Most modern personality type tests have a common ancestor. The four temperaments quiz has historical roots that have inspired many self-discovery assessments. It’s a simple yet fun way to understand yourself better. Take this quiz to find out which temperament — sanguine, choleric, melancholic, or phlegmatic — fits you best and how it shapes your personality.
Temperament quiz
Please choose one or two answers for each question. Then, count how many times you selected each letter. Don’t overthink your choices — go with what feels most natural to you!
1. People often describe you as…
- A. Fun and outgoing
- B. Confident and ambitious
- C. Thoughtful and deep
- D. Chill and easy-going
2. Your dream job is…
- A. Something social like a TV host, event planner, or tour guide.
- B. A leadership role: I want to be a CEO or an entrepreneur.
- C. Writer, scientist, analyst, or any other thinker job is for me.
- D. A calm and steady job — translator, artist, librarian.
3. When meeting new people, you…
- A. Start talking and making jokes right away — no awkward silence!
- B. Take the lead and guide the conversation, whatever I like.
- C. Listen first, then join in when comfortable.
- D. Keep things friendly but let people around do most of the talking.
4. Your weekend plans look like…
- A. Hanging out with friends, maybe trying something new.
- B. Working on myself. It can be sports, learning a new language, or attending a business meeting.
- C. Reading, researching, or getting lost in a hobby.
- D. Spending time at home, enjoying a slow day.
5. If a friend is upset, you…
- A. Cheer them up with humor and fun.
- B. Offer advice and tell them what to do.
- C. Listen to them and offer support.
- D. Give them a hug and a calm presence.
6. When stressed, you…
- A. Watch a comedy or talk with friends. I want to distract myself with fun.
- B. Delve deeper into my work. Nothing can stop me.
- C. Retreat into deep thinking. I can also opt for meditation or reading a gripping book.
- D. Stay calm and let it pass. I trust that things will work out on their own with time.
7. How do you approach routines?
- A. They are too boring! I hate too much repetition and prefer switching things up often.
- B. I like to have a structured plan, so I always know what I’m doing tomorrow.
- C. I find comfort and peace in predictable, well-organized routines.
- D. I enjoy having some structure but also want flexibility.
Results of the temperament test
Now it’s time to find out which temperament type suits you most. Keep in mind that it’s completely normal to have a mix of different letters — most people don’t fit neatly into just one category! There are no “pure” temperament types. This test simply highlights the types that are most dominant in your personality.
Most A — Sanguine
According to ResearchGate, the sanguine personality type (which includes ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, and ISFP) makes up about 27% of the general population. [1] If you’re among the following, you’re probably extroverted, energetic, easy-going, and drawn to pleasure-seeking activities and situations. You enjoy being the center of attention and have unlimited enthusiasm.
Main traits:
- Outgoing
- Optimistic
- Spontaneous
- Open to new experiences
- Expressive
Possible weaknesses:
- Impulsive
- May experience intense emotional wounds
- Can be overly talkative or attention-seeking
- May struggle with self-discipline
- Sensitive to criticism [2]
Most B — Choleric
Four temperaments tests and statistics identify that these people are ambitious, success-oriented, and assertive. If you’re choleric, you seem to be very disciplined and tend to have a big vision as well as a clear understanding of how to reach your dreams. Interestingly, cholerics are also the main type that engages in educational practices. [3]
Main traits:
- Good leaders
- Confident in their actions
- Independent
- Analytical
- Focused on results
- Energetic and proactive
Possible weaknesses:
- Can be overly controlling
- Tend to be impatient
- May find it challenging to be empathetic
- Overly work-focused
- Highly competitive
Most C — Melancholic
Amy Messex, MSW, agrees that melancholic people are emotionally present and value-driven. [4] The free temperament test highlights that they like to analyze situations before making decisions and might seem really thoughtful. If you’re melancholic, you might prefer deep conversations over small talk. Such people may be more reserved. At the same time, they are loyal and care deeply about others that matter to them.
Main traits:
- Introverted
- Detail-oriented
- Creative
- Sentimental
- Well-organized
Possible weaknesses:
- May be extremely self-critical
- Prone to overthinking
- Get overwhelmed easily
- Can be distant or withdrawn
- Find it challenging to let go of past mistakes
Most D — Phlegmatic
As you might have already understood from this 4 temperaments free test, phlegmatic is rather relaxed, calm, and thoughtful. Dictionary.com defines the word “phlegmatic” as “not easily excited to action or display of emotion.” [5] These are also important traits of this personality type. If you are phlegmatic, you likely value peace in your life and prefer to avoid unnecessary drama.
