Temperament Theory Research Articles

Temperament moderates the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms: A Regulative Theory of Temperament approach

Several studies show that eveningness and depressive symptoms are positively related. However, little is known about potential factors that may weaken or amplify the negative emotional consequences of the eveningness. In the present study, using a conceptual framework of the Regulative Theory of Temperament, we explored the moderating role of temperamental traits in the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms. We hypothesized that higher endurance and briskness, as well as lower emotional reactivity, may significantly reduce depressive symptoms. The study was conducted on a group of 929 individuals aged 18–35 years. Significant interaction effects showed that the magnitude of the association between eveningness and depressive symptoms might decrease with high briskness and low emotional reactivity. The results provide further evidence for the regulative role of temperament in the area of affective functioning, showing that briskness and emotional reactivity can be viewed as protective or risk factors against the elevated depressive symptoms of evening chronotypes. It may, therefore, be important to consider both chronotype and temperament in the prevention and diagnosis of depression.

Jan Strelau: Two perspectives

We discuss the life and work of Jan Strelau from the perspectives of the Regulative Theory of Temperament and Five-Factor Theory. Both posit that traits are early-appearing and relatively stable over time, have a substantial biological basis, can be found in human and non-human species, and must be inferred from the behaviors that express them; they differ in the scope of temperament, the role of the environment in shaping traits, and the adaptive function of traits. The instruments associated with the two theories converge empirically: The temperament traits of Briskness and Endurance are related to Conscientiousness, Perseveration and Emotional reactivity to Neuroticism, Activity to Extraversion, and Sensory sensitivity to Openness. Five informant ratings of Strelau concurred in showing that he was low in Neuroticism and high in Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness. A biographical sketch shows that despite potentially traumatic events in childhood and adolescence, Strelau lived a full and productive life. His life course is consistent with the view of both theories that adult personality traits are chiefly a reflection of biological influences.

The centrality of temperament to the research domain criteria (RDoC): The earliest building blocks of psychopathology.

The research domain criteria (RDoC) is an innovative approach designed to explore dimensions of human behavior. The aim of this approach is to move beyond the limits of psychiatric categories in the hope of aligning the identification of psychological health and dysfunction with clinical neuroscience. Despite its contributions to adult psychopathology research, RDoC undervalues ontogenetic development, which circumscribes our understanding of the etiologies, trajectories, and maintaining mechanisms of psychopathology risk. In this paper, we argue that integrating temperament research into the RDoC framework will advance our understanding of the mechanistic origins of psychopathology beginning in infancy. In illustrating this approach, we propose the incorporation of core principles of temperament theories into a new "life span considerations" subsection as one option for infusing development into the RDoC matrix. In doing so, researchers and clinicians may ultimately have the tools necessary to support emotional development and reduce a young child's likelihood of psychological dysfunction beginning in the first years of life.

Psychological type and psychological temperament of non-stipendiary Anglican clergy: appropriate to meet the needs of the twenty-first century?

ABSTRACT Drawing on psychological type theory and temperament theory as operationalised by the Francis Psychological Type Scales, this study compares the profiles of 53 non-stipendiary clergy and 77 stipendiary clergy serving with the same Diocese of the Church of England. The data confirm significant differences between the two groups. The non-stipendiary clergy comprise a significantly higher proportion of sensing types (70% compared with 33%) and a significantly higher proportion of judging types (93% compared with 73%). In terms of temperament theory, these differences translate into a significantly higher proportion of the Guardian Temperament (66% compared with 31%). As the Church of England increasingly relies on self-supporting ministry, the implications of the changing psychological type and temperament of ordained leaders is discussed. Here is a leadership more inclined to conserve the status quo than to pioneer new initiatives and fresh expressions of church within a changing environment.

Zhu Zaiyu’ s Twelve Mean Law and European Music Revolution -Take “Well Tempered Clavier” in Bach for example

Zhu Zaiyu is a famous Chinese musician in Ming Dynasty. His research results laid the theoretical foundation for the development of modern music.Joseph Needham called it ' the saint of Chinese Renaissance ', and equal temperament is the most important part of his music theory. Taking Bach ’ s “Well Tempered Clavier” as an example, this paper explores the theoretical significance of equal temperament through the causes and exploration process of the equal temperament, so as to study the influence of Zhu Zaiyu ’ s Equal Temperament theory on the European music revolution, and summarize the influence of this theory on the development of Chinese and Western music, so as to understand more comprehensively the important contribution of Equal Temperament to the development of Chinese and Western music.

