“Which Pop-Tart Flavor Matches Your Personality Best?” Sites like BuzzFeed have built an online industry out of personality quizzes like this one (largely the fruit of unpaid labor): the pop-tart one is real, and has 578,000 views. Largely, these are silly and superficial, but they point to something real: we want to know ourselves better, and we want to be known by others (which is why the quiz results are fun to share).
So let’s take one with a little more heft than pop-tart flavors: what’s your temperament? Are you someone who reacts quickly to (positive or negative) things? Or do you take a bit longer to react? And when you do react, do these reactions endure, or do they pass away quickly? Broadly speaking, our natural dispositions (our “temperaments”) tend to fall into one of four categories, and they can play a major role in our quest for holiness:
- Those who react to things quickly, but whose reactions don’t last long: this is the “sanguine” temperament. Typically, sanguines are marked by a pronounced joy. More negatively, they’re sometimes worldly and superficial, moving from one excitement to the next. Spiritually, the struggle is often with sins of the flesh, like lust and gluttony.
- Those who react to things quickly, and whose reactions emdure: this is the “choleric” temperament. Typically, cholerics are marked by a pronounced intensity (which, when negative, takes the form of anger). But choleric intensity can be incredibly productive for leading oneself and others towards a particular goal. Spiritually, the struggle is often with pride.
- Those who react to things deliberately, and whose reactions are fleeting: this is the “phlegmatic” temperament. Almost by definition, phlegmatics are noticeable due to the absence of an intense emotion like sorrow, anger, or joy. This even-keeled disposition might be negative (apathy) or positive (emotional stability). Spiritually, the struggle is often with sloth (acedia).
- Those who react to things deliberately, but whose reactions endure: this is the “melancholic” temperament. The melancholic tends to be marked by more profound sorrow. But this is for a good reason: melancholics tend to have a greater vision of the ideal than other temperaments… and how worldly things fail to measure up. Compared to other types, they may find it easier to fix their hearts on heaven. Spiritually, the struggle is often with despair.
As I hope is immediately clear, knowing your temperament can be an important first step in seeing where you might have to look out spiritually, but also seeing some of the particular gifts God has endowed you with.
So, after reading this, where do you place yourself? Once you’ve made a mental note of that, I’d invite you to take the following test. I adapted it from a quiz designed in the 1930s by a priest, spiritual director, and rector, Fr. Conrad Hock. It’s not scientific – it’s just a simple diagnostic put together by a wise spiritual father for figuring out your probable temperament. Then (just because of my own curiosity) comment below to tell me what you thought you were, and what the test said.
This is obviously only scratching the surface on the four temperaments and their place in the spiritual life. To hear more, tune in to The Catholic Podcast, where we’re doing a five part series on it – to help you understand yourself and your loved ones better!
Melancholic! This disposition seems the most depressing if the four. How do we make the best of this temperament? God bless you for the great work you do.
Tee,
The melancholics in my life tend to view their temperament as a bit of a cross (and in truth, each of the temperaments can be either a burden or a gift, depending upon the context). I’ll be saying more on the spiritual life of melancholics in this Monday’s episode of The Catholic Podcast, but for now, suffice it to say that a great many Saints have this temperament. It’s related to a dissatisfaction with the things of the world, which is good for those trying to get past such things towards their Creator.
Shocked. A sanguine.
Shocking.
🙂
🙂
Melancholic….but I don’t feel like one.
I’m usually pretty happy and am rarely depressed. But, maybe this is because things are generally going pretty well for me in the last 10 years, or so. I’m not really sure how I’ll react to a severe trial in the future, but have had a few in the past.
Al,
Looks like we’re in the same boat. Look at this description:
“The defining feature of a melancholic attitude is perfectionism. They are idealists who wish for things to be a certain way, and they get distressed when they are not.They hold themselves and others to unrealistically high standards, and get distressed when these standards are not met. This leads to them being self-deprecating – because they do not meet their own standards – and critical of others – because those others do not meet their standards.Their generally dour demeanour comes from the…
See more on fighunter.com
I’m also looking forward to hearing more from Joe’s Podcast. I do like the idea that many saints have come from this group….there is hope for us!
On the bright side of things (which is an anti-melancholic way of thinking, I guess?) regarding your quote above, Jesus seems to have been Melancholic also, or at least teaching a melancholic ideology, according to these quotes of His:
1. On perfectionism:
“Be perfect for your Father in Heaven is perfect”
2. On idealists who wish for things to be a certain way, and they get distressed when they are not:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldest not?”
