1w2 vs 5w6: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare 1w2 vs 5w6 personalities from the Enneagram types. We will do that by describing and comparing both personalities in-depth and see how these personalities are similar and different from each other based on their triad, traits, childhood conflict, basic fear, basic desire, strengths, weaknesses, core problems, source of stress, workstyle and preferred jobs. 

1w2 vs 5w6

 If we consider  1w2 vs 5w6 and compare them, we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are good problem solvers and want to be useful. They can get disconnected from people at times and find it hard to accept the critique of others. At the same time, they are different as well since type 1w2 belongs to the instinctive triad, has secondary characteristics of type 2, has a childhood conflict of self-judgment, fears immorality, and desires to stand for the rights of others. In contrast, type 5w6 belongs to the thinking triad, has secondary characteristics of type 6, has a childhood conflict of intimacy-rejection, fears being of no use, and desires to be useful.

Enneagrams

Enneagrams are a map or typology of human personalities. It has its roots in spirituality, philosophy, and psychology. Multiple people contributed to its development among which George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo, and Claudio Naranjo are the most prominent. 

It is divided into nine personality types that are spread across 3 triads i.e. Feeling triad, Thinking Triad, or Instinctive Triad. It describes a person’s fundamental psychological orientation in the form of good or bad traits and sees which triad quality i.e. emotion, intellect or instincts is most characteristic of his or her personality. Basic Personality Type is the most characteristic of a person. Whereas wings add elements to the overall personality i.e. it is the second side of it. 

A Comparison of 1w2 vs 5w6

Triad

Type 1w2 belongs to the instinctive triad. The positive and negative traits of these personalities are dominated by instinct. 

Type 5w6 belongs to the thinking triad. The positive and negative traits of these personalities are dominated by thinking.

Personality Overview and Example

Type1w2: ‘The Advocate’

Enneagram Type1w2 includes basic type one personality traits and complementary traits of type 2. Both types of traits support each other. These types of people have the drive to be good in accordance with values, are righteous, balanced, selfless, rational but also warm, action-oriented, thoughtful, compassionate, empathic, kind, and idealistic personalities with an interpersonal focus. They try to educate others, do the right thing, and feel like it’s their obligation. 

One may find type 1w2 involved in reforms and public causes. Although these types have high self-control, they allow themselves channels of emotional expression. Yet, they can also be perfectionistic with a strict conscience and possibly have high self-satisfaction with doing the right thing. When they disagree about something, they are vocal about it and express their anger towards others for not following their suggestions. 

It is hard for type1w2 to be criticized by others on their ideals. So, they may try to emotionally manipulate others into feeling guilty for doing so. Unconsciously, they may deceive themselves into believing they are being righteous even if they are not. A sense of entitlement is also prominent in them. During stressful situations, type1w2 turn to outlets against their core values e.g. drugs, drinks etc. Similarly, they may also have repressed aggression that exhibits indirectly through physical problems, conversion-like reactions, nervous breakdowns, or compulsive habits. 

Example of type 1w2: Mahatma Gandhi.

Type 5w6: ‘The Problem Solver’

Type 5w6 has basic traits of type 5 and secondary traits of type 6 personality. Such types have been popularly associated with science, facts, and technology. These people make good analysts and cataloguers of their environment. They try to break down things to understand how they work. 

Since type 5w6 are thinkers, it is difficult for them to connect with people at an intimate level. They are also disconnected from their feelings and have difficulty trusting others which makes relationships for them ‘a risk’. Their coping style is erratic as they either withdraw (due to type5) or cooperate with others (due to wing 6).

Healthy versions of this subtype are more extroverted than introspective. They have good observational skills and can draw meaning from their environment. This ability enables them to make predictions and draw conclusions. Subjects like philosophy, engineering, and science appeal to them. In their work, they are persistent, cooperative, and disciplined and can be innovative yet practical in their approach. Their attention is drawn more towards objects than people. 

In interpersonal interactions, emotionally they are restrained but have an intellectual sense of humor which makes them attractive to others in a unique. They have the capacity to have long, committed, and meaningful relationships. Furthermore, they have an underlying need to be accepted by others even though they seem detached or withdrawn. 

Average versions of this subtype can have problems in relationships especially related to anxiety and being overwhelmed by feelings. They have trouble expressing their feelings and being sensitive about their own and others’ emotions. Their poor social communication skills make things more difficult. 

At times, they are very occupied with theoretical and intellectual ideas and can get pretty immersed in their work. This pattern repeats when a conflict is going on where they get busy in work rather than resolving matters. People can find them being argumentative, rebellious, and cutting anyone off who does not agree with them. They can even turn to nihilism i.e. rejecting all meaning in life when they are in such states. 

