Discover Your Temperament: A Complete Guide to the 4 Personality Types

Have you ever wondered why some people are naturally more assertive while others are more reserved? Or why certain individuals are extremely sociable while others prefer introspection? The answer may lie in personality temperaments — innate characteristics that influence our behavior and how we interact with the world.

In this article, we will explore the four classic personality temperaments, their historical origin, and how to identify which one is predominant in you. Get ready for a journey of self-discovery!

The Historical Origin of Temperaments

The idea of classifying people into “types” is not new. In fact, it dates back centuries! In 444 B.C., Empedocles was the first to identify the four classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

Later, Hippocrates (460-370 B.C.), known as the “father of medicine,” developed a model based on these four elements, which were seen as bodily fluids, called humors. About 200 years later, Galen expanded this theory, creating the Theory of Personality, relating humors to emotional and behavioral inclinations — that is, temperaments.

The four temperaments proposed by Galen are:

• Choleric
• Sanguine
• Phlegmatic
• Melancholic

It’s important to remember that we all possess all four temperaments in our personality, but in varying degrees of intensity. Generally, one or two are predominant, shaping our way of being and acting.

The 4 Types of Temperament Explained

Choleric Temperament: The Natural Leader

If you are a choleric person, you probably:

• Have a clear image of the results you want to achieve
• Are always attentive to actions that accelerate these results
• Consider details of how and why less important
• Are demanding, decisive, and independent
• Transmit strength, energy, and decision
• Assert more than ask
• Talk more than listen
• Communicate in a loud tone and fast pace
• Have a firm greeting and determined look
• Frequently manifest impatience

The choleric is that person who enters a room and naturally takes command. Their focus is on results and efficiency, making them an excellent leader in situations that require quick decisions.

Sanguine Temperament: The Enthusiastic Communicator

Sanguines are known for:

• Projecting actions and messages to promote ideas through people
• Having great interest in interacting with others
• Being particularly attentive to others’ personal needs
• Being sociable and communicative
• Demonstrating expansiveness and enthusiasm
• Seeking relationships
• Being optimistic and reliable
• Telling stories frequently
• Sharing feelings and expressing themselves without formality
• Using animated facial expressions and speaking with many gestures

The sanguine is that charismatic person who lights up any environment. Their focus is on interpersonal relationships and communication, making them excellent in roles that involve social interaction.

Phlegmatic Temperament: The Stable Peacemaker

Phlegmatic people generally:

• Are more passive and introverted, interested in the how and why
• Seek to maintain internal stability and in the environment in which they find themselves
• Demonstrate patience and calmness
• Are cooperative and attentive
• Show perseverance and seek continuous improvement
• Listen to and reassure others
• Seek balance and harmony
• Listen more than they speak
• Keep their opinions to themselves
• Speak slowly, in a moderate tone
• Have a gentle greeting, slow movements, and relaxed posture

The phlegmatic is that person who stays calm when everyone is panicking. Their focus is on stability and harmony, making them excellent mediators in conflict situations.

Melancholic Temperament: The Analytical Thinker

Melancholics typically:

• Are more passive and introverted
• Request specific reasons for changes
• Worry about doing things precisely
• Analyze more before acting
• Are formal and methodical
• Demonstrate prudence and reflection
• Like strategies and plans
• Are objective and focused on facts
• Value personal discipline
• Do not easily share their feelings
• Demonstrate little flexibility
• Have rigorous attention to detail
• Maintain controlled posture

The melancholic is that person who thinks deeply before acting. Their focus is on precision and quality, making them excellent in work that requires attention to detail.

How to Identify Your Predominant Temperament

When reading the characteristics above, you probably identified more with one or two temperaments. This is normal! We are rarely 100% of a single type. In fact, our personality is a unique combination of the four temperaments, with one or two being more evident.

To identify your predominant temperament, pay attention to your natural behavior in situations of:

1. Stress: How do you react when under pressure?
2. Relaxation: How do you prefer to spend your free time?
3. Work: What environment and type of task give you more satisfaction?
4. Relationships: How do you interact with close people?

Your answers to these questions can reveal a lot about your predominant temperament.

Applying Knowledge About Temperaments in Daily Life

Knowing your predominant temperament can help you:

• Understand your natural strengths: Make the most of your positive characteristics
• Recognize areas of growth: Work consciously on aspects that need development
• Improve relationships: Better understand how you interact with different types of people
• Make career decisions: Choose professional paths that align with your temperament

Remember that the goal is not to label yourself, but to gain self-knowledge to grow and develop.

Conclusion: Your Temperament is Just the Beginning

Identifying your predominant temperament is just the first step in a journey of self-knowledge. Although our temperament has a genetic basis, our experiences, education, and personal choices also shape who we are.

The true power lies in understanding your natural tendencies and using them to your advantage, while consciously working on areas that need development.

And you, were you able to identify your predominant temperament? Share your discovery with us! Send an email telling your experience and how this knowledge has helped you.

Here on our blog, you will find various topics related to the human mind and behavior. Continue exploring to discover more about yourself and the fascinating world of psychology!

References:

• Dalgalarrondo, Paulo. Psychopathology and semiology of mental disorders – 3rd ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2019
• What it is, how to take a DISC test, what are the 4 profiles and how it works. Sólides. Available at: https://solides.com.br/blog/analisar-perfil-disc/
• THE BOOK of psychology. 2nd ed. São Paulo: Globo, 2016