Enneagram Type 4 – The Individualist
Enneagram Type 4, commonly referred to as “The Individualist,” is characterized by their deep sense of being fundamentally different from others. Part of in the heart triad (along with type 2 and type 3), this type focuses intensely on personal identity and emotional experiences. Type Fours are known for their self-awareness, sensitivity, and reserved nature. It makes them acutely aware of their unique attributes and perceived deficiencies.
This type is especially sensitive to their personal differences and shortcomings.
When healthy, Fours are truthful with themselves, embracing all their emotions and exploring their motives and conflicts without denial. This honesty allows them to confront their issues head-on, understanding their true nature and learning from their emotional history. Their deep familiarity with their emotional landscape helps them navigate and process pain more effectively than some other types.
However, Fours often struggle with feelings of deficiency and a lack of self-esteem. They try to counterbalance this creating an idealized self-image. This can lead to a disconnection between their real abilities and their aspirations. Fours frequently experiment with different identities drawn from qualities they admire in others. However they remain unsure about their true self because they base their identity on fluctuating emotions.
Socially, Fours desire connection and recognition. They yearn for someone to appreciate the hidden aspects of their personality. Yet, if validation is lacking, they might emphasize their differences, cultivating a strong sense of individualism. This attitude is encapsulated in the mantra, “I am unique, and nobody understands me,” even though they secretly wish for the easiness others seem to possess.
Key Characteristics:
- Self-aware
- Sensitive
- Creative
- Reserved
- Emotionally honest
- Moody
- Self-conscious
Growth and Stress Arrows
When Fours are under stress, their natural aloofness changes, and they can take on the negative behaviors typical of Type Twos, like giving compulsively in order to be liked, and becoming needy. During periods of growth, fours who often wrestle with envy and emotional turbulence start to adopt more objective and principled approaches to life. These are the healthy attributes of Type Ones.
Core Desires and Core Fears of Type Four
An Enneagram Type 4 desires to express their individuality and creativity. They want to cultivate and be surrounded by what they find beautiful, to preserve specific moods and emotions and to retreat in order to safeguard their self-image. Type 4s prioritize their emotional well-being above all else. Type Four’s core desires are driven by their fear of having no personal significance or identity. This need for self-expression and uniqueness can make them feel isolated and misunderstood. It intensifies their focus on their individuality and emotional complexity.
Type Fours’ Core Desires:
- To find and assert their unique identity and significance
- To express their individuality through creativity
- To experience authenticity in their emotional expressions
Core Fears:
- Lack of identity or personal significance
- Being mundane or not unique
- Feeling flawed or defective
Healthy, Average, and Unhealthy Type Fours
Healthy Type Fours:
- Embrace creativity and transform their experiences
- Are introspective and self-aware
- Express their emotions authentically and constructively
Average Type Fours:
- Feel misunderstood and focus intensely on their emotional states
- May withdraw or become melancholic
- Struggle with self-indulgence and self-pity
Unhealthy Type Fours:
- Become overly self-conscious and isolated
- May experience depression and feelings of defectiveness
- Engage in self-destructive behaviors
Type Four in Relationships
Type Fours bring depth and intensity to relationships, valuing authenticity and emotional connection. However, their fear of being mundane can lead them to emphasize their ‘distinctiveness’, sometimes at the cost of closeness and mutual understanding. Read more Type 4 Relationship problems.
Strengths in Relationships:
- Deeply empathetic and emotionally expressive
- Value authenticity and depth in connections
- Creative and unique approach to relationships
Challenges in Relationships:
- May withdraw or withhold to protect their self-image
- Struggle with feeling fundamentally different or flawed
- Occasionally become moody or self-absorbed
The Three Instinctual Variants of Enneagram Type 4
Within each type, there are three subtypes, each influenced by an instinctual variant—Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual (also known as One-to-One). These subtypes color how the core characteristics of Type Four manifest in behavior and motivations.
Read in-depth about the Type 4 subtypes.
Self-Preservation Type 4 (4sp)
Self-Preservation Fours focus on maintaining personal stability and security. This subtype is more likely to internalize their feelings of deficiency rather than express them outwardly. They struggle with issues of scarcity and possess a keen sensitivity to their environment, which can manifest as a need for comfort and safety.
These Fours might appear more stoic or reserved, but they experience intense emotional turmoil internally. They often deal with anxiety about practical matters such as health, resources, and maintaining a stable lifestyle.
Social Type 4 (4so)
Social Fours are acutely aware of their social standing and how they are perceived by others. This subtype deals with feelings of shame and fear of being seen as inadequate. They are more outwardly emotional and expressive than other Fours and may use their suffering as a way to connect with others.
Social Fours seek identity through their relationships and social interactions, often emphasizing what sets them apart from others. This can lead to a persona that is both melancholic and dramatic, showcasing their uniqueness and depth to gain recognition. Envy comes up often for social 4s, often resulting from comparisons with others they see as having more acceptance or a better social standing. This envy can drive them to refine and change their identity and expressions further to bridge the gap between how they see themselves and wish to be seen.
Sexual Type 4 (4sx)
Sexual Fours seek deep, meaningful relationships and prioritize emotional connection above all else. They often focus on being seen and understood by their partner, which can make them attentive and expressive but also demanding at times. Their intensity may lead to struggles with jealousy or fear of being abandoned if they feel the connection is lacking. This subtype tends to idealize their partners or close relationships. They might have high expectations for an intense connection, and it can be amazing when reality meets their ideals. However, if the relationship falls short of these ideals, it can lead to significant disappointment.
If a sexual Type 4 isn’t in a relationship, their desire for deep connection often shows up in other ways. They may pour their energy into close friendships, creative projects, or personal growth, seeking meaning and intensity in those areas. They might still experience a longing for “the one” or an idealized connection, which can lead to feelings of loneliness or dissatisfaction. When balanced, they focus on developing their own sense of identity and fulfillment, finding meaningful outlets for their emotions and passions even outside of a romantic relationship.
Read why I think Taylor Swift Is An Enneagram Intimacy 4
