Hippocrates’ Humoral Theory of Temperament
Everyone knows the division into choleric – melancholic – phlegmatic – sanguine. This classification comes from Hippocrates and is called Hippocrates’ humoral theory of temperament. It divides people according to the bodily fluids:
- sanguis (blood)
- chole (yellow bile)
- melanchole (black bile)
- phlegma (phlegm)
I was most interested in this in 2013, when I had a friend who was very skilled in psychology – for her it was the greatest field of science. Back then I also took a test 👻 The personality test on brno-online.cz no longer exists. and it gave me these results:
How the brno-online.cz website views the individual personality types is answered by 👻 The typology on brno-online.cz has vanished without a trace..
Specifically about me as a phlegmatic, it says:
Positive sides The phlegmatic is the easiest of all temperament types to get along with. He is a blessing to his parents, because he is content wherever you put him. He likes friends, but he is happy on his own too. He adapts easily to any situation. He is purposeful. Among others he is a subdued personality and withstands pressure well. He approaches everything calmly, deals with things step by step, he is simply easygoing.
An admirable quality is keeping calm, cool-headed and focused in every situation. He is never in a hurry and cannot be thrown off balance. He has come to terms with the treacheries of life and does not place great hopes in anything. He is reliable and persistent, has good clerical skills and handles administrative work perfectly. He tries to keep peace around him and acts as a mediator and problem solver. He has lots of friends because he is easy to get along with, he is the best of friends. He never offends anyone, he knows how to listen, he feels no need to talk, he can be a shoulder to cry on or an understanding audience.
Negative sides He cannot get excited about anything, and there is no situation that would make him angry. He resists any change and does not like trying or coming up with new things. He looks like a lazybones, postpones practical work or avoids it entirely. He does not like taking responsibility for his life. He does not show his feelings and seems terribly dull. He does not like saying no. He is afraid to make decisions.
MBTI Personality Typology
Then, in the same year 2013, I took a personality test based on MBTI. You can read more about it at https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator . The most elaborate treatment on the Czech web is on the page 👻 mujtyp.cz – The domain has run out like prepaid credit on a phone card. which draws information from https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFP , where I also took the test.
It came out as type INFP, about which that page says: Short description: idealist, dreamer, prone to sadness, emotionally vulnerable, longs for deep relationships, submissive, perceptive, easily intimidated yet loyal, selfless – capable of great sacrifices, often wearing “rose-tinted glasses” Longer description: A quiet, sensitive dreamer who fantasizes about living in a perfect world . Longs for deep relationships and for doing good. Tends to idealize everything at first. The right job for him is one where his frequent lapses in concentration do not matter (what may look like laziness is merely escaping into a world of fantasy) and where, on the contrary, his highly developed aesthetic sense will be put to use. It is therefore no surprise that he finds the greatest fulfillment as an artist . Especially as a poet, writer or painter.
He can often put his innate idealism to use as an activist fighting for all kinds of rights. His interests often include psychology, religion, esotericism, philosophy and art. He believes in some form of the supernatural. However, he does not like organized religion (mass celebrations, strict commands and prohibitions…)
Deep down, the dreamer is selfless and willing to make great sacrifices . Most of the time he is either in a “rose-tinted glasses” phase (uncritical admiration) or in a phase of disappointment and sadness. He copes badly with stress, pressure or threats. He does not like being the center of attention and has no career ambitions. He would rather observe than get involved in the action.
He often acts on a momentary impulse or mood. He does not like guidelines, schedules and deadlines. In relationships he seeks complete understanding, a union of souls. He is very empathetic and attentive to other people.
He cannot say no, which leads to others sometimes taking advantage of him. I have to say it fits me to a T. The MBTI typology is very popular and even in Czech you can find many other sources and information, here for example in the form of a bulleted list: “Idealist, dreamer” (1%)
- INFPs focus their energy on an inner world of intense feelings and a deeply experienced ethical dimension of life; in the outer world they then try to live up to these values
- they are curious and try to understand others
- they are tolerant and adaptable – as long as their inner values are not threatened
- outwardly polite but reserved, so they are hard to get to know
- INFPs like to talk, but mainly about something unusual or peculiar
- they avoid conflict and are therefore pleasant company, with a command of tact and diplomacy
- they care about the emotional well-being of those close to them, because they long for constant harmony (unless their ethical sense is outraged, then they can even rage – or fight)
- INFPs gain their insights through reflection, so they really need time alone to digest and understand new information (on an emotional level)
- routine bores them
- sometimes they have high standards and become perfectionists (for example, they redo an entire piece of work)
- they have a gift for language and good verbal skills, but as introverts they may prefer writing
- through intuition they tend to think in symbols, analogies and metaphors, which they enjoy
- they constantly look for new ideas and adapt easily to change
source: https://ografologii.blogspot.com/2011/02/infp.html
DISC Personality Typology
Now Michael has lent me a book about the DISC personality typology. According to it I am an “S” – Steadiness. It is perhaps a bit more Biblical, but that is beside the point. On the Czech internet you will find hardly any test for this typology, but there are plenty of seminars and training courses for big bucks.
I took one that had only 6 questions, so the result may be very inaccurate. Information is also very scarce, for example on 👻 This URL has long led nowhere – the GPS lost its signal for good.it says only this about “S”: Type S describes a reserved, people-oriented person. The “S” type is friendly and reliable.
He enjoys being part of a team and likes having good relationships around him. He does not mind routine work. Its ranks include a great many people who keep human society running every day. This includes teachers, shop assistants, nurses, people in professions that are close to people.