A Study of the Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes

Instinctual Types and Subtypes (Variants)

Enneagram Tritype® Test

Introduction

This article presents some ongoing findings in my ongoing quest for information as to how the Enneagram points define themselves by the three instinctual drives: Self-Preserving, Social and Sexual. My original study began in 1995. For purposes of this study, I sent out questionnaires to the Enneagram community, and this article represents my initial findings on the patterns that emerged from the contributions received from the participants. In particular, this article will focus on how the Enneagram Types by Subtype perceived themselves and more specifically the Internalized Image vs the Externalized Image. For example, what the nine types wished to add to the study of Instinctual Subtypes from their own internal experience of type.

Watch Katherine talk about her research studies on the Enneagram Types, Tritypes®, Instinctual Types, and Subtypes, and what was lost in the dissemination of the Enneagram, all of which can be found in her new book, Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes 2.0: Advanced Instincts, Subtypes, Countertypes, and Stackings, on Amazon.

This new 390 page mega book also includes Introduction to the Enneagram Types, Tritypes®, Wings, Lines of Connection, and Centers as well as Enneagram History and Research.

Various authors have used terms such as "instincts," "drives," "subtypes," "instinctual drives," "instinctual types," and "instinctual variants" to describe what I will refer to herein as "Instinctual Subtypes"; and as with the Enneagram types themselves, there are disparate views among the authors on the subject of Instinctual Subtypes. Surprisingly, however, to date very little material has been published on this subject.

Research suggests that the study of "instincts" and "drives" was part of Oscar Ichazo's early teachings of "Enneagons." In 1970, Dr. Claudio Naranjo and others underwent intensive training with Ichazo in Arica, Chile. In 1971-73, Naranjo formed the original SAT groups ("Seekers After Truth") in Berkeley, California, and began incorporating the Enneagram and Instinctual Subtypes into his own teachings. In 1996, after more than 20 years, Naranjo again taught the Enneagram in the United States in Boulder, Colorado, including an in depth look at his view of the three Instincts and 27 Subtypes.

Overview

Extensive study confirms that there are three instinctual drives or types -the Self-Preserving, the Social and the Sexual/Intimate. Like the nine passions of the Enneagram points, the instinctual drives act as a force underlying our life strategies - often unconscious yet all-pervasive - and represent our most fundamental way of being. The three instinctual drives color the way we act, think, feel, and ultimately express ourselves. Each instinctual drive can manifest within each of the nine Enneagram types (in effect resulting in a total of 27 Instinctual Subtypes).

Ichazo teaches that "the instincts are defined . . . as three fundamental reactions of our organism in order to sustain life. The interconnection between them produces a corresponding triad in the higher psychological levels, and the sensing of these three organic systems appear as our basic psychological levels in the form of instinctual centers of attention, whose demands we cannot ignore because they immediately threaten our survival."

Naranjo teaches that " the instinctual type is one of three sub-personalities that is the "auxiliary passion." He suggests that outwardly the instinctual subtype can look positive, like a talent, or something of which one should be overly proud, but inwardly is a reflection of unhappiness with a price to be paid -, e.g., "the oyster is not too interested in the price of the pearls." He also teaches the origin and drive of each instinctual subtype: self-preservation arises in the belly and is associated with protection; social instinct arises in the tongue, and the desire to be appreciated; and sexual instinct is genital in origin and driven by sexuality, oedipal issues."

Palmer teaches that, "like the nine passions, the behaviors called 'Enneagram subtypes' act as a hidden focus of personality type. Once it is discovered through self-observation, the subtype focus of attention is revealed as a behavior that is motivated by instinct (for survival, social relating, and sexual relating) dominated by the passion of type. The subtypes name a mental preoccupation in which the energies of the physical body (instincts) and the emotional energies of the passions are joined. Because the subtype focus of attention is an ordinary behavior, I have found them to be crucial pivots in the transformation of the nine passions into their higher opposites."

Condon teaches, "The original formulation states that within each style there are three possible suborientations that people tend towards. The subtype is determined by whether you are unconsciously preoccupied with personal survival (self-preservation), whether you incline towards one-to-one relationships (intimate) or whether your style of relating includes a lot of people (social)."

