Author Topic: Misunderstood Temperaments (Read 3612 times)

Zeitun · « **on:** July 05, 2013, 06:01:23 PM »

Which is the most misunderstood termperament and why?

Choleric
Melancholy
Sanguine
Phlegmatic

Frances · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2013, 11:56:41 PM »

:cry: :confused1: The most misunderstood is the melancholic temperament because the inner life is kept carefully hidden from view-sometimes from the melancholic himself. Melancholics wear many masks.

wallflower · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2013, 02:57:20 AM »

From my observation, phlegmatics are the most misunderstood. Their strengths are less obvious, less flashy and they also tend to be scorned and looked down upon by the other 3, especially cholerics and sanguines.

Because cholerics and sanguines tend to be proud of their own weaknesses (how many times do such people boast about being loud or proud or willful, sarcastic etc...) they see what are actually the complementary strengths of the phlegmatic as weaknesses. It's only once they have the humility to realize that those characteristics within themselves are truly weaknesses that they are able to appreciate the characteristics within the phlegmatic as actual strengths.

StCeciliasGirl · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2013, 02:49:48 PM »

I've seen these terms used elsewhere but never knew what they were about; just used Wiki to see, but I'm not really clear on it all. I went to college early and participated in some study about how younger kids fit in with older ones (I think it helped pay for tuition, and my parents made me do it). I consistently tested INTJ; they never used any of these temperament terms, or even what INTJ meant. (I was fine in college, I think because of the way I carry myself: friendly, but assertive when I need to be.) Are the 4-letter personalities (INTJ) comparable to these temperaments, or are they totally different?

I've actually tried to use my INTJ assessment to change my personality to be a better Catholic. Like, if it says INTJs don't like details, I'd force myself to read a poet who described trees in great detail (though I still don't enjoy him). (GRR.) And I work hard on emulating truly humble, faithful people (Saints, but also living people I admire) hoping to ease up on my sometimes cold-seeming personality, but it's harder than it seems! It can come off fake (ie, offensive) to others, which I don't want.

Maybe I'd have more success seeming warm if I knew a temperament to "work on" and pray about that instead of the briggs-myers (?) 4-letter personality type. I've got to come off (1) more mature when I'm having fun (usually writing code or cooking or everyday things), but mostly (2) less cold and more holy when I'm in a high-stress situation.

tl/dr: does INTJ translate to these temperaments? If so, I'd throw that temperament in as the least-understood!

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2013, 10:44:05 PM »

INTJ has nothing to do with the four temperaments, I don't think.