Many years of work with people have allowed psychologists to identify the main types of temperament. This is a combination of subjective personality traits and characteristics, which allows us to understand human behavior and ongoing mental processes.

Not only the development of psychological processes and features of worldview depend on the type of temperament. It will also affect the following aspects of life.

1. Assessment of individual activity.
2. The ability and speed of psychological processes - thinking, perceiving the world and new information, concentrating and consolidating skills.
3. Rhythm and tempo of activity, its direction.
4. Discipline.
5. The ease or difficulty of interacting with other people.

Different types of temperaments will affect the development of a person as an individual, his professional qualities, psychological growth, behavior and way of communicating with people around him and the whole world.

Study of temperament by foreign psychologists, philosophers, thinkers

Humanity has been studying the psychological characteristics of individuals for a long time. Characteristics of temperament types were also developed in ancient times by Hippocrates and Galen, ancient Greek scientists. From there came the 4-type classification of temperaments, which was based on the concept of liquids: sangva, phlegm, chole, melanchole.

Interesting works for the study of man were proposed by C. G. Jung, who differentiated humanity into introverts and extroverts. There is a third concept introduced by scientists - neuroticism.

Carl Gustaf Jung was a psychologist from Switzerland who lived from 1875 to 1961. The founder of analytical psychology, the task of which the doctor considered to be the interpretation of archetypal images in patients. He developed and promoted the doctrine of the collective unconscious; some historians also classify the psychiatrist as a mystic.

Jung's three-factor theory of personality is based on the processes of excitation and inhibition.

It turned out that among the characteristic features:

• extroverts – slow development of excitement, as well as rapid formation of stability and strength;
• introverts – a high degree of excitability, which allows you to develop certain conditioned reflexes, learn quickly, but slowly slow down any processes.

Another type has been identified - neuroticism, which is characterized by pronounced conditioned reflex irritability and the prevalence of a constant feeling of danger, suppression of anxiety. The development and final formulation of the three-factor theory of personality was undertaken by the British scientist Eysenck.

Hans Jurgen Eysenck is a British psychologist who formulated a popular intelligence test. Lived from 1916 to 1997, became the creator of the factor theory of personality.

The psychiatrist interpreted two personality factors: a high degree of introversion in response to stimuli and a high degree of neuroticism with increased emotional reactivity.

In the course of research, foreign psychiatrists and scientists noted that introversion is characterized by modesty and persistence, stubbornness and irritability. Extroversion is characterized by liveliness and interest, excitability and easy learning, activity and sociability.

Domestic research on temperament

Many domestic scientists, psychiatrists, and scientific figures have studied psychotypes and personal characteristics. Characteristics of temperament were identified by scientists I. P. Pavlov and B. M. Teplova. Rusalov V.M. and Nebylitsyna V.D. and others proposed their theories.

Pavlov's concept identifies three main characteristics of the nervous system.

1. Mobility.
2. Force.
3. Equilibrium.

The combination of different factors gives the concept of character. The scientist believed that a phlegmatic person is slow; sanguine – fast, balanced; melancholic – weak, choleric – strong, emotional. Taking into account the combination of different character traits, 4 types can be distinguished: balanced, excitable, inert, and inhibitory.

The basis for the distinction between the dynamic side of the psyche was laid by the psychologists V. D. Nebylitsyna and B. M. Teplova (in the 50s and 60s of the 20th century). The development of science has made it possible to discover new properties of the nervous system and activity, as well as the work of the brain, subcortex and cortex.

Rusalov proposed a modern interpretation of the properties of temperament based on the theory of the functional system of Anokhin P.K. It is he who proposes the properties of temperament that are responsible for speed, ease of switching from one program to another, the breadth and narrowness of afferent synthesis, as well as the degree of sensitivity to discrepancies in the result.

Temperament: analysis of the main types

These are mobile, often uncontrollable and even unbalanced people who have a thirst for activity. They cannot sit in one place, they need a change of activity.

A choleric person is a workaholic, he works with complete dedication, but reacts violently and hysterically to failures. Often takes on many tasks without completing the rest.

pros

Among the important advantages of this temperament, the following features are noted.

1. Mobility and activity.
2. Quick reaction and good learning ability.
3. Directness and determination, especially in the field of science, work, study.
4. Violent reaction to criticism, but quick response. Such people do not hold grudges for long and forgive quickly.
5. In a dispute, he is resourceful, constantly strives for something new, and is ready to learn almost all his life.
6. Ability to make quick decisions.
7. Emotionality and excellent facial expressions. Often it is the choleric person who becomes a good speaker, capable of raising the masses and preaching various ideas.
8. A quick “ignition” of feelings, but which die out just as quickly.

Cholerics do not complain about lack of sleep. They fall asleep quickly, wake up just as quickly, and sleep soundly. This is a special character trait.

Minuses

Among the negative aspects there are such features.

1. Risk-taking and haste.
2. Lack of patience and loss of interest in endeavors; for a long time a person is unable to concentrate on one thing.
3. Aggressiveness and short temper, poor reaction to criticism, even fair ones.
4. Impetuosity and harshness in statements.
5. Stubbornness and whims.
6. Mood changes and nervous breakdowns.
7. Impatience with other people's shortcomings, mistakes and failures.

You should not look for all these traits in one person. Psychology takes an individual approach to determining temperament. It often happens that in one person the traits and properties of different temperaments are intertwined.

A choleric person is able to quickly react to various life situations, he is ready to make decisions with lightning speed, and often devotes all his strength to a cause in which he believes. This leads to emotional emptiness and poor health. Conflicts with people may also occur, but one should not forget that a choleric person is an easygoing person, and therefore he will not be angry or offended for a long time.

He is a reliable and reliable person with a calm, easy-going, and often cheerful disposition. Moreover, the nervous system of such a person is often mobile, and his actions are deliberate. A cheerful sanguine person easily and simply endures the hardships of life, solves problems as they arise, does not panic and is not eager to fight. He must think everything over carefully in order to make the only right decision.

pros

Among the character advantages of a sanguine person are the following traits.

