Enneagram Social Instinct (SO)
Summary of the Social Instinct:
Key words: connection, contribution, participation, adaptation, involvement, mirroring, attunement, cooperation, reciprocation, accommodation
(note: there's a common misconception about the social instinct being correlated to being extroverted or social. This is not the case, introverts (cognitively) can be a social subtype and even the most reserved or quiet individuals. The social instinct is simply the instinctual drive to connect, engage and contribute to others. In some cases, social subtypes can be most prone to social anxiety due to the heightened sensitivity of their position in the world)
Main concerns:
Maintaining the sense of value gained from participating in activities with others (be it group, family, community, friends, colleagues, etc)
to be part of something larger than themselves (social media is a great example of the social instinct, because we all innately are looking to satiate that need for contribution and involvement)
Main focuses:
to establish a social standing/position in society
building personal value, sense of accomplishment and security with others
to know what is going on in the world/community; can manifest as gossiping, world news, celebrities, events, politics, etc.
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Social subtypes are sensitive and attuned to the hierarchical social structure and group norms; emphasis on groups; 'out-groups', 'in-groups'
Have the capacity to form and sustain relationships over a long-period
comprehension of one's position and place (e.g 'am I a loner? Am I accepted? do I have value here?, I feel like an outcast, what do we have in common? Are we close? etc')
nuances of social environments, etiquette, cues, boundaries, status and power, behaviour, etc
being able to understand and sense impact of actions on others
What this can manifest as:
desire for acclaim/fame, attention, popularity, recognition, success, honour, leadership, appreciation, to have high social status, etc
How the Social instinct may manifest when unhealthy/distorted:
Antisocial behaviour, resentment over society and people, anxieties and self-defeating behaviours, overly preoccupied about self-image (to others), fear of exclusion or being devalued, avoidance of social endeavours, cynicism and distrustfulness, etc.
The Social instinct, however, is actually something much more fundamental. It is a powerful desire, found in all human beings, to be liked, approved of, and to feel safe with others. On our own, we are rather weak and vulnerable and can easily fall prey to a hostile environment. We lack the claws, fangs, and fur of other animals, and if we did not band together and cooperate with each other, it is unlikely that our species, or we as individuals, would be able to survive. Being able to adjust ourselves to others and be acceptable is a fundamental, survival based human instinct.
References:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Enneagram/comments/14bw32k/are_enneagrammers_instinct_example_thoughts/
https://thepracticalenneagram.com/instincts/social-instinct/
https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/the-resource-thread-for-instinctual-variants-and-stackings.118168/page-2?nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#replies
https://www.reddit.com/r/Enneagram/comments/14cegz6/being_so_dom_actually_makes_you_less_social/
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