Four temperaments is a proto-psychological interpretation of the
ancient medical concept of humorism and suggests that four bodily fluids
affect human personality traits and behaviors. The temperaments are sanguine (pleasure-seeking and sociable), choleric (ambitious and leader-like), melancholic (analytical and thoughtful), and phlegmatic (relaxed and quiet).
The Greek physician Hippocrates
(460–370 BC) incorporated the four temperaments into his medical
theories. From then through modern times, they, or modifications of
them, have been part of many theories of medicine, psychology and
literature.
Later discoveries in biochemistry have shown that the hypothesized
bodily fluids do not exist, though there is a complex system of hormones
which help regulate emotion and cognition. Many personality type
systems of varying scientific acceptance continue to use four or more
categories of a similar nature.
Each of the four types of humors corresponded in ancient times to a different personality type :
Sanguine
The sanguine temperament
is fundamentally sociable and pleasure-seeking; sanguine people are
impulsive and charismatic. They tend to enjoy social gatherings, making
new friends and tend to be boisterous. They are usually quite creative
and often daydream. Sanguine personalities generally struggle with
following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to
be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when they pursue a
new hobby, they lose interest as soon as it ceases to be engaging or
fun. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy.
Sanguines generally have an almost shameless nature, certain that what
they are doing is right. They however, lack confidence. Sanguine people
are warm-hearted, pleasant, lively and optimistic. They have been called
"people-oriented extroverts."
Choleric
The choleric temperament is fundamentally ambitious and leader-like. They have a lot of aggression, energy, and/or passion,
and try to instill that in others. They are task oriented people and
are focused on getting a job done efficiently; their motto is usually
"do it now." They can dominate people of other temperaments with their
strong wills, especially phlegmatic types, and can become dictatorial or
tyrannical. Many great charismatic military and political figures were
cholerics. They like to be in charge of everything and are good at
planning, as they can often immediately see a practical solution to a
problem. However, they can quickly fall into deep depression or
moodiness when failures or setbacks befall them. They have been called
"task-oriented extroverts."
Melancholic
The melancholic temperament is fundamentally introverted
and is given to thought. Melancholic people are often perceived as very
(or overly) pondering and are both considerate and very cautious.
Melancholics can be highly creative in activities such as poetry, art,
and invention – and are sensitive to others. Because of this
sensitivity and their thoughtfulness they can become preoccupied with
the tragedy and cruelty in the world
and are susceptible to depression and moodiness. Often they are
perfectionists. Their desire for perfection often results in a high
degree of personal excellence but also causes them to be highly
conscientious and difficult to relate to because others often cannot
please them. They are self-reliant and independent, preferring to do
things themselves to meet their standards. One negative part of being a
melancholic is that they can get so involved in what they are doing they
forget to think of other issues. Their caution enables them to prevent
problems that the more impulsive sanguine runs into, but can also cause
them to procrastinate and remain in the planning stage of a project for
very long periods. Melancholics prefer to avoid much attention and
prefer to remain in the background; they do, however, desire recognition
for their many works of creativity. They have been called
"task-oriented introverts."
Phlegmatic
The phlegmatic temperament is fundamentally relaxed and quiet,
ranging from warmly attentive to lazily sluggish. Phlegmatics tend to be
content with themselves and are kind. Phlegmatics are consistent, they
can be relied upon to be steady and faithful friends. They are accepting
and affectionate, making friends easily. They tend to be good diplomats
because their tendency not to judge and affable nature makes
reconciling differing groups easy for them. Phlegmatics prefer to
observe and to think on the world around them while not getting
involved. They may try to inspire others to do the things which they
themselves think about doing. They may be shy and often prefer stability
to uncertainty and change. Their fear of change (and of work) can make
them susceptible to stagnation or laziness, or even stubbornness. They
are consistent, relaxed, calm, rational, curious, and observant,
qualities that make them good administrators. They can also be
passive-aggressive. They have been called "people-oriented introverts."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_temperaments
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_temperaments
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