[The development of temperaments typology in E. Krestchmer's concept]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Medical History

Background:

• Ernst Kretschmer's influential work linked body types to mental constitutions.
• Early classifications included asthenic and pyknic body types with corresponding temperaments.
• The concept of temperament has evolved significantly in psychological and psychiatric discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the developmental trajectory of Ernst Kretschmer's temperament theories over a 50-year period.
• To identify key terminological and systematic changes in Kretschmer's classifications.
• To analyze the integration of new constitutional types and temperaments into his framework.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of Ernst Kretschmer's seminal work, "Body Type and Character."
• Examination of different editions of the monograph to identify changes in terminology and classification.
• Review of related psychiatric literature, including E. Bleuler's contributions.

Main Results:

• Minor terminology adjustments were made, such as incorporating E. Bleuler's "synton" and redefining "leptosome."
• The initial 3 physique types and 2 mental constitutions system evolved to include a distinct temperament for the athletic physique ("viscous").
• This expansion was influenced by prior work on epileptic and epileptoid constitutions.

Conclusions:

• Kretschmer's core clinical descriptions of cycloid and schizoid temperaments remained stable throughout his lifetime.
• The evolution of his typology reflects a gradual expansion and refinement of the relationship between physique and temperament.
• The study highlights the dynamic nature of psychiatric classification systems over time.