“And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying:”
[Luke 19:41]
3.This leads to them being self-deprecating :
“learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart…”
[Matthew 11:29]
“But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. ” [Psalms 21:7]
4….and critical of others – because those others do not meet their standards.:
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.”
[Matthew 23:15]
“Woe to you blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple, is a debtor.”
[Matthew 23:16]
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law; judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone.”
[Matthew 23:23]
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness.”
********************************
🙂
I’m beginning to worry. I never would have thought of myself as a melancholic!
Could the test itself be wrong or rigged??!
In defense, anyone who knows me knows how I like an ‘edit.’ I made at least two mistakes in button-pressing during the test. So perhaps I should have a second go at it….
Or maybe I’ve got scruples, indecision, or the effects of original sin – perhaps all the above.
Sanguine.
You are blessed.
I’m not sure why this is on a Catholic web site. Tim LaHaye, no friend of the Catholic Church wrote a book about this in the 70’s. The Church I attended at that time was gaga over it. The ideas come from Greek philosophy. It is disappointing to see this pop up on a fine Catholic blog. These ideas are not new.
I look at it all in a rather comical and skeptical way, as there is such imprecision regarding the definitions of key words in the test.
Then again there might be some very joyful melancholic’s out there who love to go onto college campuses and joyfully spread knowledge of Jesus to the students. I can hardly wipe the smile off of my face after talking to so many youth who verbally profess their love of Jesus when talking. How is it possible not to be happy seeing the future of Christianity (youth) not ashamed to say they love Jesus?
So, I guess I’m just a very joyful and social melancholic?
….as am in no way not ashamed, or shy, of teaching other people about the Life and teachings of Jesus in public? On the contrary, it’s the most fun thing that I do in my life. I went out to a Junior college campus 2 times during this week for about 5 hrs., and chatted with about 40+ students from many different countries, and also distributed to them and many others, about 600 pages of text from Abp. Alban Goodier’s “Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ”…and afterwards went home very happy.
I wonder what the error rate is with this test? Probably over 50% as its wording is very ‘vague’.
My taking this test is new to me. I’m not young.
The temperaments are part of human nature, and God created human nature. Both St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas used Greek metaphysics to help explain and define elements of Christian theology. There is much that is good in Greek philosophy.
Moral value depends on what use we make of God’s creation. What did Tim Laye do with it?
Rob,
It was being used by Catholics long before it was used by Protestants. As you said, it’s not new – you can find it referenced by St. Francis de Sales and others. Good spiritual direction has to take into account the person’s personality. That doesn’t mean the temperaments are perfect, or that everyone (or anyone) is reducible to one of four types. But knowing general tendencies is a helpful starting place. Does that explain why it’s on a Catholic website?
thanks-you for your explanation. Yes, there are obviously different temperaments and personalities, that is a given. Maybe because my exposure to it was from Tim LaHaye and the hard and fast way it was used at this particular church long ago, I just associate too much with rigid fundies and pigeon holing people into types which actually can change over time. It reminds me too much of another teaching called “motivational gifts” which basically was another personality type of test which again people used to label themselves and others. The usual insight into all of this is that people begin to label themselves and others which actually can change over time and with spiritual growth and maturity. I really didn’t know about the reference to St. Francis de Sales. I have read “Introduction to the Devout Life” and I don’t remember these things being in there. Thank-you for answering.
This site in concise and clear way explains how knowledge of temperament may help guide us to growth in virtue and love. https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=6755
Did you take the test? If so, what did you think of the result?
I took it, and I believe that my category is not totally accurate; I feel as if I have strong “choleric” traits. The test pegged me at melancholic.
Roman Catholicism does not have a monopoly on error, any more than it does on truth.
The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator is of far greater value, but the value of all these methods is highly questionable from a spiritual perspective.
Something as crude as four basic types, as opposed to the sixteen of Myers-Briggs, is likely to be as much as a hindrance as a help.
Given that a person’s apparent “nature” is so highly subject to external influences, so malleable, and most of all by spiritual influences, one has to regard this sort of behavioural “science” with the greatest caution and scepticism.
What appears to be personality may be nothing more than a spiritual affliction or manifestation. I would never have believed it previously, but it’s never too late to learn; until you’re dead.
Melancholic. No shock there.
Melancholic.
