The Four Temperaments

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='09 March 2010 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1268198793' post='2070106']
I signed up after taking the quiz. It only took me a minute. Then I hastily went back through the quiz and selected all the answers I had just chosen.
[/quote]

That's annoying though. It should tell you before you take it. Another way 4marks is lame.

[zunshynn]

I don't recall what this quiz said my temperament is, although I think it said I was a lot more choleric than I actually am. I think I'm around 70-80% Melancholic and 30-20% Choleric, based on my results from the Temperament God Gave You book, and what people that have lived with me think.

[aalpha1989]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='10 March 2010 - 12:30 AM' timestamp='1268199048' post='2070112']
I don't recall what this quiz said my temperament is, although I think it said I was a lot more choleric than I actually am. I think I'm around 70-80% Melancholic and 30-20% Choleric, based on my results from the Temperament God Gave You book, and what people that have lived with me think.
[/quote]

Yeah. I think I'm more phlegmatic than it says.

[zunshynn]

[quote name='aalpha1989' date='09 March 2010 - 10:33 PM' timestamp='1268199189' post='2070114']
Yeah. I think I'm more phlegmatic than it says.
[/quote]

I think part of the problem with the quiz is that it tends to ask questions that are more about personality in general than temperament... Temperament is a part of your personality that really doesn't change... Even babies have our distinct temperaments... your personality as a whole encompasses the way you learn to work around the strengths and weaknesses of your temperament... but to really determine your temperament you have to look at how you automatically react to situations, not to how you would after having matured more.

[jiyoung]

I'm told I'm a mix of sanguine and choleric, both by observers and by that test. I've taken it twice, and I once got more choleric, and then more sanguine. I'm thinking I'm more on the sanguine side, but definitely I can see myself being those two. I can be a little quieter sometimes, but I think it's more of a defense mechanism, and my natural personality is more outgoing and sanguine.

It's an interesting way to look at yourself, that's for sure...

[eustace scrubb]

myers briggs is way better than this.


btw not surprised at all that a message board would have a lot of melancholics.

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='09 March 2010 - 10:27 PM' timestamp='1268198857' post='2070109']
And my choleric side is my preferred one. I mean, who wants to be melancholic? haha.
[/quote]

I don't really like my choleric side. Though really Melancholic/Choleric is just a bummer combo... The Time-Bomb, as they say.

Personally, I wish I was Phlegmatic/Melancholic... Phlegs are the best. It seems like it would be fun to be Phleg/Sanguine, but I can't even really imagine what that would be like...

[quote]
myers briggs is way better than this.[/quote]

Isn't Myers Briggs used in mostly new age circles?

This probably isn't the best temperament test, but generally speaking, temperaments are a very well-respected personality assessment that goes back to the time of Aristotle.


[quote]btw not surprised at all that a message board would have a lot of melancholics.[/quote]

No comment.

Edited March 10, 2010 by zunshynn

[Ephrem Augustine]

In the Renaissance Melancholics were seen as far superior because of their introspection. Today, Melancholics might be seen as passive wrapped up in self concern in a negative way. Especially since Americans are entirely interested in industry and results.

New Age people might use Rosaries and Angels and Bibles, but it doesnt negate the value of those things. Myers Briggs was not invented by New Age, it just so happens New Age just does not teach people to be critical or analytical of anything, and they pick and choose whatever sounds nice, whether it has any value or not.

Myers Briggs is supposed to be a tool for understanding how you relate to different personalities. Myers Briggs, ultimately cannot tell you who you are, because even the 16 personality types are only guides. Myers Briggs doesnt trap any one person in one personality type, because it is not entirely conclusive.

I have found it helpful, but I do not always need to refer to it, in fact I hardly do. Yet it is far from useless or anti-Catholic.

[Ziggamafu]

The Sanguine (72%) / Phlegmatic (28%)

The sanguine-phlegmatic is an extraverted, optimistic, warm individual who readily connects with others and is well-liked by all. His sanguine side makes him creative, enthusiastic, friendly, and inspiring. His phlegmatic side makes him somewhat cautious at times, and also highly sensitive to other people’s moods, emotions, likes and dislikes. He keenly desires harmony in relationships.

He tends to overextend himself in order to meet others’ needs and to personalize any negative criticism (If the boss says, “We are not meeting our quotas,” the sanguine-phlegmatic thinks, “Is he angry at me?” If her best friend says, “I really can’t wear red lipstick,” the sanguine-phlegmatic will think, “She’s trying to tell me that my lipstick looks terrible!”). After all, the sanguine-phlegmatic has a double-dose of feeling; twice-blessed by the tendency to prioritize relationships and harmony.

