Enneagram is very similar to the FIRO-based five temperament theory my avatar is based on.
The "Directional Theory of the Enneagram" (Thomas Chou, Enneagram Monthly Jan. 2000) attempted to turn Karen Horney's scale into a 2D matrix, (
http://www.9types.com/writeup/Theory20.htm) but retained the "towards/away/against" points (changed into that order) and designated, respectively "Embracing" (Self is changed by others), "Withdrawal" (self is separate from others) and "Confrontation" (self changes others). This becomes "surface direction" (short term motivation), while the new dimension of "deep direction" (long term motivation), the scales are "Approval-seeking", "Ideal Seeking" and "Power-seeking". This roughly corresponds to Expressive (i.e. intro/extraversion) and Responsiveness (loosely, T/F and J/P). In both scales, "Towards" is considered "+", "Away" is "0", and "Against" is "-". This differs from the E/R scale, which is based on + "high"/ 0 "moderate"/ - "low". Therefore, the 9 types, which can easily be matched to the five temperaments, plus four moderate blends, come out in a totally different order, with slightly different criteria for categorizing their behavior.
But to measure them in terms of high/mod/low Expressiveness and responsiveness:
The Pure temperaments:
Type 5 Observer, Thinker, Investigator Insightful, theoretical, detached, eccentric, intense. They can be extremely brilliant and inventive, but also nihilistic and alienated:
Purely Introverted and Directive (Low E and R): Melancholy
Type 6 Loyalist, (Loyal Skeptic) Devil's Advocate, Defender - Loyal, skeptical, complex, paranoid, dependable. They can be excellent team players but get lost in scapegoating and fear:
basically introverted (low E), but an apparent need of acceptance (High R) Supine
(the fifth temperament; sort of a passive Sanguine, In FIRO, it would be an "inhibited individual", "loyal lieutenant" or "cautious lover").
Type 7 Enthusiast, Adventurer, Materialist, Epicure Enthusiastic, worldly, optimistic, scattered, accomplished. They can truly love life like no one else, but can fall victim to hedonism and excess:
extraverted, People-oriented (high E, R) Sanguine
Type 8 Leader, Protector, Challenger, Boss Powerful, leading, aggressive, cruel, protective. They can be magnanimous leaders who get the job done, but can become violent and terrorizing:
extraverted, task-oriented (high E, low R) Choleric
Type 9 Mediator, Peacemaker, Preservationist Peaceful, receptive, complacent, forgetting, gentle. They can be relaxed and terrific friends, but can become unaware of reality and problems:
moderate in both scales (considered "introverted" when compared to 3, 7 and 8, but not as introverted as 4 and 5): Phlegmatic
Moderate temperaments
Type 1 (Reformer, Critic, Perfectionist Perfectionistic, orderly, hard-working, ethical, conscientious). They can be very rational and idealistic, but can also be judgmental and convinced they are always right:
purely "directive" or "task-oriented" (low responsiveness) like a Melancholy or Choleric; moderate expressiveness (i.e. ambiversion): between Melancholy and Choleric
Type 2 Helper, Giver, Caretaker Generous, friendly, prideful, seductive, reassuring. They can be very loving and dedicated, but also possessive and manipulative:
purely "informative" or "relationship-oriented" (high R) also moderate expressiveness: between Supine and Sanguine
Type 3 Motivator, Achiever, Performer, Succeeder Ambitious, goal-oriented, adaptable, deceiving, presentable. They can be exemplars of "all you can be", but also shallow and arrogant:
purely extraverted (High expressiveness); moderate R (ambiguous people/task orientation): between Sanguine and Choleric.
Type 4 Romantic, Individualist, Artist Creative, depressive, romantic, shy, unique. They can be profound artists who express the inexpressible, but also self-hating and clinging:
purely introverted, also ambiguous people/task-orientation (mod. R) between Supine and Melancholy
You can see videos of each type at
http://www.enneagramworldwide.com/explore-the-enneagram/videos-of-the-nine-types and also a helpful "dinner table" illustration at
http://www.wagele.com/DinPart.html. The best set of descriptions, which also seem to greatly support my correlations are at Enneagram Introduction, Theory, and Research at 9types.com
Enneagram's "Instinctual variants" are a direct match for FIRO's three areas: social=Inclusion, self preservation=Control, sexual=deep personal. The problem is, and why I think people are having problems with the wings and the different scores, is that they do not stack the different types. They only stack the same type, but place so, sp and sx in different orders. In FIRO-based theories, the three areas have their own scores, so you can mix any temperament or behavior pattern. I have put off taking an Enneagram test, but I may try one of those sometime. For now, I would say that I was 6so8sp6sx. But since you can't do that, my behavior will probably be covered by a 6w5 or 4w3.