I believe our overall personality as a nation is changing.  Yes, I know that’s been a trend since the first settlers landed on the east coast, but the change I’ve seen in the last couple decades is what I’m focusing on.  I do not intend to imply that all citizens are what I’m about to describe – but rather a segment within that is growing rapidly.  I propose that this tendency is detrimental to our nation as a whole.

Large portions of the populace have shifted their idea of “life destiny” from home, family and job to image, attention and JOB (no, that’s not a typo – JOB becomes even more important, but shun the warm support of home and family – make a note to remember Type 3).

A variety of MBTI researchers through the years (all the way back to Carl Jung’s 1921 publication of Psychological Types) have presented theories of personality that support similar patterns categorizing individual traits.  As the Enneagram philosophy (presented in the late 1960’s and early 70’s by Oscar Ichazo) has become popular, research has soared trying to relate the MBTI to the Enneagram.   Two of the most popular of the researchers – Don Riso and Walter Geldart – believe that the Enneagram Type 3, the Achiever, has no correlation with MBTI types.  (I agree with them.)

My head is spinning!! What does all that mean??  The Achiever Type 3 did not exist in large enough numbers to be recognized as a separate personality until recent times!!  It’s up-n-comin’!  This chart illustrates – hint: look for Type 3 (for further information, refer to this article):

Enneazone	Associated MBTI  Types according to Riso’s theory	MBTI Prototypes  identified by Fudjack/ Dinkelaker	Associated MBTI  Types according to Geldart	Gabbard’s  ‘represent- ative’ types
1	ESTJ, ENTJ	ENTJ, INTJ ESTJ, ISTJ ENFJ, ESFJ INFJ, ISFJ	ESTJ, ENTJ	ESTJ, ENTJ
2	ESFJ, ENFJ	ESFJ, ENFJ	ESFJ, ENFJ	ENTJ, ENFJ
3	none chosen	ESTP, ESFP	none chosen	ESFJ, ISFJ
4	INFJ, INTJ	INFJ, INTJ	ENTP, ENFP	INFJ, INTJ
5	ISTP, INTP	ISTP, INTP	ISTP, INTP	INFP, INTP
6	ISFP, INFP	ISTJ, ISFJ	ISFP, INFP	ESFP, ISFP
7	ESTP, ESFP	ENTP, ENFP	ESTP, ESFP	ESTP, ENTP
8	ENFP, ENTP	ESTJ, ENTJ	ISTJ, ISFJ	ENFP, ENTP
9	ISTJ, ISFJ	INFP, ISFP	INTJ, INFJ	ESFP, ESFJ

So…, you ask me, why should this matter and why should I care?

The Enneagram type 3 Personality at its best is described as: “You will often find Threes at or near the top of successful organizations. In sport, you will find them as charming winners who will bask in the spotlight, enjoying the respect they have earned through their achievement. But not for long – Threes are only as good as their last triumph, and will be on to achieving their next victory! Their strong drive to achieve creates the Three’s blind spot, the need to be respected by others at all times.”

Also: “At their weakest, if the Threes do not feel they are gaining the respect they deserve they can become very competitive, winning at all cost. In excess, they can become deceptive and vindictive. Image is everything and they will seek to protect their image of success even where the reality is different. To be seen to have failed would be their worst nightmare, and they will seek to preserve their image of success.”

Here is the key to my theory and this new phenomenon we are witnessing:  The bullies of this world are unhealthy Type 3s.  Narcissism, arrogance, contempt and jealousy define the characteristics of the degenerating Achiever.  One glaring example of this burgeoning tendency is the suicide on January 14 of  Phoebe Prince.  Such a tragedy – all due to bullying.

Dr. Susan Lipkins, a psychologist for over twenty years, is a leading expert in the field of hazing.  She specializes in campus conflict and violence in high schools and colleges.  “The bullying culture is increasing at warp speed,” says Long Island psychologist Susan Lipkins. “Bullying and cyber-bullying are becoming more violent and more sexualized every day.”

The not-so-long-ago undefined Type 3 Achiever is becoming more and more prevalent – at an alarming rate – in our society.  Too many young persons today believe corporeal achievement to be superior to the traditional values our citizens have embraced through history – character, conduct and conscience.