The Subtypes of Enneagram Type Five
The Three Distinctions between “The Observer”
The subtypes of Enneagram Type Five are similar yet very different from each other.
Enneagram Type 5 is known as “The Observer.” Fives process the world by analyzing and thinking. They would rather sit back and observe what’s happening instead of participating.
Fives focus on maintaining their energy and ensuring they don’t feel depleted, which is why they need a lot of alone time to recharge.
All Fives close off their feelings and emotions from themselves and others, but each of Type 5’s three subtypes does so differently.
Below you will find more information about each subtype of Type Five, including their focus of attention, common characteristics, and the specific growth path for each.
SELF-PRESERVATION 5 - “Castle”
SP5's Focus of Attention
Self-Preservation Fives focus on creating boundaries and having their own space. Their space is sacred, and they make sure no one invades their territory. It’s a place to retreat when they need to be alone. SP5s will sometimes let people they trust into their space, but only if it’s someone they feel safe with doing so.
SP5 Common Characteristics
PRIVATE
Self-Preservation Fives tend to communicate less than the other Type 5 subtypes and are careful about managing their interactions with others. They can be warm and friendly but don’t generally share personal information or open up about themselves. SP5s aren't comfortable sharing their feelings and can even suppress their emotions so that they don’t feel overwhelmed by them.
RESOURCEFUL
Their house is stocked up on what they need so that the Self-Preservation Five doesn’t have to leave their place of refuge if it’s unnecessary. They prefer to be self-sufficient and not rely on anyone else if they don’t need to. It's true SP5s are good about stocking up on their basic needs. However, you will unlikely find anything extravagant in terms of “luxury” items as the SP5 prefers to save money and live a minimalistic lifestyle.
SETTING BOUNDARIES
Self-Preservation Fives have a strong need for boundaries and being able to control their boundaries, especially when they need to be alone. They are very sensitive to feeling intruded upon and don’t like surprises. When interacting with others, they act in subtle ways so that the person won’t ask more of them than the SP5 is willing to give.
Growth Path for SP5
Open the door and invite people into your space. Throw a party or have a get-together once in a while, even if it’s only once or twice a year.
Practice opening up and letting people in by talking more about yourself in conversation. You might be surprised to learn how eager people are to get to know you!
SOCIAL 5 - “Totem”
SO5's Focus of Attention
Social Fives focus on learning and knowledge. They control their time and conserve resources regarding what they want to learn or what information they need. SO5s believe knowledge is power and can face deep embarrassment if exposed to not knowing something. They avoid this shame by extensively studying any subject they’re interested in and find joy in relaying what they know to others.
SO5 Common Characteristics
KNOWLEDGABLE
Social Fives like to dive deep into a subject they’re interested in and focus on acquiring as much knowledge as possible. They feel you can do anything in the world simply by knowing things.
SO5s like to relate to others who share the same interests and ideals that they do, though they might connect more with these people than they do with the people in their everyday lives.
SPIRITUAL BYPASS
Sometimes Social Fives get so comfortable in educational and spiritual activities that they bypass interacting and connecting with people who aren’t in their intellectual circle. SO5s are all about finding the deep meaning in life, but this can sometimes be a compensation for having a deep connection with another person.
GREGARIOUS
Though they may have a more challenging time with intimate connections, Social Fives love to talk to others regarding their most cherished interests, especially other experts in their field. SO5s love spreading their wealth of knowledge to others and get excited about doing so. They are more outgoing, and their enthusiasm for talking to others can even cause them to sometimes mistype as Type Seven.
Growth Path for SO5
Engage in activities that don’t involve gaining more knowledge. Be more childlike and play. You’ll learn that having fun and enjoying yourself in the moment is its own form of learning about yourself and others.
Know that it’s okay not to know everything! Show people you make mistakes and can sometimes be limited in what you know without feeling shamed or embarrassed about it. We’re all human, after all!
SEXUAL 5 (COUNTERTYPE) -“Devotion”
SX5's Focus of Attention
Sexual Fives are more focused on relationships and finding an ideal partner they can share life with on a deeper level. They have more of a need for deep connection, but only under the right conditions. Though they can be more emotional and relationship-oriented than the other Fives, SX5s still need to conserve their time and energy when connecting with others.
SX5 Common Characteristics
EMOTIONAL
Sexual Fives are more in touch with their emotions, though they aren’t likely to outwardly share them. Though they are more in touch with their feelings than the other Type 5 subtypes, SX5s are uncomfortable feeling an emotion with their heart and body and default to their head by analyzing what the emotion means. When they feel emotionally affected by something, they internalize their feelings and process them privately.
IDEALIZE RELATIONSHIPS
Sexual Fives have high ideals when finding a partner they can share intimate details with. Because of this, it can take longer for the SX5 to trust and feel close to someone. They will test the other person by seeing how vulnerable that person will get with the SX5 before the SX5 gets vulnerable with them.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Frequently, the Sexual Five’s penchant for emotions can come out in an artistic expression. This can include painting, poetry, woodworking, music, crocheting, or anything that will help the SX5 express themselves creatively. Because of their creativity in this manner, sometimes Sexual Fives can mistype as Type Four. But they are very much a Five for their affinity to not verbalize their feelings, instead using an artistic medium in which their emotions can be interpreted.
Growth Path for SX5
Stop expecting to find the ideal in one person. You’ll never find it!
Don’t put so much emphasis on what relationships are supposed to mean for you. Be with the person and appreciate them for who they are, not who you think they should be.
Try to trust more, especially with your partner. Surrender to that trust and see how freeing it feels.