Enneagram: Subtypes of Type 1 

3:12 : self-preservation 16:27 : social 28:22 : sexual

"The detailer...not like they'll clean your car..." They might.

The way you described the self-preservation subtype is PERFECT for me. That. That's me. To a T. In fact, my initial reaction to the 1 typing was that I'm not super critical of others. Sure, I know how they can improve, and if they want me to tell them, I will. But most of the time, who am I to correct them? I have so many of my own faults. And my inner critic hurts me enough-I don't want to unleash it on others, not without some softening. So yes, I come across as warm, gentle, friendly. I don't put "1w9" in my Twitter bio next to "INTJ" because I don't want people to worry about me judging them. I'm an editor. When people hear that, they worry about their typos and grammar mistakes. I tell them, "Bud, if you aren't paying me to correct you, I don't care. I'm busy trying to convince myself my own typos don't invalidate me as an editor." I do, however, get peeved when the people running things have set things up so I have a harder time doing my job right. That's when I need to either leave or try to help them change.

Type 1 is so lucky they always have the first vid in every series -type 5

Sx/sp 1w2-the only reason I feel like I’m a sx/Sp versus sp/sx is because I really resonate with being able to feel and express my anger-mainly towards big picture corruption and evil. I’ll say I feel the need to perfect myself on a very deep level, im always trying to improve and kill my ego. But not in the typical 1 ways. I’m not overly clean/tidy, I occasionally let loose (definitely feel like I “earned it”-hilarious you said that). I’m a nurse and I want the absolute BEST for my patients and my strong 2 wing comes out-but when it comes to charting I’ll cut corners, because in the bigger picture I view it as irrelevant. I’d say a big thing for sexual 1’s to do is always be honest with yourself and others about your shortcomings (or unhealthy habits even).

As a self preservation one with a 2 wing. I think the anger is expressed as resentment and bitterness that I am driven incessantly to improve myself to be loved when others don't have to do all of the gym time the spiritual time the perfecting to be loved - of course this is an illusion that was learned in childhood and it's our lesson in life to switch from this perception to grace, forgiveness and metcy

This explanation is SOOOO me! My Enneagram Test result is a WINNING LOTTO TICKET! It forced me to laugh at myself, cry about the pain I've caused so many different, but good people. Thanks for sharing.

Fascinating how each enneagram has a counter type.

Okay 40 mins TOTALLY works! Keep up the great content! We all have pretty trying times ahead and I think a lot of people will be seeking that inner clarity to quell the gnawing sensation that the uncertainty unfortunately provides. The guidance of the Enneagram is more helpful now than ever. Bless!

This was painful yet accurate. Thank you Dr. LaHue. I'm a 1w2 sp/sx and I needed to hear your wisdom. On occasion, I can get into a giant web of self doubt and this helped me re-center myself. I very easily pick up on my own mistakes, try to correct them, and then try to correct the correction. I've been going to my stress arrow a lot lately, very critical of how slow I was to make a change in my life and envious when I see others handling a similar life decision faster. I've self criticized that I shouldn't be feeling like that, but then at times I've gotten mad that I was experiencing the envy at all and feeling like something larger might need fixing. Your segment about "being at war with yourself" really helped me acknowledge this. I'll work to be better and try to simply acknowledge what I'm feeling without trying to fix it.

I just found your channel and I am hooked! I’m a self preservation 1 and your description was spot on. My “anger” comes out as frustration and I often cry when I feel like my family is being criticized or that others are harsh since I spend my whole life trying to forgive others and myself for being so imperfect 😜

I've always thought Hermione was one of the most relatable characters ever written. I love how you explained this. It helped me understand myself better. Thank you!!!

I think your examples are all of unhealthy subtypes. I think I'm healthy and would love to see a healthy trait video. There are definately strengths to each type and the enneagram can be very encouraging and uplifting depending on how it is explained and portrayed. My studies of the enneagram have showed me some areas of weakness, but has helped me mostly. It has encouraged me, helped me not feel alone, helped me not judge myself so harshly unto discouragement and despair, has helped me see I was fearfully and wonderfully created and made by God and have a purpose! When we focus on unhealthy only it exacerbates the negative and in my humble opinion makes people see us (unfairly) in a negative light. But we are all created to be how we are. We just need to be healthy versions of ourselves to make that impact and be happy and satisfied in who we are.