I took a similar test in my 30’s and remember being a sanguine. Can personality change over the years?
yes, they change with age.
Melancholic. Although I feel like I am a cheerful melancholic for the most part. I definitely have a very calculating personality. That can lead to pride (arrogance) and unnecessary fear (doubt). I also think that those two things make me lack courage at times as well. But it is good because I think it is a good personality type for someone interested in apologetics. I just have to watch out for the downsides.
Melancholic temperaments!!…. of the world!! … UNITE!!! 🙂
I’d add, “and of the other world,” 🙂
Ok…they can unite in praying for us.
By the way, I think the humors can change depending on relationships. When one is young and in experienced in working it is right for him to be patient and yielding until he masters his profession. And one day he might own his own business, and his confidence must be exerted to lead others and get the job done.
So, I believe we are a mixture of temperaments that can change and rebalance depending on whether we are poor or rich, our work environment, our state of soul (i.e. mortal sin), our level of education, whether one recieves the sacraments or not, etc…
I never did like these types of vague question psychological tests that don’t indicate the detailed circumstances a person is in at the particular times of their lives. They seem to be somewhat like the Rorschach ink blot tests, being highly dependent upon the opinions of the blot/question creators and interpreters.
Choleric… not really surprised. But really I am choleric-sanguine, since everyone pretty much has a dominant and less dominant temperment, I was slightly disappointed it didn’t go that route.
Melancholic, but I think that’s the kind of person that gravitates to this forum.
If melancholicism correlates with the faithful, studious, loving, joyful and non-heterodox practice of the one, holy Catholic and apostolic faith…
Then I like it! 🙂
I didn’t expect much from this test and answered the questions in my head first before looking at the four types. And it was completely accurate! Uncomfortably so. I am “choleric” and it’s so true that it can lead to intense productivity as well as anger. And 100% true that pride is my biggest struggle. Always creepy when these things are spot on. I don’t usually take personality tests.
I tentatively predicted melancholic, and the test seemed to agree.
Joe,
I’m a big fan of the temperaments and have found them useful in many different pastoral and leadership situations. It is important to point out that it is rare that a person would only have one of the temperaments. Most people have a predominate one and then a secondary one.
Each temperament, or combination of temperaments, has blessings and crosses. Knowing our temperaments helps us to emphasize what is positive and to also be aware of the negatives. It can help us to understand others as well.
I found the book “The Temperament God Gave You” to be a helpful examination of how each temperament, both primary and secondary, affect our spiritual lives. And it is from a Catholic perspective.
Melancholic.
I remember Fulton Sheen refering to the temperaments and was excited when I saw the title of the article here!
I am a new born Catholic (1year ago I was baptized) and have a background in classical education at a Christian Academy High School (Protestant). My conversion happened over a three year period of incarceration and the subsequent joining of a Catholic parish upon my release.
I thank the person who gave me my first Catholic Book of Prayers!
Sanguine, but some melancholic tendencies like loving a good book and the quiet… if I can force myself to stop and read!
The melancholic temperament is a great one. I am one. One of our distinguishing characteristics is creativity. Most creatives in the world are melancholics. We have a great eye for detail and any work done by a melancholic is truly one of a kind(perfect:)). We’re also intellectuals and super-analytical. Most engineers, analysts, and professions that require great attention to details are filled with mels. They’re very analytical and can often see far beyond what others can eg the choleric who mostly sees an end goal or the sanguine who just does things on impulse. The mel sees all things that’ll be needed and obstacles to be faced. Needless to say every any serious work needs a mel who’ll cater to the details. I think I heard Art and Lorraine Berrett say that Mels not only read manuals, but write them too.
We’re quiet, love silence and solitude. Prefer to do things alone or with similar minded people who give the same attention to detail that we do. We show love through actions and aren’t comfortable with expression our emotions.
The downside mostly quoted as depression is due to the analytical and perfectionist side, but when a mel learns to yield his/her worries to Christ and find perfection in him, he/she can overcome this.
Mels are a great treasure to this world. God made us mels because without us, things could probably be chaotic because the other temperaments aren’t as much into details as we are.
All temperaments are a blessing. Eg if I need anything social done that involves a lot of meeting people, I call on a sanguine friend. Cholerics bring about much needed changes and radical shifts in the world. Phlegmatics are dependable and calm under pressure. They’re loyal, patient, good mediators and work well under pressure. They like peace and avoid conflict. I’m both mel and phleg.