Why do people develop negative stereotypes of the Enneagram Types and make disparaging remarks about some of the types but not all?

This is such an important issue. This represents the essence of why the Enneagram differs from other personality typologies.

Side note: In 1985, I began gathering qualitative research using the Enneastyle Questionnaire, 6 Testing Instruments, and the 3-hour In-depth Inquiry Process Interviews. Included below is a snapshot of how the types see themselves and others. These were true with the first 1,000 study participants and remain true to this day with over 100,000 interviews; the essence remains the same. For Tritype®, combine all three types to find confluence. I have included an excerpt from my book: "The Definitive Enneagram."

Motivations vs Behaviors: Negative Stereotypes of the Enneagram Types

Why do people often say or write disparaging remarks about the Enneagram Types, especially Types 2, 6, and 8?

In my experience, people often disparage Enneagram Types because of personal experiences or misunderstandings tied to their interactions with individuals of those types. These negative associations can feel hurtful because they appear judgmental and one-dimensional. Rather than addressing the person directly, they attribute the negative behavior to the type itself, creating a stereotype that fails to reflect the deeper, more complex nature of personality.

One reason this happens is that when people are hurt by someone who behaves poorly, especially during formative years like childhood, they tend to generalize that pain to the "Enneagram Type of the individual" rather than recognizing the person’s behavior as unhealthy or circumstantial. The Enneagram Types each have their own set of behavioral patterns and defense mechanisms, but these patterns can be expressed in either healthy or unhealthy ways. A hurtful experience with an unhealthy or wounded Type 2, for instance, may lead someone to assume that all 2s are needy, selfish, manipulative or intrusive, even though healthy and average 2s are deeply caring, sympathetic, generous, and supportive.

Another factor I learned along the way is that other personality typologies focus on observable behaviors. These typologies simplify personality by categorizing based on what someone does or does not do, such as whether they are extroverted or introverted, aggressive or passive. This approach to personality typing can contribute to negative judgments about behaviors because it stops at surface-level actions. The Enneagram, by contrast, is unique in focusing on the underlying motivations and internal experiences that drive behaviors rather than the behaviors themselves. This more nuanced understanding is essential for seeing the richness of each type and understanding why people think, feel, and act the way they do.

The true beauty of the Enneagram lies in its recognition that all types are inherently valuable and possess a range of positive traits. When healthy, all types bring unique gifts to the table. However, when individuals are unhealthy, their behaviors can distort the essence of their type, leading to negative expressions that may overshadow their true potential. Below are the negative and positive expressions of each type:

Type 1: The Perfectionist

Negative Expression: In an unhealthy state, 1s can become critical, rigid, and judgmental, fixating on flaws and mistakes in themselves and others.

Positive Expression: When healthy, 1s are principled, conscientious, and ethical, striving to improve the world around them with a sense of purpose and integrity.

Type 2: The Helper

Negative Expression: Unhealthy 2s can be manipulative, needy, and intrusive, using their helpfulness to gain approval and feel indispensable.

Positive Expression: Healthy 2s are compassionate, generous, and nurturing, offering support without strings attached and truly caring for others' well-being.

Type 3: The Achiever

Negative Expression: In their unhealthy form, 3s can become workaholic, image-conscious, and deceitful, valuing success and appearance over authenticity.

Positive Expression: Healthy 3s are hardworking, ambitious, and inspiring, leading by example and achieving success with integrity and authenticity.

Type 4: The Individualist

Negative Expression: Unhealthy 4s can be overly dramatic, self-absorbed, and envious, feeling misunderstood and wallowing in their own emotional depths.

Positive Expression: Healthy 4s are creative, emotionally insightful, and authentic, embracing their uniqueness and using their emotional sensitivity to connect deeply with others.

Type 5: The Investigator

Negative Expression: In an unhealthy state, 5s can be detached, aloof, and overly secretive, withdrawing from others and hoarding their knowledge or resources.

Positive Expression: When healthy, 5s are insightful, curious, and independent, offering wisdom and expertise while maintaining healthy boundaries and connections.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Negative Expression: Unhealthy 6s can become anxious, paranoid, and suspicious, constantly second-guessing themselves and others while seeking reassurance.

Positive Expression: Healthy 6s are loyal, trustworthy, and responsible, offering a sense of security and community while remaining grounded and courageous in the face of uncertainty.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Negative Expression: In their unhealthy form, 7s can be impulsive, scattered, and avoidant, constantly seeking new experiences to distract themselves from discomfort or pain.

Positive Expression: Healthy 7s are joyful, optimistic, and adventurous, embracing life with enthusiasm and inspiring others to enjoy the moment and explore possibilities.

Type 8: The Challenger

Negative Expression: Unhealthy 8s can be domineering, confrontational, and aggressive, bulldozing others in their quest for control and self-protection.

Positive Expression: When healthy, 8s are strong, protective, and assertive, using their power to defend the vulnerable and lead with courage and integrity.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Negative Expression: In their unhealthy state, 9s can become passive, complacent, and avoidant, neglecting their own needs to maintain superficial peace and harmony.

Positive Expression: Healthy 9s are peaceful, accepting, and patient, fostering a sense of unity and calm while remaining grounded in their own desires and convictions.

It is important to note that it is a biological imperative to store painful memories that hurt us in order to avoid the same people and situations that were painful in the future.

Furthermore, the tendency to focus on negative behaviors of a type often reflects an incomplete understanding of the Enneagram system. One must go beyond mere descriptions and external behaviors to truly understand and type people accurately. It is not enough to label actions as good or bad. Instead, we need to explore why people behave the way they do, especially when their core fears, insecurities, or needs are activated. The Enneagram is centered on the internal experiences and motivations of individuals, not just their outward behaviors.

When someone’s idealized image of themselves and their core fears are triggered, they may lash out or act in ways that seem harmful to others. But the motivation behind those actions can be traced to a deep need to defend their worldview or restore a sense of safety. This is particularly relevant in the context of Tritype®, where the interplay of three types influences how someone reacts under stress or when all three types share a value and feel misunderstood. The combination of these types’ idealized images, core fears, and defense strategies merge to create a more specific focus and a complex web of responses that, when not properly understood, can appear negative but are actually rooted in a person's deep desire to protect themselves and maintain their internal equilibrium.

People often speak negatively about Enneagram Types because they confuse a person’s unhealthy behavior with the type itself. The truth is that when individuals of any type are healthy or even average, they are wonderful and bring great gifts to the world. But in unhealthy states, they can become difficult, and this negative behavior is often what leaves a lasting impression. The Enneagram teaches us to look deeper, beyond mere behaviors, to understand the motivations and fears that drive us all. It encourages us to see the humanity in each type and to remember that our negative experiences with individuals do not define an entire type and are actually a reflection of our own wounding.