Cristianismo paulino en Huarte de San Juan: meritocracia y linaje en el Examen de ingenios para las ciencias (Baeza 1575, 1594)

Este trabajo aborda los usos que Juan Huarte de San Juan hizo de la Biblia en el Examen de Ingenios para las Ciencias (Baeza, 1575 y 1594). Tras un breve apunte de su formación, primero en Baeza como licenciado en artes y luego en Alcalá, como doctor en medicina, se examina el recurso de Huarte al Pentateuco para reforzar su tesis —basada en la doctrina galénica de los temperamentos—, sobre la excelencia natural de los judíos para la práctica de la medicina. La segunda parte del artículo aborda el análisis de espiritualidad paulina en el autor del EIC. Esta última se convierte en una herramienta teórica para elaborar una crítica radical contra el proyecto de exclusión social de los cristianos nuevos, en una línea de continuidad con una tradición cristiana de pensamiento crítico muy viva en el mundo ibérico desde el siglo XV.

Cognitive and temperamental determinants of susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion

The temperamental predictors of visual illusions have not yet been studied, although some researchers note that individual differences may predestine susceptibility to illusions. The purpose of our study was to analyse the cognitive and temperamental predictors of susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion. The cognitive predictors included field dependence–independence, the alerting, orienting, and executive control attention networks, and the mechanism of inhibiting and updating in WM. The temperamental indicators were analysed in the context of Strelau's Regulative Theory of Temperament. 170 people aged 20–33 participated in the study. The results confirmed that susceptibility to the M-L illusion is associated with field dependence. Rhythmicity as a temperament trait moderated the relationship between susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion and the efficacy of alerting. At a low level of Rhythmicity, a relationship between lower efficacy of the alerting network and higher susceptibility to the illusion was observed.

The Possibility of the Change of Habits within the Framework of Temperament Theory in Ikhwān al-Ṣafā'

The Possibility of the Change of Habits within the Framework of Temperament Theory in Ikhwān al-Ṣafā'

Temperamental risk factors in young adults with ADHD symptoms

Abstract Introduction: In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the analysis of the primary mechanisms and forms of therapy in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The analysis of such topics among similarly diagnosed young adults is only beginning to gain popularity. The present article attempts to answer the question of whether the level of individual temperament traits will predict an increase in the severity of ADHD symptoms in young adults. Materials and methods: The questionnaire study involved 111 young adults aged from 18 to 28 (M= 23; SD= 2.12; 70 women and 41 men). Fifty-one people were included in the clinical group, and sixty were qualified for the control one. The participants of the study completed a health questionnaire and a structured diagnostic interview on ADHD symptoms in adults (DIVA 2.0) and a questionnaire for the diagnosis of basic, biologically determined dimensions of human personality (FCZ-KT (R)). Results: The results indicate a significant role of four temperament traits that may be considered as specific risk factors for the aggravation of ADHD symptoms. These include briskness, rhythm, endurance and activity. Conclusions: In Strelau’s Regulatory Theory of Temperament, the variability of temperament traits (in the Polish population) is attributed in 44% to genetic factors. The remaining 56% indicate non-genetic factors. The obtained results may indicate which factors are important in therapeutic work both in the group of young adults with ADHD symptoms, and may also constitute a source of information for parents or teachers regarding younger children with these symptoms.

Catholic priesthood and psychological temperament: a replication among priests in Italy

ABSTRACT This study draws on psychological temperament theory (a development from psychological type theory) to map the characteristics of 105 Catholic priests serving in Italy, who completed the Francis Psychological Type Scales. The data demonstrated a strong preference for the SJ Epimethean Temperament (70.5%), with low representation for the other three temperaments: SP Dionysian Temperament (10.5%), NT Promethean Temperament (10.5%), and NF Apollonian Temperment (8.6%). In their study of religious leadership, Oswald and Kroeger characterised Epimethean priests as “conserving, serving” pastors.

