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 identification of four basic types of temperament. And the hand to this has been added by such ancient scientists and philosophers as Galena and Hippocrates. What are the types of temperament, a brief description of them and all that a person needs to know about it, will be discussed further in the text.

Terminology, definition of concepts

Initially, it is necessary to find out what exactly is going on. It is important to clarify that such terms as "character", "types of temperament" should not be confused. They have completely different meanings. Temperament can not characterize the content of the personality (beliefs, views, worldview), it is a certain dynamic side.

So, what is temperament? This is the totality of those features of a person that characterize his emotional side, i.е. Behavior and mental activity. If we approach the question from the physiological point of view, the temperament is conditioned by a special type of higher nervous activity (GNI).

Before considering 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 the character of a person, it exerts a different influence on the modes of communication and the behavior of the individual.

What exactly depends on the temperament of a person

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

• Intensity of mental processes (emotionality, volitional characteristics).
• The rate of occurrence of various mental processes (the rate of perception, thinking, the time of concentration on one activity).
• Control of activity, its evaluation.
• Activity orientation (extrovert, introvert).
• Disciplinary and behavioral influences.

Types of temperament: a brief description

In modern science there are four basic 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 person's special reaction to an obstacle that has arisen on his way.

So, the choleric this obstacle very quickly and without braking will sweep from the way. Sanguine will think how this obstacle is best avoided. Phlegmaticians do not notice any obstacles at all. And the melancholy before the obstacles simply stop and can not move further.

A little about the choleric

Now you want to separately consider all of the above types. After all, they differ significantly from each other. The type of temperament choleric will be studied first.

Initially, it should be noted that this word is derived from the Greek "chole", which means "bile red-yellow color." Such people are not kept in emotions, mobile, energetic, impetuous.

Positive aspects of the character of choleric people

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

• Choleric are straightforward, resolute. They always know what to do in a certain situation.
• These people are quick, mobile, working in their hands is just boiling.
• For a new cause, representatives of this type of temperament are taken without problems and fear. All do quickly, without difficulties overcome various obstacles.
• Choleric people like to argue, to prove their case.
• The mimicry of such people is expressive. They have, as they say, all written on the face.
• These people have a lively, emotional voice. They can complement it with various movements of the hands, the body.
• Feelings of choleric people show up very quickly, they are always bright and emotionally colored.
• Choleric people almost never take offense, they do not remember their grievances.
• The person quickly falls asleep and wakes up. He sleeps soundly.

Disadvantages of choleric temperament

We further consider the different types of temperament. A brief description of the negative aspects of choleric persons includes the following features:

• The rapidity of the choleric often flows into haste.
• Movements are sharp, impetuous, often unbalanced and unrestrained.
• Choleric people clearly do not have the patience.
• Straightness can sometimes play a negative role. The statements of choleric people are very often offended.
• Persons with this type of temperament often provoke various kinds of conflict situations.
• Choleric people are used to working in jerks. The sharp rise is replaced by a recession. And so on 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.
• Are inclined to changes in mood.
• Such people do not tolerate the failures of others.

Recommendation: People with a choleric type of character need to learn to restrain themselves. For this, before making a decision or a desire to speak out, we must try to count to ten. It will help to calm down and in a certain situation to do everything right.

Who are the phlegmatic?

What is special and interesting is the type of phlegmatic temperament? So, initially it should be noted that this word originated from the Greek "phlegm", i.e. "slime". These people are reliable, diligent, peace-loving, thoughtful and little talkative.

Advantages, positive aspects of phlegmatic persons

What is a good type of phlegmatic temperament?

• First of all, they are calm, sensible and balanced people. They have an excerpt in any, even conflict and controversial situation.
• Such people are consistent in their deeds. They necessarily lead everything to its logical conclusion.
• Their speech is measured, calm. There are no unnecessary movements or pronounced facial expressions. Such people do not talk much.
• They adhere to the system, they do not like to deviate from the order.
• Constant not only in relationships, but also in interests. This is often monogamous. Their feelings are deep, but carefully hidden from the surrounding eyes.
• They are reliable, non-senile people, who are very hard to get mad.

Negative aspects of phlegmaticians

We continue to consider the types of temperament. Brief description of the negative sides, i.e. Phlegmatic deficiencies are as follows:

• They react weakly to external stimuli, so new circumstances are slowly adopted.
• Such people are not emotional. Sometimes it is impossible to understand what is going on in their soul.
• Very slowly they are included in the new work, and also switch from one case to another.
• It is rather difficult to adapt in a new environment. It's not easy to get along with new people.
• It is worth noting that in the life of phlegmatic there are quite a few patterns and stereotypes that they follow rigorously.

