When discussing personality types, our analysis adopts a unique starting point that we have developed over years: the movements of the hands and body postures. Indeed, while many texts discuss concepts like "connecting with others," "dominant behavior," or "isolation," they often remain abstract, not delving into the corresponding non-verbal communication. What gestures signify connection? And which denote isolation? This is crucial because our primary mode of communication is non-verbal, and verbal communication derives its meaning from this.

Our approach, while original, connects with the work of various authors. For example, it relates to the observations of Virginia Satir, a family therapist who identified various family dynamics postures, which we link to hand movements: accusatory (akin to Satir's "Blamer"), conciliatory (similar to Satir's "Placater"), and overly rational (paralleling Satir's "Computer"). Bandler and Grinder also considered these types in their analysis of attitudes, associating them with sensory channels: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, respectively.

Even though we reference Satir, our focus is more on non-verbal levels, drawing inspiration from Italian researchers like Benemeglio who concentrated solely on non-verbal aspects, albeit our analysis operates on a different plane.

A fascinating aspect is identifying three fundamental tendencies in non-verbal communication concerning communicative attitudes, a thesis supported by various authors. These attitudes correlate with the polyvagal theory and underlying neurology, suggesting that gestures of acceptance and connection, fundamental from infancy, are linked to vagal activation, indicative of a social engagement system (Porges, 2007). Accepting gestures, like open body language, are crucial for co-regulation with others. The empirical work of Meaney and colleagues (Champagne, 2008; Meaney, 2001) is significant here, demonstrating through maternal behavior in rats, and by extension in humans, how early tactile contact shapes an individual's stress management systems and ability to handle stress through life, highlighting the importance of early tactile experiences (Champagne, 2008; Meaney, 2001).

Similarly, self-touching behaviors, often observed in isolation scenarios, express in adults as scratching or "blocking," like grabbing a part of the body. Studies have shown that self-touch is a self-regulation mode (Landau et al., 2003; Toda & Fogel). Moszkowski and Stack (2007) found that infants engage in more self-touch when mothers are unavailable, using active, reactive, and soothing touches, while they touch their mothers and engage in more passive touches when mothers are available, indicating a shift in touch behavior based on social availability.

Lastly, aggressive gestures, such as pointing or abrupt grabbing, are clearly linked to defensive or attack scenarios, associated with sympathetic activation in the polyvagal theory

The Interplay of Enneagram Types, Jungian Archetypes, and Polyvagal States

The Enneagram, a model of human psyche comprising nine interconnected personality types, offers profound insights into our emotional and motivational landscapes. When we overlay this model with Jungian archetypes and Polyvagal Theory, we unlock a deeper understanding of the human condition. Here, we explore the first five Enneagram types, their Jungian counterparts as determined by a statistical research, and how they interact with our nervous system's polyvagal states.

Type 1: The Reformer and the ISTJ Archetype

Enneagram Type 1s, known as Reformers, are the embodiment of order and idealism. They align with the Jungian ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) archetype, which prioritizes structure and duty. Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, Type 1s in a healthy state exhibit a balanced ventral vagal response, embodying calmness and social engagement. However, under stress, they may shift to a high sympathetic state, leading to obsessive-compulsive tendencies. This suggests a heightened state of arousal where their inherent drive for perfection becomes an unyielding quest, often resulting in rigidity (dorsal vagus activation) and criticalness.

Type 2: The Helper and the ENFJ/ESFJ Archetypes

The caring and interpersonal Type 2s or Helpers resonate with the extroverted feeling types of the Jungian archetypes, ENFJ and ESFJ. These individuals naturally express high ventral vagal activity, fostering deep connections and empathic responses. However, when pushed to their pathological extremes, they might experience dysregulated sympathetic arousal, manifesting as manipulative or histrionic behaviors. Here, their innate desire to be loved and appreciated may warp into a fear of abandonment, driving them to engage in unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Type 3: The Achiever and the ESFP/ENFP Archetypes

Type 3s, the Achievers, are the quintessential success-oriented individuals, mirroring the adaptable and resourceful nature of the ESFP and ENFP Jungian types. They exhibit a balanced sympathetic state, propelling them towards goal completion and efficiency. However, their pursuit of validation can skew into a narcissistic or grandiose display in a high sympathetic state, where the fear of failure and the drive for admiration override their authentic selves.

