Many theories about personality and general psychology were developed long ago but still hold today. Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived from 460-370 BC, had a theory that connected the inner workings of the body to a person’s personality and behavior. He theorized that human feelings and behaviors are connected to an overload or depletion of body fluids that he called humors.
This led to the development of the four temperament theory which was later generalized to characterize and identify four main personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. While modern medicine has not found a biological link to the theories of Hippocrates, theorists continue to use the language of his early understanding of temperament to describe the different character traits of people today (Immerwahr, 1983).
Over time, theorists have defined people with a sanguine temperament as having mostly characteristics similar to extroverts; that is, being highly energetic and outgoing. Those with a sanguine temperament are talkative, charismatic, friendly, and full of life (Kavirayani, 2018).
Understanding the Four Fundamental Personality Types
The four fundamental personality types are a cornerstone in the study of human behavior and personality. These types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic, each come with their own set of unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. By understanding these types, individuals can gain deeper insights into their own behaviors and those of others, leading to improved relationships and communication.
The sanguine personality type is known for being outgoing, social, and talkative. Sanguine people are natural people-pleasers who thrive on social interaction and enjoy being the center of attention. On the other hand, choleric individuals are goal-oriented, analytical, and logical. They are natural leaders who enjoy taking charge and making decisions. Melancholic individuals are detail-oriented, thoughtful, and reserved. Often perfectionists, they prefer working independently and are meticulous in their approach. Lastly, phlegmatic individuals are easy-going, relaxed, and consistent. They are natural peacemakers who prefer to avoid conflict and maintain harmony.
Understanding these four fundamental personality types can help individuals identify their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of others. This knowledge can be instrumental in improving relationships, enhancing communication, and fostering overall well-being.
Traits of a Sanguine Personality Type
As with any personality trait, there are positive and negative attributes of a sanguine temperament that impact the daily lives of those who have them.
Positive Attributes of a Sanguine Temperament
- Full of Energy – A sanguine person is usually the one who never seems tired or down. They’re quick-witted and people find them clever and funny.
- Thrill Seeking – They love adventure and new experiences.
- Being Social Butterflies – They love being around people and crave the energy of interacting with others.
- Easy Going – They usually don’t take life too seriously and can get over any conflicts that arise without much difficulty.
- Optimistic – They usually have a positive outlook on life and can see the bright side of things.
- Strong Communicators – They love to talk and can convey information to others easily and comfortably, sharing ideas in a way that can interest others.
- Confident – Generally people with a sanguine temperament have high self-esteem and portray themselves as being confident in who they are.
- Mindful – Sanguine people often seem to live in the moment and don’t focus too much on the past or present.
Negative Attributes of a Sanguine Temperament
- Recklessness – Their tendency for thrill-seeking can put them in unsafe situations that could harm themselves or others (Saklofske et al., 2012).
- Impulsivity – They tend to make quick, irrational decisions.
- Poor Concentration – They may get easily bored and find it hard to stay focused on a task.
- Addictive Personality – They can develop a dependency on substances that feed their high need for excitement throughout their life.
- Neediness – They often need reassurance about their positive attributes from others, even if they feel confident. This can lead to a sense of neediness where they require a lot of reminders of their importance to others.
- Attention Seeking – They often need so much reassurance from others that they may struggle to feel completely devoted to their relationships; they never feel like one person can give them all the attention they need. This means that they end up engaging in activities that demand a lot of attention from crowds to show off their creativity and talent.
- Mood Swings – They can have mood swings and intense emotional outbursts without warning, which end as quickly as they start.
The Sanguine Personality in Relationships
The sanguine personality type is often the life of the party, known for their outgoing, social, and talkative nature. In relationships, sanguine individuals bring a vibrant energy and a desire to make others happy. They are natural people-pleasers who thrive on social interaction and enjoy being around others. However, their need for constant attention and social engagement can sometimes lead to conflicts in relationships.
Sanguine individuals are often drawn to other outgoing and social personality types, such as those with a choleric temperament. However, they can also find themselves attracted to more reserved and introverted types, like melancholic individuals. In relationships, sanguine people value communication, social interaction, and shared activities. They enjoy spending time with their partner and engaging in fun and exciting experiences together.
Despite their many positive traits, sanguine individuals can struggle with commitment and intimacy. Their need for social interaction and attention can sometimes lead them to seek validation from others, which can be hurtful to their partner. Additionally, their tendency to be overly optimistic and spontaneous can result in reckless decisions and impulsive behaviors.
By understanding the sanguine personality type in relationships, individuals can better navigate their interactions and communicate more effectively with their partners. Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of the sanguine personality type can help build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Self-Improvement and the Four Temperaments
The four temperaments and their characteristics are not based on any psychological or medical principle. However, they are a framework that theorists use to try to understand and categorize human behavior.
Understanding your secondary temperament can also provide insights into your behavior and help in personal development. If you struggle with some of the more difficult attributes of a sanguine temperament, you may find that working with a mental health professional or online counseling service can help you understand where some of these negative traits come from. You can then learn how to overcome them to have a happier, more deeply connected life.
Sources
- Ashton, M. C. (2017). Biological bases of personality. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 107–125). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-809845-5.00005-6
- Doody, J., & Immerwahr, J. (1983). The Persistence of the Four Temperaments. Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal,66(3), 348-359. Retrieved June 3, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41178265
- Furnham, A., & Cheng, H. (2018). Early predictors of trait extraversion in adulthood: Findings from a nationally representative sample. Personality and Individual Differences, 135, 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.07.026
- Kavirayani, K. (2018). Historical perspectives on personality – The past and current concept: The search is not yet over. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences, 6(1), 180. https://doi.org/10.4103/amhs.amhs_63_18
- Saklofske, D., Eysenck, H., Eysenck, S., Stelmack, R., & Revelle, W. (2012). Extraversion–Introversion. Encyclopedia of Human Behavior, 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-375000-6.00164-6
Dr. Shannon McHugh is a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults who have developmental and social delays, behavioral difficulties, and those who have experienced traumatic events