Posted by DAve on February 25, 1999 at 19:43:32:
The enneagram is not about behavior, but rather the inner motivations, thought and emotional habit patterns, and predominant focus of attention and concern of the individual. From there Cognitive distortions, emotional defenses, and physiological habits develop which are similar to others who also belong to a particular enneatype "tribe". These form behaviors.
But, to find out all of the above, you have to study individual behavior!
The problem is when we confuse the ACTION of behavior with the INTENTION of it.
Someone may be a perfectionist at their work, but that doesn't make them a ONE. WHY they are a perfectionist is the clue to their type. A SIX is a perfectionist, because a mistake will leave them open to a problem that may spell their downfall. An EIGHT because they demand it be done their way exactly. A THREE does it out of pride. A TWO because that gets them the affection of ______________(fill in the blank). A FOUR because it must be a unique expression, a perfection in this imperfect world. Etc., etc.