Cholerics are characterized by the element of Fire, the
season of Summer, early adulthood, the color fiery red, Mars, and the
characteristics of "Hot" and "Dry." The animal used to
symbolize the Choleric is the lion.
Role
In our distant ancestors, the choleric members of the
pack would be the alphas, the leaders. They would command their subordinates,
and assert their dominance using force. If challenged, they would respond by
getting angry, larger, in order to intimidate and to prove that they were the
strongest, the most fit to lead.
In current society, they often tend towards leadership
roles, such as managers, politicians, captains, team leaders, and so on, though
not necessarily. In fantasy, they might be the proud warriors, the esteemed
Kings.
Domination
Cholerics people strive to be leaders and directors. They
always seek to be in control of situations, to be on top, to be the best. This
doesn't necessarily mean that they are all driven to reach the top of the
corporate ladder on global scale, or that they all want to have leadership
roles, but the tendency for being on top of everything is prevailing in
day-to-day interactions with other people.
They use imperative, commanding language, wording things
as orders rather than requests. They are firm and forceful in their approach to
problems. They believe in “tough love” and try to “help” others by challenging
them to prove themselves, as they themselves would.
Most bullies are choleric, but few cholerics are bullies. Many will in fact stand up to those who bully others, rather than letting them get away with things. Their confidence and demanding natures make them natural leaders, though this doesn't mean that they would necessarily enjoy leadership positions; they're just more likely to take charge if necessary rather than fumbling around worrying.
Most bullies are choleric, but few cholerics are bullies. Many will in fact stand up to those who bully others, rather than letting them get away with things. Their confidence and demanding natures make them natural leaders, though this doesn't mean that they would necessarily enjoy leadership positions; they're just more likely to take charge if necessary rather than fumbling around worrying.
They will “challenge” others aggressively in order to
show their respect for the person's strength. They believe that it is important
to “prove oneself”. They are driven by a desire to prove themselves greater
than whoever they're arguing with, to assert that they are right, rather than
to reach some kind of truth or compromise. They can lie in order to maintain
the dominant position. The argument is about them more so than the issue; a
battle of egos rather than a quest for truth. They love competition... but hate
to lose.
They are defiant of authority, challenging them as if to
knock them off the top spot and assert their own dominance as the alpha of this
pack, the leader of this tribe.
They can be very condescending to those that they look
down upon. They may take pleasure in the pain, misfortune, or humiliation of
people they are not on good terms with. This is because it brings them pleasure
to feel superior to others. They feel that they can define and understand and
advise others, but laugh at the thought that others could do the same to them.
This is because analyzing and defining another puts you in the superior
position, while being defined would put them in the inferior position, which
they resist.
Extroverted
Cholerics are extroverted in the sense that they will meddle
in others' affairs and “speak their mind” if they feel it is necessary, rather
than minding their own business. They generally respond well to new situations,
and seek thrills. They must prove that they are strong. They speak their mind,
but often don't mind their speech.
Their pride and drive for dominance, as well as their open
expression of emotion, naturally leads to outright aggression when challenged.
They will raise their voices and get angry to show that they are the biggest
and strongest, and to assert superiority. They are pragmatic, doing what needs
to be done bluntly rather than worrying about fantasy scenarios.
They will plough through obstacles that bar their path and they
are single-minded in moving towards their goals.
Main advantages
In brief, people of choleric temperament possess multiple
strengths:
* Born leader
* Dynamic and active
* Compulsive need for change
* Must correct wrongs
* Strong-willed and decisive
* Unemotional
* Not easily discouraged
* Independent and self sufficient
* Exudes confidence
Choleric people are people of enthusiasm; they are not
satisfied with the ordinary and crave for great success in all life affairs: large
fortunes, a vast business, an elegant home, a distinguished reputation or a
predominant position. The natural virtue of the choleric is ambition; his
desire to excel and succeed despises the little and vulgar, and aspires to the
noble and heroic.
In his aspiration for great things the choleric is
supported by:
1. A keen
intellect. The choleric person is not always, but usually endowed with
considerable intelligence.
2. A strong will.
The choleric person is not frightened by difficulties, but in case of obstacles
shows his energy so much the more and perseveres also under great difficulties
until he has reached his goal.
3. Strong passions.
The choleric is very passionate. Whenever the choleric is bent upon carrying
out his plans or finds opposition, he is filled with passionate excitement.
4. An often times subconscious impulse to dominate others
and make them subservient. The choleric
is made to rule. He feels happy when he is in a position to command, to
draw others to him, and to organize large groups.
Main disadvantages
As usual, strengths are coming hand-in-hand with
particular weaknesses for choleric person:
* Can be bossy and impatient.
* Quick tempered, can’t relax and can be too impetuous.
* Enjoy controversy and arguments and won’t give up when
losing.
* Can come on too strong, are inflexible and
uncomplimentary.
* Unemotional and are generally unsympathetic.
* Can dominate situations, are too busy for your family
and will often give answers too quickly.
* Impatient with perceived poor performance and have
little tolerance for mistakes.
* Does not analyze details or get bogged down by trivia, often
making rash decisions.
* Can be perceived as rude and tactless and can often
manipulate people.
* Can be demanding of others and believes that the end
justifies the means.
* Work may become the driving force in their life and
demand loyalty in the ranks.
