On Temperaments

Anyone may have casually heard of the word “temperament” as pertaining to one’s mood, temper or general disposition. In psychology, experts explain this term in deeper detail with the hefty “HUMORISM” theory. While this has never been a bit of a joke, it was pretty dominant in the medical practice in the medieval times until the advent of modern medical research in the nineteenth century.

This theory holds that the human body is filled with four basic substances, called four humours, or humors, which are in balance when a person is healthy. The four humors were identified as black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. And from these humors, a set of characters were developed. Those with too much blood were sanguine. Those with too much phlegm were phlegmatic. Those with too much yellow bile were choleric, and those with too much black bile were melancholic.

I thought of re-taking the Temperament Test to confirm the basic human body substance/s that dominate/s me. I first heard of this whole concept from an Opus Dei friend, whom I by the way met up yesterday before going to church in the evening. Having confided my current limbo story, she asked me about the temperament that rules me, and well, she pretty remembered it herself when I had told her about taking the test for the first time some years ago: MELANCHOLIC-PHLEGMATIC (more or less at 70/30). My personal results sure confirmed it:

Here’s what the results tell:

The 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.

In getting the most accurate results in these tests, they would almost usually tell you to answer the questions “according to how you naturally TEND to react, from the time of your childhood.” Answers should not be based on how you are REQUIRED to react (at work, etc) or on the virtues you have acquired through effort, for these are your natural tendencies, not those acquired through effort, education, or conditioning. I honestly cannot figure out the most accurate and the most psychologically-based examination for one's temperament for there exist a number of varied tests, that in my case, even had slightly different assessments. You might want to check on this test too for consistency: http://www.fisheaters.com/quizc.html. In this particular exam, I was surprisingly diagnosed to be CHOLERIC! Oh well.