Enneagram of Personality Scales

Abstract

The Enneagram of Personality Scales represents a group of standardized psychometric tools engineered to determine an individual’s dominant personality structure based on the Enneagram of Personality model. This typology framework posits nine fundamental, interconnected personality types, known as Enneatypes, each defined by a distinct core motivation, psychological worldview, and predictable behavioral patterns. The most widely recognized and extensively researched instrument within this collection is the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). These self-report measures are frequently employed in settings related to personality psychology, professional coaching, and personal development to foster self-awareness and improve interpersonal dynamics.

Keywords

Enneagram, Enneatype, Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator, RHETI, Personality Typology, Instinctual Variant, Self-report measure, Psychometrics, Core Motivation

Authors

Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson, Helen Palmer

Purpose

The core purpose of the Enneagram scales is the accurate identification of an individual’s primary Enneagram type (ranging from Type 1 through Type 9). By achieving this identification, the scale offers insight into the user’s underlying psychological structure, including fundamental fears, core desires, and characteristic defense mechanisms, which form the central tenets of the Enneagram system. The self-report format encourages deep introspection and reflection on deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior.

Beyond determining the core type, advanced versions of these instruments, such as those referenced in psychometric literature, are designed to assess the individual’s Instinctual Variant (Self-Preservation, Social, or Sexual/One-to-One). This additional layer of assessment provides a specialized understanding of how the core personality type manifests and focuses its energy in the external world. Ultimately, these instruments function as practical tools for personal growth, conflict resolution, and enhancing relational insight by mapping potential developmental pathways.

Construct

The principal psychological construct measured by the Enneagram of Personality Scales is the Enneatype, which is derived directly from the nine-point Enneagram of Personality system. This system classifies human personality into nine distinct categories, each characterized by a unique fixation, passion, and unconscious drive. The nine types are:

• Type 1: The Reformer/Perfectionist
• Type 2: The Helper/Giver
• Type 3: The Achiever/Performer
• Type 4: The Individualist/Romantic
• Type 5: The Investigator/Observer
• Type 6: The Loyalist/Skeptic
• Type 7: The Enthusiast/Epicure
• Type 8: The Challenger/Protector
• Type 9: The Peacemaker/Mediator

The scales are designed to quantify the relative strength of these nine behavioral and motivational patterns within a respondent. Scoring typically yields a primary type score and secondary scores that indicate ‘wing’ influences (adjacent types). A critical component of the construct is the inclusion of Instinctual Variants, which serve as sub-types that modulate the core type’s expression, such as prioritizing security (Self-Preservation) or social bonding (Social).

Validity

The validity of the standardized Enneagram scales, particularly the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI), has been the focus of numerous psychometrics studies. Research, including work published by Newgent, Parr, Newman, and Higgins (2004), has investigated the construct validity of the instrument. Findings generally indicate satisfactory concurrent validity, meaning the RHETI results correlate reasonably well with scores from other established personality measures, such as the widely accepted Big Five model.

However, achieving robust structural validity remains a complex challenge. Due to the theoretical interconnectedness of the nine Enneatypes, research often suggests overlapping traits or fewer than nine cleanly separable factors, complicating strictly orthogonal factor structures. Despite these structural nuances, studies by Giordano (2008) and others support the overall utility and face validity of the scale in practical application, including clinical and developmental contexts, and its relevance in broader psychological assessment, sometimes correlating results with spiritual and personal outcomes.

Reliability

Standardized Enneagram scales, such as the RHETI, generally demonstrate acceptable levels of internal consistency, which is a key measure of Reliability. Newgent et al. (2004) reported reliability data confirming that the scales are consistent in measuring the specific constructs they aim to assess. The internal consistency, often quantified using Cronbach’s alpha, for the nine individual type scales is typically within acceptable bounds for rigorous research, though these scores may fluctuate based on the specific version of the test utilized and the demographic characteristics of the sample population.

Additionally, test-retest reliability is essential for a model that posits stable, fixed core personality types. Longitudinal studies suggest that individuals exhibit stable scores on their primary Enneatype over moderate timeframes. This consistency reinforces the theoretical premise that the scale successfully captures fundamental and enduring aspects of the respondent’s underlying personality structure.

