Yes, it all seems very stupid:
I think I'm a six.
Agreed, you're a six.
Well, actually, I don't think I am.
That just makes you more of a six.
Oh God. Yes. YES.
It's like:
- I don't think I have an alcohol problem.
- The first symptom of alcoholism is denying you have a problem.
- But I don't drink alcohol.
- PROOF OF DENIAL.
I went through it all, loud and clear.
Anyway, I agree that six in many ways seems lame. Phobics are cowardly victims, counterphobics are the overcompensating bullies. We're also known as the sheep, the company man, the spineless bureaucrat, and that neurotic guy who's always whining about stuff. The NAZIS are often associated with e6 as well. I can see why people might resist identifying as 6.
That being said, I've never been a person who relates to positive descriptions. After all, 6's tend to gravitate to the problematic and are generally very aware of their own shortcomings. Besides, I'm a firm believer that if you're not a little uncomfortable reading your type description, then it's probably not your type. They're not supposed to be desirable profiles.
Yeah, it should describe the things you've struggled with all your life, or the things that distinguish you from the rest. That tends to distinguish us more than our positive traits, which are often non-type specific. I disagree with some that it's necessarily a traumatic experience designed to reduce you to tears, but it should at least feel "weird" reading about your psychology on paper the first time!
Anyway. Yeah, some 6 descriptions are, unfortunately, lame, and do not begin to cover the awesome (and evil) of which the type is capable. Also, it's funny Hitler and the Nazis are seen as 6ish...I've been reading Hitler's biography, and the dude was clearly a 4w3 (prolly 487 tritype--!).
Ok. I tested as 5, 7 and 8 quite frequently. I never got six as a test result when I was taking these tests. So take that for what it's worth. I really think 6's should be divided into two types and have two separate profiles. Anyway, I felt strongly 5 or 8. Like I was perfectly halfway between these two types. Do you feel like half of two types? Have you looked into 5w6(cp)? CP6 can have a lot of "relatableness" with 4's.
Yeah, I do feel like two types! I've considered being a 5 for a long time. I am definitely a reactive type, however, as opposed to a competency type. Cp6w5 would actually be a bit better! But for me, my core issues have really been around feeling different, feeling inferior/superior, being unable to make friends, longing for what I don't have...etc. Fives seem to lack that certain longing--they are detached from that desire.
I will do some research and try to find some threads with good descriptions.
The six profile is mainly a phobic profile. Which is why I did not read up on it and probably why I didn't test is a six. For some reason, the test does not do good job of differentiating six counterphobia and eight normal behavior. It may catch the emotional reactivity (4) or aggressiveness (8). Mainly because the motivation behind the behavior is different but the behavior could look exactly alike. Add the fact that CP sixes aren't aware of fear being a driving force (they may be in denial of it even when faced) and you have a recipe for enneagram confusion. I love what [MENTION=7040]Forever_Jung[/MENTION] said, that when reading your profile you should feel discomfort.
What is it about the four description that you relate to? Is this 100% for you?
Thanks for your perspective!! This is actually what I've privately thought. I think if I were going to teach type 6 to a group, I
would divide it into 2 (or even 3) separate profiles. It's a hard type to test for, that's for sure. You're also right that there's a major phobic bias in many descriptions, which naturally makes it difficult for a countertype to relate to. How are you supposed to see yourself in something you are designed to be in denial of???
BTW, how would you differentiate 4ish emotionality, 6ish counterphobia, and 8ish aggression?
As to me, again: Yeah. Just the issues I mentioned above. I also see the motivations of 3 and 5 at work within me, as well as a strong 1-connection. The 4-profiles
aren't 100% me, because they draw in too much "poor hypersensitive lil me, I can't cope with life and need a savior" mentality, as well as too much prissiness. But--this is why I like tritype--every 8-fixed 4 I've spoken to has had the same difficulties in ascertaining type. The 4 descriptions are rather 9-biased, similar to 6 descriptions being phobic-biased.
I've figured out ways the "not me" parts actually do apply to me, and it's a lot easier to make that work than it is for any other type! (I've been doing this about 14 years, fwiw).