Origins+and+Stability+of+Temperament

toc = Definition: = Temperamental differences appear so early in life, even during the prenatal period, it appears that genes are entirely responsible for them. However research suggests that both nature and nurture contribute to individual differences in temperament. HGD, Chapter 6, p.142

= = Examples: = A group of researchers studied 100 pairs of fraternal twins and 100 pairs of identical twins at both 14-20 months. At each age the children's temperament were rated by their mothers, and each child's level of behavior inhibition was measured by observing how the child reacted to strange toys and strange adults in a special laboratory playroom. The researchers observed if the children approached the toys eagerly and quickly or hang back and seem fearful. Did the child approach the strange adult or did they stay by the mother? The correlation of temperament scores on all four of these dimensions were consistently higher for identical twins than fraternal twins. Indicating a strong genetic effect. (Emde et al., 1992; Plomin etal.,1993)

If a loving mother and father were to bring up a child from birth to adolescence. The child would most likely have stable temper. Whereas if a child that went from foster home to foster home and was eventually adopted, would more likely to be unstable about with their temperament.

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