Abstract
BackgroundAlthough there are several models on the structure of human temperament, character and personality, the majority follow a single approach, providing a unilateral and overly theoretical construct which is unsuitable for clinical application. The current study aimed to develop a complex and comprehensive model of temperament and character by empirically combining relevant existing theories.MethodsThe study included 734 healthy general population subjects aged 40.80 ± 11.48 years, who completed the TEMPS-A, TCI and NEO-PI-3 questionnaires. Data were analyzed in a multistep approach using Exploratory Factor analysis and forward stepwise linear regression.ResultsThe results yielded two highest order factors (Self and Self–Environment Interaction), six middle order factors (Emotional Self, Cognitive Self, Social Emotionality, Emotional and Cognitive Control, Ethical Emotionality and Behavior, Social Emotionality and Behavior) and 12 factors at the bottom (Ego Resiliency, Ego Strength, Intrapersonal Emotion, Personal Space Cognition, Interpersonal Cognition, Emotional Creativity, Externalized Interpersonal Emotion, Internalized Interpersonal Emotion, Emotional Motivation, Self-Discipline, Ethical Values and Ethical Behavior).ConclusionsThe current study developed a complex hierarchical model of temperament and character on the basis of empirical data from several temperament theories. An important feature of the new temperamental model is the frequent admixture of emotional and cognitive processes within the same module. This model expands the field to include elements probably corresponding to meta-cognition mechanisms and complex interactions between affective and cognitive control, which may provide useful in understanding and treating affective disorders as well.
Highlights
The concept of temperament is one of the most ancient in the history of the study of human behavior
The results indicate that the study sample is representative of the country’s active population with some over-representation of younger ages in terms of the country’s population of the year 2008, when the data were collected
The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI)-3 subscales were predicted by TEMPS and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) subscales with explained variability 4–52% and 22–54%, respectively
Summary
The concept of temperament is one of the most ancient in the history of the study of human behavior. Hans Eysenck (1916–1997) was the first to analyze personality differences using an empirical/statistical method. He proposed that the basic factors were Neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotions), Extraversion (tendency to enjoy positive events) and Psychotisism (cognitive style). The theories of temperament and character are represented by three major questionnaires, the NEO-PI-3, the TCI and the TEMPS-A. These are not the only ones which exist [32]. The current study aimed to develop a complex and comprehensive model of temperament and character by empirically combining relevant existing theories
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