Factor Analysis

Formal efforts using Factor Analysis on Enneagram scales aim to empirically confirm the theoretical structure of nine distinct, non-overlapping personality factors corresponding to the nine Enneatypes. However, factor analytic results often present challenges to a strict nine-factor confirmation. Research frequently reveals fewer than nine independent factors, or demonstrates significant intercorrelations between adjacent types (e.g., Type 8, 9, and 1) or types linked by the Enneagram’s dynamic lines (stress and security directions).

These findings are often interpreted not as a failure of the scale, but as a reflection of the inherent complexity and interconnectedness proposed by the Enneagram theory itself, which utilizes concepts like ‘wings’ and lines of movement. Some factor analyses have successfully grouped items into broader dimensions that align with established models like the Big Five, while still retaining distinct clusters that correspond closely to the specific Enneatypes. The nuanced factor structure is therefore seen as reflecting the influence of dynamic elements within the Enneagram model on respondent item selection.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychometrics Inventory / Forced-Choice and Likert Scale

Format: The scales utilize multiple response formats, including 5-point Likert scales (e.g., ranging from 1-Disagree to 5-Agree), bipolar adjective ratings, and three-option forced-choice items (Yes/Partly/No).

Language Available: Primarily English, with numerous popular online adaptations available in major global languages, including Spanish and German.

Population Group: General population; utilized by individuals engaged in self-discovery, counseling, or professional development.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (typically recommended for individuals aged 16 and older, due to the necessity for complex introspection).

Population Details: The instruments are applied across diverse contexts, including therapeutic, educational, and corporate training environments. Successful assessment requires a high degree of self-awareness and honesty from the respondent to minimize the influence of socially desirable responding.

Test Methodology: Respondents are instructed to evaluate statements based on their long-term, stable behavior and underlying internal motivations, rather than transient emotional states. The resulting data is aggregated to produce nine primary type scores, where the highest score usually indicates the core Enneatype.

Keywords

RHETI, Riso-Hudson, Helen Palmer, Personality assessment, Self-awareness, Nine types, Enneagram theory, Psychodiagnostics, Instinctual Subtype

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not consistently available for all foundational authors.)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Proprietary information or not publicly linked to the scale.)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Proprietary information or not publicly linked to the scale.)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) is generally considered proprietary intellectual property. Official administration and scoring of the RHETI typically require a fee and are managed by organizations such as the Enneagram Institute. Conversely, certain non-proprietary or research-focused versions, such as the OES, may be available without cost for non-commercial or educational purposes. The formal development and psychometric validation of key versions, notably RHETI Version 2.5, were largely undertaken in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with critical validation studies published in 2004 and 2008.

Reference’s

• Wiltse, V.; Palmer, H. (July 2011). Hidden in plain sight: Observations on the origin of the Enneagram. The Enneagram Journal. 4 (1): 4–37.
• Riso, Don Richard; Hudson, Russ (2000). Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types. Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Palmer, Helen (1991). The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and Others in Your Life. HarperSanFrancisco.
• Palmer, Helen (1996). The Enneagram in Love and Work: Understanding your Intimate and Business Relationships. HarperOne.
• Riso, Don Richard; Hudson, Russ (1996). Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery. Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Newgent, Rebecca A; Parr, Patricia E; Newman, Isadore; Higgins, Kristin K. (2004). The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator: Estimates of Reliability and Validity. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development 36(4): 226-237.
• Newgent, Rebecca A., Parr, Patricia E., Newman, I., Higgins, K. (2004) The riso-hudson enneagram type indicator: estimates of reliability and validity. Measurement and Evaluation in Conseling and Development, 36, 226-237.
• Giordano, Mary Ann Elizabeth, Ph.D. (2008) A Psychometric Evaluation of the Riso-Hudson Type Indicator (RHETI), Version 2.5: Comparison of Ipsative and Non-Iipsative Versions and Correlations with Spiritual Outcomes. Behavioral Psychology, 4524: 336-5385.

