The Four Temperaments

Earlier this week Verily posted an article about "Why it's time to revisit your Myers-Briggs Type," which made me think of the Four Temperaments. I know, they're not the same thing, but my brain only needed to make a couple short leaps to get there. :) 

I find the temperaments and the Myers-Briggs types to be rather fascinating. Who would have guessed after all my posts about them, right? :)  I like to understand why people do what they do (including myself) - not in a "it's not my fault I'm a heartless a**hole. It's because I'm choleric" but as an understanding of strengths and weaknesses. A means to help you react to situations, to mentally plan ahead because you're aware of how you're likely to react to something. Or how someone else is likely to react, so you can figure out how best to help/stop/support/work with or against them. 

I've run across several tests and I like this one best because it scales the answers they provide you. It's not simply yes or no - you are Sanguine or you are Melancholic. It give you a combination answer. My results came back strongly Melancholic (no surprise there!). Phlegmatic came in second...and Sanguine was a little ahead of Choleric. This is kind of funny because back in the day when I took the CatholicMatch quiz (2006?), I got Melancholic/Choleric (80/20)...which seemed to sound like me. I must be mellowing out in my old age. :) 

Temperament Personality Test  http://personality-testing.info/tests/O4TS/

I stole some explanations from CatholicMatch's website. Here's old (2006) and new (2016) Katie Temperament Combos:  

Melancholic / Choleric

The melancholic-choleric is also a leader with the potential to accomplish great works. However, where the choleric-melancholic is driven by the challenge and the opportunity, the melancholic-choleric is inspired more by the nobility of the task. The introverted nature of the melancholic, combined with the focused and unempathic nature of the choleric, can result in an individual who is highly motivated by noble ideals (even humanitarian ones), but who prefers to work alone, rather than with people. The melancholic side of both temperament mixtures results in the project being organized, ethical, and high-minded, while the choleric aspect is the driving and demanding force.

If you are melancholic-choleric, you are somewhat less pragmatic (or utilitarian) than a pure choleric, just as persevering and determined, and with a greater emphasis on the ideal. Likely to be motivated by the most noble and demanding of causes, you are capable of founding a humanitarian society, composing a symphony, founding a school, or discovering a cure. You are organized, perfectionist, introspective, driven, and moody (though less so than a pure melancholic). You will be less active than a choleric-melancholic and less extraverted, more internally focused.

But your weaknesses include a tendency to excessive self-criticism and criticism of others, being dismissive or overly judgmental, exhibiting a tendency to self-absorption, and possessing an untrustful and controlling nature. You tend to be inflexible, can bear grudges for a long time and may be prone to discouragement. A melancholic-choleric who is not attentive to his spiritual life, and does not keep his eye assiduously on the truly important things of life can become a cross to those around him, through his nit-picking, perfectionism, disdain, bitterness, resentfulness, spitefulness when crossed, and even haughtiness.

If your temperament is melancholic-choleric, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the melancholic and choleric.

Melancholic / Phlegmatic

The melancholic-phlegmatic is tidier, more procedural and less flexible than the phlegmatic-melancholic. He may be slower to take on new projects, as the melancholic fear of new situations and tendency to perfectionism takes over. The double-dose of introversion, along with the melancholic tendency to negativity, makes it difficult for him to give compliments and make upbeat small talk. It also causes him to instinctively say “no” when he first hears a request. Others may perceive this as “snobbishness.” Unless the melancholic-phlegmatic is very comfortable, and is surrounded by understanding long-time friends, he may find himself somewhat isolated and alone, unable to warm up in a social gathering. He is less critical and less grudge-bearing than a pure melancholic or a melancholic-choleric. However, the tendency of the melancholic to dwell on things for a long time in their mind, combined with the sensitivity of the phlegmatic toward interpersonal relationships, can result in long-lasting hurts, an erosion of self-confidence and self-esteem, and even depression. Extremely sensitive and possessing a longing for the ideal (melancholic), they are also highly attentive to what others need or desire, through their phlegmatic aspect. This makes them more than usually susceptible to anxiety and a negative self-image.

This temperament combination is highly driven to succeed—not for success’ sake alone, but because their melancholic nature is drawn to high ideals, and their phlegmatic side will have a strong desire to please. Thus, they are capable of long-range planning, organization, and attention to detail that makes them excellent and conscientious scholars. They are capable of pursuing highly idealistic goals, usually with long-term academic requirements, such as attaining their doctorate. They value their friendships, but can spend many hours alone reading or studying. They may have a tendency to hypochondria or to genuine physical weaknesses, as well as a tendency to timidity and anxiety, especially about new activities or ventures.

One melancholic-phlegmatic we know is highly organized, critical, slow, and dogmatically unforgiving, yet reveals her phlegmatic aspect in her intense discomfort with confrontation (unless she is very at ease among the warring members) and in her strong relationships with her friends. You wouldn’t guess that she is so devoted to her friends, however, because true to her melancholic nature she rarely initiates contact with them – they always have to call her first. A tendency to avoid the stresses of social interaction by spending overmuch time alone—whether in scholarly pursuits or reading for relaxation—is something that melancholic-phlegmatics need to watch out for.

If your temperament is melancholic-phlegmatic, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the melancholic and phlegmatic.

***

Another really interesting thing I ran across was a Catholic perspective on the temperaments - "The Temperament God Gave You" written by Art and Laraine Bennett. The whole book isn't posted, but there are some sections - enough that it kind of makes me want to read the book. This paragraph was from the Introduction: 

Self-knowledge is a virtue that St. Teresa of Avila said must never be neglected: “Self-knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it.” Genuine self-knowledge will result in humility — never in complacency. By better understanding ourselves and our loved ones, we will be able to improve ourselves and grow in our spiritual lives, and help our children and spouses to become successful and holy individuals as well. When we understand our temperaments, we can begin to master those inclinations or untoward reactions that may thwart our growth in virtue and in love. We will develop greater compassion for others and will stand ready to encourage and strengthen our loved ones — to begin that transformation of hearts which, through the grace of God, will build a civilization of life and love here on earth and ultimately, intimate friendship with him.   

So...what did you get? Did it surprise you? Seem like a perfect fit? Not sound like you at all?


~ Katie

Song of the day: I popped in my Adele "25" CD and found a new favorite - "When We Were Young." If you haven't heard it before, you're welcome. :)