MBTI and Enneagram Speculations, Part 1: The Gut Triad

Myers-Briggs (often colloquially called MBTI) and Enneagram enthusiasts are constantly debating over which combinations are possible. In my opinion, the subject is often oversimplified on both sides of the debate. On the one hand, there are people who severely limit the possible combinations, making several completely impossible. Whereas, other people emphatically claim that any combination is possible. Personally, I think both stances lack nuance.

I’m not an expert on Enneagram, nor do I claim to be, but, I do understand the cognitive functions. So, what I want to do in this article series is share my speculations on how various MBTI and Enneagram combinations might be possible given the right circumstances, starting with the Gut Triad. Remember, I’m not claiming that I have this subject on lockdown, and I’m not claiming absolute certainty. I’m speculating. While I admit that I do struggle to fathom certain combinations, I prefer to keep an open mind, because there could always be a scenario that I haven’t yet considered.

Enneagram Basics

I want to briefly point out, although many may know this already, that Enneagram is a system built around describing how someone copes with their core fear. The profiles essentially describe the extreme measures, or reactions, one will take to protect themselves from experiencing whatever their core fear is. In other words, you might say that an Enneagram profile describes unhealthy behavior. I think a lot of people fail to understand the implications of that.

MBTI and Enneagram Combinations

Certain combinations are known to be common. I believe this is because each MBTI personality type has specific coping mechanisms that they tend to default to. In other words, it won’t take extreme or unique circumstances to, for instance, push an INFP into type 4 or type 9. Those specific coping mechanisms are more innate, or inherent, per se, within their cognitive reasoning. However, I don’t believe that means that other combinations are impossible. Given the right set of extreme circumstances, I theorize that any combination is probably possible, although certain combinations should be incredibly rare.

Below, I’m going to go through each Enneagram type within the Gut Triad, and share my speculations on its cognitive function implications. (Originally, I was going to go over every single Enneagram type in one article, but it started getting way too long.) Once again, these are just thoughts, not absolute stances. I’m open to having a rational discussion with anyone who is capable of doing so.

Enneagram 1

People associate Enneagram 1 with judgers, because the coping mechanism aligns very closely with the extraverted judging functions (Fe or Te) and the introverted perceiving functions (Ni or Si). The core fear revolves around a fear of being defective, corrupt, or evil. Since coping mechanisms swing to an extreme in the opposite direction (to guard against realizing their core fear), Enneagram 1s strive for perfection. The introverted perceiving functions would play a significant role in a creating the mental image of what perfection should look like, while the extraverted judging functions would ensure that image is enforced. As a result of this desire for perfection, 1s are described as disciplined, orderly, critical (especially self-critical), ethical, judgmental, and even moral enforcers.

Half the time, reading a description of Enneagram 1 is like reading a description of Te, so it’s no surprise that a lot of TJs claim this type. However, FJs (in spite of Fe’s desire for harmony and social cohesion) can fall into this way of being as well, which is why it’s not rare to see FJs claim type 1. (Extraverted judging, whether Te or Fe, generally correlates to forcing certain values or standards onto the external environment. Although, I suspect that an FJ 1 could be easily mistaken for a TJ 1.) Enneagram 1s are also described as being idealistic, conscientious, advocates for change, and fixated on social reform, which are traits that often resonate with FJs.

It’s not until we start considering the perceiver MBTI types (EXXPs and IXXPs) that the Enneagram 1 combinations become controversial.

I see a lot of people claim that FPs absolutely cannot be 1s. However, I see no reason why they can’t be. In fact, the idealism described in type 1 seems rather fitting for an FP type. While I recognize that a healthy FP should be relatively easygoing, enneagram types specifically define unhealthy tendencies that people default to under stress. I could easily see IFPs slotting into type 1, if they have a strong moral or ethical focus, which provoked Te development. Many dominant Fi users form ideals/values that are lofty and even sometimes unreachable. This can result in them striving for perfection and being incredibly hard on themselves for every little failure, especially if the IFP is approaching it from a moral standpoint.

Overall, while certain types seem much more likely to be an Enneagram 1, any type can likely become a 1 if made to believe that nothing they ever do is good enough. Personally, I think that the MBTI personality types who are least likely to be Enneagram 1s are the TP types. (Note: I said “least likely”, not impossible.) High Ti users seem the most prone to rationalizing away idealism, passion, and emotions, instead falling into apathy or cynicism. With that being said, a grip/loop scenario could potentially account for a TP 1 combination.

Enneagram 8

I see a lot of people limit Enneagram 8 to sensors (especially the SPs), but that never made much sense to me. Enneagram 8s are supposed to fear being harmed or controlled, which results in an overactive need to ensure they’re in control of themselves and their environment. That focus on controlling the external environment would appeal to extraverted judging, Te especially, given the tactics Enneagram 8s use. Enneagram 8s are described as being tough, independent, industrious, blunt, confrontational, in denial of their own softer emotions, action-oriented, and prone to assuming authority over others. This image specifically sounds like dominant Te, or an EXTJ. However, any extraverted personality type that’s looping on Te could easily fit this image as well. In other words, ESFPs and ENFPs looping on their tertiary Te. (People may occasionally mistake these individuals for EXTJs, because of that fixation on Te.)

I can definitely see the reasoning for an SP being an Enneagram 8, because Se is action-oriented and SPs often resist being controlled. However, the logic I typically see people use has to do with 8s being associated with sensory dominance, lust, tendency toward excess, and a desire for intensity. These details, though, aren’t exclusive to Se. In my opinion, all the extra details in the Enneagram descriptions are simply there to reinforce the big picture, which is essentially that 8s exist as a dominating force in order to shield against their own vulnerabilities.

