Which of the following concepts is associated with Hippocrates's ideas about personality?
A) Personality traits are based on four separate temperaments associated with four fluids ("humors") of the body.
B) He developed a list of traits that could be used to describe the personality of a person from each of the four temperaments.
C) Both diseases and personality differences can be explained by imbalances in the humors.
D) He included an axis that separated strong from weak emotions.
Answer (2)
Hippocrates believed that personality traits are linked to the balance of four bodily fluids known as humors. Each humor corresponds to different personality types: sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic. Thus, the correct answer is A) Personality traits are based on four separate temperaments associated with four fluids ('humors') of the body.
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The concept associated with Hippocrates's ideas about personality is that personality traits are based on four separate temperaments connected to four ‘humors’ or bodily fluids.
Hippocrates, a Greek physician born around 460 BC, is often referred to as the "Father of Medicine." He developed a theory that human character and health were influenced by four primary bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. These fluids were known as the four humors.
According to this theory:
Blood was associated with a sanguine temperament, characterized by sociability and a lively personality.
Phlegm was related to a phlegmatic temperament, marked by calmness and reliability.
Yellow bile was connected with a choleric temperament, which included characteristics of being ambitious and energetic.
Black bile was linked to a melancholic temperament, often associated with individuals who were thoughtful and sometimes moody.
Hippocrates believed that an imbalance in any of these humors could affect both a person's physical health and personality. Therefore, the best answer to the question is (C) Both diseases and personality differences can be explained by imbalances in the humors , as this choice captures Hippocrates's idea that these fluid imbalances could explain the differences in human personality and health.