1. Sociability and cheerfulness.
2. Constantly fueled interest in different aspects of life.
3. High degree of affection and devotion.
4. An easy attitude towards losses and failures.
5. Quick adaptation to new conditions.
6. Fast learner.
7. The opportunity to quickly join a new team and find friends there.
8. Lack of despondency even in difficult life circumstances.
9. The presence of enthusiasm in a new business.
10. The presence of fortitude and determination.

A sanguine person is a largely positive person who does not cause trouble to others, he becomes a support. Cheerfulness can captivate many, and therefore a sanguine person often becomes the life of the party. This also happens because this person is a good organizer.

Minuses

Among the negative qualities there are such shortcomings.

1. Lack of perseverance, especially if you have to do tedious work.
2. Tendency to overestimate one's own strengths.
3. Mood instability.
4. The possibility of making a mistake due to an easy nature and not fully thought-out decisions.
5. Difficulty in developing strong-willed qualities.
6. Lack of accuracy and dedication.

However, a sanguine person easily turns even his negative character traits into positive ones. He has the drive to overcome himself if he wants to.

Among the main qualities of such a person is inertia, which often seems to others to be a manifestation of callousness and indifference. A phlegmatic person is not ready to talk for a long time, to have conversations on various topics - long-term communication is a burden for him, he tries to retire away from the bustle and noise.

A phlegmatic person has increased efficiency; he will cope with those tasks in which choleric and sanguine people will not succeed. Under any circumstances, he remains calm, which is not always clear and acceptable to the people around him.

pros

Among the advantages of a phlegmatic character are the following traits.

1. Calmness in the most difficult life situations.
2. Diligence and stress resistance.
3. Consistency and thoroughness in actions.
4. Persistence and perseverance, which is especially important for achieving important goals.
5. Ability to perform tedious, boring, and often difficult work. This quality is preserved even in cases where the task is complex and the processes are monotonous.
6. Lack of inclination to affect: impulsiveness and acting under the influence of feelings are not about phlegmatic people.
7. Systematicity in work.
8. No excessive talkativeness.

A phlegmatic person is a person for whom it will be easy and simple to comply with any work schedule or regime. It has excellent endurance.

Minuses

Among the disadvantages of this temperament are the following features.

1. Inability to take criticism. It is useless to scold and criticize such a person.
2. Stubbornness. Although the phlegmatic is an excellent worker, he is still famous for his tediousness.
3. Stinginess with emotions, which is why loved ones often suffer.
4. Weak response to stimuli.
5. Slow adaptation to new circumstances.
6. Constantly following stereotypes and patterns established for oneself or by society.
7. Lack of ingenuity and resourcefulness.

There is an opinion that phlegmatic people are diligent “bees”, but not inventors and engines of progress.

This is an unbalanced psychotype who is quite sensitive to criticism and changes in circumstances. A melancholic person tends to find negative information for himself even in insignificant facts. Increased sensitivity negatively affects performance, stress tolerance leads to the need for long rest.

Even a minor reason can cause long-term resentment and cause for tears.

pros

The advantages of this character include the following traits.

1. Sensitivity, which affects intellectual and artistic qualities. There are a great many creators among melancholic people.
2. High demands placed on yourself.
3. Excellent understanding of the feelings and desires of loved ones and relatives.
4. Restraint and tact, but these qualities will have to be developed in a melancholic person.
5. Depth of thought and consistency. Among such people there are many thinkers and philosophers.

Minuses

Among the disadvantages are the following features.

1. Excessive emotionality, touchiness.
2. Pessimism.
3. Rare manifestations of good mood, which negatively affects people's attitudes.
4. Tearfulness and difficult adaptation to a new team.
5. Difficulty in coping with even rare failures.
6. Minimum circle of close people.

Melancholic people should develop positive character traits, spend more time in public, and remain immune to the words of strangers.

Temperament Tests

Many methods have been created to determine a person’s character and temperament. Scientists are still looking for answers to questions about the human soul. In modern practice, psychologists have taken as a basis several tests to determine the psychotype.

1. According to Rusanov is a questionnaire with 150 questions. They help determine the characteristics of human behavior in various life situations. It is recommended to give an answer quickly and without thinking.
2. According to Belov– involves the demonstration (sequential) of cards, which indicate only 20 qualities inherent in a particular temperament. After reading it, the person himself determines his own.
3. According to Eysenck– 100 questions were proposed that will characterize the peculiarities of a person’s behavior in various situations, his thoughts and feelings.

These tests are not the only ones. Among the popular ones are testing using Shmishek’s questionnaires with Leonhard’s theory, Obozov’s with empirical personality characteristics and a number of others.

Conclusion

Temperament is not limited to the four psychotypes. Often the traits of one are intertwined with the characteristics of others. At the same time, socially conditioned character traits are superimposed on individual innate characteristics. Over time, the latter may undergo a number of changes under the influence of external factors, which also needs to be taken into account.

In addition, it is important to understand that there are no good and bad temperament types. Each of them is unique and positive in its own way, and each has certain disadvantages. You just need to fight bad qualities and develop successful personality traits.

Temperament(Latin temperamentum - proper relationship of parts) - a stable combination of individual personality characteristics associated with dynamic, rather than meaningful aspects of activity. Temperament is the basis of character development; In general, from a physiological point of view, temperament is a type of higher nervous activity in a person.

Story

Four temperaments in the form of visual emoticons (names from left to right and top to bottom: phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine, melancholic)

The magic of numbers in the Mediterranean civilization led to the doctrine of the four temperaments, while in the East a five-component “world system” developed.

The word “temperament” (from the Latin temperans, “moderate”) translated from Latin means “the proper ratio of parts”, the Greek word “krasis” (ancient Greek κράσις, “merging, mixing”), equal to it in meaning, was introduced by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. By temperament he understood both the anatomical, physiological, and individual psychological characteristics of a person. Hippocrates explained temperament as behavioral characteristics, the predominance in the body of one of the “vital juices” (four elements):

The predominance of yellow bile (ancient Greek χολή, chole, “bile, poison”) makes a person impulsive, “hot” - choleric.

