Log Entry: June 17, 2011

Well, I'm new to this. So here is a picture of my family.

David, Dad, Mom, Lucky Me, Jesse, and Becky

It was freezing and raining that day. I'm surprised the pictures turned out so well. But without further ado, here's a introduction into one of my interests: psychology/ temperaments

This is what most logicians would call a coordinate diagram. What this diagram does is give on a second time limit the information you need to know at a glance.

 Here's how it works:

Extroverted Sensing – (SP – Artisan; SJ – Guardian)

Introverted Sensing – (SP; SJ)

Extroverted Intuition – (NF – Idealist; NT – Rationalist)

Introverted Intuition – (NF; NT)

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Each person has a primary and a secondary temperament. The letters of their preference (whether Artisan, Guardian, Idealist, or Rationalist) to a tertiary tendency to be and act a certain way. Though the primary and the tertiary may agree, it is only a tendency and thus it does not have to be in accord with the primary temperament. Also, according to the percentages of the primary and the secondary (taking note of the tertiary), the chance that a fourth temperament and/or preference/ tendency will be exhibited is very slim. It is possible to learn certain traits from other and opposite temperaments that is uncharacteristic to the natural tendency of the primary temperament but they are not to be confused with the actual temperament and/or preference and the tertiary tendency. Usually each temperament (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, or Phlegmatic) will have a four letter sequence that coordinates with one of the four preferences (Artisan, Guardian, Idealist, or Rationalist); that is what is called a tendency.

e.g.

The primary temperament is exhibited more than the secondary while the secondary is stronger still than the tertiary (tendencies).

Here's an overview: 

"An Overview of the Temperaments

Popular Sanguine

“Let's do it the fun way.”

Desire: have fun

Emotional needs: attention, approval, affection, acceptance, presence of people and activity

Key strengths: ability to talk about anything at any time and any place, bubbling personality, optimism, sense of humor, storytelling ability, enjoyment of people

Key weaknesses: disorganized, can't remember details or names, exaggerates, not serious about anything, trust others to do the work, too gullible and naive

Get depressed when: life is no fun and no one seems to love them

Are afraid of: being unpopular or bored, having to live by the clock, having to keep record of money spent

Like people who: listen and laugh, praise and approve

Dislike people who: criticize, don't respond to their humor, don't think they're cute

Are valuable on work for: colorful creativity, optimism, light touch, cheering up others, entertaining

Could improve if they: got organized, didn't talk so much, learned to tell time

As leaders they: excite, persuade, and inspire others; exude charm and entertain; are forgetful and poor on follow-through

Reaction to stress: leave the scene, go shopping, find a fun group, create excuses, blame others

Recognized by their: constant taking, loud volume, bright eyes

Powerful Choleric

“Let's do it my way.”

Desire: have control

Emotional needs: appreciation for all achievements, opportunity for leadership, participation in family decisions, something to control

Key strengths: ability to take charge of anything instantly and make quick, correct judgments

Key weaknesses: too bossy, domineering, autocratic, insensitive, impatient, unwilling to delegate or give credit to others

Get depressed when: life is out of control and people won't do things their way

Are afraid of: losing control

Like people who: are supportive and submissive, see things their way, cooperate quickly, let them take credit

Dislike people who: are lazy and not interested in working constantly, buck their authorities, become independent, aren't loyal

Are valuable on work because they: can accomplish more than anyone else in a shorter time, are usually right

Could improve if they: allowed others to make decisions, delegated authority, became more patient, didn't expect everyone to produce like they do

As leaders they: a natural feel for being on charge, a quick sense of what will work, a sincere belief in their ability to achieve, a potential to overwhelm less aggressive people

Reaction to stress: tighten control, work harder, exercise more, get rid of the offender

Recognized by their: fast-moving approach, quick grab for control, self confidence, restlessness and over powering attitude

Perfect Melancholy

“Let's do it the right way.”

