SO2 vs. SO3

In essence, the social E3 always plays a role and is in contact with shame. He tries to eradicate shame by complying with established social values and standards, becoming what people expect of him, as his greatest desire is not even to be admired and extraordinary, but simply to be important, noticed, and relevant socially. The social Two feels innately superior and deserving of admiration, and his social conquest serves to claim what he deserves given his perceived greatness. — Depth Typology

A simple distinction between pride and vanity can be drawn based on the innacy of one's self-worth. In simpler terms, pride can be defined as a feeling of innate superiority and deserving; the prideful character sees itself as naturally better, more attractive, more deserving of admiration, etc. Ennea-type 2 is not in contact with shame at all; they repress it to the depths of the unconscious, and only when they are confronted with the limits of their abilities does such shame resurface. Habitually, however, the E2 is haughty, boastful, and expansive. The E3 stands in contrast to this, for although behaviorally it may appear similar, the social E3 is constantly in contact with shame and persistently attempts to repress it through actively crafting a certain image.

The E2so does not play any role; he is himself, for he believes he is more worthy of success and admiration than others. We may use the example of Alexander the Great—someone who, since childhood, was told he was destined for the throne; someone who grew with the conviction that the throne belonged to him and, once he achieved it, that he must reach a godly status to mark his legacy. The great tales of success, courage, and immense strength come specifically from the propaganda he produced. He formed vast social connections and had scribes exalt historical events to make himself appear more extraordinary. In conclusion, he was an intensely boastful person with the belief that he was innately deserving of something—that being the throne and a legacy.

As for the E3so, a fitting example is a widespread social phenomenon rather than an individual. The phenomenon I am speaking of is what we commonly regard as the "manosphere," where men, in search of self-worth and value, follow rigorous social standards and expectations in order to appear more masculine and strong. The social E3 foremost desires to feel important and valuable—to be noticed and not specifically admired (although it is very appreciated by the type), but more so validated by society. He wants to feel as if he belongs and is important in a given social group or community. Adhering to such rigorous standards, such as those related to masculinity, is one of the ways by which the social Three achieves the illusion of importance—the sense that he matters more, or matters at all. Here we can see the active repression of shame: by becoming what society values—by embodying traits like strength, competence, wealth, or attractiveness—the E3 represses the idea that he is the opposite. The manosphere fears emasculation and being a "low-value male," and so those categorizations become something they project onto males beyond the manosphere in an attempt to distance themselves from those shameful ideas.

Furthermore, the social Two is defined by the neurotic need for conquest—meaning a social conquest specifically. He, in his illusory self-importance, craves to become someone great and extraordinary, above the average human, much like Alexander craved a godly status. And so he forms social connections and is something of an opportunist and a smooth-tongued salesman, doing so to create a vast network of associates to further expand his social territory—essentially positioning himself at the center of this web. The more connections he has, the more important he becomes, being a kind of person of reference—someone to whom all turn. Being the most important in a community further establishes his position as "the best" and elevates his esteem.

The social E3 can be equally opportunistic and can even crave the same recognition as a "person of reference," but as mentioned, he does everything while in touch with shame. He wants to repress the idea of being unimportant, and so he does everything in his power to become important, including forming such vast social networks and being a chameleon who can bend his values based on what is the more socially favorable option. The more he feels included, the more he feels valued, and thus he distances himself from the potential inferiority he holds within himself all the time. His self-esteem can crumble at any time, as opposed to the rather stable esteem of the E2 who, not being much of a chameleon, feels innately valuable without self-adjustments required.