Galen's & William Sheldon Personality Theory + Human Shape

Galen was a Greek physician believed to be born between 127 and 132. He was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family that believed education was very important. His father was his first and most important teacher, yet he still managed to become one of the pioneers of anatomy and is widely considered to be one of the most important physicians of all time.
Although he is known best for his contributions to the study of anatomy, he also created a theory about personalities. Sometime in the second century AD, he published De Temperamentis which outlined his theory. Galen believed that four fluids were responsible for different moods, behaviors, and emotions. He was clearly inspired by the works of Hippocrates, who studied the “four humors” medically around 400 BC. Hippocrates did not use them to infer things about a person’s personality, but he identified the four fluids that lie at the base of Galen’s theory: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

 
 

Choleric

The choleric temperament is traditionally associated with fire. People with this temperament tend to be egocentric and extroverted. They may be excitable, impulsive, and restless, with reserves of aggression, energy, and/or passion, and try to instill that in others.
They tend to be task-oriented people and are focused on getting a job done efficiently; their motto is usually "do it now." They can be ambitious, strong-willed and like to be in charge. They can show leadership, are good at planning, and are often practical and solution-oriented. They appreciate receiving respect and esteem for their work.
Pedagogically, they can be best reached through mutual respect and appropriate challenges that recognize their capacities.

Melancholic

The melancholic temperament is traditionally associated with the element of earth. People with this temperament may appear serious, introverted, cautious or even suspicious. They can become preoccupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world and are susceptible to depression and moodiness. They may be focused and conscientious. They often prefer to do things themselves, both to meet their own standards and because they are not inherently sociable.
Pedagogically, they can be best met by awakening their sympathy for others and the suffering of the world.

Sanguine

The sanguine temperament is traditionally associated with air. People with this temperament tend to be lively, sociable, carefree, talkative, and pleasure-seeking. They may be warm-hearted and optimistic. They can make new friends easily, be imaginative and artistic, and often have many ideas.They can be flighty and changeable; thus sanguine personalities may struggle with following tasks all the way through and be chronically late or forgetful.
Pedagogically, they can be best reached through awakening their love for a subject and admiration of people.

Phlegmatic 

The phlegmatic temperament is traditionally associated with water. People with this temperament may be inward and private, thoughtful, reasonable, calm, patient, caring, and tolerant. They tend to have a rich inner life, seek a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, and be content with themselves. They tend to be steadfast, consistent in their habits, and thus steady and faithful friends.

Pedagogically, their interest is often awakened by experiencing others' interest in a subject.
People of this temperament may appear somewhat ponderous or clumsy. Their speech tends to be slow or appear hesitant.


Galen expanded upon this idea. Even though his theory is based around the same four fluids, he also focused on the mixing of the four. Galen’s theory allowed for nine possible “temperaments” based on the levels of the four fluids in the body. In the four least desirable temperaments, one characteristic dominated the other three. In four others, a pair of temperaments dominate the other two. Galen referred to these as either “sanguine”, “choleric”, “melancholy”, and “phlegmatic”. In the ideal temperament, all four humors are balanced.

Unfortunately for Galen, his theory has not withstood the test of time. It has been nearly 900 years since he created his theory, so it is through no fault of his own that his theory is no longer valid. At the time his theory was created, not nearly enough was known about the inner workings of the brain for serious doubt to spread amongst the medical community, but that is no longer the case. It is now known that the brain is responsible for the personality of a person and of course, that means that four fluids in the body have no bearing on somebody’s personality.

Somatotypes - William Sheldon, 1940's

William Sheldon (1940, 1942, cited in Phares, 1991) classified personality according to body type. He called this a person�s somatotype.
Sheldon identified three main somatotypes:

Sheldon's Somatotype	Character	Shape	Picture
Endomorph [viscerotonic]	relaxed, sociable, tolerant, comfort-loving, peaceful	plump, buxom, developed visceral structure
Mesomorph [somatotonic]	active, assertive, vigorous, combative	muscular
Ectomorph [cerebrotonic]	quiet, fragile, restrained, non-assertive, sensitive	lean, delicate, poor muscles

 

Somatotypes

After having students rate their body type according to the handout below, I ask them to walk around and find other students who have a similar rating. I suggest that they talk about whether the somatotype theory seems accurate. This exercise often leads to interesting discussions about the possible biological basis of temperment and personality. Because some people are sensitive about their body image, I make sure the students know that this exercise is optional (which is true of almost all my exercises).

In the 1940s, Sheldon proposed a theory about how there are certain body types ("somatotypes") that are associated with certain personality characteristics. He claimed that there are three such somatotypes: endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. You can rate yourself on each of these three dimensions using a scale from 1 (low) to 7 (high) with a mean of 4 (average). Therefore, a person who is a pure mesomorph would have a score of 1-7-1. A pure endomorph would be 7-1-1. A pure ectomorph would score a 1-1-7. A mostly average person who has some endomorphic tendencies would have a score of 6-4-4 ... etc. In the boxes below, rate the degree to which you think you possess each of the three body types.

