Temperatsioon

Temperatsioon is an Estonian term that can refer to two related but distinct concepts: tuning systems in music and inherent patterns of personality in psychology. In music, temperatsioon describes how the frequencies of notes are arranged within an octave, shaping the harmony and the way instruments relate pitches to one another. In psychology, temperatsioon denotes stable, biologically based tendencies that govern emotional reactivity, energy, and self-regulation.

In musical practice, the octave is divided according to a tuning temperament. The most common modern system is equal temperament, where the octave is split into 12 equal semitones, allowing consistent tuning across all keys and facilitating modulation. Before this, various temperaments existed, such as meantone temperament, Pythagorean tuning, and just intonation, each producing different consonances and key-specific purity. These systems offered certain advantages in harmony but caused discrepancies when changing keys. The gradual adoption of equal temperament in Western music helped standardize tuning for keyboards and ensembles, while many non-Western musical traditions retain alternative tuning approaches.

In psychology, temperament refers to enduring aspects of an individual’s personality that are evident from early life and influence responses to the environment. Traditional theories described discrete temperaments (for example, the four temperaments: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic), but contemporary research often frames temperament as a set of continuous traits linked to broader models such as the Big Five (extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness). Temperament interacts with genetics and early experiences to shape mood, energy, adaptability, and social behavior, and it is not considered a disorder.