What Is a Sanguine Temperament? Everything You Need to Know

What exactly is a sanguine personality, and could it relate to you at all? Let’s find out! The sanguine personality type is part of the four temperaments theory, which consists of four personality types based on the ancient theory of humourism (the idea that bodily fluids could affect behavior). This theory may not be scientifically accurate, but it remains a fun personality system—and the sanguine personality is characterized by optimism, energy, and creativity. Dive into our guide below to learn all about the sanguine personality and its traits, plus how it compares to the other three main temperaments.

A Quick Overview of the Sanguine Personality

“Sanguine” is a personality type introduced by the four temperaments theory. The sanguine personality type is energetic, social, friendly, optimistic, confident, spontaneous, and creative; however, sanguine individuals can also be reckless, impulsive, needy, lacking discipline, and prone to addictive behaviors.

Section 1 of 8:

What is a sanguine personality?

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Sanguine refers to a social, energetic, and creative personality type. “Sanguine” is one of the four primary temperaments in the “humorism” model of personality typing. Of all the temperaments, the sanguine personality is the most social, open-minded, and versatile. The sanguine personality type is characterized by charm, influence, and optimism—sanguine individuals tend to carry themselves with equal parts confidence and enthusiasm, and they’re always on the lookout for new social connections.^{[1]
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- Famous people with sanguine personalities: Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Jackie Chan, Dwayne Johnson, and J-Hope (BTS)
- Characters with a sanguine personality: Anna (Frozen) Naveen (The Princess and the Frog), Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Tigger (Winnie the Pooh), and Rapunzel (Tangled)
- Note: The sanguine personality type and the four temperaments theory are not scientifically proven concepts. They were dismissed by scientists after the 1850s, but the four temperaments theory is still a personality type system that some people identify with.

Section 2 of 8:

Sub-Types of the Sanguine Personality

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Sanguine personalities can also be choleric, phlegmatic, or melancholic. The four temperaments theory suggests that each individual person’s behavior is influenced in different ways by all four temperaments (meaning nobody is purely sanguine, or wholly phlegmatic). One or two temperaments are just more prevalent in our personalities and have a stronger influence on our behavior. There are three possible combinations with the sanguine temperament:^{[2]
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- Sanguine-choleric: This personality type is often referred to as the “Negotiator.” They have a strong desire for social acceptance and validation, though they also strive for success. They’re very charismatic and persuasive, making them skilled negotiators.
- Sanguine-phlegmatic: This personality type is called the “Relater.” Like the previous type, they have a powerful need for social acceptance and also strive to be accommodating to others; they enjoy making friends and building strong, lasting relationships more than anything!
- Sanguine-melancholic: This personality type is the “Performer.” Social acceptance is crucial to them, but so is doing things the right way! They’re also extraordinarily creative (whether that means they’re artistic, musical, a creative problem-solver, or something else).

Section 3 of 8:

Positive Sanguine Personality Traits

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The sanguine personality is like a battery that never runs out! Sanguine individuals are full of energy, wit, and enthusiasm. When adventure calls, they answer; they love big thrills and new experiences, and always bring their positive vibes along for the journey. Even when others start to get tired, sanguine individuals are usually still raring to go.^{[3]
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Social Sanguine individuals are social in the extreme; they’re in their element around other people and often become the life of the party! They feed off the energy they get from social interactions—and because they’re so friendly and social, they also tend to be excellent communicators. Sanguine individuals know how to speak with charisma and convey information in a way that others find easy to understand.^{[4]
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- Their strong communication skills also help sanguine individuals to navigate most conflicts with ease.
Sanguine personalities are always looking at the glass half-full! They have a sunny, positive outlook on life and know how to find the bright side of any situation (rather than getting caught up in the negatives). This constant optimism feeds into their easygoing nature. Sanguine individuals rarely take life very seriously or get worked up; they prefer to go with the flow.^{[5]
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Confident Sanguine personalities project an air of confidence and tend to have higher levels of self-esteem. They embrace who they are and carry themselves accordingly! They also prefer to live in the moment rather than getting preoccupied with past mistakes or future problems; to them, it’s all about the here and now.
- Despite their confidence, sanguine individuals still need reassurance from others—they care what people think of them.
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Creative Sanguine personalities are driven by imagination and creativity; they have more ideas than they know what to do with and tend to be super open-minded. They also have a natural inclination for performance (thanks to their outgoing natures). As such, sanguine personalities are often fascinated by art (from writing and painting to dancing and theater).
- Even those sanguine individuals who don’t directly pursue the arts tend to have a knack for creative thinking and using their imaginations, no matter what fields they go into!

