The four temperaments originate in Ancient Greek medicine.

Hippocrates (5th century BCE) proposed that health and personality are governed by four bodily fluids or “humors.”

Later, Galen (2nd century CE) systematized this theory and linked the humors to psychological traits.

Each temperament was thought to result from an excess of one humor: blood, yellow bile, black bile, or phlegm.

Though outdated medically, the four types—Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic—remain influential in personality theory.

Element: Air

Qualities: Warm and moist

Personality: Social, energetic, talkative, lively, optimistic

Behavior: Enjoys people, easily distracted, creative, forgets obligations

Modern comparison: Extroverted and emotionally expressive

Element: Fire Qualities: Warm and dry Humor: Yellow bile

Personality: Ambitious, leader-like, passionate, easily angered

Behavior: Goal-oriented, confident, aggressive, impatient, not easily discouraged

Modern comparison: Assertive, dominant, sometimes aggressive

Element: Earth Qualities: Cold and dry Humor: Black bile

Personality: Thoughtful, introspective, detail-oriented, serious

Behavior: Prone to sadness, perfectionistic, loyal, needs solitude, deep thinker

Modern comparison: Introverted and analytical

Element: Water Qualities: Cold and moist Humor: Phlegm

Personality: Calm, kind, peaceful, reliable

Behavior: Avoids conflict, patient, compassionate, steady, sometimes passive

Modern comparison: Relaxed and agreeable

We’ll explore a simple two-question tool to reflect on your temperament.

1. Energy Direction (E or I):

E = I gain energy from being active, social, or in groups.

I = I gain energy from being alone, quiet, or reflective.

2. Response Style (F or A):

F = I react quickly, outwardly, and emotionally.

A = I stay calm, take time, and keep emotions inside.

GPT4o maps the 2 x 2 "answer space" onto the 4-temperament space in a following manner:

EF → Sanguine: Energetic, social, expressive

EA → Choleric: Driven, assertive, action-oriented

IF → Melancholic: Reflective, sensitive, thoughtful

IA → Phlegmatic: Calm, steady, harmonious

In four groups, discuss in what extent this attribution fits You and if it doesn't, why.