Definition of temperament

The word "temperament" originally derives from the Latin word "temperamentum," which refers to the act of blending or mixing different things in appropriate proportions. In medical contexts during the Middle Ages, the term came to describe the balance or imbalance of four bodily humors - blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile - thought to determine a person's physical and mental health. This concept of four humors was widely accepted in Western medicine until the late 19th century, when it was replaced by a more modern understanding of the human body. The modern usage of "temperament" to describe personality traits can be traced back to the early 17th century, when it was used to mean a person's unique disposition or nature, distinct from their behavior or experience. Today, the term is commonly used in psychology to refer to a complex and dynamic set of characteristics that influence how a person perceives, responds, and adapts to their environment. While the idea of four basic temperaments based on the humors has fallen out of favor, some recent research has suggested that genetics and biology contribute to the development of individual temperament profiles.