Hippocrates Personality Quartet As a Communication Tool

Originally developed by the Greek physician Hippocrates, the Four Temperaments are a system of personality types based on four bodily fluids. These four bodily fluids are believed to affect human behavior and appearance. These four temperaments are also known as 'humors'.


Hippocrates' theory has been passed down from generation to generation, though its origins are less than 2,000 years old. Although Hippocrates' initial outlook on personality has been in use for centuries, modern theories have been developed. These modern theories use the same concepts, but add more complexity to them. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) derives much of its theory from the Four Temperaments. The MBTI is a popular personality test used by many people worldwide. It is used to help individuals understand their style of thinking and communication, and how to relate better to others. It is also used in corporate settings to help employees communicate better.

The Four Temperaments are based on the idea that there are four main psychological types, each having a different primary motivation. Each of these four styles is typically associated with a different element in the body, such as blood. It is also possible for people to have a combination of temperaments. For example, a person with a sanguine temperament is likely to be an analytical thinker, while someone with a phlegmatic temperament is likely to be a relaxed thinker.

The Four Temperaments have not been conclusively proven as a scientific system for understanding personality. There are numerous systems that use special vocabulary, including the DISC system. Many of these systems also use categories similar to the Greek temperaments. These systems are not exclusive, and it is important to read each book carefully to get a balanced perspective on all styles. However, it is important to remember that these systems are not scientifically proven.

Hippocrates' four temperaments are more commonly associated with historical writings, and not with modern medical studies. In fact, these temperaments were not widely known at the time of Hippocrates. Nevertheless, they have endured for over two thousand years and continue to be used today. While the Four Temperaments are not a perfect fit, they have a long history of use and have a broad basis for understanding personality.

One of the most notable modern thinkers in the field of personality is Katherine Benziger. Benziger's Four Quadrants are similar to the four temperaments. She suggests that Jung's Sensation function equates to Galen's Phelgmatic temperament, while Jung's Intuition function equates to Galen's Choleric temperament. This suggests that the relationships between Jung's other functions are more complex.

The four temperaments are also thought to be associated with certain aspects of health. People with yellow bile were thought to have a choleric temperament, while those with red blood were thought to have a sanguine temperament. In modern medical science, bloodletting has been widely considered to be ineffective, and the theories of the Four Temperaments have been questioned. Regardless of what you believe, the Four Temperaments are an important personality model.