19.3: Temperament Dimensions
- Page ID
- 141912
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Dimensions of Temperament
In a landmark study in 1956, Chess and Thomas (1996) evaluated 141 children's temperament based on parental interviews. Referred to as the New York Longitudinal Study, infants were assessed on 9 dimensions of temperament.[1] Behaviors for each one of these traits are on a continuum. These traits include:
- Activity level
- Rhythmicity (regularity of biological functions)
- Approach/withdrawal (how children deal with new things)
- Adaptability to situations
- Intensity of reactions
- ·Threshold of responsiveness (how intense a stimulus must be for the child to react)
- Quality of mood
- Distractibility
- Attention span
- Persistence
The Temperament Chart explains these traits in more detail.[2]
|
Dimensions |
Typical Behavioral Indicator |
The Child... |
|
Activity Level refers to the general level of motor activity when one is awake or asleep. Motor activity involves large and small muscle movements like running, jumping, rolling over, holding a crayon, picking up toys, etc. |
High Activity |
is squirmy and active. |
|
Low Activity |
prefers less noise and movement. |
|
|
Distractibility is the ease with which one can be distracted; or conversely, his level of concentration or focus. |
High Distractibility |
is very distracted by discomfort, noticing even small signals such as hunger, being sleepy, etc. |
|
Low Distractibility |
can handle discomfort, does not seem very bothered at all. |
|
|
Intensity refers to the energy level of one's emotional response, both positive and negative. |
High Intensity |
has strong or intense positive and negative reactions. |
|
Low Intensity |
has muted emotional reactions. |
|
|
Regularity relates to the predictability of biological functions such as eating, sleeping, etc. |
Highly Regular |
has predictable appetite, sleep, and elimination patterns. |
|
Irregular |
has unpredictable appetite, sleep, and elimination patterns. |
|
|
Sensitivity describes how responsive one is to physical stimuli such as light, sound, and textures. |
High Sensitivity |
is sensitive to physical stimuli, including sounds, tastes, touch, and temperature changes; is a picky eater; and has difficulty sleeping in a strange bed. |
|
Low Sensitivity |
is not sensitive to physical stimuli, including sounds, tastes, touch, and temperature changes; can fall asleep anywhere; and tries new foods easily. |
|
|
Approachability is one's initial response to new places, situations, or things. |
High Approaching |
eagerly approaches new situations or people. |
|
Low Approaching |
is hesitant and resistant when faced with new situations, people, or things. |
|
|
Adaptability describes how easily one adjusts to changes and transitions. |
High Adaptability |
requires very small amount of time to feel ok in new situations. |
|
Low Adaptability |
may cry or stay close to a caregiver before approaching a new situation. |
|
|
Persistence relates to the length of time one continues in activities in the face of obstacles. |
High Persistence |
continues with a task or activity in the face of obstacles and does not get easily frustrated. |
|
Low Persistence |
moves on to a new task or activity when faced with obstacles and gets frustrated easily. |
|
|
Mood is one's tendency to react to the world primarily in a positive or negative way. |
Positive mood |
reacts to the world in a positive way and is generally cheerful. |
|
Serious Mood |
reacts in an observant, sometimes more serious way and tends to be thoughtful about new situations. |
[1] Human Development by Human Development Teaching & Learning Group is licensed under a CC BY- NC-SA 4.0,
[2] U.S Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, May 30). Introduction to Temperament. ECLKC. is in the public domain