Enneagram Instinctual Subtype Test

Instinctual Subtypes

• The Instinctual Subtype Test assesses an individual's dominant instinct (Self-Preservation, Social, or Sexual) based on their responses to various questions.

Self-Preservation Subtype

• Focuses on personal survival and well-being
• Greatest fear is the suspense of not surviving due to poverty, illness, or unexpected loss
• Preoccupied with issues of coping, anxiety, mortality, health, and finances
• Ideally, wants to have the essentials of life to ensure physical well-being
• Others see them as intense, playful, and penetrating
• Often wonders if they are secure
• Statement that resonates with them: "I am my body"
• Sacrifices for themselves to ensure survival
• Worst thing for them would be to go broke and become dependent
• Can't get enough of time, energy, money, and comfort
• Focus goes to the essentials of life and their world
• Idealized self-image is "I am invincible and I will live forever"

Social Subtype

• Focuses on community and groups
• Greatest fear is the isolation of not belonging due to low ranking, failure, or inferiority
• Preoccupied with issues of prestige, fellowship, causes, status, and ranking in the group
• Ideally, wants to have companionship with others to share their interests
• Others see them as grounded, somber, and serious
• Often wonders if they are popular
• Statement that resonates with them: "I am my group"
• Sacrifices for their group to ensure status
• Worst thing for them would be to be excluded and become an outcast
• Can't get enough of prestige, fellowship, companionship, and contacts
• Focus goes to others, the group, and their greater world
• Idealized self-image is "I am popular and considerate"

Sexual Subtype

• Focuses on intimacy and 1-to-1 connection
• Greatest fear is the disconnection of being undesirable due to unworthiness, incompleteness, or being unattractive
• Preoccupied with issues of connection with special others, attractiveness, rivalry, and relationship
• Ideally, wants to have a personal and meaningful connection to another
• Others see them as scattered, personable, and superficial
• Often wonders if they are desirable
• Statement that resonates with them: "I am my relationship"
• Sacrifices for their relationship to ensure connection
• Worst thing for them would be to lose the power to attract or influence their intimate connections
• Can't get enough of closeness, twinship, union, and passion
• Focus goes to their beloved and their intimate world
• Idealized self-image is "I am powerful and can attract whatever mate I desire"

This quiz helps you identify your instinctual subtype based on the Enneagram personality system. It assesses your motivations and desires, and how they relate to your sense of self and relationships with others.