Desire: have it right

Emotional needs: sense of stability and space, silence, sensitivity, support

Key strengths:ability to organize and set long-range goals, have high standards and ideals analyze deeply

Key weaknesses: easily depressed, spend too much time on preparation, to focused on details, remember negatives, suspicious of others

Get depressed when: life is out of order, standards aren't met, and no one seems to care

Are afraid of: no one understanding how they really feel, making a mistake, having to compromise standards

Like people who: are serious and intellectual, deep, and will carry on a sensible conversation

Dislike people who: are lightweights, forgetful, late, disorganized, superficial, prevaricating, and unpredictable

Are valuable on work for: sense of detail, love of analysis, follow-through, high-standards of performance, compassion for the hurting

Could improve if they: didn't take life quite so seriously, didn't insist on others being perfectionists

As leaders they: organize well, are sensitive to people's feelings, have deep creativity, want quality performance

Reaction to stress: withdraw, get lost in a book, become depressed, give up, recount problems

Recognized by their serious and sensitive nature, well-mannered approach, self-depreciating comments, meticulous and well-groomed looks

Peaceful Phlegmatic

“Let's do it the easy way.”

Desire: avoid conflict, keep peace

Emotional needs: peace and relaxation, attention, praise, self worth, loving motivation

Key strengths: balance, even dispositions, dry sense of humor, pleasing personality

Key weaknesses: lack of decisiveness, enthusiasm, and energy, a hidden will of iron

Get depressed when: life is full of conflict, they have to face a personal confrontation, no one wants to help, the buck stops with them

Are afraid of: having to deal with a major personal problem, being left holding the bag, making major changes

Like people who: will make decisions for them, will recognize their strengths, will not ignore them, will give them respect

Dislike people who: are too pushy, too loud, and expect too much of them

Are valuable on work because they: mediate between contentious people, objectively solve problems

Could improve if they: set goals and became self-motivated, were willing to do more and move faster than expected, could face their own problems as well they handle those of others

As leaders they: keep calm, cool, and collected, don't make impulsive decisions, don't often come up with brilliant new ideas

Reaction to stress: hide from it, watch TV, eat, tune out life

Recognized by their: calm approach, relaxed posture (sitting or leaning when possible)"

   Let's put it all together. I'm sure you've observed all the traits just described at one time or another in others and in yourself. Well, that's temperament. Now scientists have discovered that there are three things that make a person who he is without bias. That is: genetic factors, environmental factors, and spiritual factors. In other words, you can look like your parents, act like your parents, but there's always going to be some or a big difference between an offspring and its parents. Let me expand a little on the genetic factors. Genetics is comprised of the study of genes which is deoxyribonucleic acid commonly known as DNA. Your DNA contains the blueprints for you physical attributes (e.g. hair color, ethnicity, eye color, etc.). Every cell in your body contains DNA in its nucleus and is constructed of certain amino acids guanine, thymine, adenine, and cytosine on a backbone of proteins; ergo the name deoxyribonucleic acid. 

   Long before Gregor Mendall even conceived the idea of genes, there was a doctor named Hippocrates. He was one of the first to suggest the idea of temperaments. His theory was that the body is made up of four humors or fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. When a person had too much or to little of one or the other, his humor was revealed; thus, his temperament. When he became sick, it was caused by an imbalance of humors. That is where the superstition of bleeding the illness out of a person emerged. (Which we all know never worked) Although this theory was at first accepted, we now know that Hippocrates's idea was incorrect.

    Now as time as gone on in the field of biology and genetics, pioneers of the of this world began to question Hippocrates's idea for validity and accuracy. Low and behold, it was a correct assumption that temperament did indeed exist in the body. But where? Well, recent studies have shown that the body does have humors; in the form of chemicals and hormones. These four hormones dopamine, testosterone, serotonin, and estrogen are found in the glands located in the center house of the brain. These glands secrete the chemicals into the brain and the body. This confirmed the age old theory by 50% and added a new perspective. Temperament is not only genetic but also influenced by environmental and spiritual factors. DNA carries certain information in its blueprints as to your parent's chemical balances in their bodies at the time of conception and pass that blueprint on to you. As a child, you have what we call a 'predisposition' for certain traits and tendencies. As you grow thoughts, emotional, environmental and spiritual factors begin to trigger those glands (That is why you can have a quiet baby that grows up to be quite the boss and vise versa.)  and as time wears on the balances or 'humors' in your body start to change. In turn that triggers more thoughts and behavior changes. Yet another reason for the dramatic transition of adolescents. 

