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Counter-vice Types

Alea_iacta_est

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(This is derived from the counter-phobic 5 thread)

Everyone knows of the infamous counter-phobic 6 that acts like an 8 in an effort to assuage fear and anxiety, but if 6s counter their vice of fear, do other types do this as well?

Please tell me what you think:

Type 1's vice is anger, so a counter-anger (for the love of god we need to find a better name than this) 1 might act like a 1w9 and deny that they are angry at all, even when it is evident that they are angry.

Type 2's vice is pride, so a counter-pride 2 might act very humble or modest or something (need more info)

Type 3's vice is deceit, so a counter-deceit 3 might be one that sees deceit as inefficient or stupid and instead rely on truth and honor.

Type 4's vice is envy, so a counter-envy 4 might put aside their feelings of envy and realize that he or she is incomparable to others

Type 5's vice is avarice, so a counter-avarice 5 might be much more open with their knowledge and social life, or they might be very altruistic instead of hoarding. (sounds like integration to 8)

Type 6's vice is fear, so a counter-phobic 6 is something everybody already knows about and doesn't truly need discussing

Type 7's vice is gluttony, so perhaps a counter-gluttony 7 is much more cautious about over-indulging (perhaps an sp variant?) and more apathetic

Type 8's vice is lust (for lack of better word), a counter-lust 8 might be less likely to take things to extremes and be more open minded (I imagine an 8w9 sp or so)

Type 9's vice is sloth, so a counter-sloth 9 might be able to work past their laziness and actually be a perfectionist and motivated (9w1 with heavy emphasis on 1?)

Let me know what you guys think about this.
 

Chad of the OttomanEmpire

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You're right. There are supposedly counter-fixations to each fixation.

The following article has been floating around EIDB and PerC for some time about this very subject. Take a look:

Passion and Counterpassion
Is Type Six different from the others? Or do other types portray similar dualistic characteristics?
Fabien and Patricia Chabreuil
When learning the Enneagram, many people are surprised to discover that, unlike other types, point Six has two expressions of personality: phobic and counterphobic. This phenomenon is often perceived as an anomaly. It is difficult to understand why only point Six has two distinct versions. One begins to wonder whether this dualistic approach may be applied to other types. Some existing Enneagram literature does suggest a two entity approach to all the types, not just Six.

In the May 1996 issue of Enneagram Monthly, Claudio Naranjo attributed the difference between the two forms of Six to its subtypes. He affirmed that it was possible to generalize this approach to all the types. For example, the sexual subtype of Four, Competition, he described as "competitive and hateful," the social Four was "shy and melodramatic;" and the Self Preservation Four looked very much like a One and was more self-contained or "counter-dependent" and didn't look like a Four at all. [1]

Admittedly, people of the same type can appear extremely different due to their subtype. For example, there is a strong connection between the phobic-counterphobic duality and the Six subtypes: the Self-preserving (warmth) and the Social (duty) Six are more often phobic and the Sexual (strength-beauty) Six is usually counterphobic. However, the duality of the Six seems to have another aspect: the subtypes are different ways of living the emotional passion. Whereas the Six's phobic and counterphobic duality centers on the awareness or the denial of fear. Similarly, the sexual Four cited by Naranjo doesn't deny his passion of envy; he knows he wants to have something that someone else has and is competitive in order to acquire it.

Another approach consists of remembering that the difference between phobic and counterphobic Sixes is only a different way to name what Oscar Ichazo called the dichotomy of the Six: pushy-surrender. Ichazo assigned a dichotomy to each type. Thus, in theory, the Six duality echoes Ichazo's standard. By using dichotomies, we could consider two distinct versions in each type. [2]

However, here again, the phobic-counterphobic duality of the Six differs from other points. Ichazo's dichotomies define each type's two ways of living in what he calls one of the nine domains of consciousness (Feelings; Health and security; Creativity; Intellect; Social; Work, activities and leisure; Power, hierarchy and rank; Law and moral; Spirituality). These domains are indirectly connected to each type's passion.

To further illustrate this train of thought, we'll analyze with more precision the phobic and counterphobic duality of Six.

Phobic and Counterphobic Sixes
Three concepts are central to understanding the phobic-counterphobic duality of the Six:

1. The duality of the Six is in direct relationship to its passion: fear. In both cases, fear (like the other characteristics of the type) is present. Phobic Sixes know that they're afraid and show it. Counterphobic Sixes also are afraid; however, they deny their fear and seek to prove to others, and themselves, that they can distroy the danger.

2. Counterphobic Sixes often believe that they're practicing the virtue of their type: courage. However, counterphobia is severe and cutthroat.

Some Sixes, and even other types, may find this difficult to admit because the passions in the triangle (3-6-9) are universal emotions. Many people tend to believe that courage is needed to control fear. In fact, fear is the passion of Sixes, the chief feature of the emotional center of their egos; whereas, courage is the virtue of the type, the function of the higher emotional center of their essence. Thus, as long as there is the passion of fear, there is ego. This is sometimes easier to understand in relation to other types. For example, Ones can easily admit that patience does not consist of feeling the anger, then repressing it, and behaving patiently. This is not virtue, it is reaction-formation, the Ones' principal defense mechanism. True patience is immediate, not preceded by anger. [3]

The majority of Sixes' fears are unrealistic and do not have to be felt (phobic) or be denied (counterphobic). An integrated Six can occasionally feel fear if:
- the fear corresponds to a real danger;
- the fear is not the principal focus of attention;
- the fear is accepted, but not prolonged, amplified, extended to other circumstances, or projected on other people.
In that case, fear is a normal emotion, a positive signal pointing out the reality of the environment. The Six's relationship with fear is summarized below:

The Six is conscious of fear The Six is not conscious of fear
The situation is objectively dangerous The fear is a normal emotion and is not a manifestation of the passion.
The virtue of courage is lived or not. Counterphobia
There is no objective danger Phobia Counterphobia


Definition of the notion of Counterpassion
Once this analysis is made, it becomes relatively easy to identify an analogous phenomenon in the other eight types. One of our students, Bénédicte Gasnier, suggested the term "counterpassion" to describe the same emotional quality expressed in two different ways.

People are expressing their counterpassion if they are:
1 …living in their passion;
2 …not conscious of their passion and denying it openly;
3 …behaving in a manner contrary to the attitude which would be induced by their passion;
4 …attaching a positive value to these behaviors. They may confuse counterpassion and integration, especially if they know the Enneagram and assume these behaviors resemble the virtue aspect of their type.

At the same time, this concept does not change the structure of the type: its preferred center, passion or fixation. As with point Six, these structures remain the same whether the person behaves from passion or counterpassion.

The Counterpassions of Each Type
Some brief examples of the counterpassions of the nine Enneagram types.



One: Renouncement
The passion of Ones is anger. The counterpassion of Ones is a caricature of the virtue of patience; in these moments, Ones want to be tolerant, neutral, and objective. They let others get away with errors. They think they are indulgent, magnanimous and understanding of others. Nevertheless, Ones notice errors, which shows that they are still being judgmental. Anger bubbles up inside them even if they are not aware of it. Ones' counterpassion is close to, if not equivalent to, its principal defense mechanism, reaction-formation, and consequently is one of the most thoroughly discussed counterpassions in classic type descriptions.

Two: Self-effacing
The passion of Twos is pride. The counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of humility. In these moments, Twos want to keep themselves in the background and say that they are nothing much. For example, they might affirm that their assistance was only a small act of helpfulness among many others. They can also insist that what others bring to them is richer than their contribution, or that the love they give does not come from them, that they are merely a channel for love. Pride is there, of course, and the Twos did nothing but refocus the attention: it is not about being proud of the assistance that they bring, but of their false humility.

