It is tempting to look for links between the MBTI and the Enneagram. But the two systems happen to be unrelated: cognitive functions say nothing about Enneagram types.
It is not so obvious as a first impression. There are puzzling similitudes. To the point we can suspect descriptions of Enneagram types often contain elements of MBTI types without noticing it, creating a false sense of correlation.
Ne and type 7
The most similar descriptions across the two systems are maybe Ne and type 7. Let’s compare two extracts from basic descriptions:
Type 7 (from Eclectic Energies): People of this personality type are essentially concerned that their lives be an exciting adventure. Sevens are future oriented, restless people who are generally convinced that something better is just around the corner. They are quick thinkers who have a great deal of energy and who make lots of plans. They tend to be extroverted, multi-talented, creative and open minded.
Extraverted intuition: Ne operates by perceiving connections, possibilities, and latent potential within the external world. It is future-oriented, generating alternative perspectives and innovative solutions through rapid associative thinking. This function thrives on novelty and intellectual curiosity, often leading to creative experimentation or theoretical speculation.
It sounds close. However, if you read further, the apparent similitude weakens. Strange as it may seem, many 7s are introverted. Neither type 7 nor Ne can be captured by such simple takes but once you see type 7 and Ne well, it becomes clear there is no match. 7s and Ne are both quite prevalent in the population, but not the same people.
Given the usual descriptions of type 7, the first 7s we see as 7s are usually Ne-doms. For example, here is a brief picture of ENFP 7w6: very spontaneous, entertaining, best antidepressant of all 7s, very funny, very enthusiastic, very suggestible, not conformist, emitting a lively energy of possibilities and fascination, very vulnerable to pain and personal attacks, excited by challenge, a profoundly joyful energy, caring for responsibilities as little as possible, never knowing exactly what he will do next (but it will be great), open to anything that shines with a promise, knowing many special and enjoyable people, switching to something new at the first sign of boredom.
Different functions for type 1
Type 1 is the easiest to understand. I will illustrate the four functions for this type. As a reminder, the following applies to all 1s:
- resentful of things not being as they should
- strong inner critic
- morally principled
- aligned with his superego
- serious
- tense and physically rigid
- …
Depending on functions, it takes very different forms.
Feeler
Because ethical values are intellectually processed and expressed by F, a feeler 1 knows more than any other 1 that he is morally principled, especially Fi. It shows in a straightforward way: X is a good person or is not, Y has the right behavior or not. There is no in-between and he does not hide his valuing much. But also, he is a people person, warm, personal and deeply friendly. For Fe, it is not that clear his values are truly his own. He can adapt in speech if someone around is charismatic enough. Fi 1 is more authentic, very intense, and will only reveal his moral expectations to the chosen ones when a deeper personal link exists.
Thinker
While moral principles still define his actions, he does not think of it much. His moral mind limits to very serious impersonal topics and has no interpersonal dimension. Hence, this 1 is not a moralist for everyday life and not judgmental for ordinary behaviors. He is even unusually naive about human nature (unlike the intuitive). Knowing the factual truth, saying it exactly as is without distortion is his main business. Intellectual frauds enrage him with a self-controlled impulse to correct. Lies cannot be tolerated. Very perfectionist in logic, clarity and precise factuality, anyone’s views are meant to be aligned with reality. He politely rectifies when you’re wrong; his sensitivity is not at the surface. Despite being unable to formulate white lies, having an embryonic perception of F, he must avoid hurting others.
Sensor
Perfectionism shows mainly as a control on the direct concrete environment. Things must be organized a certain way with little room for mistakes or things in the wrong place. Se is not exactly more flexible but allows more enjoyment of various things and will not care too much about details. More than the dominant feeler, ESFP is the rectifier of people’s annoying behaviors around him. Si is more rigid about processes but allows a better concrete perfection: everything ends up aligned and very well done. Si 1 enjoys the solitude of a perfectly done work, with all his tools in the right place, all his methods facing a lengthy challenge of putting every detail as they must be.
Intuitive
That’s where it becomes hard to get. Intuitives being rarer, and since I’ve known only six people of type 1, I know no intuitive 1 (the closest is INTP). It’s not that perfection is more a remote potentiality for N (perfection is never realized for a 1), it’s more that imperfection itself is fought in a potentiality. Like when you close your eyes, imagine something evil and it makes you angry. But intuitives see the content of their imagination as existing outside, this 1 seems to be angry at something external. I guess Ni would be a sort of general moralist against hidden evils, blaming falsehood in general… more philosophically than practically.
Apparent correlations
Further than this, the similarities are so many and so subtle that it is impossible to describe them all. Very briefly:
- 2 and 3 remind of Fe
- 4 and INFJ can be alike
- INTP and INTJ are 5-like
- 8 is Se-like
None of these similitudes say anything real and could only be debunked in thousands of pages. The only way out is to learn the two systems independently and witness there is no match.
Enneagram Elements 