If you are a sanguine-phlegmatic, most everyone likes you! You are easy-going, creative, fun-loving, enthusiastic, imaginative, caring, generous, flexible, and spontaneous. You are probably considered “emotional” because of your easily aroused feelings, your attentiveness to relationships, and your tender heart. Your weaknesses are superficiality, indecisiveness, disorganization, and procrastination. Often you find it difficult to know exactly how to state what you mean, or how to express yourself logically; this contributes to a tendency to talk more than is needed or to provide more detail than is necessary. In a relationship, you will likely gravitate toward a logical, organized, strong-willed and decisive partner—someone who makes decisions quickly and provides strong moral certitude and structure to your life. You can be easily influenced (which is exacerbated by your tendency to ask others for advice — without thinking it through) and to do what seems “kind” before considering whether it is objectively right. Many sanguine-phlegmatics are drawn to teaching (and parenting), the helping professions, and volunteer works for the Church or for the welfare of society.

You place a high priority on your personal search for meaning and self-identity. The strong need to discover your “true self” will be met by a rich prayer life and a personal relationship with Christ. Your weaknesses probably tend to bother you more than anyone else. For example, you may find yourself blurting out something without thinking, or spending too much time seeking advice only to find yourself more confused than you started, or oversleeping every day this week — despite all the best of intentions. You may find yourself becoming overcommitted because you simply can’t say “no” and have a strong need to be liked/please people. A typical sanguine-phlegmatic trick is to spend too much money shopping or (better yet) dining out with friends, and then to put off balancing the checkbook (too much work, too many other distractions) until it is hopelessly behind. Now you are overwhelmed with everything that has piled up! You may complain half-heartedly, blame circumstances, or go shopping. . . but you may not really make a concerted effort to change.

If your temperament is sanguine-phlegmatic, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the sanguine and phlegmatic.

[Innocent]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='10 March 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1268198857' post='2070109']
I mean, who wants to be melancholic? haha.
[/quote]

I'm somewhat surprised you would say this. From what I understand about temperaments, if it were not for the melancholic part of your temperament, I don't think many traits and habits that now characterise you would be naturally enjoyable to you anymore. For instance, a quiet evening spent thumbing through the [i]Enchiridion Symbolorum[/i] would not be something you could naturally derive pleasure from as you do now, if you didn't have the melancholic part of your temperament.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Innocent

[Socrates]

I forgot my log-in info for that site, which I haven't used since getting my current computer and email, so it wasn't worth the trouble, but I'd taken the test back when I was using the dating site, and I got the result of melancholic-choleric, which I think is fairly accurate.

Personally, I never found the results of Briggs-Meyers tests particularly accurate nor useful, and think the four temperaments is a more accurate (though perhaps a bit simplistic) way of mapping human personality.

[laetitia crucis]

Excellent quiz!

Choleric = 78% / Melancholic = 22%

[b]The Choleric / Melancholic[/b]

The choleric-melancholic mixture combines two passionate and persevering temperaments to create a strong leader with the ability to envision a great plan of action — someone who is both meticulous and strategic. The tendency of the choleric to make hasty, often sweeping judgments will be tempered by the melancholic’s careful analysis and reflection. The tendency of the melancholic to be moody, hyper-critical, and slow to act will be counter-balanced by the optimism and practicality of the choleric. Thus, the choleric-melancholic will be capable of decisive -- yet well-thought-out— action and will be thoroughly productive.

If you are a choleric-melancholic, you will have a quick, analytical mind, possibly with a great attention to detail, with a strong sense of order and discipline. You will be more extraverted than a pure melancholic or a melancholic-choleric, and you are able to take on more projects and accomplish more things than a pure melancholic would be capable of. Furthermore, your pragmatism will receive the additional value of noble and high ideals, so you will likely be a very conscientious employee. You will likely have a strong analytical mind, holding other people and institutions to high standards. Both the melancholic and choleric temperaments retain their impressions for a long time—so you will have the capacity to persevere in achieving your goals—as well as holding onto to a grudge and being unforgiving!

Driven, yet self-sacrificing and a lover of truth, the choleric-melancholic can accomplish great things. Without human and spiritual formation, however, this mixture can result in an individual who is proud and obstinate, with deep anger and resentment. They can be opinionated, critical, and judgmental. The quick intelligence of the choleric combined with the tendency to think they are always right, might make those with this temperament mixture autocratic, moody, arrogant, and anti-social.

