DISCOVER YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE

RESOURCES • DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE by Don Riso and RusS Hudson (£6.20 from www. amazon‚co.uk) • For more information on the Enneagram and for the longer 144· question test‚ visit www.enneagram institute.com
The Enneagram is one of the oldest and most popular personality tests in the world‚ revealing surprising or hidden facets of your ch‎aracter. Hannah Barno examines its enduring appeal and‚ overleaf‚ you can try the Enneagram test for yourself
Once we ask the question ‘who am I?’ we are launched on a quest that continues for the rest of our lives. To find answers we’ll look any­where; we’ll even indulge in astrology or tarot‚ but‚ for many of us‚ the personality test has become the ultimate oracle – one we hope will reveal our psychological depths‚ telling us who we are‚ what drives us and why we interact with others the way we do.
It’s natural that we find personality tests so comfort­ing. ‘A good test can help you to manage your life and make sense of yourself. It can help you understand your children‚ your parents or your partner‚’ says Rowan Bayne‚ author of Psychological Types At Work (£21.99‚ Thomson Learning).
The journey to self-awareness can be profound. ‘Our increasingly materialistic age has given us so many of the comforts and conveniences that we crave‚ but not the peace and fulfilment we crave even more deeply. So we turn to self-awareness‚ personality‚ work and spirituality to give us answers‚’ explains Don Riso from the Enneagram Institute in New York.
But personality categorisation is by no means new .
In around 200AD‚ the Greek physician Galen identified four types oftemperament‚ the ‘four humours’ – San­guine‚ Melancholic‚ Choleric and Phlegmatic – an idea that endured well into the 19th century. Modern work on personality began with Jung‚ who identified extroversion and introversion in 1915 – and‚ later‚ other preferences such as sensing‚ intuiting‚ thinking and feeling.
Actual personality tests were pioneered by the US military in 1919‚ but the most influential‚ the Myers­Briggs Type Inventory‚ was developed in the early 1940s. This identifies 16 personality types‚ and the model is widely used in the workplace and in schools. Myers­Briggs must be implemented by a trained practitioner‚
but the modern tendency is towards self-diagnosis ­trend supported by the Internet. Search for ‘free personality tests’ and you’ll be deluged with hundreds of sites. One model‚ which has become phenomenally popular in the past decade‚ is the Enneagram. It’s widely used in the US‚ and has had a major impact in the field of personal and spiritual development.
The philosophy behind the Enneagram derives from. ancient religions. But it was thinker Oscar Ichazo who ­first used it in the 1960s to define nine archetypal personality types. Knowing your type – alongside your sub-type or ‘wing’ – illuminates how you interact with others‚ behave under stress‚ the types of neuroses and addictions you are prone to‚ and‚ equally important‚ your strengths and talents.
Discovering your Enneagram type‚ however‚ can be problematic – often we mistake ourselves for other types we’re attracted to‚ and can even feel antipathy for our true type. ‘We have all nine types in us‚ but one is our default setting. When you find your core type‚ it should come as a revelation and an invitation to see your­self in an entirely new way. You will see that there has been a running theme throughout your life‚’ says Riso.
Grahame Morgan-Watson‚ a UK-based Enneagram teacher and founder of skills-development company MetaMe (www.metame.co.uk)‚ agrees. ‘The Enneagram has strong links to esoteric spiritual paths. Finding your Enneagram type does not put you in a box. Instead it is saying “this is the box‚ but here is your way out of it”.’ Once we accept and understand our ‘type’‚ we no longer have to be constrained by it.
As well as offering insight into your personality type‚ the Ennea­gram also examines how your type behaves in relationships‚ the workplace or in the family. The fol­lowing pages will help you unlock the secrets of the Enneagram‚ and realise your own inner potential.
‘You will find there has been a running theme throughout your life’
TEST
The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator
Instructions
  •  For each question‚ mark an X in the box against the statement that most accurately reflects your general behaviour and attitudes. Do not over-analyse the questions‚ or try to think of exceptions to the rule. Be spontaneous. Remember this is about your actual behaviour and reactions‚ not about
    your subjective‚ private feelings.
  • There are no ‘right’ answers and no personality type is better than any other. Just answer the statements simply and honestly.
  • If you have two or more top scores that are very close‚ it might be helpful to discuss your responses with someone who knows you well‚ such as a partner‚ close friend or therapist.
©2006‚ The Enneagram Institute. Photocopying prohibited by law. All rights reserved
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
1
I’ve been romantic and imaginative.
I’ve been pragmatic and down to earth.
2
I have tended to take on confrontations.
I have tended to avoid confrontations.
3
I have typically been diplomatic‚ ch‎arming and ambitious.
I have typically been direct‚ formal and idealistic.
4
I have tended to be focused and intense.
I have tended to be spontaneous and fun-loving.
5
I have been a hospitable person and have enjoyed welcoming new friends into my life.
I have been a private person and have not mixed much with others.
6
Generally‚ it’s been easy to ‘get a rise’ out of me.
Generally‚ it’s been difficult to ‘get a rise’ out of me.
7
I’ve been more of a ‘street-smart’ survivor.
I’ve been more of a ‘high-minded’ idealist.
8
I have needed to show affection to people.

