What about the classification of Hippocrates? In psychology, temperament in a broad sense refers to successive individual differences in behavior that are biologically based and relatively independent of learning, value systems, and attitudes. Some researchers point to the relationship between temperament and formal dynamic behavior, such as energy aspects, plasticity, sensitivity to specific supporting factors, and emotionality.
Character traits (such as neuroticism, sociability, impulsiveness and others) Remain its characteristic features in behavior throughout adulthood, but they are most noticeable and most studied in children. Infants are usually characterized by temperament. But longitudinal studies in the 1920s began to establish temperament as something stable throughout life.
History
Although a broad definition of temperament is agreed upon, many temperament classification schemes have been developed, and there is still no consensus on them.
Historically, the concept of "temperament" (originally "temperament" in Latin means "mixture"). It was part of the theory of four humors with their corresponding temperaments.
This historical concept has been explored by philosophers, psychologists, psychiatrists and psychophysiologists from the earliest times of psychological science, with theories proposed by Immanuel Kant, German Lotze, Ivan Pavlov, Karl Jung, Gerardus Heymans and others. Their ideas were a development of the classification of Hippocrates.
More recently, scientists seeking evidence of the biological basis of personality have additionally studied the relationship between temperament and neurotransmitter systems and character (defined in this context as aspects of personality development). However, biological correlations have proven difficult to confirm.
Methodology
Temperament is determined through specific behavioral profiles, usually with an emphasis on those that are easily measurable and tested in early childhood. Commonly tested factors include traits related to energy abilities (called “Activity”, “Endurance”, “Extraversion”), traits associated with emotionality (such as irritability, frequency of smiles), as well as the approach or avoidance of unfamiliar events.
As a rule, there is a low correlation between descriptions by teachers and behavioral observations by scientists of the features used in determining temperament. It is assumed that temperament is associated with biological factors, but they turned out to be complex and diverse, and did not clarify the classification of Hippocrates.
The origins
Historically, in the second century AD, the doctor Galen described four temperaments (melancholic, phlegmatic, sanguine and choleric) based on four humors or bodily fluids. They became known as the four classic temperaments. In a later story, Rudolf Steiner emphasized the importance of four classical temperaments in primary education, at a time when he believed that the influence of temperament on a person is most powerful.
Neither Galen nor Steiner, as a rule, apply to the modern study of temperament in the approaches of modern medicine or modern psychology.
Temperaments in American Psychology
Jerome Kagan and his colleagues focused empirical research on a temperamental category called reactivity. Children of four months of age who became “agitated and anxious” upon presenting new stimuli were called very reactive. Those who remained “relaxed in motor skills, did not cry and did not worry about the same set of unfamiliar events” were called weakly reactive.
These children with high and low reactivity were again tested after 14 and 21 months "in a variety of unfamiliar laboratory situations." Children with high reactivity were predominantly characterized by a strong fear of unfamiliar events, which Kagan called depressed. On the contrary, children with low reactivity were minimally afraid of new situations and were characterized by a free profile (Kagan).
However, with follow-up at the age of 4.5 years, only a small proportion of children retained their expected profile due to factors such as family experience. Those who remained severely depressed or not weakened after 4.5 years had a higher risk of developing anxiety and behavior disorders, respectively.
Additional classifications
Kagan also used two additional classifications: one for babies who were inactive but often cried (afflicted), and one for those who were active but cried a little (agitated). At the age of 14–17 years, these groups of children had different results, including some differences in the activity of the central nervous system. Adolescents who were classified as highly active when they were infants are more likely to be depressed in unfamiliar situations, have a harsh mood and anxiety in the future, and will also be more religious.
Hippocrates temperament classification
The Greek physician made the discovery several centuries ago, but it is still not completely refuted by scientists. The theory of four temperaments is a protopsychological theory, which suggests that there are four main types of personality: sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic. Most formulations include the possibility of combining types in which individual personality types intersect and have two or more temperaments.
The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460 - 370 BC) described the four temperaments as part of the ancient medical concept of humor, that four bodily fluids affect the personality traits of a person and his behavior. Modern medical science does not define a fixed connection between inner secrets and personality, although some psychological systems of personality types use categories similar to Greek temperaments.
Most people tend to have aspects of their personality that are identified with each of the four temperaments. However, there are usually two main temperaments that are displayed at a much higher level. A person can be any combination of the following four types.
Type Descriptions
The sanguine personality type is described above all as very talkative, energetic, active and sociable. Sanguine people tend to be more extroverted and like to be part of the crowd; they find it easy to be social, sociable, and charismatic. It is difficult for people with such a person to do nothing and they are more prone to risk, according to the classification of Hippocrates.
