Type 5: The Observing Investigator

You might be a 5 if...

You are constantly aware of how much private space and time you have and you do what you need to protect it, often by avoiding demands from others and the outside world as much as possible

You habitually consume more information and knowledge than the average person

You have a more difficult time staying connected with your emotions while other people are present, it is much easier to feel emotions when alone, you often need time and space before expressing your feelings to others

You would prefer communication to be given to you in a direct and brief manner, getting to the point quickly

You limit your dependency on others, your desires, your needs, or your wants

You often detach to observe people and things from a distance to better help yourself understand what’s going on

For you it is extremely important that things are logical and make sense

You believe you will be depleted if people keep asking you for things or sharing too many emotions with you

You go deep into the areas that interest you

You are happy to learn new things just for the sake of learning new things, you don’t need to prove those learnings or use that knowledge for a specific task or skill

You don’t feel the need to fill the space with words. You talk when you need to and are happy to be quiet and inside yourself. You typically don’t enjoy small talk.

You are quite sensitive to having to participate in anything that lasts longer than you would like

Common Stereotype:

Some people believe that 5s are selfish, stingy, and overly reserved.

Running Towards:
Being capable and competent through knowledge and self-sufficiency

Running From:
Being invaded, incompetent, being thought incapable or ignorant; as well as, having obligations placed upon me or having my energy totally depleted

Core Longing:
To know that “My needs are not a problem”

Core Struggle:
Feeling that I lack inner resources and that too much interaction with others will lead to depletion. Withholding myself from contact with the world; holding onto my resources (like space, time, and energy), and minimizing my own needs

Subtypes of Type 5: The Observing Investigator

SELF-PRESERVATION 5: CASTLE

This 5 is focused on creating isolation and boundaries to create a sanctuary where they feel safe from intrusions. They feel the need to control their boundaries and will limit their needs in order to avoid being dependent on others. They will find everything they need within the walls they have created. This type of 5 tends to be the least expressive. They are the most introverted of the 5s and likely feel a need to be competent with their families, health, finances, and home. They may feel a small need to be with those they trust and want to share knowledge with, but they will need plenty of time to replenish their reserves after being in the company of others.

SOCIAL 5: TOTEM

This type of 5 needs to feel competent within their groups and communities. They are the most extroverted of the 5s. Their search for knowledge is what fuels them with a sense of power and security. They can relate more deeply, but will typically relate to others through common interests, shared knowledge, or shared values vs. an emotional connection. The passion of avarice in this type 5 is connected more to knowledge than to things. They may idealize experts and will likely seek the knowledge connected to whatever it is that they value. This type of 5 is usually in search of the ultimate meaning of life in order to avoid experiencing life as meaningless. They might share their knowledge, values, and ideals, but not their space, time, or resources.

ONE-TO-ONE/SEXUAL 5: CONFIDENCE (the countertype)

This 5 has the biggest romantic streak and will search for ideal examples of the purest love. They may seek out a partner who exemplifies absolute love and trust, but they want to keep the relationship more private. This type might look like a 4 in that they feel deeply, show their desires, and suffer more internally, They tend to be more creative and artistic to express themselves. Internally they feel more vibrant and energetic but are still fairly cut off from others and likely won’t show their feelings even if they know them.

Want to better understand what it means to live as a type 5?

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