Types Eight, Nine, and One are formed around the distorted aspects of instinct. They attempt to influence, recreate, control, and prevent their surrounding environment, while not allowing their self-perception to be affected.

The Head Triad seeks a sense of inner guidance and support. Consequently, the dominant feelings for Types Five, Six, and Seven are anxiety and unease.

The three types in the Heart Triad primarily focus on developing self-image. They compensate for the lack of deep connection with their inner nature by creating and identifying with false identities, then presenting these images to others (and themselves) in hopes of gaining love, attention, approval, and a sense of value.

Wings help personalize the various basic personality types in the Enneagram. Each wing is a subsidiary subtype of the basic type, and understanding wings helps reduce problems one might face on the spiritual path.

The core truth that the Enneagram theory aims to express is that human nature is far more extraordinary than personality. Personality traits are composed of familiar, specific parts of each person's vast potential. While personality traits have limited expression, everyone possesses a deeper and unknown essence called nature.

The modern Enneagram theory does not originate from a single school of thought. It has its roots in ancient wisdom traditions and combines with modern psychology, integrating perspectives from various schools. This theory categorizes personalities into nine basic types, each with its unique thinking patterns, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, growth opportunities, and core motivations, primarily centered around specific emotions.