Three: Self-restraint
The passion of Threes is deceit. The counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of truth in which Threes try to appear reserved and discrete. When in counterpassion, Threes do not exhibit their achievements or they down-play them; they center their attention and their interest on the other. Threes may consider themselves shy, or others may perceive them as shy. In reality, this reserved approach regarding success and competence is an unconscious action to lower expectations and thereby avoid failure, or minimize its possible effects.

Four: Self-sufficiency
The passion of Fours is envy. The counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of contentment. At that time, Fours want to appear self-sufficient. They claim to be satisfied with who they are and what they have. What others have that they lack is hence useless, devoid of interest and they are happy to do without. In French literature, there is a famous fable, by Jean de La Fontaine, that describes the counterpassion of the Four and reveals a transparent haughtiness and the persistence of envy.

The Fox and the Grapes
(Book III, fable 11)
Translated by Norman B. Spector

A certain Gascon Fox, a Norman one others say,
Famished, saw on a trellis, up high to his chagrin,
Grapes, clearly ripe that day,
And all covered with purple skin.
The rogue would have had a meal for the gods,
But, having tried to reach them in vain,
"They're too green," he said, "and just suitable for clods."

Didn't he do better than to complain?

Five: Extravagance
The passion of Fives is avarice. The counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of unselfishness. Then Fives want to appear generous. They will give an enormous amount of information about their subject of interest, holding mini-conferences about almost any situation. Avarice is there, however, because they manage to give this information to people who do not desire it and, thus, inevitably will not understand it or use it. Sometimes Fives unconsciously give subtly incomplete or veiled answers.

Six: Temerity
The passion of Sixes is fear. The counterpassion is a overcompensation from fear. In these situations, Sixes are harsh; they aggressively face dangers. This is the counterphobic Six so often described in Enneagram literature.

Seven: Austerity
The passion of Sevens is gluttony. The counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of sobriety or temperance. Sevens may then practice excessive self-control. They want to appear to be serious. They don't allow themselves any joy or rest. They limit their mental capacities, by either underusing them or focalizing them too much. They are proud of this seriousness that gives them a sort of masochistic happiness. The passion of gluttony appears as an excess of control. More is better: the battle cry of Sevens is still present, only now its focus has changed.

Eight: Waryness
The passion of Eights is excess and the counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of simplicity. In which case, Eights want to appear careful, measured and decent. They are reticent, hold back their anger; and may choose an ascetic way of life. However, even in these circumstances, Eights continue to go to extremes. An excess of simplicity is still excess. In Eights, the passion-counterpassion duality resembles Ichazo's term for the Eight's dichotomy, hedonist-puritan.

Nine: Hyperactivity
The passion of Nines is sloth and the counterpassion is a caricature of the virtue of activity. Nines are then hyperactive, perpetually agitated and overloaded with tasks. Although they often produce quantities of work effectively, idleness is still present: these activities are practical but have the effect that the more Nines do, the more they forget themselves. This counterpassion is one of the first we observed, and we interpreted it at the time that these Nines use work and activities as a means of narcotisation (their principal defense mechanism).
An even more subtle form of Nine's counterpassion is a hyperactive pursuit personal development. Such Nines devour books, workshops, therapists, and gurus. They profess to thirst after self-knowledge; however, they end up spinning their wheels, changing nothing.

Using the Concept of Counterpassion
The interest in using this counterpassion concept is two-fold and once again, we can apply what we have observed with the examples of phobic and counterphobic Six to all types.

The first application is educational. As teachers and impassioned lovers of the Enneagram, we want people to benefit from this extraordinary system and, of course, it all starts with identifying one's type.

Counterphobic Sixes typically have difficulty identifying their Enneagram type. This is normal since counterphobia encourages them to deny the principal characteristic of their type, fear. Sometimes this type is difficult to identify from the outside for the same reason. However, Sixes are not the only ones with this problem. In all other types, there are people who identify with the passion of their respective type or with its counterpassion. Being familiar with this distinction allows people who are more identified with counterpassion to more easily identify their types, and begin the Enneagram path of psycho-spiritual development.

