Each one of us is unique. We were conceived with a combination of chromosomes that made us different from our siblings even if we're twins. We were all born with different temperaments. We have our own set of inborn traits. The way we dress and walk and talk and act is part of our personality.
According to Florence Littauer, author of Personality Plus, there are four types of personality. Each has its own uniqueness in every given situation and circumstance. Take the Personality Profile test
The Sanguine Personality
The popular. The extrovert. The talker. The optimist.
Sanguine's Emotions
Appealing personality, talkative, storyteller, the life of the party, good sense of humor, color memory, physically holds on to listener, emotional and demonstrative, enthusiastic and expressive, cheerful and bubbling over, curious, good on stage, wide-eyed and innocent, lives in the present, changeable disposition, sincere at heart, always a child.
Sanguine at Work
Volunteers for jobs, think up new activities, looks great on the surface, are creative and colorful, have energy and enthusiasm, start in a flashy way, inspire others to join, and charm others to work.
Sanguine as a Parent
Makes home fun, is liked by children 's friends, turns disaster into humor, and is the circus master.
Sanguine as a Friend
Makes friends easily, loves people, thrives on compliments, seems exciting, envied by others, doesn't hold grudges, apologizes quickly, prevents dull moments, and likes spontaneous activities.
The Melancholy Personality
The perfect. The introvert. The thinker. The pessimist.
Melancholy's Emotions
Deep and thoughtful, analytical, serious and purposeful, genius prone, talented and creative, artistic or musical, philosophical and poetic, appreciative of beauty, sensitive to others, self-sacrificing, conscientious, idealistic.
Melancholy at Work
Schedule-oriented, perfectionist, high standards, detail-conscious, persistent and thorough, orderly and organized, neat and tidy, economical, sees the problems, finds creative solutions, needs to finish what has been started, like charts, graphs, figures, and lists.
Melancholy as a Parent
Sets high standards, wants everything done right, keeps home in good order, picks up after children, sacrifices own will for others, encourages scholarship and talent.
Melancholy as a Friend
Makes friends cautiously, is content to stay in the background, avoids causing attention, is faithful and devoted, will listen to complaints, can solve others' problems, has a deep concern for other people, moves to tears with compassion, and seeks an ideal mate.
The Choleric Personality
The powerful. The extrovert. The doer. The optimist.
Choleric's Emotions
A born leader, dynamic and active, compulsive need for change, must correct wrongs, strong-willed and decisive, is unemotional, is not easily discouraged, independent and self-sufficient, exudes confidence, and can run anything.
Choleric at Work
Goal-oriented, sees the whole picture, organizes well, seeks practical solutions, moves quickly to action, delegates work, insists on production, makes the goal, stimulates activity, and thrives on opposition.
Choleric as a Parent
Exerts sound leadership, establishes goals, motivates a family to action knows the right answer, and organizes the household.
Choleric as a Friend
Has little need for friends, will work for a group activity, will lead and organize, is usually right, excels in emergencies.
The Phlegmatic Personality
The peaceful. The introvert. The watcher. The pessimist.
Phlegmatic's Emotions
Low-key personality, easygoing and relaxed, calm, cool, and collected, patient, well-balanced, consistent life, quiet but witty, sympathetic and kind, keep emotions hidden, happily reconciled to life, all-purpose person.
Phlegmatic at Work
Competent and steady, peaceful and agreeable, have the administrative ability, mediates problems, avoids conflicts, good under pressure, and finds the easy way.
Phlegmatic as a Parent
Makes a good parent, takes time for the children, is not in a hurry, can take the good with the bad, and doesn't get upset easily.
Phlegmatic as a Friend
Easy to get along with, pleasant and enjoyable, inoffensive, good listener, dry sense of humor, enjoys watching people, has many friends, has compassion and concern.
Knowledge of the personalities of each person can help us to understand other people and for us to function better in certain situations. When we begin to understand our differences, we can positively look at each other and not try to make everyone be like us or vice versa.