The Enneagram

Point Five:  The Observer

THE NINE TYPES
1  Perfectionist
2  Giver
3  Performer
4  Tragic Romantic
5  Observer
6  Devil's Advocate
7  Epicure
8  Boss
9  Mediator

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For Point Five, the passion is avarice, or greed and the corresponding fixation is stinginess. The avarice/stinginess personality often shows up as a unquenchable thirst for information or knowledge and also a holding on or grasping in the sense that "I have so little I must conserve what I have" such as time and energy as well as material resources.

The focal point of attention is watching (observing) with an eye to "what is it the other expects or wants from me."

Words, phrases and issues often associated with the Five include, but are not limited to:

Thinking:

Thinking seems to replace doing, or prepares (intellectualizes) for doing in advance . The talk of the Five is often punctuated with the words "I think" and "I know".

 

Detachment:

Fives seem to have an isolation mechanism which allows them to readily detach from, or reduce the impact of feelings and emotions. It's as if feelings are suspended in the moment and experienced after the fact when there is an opportunity, in privacy, to think about or experience the feelings.

 

Minimalist:

Fives tend to reduce their needs to a level at which they can competently take care of them themselves. They do not want to be subject to "needing" something from someone else. To do so could cause undesirable feelings and emotions to surface. Thus, the Five is seen as having few needs and being self-sufficient in taking care of those needs.

Compartmentalization:

Compartmentalization speaks to a tendency to keep the various aspects of their lives (inner and outer) separate from one another. Some Fives also describe how their mind stores information as if it is compartmentalized into various sectors.

Avoidance:

This is the chief psychological defense mechanism of the Five. The intent is to avoid intrusion, to protect oneself from invasiveness, by a world that wants too much. There is a "move away" and a desire for privacy. Fives are not likely, or do not easily, volunteer personal information.

 

Withdrawn:

The Five may appear quiet, shy, aloof, private. Or, may look superior (aloof), while feeling inferior, thus being mistaken as arrogant.

 

Privacy:

The control of private space to prevent intrusion is important.

 

Body Language:

The Five is often experienced as having a quite voice, limited energy and a general stillness in their composure. Yet, they are alert, aware, and mentally active.

The above comments are an attempt to briefly depict the more universal and usual traits of the Five.

If you are a Point Five, and would like to describe your experience of one or more of the above characteristics, please go to this web's discussion page, The Enneagram Exchange and post your comments.

FOUR