Countertype: Enneagram glossary definition
Short answer
In the Enneagram, a countertype is the one subtype of a type whose behavior seems to run against the usual portrait of that type, because its passion is said to turn back on itself. The sexual Six, for example, often looks bold rather than anxious. Countertypes are a common reason for mistyping. The idea is tradition and has not been tested.
Against the grain
Most type descriptions are written around the most recognizable version of each type. The countertype is the version that contradicts that picture on the surface. Tradition explains this by saying that in one subtype the passion pushes against itself, so the energy comes out in an unexpected direction. A Six whose fear drives them toward danger instead of away from it, or a Seven who restrains appetite for the sake of others, still has the type's core, but the visible behavior can point the other way.
| Type | Countertype | What looks surprising |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sexual One | Anger expressed outward rather than held in |
| 2 | Self-preservation Two | Ambivalent about giving; wants care too |
| 3 | Self-preservation Three | Plays down image; values being good over being seen |
| 4 | Self-preservation Four | Endures pain quietly instead of voicing it |
| 5 | Sexual Five | A romantic, searching streak under the reserve |
| 6 | Sexual Six | Bold and challenging rather than visibly cautious |
| 7 | Social Seven | Sets aside own wants to serve a cause |
| 8 | Social Eight | Protective and loyal more than confrontational |
| 9 | Social Nine | Works tirelessly for the group |
Origins
How it is used
The countertype is mainly a warning label for typing. If you read a type description and think "that is my motive but not my behavior," the countertype may be the missing piece. Classic examples of confusion include the sexual Six reading as an Eight, the self-preservation Four reading as a Six or a One, and the social Seven reading as a Two.
An example
A rock climber who leads the hardest routes and openly challenges authority seems like a textbook Eight. But when she talks about why she climbs, she describes facing down a constant hum of dread, and testing whether she can trust herself and her partner. Tradition would point to the sexual Six countertype: fear met by charging straight at it.
Research
Related terms: subtype, instinct, mistyping and passion.
Frequently asked questions
Is a countertype a different type?
No. A countertype is still one of the three subtypes of its core type. It shares the core motivation and fear; only the outward expression looks unusual.
Does every type have a countertype?
In most teaching, yes, one subtype per type. A few teachers describe the idea differently or do not emphasize it.
How do I know if I am a countertype?
Ask whether your type's core motivation fits you even though its usual behavior does not. If so, read the countertype description for that type and see whether it explains the gap.
Sources
- Chestnut, B. (2013). The complete Enneagram: 27 paths to greater self-knowledge. She Writes Press.
- Hook, J. N., Hall, T. W., Davis, D. E., Van Tongeren, D. R., & Conner, M. (2021). The Enneagram: A systematic review of the literature and directions for future research. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(4), 865-883. doi:10.1002/jclp.23097