type 1 instincts

personality structure

type one belongs to the body or action triad associated with anger, and a focus of attention related to order, structure, and control. the mental function assesses, regulates, and often actively stops “wrong” impulses originating in the body. according to Naranjo, this is the over-civilized or over-controlled type. most often the repression is routine, but if an impulse is completely “unacceptable” it will trigger a reaction-formation, pushing the original impulse down into the unconscious through automatic generation of the opposite impulse. this conflict is frustrating, and the critical function that regulates it is relentless. simmering anger then easily becomes resentment. type ones often report early life experiences of having to control themselves long before they were ready to take on this responsibility. this leaves the impression that there is a “right” way to do things and striving for faultless behavior becomes the default for obtaining supportive feedback and love. chaos, uncertainty, or a lack of emotional holding led to the child providing a “structure” for themselves, and when they can create order there is a relaxation and sense of well-being. for most type one children there was little acknowledgment of essential goodness, which led to a high degree of self-control at too early an age. a parental voice is internalized that from then on acts like an inner critic, formed to “protect” the child from doing “wrong.”

defense mechanism: reaction formation

in the face of excessive demands and frustration in early life, the type one, instead of feeling angry or rebelling, takes on more responsibility, becoming a model “good boy” or “good girl.” this fundamental fixation on being good and doing “right,” leads to denial and repression of negative feelings. focusing on and expressing more acceptable “good” emotions allows the type one to push “bad” feelings into the unconscious. any strong feeling can be repressed in this way and typical examples are turning anger into friendliness or envy into admiration.

attention fixation

trying to make things as “right” as possible instinctively focuses attention on any “errors” or “imperfections.” through the inner critic, type one habitually assesses better or worse (and why) in everything they compare to this inner ideal. the focus remains on striving for flawlessness in order to avoid criticism and pain. type ones develop a deep appreciation for what they view as “perfect,” which they “feel” or “know” as correct. therefore, type ones speak of feeling a wonderful sensation of peace and satisfaction when things come together in just the right way. focusing on achieving this feeling motivates the type one to work hard and attend energetically to details in a quest for an optimal result. the object of the focal point is different in the type one subtypes. some may allow for messiness whereas others see that as a “wrong.” some may focus on ideas (e.g., the political realm), others on concrete things (e.g., a physical space).

emotional passion: anger

whereas open aggression belongs more to type eights, SX type sixes and type fours, type one’s anger is more an expression of resentment, frustration, irritation, and self-righteousness. at the same time when they feel righteous — a state in which expressing anger is seen as being “acceptable” and “right” — they can be openly furious. anger arises from the frustration of trying to get things to be “right” and from recognizing when others do not meet the standards of this “right.” this perception adds angry resentment for the “bad” conduct of others, to the type one’s continual frustration in setting things right in life. usually, the type one is more likely to appear tense, critical, or demanding, rather than overtly angry or rude.

cognitive mistake: "we all can and should do better"

type ones typically believe that their object of attention is imperfect and that they must try and improve it, whether focused on themselves, their loves ones, or society at large. they also tend to believe that making mistakes is unacceptable and deserving of punishment. these beliefs lead to them working hard and adhering to rules and codes of ethics. emotionally these beliefs lead to the suffering of anxiety, frustration, and resentment. the blinding of the belief is so intense, that even if the “object” is objectively doing well and being successful, he/she/it will still be seen as having to improve. some of the key beliefs stemming from this are:

these beliefs finally lead to the type one trap, which reflects a basic conflict at the core of the personality. type ones avoid criticism and punishment by holding themselves and others to a punishingly high standard. in striving to free themselves from criticism and punishment, they create the very conditions for criticism and punishment. this only reinforces the type one’s belief in being unworthy or unlovable. as long as only perfect can be loved, “good enough” remains unlovable.

type 1 shadow

generally, the type one’s shadow is filled with their efforts to be good, do the right thing, and fulfil high ideals. they tend to rationalize their efforts and harsh treatment of themselves as correct or justified. it is also very hard for them to hear criticism as they are already constantly beating up on themselves, so they are limited in their ability to see themselves more clearly through feedback. the shadow of believing in perfection is a tendency to fall into rigid black-and-white thinking. it is hard for them to see the unreasonableness of their demands on themselves and on others. even when it drives them into anxiety or depression, the type one will still rationalize their judgments as a needed check on imperfection. in so doing they often push their own highly positive qualities into the unconscious.

type ones may have difficulty validating another’s point of view when it is less demanding of perfection and moral excellence. it is extremely hard for them to accept that a person can know that they are doing “wrong” and do it anyway. the acceptance of their own moral inconsistencies (because anyone who holds onto morals as black and white rules will be morally inconsistent) will in such a case be shadowed (repressed into unconscious).

most type ones display a blind spot around their own experience and expression of anger. in some cases, they do not know and cannot admit their anger, even though others may be well aware of the clenched jaw, curt and abrupt speech, tension, and strained voice.

on occasion the repressed energy of anger may escape, and a righteous outburst may be rationalized as virtuous (“such a deep wrong should be openly and publicly denounced”). at other times, type ones may say one thing and do the opposite. this happens when their need for perfection has become too stressful and impulses escape their unconscious control.