Choleric is usually more extroverted. They are described as independent, determined and purposeful, and they like to lead the group because they have many leadership qualities and ambitions. Choleric individuals also have a logical and factual outlook on the world, although this characteristic is not always provided for by the types of classification of Hippocrates.
Melancholy people are usually analytical and focused on details, and they are deeply thinking and sensitive. They are closed and try not to stand out from the crowd. A melancholy person leads to independence, thoughtfulness, isolation, and often anxiety. They often strive for excellence within themselves and their environment, which leads to accurate and detailed behavior. This is the most vulnerable type of temperament in the classification of Hippocrates.
Phlegmatic people are usually calm, peaceful, somewhat down to earth. They sympathize and take care of others, but try to hide their emotions. Phlegmatic people also know how to generalize ideas and problems in the world and make compromises. The calmest of the four types of temperament in the classification of Hippocrates.
Sanguine
The word comes through French from Italian sanguigna and originally from Latin "sanguis" (red chalk). Each of the 4 types of classification of Hippocrates is named after a substance, so do not be surprised at such a strange etymology.
The pigment used in sanguine sticks comes from red earth, such as red ocher. Sanguine (red chalk) can also exist in several other colors, such as orange, brown, brown, beige.
Choleric
People of this type are often leaders and rulers of fate. They strive to control situations, to be on top, to be the best.
This does not necessarily mean that they all strive to reach the top of the corporate ladder or anything else, or that they all want to have leadership roles, but in everyday communication with other people, they tend to be one-minded.
They use the imperative, command language, formulating things as orders, not requests. Compare “bring me a drink” with “can I have a drink?”. They probably use phrases such as “deal with it,” “kill yourself,” “stop being such a weakling,” and the like, or they can start sentences with “look,” or maybe “look, buddy,” or “listen , buddy ”or such things.
They say things with confidence and confidence. Compare “X is so” with “maybe X is so, or something?”
They are firm and decisive in their approach to problems. They believe in “hard love” and try to “help” others, encouraging them to show themselves as they do.
They are more likely to tell someone they are trying to “help” that they are pathetic, expecting this person to say “no, I'm not sorry, I will show you!”, As a choleric actually responds to such a thing.
Melancholy
Melancholy (from Greek: µÎλαινα χολή melaina chole “gall bladders”, also Latin lugere greed for sorrow, Latin morosus morosity of self-will or fastidious habits, and Old English wistfulness of intention or saturnine) from ancient or to modern medicine. Melancholy was one of four temperaments corresponding to four humors. In the 19th century, “melancholy” could be both physical and mental, and melancholic conditions were classified as such for their common reason, and not for their properties.
The defining feature of the melancholy attitude is perfectionism. They are idealists who want everything to be in a certain way, and they are upset when it is not.
They keep themselves and others at unrealistically high standards and are upset when these standards are not respected. This leads to the fact that they are self-derogatory - because they do not meet their own standards - and criticize others - because these others do not meet their standards.
Their general harsh behavior stems from their inner struggle between an imperfect world and the pursuit of excellence.
Many melancholy people want to learn and understand, to know the details of every little thing, because to be ignorant means to deviate from perfection. They don’t want to just accept things as they are. They are curious and ask specific questions in order to come to a clearer understanding.
This leads many of them to excessive, neurotic disorders.
They are very stubborn because they try very hard to adhere to their carefully thought out views and standards of excellence, and it is not easy for them to get out of this way. They do not go with the flow.
Phlegmatic
The last type of external nervous activity (GNI), and Hippocrates, and Pavlov, and a number of other scientists are called phlegmatic. He is withdrawn and enjoys time alone. However, they are much “nicer” and more friendly and social than melancholy, as they are not burdened with “perfectionism” and therefore do not judge others.
They like to spend time with friends, and they are very loyal to these friends, sticking to them, no matter what. This is because they put others in the first place and will not leave others, even if THEY want, because the other person may not want them to leave.
They are almost immune to anger. They have extremely long fuses and can only break after a period of prolonged and constant abuse. Even so, they are more likely to retreat in themselves and cry than to try to harm another.
They love a calm and measured life, free from surprises. They can be relatively confident in familiar situations - if not necessarily assertive - but panic when they are put into new ones. They are not looking for thrills and enjoy a predictable, calm, ritual lifestyle.
They are really very calm and do not readily share their inner thoughts, because they are afraid of condemnation and do not want to disturb others.
However, they are excellent and attentive listeners who will calmly and politely accept the conversations of their friends. They will always pay attention and will support, not criticize or give advice. They would never say something like “boring now,” as if it were the duty of others to entertain them.
Since they hate to offend or hurt others, they usually never resort to aggressive insults or attacks. Such is the classification of types of GNI according to Pavlov and Hippocrates.