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What is Your True Temperament?
Before the advent of the modern personality test, ancient thinkers recognized four general temperaments, the natural ways in which people react to the world: Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic. Although these labels are no longer used as a part of the original theory, there are still four patterns that are identified as being real and recognizable to different people as they go through life: some seek stimulation and company, others find structure and control, some think before they act, others remain calm in any situation. This temperament quiz is designed to be a short and entertaining means of determining which of the patterns is closest to your own temperament or natural style.
The four temperaments, explained
Sanguine: People with a sanguine blood type tend to be warm, outgoing, and energetic. Easily gets to know new people; brings enthusiasm to a room; may have trouble focusing on one thing for long..
Choleric: Choleric types are usually industrious, decisive and natural leaders. They are fast moving, eager to get to goals, and are good leaders in groups, but may be impatient with slower processes or people.
Melancholic: Melancholic types tend to be thoughtful and detailed and to have strong feelings. They tend to see things that others don’t and enjoy depth and meaning, but may be over-thinking or dwelling on problems.
Phlegmatic: Phlegmatic are generally mild-mannered, composed, and relaxed. They have a quiet way of influencing others, but may not engage in necessary conflict or difficult conversations.
Very few of us are a “pure” version of just one of these, but you may see some familiar characteristics in two or three. The quiz result is not an indication of how you will behave at all times, but rather, it answers to your predominant tendency.
Why understanding your temperament is useful
Recognizing your natural temperament can help with:
- Self-understanding — describing tendencies you have that you may have noticed in yourself without judgment.
- Relationships — knowing that the need in one’s partner, or friend, for order (Choleric), or quiet reflection (Melancholic), is a real need, not a sligh.
- Working with others — understanding how to react under pressure and when to react and when not to!
- Personal growth — all temperaments have their assets and liabilities means every temperament has both strengths and blind spots worth being aware of.
Where the idea of temperaments came from
The notion of four temperaments goes back more than two millennia to the early physicians who attempted to explain personality differences by the balance of the four internal body humors. That original explanation didn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny, but the four behavioral patterns that the explanation identified proved to be very long-lasting observations of human nature. While the modern psychology uses models such as the Big Five personality types, the four temperaments continue to hold popularity because although they are not a clinical model, they are an intuitive construct that is easy to remember and is actually very useful as a starting point for reflection on oneself.
Temperament in everyday life
Temperament is most evident where people, pressure or change is involved. A Sanguine will probably introduce themselves to the whole office within the first week of starting work. A Choleric in that situation may take that week to figure out the inefficiencies and suggest solutions. A Melancholic employee would be a bit more silent about a team’s dynamics before speaking up, whereas a Phlegmatic employee would not be a lot more noticeable either if they adapted well or not.
There is no “right” answer to any of these questions, they are merely different methods of arriving at the answer. Acknowledging that you have your own pattern can help make sense of situations which deplete you versus energize you, and how two people can be differently affected by the same event.
Why it is important to know your temperament
Self-understanding can aid in:
- Self-understanding — putting a name to tendencies you may have always noticed in yourself, without judgment attached.
- Relationships — understanding that a partner’s need for order (Choleric), or a friend’s need for quiet reflection (Melancholic), comes from real wiring, not a personal slight.
- Working with others — knowing your own instincts under pressure, and where they help or get in the way.
- Personal growth — every temperament has both strengths and blind spots worth being aware of, and awareness is usually the first step toward balancing them out.
Can your temperament change over time?
Temperament is usually a stable pattern, and it emerges very early in life, and does not change much from year to year. However, not all people remain in one pure type for forever. Some tendencies can be toned down by living and the conscious effort of the individual, a naturally Choleric can learn patience, a naturally Melancholic can learn to be more confident in speaking up. Don’t just think of your result as a label, think of it as a description of your default setting: the place where you relapse if you don’t fight against it.
How the quiz works
You will take 5 brief questions regarding your nature when you are around people, are stressed, and make decisions in your everyday life. Answer according to your actual habits and not what you would like to be seen as doing, the quiz is much more useful given your actual habits, not an idealized version of yourself. You will end up with a profile that tells you your dominant temperament, and what that promotes in you when it comes to relating to others, coping under pressure, and making decisions.
There is no wrong answer in this case. Each temperament offers something special, and most will find themselves identifying with some of more than one description, the outcome is yours and yours alone, based on your answers.
Ready to find out which one fits you best? Take the quiz below.