Applying psychological type and psychological temperament theory to the congregations at cathedral carol services

ABSTRACT Psychological type theory and temperament theory provide lenses through which the distinctive appeal of different forms of Christian worship may be interpreted. Studies of regular Sunday congregations in Anglican churches in England and Wales find strong representation of sensing types and feeling types and of the Epimethean Temperament. In order to explore whether the very distinctive provision of cathedral carol services attracted a different psychological profile among those who attended, 193 individuals attending Christmas carol services at Bangor Cathedral completed the Francis Psychological Type Scales. The data demonstrated that, compared with congregations attending Sunday services at Anglican churches, the carol service attracted significantly higher proportions of intuitive types, of thinking types, and of the Promethean Temperament.

Affective temperaments and procrastination as mediated by emotional reactivity in a nonclinical adult sample

BackgroundThe study purpose was to assess the relationship between affective temperaments and procrastination and to examine the role of emotional reactivity as a mediator in this relationship. We hypothesized that depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious tem-peraments as well as emotional reactivity would be positively correlated with procrastination while the hyperthymic temperament would be negatively correlated, and that emotional reactivity would mediate the relationship between affective temperaments and procrastination.Participants and procedureThe sample consisted of 315 healthy Caucasian adults (193 women and 122 men) aged 18-69 (M = 31.64, SD = 12.14). The Polish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-Questionnaire (TEMPS-A) was used to assess affective temperaments (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious). The temperament traits postulated by the regulative theory of temperament were measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory Revised (FCB-TIR). Procrastination was evaluated via a Polish version of the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS).ResultsThe affective temperaments positively correlated with procrastination, except for hyperthymic temperament (negative correla-tion). Emotional reactivity and perseveration had a positive relationship with procrastination, while briskness, endurance and rhythmicity had a negative correlation. Cyclothymic temperament and emotional reactivity were found to be significant predic-tors of procrastination; hyperthymic temperament, endurance and rhythmicity may provide buffers against procrastination.ConclusionsCyclothymic temperament is an important predictor of procrastination. Emotional reactivity significantly mediated between cy-clothymic temperament and procrastination. Hyperthymic temperament, endurance and rhythmicity may provide a buffer against procrastination.

Evolution of the Temperament Theory and Mental Attitude in Complete Denture Prosthodontics: From Hippocrates to M.M. House

Some 2,500 years ago Hippocrates developed the "Temperament Theory" of the four humors (fluids) he identified as blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile which then led to the ancient medical concept known as "humorism." In Greco-Roman medicine, these humors were believed to be the influencers of an individual's relative wellness or ill-health, served as a means to classify illnesses, and subsequently guided medical diagnosis and treatment. Centuries later modifications to Hippocrates' hypothesis were suggested for use in dentistry when selecting denture teeth and later as a means to classify the mental status and personality of complete denture patients. This paper examines the historic transition of the terminology, characteristics, and thinking behind the four humors with mention of key thinkers in this journey. Of particular note is the evolution in the application of this theory from its suggested use in medicine, proposed by Hippocrates, to the descriptions of mental attitudes and personalities of complete denture patients first described by Neil and subsequently popularized by M. M. House.

