The Four Temperaments

[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.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='HisChildForever' date='10 March 2010 - 02:08 PM' timestamp='1268251719' post='2070462']
Um, it said "see your test results below" but there were no results.
[/quote]
I had the same problem. Apparently you need an account.
I didn't bother.

[HisChildForever]

Yes, I am trying to make an account but it is telling me that "HisChildForever" is an invalid username. I guess they know about me.

[Ephrem Augustine]

Lord Jesus, let me know myself, let me know you. St. Augustine

[quote name='HisChildForever' date='10 March 2010 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1268251719' post='2070462']
Um, it said "see your test results below" but there were no results.
[/quote]

same here, suddenly I am turned off to taking this test, and don't care enough about the results. I had taken tests like this previously and gotten choleric

[Nunsense]

I am none of those. I am 100% Catholic.

[Marie-Therese]

The Choleric / Melancholic

Choleric 78% Melancholic 22%

ETA: A lot of these quizzes have questions that are definitely this or definitely that, when the truth is that neither of those apply. I am often irritated by those questions. I suppose, though, there is too much grey area to cover everything.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Marie-Therese

[Nihil Obstat]

One problem with personality tests, in my opinion, is that the ones with very specific questions suffer from reporting bias, and the ones with more abstract questions start to become a lot more irrelevant.

[Marie-Therese]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='10 March 2010 - 04:16 PM' timestamp='1268255819' post='2070505']
One problem with personality tests, in my opinion, is that the ones with very specific questions suffer from reporting bias, and the ones with more abstract questions start to become a lot more irrelevant.
[/quote]

Yeah...I took the Myers Briggs once at a leadership retreat in college and it basically said that I was equally introverted and extroverted. I thought that was funny.

[Hilde]

Yes that happens to me too. I've taken that test twice it first said introverted, then extroverted both times hovering around 50%

[eustace scrubb]

i didn't know this was that old.

anyhow, my myers briggs is ISFJ and my temperament is melancholy / sanguine.

btw what i said about message boards having a lot of melancholies was kind of a joke... we're introverts and tend to be a bit "blue."

[quote name='HisChildForever' date='10 March 2010 - 04:13 PM' timestamp='1268252031' post='2070465']
Yes, I am trying to make an account but it is telling me that "HisChildForever" is an invalid username. I guess they know about me.
[/quote]

LOL

[sacredheartandbloodofjesus]

The first time I took the test it didnt show because I wasnt a member

[size="3"]The Choleric / Sanguine[/size] 82%Choleric 18%Sanguine

The choleric-sanguine is a blending of the two extroverted temperaments and will be somewhat less extraverted than the sanguine-choleric, because the choleric’s extraversion often takes a back-seat to his goal-oriented behavior. Nonetheless, this temperament combination is second only to the sanguine-choleric in terms of being outgoing and people-oriented. This temperament mix tends to give rise to an enthusiastic, motivational, and highly driven leader (choleric) whose social skills and interest in other people (sanguine nature) make him less dictatorial and capable of some flexibility. He will value relationships more than a pure choleric, and will show greater compassion in dealing with people, will be less controlling than the pure choleric, and will be more willing to take time out to relax and enjoy himself.

If you are a choleric-sanguine, you will find that you have a great amount of energy and inspiration for initiating projects and can be highly focused on task completion as well. Although you tend to be very objective, pragmatic, and logical -- and may sometimes find yourself stepping on toes in the process of accomplishing the task at hand -- you will also have the interpersonal skills needed to resolve conflict and to help people work together and get along with one another. The creativity and sensitivity of your sanguine nature will enable you to be flexible when the situation calls for it, and less demanding and harsh than a pure choleric would tend to be. You are likely an energetic leader or manager, with superb debating skills: firmly convinced that you are right, you also have the “people-skills” necessary to convince others as well!

Without strong formation and a deep spiritual life, however, your temperament’s weaknesses will be intensified. Without attention to self-formation you may find yourself quickly aroused to anger, yet also unforgiving. You can be impatient with others and overly opinionated. You may speak frankly or impulsively without regard for others’ feelings. You should take care that you become neither a workaholic nor driven by your passions. You may insist on having your own way, and become angered, blame others, or make excuses when corrected. But, once you become aware of the weaknesses of your nature, and make a commitment to self-improvement, you will be able to be equally determined in pursuing self-formation.

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