FOUR TEMPERAMENTS

 

THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS

We humans are basically either extrovert or introvert by temperament, though for most there is a dominance of one with some nuances of the other. The basic problems of the Extrovert will be behavioural conflicts, namely, temper, dishonesty, rebellion, confrontation, cruelty, perhaps promiscuity, up to the scale of psychopathic criminal.

The basic problems of the Introvert would be emotional turmoil, chronic dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, irritability, jealousy, fantasies, perhaps the obsessions associated with religious scruples and sexual disorders.

Strong extroverts are of choleric temperament, identified by their physical energy and drive, their restless activity in organising and promoting (quite possibly) their own welfare. Psychologically self-sufficient, their ego needs are their first priority. {“I got to be me”}. The strong extrovert’s faults will arise from their conflicts with others, which they will confess, and from the neglect of their marriage and family, which they are not likely to confess because they see these responsibilities satisfied with material contributions. The predominant faults of the choleric are anger and independence. Much of what they say in confession can be traced to these.

They should be counselled in the general direction of growth in the consideration of others’ rights and feelings and the self-regulation that comes from obedience to the laws of God. They need advice not be a law unto themselves.

Since the soft extroverts are of sanguine temperament, they are identified by their friendly smile, pleasant nature, versatile talents, entertaining conversation and spontaneous generosity. On the default side, they tend to be irresponsible, superficial, careless and unstable. These faults limit their sincerity and effectiveness for repentance and purpose of amendment. The light frivolous manner of their admission of their faults betrays their temperament. The faults of the sanguine are due mostly to forgetfulness and the pursuit of sense pleasure.  They need guidance to daily acts of self-denial.

            Strong Introverts are of melancholic temperament, humanitarians caught between their compulsion to solve the problems of the world and their desire to take refuge in a peaceful, ordered life. The canonised saints were mostly melancholic, and this fact indicates the potential of the melancholic to develop mystical prayer and heroic charity under expert direction.  The faults of the melancholic are due to their inability to cope with reality in a practical manner, their well-intentioned but misguided interference in the lives of others, their sensitivity to imagined hurts, almost, sometimes to the point of the paranoiac. They need advice to turn from a complete self-involvement, which is a species of neurosis, to a greater orientation towards selfless charity and the glory of God.

 Soft Introverts are of phlegmatic temperament, identified by their slow, relaxed tempo, even-mannered emotional responsiveness and their thoughtful probing analysis of life. These are their plus points. The faults of the phlegmatic will be sins of omission, the neglect of duty, the failure to meet the needs of others and the independence and stubbornness used for resisting demands on their energy. It usually is very difficult to motivate the phlegmatic. One will have to compromise for minimum ideals and expect only slow progress.

 Extrovert and introvert partners are oriented in opposite directions, choleric unable to provide the close, personal intimacy and continued, supportive presence so essential to the melancholic. The choleric child will challenge the parents, dominate them if they are weak or, if they are strong, challenge them in a battle of wills. The phlegmatic spouse or child uses passive resistance against external pressures, like a turtle he/she seeks refuge in a shell of indifference.

            Obviously these are merely thumbnail and overly generalised sketches of the four types of personality, and the most basic. The endocrine system and the functioning of various sectors of the brain, alone or in combination, determine the individual temperament in these four groups. There is always prayer, spiritual direction and dialogue to help resolve temperamental conflicts and discover horizons of healthful behaviour.