Below is a review of each of the classic elements of temperament followed by a 1-5 spectrum on which you can place yourself. Try not to think about what you “should be,” or how you “should respond,” or how you wish you were. You may find it interesting to consider how temperament differences were handled in your family of origin, and how your reaction to those experiences plays out in your intimate relationships.
1. Persistence
When you are involved in a task, how do you feel about being interrupted? If someone tells you “no,” does it make you want to push harder? When you have to stop before the task is “done,” how do you feel?
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High Persistence | ||||
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Possible Traits of Someone Who is Low Persistence: Easy going, but can have a hard time following through or completing things, or can have a hard time holding the line about things.
Possible Traits of Someone Who is High Persistence: Committed to goals, able to give full attention, willing to “fight” to be able to keep trying or finish, but can respond to interruptions with irritation, may miss other’s cues, has a hard time being flexible, and has a hard time feeling they’ve done a good job if nothing is fully completed.
2. Sensitivity
How aware are you of sights, sounds, smells, textures or tastes? Do noises irritate you? Do you notice subtle changes in lighting or temperature? Do you get overwhelmed when there is too much to look at? Do you have a hard time with textural differences (i.e. of your clothes, sheets, food, etc.)? Note: We can be really sensitive about some things (i.e. sound) and less sensitive about others (i.e. sights).
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Possible Low Sensitivity Traits: Not easily irritated or overwhelmed by sensory stimuli; can enjoy amusement parks, crowds, Home Depot; can wear clothes of any texture; rarely notices moderate changes in temperature; easy to stay calm and focused; often have trouble believing or being patient with what it’s like for people with high sensitivity; can overload sensitive people.
Possible High Sensitivity Traits: Easily irritated or overwhelmed by sensory stimuli including crowded stores, crying children, loud bars or parties, clutter, highly decorated classrooms (visual stimuli); particular about how clothing feels; finds it very hard or impossible to focus on other things in the midst of sensory stimuli; probably often told “too sensitive” or picky which may result in frustration with self and attempts to “tough it out” until overwhelmed; usually needs awareness and practice to recognize when to take a break before overwhelm; Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) kids often (some say always) have high sensitivity. Stress tends to push people higher on the spectrum.
3. Adaptability
How easily do you shift from one activity or idea to another? How do you feel about surprises or changes in schedule or plan?
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Possible Traits of Low Adaptability: Organized; predictable; has an easy / comfortable time establishing routines; fights against feeling rushed or surprised; unlikely to overlook transitions; may judge adaptable people as unpredictable or unreliable.
Possible Traits of High Adaptability: Flexible, good for in-the-moment problem-solving, may not even perceive some transitions, may be triggered by those who need longer transition time, may judge those who need or thrive on a schedule as controlling, may have trouble with follow-through or be experienced as highly distractible.
4. Intensity
How strong are your emotional reactions (what you feel, not necessarily what you do or how much you show it)?
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Possible Traits of Low Intensity (milder emotion): Not emotive, may be described by other people as especially calm, not easily triggered by others’ feelings or intensity, not easily frustrated, may have a hard time empathizing with higher intensity emotions, may judge those who show more emotion in any variety of ways.
Possible Traits of High Intensity (more intense emotion): Experiences emotions deeply, passionately, with zest; has a hard time “letting go” of emotions (may have experienced others trying to convince to “let it go and move on;” has to work harder not to get triggered by others; can experience and judge low intensity people as “emotionally flat” or “Spock-like.”
5. Regularity
Do you like/need to sleep or eat at regular times? Do you get thrown off (i.e. irritated, upset, stressed) when your regular day-to-day schedule changes?
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Possible Traits of Low Regularity (flexible): Irregularity is okay, can wait to eat or sleep; has an easier time traveling or adjusting to others’ schedules (i.e. if friends or family are visiting, if someone is ill, etc.).
Possible Traits of High Regularity: Routines give a sense of security and reliability; bodily functions are more regular/on-schedule; feels a range of stress/anxiety/irritation if schedule is disrupted; can physically feel quite bad if sleep schedule or meal schedule changes; with entitlement can expect others to adapt to their schedule regardless of others’ temperament.
Each can have a very hard time understanding and being patient with the other.
6. Activity Level
How active are you? This is not just about exercising or working out. What amount of activity makes you feel good? When you want to “unwind,” “take it easy,” or “relax,” do you want to go for a jog, or lie down and watch a movie? What level of activity at work or home makes you feel invigorated? What level of activity makes you feel exhausted or overwhelmed?
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Possible Traits of Low Activity: Easy to sit still for long periods of time; might need or crave quiet still time; can take or leave physical exercise; likes to stroll rather than walk briskly; generally laid back; a rejuvenating vacation involves free time and lounging; enjoys single activities but not three scheduled in a row; finds high activity people (and their activities) exhausting.
Possible Traits of High Activity: Fidgety, needs regular exercise; prefers to walk briskly; not easily overwhelmed by lack of “down time;” likes to pack the schedule with things to do; feels antsy and stir crazy when stuck in the house too long; a rejuvenating vacation involves many activities; can have a hard time stopping, focusing, or being still; finds low activity people boring or judges them as lazy.
7. First Response (Approach or Withdrawal)
What is your characteristic first response to a new idea, place, thing, or activity? Does it feel natural to wait and observe before jumping in, or does it feel easy and natural to throw yourself into the new experience?
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Possible Traits of Low (Cautious) First Response: Needs time to decide; watches before joining; less able to focus for a longer period of time when in a new environment; can judge high first response people to be careless, reckless, anxiety-producing, or exhausting.
Possible Traits of High (Jump-In) First Response: Quick to decide likes and dislikes; jumps at any chance for something new; joins in quickly; no noticeable (or at least negative) physiological reaction to newness; may move too quickly for their cautious counterparts or judge them as overly cautious or constrained by fear.
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