Frequently Asked Questions About Temperament

 

John T. Cocoris, Th.M., Psy.D.

 

1. From where do we get our temperament?

(A) People are born blank (tabula rasa): Some believe that people start life as a "blank slate" (tabula rasa) and that the environment determines personality. (B) Temperament is inborn: This theory suggests that a person is born with a basic personality type, and that the inherent traits are developed according to that person’s response to their environment. Actually, ask any mother that has raised at least two children, and chances are that she will tell you that they were different from the beginning. For example, one child may have been very friendly and smiled at everyone; whereas, the other was always frightened when strangers were present.

2. Will my basic temperament change?

No. It is possible, however, to behave in a way that does not represent your temperament, but this will always be temporary. A situation may require that you behave in a way that is not natural for you to act, but when the need has passed, you will once again act in a way that represents your temperament.

 

3. Is there a "best" profile, temperament?

No. It is not a matter of "best," but difference. It does not matter what temperament you are. What matters is what you do with what you are. Someone has said; "It's not the size of the dog in the bite, it's the size of the bite in the dog!" No matter what your temperament is, you can achieve as much success as your desire and natural abilities will allow. In becoming successful, however, your behavior will represent your basic temperament.

 

4. Are temperament and personality the same?

No. They are many factors that make up the total personality of a person. Temperament is only one of the many parts.

 

5. Can any temperament be a leader or manager?

Yes. Each person will lead differently depending on their temperament. Notice: Cholerics and Sanguines will lead by inspiration. Phlegmatics and Melancholics will lead by example.

 

6. How do all the different terms used for referring to the temperaments correlate?

Over the years many different terms have been used to refer to the four temperaments. The most frequently used terms are Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Melancholy and DISC. I prefer using Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Melancholy. See how some of the others terms correlate.

CONCLUSIONS

Temperament is something you were BORN with it, and it will never change. For example, a Choleric-Sanguine will never become a Melancholy-Phlegmatic or any other temperament. That is not possible, just as it is impossible to change your basic body structure, both are genetic in origin. It is possible and desirable to control and modify your natural tendencies.

You are therefore NORMAL. You have natural strengths and weaknesses and it is okay to be yourself. You do not have to pretend to be someone else. Temperament study reveals that there is a natural way of behaving that is inborn. I am not suggesting that you always demonstrate the traits of your temperament, or that it is permissible to overlook areas that you need to control. I am saying that you need to behave like a controlled, mature person (regardless of your temperament). The following reasons are why you should relax and be yourself:

1. You are the most COMFORTABLE when you are behaving in a manner that
represents the controlled strengths of your temperament.

2. You are PERCEIVED in the BEST possible way when you are expressing the
controlled strengths of your temperament.

3. You have your most POSITIVE IMPACT upon others when you are expressing
the controlled strengths of your temperament.

4. You are the most EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT in life when you are expressing
the controlled strengths of your temperament.