Riso-Hudson teach that " people can be divided into these three instinctual types (which they refer to as "instinctual variants") "simply by knowing the definitions of these categories, and without knowing the Enneagram types of the individuals . . . The Instinctual types can exist as a separate typology, but can also be combined with the Enneagram types in ways that explain some of the variations we see in real people that cannot entirely be accounted for by wings or Levels of Development."

Research confirms that we are governed by all three instinctual drives, for they represent our most fundamental way of being, but one is generally more dominant and influential in our lives and defines the way in which we act out the passion of our Enneagram point. If all three instinctual drives were in balance, we could function "perfectly" or "appropriately" to the needs of each situation. Nevertheless, such balance is rare, and usually one of these drives demands an undue amount of our attention; and it is a person's most "dominant" instinctual drive that is overused. The resulting imbalance distorts our perception of our essential needs, and we may find ourselves living large portions of our lives "in service" to this dominant drive.

We utilize all three instincts in a preferred, stacking order every day, all day to be grounded in physical reality.

Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes

We strongly identify with one primary drive and with some secondary traits in another drive. On the occasion when two of the instinctual drives are equally dominant, it is noteworthy that the third drive is usually omitted. This perhaps still demonstrates the imbalanced use of the three very essential instinctual drives. The teaching of Instinctual Subtypes suggests that these fundamental instinctual drives need to be equally cared for and in balance in order to harness the energy needed to move toward transformation. The concept is that the energy expended in dealing with the instinctual drives' imbalance diminishes one's access to the energy necessary to move against fixation and toward transformation.

The instinctual drives appear to be not only instrumental in distinguishing the different styles of manifesting our Enneagram type behavior, but also perhaps the stronger, more unconscious, yet all-pervasive element of our personality type. The underlying influence of the dominant instinctual drive can be quite powerful. In fact, the instinctual drives of two people are more apt to determine successful relationships than their Enneagram points, for a shared instinctual drive would be a more likely supportive common denominator than a shared Enneagram type. The reason is that the instinctual drive is more indicative of our "animal nature," the one enabling us to survive, whereas our personality also includes our essence qualities that we define as "human nature." These two together create a partnership that we call the personality or "false self."

General Findings

It appears that the degree to which our instinctual drive's impulses control our lives is subject to the same kind of energy as our Enneagram point. For example, we can experience our drives and passions mildly or intensely; we can feel some sense of control or very little control at all; and in addition, we can either embrace our particular instinctual drive or act totally against it. It is important to note that whether embracing the drive as an asset or viewing it as a liability it is still ever present and influential.

More specifically, our dominant instinctual drive is, in actuality, our area of greatest weakness. Thus, when our sense of "survival" is threatened something has triggered whatever "button" happens to relate not only to our Enneagram point but, more important, also to our instinctual drive. The fixation then becomes even more severe as we take on the additional fears of the instinctual drive. The important factor here is that the triggering element of the fixation is the instinctual drive's issue. Nevertheless, the flavor will always be that of the Enneagram type, as the fixation and the drive are interactive, linked, and always related to the Enneagram type.

In the context of the "false self" or personality, it is the instinctual drive that supposedly protects the survival of the Enneagram point and is called to the front lines when in stress. However, since the dominant instinctual drive is actually one's "weak link," its entrance in times of stress may ultimately produce no "protection" at all to one's survival, and in fact, may exacerbate the level of stress and ultimate fixation.

The real question is, how do we express anger, fear and desire? How do we experience illness and what types of illnesses do we have? How do we act when we're happy or sad? As an example, ask yourself how you like to spend your time. Do you tend to make sure your own needs are met and satisfied with the essentials of life (self-preservation)? Or does your attention go to being in the company of others and, if so, how many others, and/or do you need to be in service of others (social)? Or instead do you find that your ultimate expression of self is linked to the company of one significant other in an intimate and profound way, and that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you are always in search of that beloved special person (sexual)?

Conclusion

I found that the instinctual drives appear to be not only instrumental in distinguishing the different styles of manifesting our Enneagram type behavior, but also perhaps the stronger, more unconscious, yet all-pervasive element of our personality type. Our instinctual drives motivate us in the ongoing human struggle to create and sustain relationships, to aggressively seek what we need to survive, and to defend what we have and fear losing. Clearly, the journey toward wholeness might well include the conscious exploration of these relatively untraveled, instinctual roads, and thus ultimately lead to a more balanced and integrated awareness.

When pioneering any new area of study, there is always the possibility of controversy, risk, mistakes, misunderstanding, and misrepresentation, and this was no exception. With this study, I found that responses from each Enneagram point gave insights that deeply broadened my world view.

A special note of appreciation: As a student of many teachers and many teachings I wish to acknowledge the works of Ichazo, Naranjo, Speeth, Palmer, Daniels, Riso, Hudson, Hurley, Dobson, Condon, Wolinski, Jaxon-Bear, Rohr, Linden, Olson, Forster, O'Hanrahan, Dentai, Keyes, Becker, Spalding, Shane and the study participants.

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©1985-2025 Katherine Chernick Fauvre • All Rights Reserved • Can be shared for Discussion Purposes with Proper Citation

Enneagram Instinctual Type and Subtype Wiring: the 27 Subtype Archetypes

The Instinctual Types refer to the three primary drives that govern human behavior and influence the core Enneagram Type: Self-Preserving (sp), Social (so), and Sexual (sx). These instinctual drives are evolutionary imperatives that reflect where we place our attention for survival. Each person has all three instincts operating within them, in a hierarchical stacking order. The instinct at the top of the stacking is the most dominant and in charge of the defense system, shaping how they experience and express their Enneagram Type. The core fears of each of the three instinctual drives combine with the core fears of each of the nine core Enneagram Types to create 27 Instinctual Subtypes—each with distinct motivations, created by their idealized self-images, core fears, and defense strategies.

Each instinctual drive colors the core Type differently:

• Self-Preserving: Emphasis is on the self and body, focusing on physical safety, security, health, comfort, and resources.

• Social: Emphasis is on groups and community, focusing on others, group dynamics, status, recognition, and contributions.

• Sexual: Emphasis is on intimate relationships, focusing on the mate, best friend, intensity, pair-bonding, chemistry, attraction, and twinship.

The Subtype expression of each Type reveals how the core motivations, idealized self-images, and defense strategies adapt to meet instinctual needs. These combinations are complex, patterned structures hardwired into one’s primal defense system and influence perception, attention, memory, and emotional response. The result is a highly nuanced personality lens that governs how a person navigates and interprets the world around them.

Type 1: The Moral Perfectionist

Self-Preserving (sp): Worry – Tense, anxious about mistakes and contamination.
Social (so): Non-Adaptability – Principled, morally inflexible, high standards for the group.
Sexual (sx): Zeal – Passionate reformer; uses intensity to express purity and righteousness.

Type 2: The Supportive Advisor

Self-Preserving (sp): Privilege – Helpful but self-focused; expects special treatment for sacrifices.
Social (so): Ambition – Politically savvy, strategic; helpfulness used for advancement.
Sexual (sx): Seduction – Uses charm and allure to create intimate bonds.

Type 3: The Successful Achiever

Self-Preserving (sp): Security – Focused on material success and personal comfort.
Social (so): Prestige – Seeks image-based validation; status-conscious and polished.
Sexual (sx): Masculinity/Femininity – Plays up gender identity for seduction or admiration.

Type 4: The Romantic Individualist

Self-Preserving (sp): Tenacity – Endures suffering stoically; internalizes pain.
Social (so): Shame – Expresses feelings openly; seeks understanding through shared melancholy.
Sexual (sx): Competition – Emphasizes uniqueness; emotionally provocative and intense.

Type 5: The Investigative Thinker

Self-Preserving (sp): Castle – Withdraws completely; hoards time, energy, and space.
Social (so): Totem – Identifies with systems, ideals, or niche communities.
Sexual (sx): Confidence – Bold, provocative, pushes limits to test intensity and mastery.

Type 6: The Loyal Guardian

Self-Preserving (sp): Warmth – Seeks physical and emotional safety through friendly bonding.
Social (so): Duty – Dutiful, responsible, and hyper-aware of group roles and responsibilities.
Sexual (sx): Strength – Counter-phobic; challenges authority and confronts fear head-on.

Type 7: The Entertaining Optimist

Self-Preserving (sp): Keepers of the Castle – Nest-builder; creates personal paradise for enjoyment.
Social (so): Sacrifice – Anti-gluttony; focused on giving back and serving the group.
Sexual (sx): Fascination – Intensely curious; seeks exciting, intimate, one-on-one experiences.

Type 8: The Challenging Protector

Self-Preserving (sp): Survival – Pragmatic and tough; focused on securing resources.
Social (so): Solidarity – Protective leader; serves the tribe or cause with loyalty.
Sexual (sx): Possession – Fuses with others; intense, dominant, and deeply passionate.

Type 9: The Peaceful Mediator

Self-Preserving (sp): Appetite – Seeks comfort through routine, habits, and physical indulgence.
Social (so): Participation – Finds identity in group activity; agreeable, supportive.
Sexual (sx): Union – Longs for fusion with another; loses self in romantic merging.

Conclusion: The Wiring of Instinctual Subtypes

The 27 Instinctual Subtypes are not mere overlays but represent deeply embedded personality blueprints that shape how we survive, relate, and seek fulfillment. Understanding one’s Instinctual Type and Subtype provides profound insight into motivations, blind spots, relational patterns, and transformational potential. When integrated with the Enneagram Type and Tritype® stacking, the Instinctual Subtypes reveal the complete wiring of a person’s internal operating system, offering a map for growth, compassion, and liberation from instinctual reactivity.

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Interrelationship of the Three Instinctual Drives

A noteworthy point of interest with respect to the Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes is that the dominant instinctual drive (self-preserving, social, or sexual (intimate) will shift to the other two subtypes as needed to ensure its influential role in this Trialectic instinctual system. The way in which the dominant subtype employs the other two appears to be very specific and predictable. The dominant drive maintains the role of the commander-in-chief, and the other two are channeled through its lens. Generally, this is very primal and often unconscious. This is especially apparent with respect to the human drive to seek a mate and pair-bonding but applies to all areas of life. If a relationship displays conflicting instinctual needs, the dominant drive perceives it as a threat to security and acts accordingly. Confusion about the manner in which the instinctual drives manifest to create and maintain a sense of security is often the root of misunderstandings. Such disturbances in the instinctual drive are often the catalyst for seeking counsel or therapy.

Self-preserving moves to Sexual

For example, the self-preserving subtypes consider a mate as an essential need to maintain and ensure security. Therefore, when in search of a mate, the self-preserving subtype will feel anxiety and suspense until a mate is secured. In order to attract a mate, the self-preserving subtype will shift to their respective sexual instinctual drive and “sparkle up” to accommodate this fear. Outwardly, the self-preserving subtype will behave like the sexual subtype, pay more attention to their desirability, pay more attention to their appearance and attractiveness, and will be sensual and/or flirtatious. At first, the self-preserving subtype will spend more time one-on-one with the possible mate. Once the mate is secured, the self-preserving subtype will return to basic routines that ideally would include the mate. An area of pain and disappointment for this subtype is when they have a mate who is unwilling to pay attention to issues of finances, health, and security and disrupts their need for inner calm.

Social moves to Self-Preserving

The social subtypes will think in terms that are more indicative of the self-preserving subtype when selecting a mate. This is very important to ensure the desired security that rank and social status can provide. The social subtype seeks a mate with a shared social vision and similar values. This is necessary to fulfill the desire for a mate that will join them in their activities. Therefore, a secure social position is essential. Much attention is paid to the potential mate's connections, rank, and ability to provide financial security. This subtype enjoys bringing others together, feeling that more-the-merrier. They are often adept at creating the center stage and often use their home for social events, gatherings, and/or causes. At first, the social subtype will spend more time one-on-one with the potential mate. Once the mate is in place, the social subtype will return to outside interests, groups, causes, and/or activities. Ideally, this is with their mate. An area of pain and disappointment for this subtype is when they have a mate who is unwilling to pay attention to their need for people, activities, and causes and is unwilling to share their interest in the world, politics, and others. Some social subtypes have a negative identification with social experiences and are anti-social, which is still the social instinct.

Sexual moves to Social

The sexual subtype (intimate) will seek the greater world or social arena to find a desired mate. The sexual subtype is normally happy tucked away in a secluded setting with one significant other focused on the other. However, when alone or in search of a mate, this subtype will behave much more like the social subtype. One must be with others to find the other. Once the mate is selected, the social activity will be replaced by the dominant drive for time spent in union with the other one-on-one only. The sexual is always measuring the depth of their closeness and intimacy with their mate The introverted sexual will move into uncomfortable social groups and find ways to engage with others to find someone of their choosing. But that does not mean they seek intimate conversions less chaos as an indicator of because in business, you cannot use the terms sexual or intimate. As a result, my Enneamaps has the term; one on one. one-on-one, not based of the fear of overwhelming six or due to introversion, At first, the sexual subtype may spend time with the potential mate in the company of others. They become a pair, even in groups. Then, when the passion for deeper connection is ignited, the sexual subtype will want to bond totally with their desired other. When the mate is determined, the sexual subtype will return to an intimate one-on-one style of relating. Ideally, this is intense time spent with the desired other or mate alone. An area of pain and disappointment for this subtype is when these two sexual do not develop intimacy in the same way or have a mate who is unwilling to pay attention to their need for a different degree of connection and intimacy to share their deepest and innermost thoughts.

Special Notice:|
*Please note that there is great confusion around the term one-on-one. Introverts and 6s prefer being one-on-one. The 6s prefer one-on-one relating and relationships because it reduces their fear, anxiety, or stress of being around too many people at once and mistype as sexual. Introverts like being one-on-one and talking with fewer people because it takes less energy and tracking. They do not have the energy to attend to multiple relationships at one time, as it takes too much of their energy. Instead of giving energy, it depletes their energy. and feels exhausting. The shy introverts and 6s, when one-on-one, will feel more at ease. However, they will not seek intimate conversations with one person for closeness every day like sex does. They will still prefer to talk about others and social issues, such as events and politics. The self-preserving subtypes will still prefer to talk about their physical world of resources, finances, food, comforts, and costs.

The sexual types, however, are constantly seeking the “magic moments of twinship and matching,” intimate connections, and personal sharing of secrets to feel alive and have meaning. They need a continual union and intimate relationship with their mate. The sexual subtypes seek intimates and deep bonds to give them a sense of wholeness and completeness and are not satisfied with conversations that are superficial, even if speaking with someone with someone who is pleasant but not deep. Most sexual subtypes would rather wait for the “one” they have an affinity with.

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The Enneagram Types, Instinctual Types, Pair Bonding & Intimacy:

An Exploration of the Fears and Desires of the 9 Enneagram Types and 3 Instinctual Types in Intimacy

Excerpts form This body of work represents Katherine Chernick Fauvre’s ongoing qualitative and quantitave research studies on the “Enneagram Instinctual Types and Subtypes” that began in 1994-1995 that included extensive findings on the Inter-relationships of the Enneagram Types, Instincts, Subtypes, Pair Bonding, Countertypes, Stackings, and Intimacy. Katherine shared her research findings with Claudio Naranjo in April of 1996 during his Seekers After Truth (SAT) 10-dayIntensive in Boulder, Colorado.

Claudio read her qualitative research study on “Enneagram Instinctual Types and Subtypes” at the beginning of his intensive. Pleasantly surprised, He immediatwly validated Katherine’s 1994-1996 Subtype findings. He then asked Katherine if she would share her research findings with his 1996 Seekers After Truth (SAT) Group as he introduced the 27 Subtypes. In addition, he asked Katherine to add what he intoduced to her book, the “Enneagram Instinctual Types and Subtypes” so that his work would be represented. which she did. in May of 1996.

In 1998, Katherine co authored a research study with Kit Snyder and Victoria Ruderman for the purpose of discovering to what degree Katherine’s findings could be statically validated . The original survey was developed to more clearly ascertain the relationship between the Enneagram, the Instinctual Drives and Intimacy. The authors had expected information on the influence of the gender factor. Instead, the authors received significant variation in relation to the three instinctual drives with no other significant or measurable variables.

The unexpected findings were both validating and intriguing. The qualitative research proved to be highly informative in that it came from and was written by the 9 types themselves. The theory of the Instinctual Drives or Enneagram Subtypes at the times was that they result from the basic passion or motivation of the Enneagram Type being overly influenced by three variations in the life-force energy that are instinctual to us all (Self-Preserving, Social, and Sexual or One to One). The assertion is that the ruling passion of the Enneagram Type (anger, pride, vanity, envy, avarice, fear, gluttony, lust or sloth) is flavored, colored, or skewed by the influence of the dominant instinct and shapes the manner in which we create bonds of intimacy.

Theory also suggested that these instincts allow the Enneagram Types to be grounded in the physical world, are universal to all people and can be studied independent of the Enneagram. The focus of this research was to discover what factors would emerge with respect to the Enneagram Types, the Instinctual Subtypes and Intimacy as well as which variables could be statistically measured and therefore significant.The survey was a useful tool in identifying the areas of concern for each of 9 Enneagram Types in intimacy. As with all instruments there were areas in this survey in need of further clarification to be more specific and defining Enneagram Type and of the Instinctual Drives.

When the pertinent questions were analyzed, there were four factors that emerged and could be further analyzed for variables. Not statistically significant, but of interest, was that three of the four factors clustered together the same questions that the authors defined as representing the three instinctual drives. The fourth or “mystery” factor was also intriguing in that it included the cluster of questions relating to anger, dissatisfaction and sex. This “mystery” factor continues to reveal additional areas of study to tease out its relevance, as it raises the issue of sex verses intimacy, indicating the possibility that these questions are universal to all 9 Types.

To clarify the relationship between the 9 Enneagram Types, the 3 Instinctual Drives and other potential influential aspects, the survey was sorted by gender, Enneagram Type, Myers-Briggs, primary Instinctual Subtype and secondary Instinctual Subtype as well as the Instinctual Subtypes of the mate.

When the results were sorted by gender, Enneagram Type and Myers-Briggs, secondary Subtype and the Subtype of the mates there was no statistically relevant variation in response. However, when the survey was sorted by the dominant or preferred Instinctual Subtype, there was a pattern of statistically significant variation in response indicating measurable and interpretable numerical data. What is most noteworthy is that not only was the Instinctual Subtype shown to be a statistically relevant cause of variation in response, but also it was the only variable that was statistically pertinent.

This survey was designed to sort by Instinctual Subtype and was successful in demonstrating this variable. In addition, it could easily have sorted with positive results for any of the other possible variables. However, none of the other variables that describe innate personality characteristics registered as showing a statistically relevant variation in response. This further suggested that the Instinctual Drives are a more dominant and defining personality trait than Type.

This preliminary finding was very compelling. It supported the theory of the Instinctual Drives and their influential role with respect to Intimacy within Enneagram Type. It also indicated that the 3 Instinctual Subtypes exist and account for a marked variation in intimacy styles and preferences suggesting that it may be a more distinguishing characteristic of personality, motivation, and preference than any of the other variables. This finding validated the assertion that the Instinctual Type and Subtypes trigger the ruling passion and fixation of the Enneagram Type and acts as a force underlying our life strategies--often unconscious yet all pervasive-and represents our most fundamental way of being including the way, we choose to be intimate.

Upon further study, the Instinctual Stacking has overwhelming proven to be more significant than the Enneagram Type and Tritype. Having said that, the Instinctual Stacking when combined with the Enneagram Tritype® reveals with greater specificity not only our instinctual preferences and the way we pair but also the way we want to express and receive love in all relationships--romantic or otherwise.

