The sanguine is an extravert in the Active life position. The ancient Greek Hippocrates grouped under this type people in whom blood predominated (sanguis, “blood”), which makes a person lively and cheerful. There is nothing brighter, more flamboyant or more clamorous than people with this temperament. They need attention — and they go after it actively.
Nobody knows better than they do how to put on a show, step onto the stage, charm everyone and lead them off into a bright future. "Public opinion" and a heap of clichés write sanguines down as forever positive, loud, good-natured souls, and that is partly true — but only partly.
Communication matters to sanguines, because it is in communication with the world that they come to know themselves far better. Their smile, their resolve and their enthusiasm are disarming, and all the noise they can make for no particular reason draws the attention of the introverts around them and charges them up for good deeds and great achievements.
Sanguines value beauty, self-expression, change and everything new. They are an example to be admired and imitated. They are surrounded by crowds of people; what sets them apart is a sense of fashion, brightness, visibility, sociability and a certain restlessness. Sanguines are not afraid to take a risk so that they can proudly drink champagne afterwards. And they are not afraid of attention either — they know how to make an impression.
A vivid example of a sanguine is Lyudmila Sviridova in the film “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears”. Driven, calculating, imposing, adventurous, with her own beliefs to live by:
Lyudmila's beliefs, from the film "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears"«If you are going to choose, choose a queen. If you are going to lose, lose a million.»
«Do not teach me how to live. Help me out financially instead.»
«Everything is mapped out 20 years ahead. Sealed shut, like the inside of a tank.»
«Moscow is one big lottery. Here you can win the lot in one go.»
«I cannot take my happiness in instalments — I need it all at once!»
«Moscow does not believe in tears! You have to act!»
Lyudmila is an extravert, because she talks mostly about herself. Lyudmila is in the Active life position, because she is set above all on conquest (of a socially significant man, for example). What else marks Lyudmila out as a sanguine?
Contact with Reality happens through:
- Imagination and fantasy.
- A lively, sharp mind. They work the situation out 5 minutes ahead.
- Their reactions and decisions about what is going on around them are fast! The consequences of what they do are dealt with by improvisation.
The Experiencing System works through
- A vivid, fast-changing expression of emotions. Expressive facial play
- Optimism (bordering on a denial of reality)
- They look at the positive sides rather than at losses and negatives.
Coming to know the world goes through:
- Experiment
- Fast action, with no inclination to think things over or work out the long-term consequences
- The main thing is that it should be interesting! Breaking “suffocating” laws, for instance, is a favourite occupation of sanguines
Depending on their childhood, sanguines can grow into the Hysteroid, Narcissistic or Frustrating personality type. Their fast, unconsidered, pleasure-seeking way of reacting to life situations, with no life strategy behind it, can end in what Lyudmila became by middle age: a husband turned alcoholic, a so-so job, no children.
