#5w6

xNTJs are often stereotyped as evil CEO billionaire masterminds, so these types are often bombarded with horrible misconceptions. First, I’ll explain how the two functions work together, then I will debunk misconceptions. I will also compare INTJ and ENTJ. This analysis will be predominatly focused on Te-Ni / Ni-Te, NOT Te-Ne or Ni-Ti, which are both ESTJ and INFJ in loop but ENTJ and INTJ in dichtomy.

*ೃ༄Extroverted Thinking*ೃ༄

Te: Extroverted thinking is the most pragmatic function of all the cognitive functions. It is only concerned with what is impersonal, objective, and truthful. It is focused on the systems, laws, and structure in the environment. It makes decisions based on how logical something is based on if it’s truthful compared to external logic. While Ti users aim to understand their logical interpretation of something, Te users are only concerned with what is universally true. Te is like deductive reasoning. It draws a conclusion based on external rules you know to be true. 

How it manifests: Te users are concerned with results because of their natural instinct to prioritize the logical connections and effects of decisions. If Ne is focused on connections between abstract ideas, Te is focused on how logical ideas connect to each other. They have less focus on internal consistency/reasoning within one idea. Te users are often blunt, strategic, organized (mentally), and good at managing. Furthermore, Te has an externalized opinion of how things should or should not be done and see everything else as bad / wrong if they don't fit into the external standards. This belief oftentimes creates rigidity in terms of morality.

Behaviors that can exist due to dominant Te:

impatience due to inefficiency. Becomes frustated when cirucmstances are not clear or nebulous

Large focus on organization. Likes to sort ideas and concepts into boxes

Pragmatic, impartial, refuses to act on impulses

Oriented towards intellectuality. Judgemental and strict with morality. Only acts when it is rational

Frequent emotional suppression, oftentimes lack of emotional introspection, represses internal emotions and desires. Oftentimes subconsciously hostile towards those subjects

Interactive with the external world. Likes to negotiate with other people to carry out plans / operations. Has a tendency to want to "fix" systems to make it more efficent, logical, effective, and right

Can be emotionally unexpressive, unperturbed, even harsh at times

Moralistic / strict in what is right or wrong

*ೃ༄Introverted Intuition*ೃ༄

Ni: Introverted intuition is focused on abstractionism, symbolism, main ideas, and trends. Rather than seeking possibilities, newness, and change, Ni is convergent, seeking one core insight or pattern than endless options. Ni users are visionaries: they are focused on one possibility and building upon it. While Ne spreads ideas outwards, Ni takes information in, distilling many inputs into a singular, synthesized insight.

How it manifests: Ni users are not very spontaneous. They are focused on predicting how the future could play out. They ask themselves: “Where is this going?” “What’s the purpose of this?” etc. They often step back from the noise of the present to analyze what is happening. Ni users often get “aha” moments where they realize the overall theme and connection of an idea, but oftentimes they glimpse over smaller details. Sometimes, they “just know” without linear reasoning and step-by-step logical build-up. Ni users can often be poetic and enjoy symbolism and metaphors in media and literature.

Behaviors that can exist due to dominant Ni:

Lacks touch with reality. Lives in their head and is not attached to the present

Finds self-expression difficult. Vague with ideas. Has a liking for subjectivity, symbolism, and interpretations of life

Insightful and reflective, may be mistaken for Fi

Sticks to a singular vision of the future. Be certain of such insights and has a hard time not commiting, unlike Ne

not focused on objectivity, but rather its own personal subjective view of life, which is not related to the concreate reality

Like what I've said before, their arguments often lack reasoning due to the vagueness in their perception of the world. Intuition can be hard to back up with practical evidence

*ೃ༄How Te + Ni work together*ೃ༄

I call the Te + Ni combination “the visionary” or "the truth finder" because not only are these types constantly building upon an idea, but they are also consistently focused on the overall structure and main idea of everything. xNTJs are concerned with putting everything into boxes based on the overall framework and ensuring it all connects logically. The Te + Ni combo is a truth seeker, always focused on finding the meaning behind everything. Te takes Ni’s insight and translates it into concrete plans, systems, and structures that can be applied in the external world. The two functions create a mindset that is always refining and building upon ideas for long-term impact and efficiency.

*ೃ༄Misconceptions*ೃ༄

I blame 16personalities, my nemesis, for most of the misconceptions

Te is controlling and bossy -> False. That is a BEHAVIORAL trait. Te = / = bossy, it is simply a cognitive function that focuses on external logic. Controlling the environment is not Te, that is more related to socionics Se. However, Te is inherently focused on making systems and operations more rational and effective, which can manifest into a "controlling" behavior, but none of these behavior suggests that the person is physically aggressive, controlling / possessive, etc.

Te lacks empathy -> low Fi does not mean someone lacks morals or emotions. None of the cognitive functions stand for feeling emotions. Fi is simply a function that evaluates and interprets internal feelings and is focused on subjective interpretations/meaning. A Te user usually pushes their feelings aside to seek the impersonal truth, but that does not mean they are heartless.

ENTJs are explosive and impatient -> unless you’re dealing with an unhealthy ENTJs, typically, Te doms tend to put emotional needs aside to act impartial. But it is true than ENTJs may be unaware of how their emotions build up and may become explosive under stress.

Emotional manipulative character, are they Te or Fe dominant? -> if someone emotionally manipulates but chooses not to dive into other people’s feelings usually, then they are probably a Te user. Te users would rather focus on logical manipulation as they lack concern for the emotional atmosphere, but speaking from a socionics perspective, dominant Te users may be capable of adapting to the emotional atmosphere, but this effort is lowkey and of short duration. If someone is focused on constantly adjusting to other people’s moods and emotions, then they are an Fe user. An evil and controlling character is not always a Te user.

Controlling, action-oriented character, ESTP or ENTJ?: Generally speaking, many stern, bossy, power-hungry ESTPs are mistyped as ENTJs (cough cough Sukuna), but it is never the other way around. Remember, ENTJs still have auxiliary Ni, so they would rather step away from the environment and evaluate before jumping into action (unless they are in Te-Se loop). ENTJs are judgers, meaning they need to analyze where the situation is heading before acting. ESTPs focus on living in the moment. If this archetype does not value abstractionism, structure, logical connections, or hidden meanings, then chances are they are not a true ENTJ.

Ni is about having hunches and being able to predict the future -> that’s a superpower, silly. I mean I wish I had that ability, but no, Ni is not about literally predicting the future. Ni will try to predict how situations will enroll.

Ni is detail-oriented and good at planning things out -> while aux Te can help INTJs be exceptional at planning, Ni is not step-by-step itself. It usually jumps to conclusions due to the prioritization of main ideas and overall structure. Intuition functions are not rational, and they focus on ideas that are not pragmatic or concrete.

Quiet, mysterious, stoic character, INTJ or ISTP?: a lot of ISTPs get mistyped as INTJs (Wednesday Addams). ISTPs analyze and see themselves as being in the moment, while also focusing on their logical perception of the whole situation. INTJs see themselves as being apart from what is going on around them and analyze the situation from afar, looking for main ideas and structure. 

INTJs are cold and emotionless -> this, again, is a behavioral trait. There’s probably no need for an explanation

xNTJs can’t be impulsive -> this statement is half true. xNTJs would rather not jump into action without thinking, but they tend to focus on main ideas over details, which means they may be careless when evaluating situations.

xNTJs are unaccommodating -> not always, being a nice person has nothing to do with cognitive functions. I’m an ENTJ who scored SCOAI in big five soo.

*ೃ༄Differences between ENTJ and INTJ*ೃ༄

ENTJs value taking action efficiently and quickly, INTJs value fully analyzing the situation before acting

ENTJs are more impersonal and logic-oriented, while INTJs tend to me a bit more attuned to their feelings and focus more on symbolism and abstractionism (Tertiary Fi)

ENTJs are objective and good at explaining their ideas to be more efficienct. INTJs struggle with explaining their ideas in a concise and coherent way as they value intuition over logic

ENTJs push against the idea of making decisions based on their personal needs, emotions, or subjective interpretation (Te against Fi), while INTJs push against the idea of making decisions in the moment or simply evaluating the situation as it is (Ni against Se. Ni favors hidden meanings and intuition, while Se values realism). 

ENTJs focus on the environment around them more, while INTJs tend to live in their head

INTJs are better at evaluating their own emotions and personal views on situations, while Fi being inferior puts ENTJs in a more vulnerable position when it comes to dealing with such matters. Hence, ENTJs either don’t care about evaluating their own feelings, or they feel insecure when it comes to controlling their emotions (Te suppresses Fi)

Similarly, ENTJs are better at acting in the moment when needed, while INTJs are not as quick to adjust to external systems/environments. Se being inferior puts INTJs in a more vulnerable position when it comes to dealing with fast-moving situations. INTJs either don’t care about living in the present/being present in the moment, or they feel insecure when it comes to not being able to take decisive action when needed (Ni suppresses Se)

ENTJs may aspire to be more connected with their emotions, while INTJs may aspire to be more focused on the present (Fi suggestive and Se suggestive in socionics)

ENTJs become more focused on themselves, emotionally explosive, biased (in terms of their subjective views), etc. when they are stressed, while INTJs feel the need to act/focus in the moment, may become more impulsive and reckless 

Most common ENTJ enneagram = Social 1, sexual 1. Last one I would associate ENTJ with is social 3. Wings include 1w2, 3w4.

