ADVENTIST YOUTH SOCIETY

TEMPERAMENTS BY A.A.M

Everyday, there is one thing that happens to us of which we sometimes unconsciously dont recognize:
We encounter people every second (colleagues, customers, friends, relatives, family etc)

 Sometimes it ends up pleasant with relationships been built; sometimes, the reverse becomes the case. But sometimes, we wish the latter could have been avoided. But if only we could be just understand our personality and have some idea of that of others, our expectation from our encounters may have been met.

This brings me what industrial psychologist call, TEMPERAMENT. The Oxford Dictionary of Advanced Learners defined it as: A persons nature as shown in the way they behave or react to situations or people.

It also defined it as: The tendency to get emotional and excited very easily and, behave in an unreasonable way

 In psychology, temperament is the innate aspect of an individual's personality, such as introversion or extroversion. Temperament is defined as that part of the personality which is genetically based. Along with character, and those aspects acquired through learning, the two together are said to constitute personality.

The Four Temperaments

What are the 4 Temperaments?

The 4 Temperaments are one window through which we can see people perhaps understand them a little better
But there are many other windows

Other ways of knowing people

For example Knowing a persons life story Observing their relationships Discovering how they think, what they feel, what they want ???

What are our temperament behaviours?

They are our patterns of behaviour the ways we usually respond to situations They are instinctive or natural behaviours, rather than learned behaviours

The Four Temperaments

Typical qualities and behaviours

Fire (Choleric)
Goal oriented, sees the whole picture Seeks practical solutions Moves quickly to action Thrives on opposition Can be blind to their effect on others Impatient with meetings has quick answers Can create unnecessary work Good at thinking, judging and deciding (not feeling, perceiving, intuiting)

Fire (Choleric)
corresponds to the season of summer (dry and hot). A person who is choleric is a doer and a leader. They have a lot of ambition, energy, and passion, and try to instill it in others. They can dominate people of other temperaments, especially phlegmatic types. Many great charismatic military and political figures were cholerics. On the negative side, they are easily angered or bad-tempered.

Water (Phlegmatic)
Good at process Mediates problems Avoids conflicts Finds it hard to be heard Has good timing Needs deadlines Calm under pressure Takes time but finds the easy way

Water (Phlegmatic)
A phlegmatic person is calm and unemotional. Phlegmatic means "pertaining to phlegm", corresponds to the season of winter (wet and cold). While phlegmatics are generally self-content and kind, their shy personality can often inhibit enthusiasm in others and make themselves lazy and resistant to change.

Air (Sanguine)
Provides positive human atmosphere Does many things at once Does not always complete Gets bored when novelty wears off Has energy and enthusiasm Inspires others to join Cannot say no Concerned with interaction and conflict Does not easily know where they stand

Sanguine
the personality of an individual with the season of spring (wet and hot). A person who is sanguine is generally lighthearted, funloving, a people person, loves to entertain, spontaneous, and confident. However they can be arrogant, cocky, and indulgent. He/She can be day-dreamy and off-task to the point of not accomplishing anything and can be impulsive.

Earth (Melancholic)
Schedule and plan orientated Perfectionist, high standards Detail conscious Persistent and thorough Orderly and organised Sees the problems, expects the worst Finds creative solutions Resists change

Earth (Melancholic)
A person who is a thoughtful ponderer. Often very kind and considerate, melancholics can be highly creative but also can become overly pre-occupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world, thus becoming depressed. The temperament is associated with the season of fall/autumn (dry and cold). A melancholic is also often a perfectionist, being very particular about what they want and how they want it in some cases. This often results in being unsatisfied with one's own artistic or creative works and always pointing out to themselves what could and should be improved.

Strengths of a Choleric
The Extrovert | The Doer | The Optimist The Choleric's Emotions The Choleric As A Parent
Born leader Dynamic and active Compulsive need for change Must correct wrongs Strong-willed and decisive Unemotional Not easily discouraged Independent and self sufficient Exudes confidence Can run anything

Exerts sound leadership Establishes Goals Motivates family to action Knows the right answer Organizes household

Strengths of a Choleric
The Extrovert | The Doer | The Optimist

The Choleric At Work The Choleric As a Friend Goal oriented Has little need for friends Sees the whole picture Will work for group activity Organizes well Will lead and organize Seeks practical Is usually right solutions Moves quickly to action Excels in emergencies Delegates work Insists on production Makes the goal Stimulates activity Thrives on opposition

