Types of temperament: a brief description, features

Man has been the object of study since time immemorial. It is worth noting that the first attempt to create a typology of personality was the allocation of four basic types of temperament. And ancient scientists and philosophers such as Galen and Hippocrates also had a hand in this. What are the types of temperament, a brief description of them and everything that a person needs to know about this will be discussed later in the text.

Terminology, definition of concepts

Initially, it is necessary to find out what is actually being discussed. It is important to clarify that you should not confuse such terms as “character”, “types of temperament”. They have completely different meanings. Temperament cannot characterize the content of a person (beliefs, views, worldview), it is a certain dynamic side.

So what is temperament? This is a combination of those human characteristics that characterize his emotional side, i.e. behavior and mental activity. If we approach the issue from a physiological point of view, then temperament is determined by a special type of higher nervous activity (GNI).

Before considering the different types of temperament, it should be noted that this concept does not include:

1. Character.
2. Abilities.

Temperament is the basis for the development of a person’s character; it has a different effect on communication methods and personality behavior.

What exactly depends on a person’s temperament

It should also be noted that there are a number of indicators that directly depend on a certain type of person’s temperament. Consider them.

• The intensity of mental processes (emotionality, volitional characteristics).
• The rate of occurrence of various mental processes (pace of perception, thinking, time of concentration on one activity).
• Control of activity, its assessment.
• Focus of activity (extrovert, introvert).
• Disciplinary and behavioral influences.

Types of temperament: a brief description

In modern science, there are four main types of temperament: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic. And they all differ significantly from each other. Types of temperament can be briefly characterized by a special reaction of a person to an obstacle that accidentally arises on his way.

So, a choleric will very quickly and without braking sweep this obstacle out of its way. Sanguine will think how this obstacle is best avoided. Phlegmatic people often do not notice various obstacles at all. And the melancholy people in front of the obstacles just stop and cannot move on.

A little about choleric

Now I want to separately consider all of the above species. After all, they are significantly different from each other. The choleric temperament type will be studied first.

Initially, it should be noted that this word comes from the Greek "chole", which means "red-yellow bile." Such people are not restrained in emotions, mobile, energetic, impulsive.

Positive aspects of the nature of choleric

The type of temperament choleric has both its positive and negative qualities. Let's start with the pros.

• Cholerics are straightforward, decisive. They always know what to do in a certain situation.
• These people are fast, agile, work in their hands is in full swing.
• Representatives of this type of temperament undertake a new business without problems and fear. They do everything quickly, overcome difficulties without difficulty.
• Choleric people like to argue, to prove their case.
• The facial expressions of such people are expressive. They, as they say, everything is written on the face.
• The speech of such people is lively, emotional. They can complement it with various movements of the hands, body.
• Feelings in choleric people manifest very quickly, they are always bright and emotionally colored.
• Cholerices almost never take offense, do not remember grievances.
• Such a person falls asleep and wakes up quickly. He sleeps soundly.

Disadvantages of choleric temperament

Further we consider various types of temperament. A brief description of the negative aspects of choleric includes the following features:

• The speed of choleric often flows into haste.
• The movements are sharp, jerky, often unbalanced and unrestrained.
• Choleric people obviously lack patience.
• Straightness can sometimes play a negative role. People often take offense at the statements of choleric people.
• Persons with this type of temperament often provoke various kinds of conflict situations.
• Choleric people are used to jerking. A sharp rise is followed by a decline in activity. And so in a circle.
• These are people who are not afraid to take risks. That is why they often find themselves in uncomfortable situations.
• Choleric are superficial. They do not like to delve into the essence of the problem.
• Prone to mood swings.
• Such people do not tolerate the mistakes of others.

Recommendation: people with a choleric type of character need to learn to restrain themselves. To do this, before making a decision or wanting to speak out, you must try to count to ten. This will help calm down and in a certain situation do everything right.

Who are phlegmatic people?

What exactly is the type of phlegmatic temperament special and interesting? So, initially it should be noted that this word came from the Greek “phlegm”, ie "slime". These people are reliable, diligent, peace-loving, thoughtful and less talkative.

Advantages, positive aspects of phlegmatic people

What is good phlegmatic temperament type?

• First of all, these are calm, reasonable and balanced people. They have an endurance in any, even conflict and controversial situation.
• Such people are consistent in business. They are sure to bring everything started to a logical conclusion.
• Their speech is measured, calm. There are no unnecessary movements or pronounced facial expressions. Such people speak little.
• They adhere to systematic work, do not like to backtrack.
• Constant not only in relationships, but also in interests. This is most often monogamous. Their feelings are deep, but carefully hidden from surrounding eyes.
• These are reliable, unforgettable people who are very hard to get mad.

The negative side of phlegmatic

We continue to consider the types of temperament. A brief description of the negative aspects, i.e. The disadvantages of phlegmatic people are as follows:

• They react poorly to external stimuli, so they slowly accept new circumstances.
• Such people are unemotional. Sometimes it is impossible to understand what is happening in their soul.
• They are very slowly involved in a new job, and also switch from one case to another.
• It’s quite difficult to adapt in a new environment. It is not easy to converge with new people.
• It is worth noting that in the life of phlegmatic people there are quite a lot of patterns and stereotypes that they strictly follow.

Tips phlegmatic: need to develop such missing qualities as activity and mobility.

Sanguine - who is he?