Main traits:
- Patient
- Empathetic
- Consistent
- Good listener
- Abstract thinker
- Adapts to different situations easily
Possible weaknesses:
- Indecisive
- May lack motivation
- Can be too passive
- Might find it challenging to express emotions
- May try to avoid any change
Can a person change personality type over life? Hannah Schlueter, MA, LAC, answers, “Yes, an individual’s personality is always evolving. Many different factors can influence the development of someone’s personality type. Aspects like age development, environment, interpersonal relationships, and life experiences all play a role and can have significant impact over someone’s changes in personality.”
Four temperaments test history and background
The theory of temperaments may have started in Ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, but it was later developed into a medical concept by the Greek physician Hippocrates. [6] At first, he believed that four bodily fluids (blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm) and their balance influenced a person’s health and personality.
Later, Galen, a Roman physician, expanded this idea and linked it to four temperament types. [7] He suggested that each temperament was connected to a dominant bodily fluid: sanguine with blood, choleric with yellow bile, melancholic with black bile, and phlegmatic with phlegm. This idea was widely accepted for centuries and influenced both medicine and early psychology.
Over time, the medical aspect of the four temperaments was abandoned, and the concept has evolved into a framework for understanding character traits and personality. During the last centuries, many temperament typologies, particularly Jung’s psychological types and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), drew inspiration from ancient temperament classifications.
Now temperament quizzes are a great way to better understand various aspects of one’s personality. The 4 temperament types can be used on their own or as a foundation for exploring more complex personality models.
Who is the 4 temperaments test for? How does it help?
This test is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about their personal traits, including the reflection of strengths, and weaknesses. It can help you find yourself and make more thoughtful life choices.
Knowing your temperament can improve your relationships, communication, and even career as you learn how to work with your unique traits. It’s also a great tool for personal growth because it highlights where you shine and where you can improve.
Is the four temperaments quiz accurate?
According to ScienceDirect, red blood cells and hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood play important roles in modulating moods and emotions. [8] This means that Hippocrates and Galen were somehow correct about the fact that the balance of body fluids influences personality traits.
Another research published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences has proven specific relations between topology and mood scores. Choleric types really showed greater anger, sanguine types greater optimism, phlegmatics less state anxiety and least depression, and melancholics were high on state anxiety. [9]
Still, there is no one formally approved test that can definitively determine a person’s temperament with scientific accuracy. Most four temperaments tests are based on self-reported answers about behavioral tendencies typical for each personality type. While these tests can offer valuable insights, they should be taken as an informative tool rather than a strict diagnosis of personality.
It’s also important to remember that people don’t always fit into one category. So, think of the 4 temperaments test as a fun and useful tool for self-discovery, not a strict label.
What would you recommend to people who have found out about their personality types and want to take advantage of this knowledge in the future? What should they take into account, and what next steps should they take? We asked Hannah Schlueter, MA, LAC, “I would first recommend to check in with yourself and see if the information feels accurate. If so, the next step would be to identify your strengths and areas of improvement. Take into account that your personality may slightly differ depending on what environment you’re in (i.e. work versus friends). If there are any aspects you’d like to change, there is so much room to do so!”
Sources
- ResearchGate. “Personality Type Frequency in Population”
- CORE. “THE ANALYSIS OF TEMPERAMENT TYPES’S INFLUENCE ON MANAGERS”
- ResearchGate. “Personal Characteristics and Personality-Temperament Traits and Its Implications to Effective Leadership in Organizations”
- Study.com. “Melancholy Temperament | Definition, Origin & Personality Traits”
- Dictionary.com. “Phlegmatic”
- ResearchGate. “The Functionality of Four Temperaments and Communication Theories towards the Realisation of Peaceful General Elections in Kenya”
- Lumen Learning. “Hippocrates & Galen – The Four Humors”
- ScienceDirect. “Hemoglobin-derived peptides and mood regulation”
- ScienceDirect. “Mood differences between the four Galen personality types: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic”
