From Latin temperamentum ("blend, temperament"), from temperare ("to mix, temper") + -mentum ("-ment, suffix of result").
Meaning:
Inherent disposition, especially in terms of personality traits or mood.
The condition of the body or mind with respect to health or well-being.
The blending or adjustment of contrasting elements to create a harmonious whole.
Origin:
The concept of temperament has been explored since ancient times:
Ancient Greece: Hippocrates proposed a four-humor theory of temperament, based on the balance of bodily fluids.
Medieval Europe: Galen's humoral theory was widely accepted and used to explain both physical and mental health.
16th-17th Century: The scientific revolution and the rise of Cartesian dualism led to a separation of mind and body, with temperament seen as primarily a mental attribute.
18th-19th Century: Immanuel Kant coined the term "temperamental" and developed a comprehensive theory of temperament based on three basic traits: sensitivity, excitability, and irritability.
20th Century: Modern psychology has continued to investigate temperament, with research focusing on both biological and environmental factors that contribute to its development.