Type 4: The Individualist and the INFP/INFJ Archetypes

The introspective Type 4s, or Individualists, often find their counterparts in the reflective and idealistic INFP and INFJ Jungian archetypes. They typically maintain a high ventral vagal state, which allows for deep emotional experiences and creative expression. However, in the face of significant stress, they may descend into a low ventral vagal state indicative of depression, where their depth of feeling turns inwards, isolating them from the support they need.

Type 5: The Investigator and the INTP/ISTP Archetypes

Enneagram Type 5s, the Investigators, correlate with the analytical INTP and ISTP Jungian types. In their element, Type 5s operate with a balanced ventral vagal state, reflecting their capacity for detachment and thoughtful analysis. However, if overwhelmed, they may retreat into a high dorsal vagal state, synonymous with avoidant behaviors. The activation of this "freeze" response can result in social withdrawal and a deepened sense of isolation.

Type 6: The Loyalist and the ISFJ/ISTP Archetypes

Type 6s, known as Loyalists, are the committed security-seekers of the Enneagram. They often correspond with the ISFJ and ISTP Jungian types, characterized by a blend of introverted sensing and thinking or feeling. In a state of balance, Type 6s exhibit a high ventral vagal tone, enabling trust and cooperation. However, under threat, they may experience dysregulated sympathetic activation, leading to paranoid or overly anxious behaviors. This shift reflects the Loyalist's struggle between seeking security and succumbing to fear, often imagining worst-case scenarios as a defense mechanism.

Type 7: The Enthusiast and the ENTP Archetype

The joy-seeking Enthusiasts, or Type 7s, resonate with the innovative and extroverted ENTP Jungian archetype. These individuals naturally thrive in a high ventral vagal state, engaging life with optimism and curiosity. Yet, when trapped or in pain, they might spiral into a high sympathetic state, exhibiting manic tendencies. This represents the Enthusiast's attempt to escape from discomfort through constant stimulation and novelty, often avoiding deeper emotional processing.

Type 8: The Challenger and the ESTP/ENTJ Archetypes

Type 8s, the Challengers, embody strength and assertiveness, aligning with the forceful and dynamic ESTP and ENTJ Jungian types. In their empowered state, Type 8s operate within a balanced sympathetic domain, wielding their energy to protect and lead. However, when their control is threatened, they may escalate to a high sympathetic state, manifesting as aggressive or confrontational behaviors. This reaction underscores the Challenger's deep-seated vulnerability, masked by a facade of invincibility.

Type 9: The Peacemaker and the ISFP Archetype

Finally, the harmonious Peacemakers, or Type 9s, find their Jungian counterparts in the gentle and accommodating ISFPs. In harmony, Type 9s display a high ventral vagal activation, fostering peace and understanding. Yet, in the face of conflict or personal neglect, they might slip into a high dorsal vagal state, characterized by passivity or dissociative tendencies. This response can be seen as the Peacemaker's retreat from tension, often minimizing their presence to maintain external peace, at the cost of their own needs and desires.

Here the statistical basis used for the correlation between MBTI and Enneagram

This is a tentative connection that will be explored more in the next pages 

The concept of NLP3 (Third Generation Neuro-Linguistic Programming) marks a significant evolution in the understanding of human communication and psychology. About twenty years ago, I played a role in introducing NLP to Italy, a field then focused on visual, auditory, and kinesthetic sensory channels. However, through experience and practice, observing hundreds of people and integrating alternative approaches that also recognized three main channels, I realized the need for deeper investigation. This led me to explore the enneagram theory, which I discovered could be integrated with NLP, thus giving birth to NLP3.