Section 4 of 8:

Negative Sanguine Personality Traits

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Impulsive Sanguine individuals are action-oriented, and while that isn’t inherently a flaw, it can sometimes lead them to make rushed, irrational decisions on a whim. They don’t always think things through before acting (or speaking), and their desire for excitement can result in risky behavior—and sometimes land them in harmful situations.
- Self-improvement tip: An impulsive sanguine individual could work on building their self-awareness and practicing mindfulness. By discovering the root of their impulsivity, they can develop more self-control!
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Lacking discipline Concentration can definitely be a hurdle for sanguine personalities; they’re easily distracted, and may find themselves switching to different tasks after getting bored with the one before. That’s why sanguine personalities may want to try different solutions to get themselves back on track! For example:
- Self-improvement tip: A quiet, distraction-free environment might help a sanguine individual get their work done. Setting SMART goals could also help a sanguine person finish the tasks they start!
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Attention-seeking Sanguine personalities crave attention, and not always in the healthiest of ways. They tend to need reassurance from others—and, in relationships, may even feel that one person can’t give them all the attention and reassurance they need. So, while sanguine personalities can be the life of the party, their behavior sometimes stems from a need for validation.^{[6]
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- Self-improvement tip: Even though sanguine individuals can project confidence, they may need to bolster their self-esteem. Positive affirmations can help; sanguine people should work on celebrating themselves instead of relying on others for validation.
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Addictive It’s possible that sanguine personalities may be more inclined to addictive behavior—although that doesn’t necessarily refer to substance abuse (like drugs or alcohol). A sanguine personality may be prone to activities that fulfill their need for excitement or risk, such as shopping and gambling. Otherwise, a sanguine personality might just struggle to set effective boundaries for themselves.
- Self-improvement tip: Addictive behavior is no laughing matter and can be difficult to address, but seeking help is always a good first step. By working with a support system and learning coping mechanisms, addictive behavior can be overcome.

Section 5 of 8:

Sanguine Personalities in Relationships

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In relationships, sanguine people thrive on attention and fun. They love going out and painting the town red with their partners—and when they can make their partners happy, they feel happy, too! They’re optimistic and chatty, but they’re also people-pleasers at heart; they want their partners to have as much fun as possible, which makes sanguine individuals amazing people to go out on dates with.
- Sanguine personalities are often drawn to people with outgoing personalities, including those with a choleric temperament.
- However, don’t discount the fact that “opposites attract,” too; sanguine personalities can also be drawn to more quiet, introverted types—like melancholic personalities.
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Sanguine personalities can sometimes struggle with commitment. In relationships, sanguine personalities crave constant attention from their partners, which can lead to trouble down the road. This need may cause individuals with a sanguine temperament to seek attention and validation from others, which can hurt their partner’s feelings.
- Sanguine personalities can also end up getting themselves (and their partners) into trouble because of their impulsivity—so having a more level-headed partner is often super helpful for them!

Section 6 of 8:

Best Jobs for a Sanguine Personality

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Sanguine personalities excel in entertainment and public relations. Because they’re so adaptable and versatile, sanguine personalities can fit into any field or career! Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a little direction, sanguine personalities tend to gravitate toward careers that utilize their innate charisma, sociability, and creativity. Ideal careers for a sanguine person include:
- Politician
- Diplomat or ambassador
- Musician
- Actor
- Writer
- Athlete
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Customer service
- HR Manager

Section 7 of 8:

How to Know If You Have a Sanguine Personality

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Compare yourself to the common traits of a sanguine personality. Because the four temperaments theory isn’t a scientific one, there’s no official way to be labeled a sanguine personality. You can always take our temperaments quiz for an answer—or, if you’d rather do a self-assessment, analyze your core personality traits and decide if they align with those of a sanguine personality. For example:^{[7]
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- Do you thrive in social settings?
- Are you often the life of the party?
- Do you love meeting new people?
- Are you great at telling stories?
- Are you generally pretty flexible and open to change?
- Are you enthusiastic and excitable?
- Do you naturally gravitate toward leadership?
- Do you get bored easily?
- Do you enjoy spontaneity and new experiences?
- If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, it sounds like you have a sanguine personality!

Section 8 of 8:

Understanding the Four Temperaments

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The temperaments theory suggests there are four main personality types. It’s essential to note that this theory is not supported by modern science. The four temperaments are based on the ancient theory of humourism (dating back to ancient Greece, or even Mesopotamia) and the idea that four bodily fluids can affect human behavior. From there, four fundamental personality types were developed: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic.^{[8]
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- The sanguine temperament is characterized by a sunny and easygoing nature. Sanguine individuals are social, friendly, and energetic. The sanguine temperament was traditionally associated with air and blood.
- The choleric temperament is assertive and confident. Choleric individuals tend to be very ambitious and driven, with a natural talent for leadership. This temperament was traditionally associated with fire and yellow bile.
- The melancholic temperament is introverted and logical. Melancholic individuals tend to be very private, quiet, and conscientious; they can also be extreme perfectionists. This temperament was traditionally associated with earth and black bile.
- The phlegmatic temperament is calm and agreeable. Phlegmatic individuals tend to be super loyal, patient, and unemotional; they’re defined by their sensibility and stability. This temperament was traditionally associated with water and phlegm.