Enneagrams
A bit less complicated than, and more 'arty' than the more scientific MBTI.
You can clearly sketch out a well-rounded character in just a few minutes by using the complete type descriptions.
9 basic personality types:
| Title | Type | Adjectives | Basic fear | Basic Desire | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reformer | Rational, idealistic | principled, purposeful, self-controlled, perfectionistic | being corrupted/evil/defective | to be good, have integrity, be balanced |
| 2 | Helper | caring, interpersonal | generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing, possessive | of being unwanted, unworthy of being loved | to be loved |
| 3 | Achiever | Success-oriented, Pragmatic | Adaptable, excelling, driven, image-conscious | being worthless | to feel valuable and worthwhile |
| 4 | Individualist | sensitive, withdrawn | expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, temperamental | losing identity and significance | find themselves and their purpose |
| 5 | Investigator | Intense, cerebral | perceptive, innovative, secretive, isolated | being useless, helpless, incapable | be capable & confident |
| 6 | Loyalist | Committed, security-oriented | engaging, responsible, anxious, suspicious | being without support/guidance | get support |
| 7 | Enthusiast | busy, fun-loving | Spontaneous, Versatile, acquisitive, scattered | being deprived and in pain | to be satisfied&contented with needs fulfilled |
| 8 | Challenger | Powerful, Dominating | Self-confident, decisive, Willful, Confrontational | of being harmed/controlled | protect themselves, bein in control of their own destiny |
| 9 | Peacemaker | Easygoing, self-effacing | receptive, reassuring, Agreeable, Complacent | loss & separation | inner stability / peace of mind |
The enneagram system identifies 3 different states for each type:
- Healthy
- Average
- unhealthy
In a believable story, a realistic character will exhibit the full range from healthy to unhealthy within their type.
Even the best character will at some point do and think and feel horrible things.
And the worst character will at some point do and feel and think amazingly wonderful things.
