Four Temperaments: Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic Personality Types (2024)

Four Temperaments: Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic Personality Types (1)Today, there is no shortage of personality type theories, and our pages on personality types and tests are among the most popular pages on this site. This article is about one of the oldest personality type systems in the world — the four temperaments model.

The origins of this typology belong to Graeco-Arabic medicine, where it was successfully used to treat illnesses. In fact, it is still used today by practitioners of traditional medicine around the world.

Humorism, an ancient medical concept, is at the heart of this typology. Humors here refer to fluids that are present within one’s body.

Different people have different proportions of these fluids; the predominance of one fluid defines one’s temperament and psychological type.

For example, the predominance of a phlegm humor corresponds to a Phlegmatic personality type.

The four temperaments and their predominant humors are as follows:

  • Sanguine: blood
  • Phlegmatic: phlegm
  • Choleric: yellow bile
  • Melancholic: black bile

Arabic terms are as follows:

  • Sanguine: Damawiyy
  • Phlegmatic: Balghamiyy
  • Choleric: Safrawiyy
  • Melancholic: Sauda

The predominance of one humor is said to affect one’s appearance and behavior.

However, most people have mixed temperaments, and judging solely by appearance may be difficult for untrained enthusiasts such as ourselves.

Dr. Paul Hysen, Ph.D., provided some useful charts. Here is his chart for pure temperaments, and here is his chart for mixed temperaments.

NEW: Four Temperaments Test — take this quick test to find your predominant and secondary temperaments.

Modern medicine rejects this typology, but many new personality theories were developed based on this ancient concept, often disguised under different names.

Dr. Helen Fisher’s personality types — The Explorer, The Negotiator, The Director, and The Builder — bear a striking resemblance to Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic types, respectively. Having said that, this doesn’t minimize the value of her original research.

The sixteen Myers-Briggs types are based on Jung’s theory. However, four of their sixteen types are almost identical to the four basic personality types from the four temperaments model. The remaining twelve could as well describe all variations of mixed temperaments (more details on this below).

Modern psychology is not much kinder to the four temperaments concept and, in general, dismisses most personality theories altogether. Despite that, usage of its terms — sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic — persists in both scientific and everyday language.

Sanguine Personality Type

People with a sanguine personality type tend to be lively, optimistic, buoyant, and carefree. They love adventure and have high risk tolerance.

Sanguine people are typically poor at tolerating boredom and will seek variety and entertainment. Naturally, this trait can sometimes negatively affect their romantic and other relationships.

Because this temperament is prone to pleasure-seeking behaviors, many people with sanguine personalities are likely to struggle with addictions. Their constant cravings can lead to overeating and weight problems.

Sanguine people are very creative and can become great artists. Moreover, they are fantastic entertainers and will do well if they choose careers in the entertainment industry. Their natural abilities will also serve them well if they choose jobs related to

  • marketing,
  • travel,
  • fashion,
  • cooking,
  • or sports.

Sanguine Personality profile + all posts on Sanguines

Phlegmatic Personality Type

Someone with a phlegmatic personality is usually a people person.

What makes you the way you are? Take THIS TEST to discover your personality type.

They seek interpersonal harmony and close relationships, which makes phlegmatic people loyal spouses and loving parents. They make it a point to preserve their relationships with old friends, distant family members, and neighbors.

People with phlegmatic temperaments tend to avoid conflict and always try to mediate between others to restore peace and harmony.

They are very much into charity and helping others. Ideal careers for phlegmatic personality types should be related to

  • nursing;
  • teaching;
  • psychology or counseling;
  • child development;
  • or social services.

Phlegmatic personality profile + all posts on Phlegmatics

Choleric Personality Type

Someone with a pure choleric temperament is usually a goal-oriented person.

Choleric people are very savvy, analytical, and logical. Extremely practical and straightforward, they aren’t necessarily good companions or particularly friendly.

They dislike small talks and enjoy deep and meaningful conversations. They would rather be alone than in the company of shallow, superficial people.

Ideally, they want to spend time with people who have similar professional interests.

Ideal jobs for Cholerics are related to the following industries:

  • management;
  • technology;
  • statistics;
  • engineering;
  • programming;
  • business.

Choleric personality profile + all posts on Cholerics

Melancholic Personality Type

People with melancholic personalities love traditions. Women cook for men; men open doors for women.

They love their families and friends and, unlike sanguine people, they do not look for novelty and adventure. Even more so, they avoid it as much as they can.

Someone with a melancholic temperament is unlikely to marry a foreigner or leave their homeland for another country.

