| Types of Temperaments “Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” _______________________________ The following is a brief outline of Fr. Jordan Aumann’s treatment of Types of Temperaments in his book entitled Spiritual Theology (Sheed & Ward: London, 1980) pp. 140-147. Temperament is “the pattern of inclinations and reactions that proceed from the physiological constitution of the individual…[it] is something innate and hereditary…something permanent…[which] admits of only secondary modification.” “Individuals generally manifest a combination of several temperaments, but one or another will usually predominate.” SANGUINE “A person of sanguine temperament reacts quickly and strongly to almost any stimulation or impression, but the reaction is usually of short duration. The stimulation or impression is quickly forgotten, and the remembrance of past experiences does not easily arouse a new response.” Good qualities: affability & cheerfulness; sympathy & generosity; sensitivity & compassion; docility, sincerity, & spontaneity. The not so good: superficiality, inconstancy, & sensuality. MELANCHOLIC “The melancholic temperament is weak as regards reaction to stimulus, and it is difficult to arouse; however, after repeated impressions the reaction is strong and lasting, so that the melancholic temperament does not forget easily.” Good qualities: inclination to reflection, piety, & the interior life; compassion & ability to suffer out of duty; a sharp & profound intellect. The not so good: tendency to sadness & melancholy; to magnify difficulties & thus to lose confidence is self; excessive reserve & timidity; prone to scrupulosity, to suffering in silence, & to pessimism. CHOLERIC “Persons of choleric temperament are easily and strongly aroused, and the impressions last for a long time. Theirs is the temperament that produces the great saints or great sinners, and while all the temperaments contribute to sanctity, the choleric temperament is outstanding.” Good qualities: great energy & activity, sharp intellect, strong & resolute will, good powers of concentration, constancy, magnanimity, & liberality. The not so good: hardness, obstinacy, insensibility, anger, & pride. PHLEGMATIC “The phlegmatic is rarely aroused emotionally and, if so, only weakly. The impressions received usually last only a short time and leave no trace.” Good qualities: assiduous; not easily irritated by insults, misfortunes, or sickness; tranquil, discreet, & sober; common sense; careful in speech; has a good heart; prudent, sensitive & reflective. The not so good: procrastination, lack of interest; tendency to live by and for themselves; reluctance to self-denial. _______________________________ Character (ethically) = “the pattern of habits cultivated by an individual in accordance with his or her accepted principles and values.” Temperament is unchangeable, but “it is the material out of which character is made, much in the same way as the clay or marble or wood will be the material out of which a particular statue is fashioned. It is character that gives the formal distinction to the personality.” Factors that affect character are: 1) education, 2) environment, and 3) personal effort. |
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