The Relation between MBTI and the Four Temperaments
This was in my notes for a while. I wanted to look at how the four temperaments/cardinal humors connect with each MBTI type, making it reliable for typing.
Basics of the Temperaments
We should start with a frame of reference. One challenge is that there are many competing views of the four temperaments. For example, when you think of Melancholic, you often picture someone who is more sensitive and creative, because you might imagine somberness bringing about artistic/poetic qualities. But these traits only come from being aligned with reflection, or a Phlegmatic temperament.
With that, we need a basic reference to see how traits move between the temperaments and the types. As said in another post:
Sanguine: Usually cheerful, likes being involved and enjoying things with others
Melancholic: Usually occupied or worried about something, often working on it
Phlegmatic: Tending to be more reflective, often keeping things to oneself
Choleric: Most ambitious, wants to accomplish definite things
A long description for each temperament is not necessary. Adding too much can add things that don’t really always apply to that temperament; it becomes too particular.
True vs. Blended Temperaments
A “true” temperament indicates that there is no other temperament that has clear influence in an individual. You can also use “pure” or “absolute” when describing these temperaments. Meanwhile, a “blended” or “mixed” temperament means that there is secondary influence from another of the four temperaments.
Think of a palette of the four temperaments. Sanguine is red, Melancholic is black, Phlegmatic is blue, and Choleric is yellow. A Sanguine-Choleric palette would be mostly red, secondarily yellow, with few amounts of black and blue. A Pure Sanguine palette, then, would be mainly red with minority amounts of yellow, black, and blue.
Of course, the temperaments are not paints (nor probably related to the actual bodily fluids), and there are other issues with the comparison, but it might better explain the effects/consequences of primary vs. secondary (I don’t know yet for absent temperaments, such as “Melancholic” for ESTP, but it’s probably irrelevant).
The Sanguines “(^^)”
The Sanguines are generally cheerful and like being involved and enjoying things with others. Cheerfulness indicates optimism, which means confidence (can be E) and lack of worry (can be P). Being involved and enjoying things with others also associates mostly with either being a people-person (F), or enjoying the moment and experience (S).
Notable: All the primarily Sanguine types are Extraverts.
➤ The ESFPs are True Sanguines. They are usually confident and optimistic and like being involved and enjoying things with others in the present. They are not secondarily occupied or worried (J, or not Melancholic), introspective (I, or not Phlegmatic), or forceful (T, or not Choleric).
➤ The ENFPs are Sanguine-Phlegmatics. Like the ESFPs, they are often optimistic, sociable, and like being involved with others. However, they are less drawn to in-the-moment or practical action, which conversely means being secondarily reflective or pondering instead of interactive. This might also show how many ENFPs relate more to the “intimate” facet than “gregarious” one.
➤ The ENTPs are Sanguine-Cholerics. Their Choleric temperament (which all ET types have predominantly or secondarily) creates a directness and strong will that follows their general spiritedness or confidence. They care about results and the bottom line, but it isn’t their most important priority.
➤ The ESFJs are Sanguine-Melancholics. Similar to the other ES types, they like being involved and enjoying things with other in the now. Their Melancholic temperament creates more diligence and worry as an auxiliary to being involved with others, resulting in the harmoniousness and planfulness that they’re known for.
The Melancholics “(TT)”
The Melancholics are usually occupied or worried about something, and often working on it. Being occupied and worried about things usually means some conscientiousness (more I and T or J) or, and working shows a productiveness that is more common to J types. Also, work emphasizes a practical way of being (more S, and/or secondarily J).
Notable: All primarily Melancholic types are Introverts.
➤ The ISTJs are True Melancholics. They are deliberative, occupied, diligent. They usually aim most for efficacy, which in itself is a care that things work. They are not secondarily the cheerful ones with others (Sanguine), “unrevealing” in perception (Phlegmatic), or as enterprising (Choleric).
➤ The INTJs are Melancholic-Cholerics. They are also very deliberative and analytical, but in contrast are more “systematic” or even strategic, because they are more conceptual and abstract. Their focus for the future or long-range creates Choleric ambition, determination, or confidence.
