Temperament
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, temper
- Date: 15th century
Definitions
- 1 obsolete a : constitution of a substance, body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance of its elements, qualities, or parts : makeup
- b : complexion 1
- 2 obsolete a : climate b : temperature
- 3 a : the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character determined by the relative proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology
- b : characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response <a nervous temperament>
- c : extremely high sensibility; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability
- 4 a : the act or process of tempering or modifying : adjustment, compromise
- b : middle course : mean
- 5 : the slight modification of [[Acoustics|acoustically pure intervals in tuning a musical instrument; especially : modification that produces a set of 12 equally spaced tones to the octave
Description
In psychology, temperament refers to those aspects of an individual's personality, such as introversion or extroversion, that are often regarded as innate rather than learned. A great many classificatory schemes for temperament have been developed; none, though, has achieved general consensus.
Historically, the concept of temperament was part of the theory of the four humours, with their corresponding four temperaments. The concept played an important part in pre-modern psychology, and was explored by philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Hermann Lotze. David W. Keirsey also drew upon the early models of temperament when developing the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. More recently, scientists seeking evidence of a biological basis of personality have further examined the relationship between temperament and character (defined in this context as the learnt aspects of personality). However, biological correlations have proven hard to confirm.
Temperament is determined through specific behavioral profiles, usually focusing on those that are both easily measurable and testable early in childhood. Commonly tested factors include irritability, activity, frequency of smiling, and an approach or avoidant posture to unfamiliar events. There is generally a low correlation between descriptions by teachers and behavioural observations by scientists of features used in determining temperament. Temperament is hypothesized to be associated with biological factors, but these have proven difficult to test directly.
