Temperament Analysis

Introduction

 In psychology, temperament is a psychological characteristic which impacts the communication and human behavior. It is not possible to change the temperament since it is an innate aspect and for this reason, people should manage their temperamental qualities. Temperament is a basis of personality since throughout the development, temperament (emotional predispositions) and character (habitual behavior skills) create the personality model.  Temperament is the individual differences in self-regulation, emotional and attentional reactivity and, the concepts of temperament helps people understand the personality development. In addition, temperament is genetically inherited and are also influenced by the unique environment during development. 

 

 Many people will not understand why they act the way they do until they understand the role of temperament in their life. It is important to understand that people behave in different ways because of the temperaments. Thus, people should understand their temperaments and the temperaments of others to refrain from judgments. In the typical behaviors, humans show individual differences and these difference emerges during infancy and all the way to adolescence and adulthood (LaHaye, 1998). Another important point is that across the lifespan, the difference in personality traits that people exhibit encompass both temperament and personality.  On temperament, children are biologically different and their show the differences in emotional processes such as activity and self-regulation. Temperamental traits are heredity and they play an important role in early childhood development.  On personality, children possess different traits such as patterns of behaviors, characteristic adaptations such as social-cognitive adaptations and personal narratives (LaHaye, 1998).  In other words, temperaments occur earlier in life whereas personality occur later in life though they have much in common.

 

There are four personality traits that explain why people act the way they do.  These include the choleric, sanguine, melancholy and phlegmatic.  All people have each of these personality types though with varying degrees, and each type has general characteristics.  These types of personality have strengths and weakness, and all are needed in life.

Sanguine

 People who are sanguine are lively, compassionate, creative, and optimistic and they are interested in variety and entertainment.  Since they develop pleasure-seeking behaviors, they struggle with addictions, and this behavior affects their romantic relationships.  They may also suffer from weight problems as they like overeating due to the love of luxury and lack of self-control.  Sanguine like talking too much and they are extrovert (LaHaye, 1998).  However, they do not complete their tasks on time, and they are susceptible to alcohol, chemical imbalances, and addictions.

 

Choleric

People with choleric personality have leader-like character, and they focus on accomplishing goals.  They have self-control, self-confident, make decisions, strong-willed, well organized, unemotional, independent, logical, and goal-oriented, and they don't fear taking risks (LaHaye, 1998). However, they are domineering, rarely satisfied, aggressive, impatient, and they are prone to depression and mood swings.

 

 

Phlegmatic

 People with phlegmatic personality are quiet, they like unity and mediation, easygoing, calm, cool, sympathetic, affectionate, like building intimate attachments, like interpersonal harmony, avoid conflicts, peaceful and adaptable (LaHaye, 1998). However, they are indecisive, fearful, selfish, resists change and passive-aggressive.

 

Melancholic

People with a melancholic personality are thoughtful, self-reliant, and creative, they focus on making a difference, purposeful, self-sacrificing, idealistic, well organized, and economical, make creative solutions and independent (LaHaye, 1998).  However, they are prone to depression,   rare satisfied, feel hopeless and helpless, guilty and they worry much.

 

Conclusion

Today, people are interested in understanding human behavior, and 80% of college studying psychology to learn more on why they act the way they do and why people have different creative capabilities and tastes.  The research paper has shown that people are born with the temperament and this inherited temperament has a significant impact on the behaviors, emotional response and everything you do.  People should understand the temperaments, its inner power and its powerful influence on behaviors to foster interpersonal relationships, understand the weakness and strengths and live peacefully with other people.

 

 

 

References

 

LaHaye, T. (1998). Why You Act the Way You Do. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers.