Four Temperaments (Four Humors)

The four temperaments is actually an an ancient theory. No one really knows who or where this theory was created. It is believed to be created around Ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia. These theory has been developed over time. Presumably, the first person to attempt to develope this theory was Hippocrates (460-370 BCE). Hippocrates had made this theory become more of a medical theory. He believed that the amount of body fluids (also called humors) would cause certain human moods, emotions, and behaviors to occur. The body fluids were yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm. Following Hippocrates, Galen had created the first typology of the temperaments by using the Four Elements (earth, water. air and fire). After Galen, Avicenna (980-1037 AD) and Nicholus Culpeper (1616-1654) had both extended the theory to relate to personalities and physiognomies. Today, these four temperament types are called sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. People who are of the sanguine temperament tend to be socialable and pleasure seeking. They are talkative, but not shy. Many times they believe that the things they do are right, however they may lack confidence. People of the choleric temperament are ambitious and leader like due to their aggression, energy and passion that they contain. However, if they do fail a goal, they can go into depression. Next, people who have the melancholic temperament are introverted and think a lot which causes them to be cautious of everything. These type of people typically are perfectionist. Yet, sometimes they're so into an activity, that they can forget other issues around them. Finally, people of the phlegmatic temperament are calm, and quiet. These type of people are able to view the world around them without getting involved which makes them good diplomats. At times, they can be passive-aggressive.

I've noticed that these are similar to Jung's sixteen personality types. The main difference between the both of them is that personality types can change, while temperaments cannot. Temperaments in form or another are the same at all times throughout the entire human's life. Perhaps, this is where Jung got his idea for his sixteen personality types. For anyone who would like to know what their temperament is they can take the test.