SO3 vs. C7

Behaviorally, the types may appear similar, especially if both are extraverted intuitives, and thus dominated by the promise of gain. However, the neurosis of the SO3 is ultimately vanity, a desire to feel valuable and important to fend off feelings of worthlessness instilled in his unconscious by conditionally loving parents. His conviction is that he must comply with social values, appear valuable and successful in order to be loved and belong. The SP7, however, is mostly focused on a network of associates to which he doesn't have to necessarily belong; it is enough that he is safe from deprivation and impoverishment by virtue of those connections. One is a social opportunist with the desire to belong, the other is a financial opportunist with the desire to fulfill his illusory optimism and provide himself with pleasure in the form of gain. — Depth Typology

A very common question in typology circles is the conflict between the neurotic vanity of the social Three and its comparison to the conservative subtype of E7. The misunderstanding is further perpetuated by various posts on social media which frame it as a behavioral difference, such as one being more formal and the other being a bon vivant. In fact, Naranjo himself in the appendix of his first book on ennea-types concluded that this is one method of distinguishing the two. In reality, however, the differences are far broader. It can be especially challenging to pin a specific type when the individual is an extraverted intuitive, for opportunism and social networking are the fundamental aspects of both types.

The way to differentiate both types is not through behavior but through neurosis. The neurotic vanity of E3 stems from a primordial desire to belong and be recognized socially. Even if opportunistic, the ultimate unconscious goal of such a man is to fulfill the unconscious demand his parents imposed on him, either in the form of praise or devaluation. The child learns that parental love is conditional, achieved only under specific circumstances, those usually being success and embodying commonly admired social values. The archetypal social E3 is an extraverted feeler, for vanity is, in essence, a subordination to external values and expectations, fulfilling the standards of the environment and living in accordance with them. But because this article focuses on the distinction from the SP7, we ought to describe how an extraverted intuitive SO3 would function. Intuition, as a function focused on potential and future promise, will in this case be directed socially. The psyche will be flooded with possibilities of gain in the social sphere, and that will be the underlying foundation of his unconscious imagery. Whereas ones will have a kind of entrepreneurial intuition, tuned to business opportunities and material gain or even one's own entertainment, the SO3 will receive images of potential success, vivid perceptions of rising social status. The social Three is primarily concerned with suppressing shame associated with not fulfilling parental demands. The essence of his consciousness will be an opposition toward such shame, latching onto every single pursuit that holds the potential of elevating him above others, showing his value, and improving his chances of receiving recognition.

In contrast, of course, will stand the conservative E7, whose neurotic need is not to replace shame, emasculation, or feelings of worthlessness by adapting to social values, but instead a fear of impoverishment and deprivation. Since childhood, the SP7 had to fend for himself, engaging in various pursuits that may provide him with material gain and financial security. But what foremost motivates him, given his inherently intuitive nature, is the potential of further gain. They can be found among gamblers, salesmen, stockbrokers, and the like, for the sole vision of expanding his network of associates and thus extending his material gain is enough to make greater risks than apparently worth it. He may desire to be recognized, liked, and appreciated by his peers, but the underlying motivation behind it is profit and keeping himself away from deprivation. Gain provides him with pleasure, just as somatic pleasure extends his perception through positive experiences. He is dominated by "faux-optimism", which is, in essence, a form of intuitive imagery that brings the possibility of gain and pleasure to the psyche.

Ultimately, the difference between the Three and Seven, like with all types, must be traced from neurosis and the primordial psychic beliefs they hold. Their dispositions and behavior may appear indistinguishable, for both are great marketers, salesmen, and opportunists. Both also may appear to lack moral or rational constraints to their opportunism, doing anything to increase their chances of gain. The difference, however, will be in how both types unconsciously define "gain", for the SO3 will see it as recognition, a sense of belonging and value derived from being seen and important to the environment. The SP7, on the other hand, is a false optimist who needs social connections to feel materially secure, a network of associates that will make him feel as though he has a lifeboat from deprivation. He must constantly feel gratified with physiological and mental pleasure (in the form of opportunities) to stay afloat.