The 27 personality subtypes
Each of the nine strategies comes in three versions, depending on which instinct dominates in a person: self-preservation (safety and a secure base), social (the group and standing) or one-to-one (an intense connection with one person). That's why two Fours can behave completely differently. The subtype often explains why a strategy description only half fits you.
Self-Preservation Instinct
Attention automatically turns to safety and security: health, money, home, food, comfort, and reserves. People with this instinct in first place tend to be practical and reliable and think ahead about what they'll need. Under stress, they retreat into their home base.
Social Instinct
Attention turns to the group: who belongs to it, what status and role each person has, what matters in society. People with this instinct in first place pick up on the relationships between people, like getting involved in teams and communities, and care about what they contribute.
One-to-One Instinct
Attention turns to an intense connection with one person or one thing: chemistry, attraction, closeness, passion. People with this instinct in first place seek depth and intensity, can devote themselves fully to something, and get bored by superficial contact.
How to read your subtype and instinct order
Everyone has three basic instincts, three areas of life they look after:
- Self-preservation – body, health, home, money, security and comfort.
- Social – the group, your place among people, roles, recognition and contributing to others.
- One-to-one – closeness with one person, attraction, intensity and deep connection.
We have all three, but not equally strongly. Riso and Hudson compare it to a three-layer cake: one instinct is dominant and determines where your attention automatically goes. The second is supporting; you use it when the first one is at rest. The third is the least developed, the one you forget about. This is usually where your blind spot lies, and also a great space for growth.
A subtype comes from combining your strategy with your dominant instinct. Beatrice Chestnut describes how the strategy's main driving force gets "colored" by the instinct. That's why two people with the same strategy can behave completely differently. In each strategy, one of the subtypes goes against its main current, so on the surface it resembles the strategy less than the other two. It's called the countertype.
The order of your instincts can shift over your lifetime. A mature person learns to pay attention to the layer they've long overlooked.
Strategy 2 · Caring Altruist
A warm helper who sees what others need.
Self-preservation Two
Charming
Self-preservation Two
A playful, endearing helper who secretly longs for someone to take care of them.
Social Two
Influential
Social Two
A capable, influential helper who becomes indispensable to the group.
One-to-one Two
Devoted
One-to-one Two
A passionate, devoted person for whom the relationship is the center of everything.
Strategy 3 · Winning Strategist
A driven go-getter who is set on success.
Self-preservation Three
Quiet Achiever
Self-preservation Three
A modest hard worker who wants to be good, not seen.
Social Three
Visible
Social Three
A visible winner who knows how to impress and succeed.
One-to-one Three
Supportive
One-to-one Three
A charming, attractive person who puts success in the service of loved ones.
Strategy 4 · Unique Individualist
A sensitive, one-of-a-kind person in search of authenticity.
Self-preservation Four
Brave
Self-preservation Four
A persevering, brave person who carries suffering quietly and alone.
Social Four
Sensitive
Social Four
A sensitive, reflective person who often compares themselves with others.
One-to-one Four
Competitive
One-to-one Four
An intense, competitive person who shows emotions in full.
Strategy 5 · Capable Expert
An observant thinker who wants to understand how things work.
Self-preservation Five
Boundary Keeper
Self-preservation Five
The most withdrawn Expert, who guards their space, time, and energy.
Social Five
Specialist
Social Five
A specialist who looks for meaning in knowledge and shares it with like-minded people.
One-to-one Five
Confidant
One-to-one Five
A romantic beneath the reserve, looking for one exceptional person.
Strategy 6 · Security-Minded Traditionalist
A dependable, loyal person who always thinks ahead.
Strategy 7 · Enthusiastic Optimist
An energetic enthusiast who loves having options.
Self-preservation Seven
Practical
Self-preservation Seven
A practical, enterprising bon vivant who always has a plan B.
Social Seven
Selfless
Social Seven
An idealistic enthusiast who suppresses their own appetites for the good of others.
One-to-one Seven
Dreamer
One-to-one Seven
A dreamer in love with possibilities who sees the world through rose-colored glasses.
Strategy 8 · Powerful Leader
A strong personality who takes matters into their own hands.
Self-preservation Eight
Unstoppable
Self-preservation Eight
A direct, practical person who can't be broken and relies mainly on themselves.
Social Eight
Protector
Social Eight
A strong protector who stands up for the weak and fights against injustice.
One-to-one Eight
Charismatic
One-to-one Eight
A charismatic, passionate person who wants to have influence over the people around them.
Strategy 9 · Calm Mediator
A calm peacemaker who keeps things in balance.
Self-preservation Nine
Easygoing
Self-preservation Nine
A calm, easygoing person who merges with comfort and familiar habits.
Social Nine
Peacemaker
Social Nine
An active peacemaker who works for the group and sets their own needs aside.
One-to-one Nine
Merging
One-to-one Nine
A gentle, perceptive person who merges with their partner and their partner's wishes.
Strategy 1 · Principled Perfectionist
A perfectionist with strong principles who wants to get things right.
Self-preservation One
Careful
Self-preservation One
A meticulous perfectionist who tries to keep everything under control before anything goes wrong.
Social One
Exemplary
Social One
A matter-of-fact, principled person who wants to set an example for others.
One-to-one One
Fervent
One-to-one One
A fervent reformer who mainly wants to improve the people around them.
How to find your strategy, wing, and subtype
In two steps. The first is free.
3w2One-to-One