Psychology can give almost all the answers to questions about human behavior. This science is able to explain why some people become leaders, while others try to avoid attention all their lives. Not the last role in the characterization of personality is played by the type of temperament, which is influenced by such a concept as reactivity. This in psychology is often taken as the determining factor in the individual's reaction to various external stimuli.
Temperament in the view of philosophers and scientists of antiquity
Even ancient philosophers claimed that a person has a number of features given to him at birth, which are subsequently formed into a set of traits or the so-called character. It is impossible to significantly change these features, they can only be easily adjusted under the influence of society and education.
Scientists of that time could not imagine what temperament or character depends on, but they made attempts to substantiate their numerous theories in proportion to knowledge in medicine and psychology. Hippocrates became the founder of the typology of temperaments ; for the first time he gave a definition to each of the types that are used to this day. I just explained the famous doctor's temperament to the predominance of a particular fluid in the human body.
Years later, European scientists tried to put forward their typology based on the physical characteristics of people. This version has been criticized in the scientific world and is now almost never used.
Temperament through the eyes of Hippocrates and Claudius Galen
Hippocrates defined the temperaments of a person, and his pupil and follower Claudius Galen wrote a large scientific treatise, in which he described in detail and thoroughly each type, specifying the fluid that is contained in the maximum amount in human organs.
Based on the theory of Galen, the following types of human temperament existed:
- sanguine - in this person there was a large amount of blood, which influenced his actions and emotions;
- phlegmatic - he was the result of the prevalence of phlegm;
- choleric - had an increased content of bile;
- melancholic - suffered from an abundance of black bile in the body, corroding his internal organs.
Almost until the eighteenth century, this theory was perceived as the only true one. And only the hard work of modern scientists dispelled the fantastic assumptions of Hippocrates, although the names and characteristics of temperaments remained unchanged and are actively used.
Division of temperaments in modern psychology
Academician Pavlov made a great contribution to the development of psychology . As a result of research, he found out that a person from birth has his own type of nervous system, which determines his behavior. Moreover, this theory is equally effective for animals and humans. Later Pavlov's research became the basis for the work of Soviet and European psychologists. As a result, a scientifically based typology of human temperaments appeared:
- Sanguine. People of this temperament easily adapt to new conditions, are active and efficient. Most of them are friendly and have high communication skills. They are sensitive to the mood of others and are extroverts.
- Choleric. This temperament characterizes irritable and hot-tempered people. They are quickly distracted from business, difficult to concentrate. The expression of emotions in choleric people occurs rapidly and briefly, they can also be considered extroverts.
- Phlegmatic person. Such people are very efficient, but it is difficult to switch from one case to another. They are little emotional and able to remain calm in any situation. All their movements are slightly slowed down, the same applies to facial expressions. Phlegmatic people refer to introverts.
- Melancholic. Melancholics are very sensitive, but not too active. They are touchy, but timid and inhibited. Such people have low labor productivity and are difficult to converge with new people. The slightest troubles cause violent emotions in them, paralyzing any activity.
To determine a person’s temperament, it is necessary to consider it in relation to a number of properties. Psychology has a productive system that allows you to analyze the type of nervous system and classify it.
The main properties of temperament
The determination of temperament is impossible without eight aspects that characterize it:
- Sensitivity
- activity;
- the ratio of reactivity and activity;
- plasticity and rigidity;
- reaction rate;
- emotional excitability ;
- extraversion or introversion.
An experienced psychologist gives an assessment of personality in every aspect and deduces the type of temperament. The most important are parameters such as reactivity and activity. It is worth talking about them in more detail.
Reactivity in Psychology: Definition
It is difficult to say when psychology stood out as a serious science and began to consider a person’s personality, taking into account all aspects of temperament. But the scientific community believes that Wolf Solomonovich Merlin was the first to introduce such a concept as reactivity in psychology. This gave an impetus to further studies of the psychoemotional differences of individuals, which eventually resulted in a fundamental scientific theory.
At present, it can be argued that reactivity in psychology is the uncontrolled reactions of the individual to any stimuli of an external and internal nature. The intensity and duration of these reactions largely determine the person’s temperament. In the future, psychologists came to the conclusion that it is emotional reactivity that is responsible for the efficiency and productivity of labor. In psychology, this has acquired special significance; many large corporations in the West use the concept of reactivity, selecting new personnel.
Reactivity and speed of decision-making: is there a relationship?
According to the results of numerous studies and testing, psychologists have found that the speed of decision-making and reactions to various life situations depends on reactivity.
People with high reactivity often make decisions under the influence of emotions and moment, many of their conclusions and reactions are incorrect. But in a critical situation, they are able to save the life of not only one person, but many others. What can not be said about individuals with low reactivity. They ponder over each decision for a long time and are not able to make it at a particular moment under the influence of stimuli from the outside world.
The formula for the intensity of the reaction in emotional reactivity
Since reactivity in psychology is a reaction to an external stimulus, it will be natural to assume that it has a certain strength. In the modern world, there is even a formula according to which the degree and saturation of a reaction can be determined.
In people with low reactivity, the intensity is in direct interaction with the strength of the effect. The more pressure you put on such a person, the more intense is his reaction.
Otherwise, everything happens to people quickly excitable. The intensity of their reaction does not depend on the strength of the impact. Even a slight pressure serves as an impetus to the intense reaction of the individual. This makes people with high reactivity unpredictable and difficult to manage.
Reactivity in Psychology: Examples of Manifestation in Ordinary Life
In order to have a complete picture of reactivity, let's give a simple example from life. Suppose you are dreaming of a vacation after a hard working year. Your friends are also going to relax, but one goes to the mountains, and the other dreams of a lazy beach vacation in a warm country. Both of them call you with them, but after much thought you decide to travel to the sea and the sun. At that moment, when you are ready to voice your decision to a friend, he begins to assert that you must go with him and do not have the right to do otherwise. This is where your reactivity matters. What will you do? Begin to resist the pressure and abandon the already planned and such a desired vacation on the beach, going to the mountains in protest? Or stick to the original plan, regardless of the pressure exerted on you?
People who are able to do harm to themselves are characterized by increased reactivity and often draw the wrong conclusions from the situation. Moreover, the decision does not matter the personality of the opponent, it can be a close friend or unfamiliar person. The tendency to make hasty and wrong decisions is revealed in those people who have increased reactivity. In psychology, this is considered to be a constant, from which they are repelled in determining the personality temperament.
Reactivity and activity: features of the relationship
It has long been proven that the productivity of any human activity determines the ratio of reactivity and activity. This in psychology has been expressed in several formulas that have emerged as a result of special and lengthy research. Highly reactive personalities have little activity, since they cannot work concentratedly and are constantly distracted by the slightest external stimuli. In addition, internal stimuli act on this type - thoughts, emotions, memories. All this significantly reduces labor productivity.
Individuals with low reactivity usually have the highest activity. They are able to solve one problem until a result is achieved, without being distracted by anything in the world around them. Such people are able to work for weeks and months until they get what they want. Scientists who have presented great discoveries to the world are often referred to this type.
The psychological reactions of many people cannot be controlled, but, having certain knowledge, one can predict a person’s behavior and draw conclusions about his capabilities on the way to the top of career growth.