Correlating the Enneagram Types to the Jungian Function Pairs

Once the definitions are understood – how the functions are defined in the MBTI and how the characteristics are defined in the enneagram, some likely correlations can be made.

Don Riso and Russ Hudson, in Personality Types, pp 441-443, (copyright 1996) make the following possible correlations:

Type 1 – Extroverted Thinking
Type 2 – Extroverted Feeling
Type 3 – no corresponding type
Type 4 – Introverted iNtuiting
Type 5 – Introverted Thinking
Type 6 – Introverted Feeling
Type 7 – Extroverted Sensing
Type 8 – Extroverted iNtuiting
Type 9 – Introverted Sensing

If you follow this link, there are tables of type correlations from Riso and Hudson, and as well several other enneagram scholars. You will see that there has been no shortage of attempts at correlating the 4-letter Jungian type descriptors with enneagram types.

Click here for the Lifexplore Type Correlations Chart.

However, these correlations don’t really work, as each enneagram type may have characteristics of several Jungian types, and each Jungian type may have characteristics of more than one enneagram type.

Here are some brief description of the 16 Meyers Briggs types:
MBTI 4 letter type descriptions from Personalitytest.net.

It is a bit easier to see the correlations when, instead of using the 4-letter Jungian type, we take the Jungian functions are taken on their own, as in the list from Personality Types, posted above. Everything depends on how the functions are defined, though, and you can link to various definitions of the Jungian functions here:

Famous Types FunctionWikipedia article on Jung and his typology.Lifexplore Jungian function descriptions.

For the purpose of this essay, I will be using the descriptions of the 8 function pairs as described by Mark Bruzen at: www.geocities.com/player2000gi/jungian_functions.htm.

“Introverted Sensor - They work on the specific and the detailed. Seek to be thoroughly aware of all facts before coming to decisions. Not open to new understandings, they are comfortable within tradition and the established. They enjoy being in control and well prepared for whatever life may bring.”

This description seems to correlate best to enneagram Type 6 even though Riso and Hudson correlate the introverted sensing function to enneagram Type 9. Sixes, because of their fear of loss of security, make excellent troubleshooters and are usually prepared for what life brings. Sixes are known for being highly opinionated, and for attaching themselves to the opinions of trusted groups or authorities. This makes them “not open to new understandings.” They don’t particularly like change, and often like to preserve the status quo. Sixes are known for checking with their “inner committee” before making decisions.

“Extraverted Sensor - They are active and crave new experiences. In touch with the immediate physical reality, they enjoy a fast changing environment. Strongly materialistic, they require strong sensory experience.”

This corresponds to highly to Types 7 and 8. Sevens are active and always seeking new experiences. However, the ES lives in the present moment, while Type 7s tend to live in the mind, in their future plans. Type 8s, on the other hand, are more in touch with the immediate environment, and can also be strongly materialistic.

“Introverted Feeler - Considerate, helpful and often introspective, they strive for a sense of harmony and well-being. With strong inner feelings, they are loyal and caring. They follow deep personal convictions rather than social values, making them appear somewhat original and unconventional.”

The IF temperament corresponds to type 4, and to some extent type 9. Type 4s follow their intense feelings and their need to be unique, which makes them value being original and unconventional, but they don’t necessarily seek harmony in their environments. In fact 4s, a frustration type, tend to be out of harmony. That’s part of what makes them “different” and “unique.”

Nines seek harmony in themselves and in their environment, and while often loyal and caring, can be out of touch with their own feelings. They merge with others, and take on the feelings of those around them.

“Extraverted Feeler - They expect cooperation and harmony within a particular institution. They follow well defined rules of conduct and respect the social hierarchy. They are loyal and may fight for a cause, but always within tradition and accepted norms.”

EF brings to mind type 2 – Type 2s are the behind the scenes workers who hold institutions together, and make sure people are happy. They are the people people, par excellence. They are compliant to their superego demands to “love one another.” They are adept at understanding the “rules of conduct” and certainly at moving within the social hierarchy. However, Twos are also adept at bending the rules to suit their ideals of “love.” Depending on the strength of their connection to point 8, they can be highly justice oriented, and fight for causes in which they believe. They can be quite traditional, or not, especially if there is a strong connection to point 4.