Weaknesses of a Choleric
The Extrovert | The Doer | The Optimist
The Choleric's Emotions Bossy Impatient Quick-tempered Can't Relax Too impetuous Enjoys controversy and arguments Won't give up when loosing Comes on too strong Inflexible Is not complimentary Dislikes tears and emotions Is unsympathetic

The Choleric As A Parent Tends to over dominate Too busy for family Gives answers too quickly Impatient with poor performance Won't let children relax May send them into depression

Weaknesses of a Choleric
The Extrovert | The Doer | The Optimist
The Choleric At Work The Choleric As a Friend

Little tolerance for mistakes Doesn't analyze details Bored by trivia May make rash decisions May be rude or tactless Manipulates people Demanding of others End justifies the means Work may become his god Demands loyalty in the ranks

Tends to use people Dominates others Knows everything Decides for others Can do everything better Is to independent Possessive of friends and mate Can't say, "I'm Sorry" May be right, but unpopular

Strengths of a Phlegmatic
The Introvert | The Watcher | The Pessimist
The Phlegmatic's Emotions Low-key personality Easygoing and relaxed Calm, cool and collected Patient well balanced Consistent life Quiet but witty Sympathetic and kind Keeps emotions hidden Happily reconciled to The Phlegmatic As A Parent Makes a good parent Takes time for the children Is not in a hurry Can take the good with the bad Doesn't get upset easily

Strengths of a Phlegmatic
The Introvert | The Watcher | The Pessimist
The Phlegmatic At Work Competent and steady Peaceful and agreeable Has administrative ability Mediates problems Avoids conflicts Good under pressure Finds the easy way The Phlegmatic As a Friend Easy to get along with Pleasant and enjoyable Inoffensive Good listener Dry sense of humor Enjoys watching people Has many friends Has compassion and concern

Weaknesses of a Phlegmatic
The Introvert | The Watcher | The Pessimist The Phlegmatic's Emotions Unenthusiastic Fearful and worried Indecisive Avoids responsibility Quiet will of iron Selfish To shy and reticent Too compromising Self-righteous

The Phlegmatic As A Parent

Lax on discipline Doesn't organize home Takes life to easy

Weaknesses of a Phlegmatic
The Introvert | The Watcher | The Pessimist

The Phlegmatic At Work Not goal oriented Lacks self motivation Hard to get moving Resents being pushed Lazy and careless Discourages others Would rather watch

The Phlegmatic As a Friend Dampens enthusiasm Stays uninvolved Is not exciting Indifferent to plans Judges others Sarcastic and teasing Resists change

Strengths of a Sanguine
The Extrovert | The Talker | The Optimist
The Sanguine's Emotions
Appealing personality Talkative, Storyteller Life of the Party Good sense of humor Memory for color Physically holds on to listener Emotional and demonstrative Enthusiastic and expressive Cheerful and bubbling over Curious Good on stage Wide-eyed and innocent Lives in the present Changeable disposition Sincere at heart Always a child

The Sanguine As A Parent

Makes Home Fun Is liked by children's friends Turns disaster into humor Is the circus master

Strengths of a Sanguine
The Extrovert | The Talker | The Optimist
The Sanguine At Work Volunteers for Jobs thinks up new activities Looks great on the Surface Creative and colorful Has energy and enthusiasm Starts in a flashy way Inspires others to join charms others to work

The Sanguine As a Friend Makes friends easily Loves People Thrives on compliments Seems exciting envied by others Doesn't hold grudges apologizes quickly Prevents dull moments Likes spontaneous activities

Weaknesses of a Sanguine
The Extrovert | The Talker | The Optimist
The Sanguine's Emotions Compulsive talker Exaggerates and elaborates Dwells on trivia Can't remember names Scares others off Too happy for some Has restless energy Egotistical Blusters and complains Naive, gets taken in Has loud voice and laugh Controlled by circumstances Gets angry easily Seems phony to some Never Grows Up

The Sanguine As A Parent Keeps home in a frenzy Forgets children's appointments disorganized Doesn't listen to the whole story

