Enneagram 2 and 7 Misidentification: 8 Reasons It Happens

Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification is what happens when Type Two gets mistyped as Type Seven and vice versa. It’s not a particularly common phenomenon, but it still occurs for several reasons.

Moreover, while Twos and Sevens don’t seem to have much in common and, therefore, are unlikely to get misidentified, the truth is they do share some very particular characteristics.

In this article, we’ll analyze why Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification happens, how similar and how different Twos and Sevens are, and how to avoid mistyping them. Let’s jump right in!

Why Do Enneagrams 2 and 7 Get Misidentified?

Enneagram Type 2 and Enneagram Type 7 get mistyped because they share some very characteristic personality traits and behaviors that can easily be misinterpreted and misleading in identifying one’s personality type.

So, to understand how misidentifying Twos and misidentifying Sevens happens, let’s first address the most prominent traits these two types share:

• Extraversion: Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification can happen because both Twos and Sevens are very extroverted and sociable. They are outwardly focused, enjoy the company of others, and are usually surrounded by crowds of people.
• Generosity: It is safe to say that Twos and Sevens are among the most generous the Enneagram types. They are always open to sharing their resources with others, regardless of whether they are giving their time, energy, or material support, and this shared trait easily leads to Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification.
• Warmth: Both Twos and Sevens are genuinely warm and affectionate toward other people. They easily connect with others because of this, and people feel good around them.
• Charm: Both Helpers and Enthusiasts are very attractive and charming individuals, and people are naturally drawn to their charisma.
• Positive outlook: Type Two, also known as the Helper, and Type Seven, also known as the Enthusiast, are both very optimistic and tend to find a silver lining in almost every situation.
• Communication skills: Though their communication styles are entirely different, both are excellent communicators who bond with others in very inspiring ways. They may be motivated by different needs, but both are very friendly, and this similarity between them sometimes leads to the Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification.

What is Enneagram Misidentification?

Enneagram misidentification, also known as Enneagram mistyping, is what happens when your Enneagram type is misinterpreted for different reasons. In most cases, misidentifying the Enneagram type results from misinterpretation of certain traits and behaviors and a general lack of knowledge about Enneagram types.

Avoiding Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification and mistyping, in general, is important because getting the wrong type can lead to failed opportunities for developing self-awareness. Moreover, it can confuse you and slow down your journey of self-discovery.

So, accurate identification of your Enneagram type is essential and provides you with significant support for leveling up the overall quality of your life. More precisely, it can help you identify and develop your talents and overcome your weaknesses.

8 Typical Reasons for Enneagram Misidentification

To understand the core mechanism of Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification, it is important to understand the typical reasons for Enneagram misidentification in general.

So, here are the most widespread reasons for Enneagram mistyping:

#1. Complexity of Human Personality

Categorizing people into types is a challenging endeavor because human personality is way more complex and intricate to be entirely encompassed by any theory or system.

Even nowadays, when we have so many modern psychometric tools that help us measure specific psychological characteristics, it is still impossible to provide a completely accurate overview of one’s personality.

Therefore, it is natural to expect that any personality theory, including the Enneagram, is limited to some extent and leaves room for misinterpretation and mistakes, which can result in Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification and mistyping generally.

#2. Misinterpretation of Motivations

Enneagram motivations are at the core of Enneagram theory. They explain what drives each Enneagram type’s behavior and how they build their life strategy. Each type is motivated by their unique psychological needs, fears, and weaknesses, and they use their strengths to overcome these.

Enneagram theory focuses primarily on the inner psychological landscape rather than on the observable behaviors and traits. So, this practically means that even when two Enneagram types behave in very similar ways, they may be led by entirely different motivations.

With this in mind, it is not hard to understand how easily an Enneagram type can be misidentified.

#3. Narrow Perceptions and Stereotypes

Like any other personality theory, Enneagram, too, isn’t immune to stereotypes. It is very tempting to create stereotypes around certain Enneagram types, as they are so well described and illustrated in the theory. However, though such an approach seems to simplify the theory, it actually only leads to confusion and often mistyping.

So, it is important to give yourself time to understand the Enneagram theory in depth before jumping to conclusions about your or another Enneagram personality type.

#4. Influence of Wings, Health Levels, and States

Enneagram theory proposes that each Enneagram type can be influenced by its neighboring types. Based on that, each Enneatype can have two subtypes, depending on which of the two neighboring ones (the so-called Enneagram wings) influences them more.

For example, Type Two can have Three and One as its Enneagram wing, so we recognize Two with a Three wing (2w3) and Two with a One wing (2w1). So, 2w3 is more likely to be mistyped as Seven because Threes are more like Sevens than Ones.

It is also important to note that each Enneagram type can function on different development levels, displaying behaviors more or less typical of their core nature. Bearing all this in mind, it becomes obvious how easy it can be to mistype someone.

#5. Variability in Healthy vs. Unhealthy Types

Depending on the level of stress they are experiencing, each Enneagram type can exhibit some healthy and unhealthy behavioral patterns. The more mature a person is, the more likely they will behave in a healthy way under stress. However, we all go through different stages until we reach that kind of emotional maturity.

Therefore, each Enneagram type can fall into unhealthy patterns and exhibit traits and behaviors that aren’t typical of its core type, which makes accurate Enneagram type identification challenging.

