Carl Huter’s Theory of Temperaments is considered one of the best-known European constitutional and typological systems in the fields of face reading, people analysis, and nonverbal communication. It views the human being as a unity of body, mind, and soul and assumes that inner characteristics become visibly expressed through external appearance. Facial structure, physique, expression, vitality, movement patterns, and body language are regarded as reflections of inner dispositions.
At the center of the Theory of Temperaments are three fundamental temperaments: the chemical resting and nourishment temperament, the physical action and movement temperament, and the psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament. These three basic temperaments describe different forms of human motivation, perception, constitution, and orientation toward life. They form the basis for numerous mixed forms, harmony models, and typological interpretations.
The chemical resting and nourishment temperament is described as calm, stable, preserving, and security-oriented. People of this temperament are considered to be more strongly connected with stability, preservation, comfort, and material security. The Theory of Temperaments associates this type with a stronger physical constitution, increased substance formation, and a greater need for calmness, order, and reliability. In face reading and body language analysis, this temperament is often linked to softer, rounder shapes and calmer movement patterns.
In contrast stands the physical action and movement temperament. This temperament is associated with activity, dynamism, ambition, and assertiveness. People of this type are considered goal-oriented, energetic, and action-driven. Movement, willpower, competition, and determination are central characteristics. In face reading, this temperament is connected with more distinctive facial features, stronger tension, a lean and powerful physique, and dynamic body language.
The psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament, in turn, is associated with sensitivity, intellectual refinement, perceptiveness, and inner experience. People of this temperament are considered more inwardly oriented and possess heightened sensitivity toward thoughts, emotions, aesthetics, and interpersonal processes. Face reading and facial expression research associate this temperament with finer and more delicate features, a sensitive aura, and differentiated nonverbal communication.
It is particularly interesting that the threefold division of temperaments can also be found in similar form within numerous other philosophical, medical, and psychological systems. In Ayurvedic philosophy, for example, a comparable division appears in the form of the doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Kapha shows clear parallels to the chemical resting and nourishment temperament. Both systems describe people who are more closely connected with stability, calmness, preservation, and consistency. Pitta, on the other hand, shows strong similarities to the physical action and movement temperament. Both systems associate this type with activity, ambition, performance orientation, and leadership strength. Vata demonstrates numerous parallels to the psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament. Both typologies describe people with heightened sensitivity, mental flexibility, and stronger inner perception.
In addition to the three primary temperaments, the Theory of Temperaments also describes important mixed temperaments that arise from the combination of two primary temperaments. These mixed types allow for a much more differentiated understanding of human personality, body language, and expression.
The movement and sensitivity temperament combines drive with sensitivity. People of this type are often emotionally expressive, creative, enthusiastic, and communicative. They combine activity with perceptiveness and often have a strong impact on other people. Within the DISC model, overlaps can be seen with the influential or inspiring type. In the Motivation Compass®, parallels can be found in the areas of “Inspiration and Ease” and partly “Assertion and Influence.” In Ayurveda, connections can be recognized with a combination of Pitta and Vata.
The resting and sensitivity temperament combines stability with sensitivity and inner warmth. People of this type are considered empathetic, harmony-seeking, calm, and relationship-oriented. They combine emotional sensitivity with consistency and are often highly relationship-focused. In the DISC model, overlaps can be found with the steady and supportive types. In the Motivation Compass®, parallels exist with “Harmony and Security” as well as partly with “Order and Stability.” In Ayurveda, this type resembles a combination of Kapha and Vata.
The movement and nourishment temperament combines stability with drive. People of this type are considered practical, resilient, goal-oriented, and economically minded. They combine perseverance with activity and often demonstrate strong performance and work capacity. In the DISC model, points of contact can be found with dominant and conscientious types. In the Motivation Compass®, parallels appear in “Assertion and Influence” as well as “Order and Stability.” In Ayurveda, this mixed type resembles a combination of Kapha and Pitta.
In addition to the primary and mixed temperaments, the Theory of Temperaments also describes two polar principles: the Apollonian and the Dionysian temperament. The Apollonian temperament represents harmony, balance, and clarity of form. The Dionysian temperament, on the other hand, embodies tension, polarity, emotional intensity — the spice of life.
Modern personality models also show remarkable similarities to the Theory of Temperaments. In the previously mentioned DISC model, clear structural parallels can be identified. The dominant type shares many similarities with the physical action and movement temperament. The steady or conscientious type shows stronger parallels to the chemical resting and nourishment temperament. The influential or inspiring type, in turn, overlaps with the psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament.
Dirk Eilert’s Motivation Compass® also reveals interesting connections to the Theory of Temperaments. The motivational field “Assertion and Influence” strongly resembles the physical action and movement temperament. The motivational field “Order and Stability” shows strong parallels to the chemical resting and nourishment temperament. The motivational fields “Harmony and Security” as well as partly “Inspiration and Ease” overlap with the psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament.
Even within the modern Big Five personality models, certain structural similarities can be recognized. High extraversion and assertiveness partly resemble the physical action and movement temperament. High agreeableness and security orientation show points of contact with the chemical resting and nourishment temperament. Openness to experience, sensitivity, and aesthetic perception resemble the psychological thinking and sensitivity temperament.
The Theory of Temperaments therefore attempts to view human differences not only psychologically but holistically. Human beings are understood as expressions of inner life forces that simultaneously manifest in facial expression, mimicry, body language, posture, speech, and behavior. More and more researchers are becoming interested in the question of how personality, motivation, emotion, and character can be recognized through appearance and nonverbal expression.
Another central aspect of the Theory of Temperaments lies in its principles of harmony and color symbolism. Blue represents calmness, stability, and nourishment; red stands for movement, activity, and drive; yellow symbolizes sensitivity, intellect, and perception. The combination of these colors symbolizes mixed forms and transitions between the different temperaments.
The many parallels with other typologies demonstrate that the Theory of Temperaments is part of a long tradition of human typological and constitutional theories. Different cultures and scientific traditions developed their own terminology and models while describing similar fundamental patterns of human personality, energy, perception, and body language.
The Theory of Temperaments helps make human individuality understandable through form, expression, constitution, and behavior. It views the human being as a living interplay of different forces and considers outer appearance as a reflection of inner disposition and psychological structure. Especially in the fields of face reading, people analysis, body language, and nonverbal communication, this question remains of great interest to this day.
None of the described personality models and typological systems – neither the Theory of Temperaments, the DISC model, the Motivation Compass®, the Big Five, Ayurvedic typologies such as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, nor modern personality tests – can fully do justice to the uniqueness of a human being. Every person possesses an individual personality, unique life experiences, distinctive body language, and an inner structure unlike any other. Typologies, face reading, and models of nonverbal communication are therefore not intended to place people into rigid categories, but rather to help us perceive human differences more consciously and thereby promote a more respectful, understanding, and considerate way of relating to one another. Every human being is unique.