Most common INTJ enneagram = all enneagram 5 subtypes (primarily social 5)

Most common ENTJ trifixes = 137, 358 135, 136

Most common INTJ trifixes = 135, 145, 458, 358

Rarer combos (ranked from most to least common): ENTJ Sp3, ENTJ Sp1, ENTJ Sx6, INTJ So6 (I haven't looked too much into So6 but I assume it can exist), INTJ Sp3 / e1, ENTJ social 7

Ever wondered what each Enneagram type would be like as a dog? Here's a quick breakdown of their type ! 🐕

Want to dive deeper into each type? Check them out here : One / Two / Three Four / Five / Six Seven / Eight / Nine

here are some books i’ve read that i think other type 5s will enjoy (A Lot). i’ve categorized these together in my head as either having a protag who is likely a type 5, or because it’s a book that i think a type 5 would just eat up because it gives you The Questions & you can make The Theories, here it is:

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. Harrow is probably a type 5, maybe with a 4 wing, or perhaps 4w5. Anyway, type 5s are built to love this book (me, i fucking love this book) because the whole time you just wonder wtf is going on and are only rewarded with more unanswered questions, it fucking rocks. so much material for theory building

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Unreliable narrator, you have my heart!!! and even better: IT GIVES US ANSWERS AT THE END (but don’t worry, there was plenty of time for Speculating)

The Southern Reach series by Jeff VanderMeer. like y’all this was made for us. everything about the mysteries of this world sucked me in. Area X itself leaves so much to chew on, but the characters are also so beautifully complex. I loved Acceptance specifically because it was so delicious to finally get into the minds we hadn’t yet had access to, Gloria & the lighthouse keeper, specifically! I absolutely loved this series, and I think any type 5 would. I also think the Biologist is absolutely 100% a type 5 (maybe 5w6) so reading Annihilation I was like woah…… relatable unfortunately lol

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. really, really enjoyed this & so glad i finally got around to reading it! SO many questions! Almost no answers! Protagonist is absolutely a type 5, and is consistently seeking answers through out the book, but rarely gets them. Her never ending quest to know more is pretty insatiable. real.

The Social 5 "Totem"

The SO5 is the most assertive and ambitious of the enneagram 5. This subtype combines the desire of E5 (knowledge and understanding) and the social drive to create and share knowledge. They find great importance In the power of knowledge. Usually having a hyper fixed desire on what is true and logistically correct. John Lukovich describes them as having a "promethean calling" which I think is probably the most accurate of this subtype. Due to their desire to share their obtained knowledge.

Characters: Tim Drake, V , Petyr Baelish, Lara Croft, Jane, Sherlock Holmes, Elizabeth Shawe and Lady Jessica.

The Self Preservation 5 "Castle"

The SP 5 looks to fulfill their desire for knowledge and understanding through gaining insight on their specific interest. The 5 have this 9ish quality to them in the sense that the desire to create an environment that makes them comfortable. However unlike the 9 the sp5 does it in order to maxine efficiency in their interest. This subtype maybe the most social awkward of the enneagram. I personally would attribute curiosity as their defining characteristic. Usually this subtype looks like a typical 5 (quite and reserved) however they can also look like 9s due their introverted and constant narcotization.

Characters: Alice, Sister Sage, Walter White, L, Stanford Pines, Daria, Velma Dinkly and Bruce Banner

The Sexual 5 "Trust"

As the counter type of E5 this subtype looks to find a personal other through the sharing of interest and insight. This subtype subverts the usual conventions of the E5 by being focused on emotional desire. However they are stick an E5 so the struggle of them being a rejection type is still there. They go about fulfilling their core desire by finding a significant other that holds their exact same interest. Similar to the E4 they portray an image of somebody who us deeply interesting however unlike the E4 its not an image but a reality of the subjects interest and desires.