Understanding the concept of counterpassion decreases the likelihood of misinterpreting our true motives and state of development For example, counterphobic Sixes often believe they are practicing the virtue of courage when they are actually expressing the counterphobic qualities of foolhardiness. Therefore, instead of letting go of their passion, they fight it and try to master it. All the other types may make the same mistake believing they are connected to the virtue of their type while they are actually living out their counterpassion. For example, one of our type Seven students described the way he used this mechanism: "By suppressing the wordplay and mental chatter of Seven, I have become a sinister and haughty individual, without any spontaneity." We know many people who have made the same error, and have not always escaped this tendency ourselves. The discovery of the concept of counterpassion has helped us and we hope it will also help others.
 

Alea_iacta_est

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[MENTION=18576]Sanjuro[/MENTION], This article was really interesting, I had no idea this even existed, I just had the thought when I was over on the counterphobic 5 thread.

I'm about 99.8% sure I'm a counter-lust 8 now, along with the sx variant of 4 and so variant of 5 as a trifix

Better names for these:
Type 1: counter-rage
Type 5: counter-hoarding
Type 7: counter-indulgent
Type 8: counter-escalating
 

Julius_Van_Der_Beak

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Type 5's vice is avarice, so a counter-avarice 5 might be much more open with their knowledge and social life, or they might be very altruistic instead of hoarding. (sounds like integration to 8)

It's what I'm aiming for. Not being boring isn't somehow not being true to myself. Just because I would normally be boring doesn't mean that being boring is sharing myself with someone. It's kind of the opposite, really. If I truly believe I have so much to offer, than why not offer it? That's a smug thing to say, but so what?
 

Chad of the OttomanEmpire

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[MENTION=18576]Sanjuro[/MENTION], This article was really interesting, I had no idea this even existed, I just had the thought when I was over on the counterphobic 5 thread.

I'm about 99.8% sure I'm a counter-lust 8 now, along with the sx variant of 4 and so variant of 5 as a trifix

Better names for these:
Type 1: counter-rage
Type 5: counter-hoarding
Type 7: counter-indulgent
Type 8: counter-escalating
Well I'm a 486, and I'm pretty sure I manifest the "counter-type" of each of these fixations. LOL.

I like your names for those.
 

Thos

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(This is derived from the counter-phobic 5 thread) Everyone knows of the infamous counter-phobic 6 that acts like an 8 in an effort to assuage fear and anxiety, but if 6s counter their vice of fear, do other types do this as well? Please tell me what you think: Type 1's vice is anger, so a counter-anger (for the love of god we need to find a better name than this) 1 might act like a 1w9 and deny that they are angry at all, even when it is evident that they are angry. Type 2's vice is pride, so a counter-pride 2 might act very humble or modest or something (need more info) Type 3's vice is deceit, so a counter-deceit 3 might be one that sees deceit as inefficient or stupid and instead rely on truth and honor. Type 4's vice is envy, so a counter-envy 4 might put aside their feelings of envy and realize that he or she is incomparable to others Type 5's vice is avarice, so a counter-avarice 5 might be much more open with their knowledge and social life, or they might be very altruistic instead of hoarding. (sounds like integration to 8) Type 6's vice is fear, so a counter-phobic 6 is something everybody already knows about and doesn't truly need discussing Type 7's vice is gluttony, so perhaps a counter-gluttony 7 is much more cautious about over-indulging (perhaps an sp variant?) and more apathetic Type 8's vice is lust (for lack of better word), a counter-lust 8 might be less likely to take things to extremes and be more open minded (I imagine an 8w9 sp or so) Type 9's vice is sloth, so a counter-sloth 9 might be able to work past their laziness and actually be a perfectionist and motivated (9w1 with heavy emphasis on 1?) Let me know what you guys think about this.