The predominance of lymph (ancient Greek φλέγμα, phlegm, “phlegm”) makes a person calm and slow - a phlegmatic person.

The predominance of blood (Latin sanguis, sanguis, sangua, “blood”) makes a person active and cheerful - a sanguine person.

The predominance of black bile (ancient Greek μέλαινα χολή, melena chole, “black bile”) makes a person sad and fearful - melancholic.

This concept still has a profound influence on literature, art and science.

A turning point in the history of the natural science study of temperaments was the teaching of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov about the types of the nervous system (types of higher nervous activity) common to humans and higher mammals. He proved that the physiological basis of temperament is the type of higher nervous activity, determined by the relationship between the basic properties of the nervous system: strength, balance and mobility of the processes of excitation and inhibition occurring in the nervous system. The type of nervous system is determined by the genotype, that is, the hereditary type.

Pavlov identified 4 clearly defined types of the nervous system, that is, certain complexes of the basic properties of nervous processes.

The weak type is characterized by weakness of both excitatory and inhibitory processes - corresponds to the Hippocratic melancholic.

The strong unbalanced type is characterized by a strong irritability process and a relatively strong inhibition process - corresponds to the choleric, “uncontrollable” type.

A strong, balanced, mobile type - corresponds to the sanguine, “living” type.

Strong, balanced, but with inert nervous processes - corresponds to the phlegmatic, “calm” type.

Temperament types

Describing the characteristics of different temperaments can help to understand the traits of a person’s temperament if they are clearly expressed, but people with clearly expressed traits of a certain temperament are not very common; most often people have mixed temperament in various combinations. But the predominance of traits of any type of temperament makes it possible to classify a person’s temperament as one or another type.

Phlegmatic - n hasty, imperturbable, has stable aspirations and mood, outwardly stingy in the manifestation of emotions and feelings. He shows perseverance and perseverance in his work, remaining calm and balanced. He is productive at work, compensating for his slowness with diligence.

Choleric - fast, impetuous, but completely unbalanced, with sharply changing moods with emotional outbursts, quickly exhausted. He does not have a balance of nervous processes, this sharply distinguishes him from a sanguine person. A choleric person, getting carried away, carelessly wastes his strength and quickly becomes exhausted.

Sanguine - a lively, hot, active person, with frequent changes of mood and impressions, with a quick reaction to all the events happening around him, quite easily coming to terms with his failures and troubles. Usually a sanguine person has expressive facial expressions. He is very productive at work when he is interested, becoming very excited about it; if the work is not interesting, he is indifferent to it, he becomes bored.

Melancholic - easily vulnerable, prone to constantly experiencing various events, he reacts sharply to external factors. He often cannot restrain his asthenic experiences by force of will; he is highly impressionable and easily emotionally vulnerable.

Properties of temperament

Each temperament can have both positive and negative properties. Good upbringing, control and self-control makes it possible to manifest: a melancholic person, as an impressionable person with deep experiences and emotions; phlegmatic, as a self-possessed person without hasty decisions; a sanguine person, as a highly responsive person for any work; choleric, as a passionate, frantic and active person in work.

Negative properties of temperament can manifest themselves: in a melancholic person - isolation and shyness; a phlegmatic person has excessive slowness; in a sanguine person - superficiality, scatteredness, inconstancy; A choleric person has hasty decisions.

A person of any type of temperament may or may not be capable; The type of temperament does not affect a person’s abilities, it’s just that some life tasks are easier to solve by a person of one type of temperament, others - by another.

Influence of temperament

The following depend on a person’s temperament:

the speed of occurrence of mental processes (for example, speed of perception, speed of thinking, duration of concentration, etc.);

plasticity and stability of mental phenomena, ease of their change and switching;

pace and rhythm of activity;

the intensity of mental processes (for example, the strength of emotions, the activity of the will);

the focus of mental activity on certain objects (extraversion or introversion).

Psychology

From the point of view of psychologists, the four temperaments are only one of the possible systems for assessing psychological characteristics (there are others, for example, “introversion - extraversion”). Descriptions of temperaments vary quite a bit among different psychologists and seem to include a fairly large number of factors. Attempts have been made to provide a scientific and experimental basis for the theory of temperaments (I. P. Pavlov, G. Yu. Eysenck, B. M. Teplov and others), however, the results obtained by these researchers are only partially compatible with each other. Of interest is the study by T. A. Blyumina (1996), in which she attempted to compare the theory of temperaments with all psychological typologies known at that time (more than 100), including from the point of view of methods for determining these types. In general, the classification by temperament does not satisfy modern requirements for factor analysis of personality and at the moment is more interesting from a historical point of view.

Modern approach

Modern science sees in the doctrine of temperaments an echo of the ancient classification of four types of mental response in combination with intuitively noticed types of physiological and biochemical reactions of the individual.

Currently, the concept of four temperaments is supported by the concepts of “inhibition” and “excitation” of the nervous system. The ratio of “high” and “low” levels, for each of these two independent parameters, gives a certain individual characteristic of a person, and, as a result, a formal definition of each of the four temperaments. On emoticons (see picture above) you can interpret a smile as the ease of inhibition processes, and frowning eyebrows as a manifestation of ease of excitement.

Within the framework of socionics, they also distinguish the so-called. socionic temperament, where the concepts of excitation and inhibition are replaced by the associated versatility (introversion - extraversion), which determines the general activity of a person, and rationality (rationality - irrationality), which determines the pace of this activity.

The development of the Human Genome program creates conditions for revealing the functions of human genes that determine temperament through hormones (serotonin, melatonin, dopamine) and other biochemical mediators. Biochemistry and genetics make it possible to establish and formalize the psychological phenotypes of people, noticed by ancient doctors.

