riso and Hudson correlate the introverted sensing function to enneagram Type 9. Sixes, because of their fear of loss of security, make excellent troubleshooters and are usually prepared for what life brings. Sixes are known for being highly opinionated, and for attaching themselves to the opinions of trusted groups or authorities. This makes them “not open to new understandings.” They don’t particularly like change, and often like to preserve the status quo. Sixes are known for checking with their “inner committee” before making decisions.
It corresponds to Type 9, in that Nines do have a difficult time making decisions, but it isn’t so much due to needing more facts, as it is to being out of touch with what’s going on around them. And yes, while Nines like to be comfortable, they can be nontraditional. Nines are more grounded in the present, and not as interested in “being prepared” for what life may bring. “Being Prepared,” like the Scouting motto, is the domain of the Sixes.
It corresponds to Type 9, in that Nines do have a difficult time making decisions, but it isn’t so much due to needing more facts, as it is to being out of touch with what’s going on around them. And yes, while Nines like to be comfortable, they can be nontraditional. Nines are more grounded in the present, and not as interested in “being prepared” for what life may bring. “Being Prepared,” like the Scouting motto, is the domain of the Sixes.
“Extraverted Sensor - They are active and crave new experiences. In touch with the immediate physical reality, they enjoy a fast changing environment. Strongly materialistic, they require strong sensory experience.”
This corresponds to highly to Types 7 and 8. Sevens are active and always seeking new experiences. However, the ES lives in the present moment, while Type 7s tend to live in the mind, in their future plans. Type 8s, on the other hand, are more in touch with the immediate environment, and can also be strongly materialistic.
“Introverted Feeler - Considerate, helpful and often introspective, they strive for a sense of harmony and well-being. With strong inner feelings, they are loyal and caring. They follow deep personal convictions rather than social values, making them appear somewhat original and unconventional.”
The IF temperament corresponds to type 4, and to some extent type 9. Type 4s follow their intense feelings and their need to be unique, which makes them value being original and unconventional, but they don’t necessarily seek harmony in their environments. In fact 4s, a frustration type, tend to be out of harmony. That’s part of what makes them “different” and “unique.”
Nines seek harmony in themselves and in their environment, and while often loyal and caring, can be out of touch with their own feelings. They merge with others, and take on the feelings of those around them.
“Extraverted Feeler - They expect cooperation and harmony within a particular institution. They follow well defined rules of conduct and respect the social hierarchy. They are loyal and may fight for a cause, but always within tradition and accepted norms.”
EF brings to mind type 2 – Type 2s are the behind the scenes workers who hold institutions together, and make sure people are happy. They are the people people, par excellence. They are compliant to their superego demands to “love one another.” They are adept at understanding the “rules of conduct” and certainly at moving within the social hierarchy. However, Twos are also adept at bending the rules to suit their ideals of “love.” Depending on the strength of their connection to point 8, they can be highly justice oriented, and fight for causes in which they believe. They can be quite traditional, or not, especially if there is a strong connection to point 4.
Type 6, the “ambiverts” of the enneagram, are more often the loyal and traditional type, and most bound by “accepted norms.”
“Introverted Thinker - Enjoy coming to new understandings, problem-solving and logic. Independent, skeptical and critical. Appear self-absorbed while they use step-by-step logic to discover the principles and connections that underlie the overall picture.”
This describes Type 5 quite well as Fives withdraw into their minds to unravel the mysteries of the universe. They can become self-absorbed, especially when unhealthy, and weirdly out of touch with mainstream culture. Fives will follow logic to its end, ignoring restraints based on convention or belief systems. (Type 5s can also have strong use of the introverted intuitive function.)
“Extraverted Thinker - They organize, dictate and control. Easily come to decisions as they set out logical plans of action, or impart rules and regulations. They may rise to a position of authority that allows them to maintain order and efficiency within a given organization.”
