Nowadays, there are thousands of theorized personality categories and personality tests to go with it.
But where did it all start?
The Four Temperaments model is one of the oldest theorized personality type systems in the world. This ancient concept gave way to the many psychological theories and tests we see today.
So here, you will be exploring the different temperaments of the Four Temperament Theory and its history, as you take your own personality test on which temperament you are!
NOTE: This quiz was created for entertainment and educational
purposes only and does not come with any guarantee of accuracy for
any particular purpose. Thus it should not be used for any kind of
psychological advice or truth.
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Sanguine:
The Sanguine temperament is described as sociable, outgoing,
talkative, optimistic, and active. Those with this temperament are
typically prone risk and pleasure-seeking behaviours, such as
addictions and cravings. Their natural extrovertedness makes them tend
to enjoy social gatherings and making new friends. They may be very
confident in themselves, which can also mean they come off as
self-absorbed and certain that they only do what is right.
Choleric:
The Choleric temperament is described as ambitious, goal-oriented,
analytical, practical, independent, and decisive. Those with this
temperament value being in control and may in turn come off as
domineerng and aggressive. However, despite their efforts to have
self-control, they may still have anger-management issues. High
testosterone activity can make them competetive and perfectionists,
but they are very passionate and determined in what they do. These
individuals typically do what is most efficient for them, so they may
not enjoy engaging in small-talk, but they are very good at planning
and problem-solving, making them great leaders.
Melancholic:
Melancholic individuals tend to be analytical and detail-oriented, and
they are deep thinkers and feelers. They are introverted and try to
avoid being singled out in a crowd. A melancholic personality leads to
self-reliant individuals who are thoughtful, reserved, and often
anxious. They often strive for perfection within themselves and their
surroundings, which leads to tidy and detail-oriented behavior, and
can also result in them sometimes being pessimistic and
procrastinators.
Phlegmatic:
Phlegmatic individuals tend to be relaxed, peaceful, quiet, and
easy-going. They are sympathetic and care about others, yet they may
try to hide their emotions. Phlegmatic individuals are also good at
generalising ideas or problems to the world and making compromises.
However, their peace-making can stem from their indecisiveness and
compromising nature, which can result in them not being very
goal-oriented and, in turn, prone to laziness.
Nowadays, we have a vast array of psychological theories to determine
how personality affects different individuals. Different patterns have
been exploited and tests have been conducted throughout history to
unveil the mystery behind these supposed personality traits.
One of the most widely used personality inventories available
currently is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on the
theory that people experience the world with four principal
psychological functions. With each category having opposing traits
(Introversion/Extraversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling,
Judging/Perceiving), different individuals seem to have one preferred
quality from them all, creating 16 unique personality types.
However, personality theories have been created and existed for
thousands and thousands of years. It is difficult to pinpoint an exact
point in time in which the study of personality began, however Greek
physician Hippocrates is credited with the first official medicinal
theory on which the temperaments are based upon in around 370 BC.
The
Temperaments were rooted in humourism, an ancient theory that had its
place in Ayurvedic medicine, Ancient Egyptian medicine, Mesopotamia,
etc. The Humoral theory states that the body has four humors (bodily
fliuds) that when mixed properly and equally, demonstrates good
health. These four humors or fluid substances are categorized as
blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. It was believed that
illness or pain only occurs due to a deficiency or excess of any one
combination of these fluids.
For example, East Indian traditional Ayurvedic mmedicine is based on
the idea that the equilibrium of three humors: kapha (phlegm), pitta
(bile), and vata (wind), are what good health is dependent on. This
same concept takes place in Ancient Greek medicine and throughout the
Mediterranean region with the 4 humors.
Later on, about 2nd century AD, Greek philosopher and physician Galen formulated the temperamental categories with respect to the four bodily humors. In an effort to discern why certain behaviors or emotions are caused, Galen turned to the four humors. He believed that a inbalance of these elemental fluids would cause said "moods".
Choleric: yellow bile from the liver Sanguine: red blood from the heart Melancholic: black bile from the kidneys Phlegmatic: white phlegm from the lungs
(Clark & Watson, 2008; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1985; Lecci & Magnavita, 2013; Noga, 2007)
Galen's postulations continued to be prevalent even through the Middle Ages and remained custom until the 16th century when Galen's theories were amended with medical discovories by Andreas Vesalius and, later, William Harvey. As such, the four fluid temperament postulations had been dubunked in terms of physiology.
(Heineman, 1995)
However, its classifications continued to be used in psychology. For example, 18th century's Immanuel Kant agreed with Galen that each individual could be categorized into only one of the four temperaments as he developed different traits that could be attributed to describe the personality of an individual from each of the temperaments. 19th century's psychologist Wilhelm Wundt later suggested the arrangement of the traits on two major axes, emotional/nonemotional and changeable/unchangeable.
(Eysenck, 2009; Stelmack & Stalikas, 1991; Wundt, 1874/1886)
Galen's stipulations also influenced the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung which continued on to form the basis of personality profiles such as Myers-Briggs™️.