Endomorphic Body Type:

• soft body
• underdeveloped muscles
• round shaped
• over-developed digestive system

Associated personality traits:

• tolerant
• love of food
• evenness of emotions
• love of comfort
• sociable
• good humored
• relaxed
• need for affection

---

Mesomorphic Body Type:

• hard, muscular body
• overly mature appearance
• rectangular shaped
• thick skin
• upright posture

Associated personality traits:

• adventurous
• desire for power and dominance
• courageous
• indifference to what others think or want
• assertive, bold
• zest for physical activity
• competitive
• love of risk and chance

---

Ectomorphic Body Type:

• thin
• flat chest
• delicate build
• young appearance
• tall
• lightly muscled
• stoop-shouldered
• large brain

Associated personality traits:

• self-conscious
• preference for privacy
• introverted
• inhibited
• socially anxious
• artistic
• mentally intense
• emotionally restrained

---

Sheldon measured the proportions of hundreds of juvenile delinquent boys and concluded that they
were generally mesomorphs (Ornstein, 1993).
Body types have been criticized for very weak empirical methodology and are not generally used in
psychology.  The use of somatotyping (using different taxonomies) is used more often in alternative therapies and Eastern psychology and spirituality.

Ayurvedic Body Types (Doshas) (India, ~3000 BC to present)

In Ayurvedic medicine (used in India since ~3000 BC), in which there are three main metabolic body types (doshas) - Vata, Pita, & Kapha.

Ayurvedic Doshas (Sheldon Somatotype)	Character	Shape
Vata (Ectomorph)	changeability, unpredictability, variability - in size, shape, mood, and action moody, enthusiastic, imaginative, and impulsive, quick to grasp ideas and  good at initiating things but poor at finishing them. energy fluctuates, with jagged peaks and valleysable, tolerant, comfort-loving, peaceful	slender with prominent features, joints, and veins, with cool, dry skin eat and sleep erratically prone to anxiety, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and constipation.
Pita (Mesomorph)	relatively predictable. quick, articulate, biting intelligence, and can be critical or passionate with short, explosive tempers. Efficient and moderate in daily habits, eats and sleeps regularly	medium build, strength, and endurance. well-proportioned and easily maintains a stable weight. Often fair haired, red or blond, ruddy complexion. tends to perspire heavily and are warm and often thirsty. prone to acne, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and stomach ailments.
Kapha (Endomorph)	relaxed slow to anger, slow to eat, slow to act. They sleep long and heavily. tends to procrastinate and be obstinate.	solid, heavy, and strong, with a tendency to be overweight, slow digestion and somewhat oily hair, and cool, damp, pale skin. prone to high cholesterol, obesity, allergies, and sinus problems.

(Table constructed from information at http://www.newyorkbodyscan.com/ayurvedic-medicine.html; Read more about Ayurveda)

Jungian Types, Myers-Briggs, & the Four Temperaments

Jungian psychological types are probably the most widely used and amongst the best-known in everyday life.  Jung's typology emerges from Jung's deep, holistic philosophy and psychology about the person.  Jung's typology is not, unfortunately, always included in mainstream personality courses, because it wasn't empirically-driven. Jung viewed the ultimate psychological task as the process of individuation, based on the strengths and limitations of one's psychological type.
Myers-Briggs developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a commercially available questionnaire, which is widely used in business and training, etc. and which provides information and exercises for better understanding one's own personality type and others with who the individual interacts and works.
Keirsey has renamed and reconceptualized the Jungian types, but they relate very closely to the Jungian types.  Keirsey refers to "temperaments" rather than personality.
Underlying all these typologies are four personality traits (functions):
Extroversion (E) --- Introversion (I)
Do you recharge your energy via external contact & activity (Extroversion) or spending time in your inner space (Introversion)?
Intuition (N) --- Sensing (S)
Do you rely on your inner voice (Intuition) or observation (Sensing)?
Thinking (T) --- Feeling (F)
When making decisions, what do you rely most on?  Your thoughts or your feelings?
Judgement (J) --- Perception (P)
Do you tend to set schedules and organize your life (Judgement), or do you tend to leave the options open and see what happens (Perception)?
Using the letters above, it is possible to have a unique 4 letter code to indicate each of the 16 Jungian personality types, e.g., I am an INTJ.

Type A / B Personalities

Meyer Friedman, an American cardiologist, noticed in the 1940's that the chairs in his waiting room got worn out from the edges.  They hypothesized that his patients were driven, impatient people, who sat on the edge of their seats when waiting.  They labelled these people "Type A" personalities.  Type A personalities are work-aholics, always busy, driven, somewhat impatient, and so on.  Type B personalities, on the other hand are laid back and easy going.  "Type A personality" has found its way into general parlance.
Read more....Type A behavior: The poorly recognized and rarely treated major coronary risk factor.

Block's Personality Types

Block (1971) identified 5 personality types among male participants in a study. These types
were found only to exist in mostly white, intelligent and relatively affluent males. A number of
subsequent studies conducted in the 1990s, however seems to bear out three of Block�s 5
identified types:

• Well-adjusted or Resilient person: adaptable, flexible, resourceful, interpersonally
  successful
• Overcontrolling: this is a maladjusted type; uptight, and difficult to deal with
• Undercontrolled: another maladjusted type; impulsive, risky, delinquent or even
  criminal behaviour; unsafe sex etc.

Strengths & limitations of personality types

Type theory in general has been criticized as over-simplistic because it overlooks
the multi-dimensional and continuous nature of personality traits.
Also, some would say that Individual Differences may be qualitative not quantitative. That is
that there may be a difference in the qualities that people possess rather than, as trait theory
would have us believe, we all possess certain traits it�s just a case of how much or how little
we possess (the quantity).
A key strength of the personality type approach, I think, is its simple applicability and person-centered relevance.  It can be particularly useful to complete personality type profiles for helping improve how people get along in relationships and at work.