In Discovering Your Personality Type, Riso and Hudson advanced a theory that all types act for and against the dominant emotion of the triad, so 2,3, and 4 are shame/counter-shame, 5, 6, and 7 phobic/counterphobic, and 8, 9, and 1 anger/counteranger. This theory feels like it clicks better than the countervice mechanism.
Rather than abrupt flips, you can see how a person's behavior move along the spectrum. There is no separate counter-type, merely people operating at varying degrees along the spectrum. You can't be counterphobic without being phobic first.
The shame dynamic occurs when you see a person constantly driving themselves to live up to expectations and garner positive attention.
The fear dynamic addresses issues of security and the ability to deal with the world. The Thinking types are constantly moving towards a state that will relieve them of their security fears, whether internal or external.
Instinct types are motivated by anger. At the same time, they know that anger in most cases harms their interests, so they orient their world to reduce the possibility of becoming angry.
 

misfortuneteller

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This is pretty ite. I'm trying to counter my sloth so badly lately.
 

SiriuslyMcGonagall

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Thanks for the enlightenment. I can see myself as a counter 1. I have been debating between 1 and 8, but the counter 1 does seem to fit.
 

Kasper

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The counter types are connected to instincts. Basically they are the subtype that doesn't appear to follow the main passion of the type.


Type 1 Counter Anger = Sx 1
ZEAL: Sexual 1s stand out from other 1s because of their intensity and impact on others. They have have an idealistic view of how things should be and feel entitled to reform people or society to their way of seeing or doing things. They focus on perfecting others; they are more reformers than perfectionists. The only 1 who is explicitly angry, they act out of anger through their intense desire to improve others and get what they want. They feel entitled in the way a reformer or zealot feels entitled: they believe that they have a right to change society and get what they want because they have a higher understanding of the truth and the reasons behind "the right way to be". SX 1s may express anger and frustration directly when these efforts to improve others are resisted.

They are the countertype because they are more impulsive and outwardly angry; they go against the "counter-instinctive" tendency of the 1 to repress anger and impulses.


Type 2 Counter Pride = Sp 2
PRIVILEGE: Self Preservation 2s "seduce" like a child in the presence of grown-ups, they are "cute", and child-like in that they are slightly shy but charming as a way of (unconsciously) inspiring protective instincts in others. They want to be taken care of but resist being dependent on others, they are hesitant and self-protective in taking on long-term commitments and responsibilities. They feel hurt or withdraw when they feel or fear rejection from others. The title "Privilege" reflects their desire to be loved and prioritized just for being who they are, not for what they give to others.

They are the countertype because it's harder to see pride as they are more fearful of and ambivalent about connecting with others.


Type 3 Counter Deceit = Sp 3
SECURITY: Self Preservation 3 has a sense of vanity for having no vanity. They want to be admired by others, but avoid openly seeking recognition. They are also not just satisfied with simply looking good, they strive to be good, to match the perfect model of how a person should be. Being the perfect model of quality implies virtue, and virtue implies a lack of vanity. So they seek a sense of security through being good, working hard and being effective and productive.

They are the countertype because they dislike advertising their strengths and accomplishments overtly, and avoid being seen as image-oriented.


Type 4 Counter Envy = Sp 4
TENACITY: Self Preservation 4 is long-suffering. While some Fours are dramatic and emotional, the SP 4 has learned to live with pain, suffering stoically and internalising negative emotions, they want to be recognised for being tough and not complaining. This is a person who learns to tolerate pain and to do without as a way of earning love. They are more masochistic, less melodramatic, they demand a lot of themselves, have a strong need to endure and have a passion for effort.

They are countertype because instead of dwelling in envy, they act out their envy by working hard to get what others have and they lack.


Type 5 Counter Avarice = Sx 5
CONFIDANT: Sexual 5s express avarice through a search for exemplars of absolute love. This is a 5 with a romantic streak. The name reflects their need to find a partner who fulfills an ideal of trust. They experience strong chemistry with another person, enjoying the connection and trust and openness this permits. They risk depending on this other person to make them feel vibrant and alive, leading them to test their partner's loyalty or resist sharing them with others. They are the most emotionally sensitive of the 5s, they suffer more, resemble type 4 more and have more overt desires.