Thank you! Most descriptions insist that ones are critical of others. 90 percent of my attention to the details and values is focused on myself not others. It is self preservation, etc. Angry at self when I don’t get it right but cut myself more breaks than I used to. Great and helpful video.

What a piece of gold among the whole internet and RU-vid :D thank you for making all of this, I'm a 1 and the amount of time and work you've already dedicated for EVERY of the types is just unspoken. Also, as a 1, I really somehow relate to and like your delivery (finding the laid-backness of your style as something to grow up to from my current attitude, just along the arrow :D). I have found all of your videos on 1s quite precious as in them you share these or those character pieces (quite relatable ones) that you can't get from reading 1 book or having watched just 1 video and I think it's really cool. Wish you all the best on your way regardless of where it will bring you, me and I'm sure many others will be grateful to you for what we already have here (and greetings from Russia, of course :) Off the rest and on topic of the video: just if you, by chance, had a watch of True Detective back in 2013, did you type the main character somehow? I know it may sound as a stupid and childlike question but I really wonder if the guy could fit into social 1 aerospace, like, you see, many people that I checked online have typed him as a 5. But why? Right because of this coolness and detachment in the way what he looks and acts like. But there's so much workaholicism and righteousness in his lifestyle that I have doubts of the above-mentioned opinion. If you haven't watched this, it's no problem, the upper part of my comment is of much greater importance :D

Great explanation, so insightful. Please feel free to use the word “sexual” and not be “controlled” by those that want you to use “one-on-one”. It can make it confusing to the worldwide audience that you are reaching out to!! Keep up the great work!!

I remember the 80s counter 1s. Lol. We have to remember we are all God's children and he loves us all the same. No matter what we accomplish or fail at. Great information. Thank you for sharing.

You are loved because you are a child of God! I am a Type 1 with a 2 wing - and trying to teach and still learn. Thanks for your insight, Dr LaHue.

This explains... a lot... Wow. I loved your explanations! Even though I leaned more towards type One, I couldn't figure out whether I was a type 1w9 or 5w6 since I felt anxiety was more relatable than anger. However, the self-preservation One you described hit home in every way possible! Thank you so much for your video. I couldn't have asked for a better one!

I had a bit of an identity crisis when I was learning about Enneagram because the free tests said I was a 1. All the paid for tests said I was a 6 with 1 coming in fourth. I was stressed because I had to get it right ;) as a self-preservation 1 this is so helpful to hear. Thank you!

P.S. the one on one 1 is interesting. I was just telling my husband I don’t think a 1 is capable of doing drugs, excessively drinking, etc. but this shows me they are! My inner critic is so strong I’ve never been able to rationalize or convince myself to do something I inherently believe to be bad. If you ever have questions about what it’s like to have an inner critic I’d be happy to give you some insight!

Thanks for this video! Very interesting, I’m a 1w2. I think I have been both self preservation and social depending on the situation. When I managed a Starbucks I was definitely a social 1. But I think more day to day life at home I’m a self preservation 1. 🧐

The sp 1 description reminded me of the protagonist of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro. He was the oldest brother of a family of six, and he took to become the breadwinner once his father passed away, as his duty. When his family got slaughtered in his absence by a demon, he took becoming a demon slayer as his life duty, as a way to focus his anger to a greater goal. He's very warm and friendly and worries about doing what's right and safe at all times. In one instance he gets stabbed by a person and he refuses to die because it'd make the attacker a murderer. 1s are usually thought of as boring and stuck up, but they can absolutely be forces to be reckoned with. They are amazing in fiction.

When you started describing the social 1, I laughed out loud. That is my husband exactly. I'm a self pres 4 and we've learned over the years to be an awesome team. Thanks so much for your videos, I love them!

I relate to the having to be the “good” kid. I didn’t take on other people’s responcibilites, they took care of their own for the most part, but I definitely tried to always be the good kid, the nice kid, tried to do the right thing, etc.

I've never had such a visceral reaction to a video. This is so spot-on that it's actually scary. I could not figure out the type until just recently and it was all because of all of these issues that plague the self-preservation 1. But this is so real and so helpful because now I feel like I have somehow gained some sort of control of myself back and I can start to work and grow and heal in a positive way and give myself some Grace for the first time in a really long time.

