I am a Supine (or so I am told by my counselor). In my research, I have not found any information comparing a Supine mother to a Sanguine child, so I thought that I would start with my own temperament:
The Supine temperament category is fairly new. It was discovered in 1994. During a study, there was an area where some people just did not fit into any of the "age old" four temperaments. The name, Supine, was used because of the definition of the word. To be Supine is to be laying on one’s back and/or looking up, like a servant looking up to it’s master.
(Being completely honest, this sort of irks me. I am a very strong-willed and independent person and I am proud of it. I have always been forced into a role of control, but truthfully, I have often sought someone to take care of me.)
Mother Theresa is a good example of a Supine. The Supine has a servant's heart. They always place their own needs secondary to the good of all. They have such an intense need to serve others that they often become natural born victims.
At the same time, the Supine is a temperament that has many interests and cares, but little ability to express these. To be a Supine can feel like "having tape over your mouth." You may often have a wish or desire, but are unable to express it. This will effectively hide their needs and the Supine will expect you to read their mind. And if you fail to read it, they will be "hurt!"
As with other wishes, a Supine will not express much need for social contact, even though the need for social contact for the Supine is very great! They may look like they do not want much contact, but they actually want social contact very much!
Because of their inability or unwillingness to express their needs, most Supines fail to get their needs met. While they appear reserved and cool, the fact is that they are truly in need of a lot of close, personal affection, love, and attention. However, if a Supine actually feels safe in a close, personal relationship, they can become intensely loyal, producing absolute and complete faithfulness. No temperament is more prone to this kind of intense loyalty.
Supines also get embarrassed when paid a compliment, they are kindhearted, they have a crippling fear of rejection, and their feelings are easily offended. A Supine tends to harbor a great deal of anger and resentment, a lot of it resulting from their tendencies to be easily offended or from their lack of ability to communicate their needs. As youngsters, they’re often tormented and abused by other children. They tend to internalize their anger and hurt, actually believing they deserve the treatment they receive. Supines tend to view others as superior to themselves.
Other temperaments may view the Supine as a dominating individual. By all outward appearances, they are. But the real truth is that they are coercing others into taking care of them. (I can see where this may be true in my life. I come across as bossy and a perfectionist, but in the end, I want and/or need someone to take care of me, without treating me like a child. .)
A Supine will always be inclined to seek advice from others. (I find myself seeking advice, but unlike other Supines, I don't feel incapable of making a good decision unless others undermine my decisions constantly.) Supines also like to be involved in decisions, and will be offended if left out, but they do not want to assume the responsibility for the final decision. ( (Thus my experience with being a paralegal, but having no desire to move up to an attorney.)
Supines are also very organized, almost to the degree of perfectionism. They cannot thrive in chaos, at least I can’t. Due to their desire to please others, they tend to take on more than they can do and they experience almost a crippling fear of rejection.
At the same time, Supines have a tendency to feel powerless and at the mercy of others. This will further eat away at their already low self-esteem.
Supines are extremely responsible, independent, loyal, dependable, and faithful. When treated right and comfortable with themselves, they will thrive and will have an unending need to serve others.
Next post: My Daughter's Temperament: Sanguine
The Supine
The Supine temperament category is fairly new. It was discovered in 1994. During a study, there was an area where some people just did not fit into any of the "age old" four temperaments. The name, Supine, was used because of the definition of the word. To be Supine is to be laying on one’s back and/or looking up, like a servant looking up to it’s master.
(Being completely honest, this sort of irks me. I am a very strong-willed and independent person and I am proud of it. I have always been forced into a role of control, but truthfully, I have often sought someone to take care of me.)
Mother Theresa is a good example of a Supine. The Supine has a servant's heart. They always place their own needs secondary to the good of all. They have such an intense need to serve others that they often become natural born victims.
At the same time, the Supine is a temperament that has many interests and cares, but little ability to express these. To be a Supine can feel like "having tape over your mouth." You may often have a wish or desire, but are unable to express it. This will effectively hide their needs and the Supine will expect you to read their mind. And if you fail to read it, they will be "hurt!"
As with other wishes, a Supine will not express much need for social contact, even though the need for social contact for the Supine is very great! They may look like they do not want much contact, but they actually want social contact very much!
Because of their inability or unwillingness to express their needs, most Supines fail to get their needs met. While they appear reserved and cool, the fact is that they are truly in need of a lot of close, personal affection, love, and attention. However, if a Supine actually feels safe in a close, personal relationship, they can become intensely loyal, producing absolute and complete faithfulness. No temperament is more prone to this kind of intense loyalty.
Supines also get embarrassed when paid a compliment, they are kindhearted, they have a crippling fear of rejection, and their feelings are easily offended. A Supine tends to harbor a great deal of anger and resentment, a lot of it resulting from their tendencies to be easily offended or from their lack of ability to communicate their needs. As youngsters, they’re often tormented and abused by other children. They tend to internalize their anger and hurt, actually believing they deserve the treatment they receive. Supines tend to view others as superior to themselves.
Other temperaments may view the Supine as a dominating individual. By all outward appearances, they are. But the real truth is that they are coercing others into taking care of them. (I can see where this may be true in my life. I come across as bossy and a perfectionist, but in the end, I want and/or need someone to take care of me, without treating me like a child. .)
A Supine will always be inclined to seek advice from others. (I find myself seeking advice, but unlike other Supines, I don't feel incapable of making a good decision unless others undermine my decisions constantly.) Supines also like to be involved in decisions, and will be offended if left out, but they do not want to assume the responsibility for the final decision. ( (Thus my experience with being a paralegal, but having no desire to move up to an attorney.)
Supines are also very organized, almost to the degree of perfectionism. They cannot thrive in chaos, at least I can’t. Due to their desire to please others, they tend to take on more than they can do and they experience almost a crippling fear of rejection.
At the same time, Supines have a tendency to feel powerless and at the mercy of others. This will further eat away at their already low self-esteem.
Supines are extremely responsible, independent, loyal, dependable, and faithful. When treated right and comfortable with themselves, they will thrive and will have an unending need to serve others.
Next post: My Daughter's Temperament: Sanguine
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