Unhealthy versions of this subtype can be suspicious, emotionally volatile, fearful of intimacy, unstable, and with paranoid ideas. They often isolate themself and push others away due to fear of intimacy, feelings of inferiority, and possible delusions of persecution. They may see danger everywhere and get phobic to social interactions. They can even turn violent. Psychotic breakdown or madness can also happen.

Examples of Type 5w6: Sigmund Freud, Bill Gates, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking

Childhood Conflict

Core childhood conflict that makes type 1w2 the way they are is ‘self-judgment’. This means that they try to be their own worst critic so that by doing so they can prevent anyone from criticizing them. They are highly vigilant of any mistakes they make and abide by strict rules and ethics to justify their existence.   

Core childhood conflict that makes type 5w6 the way they are is ‘Intimacy-Rejection’. This means that they try not to get too close to people for fear of being perceived incompetent. So, they make effort to develop mastery in a particular area in order to live fully and survive.

Basic Fear: 1w2 vs 5w6

Type 1w2 fear immorality. Hence, they strive to make ethical choices.

Type 5w6 fear being incapable and of no use. They prevent that from happening by trying to contribute and improve the world around them.

Basic Desire: 1w2 vs 5w6

Type 1w2 desire to fight for the rights of the weak and less fortunate. They are driven to make a difference in the world. Regarding emotions, they have a tendency to redirect their feelings in order to feel in control. This backfires at times when their emotions spill in the form of sudden external outbursts. 

Type 5w6 desire to be useful and capable. For that, they pursue knowledge and get new skills. To cope with stress, they withdraw which can create feelings of loneliness. 

Strengths: 1w2 vs 5w6  

Strengths of type 1w2 include the following:

• Stand for the rights of others
• Sensitive towards the needs of others
• Try to serve humanity
• Engage in societal level problem solving
• Put the needs of others before their own

Strengths of type 5w6 include the following:

• Good problem solvers
• Skilled at crisis management
• Willing to learn and grow
• Focused and well-organized in their work

Weakness:1w2 vs 5w6

The weakness of type 1w2 includes the following:

• Easily get frustrated
• Obsessive about self-image
• Can be overly controlling
• Critical of self and others
• Detached

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

The weakness of type 5w6 includes the following:

• Struggle to understand others and relate with them
• Reserved and Defensive
• Others perceive them as aloof, detached, and cold
• Struggle to take action when feeling uninspired

Source of Stress

Source of stress for type 1w2 includes the following:

• Receiving criticism from others
• Being unable to meet others needs
• Not living up to standards or expectations of others

Source of stress for type 5w6 includes the following:

• Spending time with others
• Feelings of rejection
• Emotional vulnerability
• Self-doubt and insecurity

Core Problems

Type 1w2 has common problems with repression and aggression.

Type 5w6 has common problems with insecurity and anxiety.

Workstyle and job

Type 1w2 prefers to work in jobs involving human interaction with the possibility to serve others and impact the world positively e.g. judge, nurse, doctor, social worker, etc. 

Type 5w6 are good problem-solvers who are organized and intelligent. They prefer to work in jobs that allow them to gain knowledge, be logical, analytical, and give them a chance to grow e.g.professor, biologist, engineer, physicist, etc.

Other Enneagram type 1  comparisons

1w2 vs 1w9

1w2 vs 2w1

1w2 vs 2w3

1w2 vs 3w2

1w2 vs 3w4

1w2 vs 4w3

1w2 vs 4w5

1w2 vs 5w4

1w2 vs 6w5

1w2 vs 6w7

1w2 vs 7w6

1w2 vs 7w8

1w2 vs 8w7

1w2 vs 8w9

1w2 vs 9w1

1w2 vs 9w8

1w9 vs 1w2

1w9 vs 2w1

1w9 vs 2w3

1w9 vs 3w2

1w9 vs 3w4

1w9 vs 4w3

1w9 vs 4w5

1w9 vs 5w4

1w9 vs 5w6

1w9 vs 6w5

1w9 vs 6w7

1w9 vs 7w6

1w9 vs 7w8

1w9 vs 8w7

1w9 vs 8w9

1w9 vs 9w8

FAQs: 1w2 vs 5w6

Conclusion

In this article, we compared 1w2 vs 5w6. We found that both personalities are similar as they are good problem solvers and want to be useful. They can get disconnected from people at times and find it hard to accept the critique of others. At the same time, they are different as well since type 1w2 belongs to the instinctive triad, has secondary characteristics of type 2, has a childhood conflict of self-judgment, fears immorality, and desires to stand for the rights of others. In contrast, type 5w6 belongs to the thinking triad, has secondary characteristics of type 6, has a childhood conflict of intimacy-rejection, fears being of no use, and desires to be useful.

I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊

Citations

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-1-wing-2

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-5-wing-6

https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2020/03/10/the-childhood-wounds-of-every-enneagram-type/#

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