The Four Temperaments for the Family
The Four Temperaments - Know Thyself, and Know Thy Husband, and Know Thy Children.
Socrates, one of the most renowned of the Greek sages, used and taught as an axiom to his hearers:
"Know thyself."
"Know thyself."
One of the most reliable means of learning to know oneself is the study of the temperaments. For if a man is fully cognizant of his temperament, he can learn easily to direct and control himself. If he is able to discern the temperament of others, he can better understand and help them. (From The Four Temperaments and the Spiritual Life by Rev. Conrad Hock, 1937)
Resources
Determine Your Temperament:
- Best Resource is The Four Temperaments and the Spiritual Life (free read pdf) by Rev.Conrad Hock. Buy here for $3.25. There is a questionnaire to determine your temperament at the end. The little book is often out of print. If you can find it, it is a gem.
- Catholic Website with the Four Temperaments by Rev. Conrad Hock online and and includes an online quiz to determine your temperament quickly. (Queen of the Holy Rosary Academy)
- The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennet is a modern resource that can help you very specifically understand your temperament, your children's as well as your spouses (and the spousal combinations - fascinating!)-PDF with First Three Chapters gives you a good jist if you can't wait for the book to arrive.
- Full List of Character Traits Arranged According to Temperaments
- Did you know St. Peter was a Sanguinie-Choleric? St. Thomas was a Phlegmatic! Temperament Descriptions, including Popular Saints like you!
- Special Considerations in the Training and Treatment of Each Child/Temperament
- Sometimes you can be a combination of temperaments. Combine Temperament Descriptions here.
- Another online overview and another test to determine your temperament. (Fisheaters)
Quick Overview of the Four Temperaments
Choleric
Quick to react, intense reaction of long duration; leader; initiator; logical; pragmatic, person of action, forthright; pushes plans through; doesn’t display emotions easily, except anger; not given to anxiety; impetuous; eager to express himself; loves debate; can be defensive and prideful; persevering; self-confident; self-reliant; not a follower; driven to achieve goals; private; inclined to retaliation; extraverted; take-charge; argumentative; abhors sentimentality; logical; goal-oriented; decisive; intense; quick-tempered; optimistic; interruptive; needs acknowledgment; wants to be right; a doer; headstrong; competitive; looks for the positive; impatient; productive; makes decisions based on principles/ideas.
Melancholic
Slow to react, with intense reaction growing over time and of long duration; thoughtful; spiritual; deep; poetic; introverted; overly cautious; perfectionist; thinker; critical; doesn’t prioritize well; tends to discouragement and self-pity; worries over possible misfortune; can be a hypochondriac; easily hurt; slow and sometimes indecisive; pessimistic; moody; goal-oriented; detached from environment; few friends; exclusive; likes to be alone; second-guesses; introspective; holds grudges; abhors injustice; is motivated by problems; looks at the down side; idealistic; self-sacrificing; sensitive; makes decisions based on principles/ideas.
Sanguine
Quick to react; reactions of short duration; relationship-oriented; doesn’t hold grudges; life of the party; funny; loves to be with people; optimistic; likes groups; talkative; popular; docile; follower; seldom embarrassed; loves variety; attuned to environment; likes clothes; can be faddish; enjoys shopping and eating out; high energy; quick to forgive; welcomes change; frank; talkative; sociable; less interested in follow-through; can be superficial; cordial; makes friends easily; self-assured; carefree; eager; likes to talk in front of groups; enthusiastic; prone to vanity; artistic and creative; spontaneous; sometimes forgetful; processoriented; restless; makes decisions based on relationships/feelings; needs help in persevering; social butterfly.
Phlegmatic
Slow to react; doesn’t react intensely; reactions of short duration; quiet; diplomatic; peaceful; makes decisions based on relationships/feelings; sensitive to others; dependable; procedural; dispassionate; dry wit; follower; introverted; calm under pressure; dutiful; likes structure; requires motivating; hates conflict; enjoys peace and quiet; well-liked by most everyone; peacemaker; reserved; homebody; constant; polite; prefers routine; process-oriented; patient; tolerant; not easily provoked, but feelings can be easily hurt; well-behaved; respectful; would rather please others than do what he wants; orderly; can be sluggish or indifferent, unmotivated; low-key
No comments:
Post a Comment