What is interesting sanguine type of temperament? It is also important to consider the origin of the term. Translated from Latin, "sangvis" means "blood." Such people are mostly seasoned, sociable, balanced and practical. Positive sides of sanguine persons:

• Their mood is mostly good. But it can change dramatically.
• All feelings of such people arise very quickly. However, they do not differ in depth.
• Troubles, failures are experienced without any problems, quite easily.
• Endurance and performance are at a high level.
• Make new friends without any problems. In dealing with new people do not feel discomfort, inconvenience, fear.
• Such people, even in the most difficult situations, restrain their emotions. They have a great sense of self-control.
• The speech is loud, hasty, while distinct. Facial expressions and gestures are bright, pronounced.
• These are good organizers. In activity, they are persistent, all things are brought to their logical conclusion.

Disadvantages of this type of temperament

Considering the features of the types of temperament, it should be noted that sanguine people also have their negative sides:

• Inclined not to finish things to the end. However, this is true only if interest in the activity is lost.
• Sanguine people do not accept monotonous work.
• Such people often overestimate themselves and their capabilities.
• These are people who quickly change hobbies. This applies to both interests and personal life.
• In decisions, such individuals can be hasty, reckless.
• Sanguine mood is unstable and prone to change.

Advice to such people: to achieve good results, they should not be exchanged for trifles. It is also advisable to develop perseverance and accuracy.

Who are melancholy?

Finally, it's time to consider the last type of temperament. Melancholic - what is he? So, the term itself came from the Greek "melein chole", which means "black bile." Such people are mostly uncommunicative, withdrawn, anxious and often gloomy. Consider their advantages:

• Melancholy sensitive. However, this may also apply to disadvantages such as temperament.
• Such people put forward excessive demands on themselves, which makes them strive for the best.
• They are considerate, restrained.
• Melancholy people feel great about other people, their mood.
• The emotions of such people are strong, deep, vibrant, permanent.
• They work calmly and productively. However, exclusively in a familiar environment.

The disadvantages of melancholy

So, find out the negative aspects of this type of temperament.

• Again, sensitivity, emotionality come to the fore.
• Such people are very difficult to tolerate resentment, if upset, then for a long time.
• Melancholy in most cases are shy, shy, not prone to communication personality.
• These are people who rarely laugh. Basically they are pessimistic.
• They don’t like anything new, they adapt for a long time in the new team. Change for them is something terrible, difficult.
• They need to pause in work, as they are prone to rapid fatigue.
• Their speech is quiet, weak. Facial expressions and gestures are practically absent.
• These are tearful, whiny people.
• In most cases, the melancholy are fearful, anxious and withdrawn.
• In difficult moments, such people tend to get lost, they often drop their hands in front of obstacles, not trying to get around them or get out of the way.

Recommendations for melancholic: for normal life, you need to overcome shyness. To do this, try to participate in various events as often as possible. You also need to make acquaintances, communicate more. It is also very important for such people to constantly increase their self-esteem.

Main components

Be sure to consider the psychological types of temperament, i.e. those constituent moments, on the basis of which this division occurs. So, these are the following nuances:

1. Sensitivity This is the amount of external forces that is necessary for the manifestation of a reaction.
2. Reactivity. This is the level of response.
3. Activity. This is the same energy.
4. Rigidity and ductility. This is a certain degree of adaptability to various external stimuli.
5. The pace of the reaction. This is a special course of reactions and various processes of the psyche (speech speed, etc.).
6. Introversion or extraversion.
7. Emotional excitability.

It is these properties that made it possible to distinguish four basic types of temperament, which may be inherent in humans.

A few words about children

It is worth noting that it makes absolutely no sense to separately consider the types of temperament of children. After all, they are the same as described above. However, it must be clarified that as they grow older, the type of temperament can change. In childhood, one may prevail, in adulthood - a completely different type. Cardinal changes most often do not occur. So the types of temperament of children are the same as in adults. Kids are also choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic. However, the type of education is important here. So, for children of different temperaments, you need to look for a completely different approach. After all, they have a significantly different level of understanding and perception of information.

About type purity

Be sure to clarify that there are few such people who are inherent in one clear type of temperament. This is mainly a tandem of two different types. One of them will be the leader, i.e. more thorough. The other is optional. Scientists also say that each person contains the features of all four types of temperament. But their concentration is completely different.

Figuring out your type

The determination of the type of temperament is based on various tests and techniques. I must say that today there are a lot of them. So, this is a questionnaire in which there is a certain number of extremely simple questions. Their goal is to understand how exactly a person reacts to a particular situation.

When passing such tests, it is recommended to give quick and clear answers. No need to think about what to say or what to choose. It is necessary to act depending on those emotions that arise first. It must be remembered that in such questionnaires there are no right or wrong questions. There is no answer good or bad.

Why, in fact, need to know your type of temperament? Everything is simple here: in order to understand your strengths and weaknesses for subsequent work on your "I". This is also necessary knowledge if you have to communicate with different people. So, you need to remember that one cannot demand from a melancholic the speed of completing tasks, and from a choleric - peace.

Tests

As mentioned above, the determination of the type of temperament occurs through various questionnaires.

• Rusalov test. It makes it possible to determine the dynamic properties of personality. It has 150 questions. You need to respond quickly, without hesitation.
• Belov test. In this case, the person will be presented with 4 cards in turn. There will be written 20 properties that may be characteristic of a particular person. In each of them, a person should note what is characteristic of him.
• But still, the most popular is the Eysenck test. A person is asked 100 different questions that reflect a specific manner of behavior or reaction to a particular situation. If the statement, in the opinion of the testee, is true, he puts a plus, if it is incorrect - a minus.
• Through the Smirnov questionnaire, one can determine the polar qualities of character. For example, excitability and poise, extraversion and introversion, etc.