College Students' Mental Health and Adjustment

Author: Ji Hong, Wang Zhifeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features:
IV. Understanding Temperament Correctly
(1) Is there a good or bad difference in temperament?
Temperament merely gives a person's behavior a certain dynamic characteristic. In terms of dynamic characteristics, there is no inherent good or bad, which means temperament is unrelated to the content of an individual's psychological activities. For example, two people may both belong to the choleric temperament type. One works diligently and is passionate about what they do, while the other is slack in collective work but puts their heart into their own tasks. Additionally, every temperament type has both positive and negative aspects, making it impossible to compare which type is better. Therefore, it is not appropriate to label certain temperaments as positive and others as negative. For instance, choleric individuals are energetic and vibrant but can also be irritable, willful, and impulsive. Sanguine individuals are flexible, quick-witted, and have strong work abilities, but their attention is unstable, and their interests are easily shifted. Phlegmatic individuals are calm and composed but lack vitality and can be somewhat aloof. Melancholic individuals may not be strong in work ability but are meticulous, focused, and observant. There is no choice in temperament for an individual. The key is to understand oneself, consciously develop the positive aspects of one's temperament, and strive to overcome the negative aspects. Therefore, college students should pay attention to cultivating their temperament.
(2) Can temperament determine the level of achievement?
Temperament characteristics can only influence the way intellectual activities are carried out and cannot predestine an individual's level of achievement or intellectual development. This is evident in countless real-life examples. For instance, among famous Russian writers, Pushkin is choleric, Herzen is sanguine, Крылов is phlegmatic, and Gogol is melancholic. History has proven that individuals with completely different temperament types can all achieve outstanding results through their own efforts. Among outstanding figures, one can find representatives of various temperament types. Similarly, individuals with very similar temperament types may have vastly different outcomes in practice due to their varying levels of subjective effort. It is clear that temperament type does not determine the level of an individual's intellectual development or the magnitude of their achievements. For college students, all four temperament types can become excellent students and, in the future, outstanding leaders, managers, and builders. The important thing is for students of all temperament types to understand their strengths and weaknesses, strive to leverage their advantages, and work to compensate for their shortcomings. For example, sanguine students are easily able to get along with classmates but may lack patience. Choleric students are enthusiastic but prone to impatience. Phlegmatic students are steady and patient but may not be good at communication. Melancholic students are observant and cautious but may lack initiative and flexibility. A class often gathers people with various temperaments, each with their own unique strengths. Students can learn from one another, which is beneficial for the better development of class activities.
(3) Can temperament adapt to the environment?
The environment is constantly changing. How an individual responds to changes and whether they adapt smoothly is a test of their ability to adapt to the environment. Generally, sanguine individuals are quick-witted and can easily use clever methods to cope with environmental changes. Phlegmatic individuals often rely on self-restraint and patience to handle changes and can also achieve their goals. Choleric individuals have a quick temper and may resort to aggressive behavior during frustrating situations, leading to negative consequences. Melancholic individuals are overly sensitive and vulnerable, easily hurt, and prone to frustration. The latter two temperament types have either too high or too low emotional excitability, making their ability to adapt to the environment poor and potentially affecting their physical health. Therefore, individuals with extreme temperament types should learn to better protect themselves and avoid strong stimuli and extreme emotional fluctuations. College students should analyze and understand their own temperament characteristics, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, become masters of their temperament, and leverage their advantages while avoiding their shortcomings. P64-65