Types of temperament played an important role in the psychology of modern times, in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and Rudolf Hermann Lotze.

What is temperament?

History says that the concept of temperament was introduced into scientific circulation by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived in the 4th – 5th centuries. BC. He also proposed names for the types of human constitution (physique), which later began to be used as modern names for temperament types: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic. Further, the Roman physician Claudius Galen continued the Hippocratic teachings in the 2nd century. AD He believed that a person’s temperament is determined by the ratio or mixture of 4 “juices” in the body: blood, lymph, black bile or yellow bile. The names of temperament types that have survived to this day came from the ancient names of these “juices.” “Sangva” is blood, “hole” is ordinary bile, “melan hole” is dark bile and “phlegm” is lymph. It was believed that the type of human temperament is determined by the type of fluid that predominates in the body. Thanks to the scientific research of I.P. Pavlov is associated with the discovery of the following basic properties of the nervous system: strength - weakness, excitability - inertia, balance - imbalance. But later it turned out that 3 properties of the nervous system are not enough to characterize all the features of temperament. Psychophysiologists B.M. Teplov, V.D. Nebylitsyn, V.M. Rusalov proved that the nervous system has other properties. And they added one more pair of properties: lability - rigidity. Lability is a rapid response to stimuli, and rigidity is a slow response to stimuli. As a result, other facts of the same order emerged: it was pointed out that the width of the lumen and the thickness of the walls of blood vessels in different people have a decisive importance for temperament. But all these views had a common belief that the sources of temperamental characteristics should be sought in individual characteristics of the structure of the body.

Temperament is a set of stable, individual, psychophysiological properties of a person that determine the dynamic characteristics of his mental processes, mental states and behavior. In other words, we are talking about individual characteristics of a person, which are more likely to be congenital rather than acquired. This is actually true: temperament is the only, purely natural personal characteristic of a person, and the reason to consider it a personal characteristic is the fact that the actions and deeds that a person performs depend on temperament. It is also necessary to explain what dynamic features are. Dynamic features of behavior are those characteristics that are described in purely physical terms and are not subject to moral evaluation (for example, the energy with which a person’s performance is associated, the speed and tempo of movements performed, etc.). It should be noted that in human behavior, in addition to dynamic aspects, there are also aspects that need and can be assessed in value terms such as “good-bad”, “moral-immoral”. Such assessments are not suitable for characterizing temperament; they relate to other aspects of a person's personality, for example, his abilities, values, needs and character. The only case when temperament can be assessed as good or bad is when it comes to the correspondence of a person’s temperament type to the dynamic requirements of a particular activity.

According to I.P. Pavlov, temperaments are the “main features” of a person’s individual characteristics. They are usually distinguished as follows: sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric and melancholic. A relationship has been established between the type of higher nervous activity and temperament.

Sanguine type of temperament. A sanguine person quickly gets along with people, is cheerful, easily switches from one type of activity to another, but does not like monotonous work. He easily controls his emotions, quickly gets used to a new environment, and actively comes into contact with people. His speech is loud, fast, distinct and is accompanied by expressive facial expressions and gestures. But this temperament is characterized by some duality. If stimuli change quickly, novelty and interest of impressions are maintained all the time, a state of active excitement is created in a sanguine person and he manifests himself as an active, active, energetic person. If the influences are long-lasting and monotonous, then they do not maintain a state of activity, excitement, and the sanguine person loses interest in the matter, he develops indifference, boredom, and lethargy. A sanguine person quickly develops feelings of joy, grief, affection and hostility, but all these manifestations of his feelings are unstable, do not differ in duration and depth. They arise quickly and can disappear just as quickly or even be replaced by the opposite. The mood of a sanguine person changes quickly, but, as a rule, a good mood prevails. A child of this type: he is thin, slender, graceful. In his movements he is too fast and agile, even fussy. He eagerly seizes on any new undertaking, but lacking the perseverance to see it through to completion, he quickly loses interest in it. His mind is lively and sharp, but not deep and thoughtful enough. He is cheerful, loves pleasure and strives for it.

Phlegmatic person- a person of this temperament is slow, calm, unhurried, and balanced. In his activities he demonstrates thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and perseverance. As a rule, he finishes what he starts. All mental processes in a phlegmatic person seem to proceed slowly. The feelings of a phlegmatic person are poorly expressed outwardly; they are usually inexpressive. The reason for this is the balance and weak mobility of nervous processes. In relationships with people, a phlegmatic person is always even-tempered, calm, moderately sociable, and has a stable mood. The calmness of a person with a phlegmatic temperament also manifests itself in his attitude towards the events and phenomena of life; a phlegmatic person is not easily enraged and emotionally hurt. A child of this type is physically well-fed, he is slow in his movements, inert and lazy. His mind is consistent, thoughtful and observant, sparkling with awareness. His feelings are not hot, but constant. In general, he is a good-natured, balanced child.

Choleric type of temperament. People of this temperament are fast, excessively mobile, unbalanced, excitable, all mental processes occur quickly and intensely in them. The predominance of excitation over inhibition, characteristic of this type of nervous activity, is clearly manifested in the incontinence, impetuosity, hot temper, and irritability of the choleric person. Hence the expressive facial expressions, hasty speech, sharp gestures, unrestrained movements. The feelings of a person with choleric temperament are strong, usually clearly manifested, and arise quickly. The imbalance characteristic of a choleric person is clearly associated with his activities: he gets down to business with increasing intensity and even passion, showing impetuosity and speed of movements, working with enthusiasm, overcoming difficulties. But in a person with a choleric temperament, the supply of nervous energy can quickly be depleted in the process of work, and then a sharp decline in activity may occur: elation and inspiration disappear, and the mood drops sharply. In communicating with people, a choleric person admits harshness, irritability, and emotional incontinence, which often does not give him the opportunity to objectively evaluate people’s actions, and on this basis he creates conflict situations in the team. Excessive straightforwardness, hot temper, harshness, and intolerance sometimes make it difficult and unpleasant to be in a group of such people. A child of the choleric type is thin and slender, he is too decisive and fast. He is bold, persistent and sharp in the implementation of his plans. He has a sharp, insightful and mocking mind. His feelings are passionate and harsh in expressing his likes and dislikes. He is power-hungry, vengeful and prone to all kinds of struggle. The child is the most restless and least balanced.