Weaknesses of a Sanguine
The Extrovert | The Talker | The Optimist
The Sanguine At Work Would rather talk forgets obligations Doesn't follow through Confidence fades fast Undisciplined Priorities out of order Decides by feelings Easily distracted Wastes time talking The Sanguine As a Friend Hates to be alone Needs to be center stage Wants to be popular Looks for credit dominates conversations Interrupts and doesn't listen answers for others Fickle and forgetful Makes excuses Repeats stories

Strengths of a Melancholy
The Introvert | The Thinker | The Pessimist
The Melancholy's Emotions Deep and thoughtfully Analytical Serious and purposeful Genius prone Talented and creative Artistic or musical Philosophical and poetic appreciative of beauty Sensitive to others Self-sacrificing Conscientious Idealistic

The Melancholy As A Parent Sets high standards Wants everything done right Keeps home in good order Picks up after children Sacrifices own will for others Encourages scholarship and talent

Strengths of a Melancholy
The Introvert | The Thinker | The Pessimist
The Melancholy At Work Schedule oriented Perfectionist, high standards Detail conscious Persistent and thorough Orderly and organized Neat and tidy Economical Sees the problems Finds creative solutions Needs to finish what he starts Likes charts, graphs, figures, lists The Melancholy As a Friend Makes friends cautiously Content to stay in background Avoids causing attention Faithful and devoted Will listen to complaints Can solve other's problems Deep concern for other people Moved to tears with compassion Seeks ideal mate

Weakness of a Melancholy
The Introvert | The Thinker | The Pessimist The Melancholy's The Melancholy As A Emotions Parent Remembers the Puts goals beyond negatives reach Moody and depressed May discourage children Enjoys being hurt May be too meticulous Has false humility Becomes martyr Off in another world Sulks over Low self-image disagreements Has selective hearing Puts guilt upon children Self-centered Too introspective Guilt feelings Persecution complex Tends to hypochondria

Weakness of a Melancholy
The Introvert | The Thinker | The Pessimist The Melancholy At Work The Melancholy As a Friend Not people oriented Lives through others depressed over Insecure socially imperfections Withdrawn and remote Chooses difficult work critical of others Hesitant to start projects Holds back affections Spends to much time Dislikes those in planning opposition Prefers analysis to work Suspicious of people Antagonistic and vengeful Self-deprecating Unforgiving Hard to please Full of contradictions Standards often to high Skeptical of compliments Deep need for approval

What temperaments do I have?

We all have all 4 temperaments in us, but in different mixes

with one or two being more dominant

Where are temperaments useful?

Being aware of our temperaments can help us
to better understand each others and our own behaviours

to better appreciate and more fully use what gifts we have

to appreciate our differences to find ways of bridging these differences

But look out!

Temperaments can be hidden By outside influences on us, (e.g. a very dominant parent) By other factors such as depression, illness, hormonal imbalances etc.
We must avoid labeling others and ourselves too quickly. The temperament I think I see in you may be a mask hiding your true nature

BLENDS OF TEMPERAMENT
There are twelve mixtures of the four temperaments, representing people who have the traits of two temperaments, called: Mel-Chlor, Chlor-San, San-Phleg, Phleg-Mel, Mel-San, Chlor-Phleg; and the reverse of these: Chlor-Mel, San-Chlor, Phleg-San, Mel-Phleg, San-Mel, and Phleg-Chlor. The order of temperaments in these pairs was based on which temperament was the "dominant" one. A person can also be a blend of three temperaments. The blends expand the number of types to sixteen (twelve blends of two types, plus the four pure types) or more (for blends of three)

BLENDS OF TEMPERAMENT
There are twelve mixtures of the four temperaments, representing people who have the traits of two temperaments, called: Mel-Chlor, Chlor-San, San-Phleg, Phleg-Mel, MelSan, Chlor-Phleg; and the reverse of these: Chlor-Mel, San-Chlor, Phleg-San, Mel-Phleg, SanMel, and Phleg-Chlor. The order of temperaments in these pairs was based on which temperament was the "dominant" one. A person can also be a blend of three temperaments. The blends expand the number of types to sixteen (twelve blends of two types, plus the four pure types) or more (for blends of three)

Conclusion
Just as our faces are different, so also are our personalities. The knowledge derived here should be aid u in the understanding of who, how and what the person sitting beside you is capable of doing, saying and reacting to an issue. But what is truly need to actualize a sound relationship with your neighbor (customer, friend, Boss, Colleague etc) is TOLERANCE, SELF-CONTROL AND LOVE. See you at the top.