Temperament & Character Inventory (Cloninger)

The Temperament and Character Inventory is a personality model developed by psychiatrist C. Robert Cloninger in the early 1990s. It sorts people across seven continuous dimensions: four heritable, emotion-based temperaments (Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence, Persistence) and three learned, self-concept-based character traits (Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, Self-Transcendence). Our free course introduces the model, its psychobiological structure, and Cloninger's own account of the genetics behind personality.

A research-based psychobiological model with peer-reviewed support, though its proposed links between dimensions and specific neurotransmitter systems remain debated and only partially confirmed. From Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (Cloninger, Svrakic & Przybeck, 1993). (C. Robert Cloninger, 1993 (building on his 1987 Tridimensional model))

Dimensions

• Novelty Seeking (Reflective and reserved – Exploratory and impulsive) — High scorers are curious, impulsive, and quickly excited by new stimuli, while low scorers are reflective, frugal, and slow to engage with novelty.
• Harm Avoidance (Outgoing and optimistic – Cautious and apprehensive) — High scorers are worried, pessimistic, and easily fatigued, while low scorers are relaxed, optimistic, and confident in unfamiliar situations.
• Reward Dependence (Detached and independent – Warm and approval-seeking) — High scorers are sentimental, socially attached, and sensitive to others' approval, while low scorers are cool, practical, and content with solitude.
• Persistence (Easily discouraged – Determined and ambitious) — High scorers are industrious and persevere despite frustration or fatigue, while low scorers give up readily when faced with obstacles or criticism.
• Self-Directedness (Aimless and blaming – Responsible and purposeful) — High scorers are responsible, goal-directed, and self-accepting, while low scorers feel aimless, blame others, and struggle to follow through on chosen goals.
• Cooperativeness (Self-centred and intolerant – Empathic and tolerant) — High scorers are empathic, tolerant, and helpful toward others, while low scorers are self-absorbed, critical, and indifferent to others' rights and needs.
• Self-Transcendence (Material and rationalistic – Spiritual and idealistic) — High scorers feel connected to something larger than themselves and accept ambiguity, while low scorers are practical, materialistic, and prefer clear control over their world.

References

• Cloninger, C. R., Svrakic, D. M., & Przybeck, T. R. (1993). A psychobiological model of temperament and character. Archives of General Psychiatry, 50(12), 975–990
• Cloninger, C. R. (1987). A systematic method for clinical description and classification of personality variants: A proposal. Archives of General Psychiatry, 44(6), 573–588
• Cloninger, C. R., Przybeck, T. R., Svrakic, D. M., & Wetzel, R. D. (1994). The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI): A guide to its development and use. Center for Psychobiology of Personality, Washington University, St. Louis

Related topics

• Fisher Temperament (neurochemical)
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter
• The Four Temperaments (classical humours)
• Type A / Type B personality
• Temperament type (Thomas & Chess)
• Sensitivity type (Highly Sensitive Person)
• Sensation seeking

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