Enneagram 4 and 7 Misidentification: The Overlap of 4 and 7

Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification is a very common phenomenon because Fours and Sevens have many shared traits and often behave in similar ways. However, despite all their similarities, they are fundamentally different, particularly in terms of their personal values.

In this article, we’ll shed light on the core reasons for Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification and explore in detail how we can distinguish these two Enneagram types more precisely.

Why Do Enneagrams 4 and 7 Get Misidentified?

The Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification happens easily because they share many traits and tend to behave similarly in certain aspects of life, even though these behaviors are motivated by entirely different needs.

So, to better understand why it is so easy to mistype Fours and Sevens, let’s name the traits that they share:

• Impulsivity: Both Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 7 are prone to making rash decisions out of impatience, rage, or simply because they don’t want to invest a lot of thought into something.
• Excessiveness: Fours and Sevens are very intense when it comes to feelings, and both are prone to extremes—in positive and negative emotions alike. When they are happy, they are the most enthusiastic people in the world.
• Passion: Sevens and Fours follow their hearts in life and refuse to do anything that doesn’t really spark a fire in their souls. Moreover, they pursue their interests freely and passionately, often inspiring others to do the same.
• Creativity: The nature of creativity in Fours and Sevens is not the same, yet both fascinate other people with their wild imaginations and innovative thinking.
• Curiosity: Insatiable curiosity is characteristic of both Sevens and Fours. Due to this, they never stop learning and developing throughout life.
• Desire for adventures: Fours and Sevens are always in search of new and exciting experiences that will enrich their lives with new meaning and insights. Their love of adventures is a very common reason for Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification.

What is Enneagram Misidentification?

Enneagram misidentification happens when you misidentify your Enneagram type with some other Enneagram type.

Misidentifying the Enneagram type brings confusion instead of clarity into your life and can hinder your personal development by pointing you in the wrong direction. Moreover, not knowing your true Enneagram type may prevent you from learning about your talents, understanding yourself and your motivations.

Meanwhile, knowing your true Enneagram type is important, as it helps you identify and overcome your weaknesses in the most efficient ways.

8 Common Reasons for Enneagram Misidentification

Also referred to as Enneagram mistyping, Enneagram misidentification happens for a number of different reasons. Let’s name the most common ones:

#1. Complexity of Human Personality

The most obvious reason for mistyping is that no one’s personality can be entirely explained through any personality theory or system. It is easy to misinterpret others' intentions, behaviors, and emotions, especially when we don’t already have some knowledge about personality psychology.

#2. Misinterpretation of Motivations

Every Enneagram type has its own unique motivation and life strategy, which is shaped by its core needs, fears, and desires. Since the Enneagram focuses more on motivations and less on behavior, it is fairly easy to assign the wrong type when you rely only on their behavior for identification.

Thus, considering the similarities in 4 and 7’s behaviors, it is no wonder that Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification is so common.

#3. Narrow Perceptions and Stereotypes

Certain stereotypes are associated with each Enneagram type, and they can be very misleading. Enneagram theory, in general, encourages a wider and deeper perspective of human nature instead of adhering to strict categorizations and rules.

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

Every personality type can have traits of their neighboring types, which Enneagram theory calls Enneagram wings, and this can be very confusing if we don’t understand the essence of the Enneatypes’ theory. Plus, each type goes through different levels of development and, at each level, exhibits some traits that are not too typical of that type.

#5. Influence of Stress Arrows

Under stress, each Enneagram type adopts some behavioral patterns of other types, and the concept of stress arrows explains precisely how each of them changes when stressed. Therefore, if you meet someone going through a stressful patch, they may not look like their core type.

#6. Variability in Healthy Types vs. Unhealthy Types

Each Enneagram type also has a healthy and unhealthy version, and their unhealthy patterns may mask their true nature to the extent that their core type becomes unidentifiable.

#7. Limitations of Self-Perception

Personality tests are generally based on self-perception, which always puts the objectivity of the results at risk. The limitations of self-perceptions are numerous. Therefore, honesty when taking the Enneagram test is crucial for avoiding mistyping.

#8. External Influences

Sometimes, people change dramatically due to traumatic or happy events in their lives, and these experiences become a part of who they are as people. This is especially true for childhood trauma and can also significantly influence Enneagram typing.

What Sets Enneagrams 4 and 7 Apart: Four Crucial Distinctions

What sets Enneagram 4 and 7 apart is their different core motivations and life strategies. Let’s analyze all their differences in detail to better understand what sets them apart and why Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification happens so often.

Differences in Traits

Both Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 7 are prone to emotional excess. However, Fours’ emotional excess reflects their obsession with their inner world and soul-searching, whereas Sevens' excess translates into the pursuit of shallow thrills.

