Type 1

 
 
 

Key Traits

  • Defence mechanism: Reaction Formation, when the psyche turns to the polar opposite of something to make it less threatening or "bad," creates controlled or repressed anger, needs some kind of moral justification to release anger

  • Inner critic: superego, inner parent, criticize self for negative actions, gives self positive feedback for positive actions, morals

  • Control: needing to be good or right vs. bad or wrong, over-controlling themselves, rigid and inflexible, adherence to rules, avoid pleasure and fun, control their anger

  • Virtuousness: well-intentioned, do the right thing, order, principles, unlike other types (ex. 4 and 8) that have an ego strategy that identifies with being the "bad" thing

  • Shadow/Lost Self: blind to being able to forgive themselves and accept the good and bad, can't see the downside to their tendency to criticize

  • Core fears: Being wrong, bad, cutting loose, losing control, being unqualified, being corruptible, being condemned​

  • Wants Integrity

Character


Being part of the gut/body triad on the enneagram, the type 1 structure is built upon asserting one’s own existence, and for 1’s that means existing correctly. The anger of the gut triad that stands up to the world saying “I’m here! I exist!” is not dulled like with 9 nor indulged like with 8, but rather humanized. The superego takes control of the gut impulse, and so all of the gut reaction and anger gets filtered through the superego sieve. A person who is constantly bottlenecking their anger into appropriate filtered outputs will end up holding a certain kind of rigidity in the body and mind.

The gut types all have a way of using their own “body knowledge.” Heart types feel based on the environment; head types use mental processes to spin and weave thoughts; gut types already know. With type 1, that means already knowing what’s right and wrong or correct vs. incorrect in the realm of “doing/action” or Body Centre. There’s a contrast here with type 6 which can also be moralizing. 6’s always seek some kind of external support for their assertions. 1’s, as David Gray put it, “already know everything God knows.” This isn’t to suggest some kind of religious blasphemy, but to illustrate the idea that 1’s internally feel that they are the authority already without needing to justify why. Priests/Popes and Kings/Queens are good metaphors for the energy of 1 because these people in essence are supposed to be the catalyst between God himself and mankind. They are the incarnate gods on earth. Again this is metaphorically speaking to illustrate the gut knowing quality of 1 vs. the superego head processing of 6 or the image creation style of superego type 2.

This rigidity creates frustration over the fact that things around them—people, objects, situations—are not correct or at their best. And if only others were as sensible as they, we’d be better off. This attention goes mostly to their primary instinct, either the environment/logistics, people/connections, or attraction. Some 1’s are more outwardly angry than others. Some are stiff and coiled up while others seem to have no problem lashing out. But in general, anger is directed towards what’s right or wrong and expressed in a manner that’s often morally righteous. 1’s can draw upon socially accepted rules, but can also be entirely subjective in the sense that they already just feel in their gut that they are the moral authority.

1’s do not necessarily hold being a “nice person” as an ultimate value. 6’s can have trouble being unfriendly and even when counterphobic will try to be somehow inclusive or likeable subconsciously to avoid too much separation from people. 1’s are more concerned with following their instincts on how things are supposed to be whether that upsets people or not. They can be vengeful in the sense of “putting people in their place” in whatever way necessary. 1w2’s can be more intrusive but more friendly, whereas 1w9’s can be more detached and philosophically idealistic.

1’s value self-control in themselves and others. This can cause them to be critical of others, but more secretly very hard on themselves. They pride themselves on practising what they preach and will point out the hypocrisy of others. They generally avoid vanity because puffing oneself up that much would be inaccurate or unfair, however they can be extremely self-assured about what they feel is right. This self-control seeps down into the gut sending the message that our most indulgent desires are wrong, and it’s not okay to let loose. 1’s definitely can have a fun side, but letting their hair down is still often in controlled or appropriate circumstances. Of course every 1 will have a different idea of what that means due to cultural influences, gender, upbringing, etc. At more unhealthy levels, since 1’s value their own self-control, they will observe their own desires as wrong and then fall down a rabbit hole of seeing themselves as hypocrites and becoming even more rigid as compensation.

Some 1’s find themselves in areas such as law and teaching where control and rules are the name of the game (ex. judges, lawyers). Others are creative and use their disciplined nature to develop new paradigms or master their craft (ex. conductors). In general, their boundaries are firm. When they say no, they mean no. They will change their minds only after hearing reasonable arguments, but generally are not flexible in their convictions. Rigidity is the perfect word to describe the nature of 1. When it comes to doing anything, things have to be a certain way.

Lines of Movement


1 moves to 7

  • Positive: less critical, more enthusiastic, more optimistic, let go of need to control and gain spontaneity, see the positive rather than what's wrong, loosen up and have fun

  • Negative: self-destructive and excessive and then return to harsh self-criticism


1 moves to 4

  • Positive: get in touch with deeper feelings

  • Negative: anger turns inward into depression, lose trust in themselves and feel unlovable, feel hopeless longing for what they can't have


Comparisons with Other Types


1 vs 2: Both superego types, 1's are harder on themselves, 2's will not holdback emotional outbursts

1 vs 3: Both competency types, 1's not good at self-promotion, 3's are comfortable with self-inflation, 1's won't cut corners, 3's will if they have to

1 vs 4: Both frustration types, 1's don't indulge in their inner states as much, 4 views inner states as authentic and need to be displayed, 4's are reactive

1 vs 5: Both competency types, 1's care more about standards for all, 5's are removed from other's needs and don't follow rules

1 vs 6: Both can have anxiety, but 1's in general are more sure of themselves and don't doubt

1 vs 7: Both idealist types, 1's value self-control, 7's don't

1 vs 8: Both gut types who can express anger, 1's anger is coloured by the superego, 8's has no reigns or rules

1 vs 9: 1's have a boundary that is more fluid with 9's