The Concept of Temperament, type and preferences are explained here.

The Concept of Temperament

A very brief history

Going back over 2000 years, the ancient Greeks believed that there were four qualities that shaped the human personality. A really together person had these qualities well balanced. Other less fortunate types could be found at the extremes.

On one extreme you might be Phlegmatic, (rather passive and listless) or at the opposite pole--Choleric (hot tempered and excitable).. Similarly, at another extreme you could be Sanguine (cheerful, highly active, optimistic) or Melancholic (sad, depressed, quiet).

Much more recently, the Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung described individuals as types who were extraverted or introverted, sensing or intuitive, and thinking or feeling., and to some degree, judging or perceiving. (See descriptions on this page.)

Since then, many personality psychologists have developed related theories about the most basic temperament differences in human beings. A variety of scales have been developed to measure such traits, and other research has begun looking at the biological and genetic differences that may produce these traits. Today there is general agreement that between 30 and 50% of the differences between people in basic temperament traits, is inherited

Our approach to temperament builds on Jung's work and on Myer's conversion of his ideas into a workable measurement system--the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Our own scales measure similar traits and behaviors.

As you read the descriptions on this page we are confident that you will recognize these traits or "preferences" in people that you know!

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In the simplest sense, temperament refers to the idea that we all have certain inborn traits that we inherit. These traits differ from person to person and give us each a certain uniqueness. Getting to know about some of the basic differences can be very helpful in better understanding one another, and thus in parenting and in personal and family life.

Some Specific Definitions

Temperament: This word is usually reserved for very broad descriptions that might include two or several of the "preferences" listed below. It is also frequently used outside of the descriptions we have here, to mean any broad set of characteristics that are relatively permanent, show up early in life and have some genetic basis.

Preference: This comes from Jung and from the work done later by Myers to develop a measuring scale (the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI). Preference refers to the idea that in each pair of opposites below, we are capable of the behaviors on either side, but feel more comfortable, and thus prefer one set more than the other.

Type: Continuing with Myers and the MBTI, the four sets of opposites, giving eight possible preferences, can be combined to form 16 possible "types". For example, if you are Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking and Perceiving, using the first letter of each preference, we would say that you are an ESTP type. Each preference is seen as affecting the other preferences so that the outcome is a unique profile.

The Four Preference Pairs

Extraversion/Introversion

These are pretty familiar terms. We all know that extraverts tend to be sociable, like to be with large groups of people, and generally love to talk. What may be less familiar is that very strong extraverts tend to be somewhat impulsive and may be restless and unproductive when working alone for long periods of time. The truth is, there are strengths and weaknesses on both sides of all the preference pairs.

Introverts similarly prefer to socialize only with a few close friends and often enjoy spending time alone. They may find large groups and prolonged social events to be stressful. At the same they tend to find more internal stimulation in their own ideas, plans and potential projects and can be very content working on their own.

Sensing/Intuition

Sensors, as Carl Jung described them, are people with a great interest in the practical, here-and- now world. They love accumulating information, and building strong, useful skills. They may have little interest in a distant future, or in purely theoretical issues.

Intuitives go in directly the opposite direction, loving theory-building, always looking for the "Big Picture" imagining what the future might bring, and sometimes being impatient and even disrespectful of mere hard facts.

Thinking/Feeling

This distinction has nothing to do with the ability to think or to have feelings. Instead, it is basically a question of the strategy you rely on when you have decisions to make or unpleasant interpersonal issues to resolve. The thinker tends to rely on logic and reason as the primary tool in these situations, and to downplay both his or her own feelings and the feelings of others.

The person with a feeling preference, on the other hand, will tend to put the emphasis on his or her own emotional needs and values, and the same needs and values in others. The thinker might say "you're fired" and give several good logical reasons, believing this is helpful. The feeler might try to find a way to save the situation, or at least to let the other person down very gently.

Judging/Perceiving

These are probably the least familiar terms of the eight preference names, but when you read about them you will immediately realize that they describe qualities you see every day in friends, family, and perhaps yourself.

Strong judgers are persons who are highly organized, who like a structure to their days, and generally enjoy keeping to do lists and day planners. They are good at getting things done, but not so good at dropping everything they planned, to do something else.

Strong perceivers, on the other hand, tend to hate all of that. They like to see the day unfold as it will, may start and stop frequently on different activities or projects, and generally prefer a spontaneous approach to life. They can work with fierce enthusiasm on new and exciting projects, but are not so talented at follow-up and completion.