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We often use the term temperament to describe a person’s personality.
However, your temperament only forms part of yourpersonality.
While this is factual, this definition is a little limiting.
Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images
Your temperament also includesyour innate behavioral and personality traits.
It’s your natural propensity and will often shine through in your daily interactions.
Your temperament even determines the way your mind works.
Over the years, scientists have identified four broad temperaments under which a person might fall.
How Is Your Temperament Formed?
Your temperament is believed to be innate, mainly influenced by genetics.
It’s not uncommon for someone to have temperaments similar to a parent or grandparent.
Research shows that 20% to 60% of your temperament is determined by genetics.
External environmental factors such as negative and positive childhood experiences can also shape temperaments.
For example, a person who grew up in an abusive family could become melancholic.
Temperament vs.
Personality
Although both terms are similar and often used interchangeably, they are distinct from each other.
Your temperament isn’t the same as your personality.
It’s not unusual for an introverted child to becomean extroverted adult.
In fact, research has found trends in personality traits across the lifespan.
The theory of four primary temperaments can be traced back hundreds of years.
The distribution of temperament types across a community depends on factors such as culture, age, and gender.
They are chipper people who see a glass as half full instead of half empty.
You will likely find them in the middle of a crowd and not at the fringes.
Social interactions come easy to them, and they can be talkative and energetic.
Their impulsivity can sometimes manifest asseeking out thrill-seeking behaviors, which in extreme cases could include drug use.
Choleric
The defining characteristics of choleric people are dominant andassertive.
People who belong to this temperament throw in are goal-oriented and driven.
They are high achievers at work, school, or even play and are often selected as team leaders.
Unlike sanguines, choleric people are decisive but can be impatient and stubborn.
They could prioritize achieving set goals over fostering critical social connections and relationships.
They are easygoing people who tend to be very empathetic when relating with others.
They are dependable and patient people who find comfort in the mundane and routine.
Phlemagtic people show little emotion, which can come across as passive or unfeeling during social interactions.
Although reserved, melancholic people are also thoughtful and sensitive.
They can also be analytical and methodic, especially at work, making them valuable to any workplace.
Conversely, they prefer to work alone and might not make the best team players.
They getmoodyand anxious when things aren’t going their way.
How Do I Know My Temperament?
The internet is rife with dozens of self-assessment tools to help you determine your temperament.
It’s essential to be careful when using these tools, however.
Factors such as your emotional state or mood can skew your answers, altering your results.
Both tests use a set of questions to evaluate what temperament best fits your personality trait.
The most effective way to determine your temperament key in is by consulting with amental health expert.
They are equipped with better tools and experience to assess your behavior and responses.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Can Someone Have Two Temperaments?
Human beings are diverse and complex individuals.
No single person fits squarely under one particular pop in.
You may also have less prevalent behaviors that belong to other temperament types.
Can Temperaments Change?
Certain temperaments are more at risk of developing harmful habits that need to be managed.
Choleric people can be quick to anger.
If this is you, then you may benefit fromanger management sessions.
If you don’t identify with one particular style, that’s not a bad thing.
You stand to benefit from adopting positive traits exhibited by all types of temperaments.
Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary.Temperament.
National Library of Medicine.Is temperament determined by genetics?
Ashton MC.Biological bases of personality.
In:Individual Differences and Personality.
The Berkeley Well-Being Institute.Temperaments: definition, examples, & types.
2022;13(10):1504-1516.