Items of the Enneagram of Personality Scales

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1-Disagree, 2, 3- Neutral, 4, 5- Agree

1. I am always thinking about how I could have done something better.
2. I have difficulty saying “no”.
3. I work hard.
4. I really enjoy feeling bitter sweet.
5. I spend hours alone with my hobbies.
6. I am loyal.
7. I always try to break the tension with a good joke.
8. I know what is right and what is wrong.
9. When other people are arguing, I leave the room.
10. Part of me criticizes everything I do.
11. I am very accepting and flexible.
12. I strive for efficiency.
13. I cry.
14. I spend so much time planning I run out of energy for the doing.
15. I put family first.
16. I can keep a conversation going with anyone about anything.
17. Fear of being taken advantage of keeps me from being more trusting.
18. I can have difficulty making choices, all options just seem so good.
19. I am critical of people who do not take responsibility for their own lives.
20. I sometimes feel as if everything I do is taken for granted.
21. I put work first.
22. I can be moved by news stories.
23. I am curious about everything.
24. I am annoyed by how most people are not as responsible as me.
25. I can see a use for most things people think are junk.
26. I want people to tell me the truth, not spare my feelings.
27. I want to feel one with nature.
28. I often have to redo other peoples work.
29. People always seem to want to tell me their secrets.
30. I hate incompetent people.
31. My intuition is good guide.
32. I must always be having new experiences.
33. I get input from others before I make a decision.
34. I like mental challenges.
35. I naturally emerge as a leader.
36. I avoid confrontation.
37. I keep my belongings in order.
38. I get lots of satisfaction from helping others achieve their goals.
39. Money is important to my happiness.
40. I daydream about being in love.
41. I have a hard time showing emotions.
42. I prefer it when leaders are decisive.
43. I do not like it when people expect me to be great, even if I want to be.
44. I like a conversation where no one agrees.
45. I like listening to people talk about their problems.
46. I am a perfectionist.
47. I like it when people come to me for guidance.
48. I step forward when a leader is needed.
49. I can feel overcome with wonder in nature.
50. I spend most of my time trying to understand things.
51. It is good to wake up to a full day of planned activities.
52. I am uninhibited.
53. I side with the rebels over the establishment.
54. I keep my thoughts to myself, to prevent trouble.
55. I pay careful attention to details.
56. My relationships with others are what my life is about.
57. I like to stand out.
58. My unique perspective on life helps cheer other people up.
59. I try and hide the fact that I am sensitive.
60. I’d take a stiff jail sentence over ratting on a friend.
61. I love to travel.
62. I do not conform.
63. I hate war.

Enneagram Test with Instinctual Variant results

https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test.php

select how your personality is, as compared to most people.

Think of how you’ve been over a long period of time, try not to go by your mood of the moment.

It’s also important to be as honest as possible; try not to enter how you wish you’d be, but how you actually are.

• low energy * * * * * * *energetic
• focus on myself * * * * * * * focus on others
• easily distracted * * * * * * * diligent
• even tempered * * * * * * * temperamental
• passive * * * * * * * dynamic
• self-accepting * * * * * * * self-critical
• relaxed * * * * * * * anxious
• ordinary * * * * * * * different
• not much commited * * * * * * * loyal
• go along with others * * * * * * * strong-willed
• dispassionate * * * * * * * passionate
• modest * * * * * * * ambitious
• adventurous * * * * * * * cautious
• decisive * * * * * * * indecisive
• pleasure-seeking * * * * * * * dutiful
• stingy * * * * * * * generous
• indifferent to politics * * * * * * * strong political opinions
• trouble saying “no” * * * * * * * say “no” easily
• don’t care about success * * * * * * * need to be successful
• pessimistic * * * * * * * optimistic
• private * * * * * * * open
• reluctant * * * * * * * enthusiastic
• not sociable * * * * * * * sociable
• accepting * * * * * * * perfectionistic
• deliberating * * * * * * * spontaneous
• uncritical * * * * * * * meticulous
• ever relying on others * * * * * * * independent
• open * * * * * * * reserved
• pragmatic * * * * * * * idealistic
• ignoring feelings * * * * * * * go by feelings
• careless * * * * * * * responsible
• nonchalant * * * * * * * apprehensive
• not showing emotions * * * * * * * emotionally expressive
• go towards people * * * * * * * withdraw from people
• seldom feeling guilty * * * * * * * often feeling guilty
• teams and groups person * * * * * * * individualistic
• treating everyone as equals * * * * * * * domineering
• suspicious * * * * * * * trusting
• confident * * * * * * * insecure
• timid * * * * * * * assertive
• not competitive * * * * * * * competitive
• avoiding conflicts * * * * * * * confrontational
• wishing well * * * * * * * envious
• obtrusive * * * * * * * shy
• indifferent * * * * * * * caring
• aloof * * * * * * * warm
• rule breaking * * * * * * * rule abiding
• leave people to their own devices * * * * * * * help people
• undemanding * * * * * * * demanding
• undisciplined * * * * * * * disciplined
• tactless * * * * * * * diplomatic
• tolerant * * * * * * * critical

