In this article, we will discuss the theory of tritype in relation to 6. The following directly addresses the influence of the core and first fix (the first two numbers in your tritype). The final fix will have less of a strong influence on the 6 itself, and exist mostly in synergy with the other two numbers (how does it accommodate or work against them?). I’ve noticed in interacting with 6s online how their core seems to shift given the influence of their second fix, which is a strong influence and can sometimes get mistaken for their core, especially if it’s a fellow attachment number. Here’s some of the things I’ve observed and a few speculations about how the two numbers entwine.

Image-fixed 6s seem to be more aware of how they are coming across than image-last 6s, due to the presentation and shame orientation of their image fix being a strong pull on their core. Each image fix either moves toward or against the super-ego messages within the 6.

6-2: 2s center their shame in needing to be more selfless, loving, and generous. It’s double super-ego, which means double repressed thinking in terms of relationships. 6s over-think everything and cannot land, whereas 2s over-think their relationships and need to be liked. This makes for a warm and accommodating 6, who may use their over-thinking to rationalize why they should stay in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling to them, or even has problems, because their super-ego and sense of pride in being essential to this person’s life makes them its cornerstone (“without me, they would not survive; they need me”). Because they are a 6 lead, there’s less obvious pride and self-confidence, and more insecurities and openness about their flaws. But there is a strong need to be good, to do what’s right, and inner lecturing about how a friend “should” behave. 6-2s will be supportive in the hopes of earning the support they crave; they do not want to be alone, and how to accomplish that is to be generous, loving, and supportive, even gushy and flattering. On the low side, they can be clingy as they move anxiously toward people for reassurance, friendship,etc. When young in particular, they can be needy and over-focus on winning over those who dislike them. There will be a certain flavor to this behavior through the wing on the 2. 6s with 2w1 are more moralistic, preoccupied with doing what is “right,” and have ego defenses and/or inhibitions against being too “flattering” (it’s “fake” to their mind), with an eye for their friends’ flaws (but a feeling that they should ignore them, to be a good friend); whereas 2w3 fixers are more confident, self-promoting, and want to be the friend who dispenses advice rather than sits in the trenches with others. They can be loftier and less concerned with humility, since their pride leans toward shape-shifting and seeing themselves as indispensable and valued.

6-3: This is one of the less reactive combinations, because 3s are aware of how they are coming across and do not want to be “cringe.” Some of 6’s natural inclination to be raw, overreact, etc, gets dulled, both through the 3’s image management (“I don’t want to be seen in a negative or emotional light”) and the emotionless flavor of the 3. 6s and 3s both repress their self-awareness of their emotions, which means a double blockage of emotional understanding for themselves. 6-3s over-think, but then become assertive as they decide what to do to accomplish a goal or resolve a problem. 3s are assertive types with clear thinking, but 6s are super-ego types with repressed thinking; the 3 takes the edge off the wheel spinning and heads them into direct action, due to a 3ish competency frustration with inertia and lack of progress. 6-3s also may deny the less admirable aspects of 6, as they ‘manage’ their image in public through interactions with others. They will claim what seems obvious, but deny being like other 6s, cherry picking and choosing what seems flattering to them, while working through their issues in private (or denying they exist). 6-3 is accommodating and moves toward people to find solutions, but also gets impatient with incompetence in others, or with those who refuse to see the truth, and goes around them if they get in the way. 6’s stress line moves to 3, so having a secondary 3 fix enhances a lot of those qualities—workaholic behaviors (work to avoid anxiety, while still having self-doubts about what they are doing) . A strong need to prove themselves, but anxiety around self-promotion, because of ego defenses and 6 disliking arrogance. A 3ish tendency to avoid trying things in which they can fail in public. Much time and effort goes to maintaining an image they want others to see. Being “reactive” later gets met with shame for “losing it” (“cringe” behavior). They are less prone to flattery than the 2 fixer, less “gooey,” but the risk of the 6-3 is getting caught up in other people; struggling to find their own agenda due to shape-shifting to accommodate whatever type they think they are, and failing to self-locate. Secretly, the 3 fix is rejecting anything they don’t want to admit to, about being a 6, or taking on 6, and pruning it in the eyes of others so it’s more enviable. The assertive type challenges their super-ego center, but messages about being “good” and there being a “right” way to exist get through, combined with the desire to excel. Again, the wings influence this to a degree. 3w2 is warmer and has more time for people, in connection with the super-ego 2; these 6s have more guilt about being purely ambitious without room for others. 3w4s are pickier, loftier, and more project-oriented, deal with more frustration, and make the 6 seem less “2ish.”

6-4: Double reactivity means no super-ego against “reacting,” drawing attention to what is “wrong,” over-focusing on it, and enhancing certain emotions within the 4 type structure (rejecting some but not others while insisting on being “real”), but there is still image management happening, to ensure at all times that others do not fully understand them. 6s want support and equality, but 4s look down on that and deny others can fully understand their position, which means a push and pull between the opposite desires of the two numbers. Core 6s are warmer, concerned with others and their feelings, and more accommodating than core 4s, but still carry a 4ish flavor in being misunderstood, victimized by life (their problems cannot be fixed, because they make the 6 special). 6-4 feels a strong need to stand out from their peers and self-differentiate, by drawing attention to what is “different” about them. It’s not in the same ways as the 6-3, which prunes what is broken in the 6 to look more impressive or seem healthier on the surface; the 6-4 enhances what is different, unusual, or “not like you” to stand out. They are proud of their reactivity, their emotions, and believe no one should tell them what to feel, or what reactions are appropriate. They look down on people who seem to have limited emotional range, and can get lost in their own feelings. They lack the positivity of the 6-2, and the neutrality of the 6-3, in favor of bringing negativity (“reality”) to the forefront. They are more comfortable than the other 6-image types in dwelling in “shadow-worlds” and focusing on the harsh realities of life, without becoming depressed by them, but it takes them longer to work through loss, pain, and suffering. They see no need to rush, because the loss is part of their identity. Others may see them as “melodramatic,” “reactive,” or “negative.” 6-4 allows the 6 to get more in touch with their true feelings than the other two 6s, and also allows them to break ties easier; the 6-4 tends to heavily emphasize and trust what they feel, and doesn’t try to talk themselves out of it the way 6-2 does, or avoid it the way 6-3 does. 4 being a withdrawn type means this 6 is more independent than the other 6s; withdrawn types solve problems themselves, but are also “gut-repressed” so this 6 doesn’t fix things so much as it withdraws to ponder them. 4w3 fixed 6s are more showy in their emotions and more willing to adjust themselves to meet others halfway, but 4w5s are more insular, withdrawn, and negative, with more faith in their ability to problem solve (this is increased if the 6 lead also has a 5 wing).

In terms of movement, 6-2s are double super-ego, so they are thinking repressed and get stuck in the super-ego. 6-3 has assertive, which means heart repressed; they lose all sense of their feelings. 6-4 is thinking and doing repressed, which means “gut last” and can mean “inert” in terms of assuming their life is theirs to fix through direct action.

The gut-fixed 6s are stronger in terms of movement, but less aware of how they are coming across to others and do not image-manage in a serious way. It’s all about their reactive core blended with their anger management (or lack thereof).

6-1: This combination has double superego, which means a strong presentation of what is right and wrong and proper, and a lot of inner messages about perfection. 6-1s come across as rigid and firm in their opinions; they have lofty ideals and frown on those who break the rules, behave inappropriately, or do not accept their authority. They tackle their over-thinking with direct action or a strong belief in their own Rightness. 1s believe they are endowed with divine wisdom, in knowing how things SHOULD be, so the 6 tempers their anxiety and indecision with over-confidence and over-assurance in being right. They come down hard on the side of justice, propriety, and fairness, but can also seem strict or disapproving. They are less indecisive than 6-9s and reconsider their views less, because they firmly believe when they react through anger that they are in the right. They rely on gut energy to make their decisions and stop their waffling, and are in touch with their anger. Anger centers them and directs their reactivity toward what’s wrong with people and the world. They are critical and direct. Their over-thinking comes from too much emphasis on being right, perfect, doing things properly, doing the right thing, etc. 1w2 fixed 6s are loud in their willingness to confront people and address the things that anger them; 1w9 fixed 6s are quieter, more withdrawn, but have loftier ideals. Both suppress their anger to some degree, but when in conjunction with the 6 reactivity, it’s easy to tap into and justify their decisions – they feel a strong need to defend themselves and hold firmly to their opinions.

6-8: The double-reactivity makes for an aggressive 6 with a short fuse. These 6s are negative and reactive, over-vigilant and focused on defending and guarding themselves and their loved ones against perceived threats. If accused of being reactive, they claim they are realistic and people are out to get you, so you need to be on your guard. There’s less super-ego about losing their temper, and more aggression and counter-phobic behaviors (moving toward what scares them, putting on a bold front, and getting loud and pushy when others test them). These 6s are highly attuned to power dynamics and want to be in charge, but still have the warmth and accommodating nature of a core 6. Their anger is explosive, swift, and dies down quickly, but they have fewer super-ego concerns, in favor of direct, swift aggressive action. Lots of thinking and strategizing goes to self-protection and avoidance of future problems, but they are sensitive to criticism, read negativity into others’ words, and struggle to see how they are projecting into how others respond to them. Their default position is strength, even if they hate serious conflict. They are more “bark than bite,” especially if the 8 has a peace-seeking 9 wing. 8w7 fixed 6s are more explosive. The aggression of the 8, which wants to get what it wants, makes this 6 less apologetic about pursuing their own agenda, or beating out others to “win.” When push comes to shove, they intend to be in charge. But it can also make a 6 too quick to leap into decisive action, by short-cutting the second-guessing; these 6s can cause problems for themselves and others by rushing into things, to avoid any inner indecision or second-guessing, only to wind up over-thinking later in an attempt to fix a problem.

6-9: Are the slipperiest of the types, hard to pin down, cannot see themselves in the haze of self that captures them, constantly merging, evolving, and peace-seeking. Stubborn, resilient, and conflict-avoidant, but more willing to cause trouble as a core 6 than a 9 would be. They may not see themselves as 6s because they identify with the obscurity, tranquility, and inner confusion of the 9. Tend to come up with lots of arguments that slip into 9’s tendency to make everything equal and have no strong opinions, which means diffusing their own arguments and landing in a web of confusion. The withdrawn nature of the 9 means this 6 moves away from people for a time to figure out what to do, but then goes back to them for reassurance. It’s easy for them to lose focus and adopt whatever others tell them; there’s an almost constant sense of re-evaluating and rethinking happening, because 6-9 can’t land and doesn’t grip onto things through a gut sense of ‘knowing’ (the certainty that comes with 1’s morality or 8’s rejection stance). 6-9s are adaptive, go along to get along, and put up with people to avoid conflict, which gives them the anxiety they are trying to avoid, but can be stubborn in agreeing with someone and then doing their own thing. They seem calmer on the surface than other 6s, because the 9 fix doesn’t like to overreact—it feels uncomfortable. These 6s self-soothe to avoid anxiety, often through 9ish numbing methods. The repress and are out of touch with their anger, more so with 1 wings than 8 wings. There’s a degree of “who cares,” and “nothing makes sense, because I can see myself in everything.” These 6s are less energetic than the other two, more inclined to relax without as many merciless super-ego inner recriminations, and prefer to take the road less traveled, one that is structured to accommodate their desire for inner peace. But their tendency to deny, avoid, and suppress their anger can give them a lot of pent up frustration and suspicions toward other people, which leak out from time to time.

6-1s are double super-ego, which means they are usually active but trapped in their own relentless inner critic; 6-8s have an assertive fix, which means driven, productive, and quick to cut people and things off that annoy them (8s are rejection types, so they temper the 6 tendency to “tolerate” things forever, unless there’s a reason to put up with someone out of loyalty); 6-9s have a doing-repressed fix, which means they are more likely than the other two types not to resolve problems directly and to not assume a problem is theirs to fix with immediate or direct action.

Learn how to grow as a 6 in my book 9 Kinds of Quirky, available on Amazon.com or digitally.