Melancholic type temperament similar to phlegmatic, but there is one significant difference from it. A melancholic person is an unbalanced person with a weak nervous system and in him the processes of inhibition clearly prevail over the processes of excitation. Melancholic people have slow mental processes, they have difficulty reacting to strong stimuli; Prolonged and strong stress causes people of this temperament to slow down their activity and then stop it. Melancholic people are usually passive in their work, often with little interest (after all, interest is always associated with strong nervous tension). Feelings and emotional states in people of melancholic temperament arise slowly, but are distinguished by depth, great strength and duration; melancholic people are easily vulnerable, have a hard time withstanding insults and grief, although outwardly all these experiences are poorly expressed in them. Representatives of a melancholic temperament are prone to isolation and loneliness, avoid communicating with unfamiliar, new people, are often embarrassed, and show great awkwardness in a new environment. Everything new and unusual causes melancholics to become inhibited. But in a familiar and calm environment, people with this temperament feel calm and work very productively. A child of melancholic temperament: gloomy and serious beyond his years, he is slow and thorough in the manifestations of his will. With a strong, deep and thoughtful mind. Extremely impressionable, gloomy and withdrawn, he rarely shows his feelings.

Research has established that weakness of the nervous system is not a negative property. A strong nervous system copes more successfully with some life tasks, and a weak one with others. A weak nervous system (in melancholic people) is a highly sensitive nervous system, and this is its well-known advantage. It should be remembered that the division of people into four types of temperament is very arbitrary. There are transitional, mixed, intermediate types of temperament; Often a person's temperament combines traits of different temperaments. “Pure” temperaments are relatively rare.

Temperament is the natural basis for the manifestation of psychological qualities of an individual. However, with any temperament, it is possible to develop in a person qualities that are unusual for a given temperament. Psychological research and pedagogical practice show that temperament changes somewhat under the influence of living conditions and upbringing. Temperament can also change as a result of self-education. Even an adult can change his temperament in a certain direction. It is known, for example, that A.P. Chekhov was a very balanced, modest and delicate person. But here is an interesting fact from his life. In one of his letters to his wife O. L. Knipper-Chekhova, Anton Pavlovich makes the following valuable confession: “You write that you envy my character. I must tell you that by nature I am harsh, I am quick-tempered, etc. But I am used to restraining myself , because it is not proper for a decent person to let himself go. In the past, I did the devil knows what.”

The content of the article:

Human temperament is a set of psycho-emotional characteristics of a person, 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 are 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 understand the manifestations of acquired reactions.

What is human temperament

Temperament is, first of all, a certain trait of a person’s personality. During the formation of personality, specific processes occur that are reflected in the behavior of people in society.

The main criteria of temperament lie in 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 circumstances, a manifestation of feelings or an expression of emotions.

The general characteristics of a person are easily determined only if he has a stable psychomotor system. However, in most situations, everyone can have several types of temperament, which 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 flexible members of society if the appropriate approach is found to them.

Features of determining temperament according to different theories

Many specialists in the study of human souls created their own system of distinguishing people according to their personal qualities. In some aspects these theories are similar, but in certain details they are sometimes radically different from each other.

Definition of temperament according to Hippocrates and Galen

Physicians of Antiquity long observed the fact that many people could be classified into four types. Hippocrates made some assumptions on this issue, and Galen improved them:

• Sangwa. The doctors considered saturation of the body with blood as a good sign for people’s sociability. In their opinion, a person of this type is always active and has a cheerful disposition.
• Reflux. The predominance of lymph in the form of sputum in the human body was considered a manifestation of calmness and slowness. In this case, Hippocrates and Galen based their conclusions on the fact that a person's blood does not boil, which usually leads to a surge of energy towards 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 of it in the blood characterized people as individuals who do not know how to control their emotions.
• Melanchole. The presence of black bile in a person’s body radically changed his behavior compared to a “chole” person. Hippocrates and Galen considered such people to be fearful individuals 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 according to temperament was developed.

Jung's definition of temperament

The famous psychotherapist and student of Freud decided to improve the system that was offered to humanity by the great figures of ancient times. In his interpretation, the types of temperament became more specific and began to look like this:

1. Extrovert. This type of personal 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 an excellent way to adapt to society, but excessive manifestation of extraventiveness often leads to the subordination of personal interests in the name of others and nervous exhaustion.
2. Introvert. A subjective starting point when planning your life is a distinctive feature of a person with a similar temperament. Such people give preference to personal experiences rather than the suffering of those closest to them. External reality is not an argument for introverts, because in all life situations they rely solely on their own opinion.

Jung developed a broader concept of determining a person's character based on two factors. However, it does not take into account the fact that people's behavior often depends on many nuances.

Designation of temperament according to Kant

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). Faith in a bright future, wit, simplicity and kindness are the positive qualities of a person with such a temperament. However, at the same time, Kant emphasized that merry people often easily make promises that they are then unable to fulfill. In addition, they do not possess such qualities as patience and endurance.
• Das Schwerblutigen (dark disposition). Such people do not dream of new beginnings, because they are constantly subject to self-analysis in a rather negative way. Asking such a person for help can sometimes be very difficult, because he does not promise to take part in someone else's fate without good reasons for this.
• Das Warmblutigen (hot temper). 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 that has arisen on the part of the instigator of the conflict, he quickly cools down and may even apologize. However, Kant argues that it is this type of temperament that is most predisposed to the perception of flattering speeches and compliments.
• Das Kaltbluti (cold-blooded man). Not a single muscle moves on the face of such a person, because she masterfully controls her emotions. However, people with a similar temperament are quite passive and do not want to challenge fate for their own realization.