This describes the two most practical of the enneagram types – Type 1 and Type 3. What drives the decision-making process is quite different between the two types. Often orderly and efficient, Type 1 is driven by the superego demands to do the “right” thing. Type 3 can also be orderly and efficient, but is driven by a need to be (or appear) successful. A Type 1 will rise to a position of authority in order to be instrumental in making the world a better place; “better” as defined by their own superego messages of right and wrong. Rules are absolute – there is clearcut right and wrong. A Type 3 will rise to authority in order to implement their own plans for success. Ideals of right and wrong are subject to interpretation based on what works and what succeeds. For a Three, the end justifies the means (moreso as she moves down the levels of health).
An interesting thing about the thought processes of the One is that they, unlike Fives, will constrain their thought processes based on their ideals and their interactions with their environments.
“Introverted Intuitive - They are stimulated by problems and enjoy an intellectual challenge and coming to new understandings. They possess an abstract and analytical mind that helps them to discover the underlying principles behind a particular situation. Intensely individualistic, they can walk the road less travelled.”
This describes Type 5, and to a certain extent Type 4. Type 5 most closely corresponds to the Jungian type INTP or INTJ, and so have elements of both Ti and IN. Type 5s are the type most likely to live in their own minds, and not use their bodies. They are usually very observant and very thoughtful, noticing the patterns of what’s going on in the world, and using their thought processes to make sense of them.
Type 4 corresponds somewhat to the INFP temperament, although the introverted feeling function, which allows them to feel unique and different – authentic - is usually primary.
“Extraverted Intuitive - The most open-minded of the types, they are fascinated by the new. Impulsive, adventurous, and creative, their minds entertain future plans and new ideas. They do not live in the immediate physical reality, but in a world of relationships and possibilities. They abhor routine.”
This sounds like the definition of Type 7, and yet Riso and Hudson correlate the EN temperament to Type 8. (Personality Types, Don Riso and Russ Hudson, c1996, pp 441-443) Sevens, in their endless quest to avoid being trapped in pain, live in the world of future plans and new ideas. The world of the Seven is full of possibilities, and when more fixated, excess things. Sevens thrive on change more than routine. Routine is painful to Sevens.
In Summary
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If you take a tour of the Enneagram Institute Discussion Board (EIDB) people often post their enneagram type and wing along with their Jungian type. You can see for yourself how their enneagram types correlate to their Jungian types. There are also many discussions of enneagram type versus Jungian type. You can search the forum to find those.
At one point there was a forum thread guiding members to take a test on the Jungian functions. It measured the functions individually and many members posted their results.
Discussion on Test of Jungian Functions.
Proceed with caution! The forum is dominated by Types 4, 5, and 6, with a smattering of other types. Almost everyone in there claims to be an “intuitive” because there is a common misunderstanding that “Intuitive” = “Intelligent.” Conversely, “Sensing” = “stupid” and “Sensing” = “Shallow.” There is a lot of bad sterotyping and shallow chitchat, often by people who claim that they aren’t shallow… It is an education in and of itself, but well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Discussion on Test of Jungian Functions.
Proceed with caution! The forum is dominated by Types 4, 5, and 6, with a smattering of other types. Almost everyone in there claims to be an “intuitive” because there is a common misunderstanding that “Intuitive” = “Intelligent.” Conversely, “Sensing” = “stupid” and “Sensing” = “Shallow.” There is a lot of bad sterotyping and shallow chitchat, often by people who claim that they aren’t shallow… It is an education in and of itself, but well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
If you are curious as to your use of the Jungian functions, here is a test:
Cognitive Processes Jungian Functions Test
The test results are informative, and there is a lot of other good information in this site. If you click through on the “16 types” link in that site, you can find out your auxilliary functions.
Cognitive Processes Jungian Functions Test
The test results are informative, and there is a lot of other good information in this site. If you click through on the “16 types” link in that site, you can find out your auxilliary functions.
Have you ever wondered why Sevens can seem like Fours, and Fours like Sevens, even though the underlying motivations are so different? Both ENFP and ESFP will have Fi as support functions. This may explain why ENFP and ESFP 7s can seem like 4s.
Just some of the stuff you can figure out by doing research on this topic. Now I’m done. I’m going back to writing about the enneagram and spirituality. 
