EVERY person is unique, special, and loved. Each one of us has a different personality and temperament. We also behave differently in every situation.
There are many theorists of personality, led by Sigmund Freud.
In ancient times, it was believed that our personalities are based on the balance of our blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm in our bodies. It sounds weird but that was how they perceived our temperaments.
The four temperaments are choleric, melancholic, sanguine or phlegmatic. Today, we don’t agree with the relationship between our biles, blood and phlegms with who we are. However, the descriptions of each temperament seem accurate for our times now.
Temperaments classify our emotional thoughts and feelings. Temperaments make one aspect of our personalities.
Are you a popular sanguine, a perfect melancholic, a powerful choleric or a peaceful phlegmatic? There is a test to find out your profile.
Here are some traits of each temperament based from the book Personality Plus by Florence Littauer.
Popular Sanguine - The extrovert, the talker, the optimist
Emotions – appealing personality, life of the party, talkative, storyteller, cheerful, always a child, sincere at heart
As a friend – makes friends easily, loves people, doesn’t hold grudges, apologizes quickly, seem exciting, prevents dulls moments, thrives on compliments
As a worker – has the energy and enthusiasm, thinks up of new things, volunteers at jobs, inspires others
Perfect melancholic – The introvert, the thinker, the pessimist
Emotions – deep and thoughtful, analytical, genius prone, talented, artistic, musical, appreciative to beauty, sensitive, self-sacrificing
As a friend – makes friends cautiously, can solve others’ problems, deep concern for others, faithful and devoted, contented to stay in the background
As a worker – neat and tidy, organized, perfectionist, has high standards, detail conscious, likes charts and graphs
Powerful choleric – The extrovert, the doer, the optimist
Emotions – strong-willed and decisive, must correct wrongs, born leader, independent and self-sufficient, exudes confidence
As a friend – has little time for friends, will work for group activity, is usually right, will lead and organize, excels in emergencies
As a worker – goal-oriented, moves quickly to action, seeks practical solution, stimulates activities
Peaceful phlegmatic – The introvert, the watcher, the pessimist
Emotions – low-key personality, easy going, relaxed, calm, cool and collected, keeps emotions hidden, quiet but witty
As a friend – easy to get along with, good listener, pleasant and enjoyable, inoffensive, enjoys watching people, has compassion and concern
As a worker – peaceful and agreeable, competent and steady, avoids conflicts, has administrative ability
Do you see yourself in any of the above temperaments? However, it is also said that we are a combination of the four temperaments but one of them dominates the rest. We also change as we grow older and have more life experiences.
If you want to learn about your temperaments or have any questions or invite us for a talk, please call us at the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Bacolod Chapter at (034) 433-8868, email us at pmha_bacolod@yahoo.com.ph or you can also email this writer at jet.octaviano@gmail.com