Characters: Simon Petrikov, Johan Liebert, Mr. Darcy, Marianne Sheridan, Sapphire ,Anais Watterson, Alan Wake, The Vampire Armand

how do you set boundaries with the world around you? (do you assert yourself, do you blend in, do you please others, etc etc)

how do you act during stress? (are you more positive, do you stay calm and try to be "objective," do you get emotional, etc etc)

how do you act in anger? do you experience it often?

how do you act in shame? do you experience it often?

how do you act in fear? do you experience it often?

how do you act in relation to others in conflict? (withdraw, go-with-the-flow, upfront, etc)

how do you "get what you want?" (more demanding + straightforward, believe it should be earned, focus on self, etc etc)

Y'all knew this was coming. Maomao is the only character I feel comfortable analyzing from this show so far, but I'm looking forward to getting to know the other characters better!

Maomao is probably the clearest example of her Enneagram that I can think of. Her MBTI is a little less obvious, but I still think it's quite clear. Here goes!

Maomao's Enneagram

Wound: Maomao's birth mother was mentally unwell and abused her, including by cutting off Maomao's finger. Maomao was then raised at the brothel that had employed her birth mother, though she was aware that her birth had damaged the brothel's reputation and irreparably destroyed her mother's value as a courtesan.

Wounding message: You are a burden. You must earn your right to exist.

Core desire: To avoid notice so she can focus on survival & her work as an apothecary.

Core fear: attracting too much notice and becoming a target

Defense mechanism: Maomao maintains a pragmatic, aloof approach to life. She avoids romanticizing things, and even avoids daring to hope things could be better for her.

Strengths: Maomao is curious, intelligent, helpful, cautious, calm, perceptive, dependable, objective, matter-of-fact, and independent.

Challenges: Maomao is reserved, secretive, obsessive, detached, cynical, nihilistic

When healthy: Maomao will stand up for what she knows is right.

When unhealthy: I'm not sure I know what she's like when unhealthy...

Looking at all of this, here's what connects when I go back to the Enneagram post:

Wound: 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9

Wounding message: 2, 5, or 7

Core desire: 5

Core fear: 5, 6, or 8

Defense mechanism: 5

Strengths: 1, 5, or 6

Challenges: 5

When healthy: 4, 5, or 9

When unhealthy: unsure, though I think 3 and 8 sound most likely

Maomao is an Enneagram 5.

Fives live in the Head center, and tend to underexpress fear. From Personality Path:

Fear is underexpressed in Type 5s by limiting engagement with the outside world. Concerns about being overwhelmed motivate Type 5s to withdraw from others. Anger can be triggered when personal boundaries are breached because this threatens the withdrawal strategy used to avoid anxiety. Shame or Sadness presents itself when Type 5s struggle with typical human interactions, which can be difficult because of their disconnection from the emotional world and their tendencies to isolate themselves from others. Concerns about being overwhelmed by their environment and the demands of others are often at the bottom of the three core emotions for Type 5s.

Shigure Sohma from Fruits Basket and Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club are both Fives.

Wing

The Enneagram Institute calls 5w4 "The Iconoclast" and 5w6 "The Problem Solver". Maomao, famous for solving problems, is pretty clearly a 5w6. From Truity:

5w6s are practical, helpful, and organized. While still fiercely independent, 5w6s tend to be more cooperative and loyal than other Fives. They excel in troubleshooting and solving complex problems.

Haruhi Fujioka is also a 5w6.

Subtype

I think Maomao is almost certainly not a SX 5, but I could see a case for either SP or SO.

Maomao at times seems to show a lack of regard for her own safety, from testing poisons on herself to casually discussing her potential execution with Jinshi. She is keenly aware of her position within the imperial hierarchy, or the hierarchy of Verdigris House. She is also very aware of which information could be dangerous vs. which information is crucial to share (and whether it's safe for her to share it openly). Where SP 5s are very focused on privacy and boundaries, SO 5s are more focused on knowledge and tend to almost hoard knowledge for use as protection.

For these reasons, I think Maomao is a SO 5w6. She is the first Social 5 I've analyzed. Description from EnneaApp:

Search for totems (symbols of the social group) which are sources of knowledge

Seek knowledge in totemic symbols such as scientific formulas/esoteric paradigms

Have preoccupation with mind as a source of power, attracted to realm of academia

Concerned with titles, degrees, credentials; relates socially through defined roles

Attracted to systems of study that yield big-picture accounts of social forces

Knowledge is power and forewarned is forearmed; insider information is protective

Belongs to some kind of "in-group" connected through specialized information

Likes to refine thinking with "people who know" in a setting that is free of small talk

May live in high society, knows the "right" people, belongs to the best clubs

Doesn't like to compete; will not jockey for rank; wants to be "called"/recognized

May enjoy speaking a professional language that only a few people understand

May appear haughty/condescending; may tell others how to do things quicker/better

More social than other fives; torn between group connection and wish for privacy

Tritype

With 5 as her Head type, I think Maomao's Gut type is most likely 9 (though I wouldn't rule out 8 or 1 just yet), and her heart type could be 3 or 2 (but probably not 4).

