Re: purity of type

Posted by Elizabeth on November 21, 2000 at 13:04:11:

In Reply to: purity of type posted by isaac on November 21, 2000 at 11:29:57:

I disagree. Fixed type is too rigid to represent human nature in 4 dimensions. The enneagram is not pure science and therefore is not LAW. It is simply an elegant model for representing a concept.

Consider the formation of personality. Do you believe that who you are is determined 100% by genetics and set at birth? No, a predisposition is in place but the events of your early childhood do a lot to form who you become. Hudson and Riso provide for this... a 5 is ambivalent to both parents, a 4 is disconnected from both parents... environmental factors impact the early development of personality at least. At what point does that influence end... if ever?

It is known that eruption of certain developmental events can cause personality disorders specific to that point of development. Most notably, Schizoid Personality Style (related to type 5) can be related to neglect (lack of holding, eye contact) in the first days of a child's life. Environment does impact personality and personality (at least in childhood) is plastic and adaptable. The question when considering adult personality: At what point does that environmental influence end and personality become fixed... if ever?

Clearly health is the most dynamic way a personality changes but personality can change type... though I would say in adults change is slight. To illustrate: someone who was a 5.9995 could change enough to become a 6.0003?

Follow Ups:

• formation and decimals... isaac 15:24:31 11/21/00 (1)
  • Misunderstandings... Elizabeth 16:52:36 11/21/00 (0)

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