Hornevian Groups (Enneagram): A Complete, Practical Guide
Assertive • Compliant • Withdrawn — what they are, how they show up, and how to use them for growth
Summary (2 lines): Hornevian Groups describe how each Enneagram type moves in relationships to get core needs met: Assertive (move against), Compliant/Dutiful (move toward), Withdrawn (move away). Originates in Karen Horney’s social strategies, later adapted to the Enneagram.
What are the Hornevian Groups?
Hornevian Groups are social styles that explain the way you move toward, against, or away from others to meet needs like security, identity, or autonomy. The concept comes from Karen Horney (moving against / toward / away), and was later mapped onto the Enneagram by authors such as Riso & Hudson as Assertive, Compliant (Dutiful), and Withdrawn.
In plain words: the Triads tell us what we want; Hornevian Groups show how we try to get it.
Quick Chart (types, social move, everyday vibe)
| Group (aka) | Social move | Types | Everyday vibe (one-liners) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assertive (Aggressive) | Move against | 3, 7, 8 | Takes space, directs energy outward, pushes for outcomes |
| Compliant (Dutiful) | Move toward | 1, 2, 6 | Earns outcomes by duty, service, standards, or aligning to what’s “right.” |
| Withdrawn | Move away | 4, 5, 9 | Pulls inward to regroup, observe, imagine, or maintain inner stability. |
Note on variants: Naranjo described a different mapping (Against: 1-3-8, Toward: 7-9-2, Away: 5-6-4). Most modern summaries online use the Riso-Hudson arrangement above. We flag this so you see both lineages.
Assertive Group (Types 3, 7, 8)
Core move: push against the environment to make things happen.
Shared flavor: energetic, future-oriented, comfortable taking the initiative or setting direction.
How each type can look:
- Type 3 (Achiever): asserts to win recognition; calibrates to what will be valued; prefers visible progress
- Type 7 (Enthusiast): asserts for options and positive possibilities; reframes obstacles; changes the scene if it’s limiting.
- Type 8 (Challenger): asserts for control and protection; confronts directly; sets the pace and tests strength.
Strengths you bring: momentum, courage, fast decision-making, mobilizing others.
Common blind spots: bypassing feelings, over-control, impatience with slower processes.
Try this (growth prompts):
- Pause for impact check: “What’s the emotional wake of my speed and push?”
- Ask for input before you commit the group.
- Build a rhythm that includes decompression and reflection.
Compliant (Dutiful) Group (Types 1, 2, 6)
Core move: move toward expectations, standards, or belonging to earn what’s needed (autonomy, love, or safety).
How each type can look:
- Type 1 (Reformer): aligns to principle/rules to secure autonomy via “doing it right.” Often steps into responsibility.
- Type 2 (Helper): moves toward people through care and service to secure connection/recognition.
- Type 6 (Loyalist): seeks safety via systems, authorities, or trusted groups; vigilant, team-first.
Strengths you bring: reliability, service, conscience, cohesion.
Common blind spots: over-efforting, self-neglect, rigidity, outsourcing authority to rules/groups.
Try this (growth prompts):
- Ask, “What do I want—beyond duty?” once per decision.
- Schedule guilt-free rest; practice “good enough” standards.
- Share concerns early to prevent resentment.
Withdrawn Group (Types 4, 5, 9)
Core move: step back to the inner world—observe, imagine, or calm the waters—before re-entering.
How each type can look:
- Type 4 (Individualist): withdraws to feel authentic and be found for who they are.
- Type 5 (Investigator): withdraws to think, map, and secure resources/energy.
- Type 9 (Peacemaker): withdraws to keep inner peace and avoid pressure; may stay present in body but “blank out” mentally.
Strengths you bring: perspective, depth, calm, originality.
Common blind spots: hesitation to engage, missed influence, being hard to read.
Try this (growth prompts):
- Make “one small bid” for engagement in every meeting.
- Translate inner clarity into one concrete action.
- Protect alone-time and set a re-entry point.
How Hornevian Groups differ from other Enneagram groupings
- Centers/Triads (Gut/Heart/Head): explain core drives and habitual emotion (anger/shame/fear).
- Hornevian Groups: explain social strategy (against/toward/away).
- Harmonic Groups: explain how you cope with disappointment (Positive Outlook / Competency / Reactive).
- Harmony Groups / Stances (some authors): other 3×3 lenses; don’t confuse them with “Harmonic.”
Practical applications (work, relationships, self-coaching)
At work
- Assertive: invite co-design before acting; pair speed with listening roles.
- Compliant: sanity-check “shoulds” vs goals; rotate decision ownership.
- Withdrawn: share drafts early; commit to verbalizing one clear ask per meeting.
In relationships
- Assertive: name feelings directly; practice soft starts.
- Compliant: express needs without justifying; set boundaries with warmth.
- Withdrawn: agree on signals for “time out / time back in”; narrate your inner process in short sentences.
Self-coaching questions
- When pressure rises, do I move against, toward, or away? (Name it.)
- What need am I pursuing by moving like this (autonomy, love/esteem, safety)? (Own it.)
- What’s one micro-adjustment that would honor my need and the relationship?
FAQs
Are these the same as Stances?
Some teachers use “stances” as a synonym for Hornevian groups; others reserve “stances” for a different 3×3 lens. Check the author’s definitions.
Why do some charts list different types per group?
Because Naranjo proposed a mapping aligned more tightly with Horney’s original neurotic solutions, while Riso-Hudson popularized the mapping most readers see online today (Assertive: 3-7-8; Compliant: 1-2-6; Withdrawn: 4-5-9). Your growth takeaways are similar either way—just be clear which system you use.