Maomao is fascinating because she wants to stay out of other people's business, but it's almost like she can't help herself. I don't think she really craves admiration, as a 3 would, nor do I think she wants to be central in other people's lives, as a 2, but I do think her desire to be helpful is slightly stronger than her desire to be successful.

With 2 in the mix, I think 9 would need to be her Gut type. 2s can be so intrusive and pushy; having a mix of 5 and 9 in her tritype really balance out that aspect of 2, whereas 8 would exaggerate it.

After reading the descriptions, I think 2-5-9 ("The Problem Solver"), 3-5-8 ("The Solution Master"), and 3-5-9 ("The Thinker") are all decent matches, but 2-5-9 seems like the best fit.

From Katherine Fauvre's website:

If you are a 259, you are caring, knowledgeable, and accepting. You want to be helpful, wise, and peaceful. You are naturally very quiet, soft-spoken, and shy, but observe and track everything going on around you.  You focus on problems and enjoy tinkering and fixing things. You need companionship and avoid feelings of loneliness by focusing on the needs and concerns of others. You are the smart, reserved, and sympathetic, ‘people’ person. You can see how to fix things but struggle with inaction when overwhelmed.  

Maomao is actually the first 259 I've analyzed in this series!

Maomao's MBTI

Sticking with my more recent format, here's how I see Maomao's mental processes:

Information-Gathering:

Everyone uses both iNtuition and Sensing, but one will be more natural to rely on. Everyone will also introvert one of these processes, and extrovert the other.

Someone who introverts iNtuition and extroverts Sensing will be able to cut to the core of understanding something in a state of deep, solitary focus. They will gather sensory information through their experience in the present, preferably with others.

Someone who extroverts iNtuition and introverts Sensing will tend to brainstorm aloud, connecting many possibilities at once, and will rely on comparisons to past sense-memories in order to understand the present.

Maomao seems to use Ni quite strongly, and Se less so, making her an -N-J type.

Decision-Making:

Just like with the two information-gathering processes, everyone uses both Thinking and Feeling to some degree, but will use one more naturally. And again, they will introvert one, and extrovert the other.

Someone who introverts Thinking and extroverts Feeling will use their own internal logical framework to come to decisions, and will base their decisions on outcomes for the people around them.

On the other hand, someone who extroverts Thinking and introverts Feeling will use external logic in decision-making, such as rules, laws, procedures, checklists, etc... and will base their decisions on the kind of person they want to be, or the kind of person they see themselves to be.

Maomao seems to use Te quite strongly, and Fi to a lesser degree.

This would make her an -NTJ type.

I think it's more likely that Ni is her Dominant process than Te, making her an INTJ, also called "The Mastermind".

Let's look at what Dominant Ni looks like:

Can appear visionary. Connects unconscious images, themes, and connections to see things in new ways. Brainstorm internally with themselves. Trusts and relies on inner insights, which may be hard for others to understand. Keyword: Visioning.

When exaggerated:

unrealistic visions, only accept data that supports their theories, make things overcomplicated

Inferior Se:

obsess over external, small, unimportant details, overindulge in sensual pleasures (overeat, over drink, etc.), see environment as hostile and dangerous

And the description of INTJ:

Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance—for themselves and others.

This is a great description of Maomao! She shares this type with Prince Zuko of Avatar: the Last Airbender, and Kento Nanami from JuJutsu Kaisen.

Maomao's Personality Summary

Enneagram: SO 5w6 (The Investigator/The Problem Solver)

Tritype: 2-5-9 (The Problem Solver)

MBTI: INTJ (The Mastermind)

Maomao is perceptive, rational, and detached yet kindhearted. She connects discrete, seemingly disparate bits of information to solve medical and criminal mysteries and help others. She is extremely cautious as she remains hyper-aware of her rank in hierarchical systems, and the tenuousness of her safety, although she can forget her caution when she becomes lost in thought or obsessed with another mystery.

What do you think? Do you agree with my analysis? Why or why not?

enneagram chibi ac by matrix on tiktok !

Ouhhhhhh why is it so CUTTEEEEEE lowkey might make sp9 my tumblr chibi profile..... CREDITS OBV TO MATRIX OK!!