The big four temperaments
(Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, Phlegmatic)
Unlike personality, temperament is something we were born with. Our raw materials. Over the years people change and shape their personalities. But temperament isn’t something we could easily change. It’s the real us. It stays and hides deep inside.
The big four temperaments was first discovered by Tim LaHaye. The theories had developed and helped numbers of souls in learning the society. You can easily take the temperament test here : http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/2FF0QY4/Personality-Plus-Test
None of the several temperaments that exist in the world
today were ever meant to confine or restrict us from behaving out of
character. They were developed in order to help us understand why we
behave, communicate the way
we do as individuals interacting with individuals, and how we perceive,
and process information in a global world that is rapidly changing.
This is one of many helpful tools that pinpoint four temperaments to help us understand ourselves and each other. The four types are Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic. They have been outlined below. I encourage you to take the test to determine which one or two best define you.
Try to be objective as you read about your personality type as I have listed a general overview, as well as the positives and negatives of each type. You can download the following document, print the test, and score yourself.
The Four Temperaments is considered as the one way of matching personality types according to a wacky ancient pseudoscience.
The Four Temperaments (also called the "four humors") was a theory that
behavior was caused by concentrations of body fluids — the "humors" of
classical medicine: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. A
temporary imbalance would create an illness: too much blood caused a
fever, too much yellow bile caused a cough, too much black bile caused
depression, and too much phlegm caused a cold. A permanent imbalance led
to a person having a certain type of intentions, behavior, and
personality. The theory
is still used for personality profiling. An ensemble based on these
four humors can make the cast diverse without actually changing the
roles of the characters in the story.
Sanguine (blood): Extroverted, emotional, and people-oriented.
- Key Strengths: Charming, cheerful, loves people, energetic, talkative, passionate and compassionate, positive, sometimes unpredictable, expressive influencer, an excellent comedian, salesman or clown, quirky or eccentric and just plain fun.
- In common with phlegmatic: Friendly, forgiving, optimistic endurer, emotionally available, won't get negative, good with relationships.
- In common with choleric: Adventurous, confident, hard to embarrass.
- Key Weaknesses: Undisciplined, too talkative, emotionally unstable, hyperactive, scatterbrained, gullible, disorganized, late for work, and sometimes frivolous.
- In common with phlegmatic: Weak-willed, likes to appease other people, gullible, overly idealistic to the point of inability to grasp what's gone wrong
- In common with choleric: Impulsive, egotistical, shallow and self-absorbed at times
- Expressive high, responsive high; response's delay short, duration short.
- The Inspired Influencer of DISC and Myers-Briggs types generally E_F_.
- Will often correspond with the Optimist when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
- Amongst the "Dere Types" can qualify as a pure Yandere (Playful and Obsessive).
- Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Brash Red Oni, but with "Good Cop" diplomacy
- Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (hot and moist) air, spring, and morning.
- In a person's life, it corresponds to young childhood (roughly ages 0-13).
- Organ: Liver.
- Archetypal color: Gold, brighter shades of yellow, all shades of pink or aqua (the colors of the Sky).
- The Yin-Yang Duo: Yang (white).
- Planet or Satellite: Jupiter.
- Western Zodiac Constellations: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
- Personality Blood Type: B
Overview
Easily excited by external influences, reacting quickly, although the
impression is often short-lived. There is somewhat of a superficiality,
or better said, lack of depth (part v. whole relationship), in the
sanguine personality. The sanguine commonly follows others and has
little stability as a result. Fickle in ideas, opinions, and
resolutions. Changes moods often (from laughter to tears in a matter of
seconds). The sanguine rarely internalizes his/her focus and instead
devotes attention to the external (his/her appearance, and of others, to
beautiful faces, fashions and manners). The sanguine is full of
optimism.
The not so great Characteristics
Vanity and self=complacency, loving the appearance of his/herself and
the praise of others. The sanguine is very inclined to flirt, and has a
great degree of jealous tendencies. The sanguine cannot be left alone.
There is a cheerfulness and love of pleasure that accompany the desire
to always have someone around to enjoy life with. The sanguine decision
are likely to be the wrong decisions, their undertaking fail easily
since they believe success is inevitable and will therefore take it for
granted, they are unstable, and they have little understanding of
themselves since they rarely internalize conflict.
The wonderful Characteristics
Everyone loves and knows the sanguine. He/she has the most friends and
easily makes new friends. This is the extrovert of the four
temperaments. The sanguine is extremely friendly, pleasant, and willing
to accommodate. Is often found entertaining others, is compassionate
towards others, and is graced with the gift of calling others out on
their faults without bringing humiliation or displeasure. Very virtuous.
Rarely shows resentment or defiance. Wishes the best for everyone.
Choleric (yellow bile): Extroverted, unemotional, and task-oriented.