    By the time you are at the end of the 'teen' years, your temperament will usually have settled. 'Which is which?' you might ask. Well, let's start with dopamine: a chemical located and released in the adrenal glands into the cerebrum. It is induced by music; too much of it causes the death of neurotransmitters in the brain. It is also known as an epinephrine that acts like adrenaline which safely increases strength and endurance as well as short-term memory loss, stress relief, curiosity, and elevated emotions. That is why athletes listen to music during workouts. It is the Artisan or Sanguine. 

   Next would be testosterone. Also a chemical, it is located in the reproductive system by both male and female and is what gives men manly attributes. It is released into the brain but takes a slightly different turn making its way to the pituitary gland as well. It is induced by long periods of negative emotions and stress. Its imbalance increases aggression, competitiveness, strength, and tactile intelligence. Drug forms are sometimes taken by athletes for the effects that this hormone has; though, its side - effects are probably a greater cost. Mostly found in men, some women high in testosterone may posses a lower voice and other qualities like aggression. This is the Guardian or Choleric group.

   Serotonin is located in the nervous system. It serves as a vasoconsrictor and regulates mood, sleep, apettite. It also suppresses aggression (does not eliminate aggression) and cognitive functions include memory and learning; it can be called the opposite of dopamine in both function and nature. The imbalance of this chemical can be induced by repetitive actions such as checking the door several times before going to bed, checking your suitcase several times before a trip, etc. People with this temperament are often gentle and genial. Also, the more serotonin released in the body, the more it reproduces. Serotonin is the Idealist or Melancholy temperament.

   Lastly, testosterone's perfect opposite: estrogen aka the female hormone. Found in the reproduction system of both men and women, estrogen is one of the only hormones that is not as harmful if imbalanced; in contrast, people with low estrogen levels often contract OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). It is released into the hypothalamus (regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, and other functions) that is located in the center of the brain behind the frontal lobe and beside the pituitary gland in front of the cerebellum. Known to increase positive feelings, imagination, reasoning, gentleness, and web-thinking known as logic. It is the most intelligent of all types that is known for its deceptive and clever nature. Estrogen is the Rationalist or the Phlegmatic type.

   Well, now that that's been said, what can we deduce from this? That all temperaments can be found in both genders. When the balances of the body during the adolescent years are changing, the ill-effects are most pronounced and as I stated before, the chemicals balance after about 5 to 6 years for most teenagers. But don't believe it's just hormones that do the job: genes have a little more to say than just that. If you know a bit about biology you will know that sometimes during conception the DNA of the parents reproductive cells undergo a radical inversion. That is, scientifically, genetic mutation. Does this change your chance of having a similar temperament as your parents? Yes, about 50% of the 80% similarity chance. But it doesn't change the other two factors. (Note: This doesn't mean that all outgoing parents with a quiet child mean he/she is genetically mutated. The environmental factor can induce one of two things: either submission or rebellion. Rebellion cuts 50% to 25%)     

     Therefore, assuming that I, for example, am genetically mutated and removed from my home, how are my chances for similarity to my parents? About 10%. But that still leaves one factor. Spiritual. That is were the person's choices come in and it is the only factor that cannot be externally manipulated and controlled. Then, I can assume that because of the nature of temperaments, any combination of factors, chemicals, and set temperament can be made. The groups are merely a guideline. Everyone is different. And that is only a tiny section of psychology and the inner workings of the psyche.

Hope you like this log entry. Sorry if there are any errors or typos. Your welcome to ask me any questions.