➤ The INFJs are Melancholic-Phlegmatics. Their worry generally extends to people, despite also being generally calm. They do not like to be rushed, and their reflectiveness may explain the gentleness or even artistic sensibilities more present in these types. It also might show why many INFJs consider themselves more “left-brained” or “less freewheeling” than INFPs.
➤ The ISTPs are Melancholic-Sanguines. They are also conscientious, critical, and analytical, but they are simultaneously more amiable, casual, and generally less pessimistic than their ISTJ counterparts. For this reason both ISPs are secondarily Sanguine, as it means enjoyment mainly in the present, but not in as an expressive way as the predominantly Sanguine.
The Phlegmatics “(- -)”
The Phlegmatics tend to be more reflective and keep things to themselves. Being reflective or thoughtful is more introspective (always I, sometimes N and/or F), and it might mean being less “productive” (more P). Keeping things to oneself also means being more quiet and inexpressive (or I, and sometimes IP).
Notable: All primarily Phlegmatic types are Introverts.
➤ The INFPs are True Phlegmatics. They are generally quiet, contemplative, and an abundance of the phlegmatic temperament also reveals a pondering, less practical or somber nature. They are generally less involved (not Sanguine), more relaxed (not Melancholic), and also less determined or assertive (not Choleric).
➤ The ISFPs are Phlegmatic-Sanguines. Similar to the INFPs they are also more gentle, private, and forgiving. They are also rather yielding, as P is more about keeping options open. The Sanguine temperament accounts for their focus more to the present, being actually involved in things, and their spontaneity, which shows slightly more optimism or ease.
➤ The ISFJs are Phlegmatic-Melancholics. They are cooperative, supportive, and generally quiet, but they are most likely of the Phlegmatics to be more concerned/occupied, diligent in work, and generally “steady.” They are not predominantly Melancholic similar to why the ISFPs aren’t, in S’s enjoyment > N’s inspiration.*
➤ The INTPs are Phlegmatic-Cholerics. They are also generally quiet and contemplative, but they can be fairly more confident and/or confrontational (all NTs admire/aspire for mastery/competency, which might explain why all of them are Cholerics or Choleric blends). Like INTJs, this Choleric side is secondary, not principal.
*If you consider yourself an “ISFP” but relate more to this, or vice versa for an “ISFJ” and the ISFP’s temperament, this may be a sign of a mistype because of the famous but incorrect “function model”. There were a considerable number of self-identified ISFPs who said they are more “Melancholic” on my other post about the temperaments.
The Cholerics “(><)”
The Cholerics are the most ambitious and wanting to accomplish definite things. Being ambitious can mean drivenness (usually J), forcefulness (often ET), or an enterprising nature (E and/or N). Accomplishing definite things also indicates some plan or matters being settled (usually J).
Notable: All the primarily Choleric types are Extraverts.
➤ The ENTJs are True Cholerics. Out of all types they are probably both the most driven, enterprising, and concerned with moving “forward.” They are assertive and not particularly cheerful or lighthearted (not Sanguine), nor worried or “sober”/sensible (not Melancholic), nor reserved or happy with just reflection/understanding (not Phlegmatic).
➤ The ESTJs are Choleric-Melancholics. They are also driven and rather strong-willed, but their Melancholic side brings out a common sense “working” or realistic ethic and more worry/pessimism (sort of related to the ISTJ), because optimism requires either carefreeness found in P or trust in expectation over actuality found in N.
➤ The ESTPs are Choleric-Sanguines. Compared to ENTPs these types are more vigorous or assertive because they are more involved in the present and their surroundings, opposed to possibilities or flights of fancy. They are quite assured, fun-loving, and have things they want to accomplish, but not at the expense of general enjoyment.
➤ The ENFJs are Choleric-Phlegmatics. They are quite aspiring and willful, but their secondarily Phlegmatic temperament can account for their sociability, harmonizing nature, and extravagancy, which may make the overall “forcefulness” less extreme with more reflectiveness or openness to other possibilities.
Another Summary:
SJ = Melancholic primary or blend
SP = Sanguine primary or blend
NF = Phlegmatic primary or blend
NT = Choleric primary or blend
E = Sanguine or Choleric primary
I = Melancholic or Phlegmatic primary
J = At least 1 out of 2: Melancholic or Choleric, primary or blend
P = At least 1 out of 2: Sanguine or Phlegmatic, primary or blend