Posted by Geenius at Wrok on June 23, 1998 at 14:51:04:
In Reply to: What type am i really am? posted by Michelle on June 23, 1998 at 11:36:38:
: OK, you see, the first time I tried out the enneagram thing, i was convinced that i was a nine. then i started reading more, i started finding half of myself torn between a two and a nine. and i don't really know whether i am a three; maybe becoz of stress, i turn into a nine. are there any steps into determining my true type? i really want to know my true type. can anybody tell me how to? thank you all very much.
Here's the method I prefer to use.
Get a copy of "Understanding the Enneagram" (Riso) and flip open to the
Questionnaire section. Divide a sheet of paper into nine columns and 20
rows; number the rows downward from 1 to 20, and number the columns
2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 1 (actually, I like to use Roman numerals
for the columns to take the focus off them). Then go through the
statements in the questionnaire. For each one you agree with, make one
mark in the appropriate space on your answer sheet; for each one you
agree with strongly, make two marks. If you disagree, agree only
partially or are unsure, don't make any mark at all.
When you're done, total the number of marks (not the number of marked
answers) in each column and write the totals across the bottom of the
page. Then write down subtotals for the first six, middle eight and last
six questions in each column.
Your highest total will be a good indication of your type, and your
highest subtotal in that type's column will be a good indication of your
level of development (healthy, average or unhealthy). The neighboring
column with the higher total is your probable wing.
The advantage of this method over the RHETI is that it gives an indication
of level of development and allows you to use that information to clarify
ambiguities. The disadvantage is that it's not forced-choice, so the fewer
statements one agrees with, the harder it is to identify one's type. Here
are some methods for breaking ties or almost-ties:
* Look for "cross-resonance." For example, a Seven with an Eight wing will
probably have a fairly high score in Three (the point farthest from Seven
and Eight on the circle). Let's say your highest scores are in Six and One,
but you also have strong showings in Seven and Two, and you're not sure
whether you're a Six with a Seven wing or a One with a Two wing. Six is
opposite One and Two, but One is opposite Six and Five, not Six and Seven.
In plainer terms, a One/Two may be mistaken for a Six, but a Six/Seven
won't be mistaken for a One. Therefore you're probably a One with a Two
wing.
* Look for integration and disintegration. Your two highest scores are in
Seven and Five. Are your scores in those two types concentrated in the
healthy range? Then you're probably a Seven (showing some integration to
Five). Are they concentrated in the lower average or unhealthy range? Then
you're probably a Five (showing some disintegration to Seven).
* Look for matching levels in type and wing. Your top types are Four and
Nine, with probable wings of Five and One; cross-resonance doesn't tell
you anything in this case, and Four and Nine aren't connected along
integration/disintegration lines. But you notice that your Four and Five
answers are all concentrated in the upper average range, while your Nine
scores are low average but your Ones are all healthy. Chances are, you're
a Four with a Five wing.
* Try to evaluate your level of development, as objectively as possible,
and find a type that matches. The keywords I use for the levels, from
most to least healthy, are "liberated," "self-aware," "constructive,"
"imbalanced" (or "counterproductive"), "defensive," "offensive,"
"disturbed," "deluded" and "pathological." If you appraise yourself as
constructive, for example, choose the type that has the highest
concentration of answers in the low healthy range.
* If all else fails, read the Misidentifications section of "Understanding
the Enneagram" and make a judgment call.