(What We Talk About When We Talk About) Judicial Temperament

Judicial temperament is simultaneously the thing we think all judges must have and the thing that no one can quite put a finger on. Extant accounts are scattered and thin, and either present a laundry list of desirable judicial qualities without articulating what (if anything) unifies the list or treat temperament as a fundamentally mysterious quality that a judge either does or does not have. Resting so much—selection, evaluation, discipline, even removal—on such an indeterminate concept is intellectually and practically intolerable. Polarized debates over Justice Kavanaugh’s fitness to sit on the Supreme Court made clear just how badly we need a common vocabulary to guide our discourse on judicial temperament. This Article—the first extended scholarly treatment of the topic—posits that, because judicial temperament is a psychological construct, we ought to draw upon psychology to understand it. It therefore taps a deep well of scientific research to construct a new psycho-legal theory of judicial temperament. It conceives judicial temperament as a deep-seated, relatively stable set of specific personal traits—separable from intellect, training, and ideology—that, in dialectic with specific judicial environments and the predictable demands of judging, drive behaviors that affect how justice is delivered and perceived. The critical trait dimensions of a judge’s temperament are positive emotionality, negative emotionality, kindness, and self-regulation. The combination of these traits determines how well or poorly her temperament will fit with any given judicial assignment. Although judicial temperament is somewhat malleable, potential for change is constrained. This scientifically grounded theory shows why some seldom-mentioned attributes—like courage—are temperamental, and other commonly-cited ones—such as commitments to equality and diversity—are not. This Article provides a principled alternative to the folk-wisdom manner in which judicial temperament traditionally has been defined and assessed. Setting the theoretical terms for empirical testing of its claims—and with the potential to transform processes for judicial selection, evaluation, and support—the psycho-legal theory posited here shows what we should be talking about when we talk about judicial temperament.

Associations Between Self-Reported Temperament and Self-Knowledge

Abstract. Temperament and self-knowledge are both considered important regulators of behavior. Although their areas of influence overlap to some point, little is known about their association. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore if and how they are related to each other, specifically if temperamental dimensions predict self-evaluations in four important domains of self-knowledge. The results showed that temperamental dimensions derived from the regulative theory of temperament were predictors of self-evaluations in all four domains of self-knowledge to a certain degree. Temperament accounted for the greatest amount of variance in self-evaluations of the agency domain, which were positively predicted by briskness and activity, and negatively predicted by emotional reactivity. Both interpersonal attractiveness and social acceptance were positively predicted by briskness, activity, and sensory sensitivity, whereas positive predictors of morality were briskness and sensory sensitivity.

A Summary of the Analysis of the Living Conditions of “Empty Nest Youth” under the Theory of Temperament

With the continuous development and progress of the society, China's cities such as BeiShang GuangShen etc. hold the vast majority of funds and technology in one region and even China, which makes the employment of other cities flood into these first- and second-tier cities. It means that the team of empty (Hereinafter referred to as ENY) is getting bigger. In the fierce social competition environment, ENY will inevitably face many psychological and physiological challenges. The basic characteristics of ENY are high level of cultural education, strong independent ideas and self-esteem and self-confidence. The formation of this special youth group is not only for social and family reasons, but also for individual reasons. By comparing the ENY with other emerging youth groups and ordinary urban youth to analyze the differences in their living conditions, it is concluded that the overall difference is not significant, but we may ignore that under the different temperament theory the living conditions of ENY are different. This review will discuss the ENY of different temperament types to understand their living conditions, and propose countermeasures to help them through the empty nest period.

Modeling human temperament and character on the basis of combined theoretical approaches

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.