So, while they may be very alike if you meet them together at an artistic event—both will be delighted with the novel experience and intellectual challenge the event serves—Four will go home still thinking about the meaning of the event, while Seven will already be immersed in planning their new adventure.

Furthermore, Type Four, also known as the Individualist, is one of the most introverted Enneagram types, while Type 7, referred to as the Enthusiast, is one of the most extroverted. The Individualist doesn’t make connections as spontaneously and easily as the Enthusiast does. Plus, Fours enjoy their time alone, whereas Sevens crave and always seek company.

Another important difference is hedonism. Average Fours aren’t strangers to the pleasures of life, but they are not entirely focused on them. Meanwhile, average Sevens are self-indulgent, prone to decadence, sensuality, and all kinds of materialistic pleasures that are of no interest to Type Four.

Understanding Motivations

Understanding Enneagram 4 and 7 motivations is the best way to distinguish these two Enneagram types. Moreover, insight into their motivations will allow you to see that, despite many similarities, they are fundamentally different from each other.

Now, let’s analyze each type’s motivation:

• Type 4 Motivations: Enneagram Type Four is primarily motivated by the need to explore and find their unique identity, to express it, and to understand who they are and what made them the way they are. They are fascinated by the world of feelings and aren’t afraid to feel darker emotions. They are capable of experiencing profound joy, but going through pain, sorrow, and other unpleasant feelings doesn’t scare them.
• Type 7 Motivations: Enneagram Type Seven is in love with the positive side of life and driven to experience as much joy and pleasure as possible. They want to avoid experiencing unpleasant feelings at all costs and be constantly engaged in new and exciting adventures. The depth of emotions is of no interest to them.

Behavioral Expressions

Behavioral expressions are a very common reason for Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification. Though Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 7 behaviors can overlap in some situations, it is important to understand that they are motivated by entirely different needs. In general, their lifestyles and behaviors are very different.

• Type 4 Behaviors: Fours enjoy their solitude, and their lives are centered around their passions, which they relentlessly pursue, unbothered by social expectations. Their behavior in social situations is often unpredictable as they react spontaneously to their inner impulses, which, while perfectly logical to them, often seem irrational to others.
• Type 7 Behaviors: Sevens exude enthusiasm and seek stimulation from the outer world, so their behavior is energetic, lively, and spontaneous. They are always on the go, enjoy being in crowded places, and don’t feel almost any need to spend time alone. Thanks to their sense of humor, they bring a bit of joy to every situation.

So, Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 7 behaviors overlap in terms of the spontaneity and enthusiasm they express, but they are obviously very different.

Relationships Needs

Sevens approach relationships very impulsively. They react strongly to physical attraction and chemistry and easily fall in love, but they also fall out of love just as easily.

Enneagram Fours, on the other hand, are very romantic and believe in one and only true love. Individualists seek deep, meaningful connections and need to feel intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally stimulated.

How to Confirm Accurate Enneagram Type

There are many ways to confirm your Enneagram type. The first necessary step is to understand the Enneagram theory and its nine-personality-type system. This is important because different personality theories focus on different aspects of the human experience.

For example, the Enneagram theory focuses more on internal motivation and life strategy than on the observation of behavior.

Therefore, one way for you to check if you got the wrong type is to think about your core fears and desires. Then, you should also analyze your response to stress, as every Enneagram type has a typical stress pattern you should explore for your type.

Furthermore, reality checks, such as asking for feedback about your behavior and personality from people who know you well, can also be very helpful.

Nevertheless, the most accurate way to avoid Enneagram mistypes is to take a professional, accurate, well-designed Enneagram test. A quality Enneagram test includes carefully thought-out questions that allow for great precision in typing.

Moreover, such a test should provide you with an extensive explanation of your type, subtypes, levels of development, and all the important details that help you identify with your type.

Key Takeaways

So, the difference between Enneagrams 4 and 7 is very profound and multifaceted. However, misidentifying Enneagram type 7 for Type 4 is just as common as misidentifying Fours or Sevens.

That said, let’s round off by focusing on some of the key insights about Enneagram 4 and 7 misidentification:

• Fours and Sevens are both full of enthusiasm and passion for life, curious about the world, and open to new experiences. However, these traits come from entirely different motivations.
• Fours are motivated by the need to understand their identity and explore their inner depths, and Sevens want to avoid negative emotions and experience as much pleasure as possible in life.
• The romantic needs of Sevens and Fours are also very different. Sevens want to have fun, adventures, and exciting romances, while Fours seek deep, meaningful connections and believe in true love.