Comparing the MBTI and the Enneagram
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Enneagram are two popular personality typing systems that help individuals gain insight into their behavior, motivations, and interpersonal dynamics. While they share the goal of understanding personality, they have distinct differences in terms of their origins, structures, and applications.
Origins and Development:
1.MBTI: The MBTI was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, in the mid-20th century. It is based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types and classifies individuals into one of 16 personality types based on their preferences in four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving.
2.Enneagram: The Enneagram’s origins are less clear, but it has ancient roots and evolved over time through various spiritual traditions. Its modern interpretation, as a personality system, integrates psychological and spiritual elements. The Enneagram categorizes individuals into one of nine core personality types, each with distinct motivations and fears.
Structure:
1.MBTI: The MBTI primarily focuses on cognitive preferences and personality traits. It categorizes individuals based on their natural inclinations in how they gather information, make decisions, and interact with the world. This system results in 16 possible personality types.
2.Enneagram: The Enneagram delves deeper into motivations and fears, aiming to uncover the underlying drivers of behavior. It consists of nine core types, each associated with a unique set of motivations and corresponding fears. Additionally, the Enneagram incorporates wings (adjacent types that influence a person’s core type) and levels of development, adding complexity to its structure.
Applications:
1.MBTI: The MBTI is widely used in organizational settings for team building, career development, and conflict resolution. It helps individuals understand their communication styles and preferences, making it valuable for improving interpersonal relationships. However, some critics argue that it oversimplifies human personality and lacks empirical support.
2.Enneagram: The Enneagram has both psychological and spiritual applications. Beyond understanding behavior and communication, it delves into personal growth and spiritual development. It is often used for self-discovery, personal transformation, and gaining insight into one’s emotional and psychological patterns.
Fluidity vs. Fixity:
1.MBTI: MBTI types are relatively stable throughout a person’s life and emphasize consistent preferences in thinking and behavior. It suggests that individuals naturally lean toward certain tendencies that persist over time.
2.Enneagram: The Enneagram recognizes that personality can evolve and adapt. It outlines levels of development within each type, allowing individuals to move toward healthier or unhealthier expressions of their core type. This dynamic aspect makes it more suited for personal growth and change.
Summary
While both the MBTI and the Enneagram aim to provide insights into personality, they have different origins, structures, and applications. The MBTI focuses on cognitive preferences and is often used in organizational settings, while the Enneagram dives deeper into motivations and fears, emphasizing personal and spiritual growth. The choice between these systems depends on individual preferences and goals, with some individuals finding value in both for a more comprehensive understanding of themselves and others.
My personal observations
I have taken both the MBTI and the Enneagram. On the first I come out ENFJ. On the second I am definitely a 9 Peacemaker. What I like about the MBTI is that it is descriptive. What I dislike about the Enneagram is that it is diagnostic. What this really means is that the Enneagram doesn’t just point out weakness or what I like to call “Blind Spots” as the MBTI. Rather the Enneagram points to what seem like possible character defects. When reading about my Enneagram results I feel like I need to go to confession. In other words the Enneagram may show me positives but is much more challenging in confronting my weaknesses. Truth be told I mostly avoid using it.
On the other hand, in my pursuit of fully exploring MBTI together with Walter Lowen’s Dichotomies of the Mind, I have discovered ways to use it to explore weakness that lie in our more unconscious behaviors. To explore these see my series on Your Spiritual Personality Type. Click Here !
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