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

Sanguine - who is he?

What is the type of temperament of a sanguine person? It is also important to consider the origin of this term. In Latin, "sangvis" means "blood." Such people are mostly seasoned, sociable, balanced and practical. Positive aspects of sanguine people:

• Their mood is mostly good. But it can change dramatically.
• All the feelings of such people arise very quickly. However, they do not differ in depth.
• Troubles, failures are experienced without much trouble, easily enough.
• Endurance and efficiency are at a high level.
• Without problems, new acquaintances are being introduced. In communicating with new people do not experience discomfort, discomfort, fear.
• Such people even in the most difficult situations restrain their emotions. They have a great sense of self-control.
• Speech loud, hasty, at the same time distinct. Mimicry and gestures are bright, pronounced.
• These are good organizers. In the activities are persistent, all business is brought to a logical conclusion.

Disadvantages of this type of temperament

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

• Are inclined not to finish things to the end. However, this is only true if the 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 their hobbies. This applies to both interests and personal life.
• In decisions such individuals can be hasty, reckless.
• The mood of sanguine people is unstable and inclined to change.

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

Who are the melancholy?

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

• Melancholics are sensitive. However, this can also apply to imperfections such as temperament.
• Such people put forward an inflated demand, which makes them strive for the best.
• They are tactful, reserved.
• Melancholics perfectly feel other people, their mood.
• Emotions of such people are strong, deep, bright, permanent.
• They work calmly and productively. However, only in a familiar environment.

Disadvantages of melancholics

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

• Again, higher sensitivity, emotionality comes to the forefront.
• Such people are very hard to tolerate grievances, if they are upset, then for a long time.
• Melancholics in most cases are shy, shy, not inclined to communicate personality.
• These are people who rarely laugh. Basically they are pessimistic.
• They do not like anything new, they adapt for a long time in a new collective. Changes for them are something terrible, difficult.
• In the work they need to pause, since they are prone to rapid fatigue.
• Their speech is quiet, weak. Mimicry and gestures are practically absent.
• These are tearful, whiny people.
• In most cases, melancholics are timid, 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 take them out of the way.

Recommendations for melancholic: for normal life it is necessary to overcome shyness. To do this, you should try to participate as often as possible in various activities. You also need to get acquainted, communicate more. It is also very important for such people to constantly improve their self-esteem.

Basic components

It is necessary to consider psychological types of temperament, i.e. Those constituent moments on the basis of which this division takes place. So, these are the following nuances:

1. Sensitivity. This is the amount of external forces that is required to manifest a reaction.
2. Reactivity. This is the level of the reaction.
3. Activity. It's the same energy.
4. Rigidity and plasticity. This is a certain degree of adaptability to various kinds of external stimuli.
5. The rate of 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 that can be inherent in a person.

A few words about children

It is worth noting that there is absolutely no point in separately considering the types of temperament of children. After all, they are the same as described above. However, it must be clarified that, as we grow up, the type of temperament can change. In childhood, one can predominate, in an adult age - a completely different type. Cardinal changes usually do not occur. So the types of temperament of children are the same as in adults. Babies are also choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic. However, the type of education is important here. So, children of different temperaments need to look for a completely different approach. After all, they have a significantly different level of understanding and perception of information.

On the purity of types

It is necessary to clarify that there are few such people who have one clear type of temperament. Basically, this is a tandem of two different types. One of them will lead, i.e. More thorough. The other is additional. Scientists also say that each person contains the features of all four types of temperament. But their concentration is completely different.

Finding your type

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 exactly how a person reacts to a particular situation.

When passing such tests it is recommended to give quick and clear answers. Do not think about what to say or what to choose. It is necessary to act according to those emotions that arise first. One must remember: in such questionnaires, there are no right or wrong questions. There can not be answered well or badly.

Why, in fact, need to know your type of temperament? Here everything is simple: in order to understand your strengths and weaknesses for the subsequent work on your "I". Also this is necessary knowledge in the event that it is necessary to communicate with different people. So, it must be remembered that from the melancholy one can not demand the speediness of performing tasks, and from the choleric one - calmness.

Tests

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

• Test of Rusalov. It provides an opportunity to determine the dynamic properties of the personality. There are 150 questions in it. It is necessary to respond quickly, without thinking.
• Belov's test. In this case, the person will be alternately represented by 4 cards. There will be written 20 properties that can be characteristic of a certain 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, which reflect a certain manner of behavior or reaction to a particular situation. If the statement, in the opinion of the subject, is correct, he puts a plus, if the wrong one is a minus.
• Through the Smirnov questionnaire, you can determine the polar qualities of the character. For example, excitability and poise, extraversion and introversion, etc.