They are the counterype because they are in touch with their emotions, they connect to passion focusing that passion on one or two people in an otherwise reserved life.


Type 6 Counter Phobic = Sx 6
INTIMIDATION: Sexual 6s express fear by going against fear; by becoming strong and intimidating. They trust themselves more than others and have a view that when you are afraid, the best defense is a good offence. They take on a powerful stance both in what they do and how they look, as a way of holding the enemy at a distance. Their anxiety is allayed through skill and readiness in the face of an attack. Their need to feel strength and safety makes it difficult to connect to their doubts or feelings of vulnerability.

They are the counterype because they believe that the best defense is a good offence and react against typical 6 fears by running towards any fear or danger.


Type 7 Counter Gluttony = So 7
SACRIFICE: Social 7s are conscious of wanting to avoid exploiting others, they have a need to be good and pure and to sacrifice their own needs in supporting the needs of others. They have a passion for being seen as good for the sacrifice of their own desires. They will delay their own needs to serve the needs of a group or person they support. They can be judgmental regarding selfishness in themselves or others and they hope to be appreciated for their sacrifice. They hold virtue for getting by on little. They express idealism and enthusiasm as a way of making themselves feel active and valued in the world.

They are the counterype because they they go against gluttony through conscientious efforts to be of service to others and to create a better world.


Type 8 Counter Lust = So 8
SOLIDARITY: Social 8s express lust and aggression in the service of others. Sensitive to injustice and unfair social norms, they are loyal and protective and shield 'their people' from harm, unjust authority or abuse of power. Even though they prefer not to be too vulnerable, they invite and appreciate tough feedback from close allies. They are a social antisocial person and appear less aggressive and more loyal than the other two subtypes. They have a tendency to help when people need protection.

They are the counterype because they use their power and influence in the service of others, they have a drive to support others rather than asserting their own needs.


Type 9 Counter Sloth = So 9
PARTICIPATION: Social 9s prioritise the group’s needs above their own. They will put their own issues aside and maintain a happy front to avoid burdening others and make sacrifices to meet group needs. They take comfort from feeling part of things in a broader group or community. Working hard to keep the people in their life happy, they may run the risk of becoming a workaholic, hiding their pain or stress. They can act out of laziness when connecting with their own inner life by working hard to be part of the different groups in their lives. They are fun-loving, sociable and congenial characters.

They are the counterype because they move against the typical inertia of the type and are often workaholics.
 

misfortuneteller

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The counter types are connected to instincts. Basically they are the subtype that doesn't appear to follow the main passion of the type.


Type 2 Counter Pride = Sp 2
PRIVILEGE: Self Preservation 2s "seduce" like a child in the presence of grown-ups, they are "cute", and child-like in that they are slightly shy but charming as a way of (unconsciously) inspiring protective instincts in others. They want to be taken care of but resist being dependent on others, they are hesitant and self-protective in taking on long-term commitments and responsibilities. They feel hurt or withdraw when they feel or fear rejection from others. The title "Privilege" reflects their desire to be loved and prioritized just for being who they are, not for what they give to others.

They are the countertype because it's harder to see pride as they are more fearful of and ambivalent about connecting with others.


Type 3 Counter Deceit = Sp 3
SECURITY: Self Preservation 3 has a sense of vanity for having no vanity. They want to be admired by others, but avoid openly seeking recognition. They are also not just satisfied with simply looking good, they strive to be good, to match the perfect model of how a person should be. Being the perfect model of quality implies virtue, and virtue implies a lack of vanity. So they seek a sense of security through being good, working hard and being effective and productive.

They are the countertype because they dislike advertising their strengths and accomplishments overtly, and avoid being seen as image-oriented.

I literally have two counter-type parents. No wonder it was hard for me to see them as a 2 and a 3 upon first glance.
 
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