Author: Victoria Silva Wilger
Typology is the study of systematic classification of types that have characteristics or traits in common. Typology can be used across all industries and disciplines including theology, anthropology, psychology, politics, education, medicine and more.
Typology is also a system classifying people into various “types” to gain a greater understanding of their personality and behavior. Typology most often classifies people or things by certain commonalities or classifies them by certain differences.
Every person is a unique expression of their type.
Carl Jung, Swiss psychoanalyst designated various behavior categories: thinking, feeling and intuition and sensation.
The “thinking” type
is the use of rational analysis as a way to understand.
The “feeling” type
refers to emotions and impulsiveness.
The “intuition” type
uses feelings as the mode by which intuition relays information to us.
The “sensation” type
lives in a world of physical reality, the five senses, practical results.
How to determine your type
There are various tools and systems that can help us determine our type. We can ascertain our type using a psychological test such as Meyers Briggs or Grey-Wheelwright. Typology helps us to recognize our innate strengths, weaknesses and other characteristics. Thus, we can capitalize on our advantages. It helps us reveal and understand what drives our behavior.
One of the most respected tools for determining our personality type is the Enneagram. Enneagram is a Greek word that means diagram of nine. It is a comprehensive, multifaceted, and dynamic personality or temperament typing system. The Enneagram is a map, GPS for self-discovery and personal growth based on the 9 personality types.
According to the Enneagram Institute, “the “traditional Enneagram” only goes back to the 1960 with people like Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo, however, the philosophy behind the Enneagram contains components from mystical Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism and ancient Greek philosophy (particularly Socrates, Plato, and Noe-Platonists) -all traditions that stretch back into antiquity.”
Gain Perspective
We humans are on autopilot 95% of the time. One of the benefits of typing systems is that they point out our autopilot behaviors. Our core personality type doesn’t change. But, by becoming aware of our own automatic behavior, we can be intentional about making necessary changes.
According to Joycelyn Campbell, Farther to Go, “one of the greatest gifts the Enneagram has to offer is that it eliminates much of the need to figure out why we are the way we are. When you read a detailed type description that just nails aspect of yourself that you thought were unique to you, it takes the pressure off. You don’t have to spend so much time trying to understand what happened so you can fix yourself.”
The Enneagram is like a rumble strip on the highway warning you that you might going down the wrong direction.
In summary, typology can help us better understand conditions, factors, stances or behaviors by identifying patterns which greatly assists in decision making. It is a fascinating lens by which we can get information to live a satisfying and meaningful life.
About
Victoria is an eighth-generation New Mexican. She comes from a family of musicians and artists. Throughout her career Victoria has work in education, quality management, public relations, as a community affairs specialist, and a business consultant. Today, she is a certified MBI Life Coach and a certified hypnotherapist.
Victoria will be leading a new Mastermind group on Typology and your Business beginning this spring for PRO members. Contact us to save your seat.
Victoria Silva Wilger, Life Coach
VSW Life Coaching