I'm all three...in that order. I know I'm not perfect, and that makes me feel vulnerable. I know you aren't perfect and the fact that you don't seem to place any importance on doing "it" the right way (my way) makes me really anxious (now we're both vulnerable) and then, to top it off, the entire world does "it" wrong and doesn't care leaves the entire world vulnerable... The good news is that after all these years I see my craziness and just roll my eyes at myself. Except when it comes to the dishwasher. 🤣

Dr. Tom, I totally appreciate your tendency to -usually right at the end of each video - move to the spiritual, loving components at the very roots of the enneagram. 🙏

intimate instead of one-on-one

I’m a Type 9 but this video proves to me that I’m definitely a wing 1.

Another awesome video - thank you so much for taking time out of your day to make these! And I wanted to say, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and learning about the types of the different characters from the books really helps me understand the Enneagram better. Maybe someday you could make a video dedicated to the Harry Potter series and the Enneagram - analyzing the different characters in more detail. Just a suggestion, though. I would love to watch that! Take care and greetings from Germany!

I can't even fold his laundry; hes that particular :-O

Re-listening. Thanks for the trigger warning on "owning the truth" I've (never!) been told that... 🤭😉 But the dishwasher thing hit me right in my gut...

Oh wow! I thought I was a so 5w4 from a personality test. But the more I learn about type 1 the more it fits. Thank you.

My roommate is a social 1 and im a sexual 4 (two angry people). He's always pushing his ideals on me and im always wanting to do things my way. He sees an objective ideal, i see subjectivity. Hes not adaptable and im always adapting and open. Thanks for your work

Hi! I watched your video and I think your description of sp 1 and so 1 mentality is pretty accurate, but because I'm sx 1 and I heard your description, I just want to mention that I think sx 1 which is also the countertype of 1s have a different meaning in the sense that the energy is different. I'm not sure about other sx 1s but I'm a very right and wrong person and I like to say that I do try to follow what I preach although too often I succumb to my desires. However I do have a very strong sense of right and wrong and I'm not relaxed on my principles and values and I don't think it's ok to just ‘appear' as good because that's wrong (to me) or care less about right and wrong. In addition, I don't relate strongly to the sense of entitlement although I'll admit that I do have it when I'm telling people off. Maybe it's because I'm a healthier 1 :p Also, I seldom rationalise my bad behaviour because it's obvious to myself it's bad and I acknowledge that although I will never admit it, but I would not rationalise it and say it's fine or it's good. I don't know if I would call myself self-critical, but I do reflect and plan very often and have a good self-awareness that I can list all my good and bad points. I always question myself out loud when I had a bad argument with my family, always analysing and wondering if I did wrong in doing this or saying this. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention on condemning you. I really like your video because in there are very few videos that talk in-depth about the mentality of the enneagram subtypes and I feel that yours is fairly accurate. I just want to let you know and honestly I don't know how right my description of sx 1s are like, maybe it's just that I'm more different or healthy? Maybe it can be because I'm sx/sp 1? Anyway, thanks so much for this video! I anticipate to hear more from you :D

I think I’m 1w9, definitely identify with the sx 1 a little too much... I used to mistype as 8. Maybe not as unhealthy as the description you provided, but still somewhat similar. The thing that’s tripping me up though, is the social preservation, because I’m still very perfectionistic with myself like most 1s are, however, my ideals probably come above that perfectionism... Thanks for the video!

I wish I'd heard all this before I tried to live my life. I might have seen myself better and been more able to hold back the worst aspects. Thank you.

I love this! I am a one that loves to improve myself. I can see myself in all of what you talked about. Thank you so much for your insights and taking the time to educate and challenge myself to improve. Thank you!

Diane Nguyen from BoJack Horseman is the perfect example of one on one subtype one, and she's a pretty likable person in my opinion :)

In many circles of enneagram communities they no longer look at wings and only look to sub-types. I have found the sub-types to be very helpful. Please keep in mind that if YOU are all of the subtypes, however one manifest most in your life and one "fades out of veiw". So for example I am a Social 8 w/ a self preservation that fades out of view. This means that if they were stacked on tip would be Social- One-to-One- Self Preservation. Thanks Tom for your insight.