Melancholic people are very social and seek to contribute to the community. Being extremely thorough and accurate, they are fantastic managers with good personalities. Perfect careers for melancholic personality type should be in:

  • management;
  • accounting;
  • social work;
  • or administration.

Melancholic personality profile + all posts on Melancholics

Jung’s Equivalents for Each Personality Type

Pure Temperaments:

  • Sanguine –> ESFP
  • Phlegmatic –> INFP
  • Choleric –> ENTJ
  • Melancholic –> ISTJ

Mixed Temperaments (Predominant-Secondary):

  • Sanguine-Phlegmatic –> ENFP
  • Sanguine-Choleric –> ENTP
  • Sanguine-Melancholic –> ESFJ
  • Phlegmatic-Sanguine –> ISFP
  • Phlegmatic-Choleric –> INTP
  • Phlegmatic-Melancholic –> ISFJ
  • Choleric-Sanguine –> ESTP
  • Choleric-Phlegmatic –> ENFJ
  • Choleric-Melancholic –> ESTJ
  • Melancholic-Sanguine –> ISTP
  • Melancholic-Phlegmatic –> INFJ
  • Melancholic-Choleric –> INTJ

Click on the links above to read more about each personality type.

You can take a professionally developed scientifically validated test to find out your four-letter type HERE »

More reading:

  • Four Temperaments Test
  • How to sell to four personality types
  • The ultimate compatibility test
  • Are You Yin or Yang?
  • Top Earning Personality Types

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Four Temperaments: Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic Personality Types (2024)

FAQs

What is sanguine choleric melancholic and phlegmatic? ›

The four temperaments described individuals as sanguine (optimistic, social, and associated with the element of air), melancholic (analytical, quiet, earth), choleric (short-tempered, irritable, fire), and phlegmatic (relaxed, peaceful, water) (Buckingham, 2002).

What is the rarest of the four temperaments? ›

The choleric temperament is the rarest of the four primary types. Those with a choleric temperament are results-driven by making goals and sticking with them until they are completed.

What are the 4 types of temperament and their meaning? ›

The four temperament theory is a proto-psychological theory which suggests that there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic.

Which temperament is the best? ›

A phlegmatic is the most stable temperament. They are calm, easy-going, and they don't have emotional outbursts, exaggerated feelings, unforgiveness, or bitterness. A phlegmatic personality tends to be quiet and peaceful and they are sympathetic and care about the emotions of others.

Which temperament gets angry easily? ›

The temperaments are determined by the balance of these emotions. For example, the choleric temperament is more prone to anger than the other temperaments.

How would you describe your temperament? ›

Temperament:: warm, calm, serene, composed, gentle, mild pleasant, charming, delightful, jovial, cheerful, jolly, hearty, serious, matured, natural; impressionable, impassionate, spirited, excitable, imperturbable, staid, grave, sedate, demure, resigned, playful, unaffected; affected, quick, ferocious, acute, cutting, ...

What temperament is most common? ›

1. Sanguine. The most common temperament style, it can be found in men and women equally. Sanguine are usually people-oriented, outgoing, extroverted, talkative, and social.

What is the rarest temperament combination? ›

Choleric: This is the rarest temperament, especially for women. People who fall into this group are more task-oriented than people oriented; they're driven by results. Most Cholerics are confident, independent, and like to work alone rather than in a group.

Who is a choleric woman? ›

The choleric is the most active of the four temperaments. Choleric personalities are hot, dry, fiery, creatures. At their best they're ambitious, brave and proud, but they can also be vindictive, deceitful and violent. And without exception, they are irritable and bad-tempered.

What are the 4 main personality types? ›

There are four types of personality types: reserved, role models, average and self-centered. That's according to a new article published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.

What are the 4 personality styles? ›

Simple to understand and identify fast. The four personality types are: Driver, Expressive, Amiable, and Analytical. There are two variables to identify any personality: Are they better at facts & data or relationships?

What are the 4 types of temperament test? ›

The four temperaments is a theory that suggests there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic.

Can phlegmatic get angry? ›

Because the phlegmatic doesn't express emotions, this temperament can come across as a very bland or dull personality. Phlegmatic have no visible expression of anger. You won't see a look of anger or rage.

Who can a sanguine marry? ›

Because this is the most adventurous of the four temperaments, Sanguines are most compatible with their own type. These people are looking for a play mate; someone who will go adventuring with them, be it in conversation or all around the world.

Who can a melancholic marry? ›

Melancholic men and women are naturally compatible. These couples are most likely to fall in love and marry and at the same time, they are also least likely to divorce.