* Make decisions on other people’s behalf.
* Can be perceived to know everything.
Pride, anger, and lack of compassion which is considered as the main traits of choleric personality may show itself in the multiple instances:
1. The choleric is
full of himself. He has a great opinion of his good qualities and his
successful work and considers himself as something extraordinary and as one
called upon to perform great feats. He considers even his very defects as being
justified, nay, as something great and worthy of praise; for instance, his
pride, his obstinacy, his anger.
2. The choleric is
very stubborn and opinionated. He thinks he is always right, wants to have
the last word, tolerates no contradiction, and is never willing to give in.
3. The choleric has
a great deal of self-confidence. He relies too much upon his own knowledge
and ability. He refuses the help of others and prefers to work alone, partly
because he does not like to ask for help, partly because he believes that he is
himself more capable than others and is sure to succeed without the help of
others.
4. The choleric usually
despises his fellow man. To his mind others are ignorant, weak, unskilled,
slow, at least when compared with himself. He shows his contempt of his
neighbor by despising, mocking, making belittling remarks about others and by
his proud behavior toward those around him, especially toward his subjects.
5. The choleric is
domineering and inordinately ambitious. He wants to hold the first place,
to be admired by others, to subject others to himself. He belittles, combats,
even persecutes by unfair means those who dare to oppose his ambition.
6. The choleric
feels deeply hurt when he is humiliated or put to shame.
7. The choleric is
vehemently excited by contradiction, resistance, and personal offenses.
This excitement manifests itself in harsh words which may seem very decent and
polite as far as phrasing is concerned, but hurt to the core by the tone in
which they are spoken. Nobody can hurt his fellow man with a few words more
bitterly than a choleric person. Things are made even worse by the fact that
the choleric in his angry impetuosity makes false and exaggerated reproaches,
and may go so far in his passion, as to misconstrue the intentions and to
pervert the words of those who irritated him, thus, blaming with the sharpest
of expressions, faults which in reality were not committed at all. By such
injustice, which the choleric inflicts in his anger upon his neighbor he can
offend and alienate even his best friends. The choleric may even indulge in
furious outbursts of anger. His anger easily degenerates into hatred. Grievous
offenses he cannot forget. In his anger and pride he permits himself to be
drawn to actions which he knows will be very detrimental to himself and to
others; for instance, ruin of his health, his work, his fortune, loss of his
position, and complete rupture with intimate friends. By reason of his pride
and anger he may totally ignore and cast aside the very plans for the
realization of which he has worked for years.
8. Lack of
sympathy. The choleric is a man of reason. He has two heads but no heart. This
lack of human sentiment and sympathy is, in a way, of great advantage to him.
He does not find it hard to be deprived of sensible consolations in prayer and
to remain a long time in spiritual aridity. Effeminate, sentimental
dispositions are repugnant to him; he hates the caresses and sentimentality
which arise between intimate friends. False sympathy cannot influence him to
neglect his duties or abandon his principles. On the other hand, this lack of
sympathy has its great disadvantages. The choleric can be extremely hard,
heartless, and even cruel in regard to the sufferings of others. He can
cold-bloodedly trample upon the welfare of others, if he cannot otherwise reach
his goal.
Choleric traits
through the lifecycle
1. Babies
Positives: determined look, adventuresome, energetic, outgoing, precocious.
Negatives: strong-willed, demanding, loud and shrill, throws things, not sleepy.
Positives: determined look, adventuresome, energetic, outgoing, precocious.
Negatives: strong-willed, demanding, loud and shrill, throws things, not sleepy.
2. Children
Positives: born leader, daring and eager, productive worker, sees the goal, moves quickly, self-sufficient, competitive, assertive, trustworthy.
Negatives: controls parents, manipulative, temper tantrums, constantly moving, insists on own way, tests control, argumentative, stubborn, defiant.
Positives: born leader, daring and eager, productive worker, sees the goal, moves quickly, self-sufficient, competitive, assertive, trustworthy.
Negatives: controls parents, manipulative, temper tantrums, constantly moving, insists on own way, tests control, argumentative, stubborn, defiant.
3. Teens
Positives: aggressive, competent, organizes quickly, assumes leadership, problem solver, self-confident, stimulates others, excels in emergencies, great potential, responsible.
Negatives: too bossy, controls friends, knows everything, looks down on dummies, unpopular at times, decides for all, insulting, judgmental, unrepentant, blames others.
Positives: aggressive, competent, organizes quickly, assumes leadership, problem solver, self-confident, stimulates others, excels in emergencies, great potential, responsible.
Negatives: too bossy, controls friends, knows everything, looks down on dummies, unpopular at times, decides for all, insulting, judgmental, unrepentant, blames others.
4. Adults
Emotional Needs: loyalty from the troops, sense of control, appreciation, credit for good works.
Causes of Depression: life is out of control; problems with money, job, mate, children or health.
Stress Relief: work harder, exercise more, stay away from unyielding situations.
Energy Level: highest energy, needs little reset, thrives on people to control.
Emotional Needs: loyalty from the troops, sense of control, appreciation, credit for good works.
Causes of Depression: life is out of control; problems with money, job, mate, children or health.
Stress Relief: work harder, exercise more, stay away from unyielding situations.
Energy Level: highest energy, needs little reset, thrives on people to control.
Sources and Additional
Information: