Enneagram Type 8 Instinctual Subtypes: SP 8, SX 8, SO 8 (2024)

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• Type 8 Initial Self-Belief: “I am disempowered as I am.”

  Type 8 Compensation: "I must be direct in going after what I want and stand strong against being controlled or taken advantage of."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

• Type 8 Core Focus: Empowerment comes from being in control and not being controlled by people or rules. This requires that I confront obstacles and people that are in my way and move directly toward what I want. Don't show weakness in a world that takes advantage of innocence and vulnerability.

  Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 8 core focus include:

  • Takes action decisively and sometimes impulsively
  • Fills up the space around them with their presence and big energy
  • Speaks directly and bluntly when making a point
  • Often guards against vulnerability by denying softer emotions
  • Naturally assumes role of leadership when there's a power vacuum
  • Directly confronts others to reveal the truth of a situation
  • Protects or seeks justice for those unfairly taken advantage of
  • Anger arises in service of making things happen/getting things moving
  • Prefers to make their own rules rather than follow others' rules

• SP 8 - Satisfactory Survival, Satisfaction: takes a direct approach in getting what they want; gets frustrated and intolerant of obstacles that get in the way; accumulates territory and material resources to assure satisfactory survival.

• SX 8 - Surrender, Possession: rebelliously asserts their “truth” or “way” in place of the rules or norms; wants others to surrender control, wants to dominate others and surroundings; can have difficulty letting go of what’s been “possessed” or taken under their control.

• SO 8 - Friendship, Solidarity (counter-type): seeks advantage and influence through associations and alliances; defends those under their protection from injustice, unfairness, and harm; appears more friendly, generous, and less aggressive than other type 8 subtypes.

Below are Enneagram 8 subtype description samplings from some popular or well-known Enneagram authors. Click on the sources after the descriptions to further explore these interpretations.

• In the average range, Self-Preservation Eights focus intently on practical matters and "bringing home the bacon" so that they will have enough money and power to ensure their well-being as well as that of their loved ones.1

  In the average range, Sexual Eights are passionate about whomever they care about and want to feel that they have had a major impact on the lives of those in their sphere of influence.1

  In the average range, Social Eights express their intensity through the powerful bonds that they make with others; they enjoy making pacts with those who have proven themselves trustworthy.1

• Satisfactory Survival in the Area of Self-preservation: Eights focus on control of the mechanics of personal survival and space.2

  See Also

  Enneagram Type 8 - Ideaalbeeld, V-cirkel en oorzaken van stress

  Possession/Surrender in One-to-One Relationships: Eights want to possess the heart and mind of the mate. Surrender is the desire to give up obsessive needs for control to a partner who is completely trustworthy.2

  Friendship in Social Relationships: For Eights, friendship is the trust extended to those whom you protect and by whom you are protected.2

• Self-Preservation Eights: Generally seek control over their immediate environment and may worry about survival. Tend to value things over people. Maintaining order and material security are important.3

  Intimate Eights: Want stability, loyalty and predictability in close relationships. Since life is dangerous they want to choose close allies carefully.3

  Social Eights: Often loyal to a group and conceive of friendship as a pact of mutual protection. May be the group’s protector or provider.3

• Type 8 Instinctual Subtypes by Beatrice Chestnut

  Self-Preservation Eight: "Satisfaction"
  Expresses the passion of lust through a focus on getting what they need for survival. They have a strong desire for the timely satisfaction of material needs and an intolerance for frustration.4

  Sexual Eight: "Possession"
  Expresses lust through rebellion and the need to possess everyone’s attention. They are intense, charismatic characters who want to have control and influence. Instead of seeking material security, they try to get power over things and people.4

  Social Eight: "Solidarity"
  Expresses lust and aggression in the service of others. A social antisocial person, this is the coutertype of the Eights, a helpful Eight who appears less aggressive and more loyal than the other two Eight subtypes.4

Sources

• ¹Book: The Wisdom of the Enneagram; Website: The Enneagram Institute

• ²Book: The Enneagram; Website: The Narrative Enneagram

• ³Book: The Enneagram Movie & Video Guide

• ⁴Book: The Complete Enneagram; Website: Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy

To learn more about the instincts click on a link below.

• Learn more about the Enneagram instincts in general
• Learn more about the instinctual subtype approach
• Learn more about the instinctual variant stacking approach

• Instinctual Subtype Test
  This test compares the three instinctual subtypes for a given type.
  Use when you know your type and want to find your instinctual subtype for that type.

• Instinctual Variant Stacking Test
  This test ranks the three instincts to determine your preferential order of the instincts.
  Use when you want to know your instinctual variant stacking independent of type.