My Type Dilemma

[Silveresque]

Lately I've started to realize that the levels of development for 9 seem to fit me much better than the ones for 5 (and a couple days ago I felt the same thing about 4). The descriptions for type 9 seem to fit me as well, and I probably act more like a 9 than a 5. I've also never really related to 5's disintegration toward 7, but I strongly relate to 9's disintegration toward 6. However, I still think the basic fear and desire for type 5 fit me best. Of course, I also originally thought that 4's basic desire/fear fit me best, but then I changed my mind on that. The basic fears and desires are so vague I think anyone could relate to them. I think I probably am still a 5, but that could just be my bias. Still, I can't help wondering how one can know what is your main type and what is just influence from your tritype, since the one that fits me best seems to depend on my mood.

 

[Elfboy]

9s more frequently mistype as 5 than the other way around

 

[VagrantFarce]

Here's something that Naranjo says in Character and Neurosis on the difference between Fives and Nines:

It is possible to confuse these characters, for, in spite of the contrast between the hypersensitive introvert and the "undersensitive" extrovert, in both we may speak of resignation and self-forgetting. The difference is that between a resignation away from people (isolation) and a resignation with participation (contactfulness) which implies the contrast between a non-generous and an abnegated characteristic, respectfully. Most characteristic, however, is the contrast between generosity of E IX and the limited availability, cooperation and support volunteered by E V.

[edit] A couple more, because I'm feeling generous

Five vs Four:

E IV and E V, sharing the bottom of the enneagram, share the under-dog identification that implies feelings of inferiority and guilt as well as a submissive tendency. While E IV hangs on to relationships in face of frustration, however, E V gives up, and while the depression typical of E IV is - in line with is emotional background - one of grief, weeping and self-accusation, the depression of E V is a dryness and hollowness, a forelorness in which grief seems to have been buried under a layer of resignation. On the whole, we may say that E IV is intense, E V the least intense of personalities after E IX.

Four vs Nine:

The one feature in common between these characters in that they can constitute the background for depressive states. Even in these cases, however, E IV goes together with a "claiming type" of depression, which in E IX there is a depression of pure grief and passivity, in which we do not sense the dramatic element and the attention need of the former. Though both have received the label "masochistic", E IV is emotional and hypersensitive, E IX practical and long-suffering, E IV histrionic and E IX phlegmatic.

 

[Silveresque]

Thanks for that, [MENTION=5632]VagrantFarce[/MENTION]. I think I can rule out 4 as my main type. But 5 and 9 are both strong possibilities.

Another thing I should add: Is it possible for a type 5 to have extremely high agreeableness? It seems more like a 9 thing, but unlike 9's I don't have trouble saying "no" when I don't want to do something. My agreeableness is more about respecting people's views and offering my opinion in ways that don't cause conflict, as well as making people feel at ease and accepted.

 

[VagrantFarce]

Thanks for that, [MENTION=5632]VagrantFarce[/MENTION]. I think I can rule out 4 as my main type. But 5 and 9 are both strong possibilities.

Another thing I should add: Is it possible for a type 5 to have extremely high agreeableness? It seems more like a 9 thing, but unlike 9's I don't have trouble saying "no" when I don't want to do something. My agreeableness is more about respecting people's views and offering my opinion in ways that don't cause conflict, as well as making people feel at ease and accepted.

Nothing is stopping a five from being agreeable, nor a nine being more insular, or a four being less emotional etc. It's better to look at moments when you fall back on the trances of the type, eg when stressed.

Do you get stubborn / argumentative / insular when stressed? That would point to Five more than Nine.

 

[Speed Gavroche]

Thanks for that, [MENTION=5632]VagrantFarce[/MENTION]. I think I can rule out 4 as my main type. But 5 and 9 are both strong possibilities.

9s supress their own needs and merge with the need of others, 5s are hypersensitive about other people's expectations wich could tax their time and energy.

9s are easygoing and do things naturally, and like to be immersed in diverses activities at the same time, don't compartimentalize their activities and relationships, but merge them in an easygoing way.

5s compartimentalize their differents relationships and activities and hardly fusion them because they are afraid to be invaded and compartimentalization is their way to avoid it and live an active life at the same time.

They can be very agreeable, but they need to know more or less how long will last the social interaction and as to feel that they can control the level of time and energy wich is spent. 5s store their energy to be focused on their own project, activities and studies, while 9s dissipate their energy in activities and routine to avoid their own needs.

A typycal example of Sp/Sx 5 is Scarecrow from Batman, a typical example of Sp/Sx 9 is Joey from Friends.

 

[Silveresque]

Based on [MENTION=5356]Speed Gavroche[/MENTION]'s post, I'm more 5 than 9, but based on [MENTION=5632]VagrantFarce[/MENTION]'s post, I'm more 9 than 5. When I'm under stress, I just want to get away from people and try to deal with my emotions alone. I could never see myself becoming stubborn and argumentative.

 

[Speed Gavroche]

Based on [MENTION=5356]Speed Gavroche[/MENTION]'s post, I'm more 5 than 9, but based on [MENTION=5632]VagrantFarce[/MENTION]'s post, I'm more 9 than 5. When I'm under stress, I just want to get away from people and try to deal with my emotions alone. I could never see myself becoming stubborn and argumentative.

Bolded is very Five! 9 move to 6 under stress: when they are overstressed, they megre with the group and they fit in. 5s are not necessarly argumentative, it's more the realm of Social 5s.