Oh, man, it sucks to know it's just me.
I don't mean to derail the thread, but how do instinctual variants (this is for the enneagram, right?) fit into the MBTI? What determines them? Etc. I am unwise. Teach me.
instinct variant is the primary instinct you fixate on.
Social (So) : fixates on belonging, being part of a whole, taking care of the needs of the group, contributing to society, where they stand within the group structure (be it hierarchical or egalitarian)
Self Preservation (Sp) : fixates on comfort, safety, financial stability and health
Sexual (Sx) : fixates on merging with another, "chemistry" between self and another, sexual desirability and intensity experience
you have a primary instinct which is your fixation, a second instinct that you are comfortable with and a third instinct that is your blind spot. (for example Sp/Sx would be Self Preservation first; Sexual instinct second)
- your first is your default. it just happens and is your core instinctual desire to fulfill
- your second is your most comfortable. for instance, I am Sp/Sx; one of my best friends is Sx/Sp. while the Sexual is stronger in him, deals with things like relationships and matters of intimacy is actually easier for me because he has a hyper sensitivity to it and feels like he's "missing a part of himself" when he is lacking in personal intimacy from people. similarly, I am dominant Self Preservation, so I am often less comfortable in this arena simply because I notice everything. if I'm hungry, I notice immediately, if I'm hurt, I notice immediately, if I'm uncomfortable, I notice immediately. because of this, it's a bigger deal when this area of my life is in the tubes, whereas, while I enjoy using my Sx side quite a bit (and I'm very good at it) I don't feel like I'm "missing a part of myself" when I'm not in a relationship, so my dealings with this area of life are more easy going.
- your third instinct is your blind spot. for me, as an Sp/Sx, this is the arena of community, social connections, the politics of group interaction and feeling unity