#6. External Influences

We are all exposed to unpredictable external influences that constantly shape who we are. From culture, race, and family to technology, marketing, ecological factors, and everything in between, we are all a unique blend of everything that has ever influenced us.

We can’t control these factors, but they can significantly alter our genetic, inherent predispositions and consequently modify the expression of our core Enneagram type, thus leading to mistyping.

#7. Limitations of Self-Perception

Every personality test is based on self-perception to some extent. Since our self-perception is inevitably limited by our prejudices, fears, experiences, and beliefs, it is almost impossible to guarantee objectivity in testing.

#8. Enneagram Arrows

Enneagram arrows refer to one of the most important concepts of the Enneagram theory. This concept describes how each type changes under stress, adopting specific behavioral patterns that are more typical of some other Enneagram type. Needless to say, this may be very confusing when trying to determine someone’s type.

4 Crucial Differences between Enneagram Type 2 and 7

The Helper and the Enthusiast are very different in many ways, and it is not so easy to confuse them for one another, especially when you understand their core differences. That’s why we’ll now focus on the most fundamental differences between Enneagram 2 and 7:

Differences in Traits

Twos and Sevens have many traits that make them very different, if not even opposed to each other. First of all, Twos are stable, consistent, and responsible individuals who have no trouble following rules and respecting authority. On the other hand, Sevens struggle with commitment and responsibility and often have complicated relationships with authority figures.

Furthermore, Twos are very nurturing and considerate of others' feelings, hyper-attuned to others' needs, whereas Sevens are playful, upbeat, and slightly egocentric. Moreover, Sevens are adventurists who live for excitement, whereas Twos prefer routine, stability, and predictability in their lives.

In addition, Sevens are way more relaxed and careless than Twos, who tend to take everything seriously and are prone to excessive worrying.

Understanding Motivations

One key reason for Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification is a lack of understanding of Enneagram motivations, one of the core concepts of Enneagram theory. In general, this is the most common reason for misidentifying Enneagram types.

So, let’s review each type’s core motivation to understand what drives their behaviors and life strategies:

• Type 2 Motivations: Twos are motivated by a deep need to be needed by others, as they believe they have to earn their love by catering to their needs. Moreover, they are hyper-focused on building relationships, as their sense of self depends on external approval and validation.
• Type 7 Motivations: Sevens are driven by insatiable curiosity and hunger for pleasure, excitement, and new experiences. They want to avoid pain and discomfort at all costs and struggle with tolerating and managing any kind of unpleasant emotion.

Behavioral Expressions

The Helper and the Enthusiast behave in profoundly different ways despite all their shared traits. Here’s an overview of their most distinct behaviors:

• Type 2 Behaviors: Twos thrive on being helpful and indispensable, so their behavior is often aimed at providing support in any way possible. They readily offer emotional and material help to people they care for and generally assume a very supportive attitude. Moreover, they often develop people-pleasing patterns to earn others’ approval and validation.
• Type 7 Behaviors: Sevens are always on the go, seeking out new adventures and experiences that will bring them joy and pleasure. It is hard for them to stay still and focused, as they often act on a whim. Their behavior is generally unpredictable since they don’t feel bound by social rules and expectations and typically feel free to do as they please.

Relationship Needs

For Twos, relationships are the center of their lives. They invest most of their energy into building and maintaining relationships of all types, from romantic to professional partnerships and friendships. It is very hard for them to end any kind of connection, even when it obviously isn’t good for them.

Sevens, on the other hand, have a more superficial approach to relationships and aren’t concerned with nurturing them in any way. They have plenty of friends and easily make connections, but they are in only as long as those connections provide them with joy. They are the first ones to go the moment a relationship becomes heavy without ever looking back.

How to Know Which Enneagram Type You Are

To know which Enneagram type you are, it is important that you understand the Enneagram theory in general. By understanding Enneagram’s core concepts and foundations, you’ll be well-equipped to identify your own and others’ Enneagram types.

The most important thing to understand about Enneagram personality type categorization is that types are recognized based on their core motivations and life strategies, not external behaviors or even traits. Therefore, you need to be able to see each type’s behavior through the lenses of their inner motivation.

Another way to determine your Enneagram type is to ask the people who know you for feedback about your behavior and traits to compare their observations with your insights. Your perception of yourself is also dependent on how others perceive you.

So, this kind of informal research about how you are perceived may provide useful information about how others see you and help you check the accuracy of your Enneagram test result.

Nevertheless, the most reliable way to determine your Enneagram type is to take a quality Enneagram test. Such a test will give you detailed information about your motivation, needs, strengths and weaknesses, and potential subtypes.

Key Takeaways

While not common, Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification is possible and can limit your personal development in many ways. With that in mind, let’s round off by highlighting the key insights about Enneagram 2 and 7 misidentification:

• At the center of Enneagram theory is the concept of Enneagram motivation, meaning that it is crucial to understand what drives each type, not how they behave.
• Twos and Sevens have some traits in common, like warmth, charm, and openness, but they are often expressed in very different ways.
• The most reliable way to accurately determine your Enneagram type is to take a quality Enneagram test and ensure you understand the Enneagram theory in general.