If we look at the intimacy needs, fears and desires of the 3 types in our Tritype® we can more clearly see the way we will form, develop, and maintain intimate bonds in romantic relationships.

Positive (+) and Negative (-), Neutral (+/-), or Ambivalent Identifications within each type in your Stackings

The manner in which we experience the nurture aspect of our instinctual stacking nature is very revealing. Our positive and/or negative identifications with each type in our Instinctual Stacking Patterns: (Order, Proportions, and Identifications) and our Tritype® Stacking Patterns:(Order, Proportions, and Identifications) greatly influence the way we express or repress our three instinctual types and our three Types in our Tritype®.

What are the Stacking Patterns: Order, Proportion, and Identifications?

Stacking Patterns explain how the three Instincts operate in a hierarchical order within a person’s types in their Instinctual Stacking and the types within their Tritype® Stacking.
These patterns include:

• Order: Which instinct comes first, second, and third. The first is dominant and drives attention; the second supports it; the third is often neglected or avoided.

• Proportions: Refers to the strength or influence of each instinct, which may not be equally weighted. One may have a dominant instinct with 60% influence, a secondary with 30%, and a tertiary with only 10%.

• Identifications (nurture): These reflect how a person relates to and identifies with each instinct—positively (+), negatively (–), or ambivalently (+/–)—based on early childhood nurturing or the absence of consistent support. These identifications are formed through repetitive experiences in which a particular instinct felt safest, neutral, or most discouraged.

Over time, these identifications may be further shaped by recurring life events or chronic patterns of trauma, conditioning the psyche to rely on certain instincts while withdrawing from or overcompensating for others. This can create a distorted or conflicted relationship with a given instinct, often leading to misidentification of one’s true dominant instinct and confusion between instinctual preferences and familiar coping strategies.

For example, someone may be negatively identified with their dominant (first) instinctual subtype (–), disliking its expression or viewing it as problematic, even though it drives their core reactivity. A person with a dominant Social instinct (–) may feel overwhelmed or exposed in group settings and avoid them, appearing anti-social or socially shy—yet their focus of attention remains on others, hierarchy, and inclusion, revealing social as their primary instinct.

Conversely, someone may be positively identified with their third and least preferred instinctual subtype (+), idealizing its traits and aspiring to express them. For instance, an individual might see themselves as deeply connected and intense in personal relationships (+ Sexual), even though that instinct is underdeveloped and not naturally dominant.

In some cases, a person may experience ambivalent identification (+/–) with an instinct—feeling both drawn to and conflicted about its expression. This is common in those who vacillate between valuing and avoiding certain instinctual drives due to mixed reinforcement or unresolved relational trauma.

These misidentifications complicate the discovery of true instinctual dominance. Accurate typing requires examining each instinct through the lens of nurture, behavioral patterns, and identification status (+/–), rather than

+Positive and -Negative Identifications Within Your Instinctual Stacking
We may be positively or negatively identified with each of the instinctual types in our instinctual stacking. For example, you could be a sexual/self-preserving/social aka sx/sp/so stacking but have:
- Sexual/Intimate
+ Self-preserving
+ Social
How well we negotiated the realms of self-preservation (security, nurturance, comfort, physical well-being), social (groups, others, friends and foes), and sexual (pair bonds, intimate attachments, closeness, desirability) can dramatically influence our identification with each of the instinctual types in our instinctual stacking.

If we are positively identified with an instinctual type we feel greater confidence and comfort with it. One important point of interest is what happens when you are positively identified with the last instinctual type in your instinctual stacking. In this case, our third instinctual type still needs to mature and become more balanced and a part of our decision-making processes but it does not cause the same level of anxiety as the third type, with a negative identification. As such, it is easier to develop it than when we have a positive identification with the last instinctual type in our stacking.

