Study on Temperments

[Heart of a Seeker]

I'm sure many of you have done this study before, but I thought it might be kind of interesting to go over - both to help us understand ourselves and others better.

The information I'll be posting is from the book, Transforming Your Temperament.

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

First I want to stress that "No person is a single-temperment type." AND the study should be for self analysis only, not to be critical of the natural weaknesses or shortcomings of others. I am hoping, though, that it will help us understand each other better!

Here goes!!!

Our first temperment that we'll go over is the Sanguine temperment.

Sanguines are warm, buoyant, lively and the 'enjoying' temperment. Feelings predominate this temperment to form their decisions rather than reflective thoughts.

Sanguines really enjoy themselves and pass that joy to others. They are thrilling story tellers. They never lack for friends. They genuinely feel the joys and sorrows of others and can make others feel important and special.

They enjoy people, don't like solitude, are at their best when surrounded by friends where they can be the life of the party.

Sanguines are not at a loss for words. They often speak before they think, but their open sincerity has a disarming effect on many of their listeners, causing them to respond to his mood.

The world is enriched by these cheerful, sanguine people. They make good salesmen, hospital workers, teachers, conversationalists, actors, public speakers, and, occasionally, they are good teachers.

Next, we'll look at the Choleric...

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

Cholerics are the hot, quick, active, practical and strong-willed temperment. They are self-sufficient and very independent. They tend to be decisive and opinionated, finding it easy to make decisions for themselves as well as for other people.

Cholerics thrive on activity. They do not need to be stimulated by their environment, but they stimulate their environment with their endless ideas, plans and ambitions. They have practical, keen minds, capable of making sound, instant decisions or planning worthwhile, long-range projects. They don't worry about what others think. They take a definite stand on issues and can often be found crusading against social injustice or unhealthy situations.

They are not frightened by adversities; they tend to encourage them. They usually succeed where others fail, not because their ideas are better than others, but because they are still pushing ahead when others have given up. They are born leaders.

Choleric's emotional nature is the least developed part of their temperment. They do not show sympathy easily and they do not show or express compassion. They are often embarrassed or disgusted by the tears of others. They have little appreciation for the fine arts; their primary interest is in the utilitarian values of life.

They are quick to recognize opportunities and equally as quick at diagnosing the best way to make use of them. They have quick, organized minds, though details usually bore them. They are not given to analysis, but rather to quick, almost intuitive appraisal. They tend to look at the GOAL that they're working toward, without seeing the potential pitfalls and obstacles in their path.

Cholerics tend to be domineering and bossy and do not hesitate to use people to accomplish their ends.

Cholerics attitude of self-sufficiency and strong will makes it difficult for him to come to Jesus in adulthood. Even after he becomes a Christian, it may be difficult for him to trust Christ for daily living.

Cholerics make good executives, idea people; producers, dictators. Many of the world's great generals and leaders have been Cholerics.

Next is Melancholy...

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

Next on our list is Melancholy...

Melancholies are often referred to as the "black, or dark temperament". Actually, they are the richest of all the temperaments. They are analytical, self-sacrificing, gifted, perfectionist type, with a very sensitve, emotional nature. No one gets more enjoyment fromthe fine arts than the melancholy.

They tend to be introverts, but their feelings dominate and they are given over to a variety of moods. Sometimes moods will lift them to heights of ecstasy to cause them to act more extroverted. At other times, they will be gloomy and depressed - causing them to be withdrawn and quite antagonistic.

Melancholies are faithful friends, but they do not make friends easily. They do not push themselves toward people but rather that people come to them. They are the most dependable of all the temperaments because the perfectionist nature doesn't permit them to be shirkers or let others down when they are depending on them. They have a strong desire to be loved by people. Disappointing experiences make them reluctant to take people at their face value, those they are prone to be suspicious with others when they seek them out or shower them with attention.

Their exceptional analytical abilities case them to diagnose accurately the obstacles and dangers of any project they have a part in planning. When Melancholies are in one of their great moods of emotional ecstasy or inspiration, they may produce some great work of art or genius. These accomplishments are often followed by periods of great depression.

No temperament has so much natural potential when energized by the Holy Spirit as the Melancholy. Many of the world's great geniuses - artists, musicians, inventors, philosophers, educators, and theoreticians were of the melancholy temperment. Bible characters such as Moses, Elijah, Solomon, John and many others had melancholy tendencies.

Last, but not least is the Phlegmatic...

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

Phlegmatics are so calm and easy-going that they never seem to get ruffled, no matter what the circumstances. They have a very high boiling point and seldom explode in anger or laughter, but keeps their emotions in control. They are consistent every time you see them. Beneath the cool, reticent, almost timid personality of Phlegmatics are very capable combinations of abilities. They feel much more emotion than appears on the surface and have a good capacity to appreciate the fine arts and better things in life.

Phlegmatics don't lack for friends for they enjoy people and have a natural dry sense of humor. They are the type of individuals who have a crowd of people in stitches and never crack a smile. They have the unique capability of seeing something humorous in others and the things they do. They have good, retentive minds and are often quite capable of being good imitators. One of their great sources of delight is poking fun at the other temperament types. They get annoyed by the aimless, restless enthusiasm of the Sanguine and often confronts them with their futility. They are disgusted by the gloomy moods of the Melancholy and are prone to ridicule them. They take great delight in throwing ice water on the bubbling plans and ambitions of the Choleric.

Phlegmatics tend to be spectators in life and try not to get too involved with the activities of others. In fact, it is with great difficulty that Phlegmatics are ever motivated beyond their daily routines. They are usually kindhearted and sympathetic but seldom convey their true feelings. When once aroused to action, however, they prove to be most capable and efficient people. They will not take leadership on their own, but when it is put on them, they prove to be capable leaders. They are also natural peace-makers.

Phlegmatics make good diplomats, accountants, teachers, leaders, scientists or other meticulous -type workers.

Now that you have met the four temperaments, you no doubt realize why 'people are individuals'. Not only are there four distinct type of temperaments that produce these differences, but the combinations, mixtures and degrees of temperament multiply the possible differences. Most people, however, reveal a pattern of behavior that indicates that they lean toward one basic temperament.

Next we'll talk about the temperament strengths....

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

No mother D... I have heard of this but never had the chance to study it...so she asks fearfully which one am I and can you be a combination of a few.
I thought when I originally heard of this I was one impaticular temperment but now I think I might have more than one so tell me what do you think?

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

Oh hello there, in the chair

YOU have to figure this out yourself. I'll be sharing more and you can see where you're at. It's interesting. I've done it in a couple of Sunday School classes and at women's groups. It just helps to understand ourselves and others better.

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

Oh hello there, in the chair

YOU have to figure this out yourself. I'll be sharing more and you can see where you're at. It's interesting. I've done it in a couple of Sunday School classes and at women's groups. It just helps to understand ourselves and others better.

You want me to figure myself out...yeah right!
Well I guess that is it for me...I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag right now...huh I thought you were my friend *pout* could you give me a hint?

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

You mean like it's blue and red and flies in the sky?

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

Ok, check out the Sanguine and Melancholy and tell me what you think, Rhogabred...

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

You mean like it's blue and red and flies in the sky?

Gabs smacks Deb upside her head.

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

No smacking the teacher!!!

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

Ok, check out the Sanguine and Melancholy and tell me what you think, Rhogabred...

Yes I agree with a touch of choleric...ok I won't hit the teacher again if she pays attention to detail!

 

[candleflame]

arent we a mixture of those, but will have a 'natural' mood that we will revert to especially when stressed. Thats usually the way with personality type indexes of which there are several. Why is there violence being given to Deb??

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

See? Sue loves me....

 

[candleflame]

See? Sue loves me....

hiya deb I know the english language and us brits are strange but what does 'upside her head' actually mean??

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

See? Sue loves me....

I am totally insulted...and you know you deserved the smack in the head...and you know that Bananna Brain......
AND I DON"T LOVE YOU?
BRITGURL you weren't here she was .....mean to me...Gabs pouts.
HUH ....Rhoda walks out and slams door!

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

hiya deb I know the english language and us brits are strange but what does 'upside her head' actually mean??

It means I smacked her in the side of her head like John Travoltas dad did in Saturday Night Fever!

 

[candleflame]

It means I smacked her in the side of her head like John Travoltas dad did in Saturday Night Fever!

thank you

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

On to the temperament strengths. I have some time this evening. I don't mean to give too much info at once, but I have to post it when I can.

Sanguine Strengths:

Sanguines can easily forget the past so their memories aren't stuck on memories of heartaches or disappointments. They don't give the future much thought either. Since they tend to live in the present, they are very optimistic.

Sanguines are easily inspired to engage in new plans and projects and their boundless enthusiasm often carries others with them.

The friendliness of the Sanguine stems basically from their genuine love for others. They enjoy being around others and they like to make new friends. It distresses them to see someone not enjoying themselves at a party and will usually go out of their way to include this type of person in a group.

Greatest assets are their tender, compassionate hearts. No one responds more genuinely to the needs of others than the Sanguine. They literally are able to share the emotional experiences, both good and bad, of others.

No one can love you more nor forget you faster than Sanguines. They live in the present.

When motivated and disciplined by God, they can be great servants of God.