SP type 1 ― worry

SP type ones repress anger more than the other subtypes. reaction formation renders the heat of anger into warmth. this, together with defenses against anger, results in a gentle, supportive person with good intentions. SP type ones are characterized by perfection, heroic efforts, obedience to rules, and obsessive striving for perfection. believing that their anger is wrong, the SP type one makes a virtue of being tolerant, sweet, and forgiving, yet anger may be seething below the surface. under pressure the unconscious anger may seep out as resentment, irritation, and frustration.

SP type ones worry a lot. they have a need for foresight, planning everything, and trying to maintain control. often their childhood included a lot of disruption, and they feel anxiety when confronted by the out-of-control elements of another person, or situation. they hide this anxiety to the best of their ability. they lack confidence and display excessive responsibility that takes the form of worrying and fussing, even when things are going well. it is difficult for the SP type one to drop this sense of ongoing vigilance. obsession and compulsion are therefore part of the personality. this subtype is the most perfectionistic, and usually hard on themselves. they are scared of loosening their need for control and allowing for a flow to happen. the quest to do the right thing or to find the perfect solution is how the SP type one strives for safety. they typically experience three converging aspects of this worry/ fret drive: constant fretting is used to 1) attain perfection, however small; 2) avert misfortune, however large; and 3) free themselves from blame, however slight. beneath the fretting lies the anger that the SP type one could not allow itself to experience as a child. in relationship the SP type one demonstrates a sensitivity to being criticized and can become very angry when blamed. in conflict they can be self-righteous, rigid, and unyielding. partners can feel criticized and held to impossibly high standards but can also count on the SP type one to be reliable and trustworthy.

SO type 1 ― non-adaptability

the SO type one is not internally anxious, but more a paragon of correct conduct. they have a deep need to teach by way of example. non-adaptability or rigidity refers to the tendency to adhere to particular ways of being and doing things. the anger of the SO type one is not completely repressed as there is an equivalent of anger in their passion for being the owner of the truth. anger gets channeled into an overconfidence about being “right” or “perfect.” unconsciously the SO type one has a need to appear superior, as if implicitly saying “i’m right, and you’re wrong.” they then believe that having the higher ground on “rightness” grants them the right to control situations. SO type ones learn to repress emotion from a very early age, always acting older than what they are and often forgetting that they are children. they may purposely not adapt to changing times or customs. not surprisingly, they automatically take on the role of teacher. in character they resemble the five in the sense of being more introverted or aloof and emotionally detached. they separate themselves from the crowd, feeling superior. they never feel completely comfortable in groups, and feelings of being alienated are prominent. in relationship they have very high expectations and can seem remote and self-sufficient to the point of not needing others.

SX type 1 ― zeal (countertype)

the SX type one focuses on perfecting others. more of a reformer than a perfectionist. this is also the only type one subtype that is explicitly angry, and therefore the countertype. the SX type one is impatient, at times invasive, and willing to go for what they want, often with a sense of entitlement. their idealism can be expressed as excitement or passion, and they can be compelling and vehement. this subtype believes that they know how to live better than others, and therefore they grant themselves the right to assert their will over others. zeal suggests an intensity or excitement that fuels the desire to connect with others. it also means doing things with care, dedication and fervor. this SX type one’s anger infuses their desire with a special intensity or urgency, and they have a sense of “i have to have it,” “i have the right to it,” or “i have to improve it.” they are therefore often the drivers behind conquering, believing that they have the right to take or reform, as they are more civilized. even in sexual behavior the SX type one has a “go for it” mentality that can lead to uninhibited sexual behavior.

SX type ones don’t questions themselves much and are more concerned with making others into the people they think they should be. they are avengers and not afraid of confrontation. their anger may be murderous, as they perceive themselves to be strong. indeed, they often do have great strength and determination, and can be very brave. like eights they are impulsive and do things hastily.

the SX type one typically has two sides: a playful side oriented towards pleasure, and an angry side. they can go to great lengths to change society or rid it of a particular “sin,” even as they partake in the same “sin.” in this way they can be hypocritical. they bring great energy and intensity to relationship and can be forceful and insistent. they may attempt to convert their partners and friends, conveying a sense of being on a mission or drawing on a higher calling or authority in the things they do and expect.

summarized and adapted from Beatrice Chestnut: The Complete Enneagram