This identification can most easily be seen in the dominant instinctual type.
A few examples…

Self-preserving

With the self-preserving instinct, you can be overly focused on scarcity and not having enough time, energy, or money, even if you have a trust fund and don't have to work. Or you can keep track of every penny you spend and worry about expenses, but have a serious disease and not monitor it. This can be seen if you eat the wrong foods, fail to exercise according to the needs of your condition, don’t regularly take your medications, and/or do not have the treatments required to manage your health issue, especially when it is a life-threatening concern.

The extreme polar opposite can be seen when the self-preserving instinctual type engages in high-risk activities without being concerned that he or she could be easily injured or have a fatal accident. For example, I have known self-preserving cp6s that are very afraid of flying but engage in extremely dangerous sports. It helps the 6 manage their fear of flying when they learn the statistics of those who perish in an airplane crash and those who crash and burn on a dangerous ski slope.

When someone is positively identified with their self-preserving instinctual type they usually have a sense of abundance. He or she feels that their hard work or the world will provide what he or she needs financially and/or physically. However, the positively identified self-preserving instinctual type can identify with not having financial and/or physical needs, even if they do have them or should pay better attention to them. ;)

The negatively identified self-preserving instinctual type will feel a sense of lack and that they can never have enough resources, and that the resources they do have could be taken away by some sort of catastrophe. They may bring food with them everywhere they go, just in case, but they will be inclined to hoard it for fear they might not have enough, whereas the positively identified self-preserving instinctual type would be more inclined to share what they have, believing when they need food, someone will share with them.

Your Tritype® stacking, of course, would amplify this. The positive self-preserving sp/so 792 would not only share the food they brought, they would bring enough for everyone. The negatively identified self-preserving sp/so 541 would be more inclined to hide the food they have and fear that others would take more than their fair share, leaving them without enough. They would also feel ‘to each his own’ and that everyone should provide for themselves.

Wherever they go and wherever they are, they seek security by having enough provisions, resources, and physical essentials.

Social

Due to positive experiences as a child, the positively identified social instinctual type sees himself or herself as friendly and often wants to find others and/or groups to join to experience a sense of purpose and belonging. This social instinctual type is most inclined to be philanthropic.

Due to negative experiences as a child, the negatively identified social instinctual type sees himself or herself as somewhat of a loner and often wants to avoid grouping of any kind because he or she feels that others will exclude him or her or that he or she will be cast out. This negatively identified social instinctual type is more inclined to be misanthropic. He or she may report that he or she hates people, parties or groups. They usually do not realize that they are the social instinctual type because they are unaware that their attention is focused on people and what others are doing, rather than their resources or their designated favorite.

Wherever they go and wherever they are, they seek a place or position that gives them security through status or belonging.

Sexual/Intimate

Both positively and negatively identified sexual instinctual types long for their favorite, their beloved, and the object of their desire, whether a life partner or a lifelong friend.

The positively identified sexual instinctual type was told that they were attractive and desirable as a child by those who were close to them, and often by those in their larger groups, such as with their extended family, and with schoolmates and teachers. They grew up hearing things such as “You are so handsome” or “You are so beautiful!” “Aren’t you adorable!” “Aren’t you charming.” Most importantly, they felt that they had the ability to attract the one they most desired to have a close connection with.

The negatively identified sexual instinctual types felt that they were not desirable or not the right kind of desirable to draw in “the one” they most wanted to be close to. This is not about popularity but rather about being and having your ‘favorite’; above all else. It is about being in sync and having the union, fusion, and closeness with the object of your desire, the one with whom you have exciting chemistry. The negatively identified sexual instinctual type either gives up trying or learns the tricks of the trade by adorning themselves and seducing the object of their desire with sparking conversations that include the revealing of one’s deepest and innermost thoughts and the sharing of secrets.

An interesting point I have noticed when working with the positively identified sexual type is how much they struggle to feel attractive and desirable when they lose what they perceived made them desirable and attractive in the first place. They often feel a lot more stress than the negatively identified sexual instinctual type because they did not have to work as hard to develop the skills needed to attract their desired mate, pair bond, or BFF as the negatively identified sexual instinctual type did.

Wherever they go and wherever they are, they seek the special someone with whom they can deeply connect and share their deeper and innermost thoughts.