NLP3 stands out for its ability to offer a broader and more detailed communicative perspective, allowing the identification of a person's "communicative stance" rather than just the sensory channel. This is incredibly more powerful and occurs by linking communicative styles and behaviors to specific strategies and movements, such as those of the hands. I noticed that activity and movement were key indicators in defining sensory types: "visuals" tended to be more active and inclined towards action, "auditories" more reflective and detached, and "kinesthetics" more socially oriented and connected to others.

These observations led me to reconsider the exclusive use of sensory channels as limited, and therefore also NLP as limited because much more could be achieved. At a certain point, I recognized that a person's predominant channel could derive from an innate disposition towards action (indicative), a predisposition to action that became an attack in stressful situations, reflection (superlogical attitude), or social connection (propitiatory), rather than from a mere sensory preference which appears instead as a derivative element.

When I became acquainted with polyvagal theory, I noted how different communicative styles corresponded to states of nervous system activation: attack (visuals), distance (auditories), and social connection (kinesthetics). This multidimensional approach has greatly enriched the understanding of interpersonal dynamics, providing more effective tools for communication and therapy.

In summary, currently integrating NLP3 with polyvagal theory, a new approach we might call neurovagal communication, represents a qualitative leap in understanding communicative processes, integrating sensory, behavioral, and neurological aspects into a coherent framework that values the diversity of human experiences.

The transition from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to Polyvagal Theory and finally to NLP3 offers a fresh perspective on the interpretation of sensory channels and the understanding of individual communication and defense strategies. NLP, with its roots in communication techniques and change processes, finds an intriguing point of convergence with Polyvagal Theory, especially when considering the work of Virginia Satir, a source of inspiration for the founders of NLP, known for her contributions to family therapy. NLP3 permits to put together these approaches

Communication Strategies according to Virginia Satir and NLP

Virginia Satir identified different communication styles within family dynamics, including:

• The Blamer or Accuser: This person, in a state of stress, becomes aggressive and tends to attack, asserting what they believe is right. In NLP, this type of communication was associated with the visual channel, as the individual tends to focus on what they perceive as injustices or errors.

• The Super-Reasonable: This personality adopts a detached approach, taking refuge in logic as a defense strategy. Their communication is characterized by emotional detachment and a cold analysis of facts.

• The Placater: This type seeks to avoid conflict at all costs, trying to agree with others and accepting their opinions to maintain harmony. This is also seen as a defense mechanism.

Interpretation through Polyvagal Theory

Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory provides a framework for understanding these communication strategies in terms of the nervous system's response:

• The Accuser might exhibit a "Blended State," where there is both sympathetic activation (readiness for action, fight) and dorsal activation (stiffness, potential withdrawal). This combination leads to aggressive and attacking behavior.

• The Placater might represent another "Blended State," where there is co-activation of the ventral vagal system (promoting social connection and calm) and the dorsal system (which can lead to some disconnection or submission), resulting in conciliatory behavior aimed at maintaining peace.

• The Super-Reasonable could correspond to a predominantly dorsal activation, where detachment and disconnection predominate, leading to cold, analytical behavior, distant from emotional involvement.

These correlations between the communication strategies identified by Satir and the concepts of Polyvagal Theory underscore how our physiological states deeply influence our interaction styles. By understanding these dynamics, we can develop more effective strategies for emotional regulation and communication, both in therapeutic contexts and in everyday life.

An interesting aspect of polyvagal theory is that it provides a framework for interpreting the neurology behind certain attitudes and behaviors. In this regard, we can consider that by examining various personality types, we can understand the neurological underpinnings of specific actions. In essence, personality descriptions often mention that some individuals are very active, while others may be more passive or receptive. We can translate this information into sympathetic system activation and parasympathetic (vagal) system activation, including the direction of the dorsal vagal system. This perspective offers another lens through which to understand personality types. The advantage of this lens is that it is not derived from any particular system but allows for the interpretation of any system. It's as if we found the lowest common denominators behind every number.