Temperament By OKEKE IKECHUKWU ISAAC

TEMPERAMENT

Temperament influences everything you do, it is the Number One influence on a person’s life, like body structure, colour of eyes, and other physical characteristics, it escorts us through life. That is why it is so essential to know your temperament and to be able to analyse other people’s temperaments, not to condemn them, but so you can maximize your potential and enable them to maximize theirs.
 It is a person’s temperament that makes him outgoing and extroverted or shy and introverted. The heart of the temperament theory, divides people into four basic categories, named sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic. Each primary temperament may be altered or modified in some significant way because of the influence of the secondary temperament. There are at least three levels of intensity of a temperament: classic, moderate, and mild. Each temperament type has both strengths and weaknesses that form a distinct part of his makeup throughout life. Once a person diagnoses his own basic temperament, he is better equipped to ascertain what vocational opportunities he is best suited for and what natural weaknesses he must work on to keep from short-circuiting his potential and creativity.
CHOLERIC
Cholerics are extroverted, quick-thinking, active, practical, strong-willed, and easily annoyed. They are self-confident, self-sufficient, and very independent minded. They are brief, direct, to the point, and firm when communicating with others and thrives on activity. S/He does not need to be stimulated by his environment, but rather stimulates the environment with their endless ideas, plans, goals, and ambitions. S/He does not engage in aimless activity, for s/he has a practical, keen mind, capable of making sound, instant decisions or planning worthwhile projects.
They leave little room for negotiating—it’s usually their way or no way. They can be crusaders against social injustice, and they love to fight for a cause. They are slow to build relationships, and tend to have only a few close friends, because results are more important than people. Cholerics do not easily empathize with the feelings of others or show compassion. They think big and seek positions of authority.
SANGUINE
The Sanguine is extroverted, fun-loving, warm, buoyant, playful, activity-prone, impulsive, entertaining, persuasive, easily amused, and optimistic. They are enthusiastic, expressive, and tend to be very affectionate. Sanguines are personable, receptive, open to others, and build relationships quickly. They are animated, excitable, approachable, accepting, and trusting of others. They will smile, and talk easily and often. Sanguines are word smiths. Sanguines are naturally people-oriented. They have an active, positive movement in a favourable environment. They influence their environment by encouraging others to work together.
It is not unusual to feel as if you have known one who is Sanguine for years after the first meeting. They make and keep friends easily. They get so involved in conversations that they easily forget about time, and are often late arriving at their destination. Sanguines are easily bored if not involved in social activity. A Sanguine is a fascinating storyteller and their warm, emotional nature almost helps you relive the experience as they tell it.
MELANCHOLY
A Melancholy is an analytical, factual, logical, self-sacrificing, gifted, perfectionist type with a very sensitive emotional nature. People with the melancholy temperament type are detail and quality oriented, they are obsessed with finding what is right rather than being right all the time. The melancholy exceptional analytical ability causes him to diagnose accurately the obstacles and dangers of any project he has apart in planning and to function without anxiety, these people need to have a solid plan for action and follow it to the letter. They are also conscientious and work to make sure all details are as perfect as possible.
The melancholy temperament is a rule follower. They can be cautious and tentative in unfamiliar environments, but they can also become aggressive when faced with an unfavourable situation. This temperament is generally well organized, even if they become cluttered. They are usually on time for appointments and expect others to be as well. Before making decisions, they will gather as much information as they can and ask specific questions to make sure they are making the right decision.
People of the melancholy temperament are private, introverted and also suspicious, they do not make friends easily as they are slow to trust others until they are sure of their intentions. It is difficult for them to form relationships, and they have high standards for the relationships they do form.
PHLEGMATIC
Phlegmatic is the calm, easy-going, never-get-upset individual. He is the easiest type of person to get along with and is by nature the most likeable of all the temperaments. He is so calm and unruffled that he never seems agitated, no matter what circumstances surround him. He is the one temperament type that is consistent every time you see him.
People with the phlegmatic temperament type are service oriented. They are introverted, but will frequently work together with others to achieve a common goal. They are passive, which leads to a lack of ambition or sense of urgency, even when working with others. They can be indecisive and agreeable, and are usually happy to allow others make decisions for them.
Phlegmatic temperament people are slow to warm up to others but will make friends fairly easily. They are one of the easiest temperament types to get along with because they are so agreeable and patient. However, they stick closely to their routines and resist change.
People with a phlegmatic temperament tend to live quiet lives centred around home and family. They don't get involved in the world around them or with other people. However, they are fiercely loyal to their friends and will stick by a relationship regardless of what the other person does or says. However, once a relationship does break, they are not likely to return to it
CONCLUSION
Temperament is our permanent psychological nature determining how we think, behave, interact, and work. The greatest mistake would be to expect someone to become like us or vice versa. With better understanding of our individual peculiarities, we can take advantage of them for a successful career and happier life.




OKEKE IKECHUKWU ISAAC.
OS/19B/3613
University of Benin.
Chemical Engineering.
Anambra state.