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The Enneagram Doesn't Hold Up (#161)

Aug 8, 2022
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INSIGHT

Enneagram Is A Testable Personality System

  • The Enneagram is presented as a nine-type personality typology that claims one immutable core type with wings and triads.
  • Jay Medenwaldt notes it makes many easily testable empirical claims despite being marketed as a spiritual tool.
ANECDOTE

Real People Report Harm From Enneagram Use

  • Jay recounts people harmed by Enneagram claims, including relationship breakups and a published 22‑year marriage ending.
  • He argues some use the system as primary guidance, which can cause real damage.
INSIGHT

Research Exists But Quality Is Mixed

  • Roughly 150 studies have examined the Enneagram but many are low quality and unpublished theses.
  • Only a very small number of studies were explicitly critical or aimed to disprove it.
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