In ancient Western cultures, personality theories played a crucial role in attempting to explain variations among individuals based on their physiological characteristics (Figueroba, n.d.). According to Figueroba (n.d.), these approaches specifically emphasized the importance of the relative proportion of humors, that is, bodily fluids.
The Theory of Humors
One of the first historical figures to develop the theory of the four humors was the Greek physician Hippocrates of Cos (Politi, 2020). In the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, in ancient Greece where Hippocrates lived, it was of utmost importance to believe that the entirety of the world was composed of various intertwined elements (Torres, n.d.). Therefore, Hippocrates adopted this approach, supporting the idea that the human body consisted of four fundamental substances, also called humors (Torres, n.d.). In the same line of thought, the Greek physician asserted that both health and illness were attributed to the balance or imbalance of these humors in the body (Cercós, 2013). However, according to Cercós (2013), Hippocrates added that there were other causes, such as seasons, winds, the geographical location of the individual, their gender, and even the stage of life they were in, factors that influenced the quantities of the different humors secreted by the body.
The bodily fluids, or humors, are linked to the four basic elements: air, fire, earth, and water (de León, 2020). Black bile is associated with the earth element, characterized by coldness and dryness. Individuals with a higher amount of black bile in their bodies tend to experience sadness and melancholy. On the other hand, yellow bile is related to the fire element, exhibiting warmth and dryness properties. Those with a higher amount of yellow bile often have a choleric temperament and are easily irritable. Blood, linked to the air element, is characterized by warmth and moisture. Individuals with more blood in their bodies are described as passionate, changeable, and active. Finally, phlegm is associated with the water element, presenting cold and moist properties. According to de León (2020), those with a higher amount of phlegm tend to appear apathetic and cold.
The Theory of Basic Temperaments
Based on all the mentioned background, two centuries later, Galen of Pergamum developed his theory of personality (Rodríguez, 2016). During that period, the physician made greater efforts to transform the theory of humors into the theory of basic temperaments, starting from the idea that each of them corresponds to one of the humors of the human body. He ended up applying this view to the primitive psychology of that time (Politi, 2020). In his perspective, the levels of each of the humors present in the human body can explain a person's personality and temperament style. This means that by observing the quantities of these substances, one can understand the style of behavior and the expression of emotions, among other aspects (Torres, n.d.). Similarly, in correspondence with Cercós (2013), he adds that these humors are created from the food given to the body and its innate heat.
Blood Temperament
Galen, in his statements, describes sanguine individuals as those who stand out for their joy and optimism, constantly seeking the company of others (Politi, 2020). Similarly, they express enthusiasm in their social interactions, orienting their behavior more towards feelings than towards conclusions derived from rational analysis (Torres, n.d.). In addition, these individuals tend to change their minds easily and act with little discipline, as they are guided by the pursuit of immediate pleasure (Politi, 2020). This is reflected in their tendency to frequently leave tasks unfinished (Torres, n.d.). In correspondence with Politi (2020), according to the theory of the four temperaments, their related element is air.
Phlegmatic Temperament
The phlegmatic temperament is characterized by a inclination towards calm and serene behavior, approaching goals in a perseverant and rational manner (Torres, n.d.). According to Galen's theory, individuals exhibiting this type of temperament place great importance on precision in their mental processes and actions (Torres, n.d.). These individuals rarely experience anger and do not overly express their emotions, which may give the impression of a certain indifference (Politi, 2020). Likewise, they show a tendency towards shyness and avoid taking on leadership roles or standing out in the center of attention (Torres, n.d.). According to Politi (2020), based on the theory of the four temperaments, these individuals are associated with the element of water.
Choleric Temperament
Individuals known for their choleric temperament are particularly energetic, proactive, and independent (Politi, 2020). They also show a tendency to always engage in activities or undertake projects and actively defend their views and positions in various situations (Torres, n.d.). Similarly, they believe in their own standards and are not afraid to confront others, making them assertive and prominent in leadership roles (Politi, 2020). However, if this temperament is too extreme, it can lead to many conflicts and hostilities (Torres, n.d.). In accordance with Politi (2020), according to the theory of the four temperaments, the element associated with them is fire.
Melancholic Temperament
Individuals known for their choleric temperament are particularly energetic, proactive, and independent (Politi, 2020). They also show a tendency to always engage in activities or undertake projects and actively defend their views and positions in various situations (Torres, n.d.). Similarly, they believe in their own standards and are not afraid to confront others, making them assertive and prominent in leadership roles (Politi, 2020). However, if this temperament is too extreme, it can lead to many conflicts and hostilities (Torres, n.d.). In accordance with Politi (2020), according to the theory of the four temperaments, the element associated with them is fire.
The Four Temperaments Theory and Psychology
This theory has been a reference throughout the history of psychology; however, it is currently not considered a valid theory (de León, 2020). On one hand, it was not formulated based on ideas and philosophical positions accepted today, and on the other hand, the description of the different temperaments is very ambiguous (Torres, n.d.). This implies that, although it may be inspiring to see one's personality reflected in one of these temperaments, part of the interest generated by this classification system may be due to the Forer effect. Finally, in Galen's time, psychology as a science did not exist, and the understanding of the functioning of the world and the human body was just beginning. In that context, vague concepts composed of various ideas were used, and although intuitively they may seem related, it cannot be justified that they are interconnected. For example, according to Torres (n.d.), there is no reason for the calm character and a rational way of thinking to be necessarily linked within the phlegmatic temperament.
The Theory of Temperaments Today
Galen's work has been a prominent reference throughout the centuries in the history of psychology (de León, 2020). Although the theory of the four temperaments lacks scientific validity today, this fact does not prevent it from being a source of inspiration for various contemporary personality theories in the field of modern psychology (Torres, n.d.). In correspondence with Torres (n.d.), numerous personality scholars have used the concept of temperament as a basis for the development of personality tests and measurement tools.
References
Cercós, A. (2013). LOS CUATRO TEMPERAMENTOS. Zaguan.unizar.es. Recuperado 20 July 2021, a partir de https://zaguan.unizar.es/record/12504/files/TAZ-TFG-2013-898.pdf
de León, Á. (2020). Teoría de los cuatro humores. Medium. Recuperado 20 July 2021, a partir de https://medium.com/introducción-a-la-psicolog%C3%ADa-ugr/teor%C3%ADa-de-los-cuatro-humores-bc75b734aa44
Figueroba, A. Los 4 temperamentos: como se explicaba la personalidad en la Antigüedad. Viviendo La Salud. Recuperado 20 July 2021, a partir de https://viviendolasalud.com/cuerpo-y-mente/tipos-temperamento
Politi, M. (2020). LOS 4 TEMPERAMENTOS. Es.linkedin.com. Recuperado 23 July 2021, a partir de https://es.linkedin.com/pulse/los-4-temperamentos-marcela-politi
Rodríguez, C. (2016). Teoría de los 4 temperamentos: Así definió las personalidades Galeno, ¿cuál eres tú? | Guioteca.com. Guioteca.com | Psicología y Tendencias. Recuperado 20 July 2021, a partir de https://www.guioteca.com/psicologia-y-tendencias/teoria-de-los-4-temperamentos-asi-definio-las-personalidades-galeno-cual-eres-tu/
Torres, A. Los 4 temperamentos del ser humano. Psicologiaymente.com. Recuperado 20 July 2021, a partir de https://psicologiaymente.com/personalidad/temperamentos-ser-humano
