Human temperament and types

Human temperament are individual features that determine the characteristics of mental processes, emotional reactions and form of behavior. It depends on it, such qualities as mobility, speed of reaction or activity. Studies of human temperament began several centuries ago, as indicated by the works of ancient Greek philosophers.

For starters it is worth noting that the temperament and character of a person are things completely different. Character - these are the qualities that are formed, starting from the moment of birth. They completely depend on the influence of the environment - the behavior of parents and close people, the way of life, some important events, work, etc.

The human temperament is an innate quality that is inherent in nature. It demonstrates the dynamic personality and influences the formation of character. But it is worthwhile to understand that views, interests, beliefs and other indicators of personality can not be attributed to the characteristics of temperament.

Human temperament and its main characteristics

The modern doctrine of temperament was founded by the works of the famous researcher I. Pavlov, who believed that the dynamics of mental processes depends on two main processes in the nervous system - inhibition and excitation. These processes depend on the following three factors:

• Strength - the ability of neurons to transmit concentrated or prolonged nervous excitement;
• Balance, which characterizes the harmonious relationship between the processes of excitation and inhibition;
• Mobility - is responsible for the rapid occurrence of a response to an external stimulus, the rate of development and decay of nervous processes.

Temperament and its types

So, modern psychologists distinguish four basic types of human temperament:

• Choleric;
• Sanguine;
• Melancholic;
• phlegmatic person;

Each of these types has its own characteristics, on which the behavior and dynamics of a person depends.

Sanguine

Features of such a nervous system is strong, balanced and mobile processes of excitation - inhibition. All the emotions and feelings of such a person arise quickly and manifest themselves strongly, but they also fade. A person with this type of temperament is an optimist with a good mood. He easily adapts to the new environment and quickly becomes the "soul of the company." I am always ready to make new friends and come to their aid.

On the other hand, his feelings are very unstable. Flaming interest in a person or work quickly fades away. A person can quickly change his anger to mercy and vice versa. But mental or physical labor, especially if it is associated with stress, quickly tires the sanguine person and he loses interest in it.

Choleric

People with a similar temperament can be called unnecessarily emotional, quick-tempered, unbalanced. If we talk about qualitative characteristics, then the excitation processes prevail over the inhibition of the reaction. That's why choleric people are so unrestrained, irritable and impulsive.

The speech of such people is quick and hasty, accompanied by sharp gestures and very expressive facial expressions. As for adaptation in society, such a person sometimes seems very harsh, intolerant and unrestrained, and his judgments are subjective.

In the work of choleric people, energetic and purposeful, they gladly give themselves to the cause. But the nervous system, which is constantly in tension, can be exhausted. In this case, the person weakens, feels broken and unhappy.

Phlegmatic person

A person with this temperament is always calm and balanced, almost never gets mad. But on a par with that, he is a bit slow, and sometimes inert to others. In such people, emotions do not appear in any way - they are self-controlled and cold-blooded.

Melancholic

All mental processes in such a person proceed slowly, the reaction to events is formed long. And although the emotions and feelings of these people are not formed immediately, they are very deep and strong. Melancholics are very vulnerable, any resentment is difficult, and sometimes even brings a person to a deep depression.

Man's temperament plays a huge role in his life. But it is worthwhile to understand that the above-described forms of temperament in pure form are extremely rare. Most often the human temperament is a mixture of two or even three varieties.