Honestly grade each statement: “Yes” for “Yes, this is really me!”, “Partly” for “This is partly how I am” and “No” for “This is probably not how I am”. (If you don’t know whether it applies, it’s usually best to check “No”.)

1. Success, prestige and recognition really matter to me.
2. I tend to trust most people.
3. I often refrain from acting, as I’m afraid of being overwhelmed.
4. I love to take care of people and I’m good at it.
5. I am too strict with myself and others.
6. I am more sensitive than most people; sometimes the world just seems too harsh.
7. I don’t get depressed easily, if at all.
8. I plan the next adventure before the current one is finished.
9. I want to win the approval of those in authority, sometimes even when I don’t really like them.
10. I’m pretty domineering.
11. I am skeptical, suspicious and doubtful.
12. I could probably use a little more ambition.
13. I am uncomfortable when people want an emotional response from me.
14. It’s important to me that I be admired by others – and many people do admire me.
15. I don’t see much point in wallowing in negative emotions. When I begin to feel anxious, I tend to throw myself into distracting activities.
16. In most close relationships, I give more than I take.
17. It’s hard for me to put my feelings aside, even to get a job done.
18. I am always aware of what needs to be corrected.
19. I avoid expressing strong emotions.
20. I don’t mind taking a risk; I really like to beat the odds.
21. Your happiness and your feelings are your responsibility, t mine.
22. Personal relationships are by far the most important thing in my life.
23. I’m a true romantic.
24. It’s easy for me to accept other people, and they seem comfortable around me because I don’t judge them.
25. For better or worse, I compare myself to others to assess how I’m doing.
26. I am more organized than most.
27. Even though it is frequently irrational, I sometimes worry whether people are talking about me behind my back.
28. I want to observe and think, without giving myself away, before I go into action.
29. I’m quite unobtrusive and easy to get along with.
30. I am a good networker; I know how to make connections.
31. I am more formal than most people.
32. I am highly individualistic.
33. Rules annoy me.
34. I get bored more easily than most people; I am always looking for new experiences.
35. While I am very loyal myself, I frequently worry that others are not going to be loyal to me.
36. I am more loving than most people.
37. I don’t like commitment. Who wants to be locked into something, especially if something better presents itself?
38. I am more temperamental than most but it’s because my feelings are so strong.
39. I go along with what others want unless I have a very strong desire of my own, which I usually don’t.
40. I often resent it when I see people doing a slack job.
41. I come on pretty strong and can sometimes intimidate people.
42. People are attracted to me because I impress them.
43. Nobody likes to be intruded upon, but I hate it!
44. I am attuned to anything that might be dangerous and I am security conscious.
45. I try to get closer to people by being generous with my time and energy.
46. I am competitive and ambitious, but I do not think of myself as cut throat.
47. When making a decision, I often ask myself “which option will yield the maximum enjoyment?.
48. If I’m not careful, I can get too isolated from others.
49. I am drawn to emotional intensity and am not afraid to explore the depths.
50. It’s important to me to feel as though I “belong.”
51. I see life as a struggle that I intend to win.
52. I tend to avoid conflict.
53. Sometimes I have overextended myself in trying to help people.
54. I am meticulous and fastidious, even about details that other people find minor.
55. It’s strange but I think that there is something beautiful about sadness.
56. No one would ever call me selfish!
57. To deal with the fear I always have, I’m as nice and warm as possible towards everyone.
58. I hold a tight rein on my temper.
59. I don’t tend to over commit myself – I have a limited amount of time and energy.
60. I welcome a good fight as it clears the air.
61. I’m a big procrastinator.
