What is temperament – and what type is yours?

Some 1,800 years in the past, Greek doctor Galen recognized 4 kinds of temperament, which he primarily based on ranges of physique “humors” (fluids). All these years later, the names stay intact. We’ll evaluation them as we wrap-up our dialogue of temperament.

We started our two-half collection on temperament final week.

In half one we outlined it and reviewed its dimensions, in line with Hans Eysenck. And now it’s on to matters, equivalent to how temperament is shaped, its relationship with character, change potential, and, in fact, the kinds of temperament.

Let’s roll…

What is temperament?

We dealt with it partly one, but it surely’s essential to evaluation the definition of temperament. According to the American Psychological Association…

The primary basis of character, often assumed to be biologically decided and current early in life, together with such traits as power degree, emotional responsiveness, demeanor, temper, response tempo, behavioral inhibition, and willingness to discover.

So we’re very a lot within the realm of the innate – nature – in addition to our pure self.

How is temperament shaped?

Think about infants earlier than the affect of environmental components – say, new child to 4 weeks previous. Some are smiley, even-tempered, and most frequently float. Others are fussy, cry often, and are troublesome to appease.

Aside from anatomical or physiological points, I’ve all the time believed the distinction is temperament, which emphasizes its innateness.

Temperament is believed to be primarily pushed by genetics, which explains why these infants might have temperaments just like a father or mother or grandparent.

What is the distinction between temperament and character?

There’s typically confusion relating to temperament and character, so let’s see what we are able to do to clear issues up.

As we did with temperament, right here’s the American Psycholigical Association’s definition of character…

The enduring configuration of traits and conduct that includes a person’s distinctive adjustment to life, together with main traits, pursuits, drives, values, self-idea, skills, and emotional patterns. Personality is usually considered as a posh, dynamic integration or totality formed by many forces, together with hereditary and constitutional tendencies; bodily maturation; early coaching; identification with vital people and teams; culturally conditioned values and roles; and important experiences and relationships. Various theories clarify the construction and growth of character in numerous methods, however all agree that character helps decide conduct.

How’s that for thorough?

The variations

There’s a complete lot occurring within the character neck of the woods. Not solely will you discover temperament, which truly influences character growth, there are different goodies related to a person’s traits and preferences, in addition to how they behave and work together with the world.

In half one we discovered that temperament has vital genetic hyperlinks and adjustments are powerful to return by. Personality is way more alive – nonetheless, adjustments nonetheless aren’t a cinch – as a result of it develops and evolves as we age.

Here’s a useful takeaway: character is predominantly about nurture, temperament is predominantly about nature.

What are the kinds of temperament?

As talked about within the opening, the 4 kinds of temperament had been established by Greek doctor Galen some 1,800 years in the past. And he primarily based them upon physique humors (fluids), which had been believed to manage temper, emotion, and conduct.

The humors he chosen had been blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. Their sources so as  – marrow, liver/gallbladder, lungs, and spleen.

Of be aware, Galen continued the work of Hippocrates 600 years earlier.

Alright, listed here are the 4 kinds of temperament…

Sanguine

Humor: blood Source: marrow

Those with a sanguine temperament are sometimes extroverted, sociable, upbeat, and optimistic. They may be talkative and energetic, so social interactions typically come simple.

The traits that make them enjoyable to be round can also generate impulsivity and indecisiveness. That opens the door to excessive-threat behaviors, which may embody substance use issues.

Choleric

Humor: yellow bile Source: liver/gall bladder

People with a choleric temperament are sometimes dominant, assertive. purpose-oriented, and pushed. They’re excessive achievers at work, college, and play, and are sometimes chosen as group leaders.

Given choleric people are dominant, they are often impatient and cussed. They might even prioritize attaining their objectives over creating social connections and relationships.

Phlegmatic

Humor: phlegm Source: lungs

When first encountering a phlegmatic particular person, simple-going doubtless involves thoughts. They’re laid-again, empathetic when relating with others, and reliable. It’s not shocking that they’re at house within the mundane and routine.

Phlemagtic folks present little emotion, which may come throughout as passive or unfeeling. They have a have to keep away from battle in any respect prices, which will get in the way in which of asserting themselves – resulting in missed alternatives.

Melancholic

Humor: black bile Source: spleen

People typically assume melancholic people are joyless and unhappy. That could also be true; nonetheless, they’re additionally considerate and delicate. Add to that analytical and methodical traits and you may see why they’re beneficial to any office.

On the opposite aspect of the coin, they like to work alone and may not make the perfect group gamers. Fact is, they typically get moody and anxious when issues aren’t going their method.

What about you?

So what do you suppose? Can you nail down your temperament type? I’ll lead – melancholic right here.

Now you might be questioning if one can have two temperament varieties. Sure, possibly traits of all 4. Just be mindful, we current primarily as one type. For instance, I might add sanguine as, let’s say, a subtype.

Acceptance and self-respect

And that’s a wrap on the collection. Yes, that “way” about us – our temperament. As I mentioned in closing half one, its roots run deep. And because it’s primarily genetically-pushed, they weave their method by way of generations of household.

You know what? We might not like our temperament, however there isn’t a lot we are able to do about it. That’s why acceptance and self-respect are so essential.

Be certain to learn half one to be taught extra about temperament, together with its dimensions.

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Thank you Verywell Mnd to your article Temperaments: Which of the 4 Types Are You?, written by Toketemu Ohwovoriole. It offered an abundance of high quality data. Same goes for My Personality for his or her article Temperament and Petsonality: Key Differences & Similarities, written by Lisa Sparrow.

Those Chipur data and inspiration articles: evaluation all the titles or by class beneath.