Looks like I'm an sp1. When you explained 1's in your other videos, it really resonated with me. I started to remember how I used to feel, before I started acting more like a 7, and I almost went hog wild doing some of the stuff I used to. But I reconnected with the feeling I'm learning to feel always, to see myself how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see me, and I realized that I don't need to be "perfect" in the ways I was thinking for God to be happy with me. Which is good, because I was starting to list Christmas candle scents and thinking I should put up a new candle each day for all of December so my future children can feel the beautiful reminiscence you get from nice smells that remind you of holidays. And trying to perfectly implement my idea of an ideal holiday would be overwhelming for me. Not to mention the other stuff I was starting to go hog wild about. Definitely had the sp1 feeling when I did that. Memories of high school and middle school came back quickly with that. Man, this explains so much!

I live with a wonderful 1 who keeps this 9-1 motivated! This is spot on. Thanks for the video 👍

I love your videos!!! You explain things very well. Thank you so much for sharing these! “the one-on-one....one.” haha

"There's your smudgeness." Perfect 😂

I think a good character for the "Counter Type 1" is Negan, from The Walking Dead

I know a One who does a bit of all of them. Probably sp/sx though, which doesn't seem possible to go together, but it's like the pride compensates for the shame, you know? Which is something we are all prone to. Just as a note, people usually see themselves in a combination of the subtypes. I think God has used me and others to show him grace and help him understand he is loved in spite of his flaws. That's pretty much the gospel, right? ;) Looking forward to more videos in this series. :)

Thank you for this! I really identified with the 1st subtype. Explains a lot.

I believe a good character for the sx 1 is Strickland from the Shape of Water. People seem to believe he's an 8, though I'm fairly certain he's a sx 1--

I'm a type 1 and I love your videos!

I am so disgusted right now by my type 1 mother. She has caused so much hurt in my older sister and me.

To 1s (like me) it is not about tried and true, or old or new. It is the one that aligns to the vision of perfection I have. If the old things are more aligned with my vision (Like old videogames having both local and online multiplayer), then I don't care about the trends. But there is also a chance something new becomes the new perfect (Like the Nintendo Switch hybrid console!).

love your videos, hope you keep making them

I really enjoyed hearing about the SP 1! I’m an SP 4w5, but my SP 1w9 cousin and my 7w8 dad are my all time favorite humans. (Not sure of dad’s subtype.)

Transmitter is a good way to call the 1 to 1.

Thanks for your hard work ❤️

I think its because I'm a type 9 that I can only watch this thinking: omg you are gonna be in big problems when all the ones in your life watch this video and come to you saying I'm not like that!!! You are hurting my feelings! And I don't think I deserve that!!!

Wow. Everything falls in place. It's suuuper hard to admid but I guess I need to consider being a 1:1 one... 😟 I was very convinced that I was an 8... For months. That counter-one really hid behind the mask of an 8. I don't like this. Any advice how to grow for a counter one?

I used to think that my father was an 8 because of how he acted, now I realized that he is just a very unhealthy sx/so 1. I kind of understand him better now, thanks for making these videos, they are really helpful 💜

The blame part got me tearing up😭😭😭

I don't know where the titles come from, but could "interpersonal" work as a substitute for "sexual" or "one-on-one"?

I'm a 1w9 and 100% the social 1. I can totally see how I can relate to the sexual 1 too, but only as "dark thoughts" without actuallly acting on them. Ironically enough though, since I'm absolutely not a social person (well, 1w9 intj, that's kinda expected), and asexual to top it off. Self preservation 1 sounds like someone that would really piss me off as a person and represents what I specifically don't stand for, which may sound mean, but that's not my intention, I'm just pointing it out to mention how interesting/funny it is that I can probably relate to most of the other types than the literal same type as me, but simply with a different subtype. About 27:33, I definitely do take pride in who I am and my ideals and principles being right and will not let them be changed by external factors; I think that's what is meant by that, not that we're traditional or reluctant to change or innovation. That's the exact opposite for me at least, when it comes to real life and not concepts in fact I need constant change and welcome new things because there I don't believe I hold the absolute truth.

Thank you roasting my SO1 friend.

Claude Frollo from Disney's Hunchback of Noterdam is who came to mind on the last subtype

Stephan molyneux social 1 for sure the best phylosophical youtube channel

I thought I was a self-preservation 1, but then you explained the social 1. You know I might bounce back and forth. Maybe I'm a schizo-social-selfprezONE. I might be the 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' ONE.

Awesome content! 👍👍 Could you give me an example of self-preservation 1w9 vs self-preservation 1w2?

The type one needs to understand that no matter what they do not I have the TRUTH

25:45 Sounds a lot like me 😂😂 That is what is in mind when I do some work Infront of my brother and sister maybe my mother too lol

As a type 1 ENFJ-A , I approve...weir's how u mention anger n compared it to fire considering ima Leo Aka a fire sign. N boy when I'm mad. It's like a solar flare 😂

Great video! I’ve got a few 1’s in my life and this is really helpful! But, I’m a 4sx, and I don’t understand what the problem is with calling the sexual instinct, sexual. It’s very much a procreative instinct. And I don’t see why (the Church especially) has a problem calling it sexual. God made the sexual instinct and he made sex, so I’m really confused why we try to change it. It makes us with sx as our primary instinct feel like you see us as dirty, and and we’re not dirty.

Having a type 1 so/sx or even sx/so father (he's quite balanced) when you're a sp 5 it's not nice. I don't know about any other ones, but sometimes I look at him when he's explaining basic things to me and acts perfect even tho he does some really nasty actions, and I'm thinking "how can you know many things in different domains, but still be this stupid" (or maybe more correct would be hypocrite). I'm amazed but in the same time terrified.

Josh Duggar comes to mind with the one to one 1

You are wrong. If anyone needs to know their strengths, it’s a 1. And I’m an 8 and enneagram was the first time I ever found a positive spin on my personality. My word exploded and opened up for me once I learned what a healthy 8 could look like. So I completely disagree. Most people recognize their type from the flaws described. Very few people are unaware of their downside. They’ve been suffering their whole life for it.

I’m wondering if to an extent you are not mixing up levels of health with subtype. What you describe as the sexual 1 sounds like a very unhealthy version of that subtype. There can be unhealthy and healthy versions of each subtype.

Omg i'm literally sx1. Thanks for the vid!

Your description of 1sx is completely off and too extreme

Just realized my mom is a self-pres 1 and I'm a social 1, I feel so bad for my dad right now hahah

god I hate social 1s😭 I would be pouring water in my glass and they will make 10 comments on how it’s wrong and try to make me do their way something lik that

The character Ive seen for Type one that I think is very fitting is Batman ^_^

any other type 9s out here trying hard to understand type 1's cause they tend to be the type disrupting the peace haha

i never got along with sx1 i am always in conflict with them. I am Sx5 and going to challenge them till EOL enod of life xD

I always feel like i could be better and it never ends... 😥😓

How do I know whether I'm a 1 or a 4? The eneagram is reduccionist.

An example of the unhealthy counter-type One (i.e. One-On-One subtype) I think would be the Mayor in the film Chocolate. Extreme moralist but ends up doing everything he crusades against, and ultimately being exposed for it ?

How can i know which one i am sp8 or sx1 cus it's very confusing

Another example... Dorothy Zbornak of the Golden Girls is a Self Preservation One...

I thought the reformer tag went with the social subtype, not the sexual? Maybe it's all in the how of the act of reforming with the two subtypes.

So the Amish would probably also be selfpres ones???

31:35 I think not! Some counter-culture heresies perhaps but nothing that SHOULD be illegal. In fact they should thank me that I do such a fine job discovering the societal dirt that others miss.

Lawmaker ... Harvey Dent aka Two-Face in Batman The Animated Series was a 1w2 so/sp

What if you see yourself in all 3? I think I’m a hybrid of self-preservation and social. Is that possible?

Sp 1 - Strives to improve self. Sx 1 - Reformer, Zeal, Countertype (Looks like 8 or 4) Crusader. Impose ideals on others to improve them. My standards need to be applied to your life. But I've earned it, so I can do what I want. Doesn't try to improve self, but others. Openly angry. More demanding. Feels deserving of special treatment. Hypocritical mayor. Double-life.

Would “do as I say, not as I do” apply to the 1:1 subtype?

is audrey hepburn self preservation 1?

I thought I was an sp, but now I'm not so sure. I thought sp was more about focusing on themselves, bit looks like sx is also that way? I always put my needs first. I've never been about easily connecting with others...I'm more of a distant person because I have my own things going. Currently identify as 1w9 sp

I’m ré listening to this and I’m not even a type 1

Do you see anything positive for the sexual one?!

How does the sexual 1 look different from an 8?

I'm 135 sp/so.