The founder of the doctrine of temperaments is Hippocrates, who in the VI century BC described them and created a classification that is accepted at the present time. I.P. Pavlov in his studies proved that it is the higher nervous activity of a person, its features that lie at the basis of temperaments discovered by Hippocrates.
Types of Temperaments
The highest nervous activity of a person, according to I.P. Pavlov, is characterized by strength, poise, mobility - combinations of these properties determine temperament. Each type corresponds to its type of functioning of the nervous system. Sanguine - balanced, strong, fast temperament, phlegmatic - slow. In choleric, nervous activity is unbalanced, and in melancholic - weak. Features of the higher nervous activity of a person, determining temperament, are externally manifested in the manner of behavior, emotional stability, ability to volitional efforts, energy, manner of communication with others. This forms the character of a person, his behavior in life.
Character and Society
Although the higher nervous activity of a person and the temperament that forms it are stable characteristics given at birth, developmental conditions, numerous influences of the outside world, education, training, and age change them. The features that impede human adaptation in society are smoothed out, those that help socialization are strengthened.
Disadvantages and advantages of temperaments
Each of us, and especially educators, must understand that there are no bad or good characters. Firstly, they are rarely found in their pure form, and secondly, the higher nervous activity of a person is very plastic and when certain conditions are created, with the right choice of social orientation, disadvantages turn into virtues. Yes, sanguine people are mobile, sociable, responsive, tireless, but it is difficult for them to focus on one type of activity. Phlegmatic people do not express their feelings so clearly and frankly, but they are stubborn, thorough, reliable, calm. Cholerics are energetic, violently and demonstratively express their emotions, but their increased emotionality is often destructive. Melancholy - overly sensitive, always doubting and underestimating themselves, due to the depth of feelings they achieve great success in creative professions.
Temperament is the basis of character
A person, being a social being, has the experience of previous generations, can freely choose goals that correspond to his features and capabilities. Having found your “niche”, having correctly distributed forces, you can realize yourself at the highest level with any temperament. The behavior of a person in society depends not only on the type of GNI, but also on upbringing, environment, on attitudes and goals defined by the individual himself, and the requirements for society. Temperament is the basis, the prerequisite for the formation of character, the development of those traits that determine the personality trait. Now you know what effect the higher nervous activity of a person has on temperament.