The concept of "4 personality types" often refers to the ancient Four Temperaments (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic) from Hippocrates, linking traits to bodily fluids, or modern models like the DISC model (Driver, Influencer/Expressive, Steady/Amiable, Conscientious/Analytical) which categorizes behavior by dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness, helping understand communication and work styles. Other frameworks exist, such as the Upholder, Questioner, Rebel, Obliger model focused on rule adherence, and scientific studies identifying types like Reserved, Role Model, Average, and Self-Centered.
The history of the 4 basic temperaments
Hippocrates named the four personality types after specific body fluids: Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic and Sanguine.
The Enneagram with Riso-Hudson Type Names
Type One is principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic. Type Two is generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing, and possessive. Type Three is adaptable, excelling, driven, and image-conscious. Type Four is expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
The four personality types include:
The cornerstones of the MTQ48 measure are the 4 C's of Control, Commitment, Challenge and Confidence. Each of these scales reflects a component of the Mental Toughness personality trait and any given score will suggest the likely behaviours of the individual.
INFJs make up about 1.5% of the general population, according to the 16 Personalities study—and the vast majority are women. Their scarcity is part of what gives them that elusive, “mystical friend you can talk to for hours” vibe. But being rare doesn't mean being fragile.
The Enneagram Type 4 personality type is commonly known as the Individualist. They're self-aware, reflective, and sensitive individuals motivated by desires to find or create their own identity. Often, this influences them to pursue work in the creative industries.
What Personality Types are Most Polite?
Results yielded scales consistent with the Big Four model of personality (i.e., Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Introversion, and Antagonism) and not the Big Five as there were insufficient items related to Openness.
Enneagram Type Four in Brief
Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living.
Enneagram Type 9. Mediators believe that to be loved and valued, you must blend in and go with the flow. Consequently, Mediators seek harmony and are inclusive, amiable, easygoing, comfortable and steady; they also can be self-forgetting, conflict-avoidant and stubborn.
The four temperaments—Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic—are an ancient framework, originating with Hippocrates, suggesting personality is tied to bodily fluids (humors) and linking types to elements (Air, Fire, Earth, Water) with traits like sociable/optimistic (Sanguine), ambitious/leader (Choleric), analytical/pessimistic (Melancholic), and calm/relaxed (Phlegmatic). While not modern science, the model persists in self-help and spirituality, recognizing everyone as a blend, with strengths and weaknesses, to understand human behavior better.
Before we go into the reasons why they are important, let's quickly remind ourselves of what they are. The five broad personality traits described by the theory are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.
How Can We Identify Our “True” Type
A sanguine person is an optimistic, extroverted, and social individual from the ancient theory of the four temperaments, known for being lively, fun-loving, and people-oriented but also potentially impulsive and undisciplined. They thrive on social interaction, easily build relationships, and bring energy to groups, though they may struggle with commitment, routine, and deep focus.
Deloitte and PwC are described as more competitive.
The history of the 4 basic temperaments
Hippocrates named the four personality types after specific body fluids: Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic and Sanguine.
INFJ, also known as the advocate, counselor, or idealist, is the rarest type of personality in the general population. It represents about 1.5% of the general population in the United States. INFJ stands for: introversion.
Instead, traits like agreeableness, extraversion and intelligence score consistently higher than physical attraction as things that men and women in same-sex and different-sex couples look for in a partner.
Dominance (D): The Most Common Personality Type for CEOs/Co-Founders. Our data highlights Dominance (D) as the most intense trait among CEOs and Co-Founders, showing that these roles tend to carry an assertive, proactive, and goal-oriented disposition wherever they go.
Amy Winehouse is Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving (ISFP) according to her Myers-Briggs analysis.
Individualists walk to the beat of their own drum and find unique ways of expressing themselves and their originality. They tend to be creative, independent, expressive, perceptive and at times sensitive and dramatic.
Tendency to Isolate: When they feel misunderstood or unable to express themselves fully, Type 4s may withdraw or isolate themselves. Negative Self-Image: Type 4s can struggle with self-esteem and self-criticism, often comparing themselves to an idealized version of themselves.