Type 6, the “ambiverts” of the enneagram, are more often the loyal and traditional type, and most bound by “accepted norms.”

“Introverted Thinker - Enjoy coming to new understandings, problem-solving and logic. Independent, skeptical and critical. Appear self-absorbed while they use step-by-step logic to discover the principles and connections that underlie the overall picture.”

This describes Type 5 quite well as Fives withdraw into their minds to unravel the mysteries of the universe. They can become self-absorbed, especially when unhealthy, and weirdly out of touch with mainstream culture. Fives will follow logic to its end, ignoring restraints based on convention or belief systems. (Type 5s can also have strong use of the introverted intuitive function.)

“Extraverted Thinker - They organize, dictate and control. Easily come to decisions as they set out logical plans of action, or impart rules and regulations. They may rise to a position of authority that allows them to maintain order and efficiency within a given organization.”

This describes the two most practical of the enneagram types – Type 1 and Type 3. What drives the decision-making process is quite different between the two types. Often orderly and efficient, Type 1 is driven by the superego demands to do the “right” thing. Type 3 can also be orderly and efficient, but is driven by a need to be (or appear) successful. A Type 1 will rise to a position of authority in order to be instrumental in making the world a better place; “better” as defined by their own superego messages of right and wrong. Rules are absolute – there is clearcut right and wrong. A Type 3 will rise to authority in order to implement their own plans for success. Ideals of right and wrong are subject to interpretation based on what works and what succeeds. For a Three, the end justifies the means (moreso as she moves down the levels of health).

An interesting thing about the thought processes of the One is that they, unlike Fives, will constrain their thought processes based on their ideals and their interactions with their environments.

“Introverted Intuitive - They are stimulated by problems and enjoy an intellectual challenge and coming to new understandings. They possess an abstract and analytical mind that helps them to discover the underlying principles behind a particular situation. Intensely individualistic, they can walk the road less travelled.”

This describes Type 5, and to a certain extent Type 4. Type 5 most closely corresponds to the Jungian type INTP or INTJ, and so have elements of both Ti and IN. Type 5s are the type most likely to live in their own minds, and not use their bodies. They are usually very observant and very thoughtful, noticing the patterns of what’s going on in the world, and using their thought processes to make sense of them.

Type 4 corresponds somewhat to the INFP temperament, although the introverted feeling function, which allows them to feel unique and different – authentic - is usually primary.

“Extraverted Intuitive - The most open-minded of the types, they are fascinated by the new. Impulsive, adventurous, and creative, their minds entertain future plans and new ideas. They do not live in the immediate physical reality, but in a world of relationships and possibilities. They abhor routine.”

This sounds like the definition of Type 7, and yet Riso and Hudson correlate the EN temperament to Type 8. (Personality Types, Don Riso and Russ Hudson, c1996, pp 441-443) Sevens, in their endless quest to avoid being trapped in pain, live in the world of future plans and new ideas. The world of the Seven is full of possibilities, and when more fixated, excess things. Sevens thrive on change more than routine. Routine is painful to Sevens.

In Summary

If you take a tour of the Enneagram Institute Discussion Board (EIDB) people often post their enneagram type and wing along with their Jungian type. You can see for yourself how their enneagram types correlate to their Jungian types. There are also many discussions of enneagram type versus Jungian type. You can search the forum to find those.

At one point there was a forum thread guiding members to take a test on the Jungian functions. It measured the functions individually and many members posted their results.

Discussion on Test of Jungian Functions.


Proceed with caution! The forum is dominated by Types 4, 5, and 6, with a smattering of other types. Almost everyone in there claims to be an “intuitive” because there is a common misunderstanding that “Intuitive” = “Intelligent.” Conversely, “Sensing” = “stupid” and “Sensing” = “Shallow.” There is a lot of bad sterotyping and shallow chitchat, often by people who claim that they aren’t shallow… It is an education in and of itself, but well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

If you are curious as to your use of the Jungian functions, here is a test:

Cognitive Processes Jungian Functions Test

The test results are informative, and there is a lot of other good information in this site. If you click through on the “16 types” link in that site, you can find out your auxilliary functions.

Have you ever wondered why Sevens can seem like Fours, and Fours like Sevens, even though the underlying motivations are so different? Both ENFP and ESFP will have Fi as support functions. This may explain why ENFP and ESFP 7s can seem like 4s.