We imagine that St. Paul was choleric-melancholic: He was intense, focused, driven. He was not one to value relationships above rules. He disagreed with St. Peter on several occasions (as he wrote to the Galatians (2:11): “And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong”) and even parted ways from his fellow missionary Barnabus, because Barnabus wanted to bring along John Mark, whom Paul said had deserted them at Pamphylia (Acts 15: 37-39).

If your temperament is choleric-melancholic, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the choleric and melancholic.

---------------

I found it spot on.

[HisChildForever]

I literally just started the test, and laughed when I saw the first "question".

[Hilde]

Melancholic
97%

Choleric
3%



[quote]The Pure Melancholic

"To be, or not to be: that is the question…" Hamlet’s famous soliloquy typifies the melancholic temperament: thoughtful, reflective, ponderous to a fault; slow to act, yet deeply sensitive and of noble ideals. It is said that the melancholic so longs for heaven that everything on earth falls short. His longing for the ideal can make him appear nitpicking and critical, and lack some "people sense." Of great intelligence and lofty aspirations, the melancholic can be so thoughtful and careful that he never takes a step forward! Introverted, dignified, and careful of speech, he may appear shy or even aloof. There can be that rare occasion, however, when the melancholic finally ventures out into a social situation, in an awkward attempt to “fit in,” he can sometimes swing to the opposite extreme of being overly loud or inordinately silly. On such occasions, the sensitive and self-critical melancholic will experience deep anxiety and a tendency to brood over his mistakes.

Time alone is vital for this reflective, introspective temperament. A perfectionist at home and on the job, the melancholic is likely the one with the perfectly organized closet and kitchen, the tidy desk-top, and the painstaking attention to religious observances, sometimes to the point of scrupulosity. A melancholic longs for a deep soul mate, yet when he is around people, he often finds himself mistrustful and disappointed. Sensing this criticism, others will keep their distance—thus further entrenching the melancholic in his solitary life. In relationships, the melancholic tends to be slow to initiate, cautious, hyper-critical, and pessimistic--yet, once committed, they are unwaveringly loyal and self-sacrificing.
Famous Melancholics

St. John

It has been suggested elsewhere (Tim LaHaye) that St. John the evangelist and the beloved disciple was melancholic-phlegmatic. There is some evidence for this proposal. He was the beloved disciple, the one who laid his head on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper, the only one who remained at the crucifixion, and the one to whom Jesus entrusted his mother. His was the mystical vision recorded in Revelations. His writing—of all the four gospels—is the most poetic, deeply mystical. “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32) is appropriately written by an idealistic, truth-loving melancholic would.

John Henry Newman

In a famous quote about the personality of John Henry Newman, a contemporary was bemused to note that someone so virtuous, so dedicated to Christ and the Church, could be so depressing. Apparently, he had an air of heaviness or gloom about him, and was often tongue-tied even with those close to him. He was shy and sometimes considered to be aloof, though on occasion he would even apologize—in writing—that he was sorry he could not find anything to say to his fellow priests.

Saint Padre Pio (Melancholic-Choleric)

As a young child, he was always very serious, devout and pious, and could not stand to hear a profane word or even see someone working on Sunday (when he was about 7 years old he chastised an older girl for doing needlework on Sunday). “Even as a child he had in many ways the maturity of an adult” ( Padre Pio, The Wonder Worker, p 9 Massachusetts: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, 1999) He showed, even from the time of being a small child, an uncompromising attitude toward sin. As a small child, he would take his books with him to the pastures where he was watching the family sheep. He would eat his lunch with the manners of a gentleman—spreading his napkin across his knees like a tablecloth, even out in the fields.

Famous Melancholics

"Pistol Pete", Marovich, Sylvia Plath, Eeyore
Melancholic Virtues and Vices

Strengths and natural virtues:

analytical, artistic, careful, cautious, choosy, conscientious, deliberate, delicate, discreet, detailed, elegant, exacting, guarded, idealistic, introspective, judicious, lover of truth and beauty, meticulous noble, orderly, painstaking, particular, quietly passionate, persevering planned, pondering precise, prudent reasoned, reflective, religious, reserved, restrained, romantic, shy, serious, sensitive, studious, thorough, thoughtful

Weaknesses:

aloof, apprehensive, brooding, cool, critical, demanding, distrusting, envious, fearful, grudge-bearing, haughty, hypochondria, highbrow, jealous, judgmental, nitpicking, perfectionist, pessimistic, reluctant, scrupulous, self-righteous, skeptical, snooty, standoffish, strict, superior, suspicious, timid, uncommunicative, unsocial, undemonstrative, wary [/quote] Eyore?

Edited March 10, 2010 by Hilde

[HisChildForever]

Um, it said "see your test results below" but there were no results.