Which temperament is the most emotional? ›

Although people with a melancholic temperament generally keep their emotions guarded, they are still emotional individuals. They may be the most emotional of all the temperament types.

What are the weakness of a sanguine? ›

The Sanguine's major weakness is that they adopt severe and destructive behavior. This person will volunteer for difficult tasks and they can and will complete the project so long as their ego is being fed.

Are Cholerics selfish? ›

Lessons Learned from the Choleric Personality Type

Although they are often quick to be egotistical, which can lead to future problems, this personality type can also be inspirational. Their confidence rubs off on others, creating mutual levels of success that might not be available to other personality types.

What is easy temperament? ›

About 40% of babies and children have an easy temperament, meaning that they readily approach and easily adapt to new situations, they react mildly to things, they are regular in their sleep/wake and eating routines, and they have a positive overall mood.

What is a phlegmatic person like? ›

People with a phlegmatic personality are very agreeable. – Phlegmatics could be described as cooperative, considerate, charitable, sympathetic, trusting, and warm. They like to express their feelings, sometimes dramatizing their experience, which is the evidence of high estrogen activity.

What is temperament example? ›

Timmy, Kevin, and Andrew are examples of temperament types Thomas and Chess described as “easy,” “slow to warm up,” and “difficult.” In temperament terms: Easy children, like Timmy, are adaptable, positive in mood, and interested in new experiences; they get along well with others and are outgoing and friendly.

What is a difficult temperament? ›

Introduction. Difficult temperament describes children who are characterized by negative mood, withdrawal, low adaptability, high intensity, and low regularity (Thomas, Chess, Birch, Hertzig & Korn, 1963).

What is considered a difficult child? ›

Difficult temperament is characterized by irregular bodily functions, withdrawal from new situations, slow adaptability, negative mood, and intense reaction. Some difficult babies are also highly sensitive babies. Raising these children is difficult from the get-go.

What are good jobs for sanguine phlegmatic personality types? ›

Careers perfect for phlegmatics: nursing, education, psychology, office work, assistant roles, human or social services.

What is the least common personality type? ›

The least common Myers-Briggs personality Type is INFJ

People who prefer INFJ make up only 1.5% of the general population in the US.

What is the love language of a choleric? ›

Choleric-phlegmatic type is the most romantic type who places high importance on loyalty. They will give gifts and remember anniversaries. In general, with choleric people, you know where you stand. They will let you know what they want and how they wish to proceed.

Are melancholics romantic? ›

They are romantics. Melancholics secretly long for ideal love. This can make for very beautiful, intensely romantic relationships. Generally, melancholics find it difficult to make a move, let alone make the first move.

Can a melancholy marry a choleric? ›

Love at first sight is not likely to occur between a Choleric and a Melancholic couple. In fact, both sides tend to avoid each other and dislike each other's approach to life.

How do you make a choleric happy? ›

Cholerics, like melancholics, are more attuned to ideals than relationships. Avoid the talk of hurt feelings and delve into justice, honour, and appropriate behaviour. Get a choleric to talk about her reasoning. Give her a chance to explain her actions.

Can choleric marry sanguine? ›

As a general rule, the Sanguine and the Choleric personalities will not usually find each other very attractive; however, if they manage to fall in love, the union can be a very strong and bonding one indeed! Their conversations will be interesting because both are very intellectual personalities.

What is the personality test with 4 letters? ›

The four letters that make up your personality type can help you to understand yourself and your interactions with others. To find out what your MBTI personality type is you need to complete the MBTI questionnaire and take part in a feedback session from a qualified MBTI practitioner.

What are the 4 personality colors? ›

The Color Code is based on four types of personality, identified by color: Red, (motivated by power); Blue, (motivated by intimacy); White, (motivated by peace); and Yellow, (motivated by fun).

What does Type A mean? ›

The phrase "Type A" refers to a pattern of behavior and personality associated with high achievement, competitiveness, and impatience, among other characteristics. In particular, the positive traits of a Type A personality include: Self-control.

What are the 4 main personality types? ›

There are four types of personality types: reserved, role models, average and self-centered. That's according to a new article published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.

What are the 4 types of temperament test? ›

The four temperaments is a theory that suggests there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic.

What are the 4 temperaments of the 16 personalities? ›

Modern Psychology accepts the four ancient fundamental types of personalities developed by the Greco-Arabic system of medicine. They are the Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholic.

What are the four personality types ABCD? ›

Over the centuries, these basic categories have gone by several names and designations, but for our purposes, they are known as the director, the socializer, the thinker, and the supporter. As shorthand, though, we refer to those personality types as A, B, C, and D, respectively.

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