İBN-İ SÎNÂ NIN MİZAÇ TEORİSİ SADECE FİZYOLOJİK BİR SORUN MUDUR

The concepts of temperament (mizac), habit (huy), character are often confused and used interchangeably. However, according to Ibn-i Sinâ, temperament is the circumstance that emerged from the result of interaction of the opposite properties of elements. The temperament, which is the biological basis of the individuality of the self and its properties, is different from the habit. Temperatures cannot be changed by education because they are innate characteristics. On the other hand, habit is all of the spiritual and creation properties of human being. Also, habits can be changed through education. In this study, is there a relationship between ’the main motivating reason of our actions’ which is the source of our actions and our temperaments? Are temperament and habit differential concepts? Temperament or habit, which one is the more related to the structure of the body? Are temperament and habit in the same position? Where is the position of faith, reason, and soul? Position of temperament can be also added to these questions. The answer to this last question is directly related to the nature of the temperament by all means. We should ask ourselves that whether ‘temperament thought to be closely related to temper, disposition, moral quality, nature, temper and character in the meaning of morality, is a thing which changing, growing, shrinking, losing balance, aging, rejuvenating, died in the same body or not. Temperament-centered morality is the situation that allows the self to reveal its own acts without thinking. This situation is divided into two: First one is the natural morality caused by temperament. This is the case of people who can be laughter for smallest thing, can be furious and excited for the smallest thing, and can be scared for the smallest voice or news. The second one is the morality gained by habit and education. In the beginning, it occurs by contemplating and gradually becomes a ritual, habit and custom. Moraphilosophy history and moral education evaluate habit and temperament as same and tend to see human being either optimistic or pessimistic or both at a point in the middle without paying much attention to the distinction between habit and temperament. However, the situation is much more complex, diverse and multicolored than it appears. This article, with reference to El-Kânun Fit-Tibb, discusses the temperaments of the body physiologically in the context of the theory of component and tries to show the relationship with the ethical by combining component and temperament. The main problem of this article is that what Ibn-iSinâ called the temperament, is a moral philosophy problem today? Is it a body philosophy problem? Or is it a physiology problem? If the theory of temperament is only the problem and the concept of a moral philosophy, it should be dealt with along with physiology. If we think temperament theory as a problem of body philosophy, we still need a great support of physiology. Physiology, that is a branch of science that emerge from the combination of the word ”physis’’ which means nature in Greek and the word ‘logos’ which means science in Greek, investigates from the molecular level to the cell, tissue, organ, system and organism levels. This relationship between science of physiology and temperament can feed a new body philosophy. If temperament is both a problem of philosophy of morality and a problem of body philosophy, it should not be considered independent from physiology because that temperament is a concept and problem of ethics, philosophy of body and physiology. In other words, physiology is related to temperament; temperament is related to morality; morality is related to body; body is related to physiology, temperament and morality. Then if we can show the relationship between physiology, temperament, morality, and body, we can reconstruct our educational understanding accordingly. This article suggests that effort and time should not be spent for those who cannot be changed through a temperamentcentered education. Temperament should be seen as a defacto situation. By leaning over habit and educable aspect of human being, more quick and accurate moral education, physical education and value education should be considered.

No Risk, No Differences. Neural Correlates of Temperamental Traits Revealed Using Naturalistic fMRI Method.

The main goal of this study was to identify the moderating role of temperamental traits, as defined by Strelau’s Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT), in explaining brain activity evoked by video stimuli of varying stimulatory value. fMRI scans were performed in a group of 61 young females in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The validity of stimulus selection had been verified prior to the main study by collecting declarative measures of affective reactions, including valence, arousal, and basic emotions ratings. The choice of dynamic and complex video-stimuli allowed us to induce high levels of arousal effectively. Three categories of movies used in the experiment included neutral, low arousing, and highly arousing scenes. Movies classified into the last category depicted extreme-sport activities allowing us to confront the subjects with recordings potentially life-threatening situations. Results of the study revealed that activation of orbitofrontal cortex in highly arousing conditions is linked to the levels of activity, while traits of perseverance and emotional reactivity were negatively correlated with the BOLD signal in this structure. Low arousing movies evoked higher activation of the amygdala and left hippocampus in emotionally reactive subjects. Obtained results might be coherently interpreted in the light of RTT theory, therefore providing its first validation using functional brain imaging.

Assessment of students’ mental health assessment in positive and negative aspect. Mental health inventory (IZP)

The aim of the study was to develop and validate a standardized inventory assessing the mental health of young adults. The originality of the proposed approach lies in the fact that the inventory refers to both the positive and negative dimension of mental health. 405 students were examined, including 292 women and 113 men. When assessing the accuracy of the newly created instrument, the covariance of its results with the results of other tools measuring mental health or its aspects: General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28; Questionnaire for Quality of Life Assessment WHOQL-BREF; Questionnaire of Life Orientation by A. Antonowsky was assessed. Additionally, the covariance of personality traits defined by the Big Five Model as well as a temperamental dimensions of Regulative Temperament Theory was assessed. An analysis of the factor structure of the questionnaire was also performed. Although the results of the factor analysis indicate a unidimensional structure of the IZP, the correlation between its two dimensions equals -0.65. In addition, there was a correlation between both the positive dimension of mental health and negative health with neuroticism and emotional reactivity. The results of analyzes of personality and temperamental measures with data obtained using the Mental Health Inventory suggest the utility of the tool in the assessment of mental health indicators in both negative and positive aspect.