Thursday, February 22, 2007

A Couple of Questions LVII

Have you ever determined your personality profile? The Sanquine vs. Phlegmatic sort of stuff? That was addressed at the Womens' Retreat a couple of weeks ago so I thought I'd bring it up now. I'm attaching some basic info about the four personality types as well as a website where you can take a quiz to determine yours - if you are interested. (FYI- You don't need to "sign up" or anything on the website, just supply your email so they can send the results). So, here are the questions, with this concept in mind.......

1. What is your dominant personality match - or are you a pretty even mix?

2. Any surprises or thoughts on this revelation, or any thoughts about how it explains other people in your life?


Here's the web address if you are interested in taking a quiz, I'm sure there are lots of other sites as well:
http://www.4marks.com

Here's some basic info I dredged up:

The four personality types

Sanguine
A person who is sanguine is generally optimistic, cheerful, even-tempered, confident, rational, popular, and fun-loving. They can be daydreamy to the point of not accomplishing anything and impulsive, acting on whims in an unpredictable fashion. Sanguines usually have a lot of energy, but have a problem finding a way to direct the energy.

Choleric
A person who is choleric is a doer and a leader. They have a lot of ambition, energy and drive, and try to instill it in others, but can dominate people of other temperaments, especially phlegmatic types. Many great charismatic, military and political figures were cholerics. On the negative side, they are easily angered or bad tempered.

Melancholic
Often very kind and considerate, melancholics can be highly creative - as in poets and artists - but also can become overly obsessed on the tragedy and cruelty in the world, thus becoming depressed. A melancholy is also often a perfectionist, being very particular about what they want and how they want it in some cases. This often results in being unsatisfied with one's own artistic or creative works, always pointing out to themselves what could and should be improved.

Phlegmatic
A phlegmatic person is calm and unemotional. While phlegmatics are generally self-content and kind, their shy personality can often inhibit enthusiasm in others and make themselves lazy and resistant to change. They are very consistent, relaxed, and observant, making them good administrators and diplomats. Like the sanguine personality, the phlegmatic has many friends. But the phlegmatic is more reliable and compassionate; these characteristics typically make the phlegmatic a more dependable friend.

4 comments:

StephieAnne said...

1. According to this quiz, I am CHOLERIC. However, in a a little quiz I did in connection with John's Bible Study, I was a mix of everything except SANGUINE.

2. Surprises- yes. I know that if I had taken this quiz in high school I would not have been CHOLERIC - there's no way that I thought myself of being a leader or having a "take charge" personality. Even now, I don't necessarily see myself that way, but given the amount of emails I've sent over the last two months to organize activities that involve groups of people, ok, I guess, I do like to take charge of getting things done.

My hubby is most definitely SANGUINE - however, he also as become quite CHOLERIC which is a neat thing, at least for him, as it means he believes in himself enough to take on that leadership role he is capable of, and it also means that when he needs to "put me in my place" (as occassionally needs to happen =) ) - he has gathered a lot of knowledge on how to understand me.

Brayden - at this point - ALL SANGUINE! I remember the day I read this stuff, where I was even - and it being such a light bulb moment in understanding why he is who he is - as for Mikayla - she's really such a by-product of me, I think there's quite a mix-up at this point.

Hope this has all been a fun experience for you!

Anonymous said...

WOW! THIS IS ME, IN ALL MY MELANCHOLIC GLORY!! TOTALLY TRUE.

Your test results indicate your primary temperament is melancholic
Time alone is vital for this reflective, introspective temperament. A perfectionist at home and on the job, the melancholic is likely the one with the perfectly organized closet and kitchen, the tidy desk-top, and the painstaking attention to religious observances, sometimes to the point of scrupulosity. A melancholic longs for a deep soul mate, yet when he is around people, he often finds himself mistrustful and disappointed. Sensing this criticism, others will keep their distance—thus further entrenching the melancholic in his solitary life. In relationships, the melancholic tends to be slow to initiate, cautious, hyper-critical, and pessimistic--yet, once committed, they are unwaveringly loyal and self-sacrificing.

StephieAnne said...

Heather, have you ever done this before, or was it a new discovery? I think, for those who fit into primarily one category, it can be really enlightening. I have a friend who is totally SANGUINE married to a total PHLEGMATIC - for years they've struggled - her being passionate, impulsive, driven, very social - and him being quiet, the peacemaker, quite uncommunicative, etc. I think they spent a good part of their first decade trying to change each other, but are finally realizing how futile that attempt is. It can be pretty insightful.....

HollieHobbie said...

Let me see if I can answer this without the terms right in front of me. While I was reading Sanguine I was like "yeah that is me....oh no not there...the high energy part" Then I went to Choleric and said "hmmm there I am...oh there is that high energy thing again" Then I got to Melancholic and interestingly I identify with that most: the perfectionist but never content with my own productivity. I always thought melancholy was like an Eeyore, but seeing this description makes it actually appealing to me.
Phlegmatic: yeah not me.
I'll post again after I take the quiz.