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Melancholic is one of the types of temperament, i.e. a set of certain features that influence the final shape of a person’s personality, his natural reactions and behavior. Temperament begins to show early, even in the first year of life, and is believed to be largely genetically determined. What are the characteristics of a melancholic? How does a melancholic person fit into social and professional situations?
What are the types of temperament?
There are many different personality theories in psychology that divide the types of human character into categories. Such divisions are quite conventional, and although they may accurately describe behaviors and feelings, individual people often combine the features of different types of personality. One of the commonly associated classifications is the highlight four types of temperamentwhich include melancholic, sanguine, phlegmatic and choleric.
But what exactly is temperament? Modern theories about temperament refer to the thought of Hippocrates-Galen, according to which people can be divided into the four types mentioned above. While many theories of personality pay attention to how a person develops certain characteristics, reactions and feelings, temperament is a way of perceiving and interpreting reality that manifests itself from a very early childhood.
Also read: Character – features, shaping, development, disorders
Characteristic features of human temperament are revealed already in the first year of life. According to Ivan Pavlov’s theory, temperament is related to the reactivity of the nervous system. Currently, it is believed that the type of temperament is influenced by genetics.
What are the characteristics of a melancholic?
Melancholic is one of the four types of temperament. He is credited with such qualities as gentleness, affection, restraint, perfectionism and pessimism. According to Hippocrates’ theory, such a constitution was described by a term black bile, from Latin molasses chole, and hence the name of this type of temperament – melancholic. In Pavlov’s understanding, the melancholic is the weak-nervous type, while the other types are strong, unbalanced (choleric) or balanced (mobile sanguine and inert phlegmatic).
The melancholic type is characterized by high sensitivity, rich inner life, but also lack of self-confidence, tendencies towards pessimism and limited willingness to social interactions. Despite a certain distance from other people, melancholy are able to enter into relationships with selected people with great commitment. Melancholic is a type of introvertwho is empathetic, dream-like, analytical, and generally calm. Due to perfectionism, he spends a lot of time on tasks and performs them conscientiously.
Check: Introvert – features, test, who is he?
The melancholic attitude is associated with an intense internal experience of positive emotions, but also negative ones, and thus emotional instability. For this reason, melancholics tend to be depressed as well as predisposed to other mental disorders, including neuroses and anxiety disorders. People with this temperament can be perceived as fearful, thoughtful, unsociable, not very spontaneous and unavailable.
Melancholic – professional work
In the context of professional work, melancholies are analytical and perfectionist. They can work in a task-oriented manner, plan carefully, and are also determined and conscientious. People with a melancholy temperament may also show artistic abilities, e.g. musical, and also find themselves in creative work.
On the other hand, people with this temperament tend to prefer stability and are reluctant to change and risk, and they don’t take criticism well or take certain messages too personally. When it comes to professions in which the melancholic can find himselfExamples include an accountant, economist, researcher, doctor, artist, writer, or archaeologist.
Read also:
- Personality test – types, course. What is the personality test?
- Find out if you are an extrovert, which is all about this personality type
- Psychological consultations – when is it worth using them?