62. It’s really hard for me to save money as I tend to spend beyond my limits.
63. It would be the worst thing to be seen by others as a loser.
64. I want to be noticed but it also makes me uncomfortable.
65. I’m constantly on the lookout for things that might go wrong.
66. I accumulate lots of knowledge to counteract my lack of self-confidence.
67. I am good at getting things done.
68. I almost never lose control of myself.
69. Usually I just focus on the positive sides of people, as focussing on negative traits or events does not help making relationships more harmonious.
70. I am more sentimental than others.
71. I think it’s weak to back down from confrontation.
72. If something doesn’t go my way, I can find something beneficial about it.
73. I can’t rest until the job is done.
74. I’m not a show off, in fact I have probably been too modest.
75. Most people don’t know that I am actually really sensitive, as I tend to conceal my emotions.
76. It is important to me that I win the respect of others.
77. I’m pretty tough.
78. Others need my assistance much more than I need theirs.
79. I’m a barnstormer. For every problem, I can think of 10 approaches to a solution.
80. Change – whether to a new job or new school, makes me more anxious than it does most people.
81. I don’t let it show, but if I’m with someone who is as unique as I am, I get a bit jealous.
82. I want to enjoy things, so I’m not very disciplined.
83. I often lose my focus as my attention tends to drift off from the main issues.
84. I have been told that I lack tact but I think the important thing is to tell the truth.
85. People see me as a warm and sympathetic person.
86. It takes me quite a lot of time and effort to make important decisions and I frequently second guess myself.
87. I generally appear calm and even tempered, even when I am under an enormous strain.
88. I tend not to consider asking help from others, even from those I love.
89. I am more dramatic than most.
90. I have a compulsion to do things the right way, even if it’s not cost effective.
91. I’m not comfortable with self-revelation.
92. Even if I don’t have it all together, at least I’m going to seem to have it all together.
93. People often aren’t what they seem, so I can really be suspicious of their motives.
94. Life’s about give and take, so giving love is the most important thing in my life.
95. I tend to escape reality into a world of idealized fantasy.
96. It’s hard to stay passionate and focused.
97. My tendency to tell people what’s wrong and what they should do about it has sometimes annoyed them.
98. I have more energy and strength than most people.
99. I think best on my feet, so I tend to move into action before I’ve thought it through.
100. I have been told I am a perfectionist and I suppose it is true.
101. Sometimes I don’t know what I’m feeling until I’ve had a chance to think about it.
102. The aesthetics of my surroundings has a strong influence on my mood.
103. I tend to have mixed feelings about many people.
104. I usually fall asleep readily and can even take a nap when I’m stressed out.
105. I’m proud of the fact that many people depend on me.
106. I’ll do what it takes to be successful.
107. It really bothers me when people don’t say thank I can easily imagine all the things that might go wrong, as I have a really vivid imagination.
108. I seldom compromise my principles.
109. I sometimes forget to do something that another person has been pushing me to do.
110. I have a real sensitivity to how my presentation is affecting others and I can alter it if I have to.
111. I enjoy remembering the past even if it is a bit melancholic.
112. While I value my close relationships, I often feel most myself when I am alone.
113. I’m good at motivating people.
114. I sometimes wish people would take care of me for a change.
115. Sometimes I am too critical of others but I am much harder on myself than I am on others.
116. When I really get involved in an intellectual problem that stimulates me, I tend to detach from my emotions.
117. I see all points of view when there is a dispute, so it’s hard for me to take a side.
118. I tend to either comply completely or to rebel.