Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. They typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable.
Core Fear
Being harmed or controlled by others
Core Desire
To protect themselves and those in their care
Motivation
To be self-reliant, to prove strength and resist weakness, to be important, to dominate the environment
Strengths
- Fiercely protective
- Direct and honest
- Strong and dependable
- Passionate intensity
- Takes charge in crisis
Challenges
- Difficulty showing vulnerability
- Can be domineering
- Intimidating intensity
- Views dependence as weakness
- May test through confrontation
↓ Under Stress → Type 5
The Eight's expansive energy collapses into constricted defense. Strategic retreat from 'I will fight' to 'I will hide.' Moves from body to head, over-analyzing partner's motives.
Warning Signs
- • Sudden cessation of arguing; goes indifferent
- • Hyper-independence refusing any help or input
- • Cynical detachment and lack of empathy
- • Secretive behavior treating partner as threat
↑ In Growth → Type 2
The Eight reconnects with the feeling center. Realizes true strength includes power to nurture. Drops guard and allows vulnerability. Moves from self-reliance to interdependence.
What Partners Can Do
- • When Eight shows vulnerability, treat with extreme care
- • Never weaponize their vulnerability in future arguments
- • Be rigorously honest—they cannot integrate if they sense manipulation
- • Celebrate their nurturing side
Primary
dismissive avoidant
Secondary
secure
Dependency viewed as danger. Maintains dominance and control to ensure they cannot be hurt. Denies own need for connection.
Healthy 8s become hyper-secure Protectors once trust is established. Unhealthy 8s remain defended and isolated.
Object Relations
Rejection Triad
Hornevian
Assertive (Moving Against)
Harmonic
Reactive Group
Think you might be a Type 8?