What This Test Measures
Temperament is the inborn part of personality: how energetic, sociable and emotionally reactive you naturally are. This test measures two scales, then places you in one of the four classic temperaments.
| Calm (emotionally steady) | Reactive (emotionally intense) | |
|---|---|---|
| Outgoing | Sanguine: cheerful, social | Choleric: driven, passionate |
| Reserved | Phlegmatic: calm, steady | Melancholic: deep, thoughtful |
How The Test Works And How It Is Scored
You rate 24 statements, 12 on each scale, from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree”. Half the statements on each scale point to each end. For example, “I prefer listening to talking” moves you toward Reserved, and “I rarely lose my temper” moves you toward Calm.
Each answer counts from minus two to plus two, and each scale becomes a position from 0% to 100%. The side above 50% on each scale decides your temperament, and the result shows exactly where your dot sits.
Sample statement (Reactive): “I take things personally more than most people.” Strong agreement moves you toward the Reactive end.
All statements were written by PrismaTest for this test.
How This Differs From Our Color Test
Our color personality test is a quick, 12-question quiz about everyday behaviour that gives you one colour. This test measures the two underlying dimensions separately, so you can see how strongly you lean and whether you are a blend.
The Model Behind It
The four temperaments are one of the oldest personality theories. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (around 400 BCE) linked health and character to four bodily fluids, or humours. The Roman physician Galen later named the temperaments after them:
| Temperament | Humour | Ancient picture |
|---|---|---|
| Sanguine | Blood | Warm, lively, hopeful |
| Choleric | Yellow bile | Fiery, ambitious, quick-tempered |
| Phlegmatic | Phlegm | Calm, slow, steady |
| Melancholic | Black bile | Thoughtful, sad, sensitive |
The biology was wrong, but the four types proved remarkably durable. In the 1950s and 1960s, British psychologist Hans Eysenck showed that they line up with two dimensions he measured scientifically: extraversion and neuroticism (emotional reactivity). That is the version this test uses.
What The Research Says
Extraversion and neuroticism are two of the best-studied traits in psychology and are part of the Big Five model. Both are partly heritable and fairly stable over life. The four temperament labels are a simplification of these two scales, so people near the middle on either scale are really blends rather than pure types.
All Possible Results
Sanguine: Cheerful And Social
Outgoing and steady. Optimistic, warm, spontaneous and quick to bounce back. Can struggle with focus and follow-through.
Choleric: Driven And Passionate
Outgoing and intense. Ambitious, decisive and natural leaders. Can be impatient and quick-tempered.
Phlegmatic: Calm And Steady
Reserved and steady. Patient, reliable and diplomatic. Can lack urgency and avoid conflict.
Melancholic: Deep And Thoughtful
Reserved and intense. Thoughtful, conscientious and creative. Can be prone to worry and perfectionism.
How To Read Your Result
Check where your dots sit:
- Both dots far from the middle: a clear, classic temperament.
- One dot near the middle: a blend. For example, a sanguine-choleric is outgoing with moderately strong emotions.
- Both dots near the middle: a balanced temperament with traits of all four.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four temperaments?
Sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic, ancient labels for combinations of being outgoing or reserved and emotionally calm or reactive.
Which temperament is the best?
None. Each has strengths and challenges, and all four are found in healthy, successful people.
Can you have two temperaments?
Yes. Most people are blends, especially if one of their scale scores is near the middle.
Is the four temperaments theory scientific?
The original humour theory is not. The modern version, based on extraversion and emotional stability, rests on well-researched traits.
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For self-reflection only. Not a psychological assessment. See how we build our tests.