- Key Strengths: Takes the lead, hard worker, strong-willed, practical, passionate, a good repossession worker, an excellent strongman/woman of the team (drill sergeant at the most extreme), determined, goal-oriented and thrives under criticism.
- In common with sanguine: Confident, loves a challenge, hard to embarrass
- In common with melancholic: Good planner, independent, honest without any compromisation, Excellent agent of change, pure hard worker
- Key Weaknesses: Hot-tempered, rude, rebellious, can be cruel, stubborn, harsh, bossy, expects complete devotion, insensitive, often condescending, can become psychotic in overbearing situations, workaholic, can be a warmonger, vindictive, a shallow cynic of people's character, most likely a bad winner/loser, and may nastily misinterpret jokes.
- In common with sanguine: Arrogant, boisterous, often dramatic, unhinged, unfiltered in speech, often likes to make "in your face" insults
- In common with melancholic: Inflexible, emotionally distant, strict, demanding and fastidious, not very cooperative, vengeful, self-righteous and dogmatic, sees the worst in people
- Expressive high, responsive low; response's delay short, duration long.
- The Dominant Driver of DISC and Myers-Briggs types generally E_T_.
- Will often correspond with The Cynic when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
- Amongst the four main "Dere Types" can qualify as a pure Tsundere (Harsh and Maturing).
- Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Red Oni and harsh, pure "Bad Cop"
- Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (hot and dry) fire, summer, and afternoon.
- In a person's life, it corresponds with adolescence and young adulthood (roughly ages 13-35).
- Organ: Spleen.
- Archetypal color: Darker shades of yellow, all shades of red or orange (the colors of a Volcano).
- The Yin-Yang Duo: Yang (Red).
- Planet or Satellite: Mars.
- Western Zodiac Constellations: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
- Personality Blood Type: O
An Overview
Enthusiastic,
having very high aspirations and cravings for success. The choleric
must be the best in everything and have the best of everything.
Extremely ambitious, having a keen intellect, a strong will, strong
passions, an impulse to dominate others becoming their superior and
making them subservient.
The not so great Characteristics
The
choleric is commonly prideful, full of him/her, thinking highly of
his/her great qualities and even considers his/her faults worthy of
praise. Also, is stubborn and has an opinion on everything. The choleric
believes he/she is always right. The choleric is confident, believes
others are weak, ignorant, incompetent and slow. Upon humiliation the
choleric feels hurt resulting in anger, deceit, and judgments towards
others.
The wonderful Characteristics
The
choleric possesses a sharp, keen intellect and will combine with great
enthusiasm. Very successful in his/her profession, working diligently in
spite of obstacles. Choleric are brief, precise, and sure in their
speech.
Melancholic (black bile): Introverted, emotional, and task-oriented.
- Key Strengths: Detailed, conservative, analytical, organized, perfectionistic, faithful to a fault, discreet will of stone, elegant (in the more dignified ways), selfless, an excellent medic or lawyer.
- In common with choleric: Excellent leader, practical, an effective manipulator of people, punctual.
- In common with phlegmatic: Polite, ethical to a fault, deep, thoughtful, sensitive, artistic
- Key Weaknesses: Rigid, too straight-laced, critical, bashful, pessimistic, moody, depressed, impractical (yes, both practical and impractical), has unrealistically high expectations, very paranoid
- In common with choleric: Inflexible, snobbish, emotionally distant, strict, resentful, vengeful, self-righteous and dogmatic, sees the worst in people, harshly sarcastic.
- In common with phlegmatic: Shy, insecure, easily embarrassed, slowpoke
- Expressive low, responsive low; response's delay long, duration long.
- The Contemplating Conscience of DISC and Myers-Briggs types generally I_T_.
- Will often correspond with the Apathetic or the Conflicted when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
- Amongst the four main "Dere Types" can qualify as a pure Kuudere (Cold and Blunt).
- Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Calm, stoic Blue Oni, but stern "Bad Cop" perspective
- Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (cool and dry) earth, autumn, and evening.
- In a person's life, it corresponds to middle-aged adulthood (roughly ages 35-65).
- Organ: Gall Bladder.
- Archetypal color: Navy blue, dark purple, olive green, all shades of brown or black (the colors of a cave or cavern).
- The Yin-Yang Duo: Yin (black).
- Planet or Satellite: Saturn.
- Western Zodiac Constellations: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
- Personality Blood Type: AB
Overview
Like the Sanguine, the Melancholic is also easily excited by things.
However, unlike the Sanguine, the initial reaction of excitement is
weak, but the impression remains long and grows stronger by subsequent
impressions of a similar nature. A person of this temperament is
inclined to deep, thoughts and reflection, dwelling the past, looking
ahead to the future, is very profound, finds meaning in just about
everything, and is not satisfied with the superficial. The melancholic
is driven by laws and principles. The melancholic is most comfortable
alone, and in silence. He/she is very introspective and always sees life
from a serious perspective, often feeling burdened and brought down by
temporal affairs. Melancholies are commonly passive, reserved,
irresolute, despondent, lacking courage, slow in thought and speech.
Melancholies despise the lime-light, and would rather withdraw and let
others receive recognition, even when they are praiseworthy.
The not so great Characteristics
Easily falls into mental distress and this can be extremely intense.
The melancholic, more than any other temperament, has keen awareness of
moral right and wrong, and has a deep longing for morality. They are
inclined to despair, intense expressions of grief, and occurrences of
depression. This can result in self-pity, and he/she may become a burden
to friends and family. He/she can also lose confidence in others,
specifically superiors; there is a loss of trust and respect when the
melancholy becomes aware of a fellow man's weaknesses and faults. The
melancholy vehemently desires justice, and forgiveness of offences is
hardly an option. He/she is suspicious, lacks trust in people and fears
that everyone is out to get him/her. He/she is pessimistic about
everything.
The wonderful Characteristics
Loves solitude and is often productive in solitary hobbies encompassing
the fine arts, liberal arts, crafts, writing, analytics, drama,
contributing deep and profound thoughts and ideas to poetics,
philosophy, science, and legislation, etc. There is a joy and a
relaxation that results in the melancholic devoting time to these
activities. Melancholies are excellent counselors to friends,
encouragers, give great affirmation when necessary, they are trustworthy
and genuine. They are willing to make extreme sacrifices for the sake
of others.
Phlegmatic (phlegm): Introverted, unemotional, and people-oriented.
- Key Strengths: Calm, humble, an excellent assistant, spy or librarian, discreet, flexible will of steel (flexible steel), elegant (in the simpler ways), thoughtful, patient, modest, a real sweetheart, accommodating, steady-paced, sympathetic, perceptive, very compassionate, assuming innocent until proven guilty, a good listener, considerate, and empathetic to all.
- In common with melancholic: Polite, reserved, gentle, ethical to a fault, dependable, mysterious, quiet and stealthy, a deep poker face
- In common with sanguine: Pleasant, forgiving, witty, easygoing, idealistic endurer, emotionally available, a good sense of humour, good with relationships.
- Key Weaknesses: Indifferent, submissive, lazy, slow, slacker, indecisive and too yielding.
- In common with melancholic: Timid and docile, scared of sudden change, stubborn (about certain things), easily embarrassed
- In common with sanguine: teasing, too compromising, forgetful, unable to find what's wrong
- Expressive low, responsive high; response's delay long, duration short.
- The Stable Supporter of DISC and Myers-Briggs types generally I_F_.
- Will often correspond with the Realist or the Conflicted when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
- Amongst the four main "Dere Types" can qualify as a pure Dandere (Shy and Calm).
- Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Blue Oni and diplomatic, pure "Good Cop"
- Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (cool and moist) water, winter, and deep night.
- In a person's life, it corresponds to older adulthood (roughly ages 65 and up).
- Organ: Lungs/Brain.
- Archetypal color: Teal, green, white, gray, all shades of blue or black (the colors of the ocean).
- The Yin-Yang Duo: Yin (blue).
- Planet or Satellite: Moon.
- Western Zodiac Constellations: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
- Personality Blood Type: A
Overview
Not moved by impressions at all; the reaction is missing, or empty, and
they fade quickly. There is little interest in what is going on around
him/her. Loves leisure, and is often unmotivated to work. Everything
proceeds at a slow pace.
The not so great Characteristics
Inclined to things that require little to no effort, eating, drinking,
is lazy, and neglects duties. Often misses opportunities, has no
ambition and no aspirations in life.
The wonderful Characteristics
Perseverant.
Not easily offended, and not moved by failures or sufferings. Always
maintains composure, is thoughtful and deliberate. He/she has a sober,
objective, rational, and practical judgment. Demands little in life, and
has not intense passions.
The four temperament system, while interesting, was seen as flawed even
back then as some people did not fit with any of the presented humors,
so a neutral temperament has been used, labeled sometimes as the Leukine, other times the Eclectic,
although in fiction this has been mostly reserved either for the lead
character or more commonly for secondary characters (as for Four-Philosophy Ensemble, usually the Realist or Apathetic). Additionally, this "fifth humour" often shares many common elements with the Phlegmatic.
Historically in plays, there was a whole genre: Comedy of Humors,
where the impetus of the story is the sudden banding of these opposing
types. This is in contrast to the Comedy of Errors, where the story is
driven by the events and situations.
They are similar to the four Personality Blood Types, and are sometimes also a Four-Element Ensemble.
