Description

The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) Version 2.5 is a personality assessment instrument developed by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson based on the Enneagram system. It is intended to explore characteristics associated with the nine basic personality types, providing an organized profile of an individual’s dominant tendencies, motivations, and behavioral preferences.

The RHETI has been used mainly in contexts of personal development, self-awareness, counseling, and career guidance, where it may contribute to a better understanding of recurring patterns of thought and behavior.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the RHETI is to identify an individual’s dominant Enneagram type, as well as secondary types that may appear in the person’s profile. Through this assessment, the instrument aims to provide a better understanding of personal characteristics, motivations, behaviors, strengths, and potential areas of difficulty.

The instrument may therefore serve as a tool for personal reflection and may help individuals understand both themselves and the different ways in which people perceive and respond to everyday situations.

Structure of the Instrument

The RHETI Version 2.5 consists of 144 questions, presented as pairs of contrasting statements. For each pair, participants are asked to select the statement that they believe describes them more accurately.

Responses are associated with the nine Enneagram types and are used to generate an individual personality profile.

The Nine Enneagram Personality Types

The RHETI distinguishes the following nine types:

  • Type 1 – The Reformer: associated with perfectionism and moral integrity.
  • Type 2 – The Helper: characterized by a tendency to care for and support others.
  • Type 3 – The Achiever: associated with ambition and the pursuit of success.
  • Type 4 – The Individualist: characterized by a need for uniqueness and emotional expression.
  • Type 5 – The Investigator: focused on analysis and the collection of information.
  • Type 6 – The Loyalist: associated with security, loyalty, and stability.
  • Type 7 – The Enthusiast: characterized by optimism and a desire for new experiences.
  • Type 8 – The Challenger: associated with strength and independence.
  • Type 9 – The Peacemaker: characterized by a preference for peace and harmony.

These types represent broad patterns and should not be interpreted as absolute or mutually exclusive personality categories.

Scoring

Scoring is based on the coding of participants’ choices across the paired statements. Responses are summed to produce a separate score for each of the nine Enneagram types.

The resulting scores are then compared to identify the type with the highest score, which is generally interpreted as the individual’s dominant Enneagram type, together with the types receiving the next highest scores.

Interpretation focuses mainly on the highest-scoring types and on the behavioral and motivational patterns associated with them.

Data Analysis and Use

Results may be presented as a nine-score personality profile, allowing direct comparison of the relative strength of each Enneagram type within the same individual.

In group or research applications, researchers may examine the distribution of Enneagram types, compare different groups, and explore possible associations with other characteristics included in the research design.

At the individual level, the profile may be used as a starting point for discussion concerning personal motivations, behavioral patterns, strengths, and areas for personal development.

Applications

The RHETI may be used in contexts of self-awareness, personal development, counseling, and career guidance. It may also be applied to discussions involving communication styles and interpersonal differences.

Interpretation of the results should follow the conceptual framework of the Enneagram system. The RHETI should not be treated as a stand-alone clinical or diagnostic instrument.

References

Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (1996). Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (2000). The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types. Bantam.

Palmer, H. (1991). The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life. HarperOne.

Daniels, D., & Price, V. (2000). The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide. HarperOne.