I have preferred to maintain a certain distance with people.
9
When presented with a new experience‚ I’ve usually asked myself if it would be useful to me.
When presented with a new experience‚ I’ve usually asked myself if it would be enjoyable.
10
I have tended to focus too much on myself.
I have tended to focus too much on others.
11
Others have depended on my insight and knowledge.
Others have depended on my strength and decisiveness.
12
I have come across as being too unsure of myself.
I have come across as being too sure of myself.
13
I have been more relationship-oriented than goal-oriented.
I have been more goal-oriented than relationship-oriented.
14
I have not been able to speak up for myself very well.
I have been outspoken – I’ve said what others wished they
15
It’s been difficult for me to stop considering alternatives and do something definite.

It’s been difficult for me to take it easy and be more flexible.
16
I have tended to be hesitant and procrastinating.
I have tended to be bold and domineering.
17
My reluctance to get too involved has got me into trouble with people.
My eagerness to have people depend on me has got me into trouble with them.
18
Usually‚ I have been able to put my feelings aside to get the job done.
Usually‚ I have needed to work through my feelings before I could act.
19
Generally‚ I have been methodical and cautious.
Generally‚ I have been adventurous and taken risks.
20
I have tended to be a supportive‚ giving person‚ who enjoys the company of others.
I have tended to be a serious‚ reserved person‚ who likes discussing issues.
21
I’ve often felt the need to be a ‘pillar of strength’.
I’ve often felt the need to perform perfectly.
22
I’ve typically been interested in asking tough questions and maintaining my independence.

I’ve typically been interested in maintaining my stability and peace of mind.
23
I’ve been too hard-nosed and sceptical.
I’ve been too soft-hearted and sentimental
24
I’ve often worried that I’m missing out on something better.
I’ve often worried that if I let down my guard‚ someone will take advantage of me.
25
My habit of being ‘stand-offish’ has annoyed people.
My habit of telling people what to do has annoyed people.
26
Usually‚ when troubles have got to me‚ I have been able to ‘tune them out’.
Usually‚ when troubles have got to me‚ I have treated myself to something I’ve enjoyed.
27
I have depended upon my friends and they have known that they can depend on me.
I have not depended on people; I have done things on my own.
28
I have tended to be detached and preoccupied.
I have tended to be moody and self-absorbed.
29
I have liked to challenge people and ‘shake them up’.
I have liked to comfort people and calm them down.
30
I have generally been an outgoing‚ sociable person.

I have generally been an earnest‚ self-disciplined person.
31
I’ve usually been shy about showing my abilities.
I’ve usually liked to let people know what I can do well.
32
Pursuing my personal interests has been more important to me than ha‎ving comfort and security.
ha‎ving comfort and security has been more important to me than pursuing my personal interests.
33
When I’ve had conflict with others‚ I’ve tended to withdraw.
When I’ve had conflict with others‚ I’ve rarely backed down.
34
I have given in too easily and let others push me around
I have been too uncompromising and demanding with others.
35
I’ve been appreciated for my unsinkable spirit and great sense of humour.
I’ve been appreciated for my quiet strength and exceptional generosity.
36
Much of my success has been due to my talent for making a favourable impression.
Much of my success has been achieved despite my lack of interest in developing ‘interpersonal skills’.
Scoring

• Add your total number of Xs for each column ­for example‚ you might have four Xs in Column A‚ and six in Column G. Fill in your scores in the box below.

• Each column corresponds to your Enneagram personality type‚ from One to Nine. Please note that they have been randomised and are not in numerical order.

• If you have answered honestly and accurately‚ your basic personality type should be one of the top three scores. If your results are unclear‚ review your responses to see whether you wish

to change any of them. See overleaf for an analysis of your type.

your results

A
NINE
B
SIX
C
THREE
D
ONE
E
FOUR
F
TWO
G
EIGHT
H
FIVE
I
SEVEN
 

PSYCHOLOGIES magazine. MAY 2006 . pp. 46-52

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