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Four Temperaments
The Four temperament theory is a proto-psychological theory that suggests that there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. Most formulations include the possibility of mixtures between the types where an individual's personality types overlap and they share two or more temperaments.

History and development
Temperament theory has its roots in the ancient four humors theory. It may have origins in ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, but it was the Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 BC) who developed it into a medical theory. He believed certain human moods, emotions and behaviors were caused by an excess or lack of body fluids (called "humors"): blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Next, Galen (AD 129 – c. 200) developed the first typology of temperament in his dissertation De temperamentis, and searched for physiological reasons for different behaviors in humans. He classified them as hot/cold and dry/wet taken from the four elements. There could also be "balance" between the qualities, yielding a total of nine temperaments. The word "temperament" itself comes from Latin "temperare", "to mix". In the ideal personality, the complementary characteristics or warm-cool and dry-moist were exquisitely balanced. In four less ideal types, one of the four qualities was dominant over all the others. In the remaining four types, one pair of qualities dominated the complementary pair; for example, warm and moist dominated cool and dry. These latter four were the temperamental categories Galen named "sanguine", "choleric", "melancholic" and "phlegmatic" after the bodily humors, respectively. Each was the result of an excess of one of the humors that produced, in turn, the imbalance in paired qualities.

Four fundamental personality types
Most individuals tend to have aspects of their personality that identify with each of the four temperaments. However, usually there are two primary temperaments that are displayed at a significantly higher level. An individual could be any combination of the following four temperaments:

Sanguine
The personality type of Sanguine, is described primarily as being enthusiastic, active, and social. Sanguines tend to be more extraverted and enjoy being part of a crowd; they find that being social, outgoing, and charismatic is easy to accomplish. Individuals with this personality have a hard time doing nothing and engage in more risk seeking behaviour.

Choleric
Choleric individuals tend to also be more extraverted. They are described as being Independent, decisive, and goal oriented. They enjoy being in charge of a group since they have many leadership qualities as well as ambition. Choleric personalities also have a logical and fact-based outlook on the world.

Melancholic
These individuals tend to be analytical, detail oriented, and are deep thinkers and feelers. They are introverted and try to avoid being singled out in a crowd. A melancholic personality leads to self-reliant individuals, who are thoughtful, reserved, and often anxious. They often strive for perfection within themselves and their surroundings, which leads to tidy and detail oriented behaviour.

Phlegmatic
A phlegmatic individual tends to be relaxed, peaceful, quiet, and easy-going. They are sympathetic and care about others, yet try to hide their emotions. Phlegmatic individuals also are good at generalizing ideas or problems to the world and making compromises.

Sources for the four temperaments
I chose this topic because it was my first experience with a personality test and got me interested in personality in general.

I am going to add a section for each temperament so there is more detail and I will add how to measure it if I can find appropriate sources.

Merenda, P. F. (1987). Toward a four factor theory of temperament and/or personality. Journal of Personality Assessment, 51, 367-374.

Lester, D. (1990). Galen's Four Temperaments and Four-Factor Theories of Personality: A Comment on "Toward a Four-Factor Theory of Temperament and/or Personality". Journal of Personality Assessment, 54, 423-426.