Kant's development is interesting because it described in some detail the differences between people with a heterogeneous pattern of behavior. However, he did not take into account the fact that each person can combine several of the types he voiced.

Types of the nervous system according to I. P. Pavlov

The Russian scientist is known to a large group of people for his developments in the study of the reflex capabilities of dogs. At the same time, he devoted his time to the concept of differentiation of temperament, which is close to the theory of Hippocrates:

1. Strong type (sanguine). According to the system of the scientist, the basis of the temperamental traits of such a person is the desire to resist life’s difficulties. Such people easily adapt to any changes, both physically and emotionally.
2. Inert type (phlegmatic). The low mobility of a person with a similar character can be considered a positive factor, because he will never enter into conflict. Even an experienced provocateur will not be able to evoke negative emotions in a phlegmatic person.
3. 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 cannot expect restraint and composure from such persons.
4. Weak type (melancholic). Weakness in external manifestations of life and excessive sensitivity to all external stimuli are the basis of the behavior of a person with such a character. Pavlov argues that strong negative emotions can completely destroy the integrity of a melancholic person’s vision of reality.

Calculation of temperament according to E. Kretschmer

This scientist’s theory is based on the fact that a person is controlled by hormones, adjusting the behavior pattern of each individual:

• Picnic type. The definition of temperament in this case is based on the appearance of the person being analyzed. 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 individuals.
• Asthenic type. With rather poorly developed muscles, such a person has a rather attractive appearance. In terms of his character, 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 destinies of entire nations. They do not focus on their own experiences, because they stubbornly pursue their goals in the most effective ways.

External signs allow you to better understand a person’s character and his view of the world. But do not forget how to determine temperament by other indicators, since it is rare to find a personality that ideally fits 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 famous psychiatrist studied character accentuation in humans for a long time. After some research, he proposed his differentiation of people by temperament:

1. Hyperthymic type. With increased mental activity and optimism in 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.
2. Cycloid type. A person with such a behavior pattern agrees with everything that happens in his life. He resembles the well-known pony from the cartoon film, who performed the same actions every day.
3. Labile type. Typically, this pattern of behavior is characteristic of teenagers who are looking for their place in this life. An adult with a labile type becomes some kind of experimenter, but within a rather limited framework.
4. Hysterical type. Some people only want to express their opinion through hysterics. The process of hand-wringing is important to them, and 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. Strong will, friendly character, internal energy are a distinctive character trait of people who were born under this zodiac sign. However, with all these advantages, Aries are always avid debaters on any issue. Such behavior can be characterized by a predisposition to such a type of temperament as sanguine people.
• Taurus. Such people are rather silent, but have their own firm position in life. They speak slowly and measuredly, but at the same time evaluate every word spoken. By their type they are closest to phlegmatic people.
• Cancer. Pictures from a kaleidoscope make up the vision of the world of a person who was born in the summer. At the same time, Cancers love to joke both at others and at themselves. Remaining excellent family men, they can get carried away, but they will never betray their relatives. This type of character is most suitable for sanguine people.
• a lion. Such people love to dominate in any society. There are no authorities for them, because their personality is inviolable. At their core, they are closest to sanguine people, but if you awaken the beast in them, you will have to watch the riot of the choleric person.
• Virgo. At first glance, this sign promises only peace and tranquility. However, in reality, these people often cannot be devoted to their significant other. They are thrifty and know how to make friends, which characterizes them as sanguine people. Although it is often among them that one comes across bright choleric people with hysterical habits.
• 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 classified as sanguine. Melancholic people are also often found among those born in the second decade.
• Scorpion. People of this type should not be exposed 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 become acquainted with a choleric person with his insatiable thirst for justice.
• Sagittarius. Friendly and sociable people of this constellation can sometimes be quite tactless in their reasoning. At the same time, they are rarely traitors and slanderers, which characterizes them as sanguine people. However, among Sagittarius there are many phlegmatic and melancholic people, especially among those who were born almost at the intersection of dates with previous and subsequent astrological types.
• Capricorn. The so-called gray cardinals have great internal abilities. They usually act as advisers to their friends 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 anyone. He is free as 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.
• Fish. Such a zodiac sign suggests regularity in actions and thinking. However, at the same time, Pisces will find a common language with any representative of the horoscope, which in some way equates them to phlegmatic people.
• Twins. Many people have heard about the hypocritical behavior of such persons. At the same time, Geminis, if they dislike routine work, are capable of becoming polyglots. In their temperament, they resemble sanguine people who are always ready to admit their mistakes. But since two personalities are fighting within them, depending on the reactions acquired through life, they can also be creative melancholics or cholerics.

What kind of temperaments a person has - look at the video:

If you want to reveal the secret of how to determine a person’s temperament, you should review each section in detail. After all, every person has his own unique personality characteristics. And in some cases it is worth taking a closer look at the developments of famous specialists in order to create a description of the psychotype as completely as possible.

04.05.2018

Temperament - statistics

Many people who have at least once taken psychological tests have heard about temperament and have a rough idea of ​​what it is. Someone can even name a couple of types or some author of a temperament test.

There is an opinion that “pure” temperaments do not exist, or that they are extremely rare. You can try to find this kind of articles in search engines - there are quite a few of them. True, such statements are often not supported by anything, or are simply outdated - the world and society do not stand still, but are constantly changing and developing. So let's try to figure this out.

First, let's define what we consider a “pure” temperament. Let’s take the “Belov’s temperament formula” technique for this. Each of the four temperaments has 3 gradations of severity: minor, pronounced qualities, significant, pronounced. Accordingly, we will assume that if the qualities of one of the temperaments are clearly expressed, and at the same time the qualities of the others are insignificant, then we are dealing with a “pure” temperament.

Facts and myths debunked

Is pure temperament a rare phenomenon?

20,207 people were surveyed, of which 10,780 (53.3%) were found to have mixed temperaments. Is this enough to say that “pure” temperaments are a rare phenomenon? - NO!

Who is there more?

