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Beatrice Chestnut

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge

Some clear similarities exist between Fives and Eights. Fives and Eights can both feel and express anger if someone challenges their boundaries, but while this is one of the only situations in which Fives will openly express anger, Eights tend to become angry more frequently over a wider range of issues. Both Fives and Eights have a great deal of difficulty experiencing (and, especially, expressing) vulnerable emotions. Fives detach from emotions and withdraw from situations that might inspire vulnerable feelings, while Eights deny their vulnerability and overcompensate by focusing on and finding ways to communicate their strength and power.

Fives differ from Eights in many respects. Socially, Eights tend to be extroverted and have a great deal of “big” energy, while Fives are usually more introverted and withdrawn, with a much more reserved and low-key energetic presence. While both Eights and Fives like to be in control, Eights will take control in a more overt, active, aggressive way, while Fives tend to control things more quietly and less obviously, with less expenditure of energy. Eights tend to be excessive in the things they do, while Fives are minimalistic, conservationist, and economical.

When analyzing a situation, Eights can have trouble distinguishing between the objective truth and their own version of the truth, and Fives have the particular talent of being able to be objective analysts. Eights are impulsive; Fives are more thoughtful. For example, Eights tend to move into action before they think things through, while Fives tend to think a great deal about a particular move before going into action. Fives suffer more from the possibility that they will think too much and not take action. When in relationships, Eights usually make it clear where they stand, while Fives can be difficult to read and may withhold information about what they are thinking and feeling, even with close others. Lastly, Eights rebel against any inhibition of their large capacity for pleasure or power, whereas Fives tend to minimize and inhibit their own needs and desires and can feel depleted by life and relationships. Fives may even forgo the possible pleasure that a relationship may bring because the cost seems too high in terms of time, space, or emotional energy. In contrast, most Eights feel energized by relationships and especially physical intimacy (or the promise of it).

The Enneagram Institute

Misidentifications

These two types are not often mistyped, but share similar attitudes. Eights and Fives both see themselves as outsiders and both feel rejected easily. Both are highly independent, and willing to go to battle with anyone who threatens their independence. Both believe in direct communication, can be aggressive, and tend to protect their vulnerability.

Eights sometimes see themselves as Fives because they go to Five in stress, and therefore recall times when they have withdrawn from others to strategize and think about their future courses of action. Nonetheless, Eights more often deal with problems head on, and can be highly assertive in going after what they want. Fives, by contrast, tend to retreat from others and to cut off from many of their needs in order to avoid risking dependencies.

Eights are highly instinctual and very related to their bodies: they are people of practical action, pragmatism, and sensuality, as a result. Fives tend to stay in their heads more, and often have an ambivalent relationship with their bodies. Staying grounded and practical can be a problem for Fives–it is almost never one for Eights. Compare James Joyce (a Five) with Ernest Hemingway (an Eight).