Temperament and its main components. The article will discuss how to distinguish between people according to their temperament and personal qualities. A person's temperament is a set of psycho-emotional characteristics of a personality, a kind of litmus test, with the help of which the character of any individual is determined. It should be remembered that the volitional qualities of people have not only an innate factor, they are also influenced by acquired reactions to external stimuli. In most cases, when determining temperament, it is necessary to deal with the manifestations of precisely acquired reactions.
What is human temperament
Temperament is primarily a specific feature of a person's personality. During the formation of a personality, specific processes occur that are reflected in the behavior of people in society.
The main criteria of temperament are the general activity of the person, who at the same time shows social mobility and formats her feelings and emotionality. This is a reaction to any circumstance, manifestation of feelings or expression of emotions.
The general characteristics of a person are easily determined only when he has a stable psychomotor system. However, in most situations, everyone can have several types of temperament that characterize him as an extraordinary person.
Sometimes a critical set of circumstances or force majeure can turn a calm individual into a rather aggressive person. It is also worth remembering that powerful people can become docile members of society if an appropriate approach is found to them.
Features of the definition of temperament according to different theories
Many specialists in the study of human souls have created their own system of differentiating people according to their personal qualities. In some respects, these theories are similar, but in some details they sometimes differ radically from each other.
Determination of temperament according to Hippocrates and Galen
The doctors of Antiquity have long observed the fact that many people can be classified into four types. Hippocrates made some assumptions on this issue, and Galen improved them:
- Sangua … The sounded doctors considered the saturation of the body with blood a good sign for the sociability of people. In their opinion, a person of this type is always mobile and has a cheerful disposition.
- Reflux … The predominance of lymph in the form of phlegm in the human body was considered a manifestation of calm and slowness. In this case, Hippocrates and Galen based their conclusions on the fact that a person does not boil blood, which usually leads to a surge of energy in relation to the people around him.
- Hole … Yellow bile has always and at all times been characterized as a poison that poisons the human body. In this case, the predominance in the blood it was she who characterized people as individuals who do not know how to control their emotions.
- Melan Hole … The presence in the body of a person of black bile radically changed his behavior in comparison with the person "chole". Hippocrates and Galen considered such people to be fearful personalities who often indulge in sad memories.
It was according to the theory of these two ancient doctors that the modern concept of dividing people into four categories by temperament was developed.
Jung's definition of temperament
The famous psychotherapist and student of Freud decided to improve the system that the great figures of ancient times proposed to mankind. In his interpretation, the types of temperament became more specific and began to look like this:
- Extrovert … This type of personality characteristic of a person implies the focus of all his attention directly on objects. For such individuals, the priority is the opinion of the public, which determines their pattern of behavior. To some extent, this is a great way to adapt in society, but the excessive manifestation of extraventorism often leads to the subordination of personal interests in the name of others and nervous exhaustion.
- Introvert … A subjective starting point in planning one's life is a hallmark of a person with a similar temperament. Such people give preference to personal experiences, rather than the suffering of the immediate environment. External reality for introverts is not an argument, because in all life situations they rely solely on their own opinion.
Jung developed a broader concept of defining a person's character based on two factors. However, it does not provide for the fact that human behavior often depends on many nuances.
Kant's designation of temperament
The German philosopher also became interested in the theory developed by Hippocrates and Galen. As his contribution to this development, after a detailed study of the issue described, he proposed the following amendments:
- Das Leichtblutigen (cheerful disposition) … Belief in a bright future, wit, innocence and kindness are the positive qualities of a person with such a temperament. However, at the same time, Kant emphasized that merry fellows often easily make promises, which they then cannot fulfill. In addition, they do not have such qualities as patience and endurance.
- Das Schwerblutigen (dark disposition) … Such people do not dream of new beginnings, because they are constantly subject to introspection in a rather negative way. It is sometimes very difficult to ask such a person for help, because he does not give a promise to take part in someone else's fate without good reasons for this.
- Das Warmblutigen (irascible character) … You should not test the patience of such a person, because he instantly lights up, like a match. However, with a competent approach to the problem on the part of the instigator of the conflict, he quickly cools down and can even apologize. However, Kant argues that it is this type of temperament that is most prone to the perception of flattering speeches and compliments.
- Das Kaltbluti (cold-blooded man) … Not a single muscle will tremble on the face of such a person, because she masterly controls her emotions. However, people with a similar temperament are rather passive and do not want to challenge fate for their own realization.
Kant's development is interesting in that she described in some detail the difference between people with a heterogeneous model of behavior. However, he did not take into account the fact that each person can combine several types of voiced by him.
Types of the nervous system according to I. P. Pavlov
The Russian scientist is known to a large category of people for his developments in the study of the reflex capabilities of dogs. At the same time, he devoted his time and the concept of demarcation of temperament, which is close to the theory of Hippocrates:
- Strong type (sanguine) … According to the system of the sounded scientist, the basis of the temperament traits of such a person is the desire to resist life's difficulties. Such people easily adapt to any changes, both physically and emotionally.
- Inert type (phlegmatic) … The low mobility of a person with a similar character can be considered a positive factor, because he will never go into conflict. Even an experienced provocateur cannot cause negative emotions in a phlegmatic person.
- Unbalanced type (choleric) … In this case, it is necessary to emphasize that such people are not able to control the balance of excitation and inhibition in their nervous system. Consequently, one should not expect restraint and composure from such persons.
- Weak type (melancholic) … Weakness in the external manifestations of life and excessive susceptibility to all external stimuli are the basis of a person's behavior with such a character. Pavlov argues that strong negative emotions can completely destroy the integrity of the melancholic's vision of reality.
Calculation of temperament by E. Kretschmer
The theory of this scientist is based on the fact that hormones control a person, adjusting the behavior model of each individual:
- Picnic type … The definition of temperament in this case is based on the appearance of the analyzed personality. Such people have a stocky figure and excellent health. By nature, they are subject to a riot of passions and exceptional spontaneity. However, E. Kretschmer divides this subspecies into people with hyperactivity and calmer persons.
- Asthenic type … With a rather poorly developed musculature, such a person has a rather attractive appearance. By his temperament, he resembles a contradictory nature, which can be accompanied by a rich collection of complexes. However, among such people there are often excellent friends who are ready to help their neighbor at any moment.
- Athletic type … It is such people who sometimes decide the fate of entire nations. They do not focus on their own experiences, because they stubbornly pursue their goal in the most effective ways.
External signs allow you to better understand a person's character, his view of the world. But do not forget how to determine temperament by other indicators, since it is rare to find a personality ideally suited to the description of a specific psychotype. Mostly all people combine various characteristics, and the main type is only dominant when making important decisions or communicating with others.
Classification of temperament according to A. E. Lichko
The renowned psychiatrist studied character accentuation in humans for a long time. After some research, he proposed his differentiation of people by temperament:
- Hyperthymic type … With increased mental activity and optimism for all factors, such individuals have every chance of a successful life in the future. They usually realize their strength in politics or in big business.
- Cycloid type … A person with a similar pattern of behavior agrees with everything that happens in his life. He reminds everyone of a pony from an animated film who performed the same actions every day.
- Labile type … Typically, this pattern of behavior is inherent in adolescents who are looking for their place in this life. An adult with a labile type becomes a kind of experimenter, but within a rather limited framework.
- Hysteroid type … Some people want to express their opinion solely through hysterics. The process of hand-wringing is important to them, not its result. This is how melancholic people behave, who have manifestations of choleric temperament.
Classification of temperament from astrologers
Many people, if they want to determine the type of their temperament, turn to all kinds of horoscopes. Ultimately, after studying such sources, they receive the following data:
- Aries … A strong will, a friendly character, internal energy are a distinctive trait of the character of people who were born under this zodiac sign. However, with all these advantages, Aries are always avid debaters on any occasion. This behavior can be characterized by a predisposition to this type of temperament as sanguine people.
- Taurus … Such people are rather silent, but they have their own firm position in life. They speak slowly and measuredly, but at the same time they appreciate every word spoken. By their type, they are closest to phlegmatic people.
- Cancer … Pictures from a kaleidoscope make up a vision of the world of a person who was born in the summer. At the same time, Cancers love to make fun of both others and themselves. Remaining great family men, they can get carried away, but they will never betray their relatives. This kind of character is most suitable for sanguine people.
- a lion … Such people love to rule in any society. There is no authority for them because their personality is inviolable. In essence, they are closest to sanguine people, but if you wake up the beast in them, you will have to watch the choleric rampage.
- Virgo … At first glance, this sign promises only peace and tranquility. However, in fact, these people often cannot be loyal to their soul mate. They are thrifty, know how to be friends, which characterizes them as sanguine. Although it is often among them that bright choleric people with hysterical manners come across.
- scales … People born under this constellation are excellent listeners. They are energetic without ostentatious fussiness and are constantly in search of harmony. In all respects, their characteristics can be safely ranked as sanguine. Often also there are melancholic among those who were born in the second decade.
- Scorpion … People of this type should not be led to negative emotions. They have self-control, but not everyone dares to test their patience. All this indicates that when meeting a Scorpio, you can get acquainted with a choleric person with his irrepressible thirst for justice.
- Sagittarius … The friendly and sociable persons of this constellation can sometimes be quite tactless in their reasoning. However, they are rarely traitors and slanderers, which characterizes them as sanguine. However, there are many phlegmatic and melancholic among archers, especially among those who were born practically at the intersection of dates with previous and subsequent astrological types.
- Capricorn … The so-called gray cardinals have great inner abilities. They usually act as advisers for their acquaintances in their own analysis of problems, which in some way classifies them as melancholic.
- Aquarius … The most cheerful horoscope sign can be a friend to almost any person. He is free, like air, from any circumstances, but if there are two patron planets in his star chart, he can be sanguine, melancholic and choleric in certain situations.
- Fishes … Such a sign of the zodiac assumes regularity in actions and thinking. However, at the same time, Pisces will find a common language with any representative of the horoscope, which equates them in some way with phlegmatic people.
- Twins … Many people have heard about the hypocritical behavior of such persons. At the same time, Gemini, with a hostility to routine work, can become polyglots. By their temperament, they resemble sanguine people who are always ready to admit their mistakes. But since two personalities are fighting in them, depending on the reactions acquired through life, they can also be creative melancholic or choleric.
What are the temperaments of a person - look at the video:
If you want to reveal the secret of how to determine a person's temperament, you should go through each section in detail. After all, any person has his own unique personality characteristic. And in some cases, it is worth taking a closer look at the developments of well-known specialists in order to compile a description of the psychotype as fully as possible.