Many people believe that most people are sanguine, basing this on “personal experience.” We look at the diagram - and this is not so! Relative to other “pure” temperaments, the majority are melancholic, and the minority are choleric.

Bright combinations

If a person has all temperaments expressed to approximately equal degrees, this is one thing, but if two of any temperaments are clearly expressed, while the others are weakly expressed, interesting combinations arise. For example, a sanguine person + a choleric person are both active and sociable, only the first is balanced, and the second is not. Moreover, such people make up 10.4%.

Combinations of opposites

Or the combinations “melancholic + sanguine”, “phlegmatic + choleric” - how can two opposites coexist in one person? And such people total 1.2%.

As you can see, “pure” temperaments are not so rare - 46.7% of the entire rather large sample. What is your dominant temperament?

Temperament is another secret door for those who want to know the soul of another person. Character and temperament are instinctive personality traits, and temperament is primary in relation to character. Temperament is the basis for the development of character, and from the point of view of physiology, it is a type of higher nervous activity in a person.

It expresses the individual psychological characteristics of a person, and also determines the procedural side of the psyche. Sometimes temperament also includes some physiological characteristics on which it depends. Transmitting and receiving cells are organized into nerve circuits or networks. The actual connection points - specific points on the surface of nerve cells where their contact occurs - are called synapses (synapsis; Greek “contact”, “connection”), and the process of transmitting information in these places is called synoptic transmission.

For the first time, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates spoke about temperament as a personality trait.

What characterizes temperament

Temperament characterizes the dynamic characteristics of mental activity, i.e. the speed of the reaction, its pace, rhythm, intensity, sharpness, amplitude. It also reflects a person’s emotionality. These are impressionability (susceptibility, sensitivity to influences), speed (the speed with which emotion becomes the motivating force of actions) and emotional lability (the speed with which an emotional state ends, or is replaced by one another). (sensitivity to emotions), reflects the origin, duration, the speed of onset and cessation of various feelings, sensations and moods. The main emotional states are impressionability, impulsivity and stability/instability of emotional states.

Impressionability reflects the subject's level of sensitivity, impulsivity, the speed with which emotions influence a person's behavior, and the speed with which a given emotional state passes or is replaced by another. Temperament is characterized by the dynamics of mental processes, depending on excitation and inhibition. Excitation is the functional activity of nerve cells and the cerebral cortex, inhibition is the attenuation of the activity of the cerebral cortex and nerves. Temperament is an innate quality and can be corrected by about 25%. Why is this an innate quality? Since parents have physiological similarities with children, which are passed on genetically.

There are various neurons in our body that receive and transmit information. Nerve cells (neurons) perform their functions together, even the work of neurons in our brain is to receive signals from some other nerve cells and transmit them to others. Mature neurons, unlike other cells, cannot divide, and the genetically determined products of any neuron must ensure the preservation and change of its functions throughout its life. The nervous system generates electrical impulses, which are transmitted. That is, how strong they will be, how quickly they will be transmitted, in what rhythm, how quickly they will fade, etc., depends on our physiology. Therefore, people with inhibited temperament (usually natives of its northern regions) do not feel emotions in the full force of their manifestations. And in temperamental people, people with a southern temperament, on the contrary, emotions manifest themselves very well.

Temperament is a reflection of all psychological and physiological activities of a person. Sometimes people with a strong, bright temperament are said to be full of vitality, or it is also called activity. Vitality can vary from a state of lethargy and inertia to extreme energy and even drive. The motor component of temperament is not just a characteristic, but a means of updating the internal dynamic and mental state of the individual. The dynamics of motor activity include: characteristics of muscle movement such as speed, strength, sharpness, rhythm, and variety. Many of these characteristics apply to speech activity.

It depends on the habitat of the race to which a person belongs; the warmer the country, the more pronounced the temperament. That is why we have a lot of jokes about temperamental Estonians and Englishmen. And tales about temperamental representatives of the African continent. Most of these ideas are exaggerated, but nevertheless, they are partially true. The northern temperament is not comparable to our more southern one, and if we take into account that there were infusions of even more southern peoples into our blood, then everything becomes clear. Quite a few types of temperament and approaches to them have been described. Let's look at the main 2.

Temperament and fear

Temperament types

Pavlov's classification of temperaments. Strong, unrestrained, inert, weak. Pavlov identified 4 types of temperament, and classified them depending on: strength, balance, mobility of nervous processes.
1.Strength is a person’s ability to withstand the influence of external stimuli without changing his state
2. Balance - a feature of the relationship between the processes of inhibition and excitation
3. Mobility - shows the ability to quickly (fast or slow) change the processes of excitation and inhibition.

Correspondence to Galen's temperament types and characteristics.
Strong - sanguine. Characteristics of this type of temperament: strength, agility of processes, extreme balance, a tendency to look for joyful moments everywhere, playing to the public.
Unrestrained - choleric. Characteristics: strength, mobility, imbalance.
Inert - phlegmatic. Characteristics: strength, poise, inactivity, calmness.
Weak - melancholic. A special feature of this type of temperament is a constant tendency towards melancholy, as well as weakness, imbalance, and inactivity.

Types of temperament and their characteristics

Here are presented types of temperament, according to Galen's classification and their characteristics. Galen developed it based on Hippocrates' classification of temperaments. Temperament is represented by 4 types, but it must be borne in mind that pure types are found only ideally, that is, in a book, and rarely do people approach them in life. There are about ten intermediate types of temperament. But the main ones are: choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, and melancholic. The name of the types of temperament comes from the name of the types of fluid in the human body. Sanguine from sangua - blood, phlegmatic - from phlegm - mucus. Choleric - from chole, red (yellow) bile, melancholic from melanin - black bile. Many people do not fit pure types, including characteristics from one and from the other. The type of temperament is usually determined by the predominant characteristics.

Melancholic

People with a melancholic type of temperament have a weak nervous system, they are usually introverts (introverts are closed from emotions, communication, their thoughts are directed to the inner world, prefer thinking and imagination to real actions) with a high level of neuroticism (neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, low self-esteem, sometimes - vegetative disorders). They have a predominance of inhibition over excitation. A melancholic person is easily vulnerable, deeply worries about even minor failures, and outwardly reacts sluggishly to what is happening. Has increased sensitivity of the nervous system and an acute reaction to shades of feelings. His emotional experiences are deep and characterized by great duration and stability. Melancholic people are most susceptible to depression and imagining frightening situations, fear of physical pain and social punishment, they are also afraid of conflicts in communication, quarrels, and natural disasters. They are often subject to the blues, which is expressed in extreme pessimism, and fear of action.

People of this type of temperament are perfectionists. They are idealists who want everything to be perfect, everything to go as usual and have its place in life. Their perfectionism is addressed to themselves: constant self-censorship and the desire for perfection. To the world and to others: inflated demands on others. If melancholic people do not meet their own standards, they criticize themselves; if others do not meet their standards, others do, and this often happens because their standards are too high. Many melancholic people dig in order to find out the secret of every little thing. Because "vegetating in ignorance" they can deviate from perfection. They are inquisitive and ask specific questions in order to come to a clearer understanding of everything in the world. They are very persistent and stubborn, because it is quite difficult to stick to such a course in life.

Choleric

Choleric temperament is characterized by a strong unbalanced nervous system, a significant predominance of excitation over inhibition, a high degree of extraversion (extroversion is an orientation towards the outside world, suggesting sociability, they prefer the social and practical aspects of life, are open to emotions) and low neuroticism, and are most prone to rage. The movements of a choleric person are fast and impetuous, as are actions, the flow of thoughts, and reactions; he is able to devote himself to work and love with all passion, they always go to the end. This type of temperament is unbalanced, prone to violent expressions of emotions and sudden changes in mood. Cholerics easily overcome difficulties, but have trouble controlling themselves and easily explode. They are leaders by nature, they are obeyed already in kindergarten. Choleric people have a feeling of anxiety. Their fears often relate to everyday life situations, and imaginary fears. The fear experienced by a choleric person contributes to the emergence of anxiety, fearfulness, and caution.

Cholerics are leaders and directors in life. They strive to be a leader, to be at the top, to be in control. They want to dominate and often use commanding imperatives in their speech. Cholerics love competition... but hate losing. They love to argue, but not in order to find out the truth, like melancholic people, but in order to confirm that they are right. People of this type of temperament are quick-tempered, but easy-going. They may blame others for their own mistakes in order to save face.

Sanguine (cycloid)

The temperament of a sanguine person is characterized by a strong, balanced, mobile nervous system, balanced reactions of excitation and inhibition, as well as a high degree of extraversion and neuroticism; of the emotions, he is most predisposed to joy. A sanguine person is characterized by such traits as mobility, liveliness, quick response to the events of the surrounding world, comparative speed of psychological reactions and psychological response, he experiences failures and troubles relatively easily, he simply does not get hung up on them. He strives for frequent changes of impressions. A sanguine person is resistant to the emotion of fear. But he sometimes exhibits elementary obsessions; more often than others, they have a fear of heights. The most powerful hypochondriacal fear that manifests itself in a sanguine person is the fear of going crazy; they are not so much afraid of death as of losing a comfortable, habitually down-to-earth healthy and sound mental existence.

Sanguine people love to be surrounded by other people. The more people the better, it makes them feel not alone. Loneliness frightens and depresses them. Sanguine people want to be the center of attention, recognition of compliments and praise. They are talkative, energetic, and often joke and laugh.

Phlegmatic person

The temperament of a phlegmatic person is characterized by a strong, inert and balanced nervous system, composure and balance of nervous processes, introversion and low neuroticism. They are characterized by slowness in everything, in reactions, deeds, actions, they are calm, thorough, restrained, sometimes even too much. Phlegmatic people in general were not prone to violent emotional reactions. They have a persistent desire for more or less constant moods; the external expression of mental states is rather weak. A phlegmatic person is characterized by feelings of anxiety and melancholy. He is not able to get scared quickly and easily, he needs time, once in a new environment, he will be lonely, because he needs time to get used to it. A phlegmatic person is little susceptible to fear; they are mainly afraid of imaginary actions, but they are afraid of sudden changes and the unknown.

The temperament of these people dictates submission. They are quite easy to lead, they are easy to persuade. They are not confrontational, and try to diffuse the situation when the situation is approaching its climax.

They are empathetic and keenly aware of the feelings of those around them and are very sensitive to the feelings of others. But they themselves are often used for their own purposes. They are obligatory and indecisive. As a rule, they do not see themselves as a leader; they work better if you tell them what to do. They are afraid to make decisions and lead.

Pure and transitional types of temperament

Phlegmatic and melancholic people have a calm (inhibited) temperament. And among choleric and sanguine people, temperament is strongly expressed. Accordingly, fears and other emotions will be felt more strongly. The strongest type of temperament in relation to the manifestation of emotions is sanguine, and the weakest is phlegmatic. There are more people with which types? Pavlov said that in the process of evolution, the weak type should have disappeared altogether. But it didn't disappear! On the question of the quantitative relationship between types of temperaments. The most numerous is the sanguine group (44%), in second place is the melancholic group (29%), in third place is the choleroid group (14%), and in fourth place is the phlegmanoid group (9%). The number of “balanced” people in the human population is only 4%. Data from the article are pure and transitional types of temperament.

Due to the fact that pure types of temperament are rare, there are many transitional types that combine certain traits in one person.

But this cannot be said to be very good. Scientists have noticed that the strongest and most outstanding individuals, as a rule, have a strong character and a pure type of temperament. Thus, O.V. Suvorov, A.S. Pushkin, I.P. Pavlov approached “pure” choleric people. Famous melancholic people: Mozart, Poganini. Sanguine - Yu. A. Gagarin. Many other equally famous people also had pure, or close to pure, types. So don't hide your temperament type and don't change yourself.

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