I can easily see the ESXPs (ESFP or ESTP) slotting into Enneagram 8, mostly because both are extraverted. It’s far more likely for an extraverted personality to slot in Enneagram 8, because those types have a default, external focus, resulting in them being naturally more reactive, engaged, and potentially overbearing. However, I don’t believe it’s impossible for introverted types to be 8s. For instance, IXTJs (ISTJ or INTJ) are auxiliary Te users, so they can have many of the same tendencies as the EXTJs, such as needing to control their environment. So, I don’t think type 8 is incompatible with IXTJ. An INTJ is probably more likely than an ISTJ though, one who’s prone to gripping on Se, because that would highlight their indulgent/excessive tendency. On the other hand, ISXPs (whom people associate with type 8 due to Se) usually don’t feel compelled to control their surroundings, due to inferior extraverted judging. So, like the IXTJ, any ISXP 8s would have to be prone to gripping, to draw out a controlling tendency.  An ISXP 8 will probably be touchy and insecure, resulting in frequent and sudden shifts into aggressive behavior (ie: overactive defenses).

Of course, I’ve left out the NTPs and the FJs, so let me address those now. Sometimes Fe, even high Fe, can get forceful. I see no reason why an ENFJ, ESFJ, or ENTP couldn’t be an Enneagram 8, due to some past trauma that made them particularly sensitive to vulnerability. Of course, an ENTP would have the same natural aversion to being controlled as an SP. However, an EXFJ would likely need more encouragement toward the Enneagram 8 coping mechanism, but that’s just my speculation.

Overall, I think the MBTI personality types that are least likely to be Enneagram 8s would be the ISFJs and INFJs, because those types are cognitive introverts, not prone to impulsive behavior (inferior extraverted perceiving), and seek emotional harmony over physical order.

Enneagram 9

Last but not least, we have Enneagram 9, which is the focus of a lot of controversy. From what I’ve seen, no one seems to agree on what being a type 9 actually means. Is it conflict avoidance? Is it laziness? A desire for calm?

If you follow the same logic as the other Enneagram types, there needs to be an extreme, opposite reaction to a core fear. So, Enneagram 9s are described as fearing loss or separation. Their sin is the sin of sloth, which is not true laziness, but rather a devaluing of one’s own desires or goals. This is what they do in order to ensure connection rather than separation. They suppress themselves in order to be at peace with those around them.

Enneagram 9 seems to be one of the few types that’s given the broadest range of potential MBTI combinations. Although, I see a lot of people insist that it’s specific to sensors, because 9s are described as finding comfort in routine and physical indulgences like eating and sleeping. However, the exact method the 9 uses to numb themselves seems pretty irrelevant to me, so long as it’s something they feel compelled to do in order to avoid their problems and synthesize a false sense of inner peace. Plus, an INXP could fixate on tertiary Si, getting lost in routine and simple pleasures just like a sensor is stereotypically described.

The most obvious options for Enneagram 9 are the FJs, due to how imbalanced Fe might overvalue harmony and suppress their own needs/values/goals in the process. However, FPs with underdeveloped Te may struggle to enact their own goals or desires, instead allowing those around them or their surrounding circumstances to define and pave their path for them. This struggle to go against the flow and carve out their own path would fit the sin of sloth. Of course, the TPs could just as easily fall into the same trap, especially one’s that are more in touch with (or fixated on) their Fe.

And then we come to the TJs. ISTJ 9 or INTJ 9 combinations make perfect sense, because these types usually prefer to avoid drama in addition to desiring calm. As a result, they may choose to fulfill whatever is expected of them, rather than following their own unique desires. It’s dominant Te (found in ESTJs and ENTJs) that seems to contradict the 9 coping mechanism. After all, healthy TJs should be good at seeing the tools at their disposal and using them to reach personal goals. EXTJs especially should be driven by the validation that they’ll gain from achieving their goals. In addition, inferior feeling often makes them struggle with interpersonal relationships, and struggle to recognize the emotional implications of their actions, hence why they’re known for being abrasive and harsh. This doesn’t quite seem to line up with the “sloth to self” struggle a 9 is supposed to have.

So, with that being, I suspect ESTJ 9 and ENTJ 9 are the least common combinations. However, it is plausible that an EXTJ who is prone to Fi grip might struggle with forward movement. An EXTJ in the grip could get overly introspective, uncertain of what they truly want and far too concerned with emotions. Te can, in general, have a more harmony-oriented focus than TJs are often given credit for, if they feel it’s necessary to achieve their goals. Some will recognize the value of maintaining relationships. An EXTJ with that natural orientation and desiring external validation, might get stuck in a longterm Fi grip if constantly invalidated and constantly subjected to failure.

In Conclusion…

Of course, you could argue that in any of my proposed grip/loop scenarios, the individual has disintegrated to a different type, and their true Enneagram type is one of the more common combinations. While I recognize the validity of that reasoning, if someone is constantly living in their disintegration type, is there really a difference? Practically speaking, they might as well just be their disintegration type, if they’ve never managed to live in their “healthy” type for long. After all, your true Enneagram type is the one you default to the most, right?

I hope you found this article at least somewhat interesting. I could probably have rambled more on this subject, but it was getting pretty long. If there’s something specific you’d like me to explore further, just let me know. In the near future, I intend to do subsequent articles on the head and heart triads. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!